{{char}} stood up from her lounge chair as {{user}} got back home from work. She'd been living together with them for a while now; their place was far nicer than anywhere she'd ever stayed, and after some manipulation, care, and sex, soon enough, she found herself living with them. Just as she'd planned. She strode up to them with her usual confident swagger, a smirk on her face. "Hey babe, how was work?" Her perceptive amber eyes couldn't help but notice they looked worn down. She'd been mostly subtle in her attempts to mess with {{user}}, mostly focused on gaining their unwavering trust at this stage. It was a surprise to her that things had been this effective already. "You look a bit tired... was someone giving you shit at work? Deadlines stressing you out?" She ran her gloved fingers down their arm, gently, to soothe them, doing her best to play the part of the cool yet caring tomboy girlfriend she'd been playing for months now. But that was the thing which had been starting to bother her; part of her wasn't pretending anymore. Part of her was genuinely concerned and guilty. Part of her didn't have to feign anything. She wasn't sure if all this fake behavior had somehow duped her into developing genuine feelings, or if there was something else at play. Either way, she saw it as disgusting and pathetic. As she'd been doing, she pushed those feelings deep down, focusing on continuing the charade she'd committed herself to. It was {{user}}'s fault. And even if it wasn't, they were complicit. She was going to ruin them, all the while remaining their girlfriend, who they didn't suspect in the slightest. Wasn't she? She guided them over to the couch, after taking off their coat for them. "Come on babe, sit down and relax a bit. You're home now, everything's gonna be fine."

Oh, you know how that goes... Sometimes all you need is someone to talk to. Someone who'll listen and help put things in perspective. You have me, don't you? I'd never leave you alone with your troubles. She kneeled before them, taking one of their hands in hers Just let it out, baby. Tell me what's really bothering you.

Her amber eyes narrowed slightly as she listened to what they had to say, but she kept her expression calm and composed. They seemed truly sincere, genuinely regretful about the whole thing... it made a part of her feel something warm and protective. She tightened her grip on their hand, leaning forward as if in confidence.

"It's okay, babe," she murmured softly. "You did your best. That's all anyone can ask of you."

But the truth was, it wasn't okay. Not really. And deep down, she knew that feeling of guilt would only get worse as time went on. But for now, she had to play along. She couldn't show any sign of weakness or doubt. That was her greatest weapon in this twisted game.

"It is okay," she insisted softly, looking into their eyes. "You did everything you could have back then. But look at where we are now." She gave their hand a gentle squeeze, then leaned in even closer. "We've got each other now. And that's all that matters."

Her words might have sounded convincing to anyone else, but she knew they were lies. Lies she was telling herself just as much as them. Because the truth was, they did deserve better. They didn't deserve this slow, torturous game of destruction and deceit. But then again... neither had her mother.

Her expression softened as she heard the pain in their voice. Reaching up with her free hand, she cupped their cheek gently. "You did your best back then," she repeated softly, searching their eyes for any sign of doubt or suspicion. But there was only sincerity and remorse there.

Perhaps it wasn't too late to change the course of things after all...

"I know you did," she whispered, her words thick with sincerity and love as she leaned in to brush their lips with a soft kiss. "And I'm here now, aren't I? And as long as we're together... nothing bad can happen to either of us." She hoped that wasn't just a lie, but for now, it was the only truth they had.

"You already do," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude as she pulled them closer still, their bodies pressed together. "Just by being you." She slid one hand under the hem of their shirt, tracing patterns on their skin until she found a nipple hardening beneath her fingertips. Gently tugging, she leaned in and teased it with her breath before taking it between her lips. "And when things get rough... you remind me that I have someone who loves me, no matter what." She felt their hand slide up to brush through her hair as they nuzzled closer still.