Fantasy Would You Fall In Love With Me Again?

“I’m breaking up with you.”

A devastating sentence one could never truly be prepared to hear. No matter how many times they’ve heard it, or how many times it may have fallen from their lips, it always did sting.

Seraphina could only sit there stunned. Her carefree smile looking ill placed after hearing such news. Her mind racing a million miles a second, trying to figure out where this was coming from. Had she done something wrong? Was it fixable? Perhaps it was some joke, a real fucked up one, but a joke nonetheless.

Her boyfriend…well newly ex-boyfriend shifting uncomfortably under her stare. “

We’ve been talking for a while now, and I feel I just have more of a connection with her….”

…

“Not that I don’t feel a connection with you, or at least at first I did. You know I love you, I just feel that we’ve grown apart lately.”

….

“Say something, please—the silence is killing me…”

“How long have you, been talking?”

The question fell out of Seraphina’s mouth before she could stop it. Judging by the way Milo cringed, it had to been more than a week. Slowly she sat the glass down in her head, the shock of her sudden breakup making her forget she was even holding it.

“It just got more serious a few days ago. But….we’ve also been hanging out for the last two months.”

“Oh—more than just talking then.” Scoffing, Seraphina turned gray eyes to the window she sat beside. Cursing how beautiful the afternoon was when she felt like—well like shit. “So all those times I’ve called or tried to plan a date with you —-you’ve been with her?”

“Yes…but no, I was busy….some of those times. Sera, look at me.” Just as Milo went to reach for her hands, Seraphina abruptly stood up, leaving him grasping for nothing but air.

A cold glare sent a shiver down Milo’s back. More so as his former lover looked him up and down with nothing but disdain. Seraphina wanted to say something, wanted to take a dig at the man in front of her—however she couldn’t find the words.

The lump pressing against her throat was growing larger by the second. Threatening to break free as she stormed out of the little cafe, Milo desperately calling after her, yet not daring to follow.



Seraphina would never admit it, but that night she cried herself to sleep. Cursing Milo, his stupid girlfriend, and the world itself.

——

A week had passed, and yet she still found herself unable to leave her little apartment. Thankfully she had overtime and sick time to use at her job, unfortunately being able to out of work left her obsessively checking social media; specifically her ex-boyfriend's social account. In less than a week he had already posted pictures of his new girlfriend. The so-called “Love of his life.”


“She’s not even that pretty,” zooming in on a photo of Milo with a stunning redhead. With a loud sigh, Seraphina tucked her phone under her pillow. “, both of you suck…” closing her eyes, she pulled her blankets over her head thinking of taking a third nap that day. Well—that was until she heard her apartment door slam open. “Alright you depressed hoe, you are leaving the house today!”Stomping footsteps could be heard making their way to her bedroom door before it too was thrown open. “Come on Phina, it was one lame-ass guy. He wasn’t even that good-looking. You’d probably have ugly babies you. Consider this the world doing you a favor.”


A familiar voice echoed in the room, “Come on, let’s let some light in.” Throwing the curtains open, Lynette opened the window before going to Seraphina's bed. “Up and at them girly.” Grabbing the blankets there was a brief struggle of tug and war between Lynette and Seraphina. With one good tug, Lynette got the upper hand, ripping the blanket from Seraphina's grip—tossing the blanket onto the ground.


At first, Lynette held an almost angry look on her face, however that quickly softened as she saw just how….sad Seraphina looked. The other woman looked as though she was holding back tears once more.

“Phina look, you can’t just mope around forever. Milo’s moved on—-it’s about time you do the same. The girls and I have planned a little group—outing tonight,…” Lynette carefully avoided the word “date” “,…it will be good for you and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Lynette…I don’t feel like it. Besides, I know what you really mean. This group outing is just going to be a group date for you and the others. Then I’m going to get stuck watching you all get drunk and making sure nothing creepy happens.”

“No…no this time it will be different Phi! I promise!”

——

Of course, Seraphina had been right. That night had been no different than all the other group dates she had been on. With her included it had been four women and four men. A large group of eight that wasn’t so easy to watch over. At first, the pack had begun their date mini-golfing, a fun competitive way for everyone to get to know each other. Then the ‘excitement’ moved to a karaoke room. With unlimited snacks and alcoholic beverages, it wasn’t long until everyone was feeling at least a slight buzz.

Everyone except for Seraphina. While she was trying hard not to be a total killjoy, it was obvious she did not want to be there. Each attempted flirt was met with a cold stare or a roll of the eyes. Every playful competitive comment during mini-golf was completely ignored. Every so Sera would feel a quick jab to the ribs after a joke. A forced, half-hearted laugh left her throat. Dying as quickly as it came, eventually, she was left alone. She watched as the group started pairing up in the karaoke room—leaning into each other, sitting on one another’s laps, a playful squeeze being found here or there as songs were poorly sung.

Seraphina stood up as soon as one of the men came to sit beside her. Excusing herself, muttering something about needing some air. Once outside, the woman took a deep breath. Allowing the cold, crisp air to circulate through her lungs and the rest of her body. Cleaning against the rough brick of the building, Sera pulled out her phone.

Midnight.

The karaoke bars usually stayed open till five in the morning—but given how they’ve been out since four that afternoon, she was sure no one would blame her if she went home early.

“Hey Lynette—I think the alcohol got the best of me. I'm going to head home. You guys have fun! Let me know when you get home!”

Only a few seconds passed before her phone buzzed with a response.

“K! Thanks for coming out, love you!”

“Thank god…” truthfully Sera had been worried Lynette was going to talk her into staying. It seemed as though she had been pleasantly distracted.

Thankfully some buses still ran late into the night hours. With a heavy sigh, Seraphina began her track to the nearest bus stop—more than ready to go home and rot in her bed once more.

“Seraphina... I... Hello.”

Seraphina paused mid-step as an unknown voice called out to her. She had seen him from the corner of her eye staring, watching her. She had hoped he was just some weirdo going to ask for change, or a lost tourist working up the courage to ask for directions. Unfortunately, neither seemed to be the case, worst of all this complete stranger knew her name. A small amount of dread filtered its way through her system. Did she have a stalker? Now that she was finally alone on the streets was he going to act and kidnap her?

Just in case, Sera pulled her wristlet closer to her. The pepper spray that dangled like a key chain now falling into her hand.

She regarded Kaiser with a cold stare, one he was all too familiar with. While it was never directed at him in childhood, it certainly was directed at the bullies who dared to step against her friend. A simple, silent warning—make one wrong move and it was over. Either fist would start flying or she was going to find a flaw and tear you to pieces.


“Who are you?” No warmth was found in her voice, no excitement or recognition at the sudden reunion of old friends. Perhaps she didn’t recognize Kaiser all grown up. Surly if he brought up some of their time together she would remember, wouldn’t she? Years of training left Kaiser the ability to see the tension resting in her shoulders. The way her body tensed preparing to defend or attack, how Seraphina was already calculating her next move. Glancing behind her, she took a look at the karaoke bar and gave a small nod in its direction. “If you are with Lynnies group, your friends are still inside. Their drinking well past their limit, so if you don’t want to babysit tonight I suggest maybe just avoiding the place.”

Looking back to Kaiser, gray eyes followed down his face to his feet and back up again. Perhaps he was a friend of Milo’s that she didn’t remember. God, she hoped that wasn’t the case either. Honestly, she would pick the stalker scenario over her ex-boyfriend’s, friend’s pity. If he thought she was looking for a rebound then he was sorely mistaken…though he was kinda cute…

And if he was a friend of Milo’s, then she could potentially go on a date with this man, post it all over social media, and rub it in that two-timer's face!

Haha look at us dating! We are both happy and so in love!

No…no…stranger danger!

Alarm bells rang in the woman’s head, causing her to shake off such thoughts. While the validation would feel good, she couldn’t see the point in going through with it. Besides…Milo did look happy with his new girlfriend. Happier than she had seen him in a while, he’s probably going to get engaged to her soon.

The sudden thought of Milo moving on stung deeper than what Seraphina thought possibly.

Why was she even thinking about that now?

The sensation of tears prickled the back of her eyes, it would only be a matter of time before they’d get glossy and red-rimmed. “I should really get—“

Her words were cut off as someone came rushing down the sidewalk on one of those motorized scooters, it was clear they had no intention of stopping or even slowing as they approached from behind Kaiser, on the contrary, it appeared they had sped up. Without thinking, Seraphina grabbed Kaiser by the arm, pulling him to the side of the building as the person sped past laughing at the near collision.

Like a sudden sea storm, Seraphina's anger flashed to life. The woman quickly turning around to cuss the motorist out.
Unsurprisingly, her vocabulary had grown since the last ten years. No longer was she just calling people “butt-head” or “ugly dorks”. No, no she had now evolved to calling people “dumb mother fuckers” and “pieces of shit” all in one breath.


Seraphina was without a doubt a mortal, but sometimes it was a wonder how she wasn’t a daughter of Aries or even Poseidon with how quickly her mood changed.

“Fuck, people are freaking idiots anymore. They aren’t suppose to be riding those stupid ass scooters on the sidewalks. Honestly, it should be illegal to own one—even more so when idiots like that are running about.” While it wasn’t ideal, the little scare did distract Seraphina from Milo and his hypothetical new life. No longer did tears sting the back of her eyes, her heart no longer aching—but beating fast from pure adrenaline. Her grip remained on Kaiser's arm for a few passing beats, firm yet oddly comforting.

A familiar sensation from childhood. Back when her small footsteps could be heard like rolling thunder. Stomping her way to Kaiser’s side, not caring who she elbowed or pushed her way through. Grabbing his arm and always tugging him behind her, his human shield as some of the kindergarten teachers would call her.


Of course that was only a fleeting moment, Sera dropped his arm as quickly as she grabbed him. “Have we met before? Are you one of Milos friends or something?”

Kaiser noticed the way the female reacted, how she held her belongings closer to herself, the defensive stance that she took and the worry that flashed through her storm-colored eyes. She looked at him in an all too familiar way, the way she'd glared down the bullies and tormentors of his youth, but he'd never had it directed his way before. The boy was surprised by how much it stung. Did she not recognize him? How could she not? Sure, it had been many years since the harpies had attacked them, but there had been so many memory-filled years prior to that. And they hadn't been so young so as to not recall.

There was another option that flashed through the Korean-American's mind, one that hurt even more. What if she did recognize him, but she despised him? What if she hated that he'd abandoned her, or hated that he'd been the cause of that brutalization so many years ago? Had she been blaming him all this time? Holding onto a grudge? He supposed it wouldn't be completely impossible. He had put her through a lot, after all. It was something that still haunted him to this day. But, for her to hate him? That was a pain he wasn't sure he could tolerate. He'd gotten by all these years on the notion that he was keeping her safe from staying out of her life, but still held fondly onto the souvenirs of their time spent together. She had still been the best friend he'd ever achieved in this lifetime.

He lifted his hands defensively, taking a step back. He was caught off guard by her reaction, but didn't want to upset her. He really should have just kept walking, but he thought for sure she'd recognize him. Or, want to talk to him. "I-I'm... It's me. Kaiser. Kaiser Falcon..." He stammered. She really was asking who he was. She really didn't recognize him. But how was that possible?

The boy watched as unrecognizable emotions and thoughts flickered through her mind. She started to speak again but was cut off by a scooter-rider who sped past. He was caught completely off guard as the female grabbed him and pushed him up against the wall, getting them both out of the way of the scooter. He felt a hint of blush rise in his cheeks at the profanity she spewed after the scooter. Still, he couldn't fight the beginnings of a smile that toyed with the corners of his lips. It was definitely Seraphina, after all. She had the same fire, the same silver tongue, that she did when they were kids. He nodded carefully in agreement with her vocalized disdain for the riders. He looked down at her hand on his arm, her fingers still tight against his bicep. He had only a second to enjoy their close proximity, to take in both the familiarity and newness of her, before she moved away from him.

At her next query, Kaiser licked his lips and straightened his spine slightly. "You really don't remember me?" He asked, unable to hide the hurt in his voice. "I suppose it might be for the best if you don't, but... We used to be friends. Sorry to bother you." He looked away from her, surprised by the emotion that was threatening to build up inside him. He probably should just go. If she didn't know him and didn't want to talk to him, it really probably was for the best...

A blonde eyebrow raised as the stranger took a step back. Rising his hands as a way to deflect her hostility towards him.

Rationally thinking, if he was a stalker he wouldn’t have put the distance between them. On the contrary, he would have taken advantage of that moment. With Seraphina being alone, outside, in the dark, with no friends around, he could have started closing in on her space and made his move.

Yet he didn’t.

If this stranger was actually some creep, surely he wouldn’t be giving Sera his full name.

That is, unless, he was going to kidnap her and never let her return to her normal life and or kill her…

Yeah, that also didn’t sound right either.

From what Sera could tell, he was being genuine. Nervously stammering out his name as a plea of remembrance, actively trying to defuse the situation. It worked.

The tightness in her shoulders began to release, her clutch drifting back to her side as her guard dropped. Gray eyes scanning the man's face, not in repulsion but in a deep concentration.

The young woman repeating his name over and over again in her head.

However, try as she might, Seraphina found she could not recall meeting anyone named Kaiser, nor ever being friends with one. What she did know, however, was that her emotions took yet another shift that night.

Sera couldn’t help but feel…pity for the man before her. The hurt in his voice caused her heart to twist uncomfortably.

It wasn’t rare that Seraphina felt such strong emotions, but it was usually reserved for her friends. People with whom she had formed deep bonds with, that she adored without a shadow of a doubt.

Not complete strangers.

Yet, as Kaiser stiffened, nervously licking his lips—looking away from her, apologizing for bothering her…it was all too much. In her eyes, he looked like a sad puppy that had just been kicked, and it was she who had done the kicking.

Guilt filled her chest.

Annoyingly so.

She didn’t know why, but it did.

Perhaps it was guilt that rooted her in place. The need to go home no longer of great importance.

Within moments harshness in her eyes faded. The stern, cold mask she had been wearing fell, revealing a concerned frown.

“I’m really sorry Kaiser…you said that was your name correct?” The question came with a familiar tenderness, the woman now twisting to one side to be in his line of vision once more. “You said we use to be friends, if that’s true, then it’s pretty shitty of me to have just forgotten that.

How about this, why don’t I treat you to a drink? I know a good bar just a few blocks down. We can talk and maybe something will jog this memory of mine.”

Perhaps—and maybe this was selfish of her, but perhaps talking to this stranger would recover more than just a former friendship. While it had been years since she woke from her coma, that feeling of longing, of forgetting something important still pestered her. Even now, as she was talking with Kaiser, she could feel something trying to shift. A memory long buried stirring but being crushed each time it moved. Truthfully she could have probably told him she had been in an accident years ago, that her memories were fuzzy from childhood—but that felt too personal to dump on a stranger. Even if he did know her name and claimed they had once been friends.

“Of course it’s rude of me to assume you aren’t busy. It is the weekend after all, we could also exchange contact information and you can…I don’t know just text me or something when you are free.”

The boy begun to turn to leave. Disappointment had it's fist around his heart, squeezing. He imagined there was a possibility that Seraphina remembered him in a negative light after their last experience together, but for her to not remember him at all? It almost felt like too much. How many hours had he stayed awake at night, reliving their childhood afternoons together? Daydreaming about what she looked like now and what she was up to? Wondering if she held onto that fiery spirit or if she'd become tamed with maturity and life experience? It was true that during Kaiser's darkest periods of his life he would close his dark orbs and picture her. She'd become his safe place, just like she'd been when they were kids.

Her voice reached out to him again, halting him before he could walk away. It was different now, softened. His dark brown orbs flitted up, a glimmer of hope flashing across their inky surface, meeting with her own translucent gaze. "Yeah, it's Kaiser." He confirmed, his voice careful, uncertain. He scanned her features, trying to determine what she was thinking. It seemed she'd had a change of heart. Although it still appeared that there was no recognition for him in her brain.

He blinked, surprised at her offer for drinks. It was whiplash, one extreme of her disdain to this sudden act of kindness. "I... I'd love to..." He accepted, but shifted his weight uncertainly on his feet. There was still the issue of Marco. He really should find him. The gods wouldn't be impressed by their failure to stick together. It had been hours after all. And the quest...

Kaiser shook his head mildly at his own internal dialogue. Marco was a child of Aries. He could fend for himself. And surely a couple drinks couldn't hurt? He wouldn't be gone more than an hour. Just to make sure Seraphina was okay. Just to make sure his daydreams of her were true. Then, they could go their separate ways. He wouldn't put her in harm's way again. He'd learned his lesson the first time. This would just be a brief connection. He wouldn't let her in. Not that he imagined she'd even want that. "I could slip away for a few drinks... Anything for an old friend. If... If you want me, of course. I don't want to intrude into your life. If you're busy, I mean."