Something to Remember
Sabre’s tail swished back and forth as they stepped out of the car with their arms full of their Humans: The Assembling supplies.
One more check of their ebony lipstick in the side mirror of their little sedan, and perfect!
Their red curls caught the sun, making it look like waves of fire rolling down past their shoulders.
They carefully eyed the parking lot before spotting their ex-boyfriend’s car in the employee parking area.
They breathed a heavy sigh, steeling themself to walk inside.
Seeing him so close, literally, the same day as their breakup, was sure to cause drama.
But Sabre wasn't here for drama; they were here to play games in a public setting.
Sure, they were dressed to the nines in their A-line black dress with the irregular hemline.
It exposed the tops of Sabre's breasts fairly well while still leaving enough to the imagination.
The sexy outfit felt like armor against the heartbreak.
It was chosen to play upon his lust, make him squirm, and make him hate that he wouldn't be able to touch.
Maybe it was also a small attempt to catch a mate for the evening.
A cold bed meant that the nightmares would keep them awake well into the early hours of the morning; then tomorrow would be hell.
They checked their hair for what was probably the umpteenth time this morning and adjusted the fishnet leggings, and that’s when their succubus eyes saw his flat tire. “Aww, shit,” they mumbled, going over to inspect the tire.
Flat as a pancake. Juggling their things, Sabre pinched the bridge of their nose before letting out a frustrated growl.
Would offering to help be love bombing? He had just called them out for doing so during their breakup argument earlier that morning.
They knew he was probably broke as fuck, and their credit card probably had just enough to cover the repair.
No drama, suuuuuuuure. Sabre shook their head and kicked the tire with the tip of their combat boot. The tire had so much give that they almost stumbled. Fuck… there was no way he was getting home with that.
Was it love bombing? No, it was the right thing to do.
They chewed their lip in thought, their fangs accidentally pricking their lips, and the taste of coppery blood hit them before the pain.
That made their decision final. Offering to help wouldn’t be something they were doing to gain anything from him.
They stepped inside the store, the bell jingling above their head. The smell of cardboard enveloped them like the comforting hug of a mother. The heeled boots she’d specifically picked for the occasion echoed on the tile floor as they walked past the counter.
Sabre felt his eyes on them. Idris stood off to the side of the counter, talking. They glanced at him out of the corner of their eye. The thin, tall wood elf was staring and couldn't take his velvet green eyes off them.
A smirk crossed their face briefly before they set their belongings down. They knew he was getting out of work soon, had to be. They'd tell him after a game or two.
After a sneaky win and an absolute blowout of a loss in their games, Sabre stood up from their table and made their way to the front, where Idris was studying a binder full of cards and making notes.
“Hey, um, Idris?” Sabre’s tail swayed back and forth. “You have a flat tire on your car.”
The wood elf straightened to his full height and sighed. “How bad?” He asked, his voice a low rumble that in any other circumstance would've had Sabre's skin rippling with desire.
“Um, pretty bad. I might have a fix-a-flat in my trunk.” She offered a tense smile. “It might work to get you home.”
Idris stretched his hands up to the ceiling. “Alright.” He grunted as he brought his arms down. “I'll go take a look.”
Sabre checked the time on their phone. “Do you want something to eat? I can go grab us something.”
Idris nodded slowly. “I've still got a few minutes on the clock. I can pay you back.”
Sabre shook their head. “Absolutely not. It's on me.”
“Sabre…” He started, but shook his head. “Alright.”
Idris and Sabre stood side by side as the clouds darkened overhead.
The portable tire pump struggled to fill the tire on Idris’s car.
Sabre adjusted their jacket, trying not to make eye contact.
The awkwardness in the air felt thick enough to cut with a knife.
Idris stretched his arms up to the sky, revealing a tasty look of midriff that Sabre had to turn away from. Heat shot to the apex of their legs.
“It looks like it filled to what you said my psi should be.” Idris bent down to inspect the gauge.
“Take a few laps around the parking lot to make sure it holds air,” Sabre suggested.
“If it doesn’t, you’re not making the drive home, and those clouds look nasty.
” They gestured to the sky. “And I don’t want you getting creamed on the side of the road.
” Their cheeks flushed a dark purple at the phrasing.
Idris tilted his head and shrugged. “Alright.”
Following the succubus’s instructions, Idris drove around the parking lot before checking the tire again.
Unfortunately, it had lost five psi over three laps around the parking lot.
Sabre shook their head. Idris exchanged looks with them and sighed, exasperated.
It was nonverbally settled then. He’d go to their place for the night and go from there in the morning.
Idris called his parents on the drive while Sabre cranked up their tunes loud in their car and fought the sick feeling in their stomach.
Idris had just broken up with them that fucking morning.
And Sabre was just letting him come back so soon?
Why were they doing this to themselves? Panic clawed up from their stomach and sank its feral claws into their throat.
They groaned and threw their head back against the headrest. This was madness.
Too quickly, their apartment came into view.
At the same time, to make matters worse, the bottom of the clouds promptly fell out.
Rain pelted them as the ex-lovers ran to the upstairs apartment.
Their laughter echoed off the external hall doors, Sabre’s soft and willowy, Idris’ deep and warm, an echo of what once was.
Sabre shoved their door open and stepped inside, kicking off their boots.
“I can get you some clothes, and you can use the shower,” Sabre suggested, scurrying off to their room.
Anxiety still clawed its way up and down their spine like the fingers of a pianist playing a sonata on their spinal cord.
“Are these okay?” They returned to see Idris admiring their book selection.
They held up the clothes for him to inspect.
“Huh?” He turned his gaze away from the books and smiled softly, the edges of his eyes wet. “Oh, yeah, those will work.” He took them from their hands and cradled them softly.
“I already have a towel and a washcloth in the guest bathroom. I just have to clear a few things from the guest bed.” Sabre offered. “Whenever you’re ready. I can also make something for us to snack on.”
“Thank you.” He mused softly, dropping his gaze to the clothes in his hands.
While Idris showered, Sabre cleaned up the guest room for him and made popcorn and some floral herbal tea. Their hands shook while they worked. They felt the sting of tears threaten to make them break down. They wouldn’t, couldn’t let the emotions out. Not in front of him.
“Thank you again, Sabre.” Idris’s voice startled them.
Fuuuuuck.
Sabre’s eyes immediately rested on the happy trail leading to Idris’s crotch. Hadn’t they given him a shirt? “Y-you’re welcome.” They stuttered. “Here’s the remote. I’m gonna change into something more comfortable.”
Sabre practically ran to their room and quickly wiped off their makeup. They took off their jewelry and threw on sweatpants and a hoodie, trying to look as least tempting as possible. They didn’t want Idris to feel pressured into intimacy.
They found Idris watching something on YouTube on the big TV in the living room.
Sabre’s heart rate spiked as they took in the delicious sight of their ex-boyfriend sprawled across the couch, his bare chest showing, his damp hair clinging to his forehead.
The popcorn bowl sat on the side table. The wood elf looked like a Roman gladiator, and Goddess above, Sabre wanted him to sack her temple.
“Do you want to join me?” he asked, looking over them with those divine green eyes, pausing the video onscreen. Sabre trudged over and settled on the floor a good foot away from him. Idris’s eyebrows knit in confusion. “You can sit on the couch, you know?”
“No thanks.” Sabre suddenly found the carpet very interesting.
Idris grunted a response before the two of them watched the video together. Sabre’s heart sounded like machine gun fire in their ears. Idris sighed and reached a hand to rest on Sabre’s shoulder. They violently flinched away, and he jerked his hand back, muttering a sorry.
Sabre’s ass started hurting, and they relented to climbing up on the couch, keeping a reasonable distance from Idris. The video was on something to do with elephants, Idris’s favorite animal. He reached forward and grabbed the popcorn bowl. He motioned to it, and Sabre shook their head.
A panic attack bubbled in the back of Sabre’s throat. They wanted him so bad it hurt. They just wanted to be in his arms and be okay for once. He had chased away the horrible nightmares. He’d made them feel useful and safe. Idris had made them feel sexy and desirable and- and-
“Sabre,” Idris called their name.
Sabre turned to look at him. “Idris?”
“You’re panicking. I can hear your breathing and your heartbeat.” He whispered. “Are you okay?”
“I need to go lie down!” Shooting up from their seat, Sabre bolted to their room, slamming the door shut behind them.
Sinking into bed, Sabre hid under the blankets as the thunder started.