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Markus had not removed his gaze from his oldest child. Their hardended gazes towards one another were quite tense and cold. Ransom clenched his jaw, not breaking the eye contact until Markus had. He remained still, maintaing his composure. Had nobody else been there - especially his wife - Ransom would have blown up in his face to try and make some sort of point. He hated how easily Markus seemingly humiliated him, even if this was something for the better good. The thought made Ransom feel like he only had a singular purpose - please Markus Castello, leader of The Red Mafia. Perhaps that was just it seeing as his siblings had yet to make any sort of step towards bettering the families. The thought made Ransom want to scream and run his head through a wall, but here he stood - silent and still, just like his father had always wanted.
Before Markus could fully move away, Ransom continued to coldly eye him. As he want to step, Ransom grasped his father's forearm with a strong hand, his knuckles and fingertips slightly turning white from the strong grip. He barely inclined his head. "If you ever talk to me like that again in front of my wife, it will be you who has a hit on him," Ransom had finally shot back, his words laced with a cold venom. Mikayla watched from afar, eyeing her two boys and then looked to Lorelai. She shook her head. This was complete nonesense to her. She understood that what was happening here between Ransom and Lorelai was only pure acceptance to please the parents, but she knew deep down this would run further between Ransom and Markus as everything always had.
Markus didn't say anything. He knew that Ransom most likely wasn't just making a threat - but rather a promise. Even if Lorelai despised Ransom, he would still protect her and ensure that nothing happened to her. While the words were obviously meant for Ransom, anything that happened to him could potentially affect or happen to her, and Ransom couldn't allow that. Not while some sort of dinner was being set up in enemy territory.
Markus tore his arm away, looking his son up and down. He gave a bit of a frown of what Ransom could gather was disappointment and anger before walking away, not saying a singular thing. Mikayla gathered herself and gave something of a sympathetic look to the pair before watching as Lorelai's parents departed after interating with her. Mikayla placed a hand on Ransom's shoulder, gently brushing him before turning towards him.
"You make calls like that to your father and it will not end well." Mikayla didn't say anything else - her voice was genuine and monotone. Ransom looked down and away, not saying anything else. He heard the heavy doors close behind everyone, leaving himself and Lorelai in the open space alone together. He thought this was the only time they had been near each other this whole week - maybe even month - and it felt as though this was how it was meant to be. Ransom still managed to find some sort of comfort in her even if their interactions were very minimal. He saw a potential, but one that she had declined over and over again. Ransom would never say that he loved her - their connection would never run that deep spiritually and let alone romantically - but he did care for her. The two families had been close for quite some time. He knew his doings in the past were wrong and questionable, especially now considering their circumstance.
The silence had been defeaning. Ransom gently tapped the table with a finger, thinking to himself quietly. He knew the trust that they eached longed from one another would never be fulfilled in a way that was completed, but he knew that he still had time to prove himself. He had a very apparent frown on his face, his eyes glossy. Ransom was never the type to be super emotional, but the idea of causing more hurt to Lorelai than he had already caused made him feel angry. He was granted the gift of taking care of someone, and even if she felt like a prisoner with him, he would still try his best to do such a thing.
Ransom's thoughts were disturbed when he heard three words.
Are you alright?
Her tone was quiet and soft and Ransom could almost consider it real. Like she was asking because she cared as much as him. Ransom nodded, bringing a hand up to his face and rubbing it slightly before he fully looked at her. He held eye contact for a moment. "Yes," he finally said, a long sigh leaving his mouth like he had been holding his breath the entire interaction between Markus and her. While his face would obviously say otherwise and counter his answer, Ransom didn't dare try to explain himself to her. Their emotional values were not a part of this marriage - this was all for show and for the bettering for two families who wanted more. |
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(„• ֊ •„)♡
|￣U U￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
| OC Owned by Imp
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣ Lorelai Sterling Salvatore (Castello) ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ Lorelai certainly understood far better than anyone what it felt like to have the weight of an entire mafia heritage on their shoulders, forced to inherit and rule something that one may have never wanted in the first place. Even if she was more sheltered than most that eventually came to rule the world they lived in today, she was more than aware of the bloodshed, the crime, and all of the efforts made just to keep the show on its wheels. That was potentially a reason why she felt herself soften a mere fraction as she quietly observed the interactions between the Castellos. She knew better than to speak up since she was, in a way, certainly not even worthy of contemplating saying something against them; perhaps in a year or two of being wed to Ransom, then it would be her place to do so with no worry or regret whatsoever. She let out a breath she had been unaware of that she had been holding, her gaze traveling from Markus to Ransom before his words struck her as if it were a stake to the heart. Lorelai understood just how risky it was to speak back, even if it were her doing the same to her own father; one word would be enough for them to revoke the inheritance- to simply ensure that their lives were even worse than a living hell. She knew Ransom`s gesture was for show, but still.. it had done something to her on an emotional level. Despite everything, Lorelai still saw the reflection of the teenage boy she used to spend most of her days with. The boy that was her only friend and could care less that they were both from rival families at the time; it was ironic that all of the big, influential families involved in this type of society always sent their children to the same places, as if they wanted them to start tearing each other apart at the earliest age possible. She remembered how they would rest beneath the shade of a tree beside the lake, gossiping about whatever children gossiped about. Regardless, it scared her a little that she still clung to those moments even when Ransom had hurt her so thoroughly and unforgivingly a few years ago. It was still fresh, so fresh that even now she felt uneasy sharing a room with him. Her thoughts were interrupted when she observed his father and mother leave the dining room, a brief frown flashing across her face. Even with the marriage in place, it was clear that things still were tense and uncertain in both their family`s worlds; the Salvatores wanted more power while the Castellos seemed to want more influence and more light shed on their name. A small huff of disbelief escaped her when she looked over at Ransom, looking over his expression. Anyone could tell that he was disturbed and upset in some way, but she honestly knew better than to push him; she had been so insistent on pushing him away anyways, so why was she genuinely concerned now? God, it was certainly because of the fact that he had protected her in a way.. right? She sighed as she outstretched one of her hands to rest it gently on the finger he was tapping on the table, wanting to still the anxious movement. As soon as he paused, she lifted her hand as if it had never been there and glanced around the room for a moment. ``You`re not okay.. I can tell,`` Lorelai began quietly, her voice conveying just how unsure and hesitant she was at that moment. She folded her arms across her chest as if she were cold, but it was a self-reassuring gesture if anything. Her eyes eventually landed on his face again, a little gentle but not gentle enough that one would look at them and presume they really were husband and wife. ``If you need it- really need it- I`m here.`` There was a pause as she looked away again, lowering her arms as if in defeat. Lorelai was not looking forward to the dinner at The Hummnigbird, knowing exactly what could potentially unfold there. Places that did not belong to either of their families were dangerous, so dangerous that she wouldn`t be surprised if some kind of fight broke out even before they got there. The Castellos and Salvatores were always considered the most civil and tame in public spaces compared to the other families; they were more like predators too impatient to wait before sinking their teeth into their prey. She spoke up again, her voice almost quieter, ``We`ll survive the dinner. It shouldn`t be too bad and.. I`ll do my part.`` |
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[Appreciate the patience and going to do a little time jump to get things flowing :) Please excuse the imperfections since I haven't written in a while]
Ransom fell silent as Lorelai spoke. She stood there, reassuring him, and he knew that deep down she was under no obligation to him but only to act as his partner. Act as though nothing was wrong. Act as though they loved each other and this wasn't something out of convenience. For the longest time, Ransom never believed that the two of them could ever become active in each others' lives. A tragedy of living together in a broken home that was never fixed to begin with. He sighed softly and nodded, acknowledging what she said but spoke nothing more of it.
"I'll do my part," he finally answered after a brief silence. He clenched his jaw in a way that was unsettling. It seemed as though he was picking up on a sense of compatibility, but the two would never become that. This surface level acting was all they could push out; but here they stood in silence, and had anyone walked into that room, you could easily say that they were a couple in love as ever. A tale for the books, and one that could possibly be passed on for generations. But of course, nobody knew the insides and outs of their relationship like they did - Ransom and Lorelai would never truly love each other.
Ransom looked down at the floor for a moment before looking at her with a gentle gaze. He could never take her for granted considering what he had done - an attempt on her. He knew that she could never forgive him and rightfully so. Ransom also was aware of the obvious fact that his feelings towards her - ones so complex - would never be outwardly expressed. Keep it to yourself, he thought. "I'll meet you at the house," he said softly and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before he would depart from her. He left her alone without another word, and perhaps that was cold, but Ransom had some thinking to do.
---
Ransom had returned home. He gave Lorelai her space. Their tolerance today seemed alright, but even if it was good, it would never be the best. He cleaned himself up and threw on an average tux. The Hummingbird wasn't the most fancy place on Earth, but considering it was Angelo grounds, he figured that if something were to happen he would at least go out looking half-decent.
After he finished getting ready, Ransom stood in the bedroom alone. He looked at himself in the mirror for a moment before heading to his dresser. He opened the top drawer and buried beneath articles of clothing was a pistol. He pulled it out and checked the clip. Full. He seemed anxious, almost as if he knew something bad would happen. It was probably just wanting to be on his best behavior for his father and for the sake of Lorelai. Although the two didn't get along in private, making a good public image was important - even if neither one of them wanted it. The idea was a decent one, but he came to the realization that acting only worked for so long. Obviously this would be their first public appearance together since their wedding. Ransom went through a list of answers to questions that could be inquired upon their arrival. His answers were mostly 'good' or 'it's been great'. Neither of them knew what a loving marriage was. How do you fake that to people you're supposed to trust?
Ransom slid the pistol into his waistband, covered by his jacket. He hummed softly. He passed Lorelai a few times, not saying much until she was ready. He gave a small smile of reassurance. He debated telling her about the gun and his feelings on the event. Should something happen, he would protect her. That was his job. That is what a good husband does, right? Protect his own. Ransom bit his lip before he cleared his throat, grabbing Lorelai's attention.
"I know my father said there would be men with us, but I am taking my gun with me." Ransom spoke honestly and assertedly, not wanting to surprise her if something were to go down. He prayed that it didn't, but Ransom had a hard time trusting his father's word nowadays. He thought for a brief second. He struggled to get certain words out. How did people do this every day? His avoidance spoke volumes. "I, uh, want to be honest with you. No surprises. If something happens, I'm here to protect you at the least. For your parents," Ransom reassured. He framed his purpose in that very sentence. Protect Lorelai for her family. It was the least he could do. |
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There were moments when Lorelai briefly considered that Ransom was human, someone capable of having emotions and opinions; they were far and few between, however, given the distrust that often overwhelmed her. Truthfully, it was a peculiar thought to have, but it was true: only a monster could act this normal after doing what he had done all those years ago. It was why she had decided to extend a curt reassurance, even if it probably would not mean much in the future nor would it ever be truly accepted. Lorelai could only imagine what was unfolding within Ransom`s head as he stood there, his gaze piercing her`s as if he were struggling with a colossal surge of thoughts. It was an understandable reaction, given how out-of-character her actions probably seemed to him. Regardless, Lorelai did not have any intention of even considering to try and pry him to figure out what he was truly thinking at that moment. He respected her enough to give her the space she wanted, so she would do the same for him. Ransom`s familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts, causing her to straighten herself and focus on him instead of what she was thinking. His expression told her that whatever he had been thinking was unpleasant, presumably something involving their relationship or the dinner itself. In response, she offered a curt nod of acknowledgement. It truly was unsettling how well the two of them could create facades for the sake of keeping up appearances; the other families believed the marriage was going smoothly, that both were not to be messed with still, but.. It was always possible for the briefest of slip-ups to ruin everything. That simple fact scared Lorelai more than she would probably ever admit. Sure, it would affect them more than anything, but it was certainly possible for the members of their respective mafias to be in danger if it did happen as well. ``I`ll see you there,`` her voice was quiet as she replied to his departing words, turning slightly to watch him as he left the room. Lorelai presumed that there was a chance that her parents were still lingering around somewhere, so she took it upon herself to try and find them. Knowing her mother, Freya Salvatore always enjoyed talking privately with her; it was one of the few ways she was able to get everything off her chest, after all. She presumed Ransom wouldn`t immediately head home anyways.
After a brief conversation with her mother, Lorelai had headed home. If there was one thing she despised when it came to being a mafia daughter, it was the formal events and the importance of them that she dreaded the most. All you did was act, constantly trying to seem like the strongest and most composed in the room. It was an incredibly rough world to live in, but alas she had to; if she ran away, chaos would ensue and all the lives lost would be her fault entirely. A heavy sigh escaped her as she resumed smoothing her hair out with a brush, eyeing herself in the mirror of the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom she shared with Ransom. He had not returned yet, so she had been correct when she had presumed he needed some time alone. Honestly, she respected it. Lorelai had changed into a sleek, deep red dress with a slit that showcases most of her leg. An expensive necklace rested on her chest, complimenting the earrings she had put on as well. Even if The Hummingbird was considered to be more of a casual place, she had been raised to always dress in a way that told everyone who she was: a powerful, confident woman. Most of the time, however, she was the exact opposite. She always managed to conceal it for everyone`s sake, however. She paused her actions when she saw Ransom walk inside, offering him a brief smile of greeting. There was no need for her to ignore his existence; she would never treat someone that lowly. Her throat felt dry and her stomach heavy as she resumed what she had been doing, moving on to focusing on her make-up instead. She felt overwhelmed, especially when she remembered a splendid fact: this was their first appearance since the wedding, which meant everything relied on this moment. Another heavy sigh left her as she wrapped up, moving into the bedroom where Ransom was. She had heard him moving around before, but had not thought much of it. That is until he cleared his throat and gained her undivided attention. Ransom was going to bring his gun with him, which implied he was probably as uncertain as she was regarding the whole setup. Her gaze did soften though when he continued, realizing that he really was playing his role. Even then, the idea of him having a gun on him was a little unsettling, but she had to push it down. It made no sense for him to even consider making another attempt, but trust was.. difficult for her. ``Thank you, I.. appreciate it,`` Lorelai smiled as she moved just a little closer, looking him over. She nearly considered contemplating his current attire and overall appearance, but.. that would be weird. Her body was a little relaxed now, her gaze shifting towards the door of their bedroom. ``I`m ready when you are.`` |
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Heavy Downpours, Flood Warning
