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kaiyuh13 · 2 months

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Ava Du Mortain x MC - When Everything is Over

Prompt #1 - What if the detective and Ava never got together in the end?

In the heart of Wayhaven, Haley's Bakery stood as a timeless refuge, its quaint exterior adorned with hanging flower baskets—a colorful welcome to those seeking solace within its walls. Inside, the air was alive with the tantalizing scent of freshly baked pastries, each delicacy a testament to the passion and dedication of its owner, Haley.

On this particular afternoon, the bakery was bathed in a soft golden light, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. For Ava, the decision to return to this cherished establishment was both a nostalgic journey and a calculated risk. She stood outside the bakery, her heart fluttering with anticipation, her gaze fixed on the familiar sight before her.

It had been years since Ava last stepped foot inside Haley's Bakery, yet the memories of laughter and shared moments lingered like ghosts in the air. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Ava pushed open the door, the gentle chime announcing her arrival. She stepped inside, the warmth of the bakery enveloping her like a comforting embrace, washing away the lingering traces of uncertainty that had plagued her since she made the decision to return.

The interior of the bakery was bathed in a soft, golden light, the scent of freshly baked pastries mingling with the murmur of conversation. Ava's eyes swept over the cozy space, the memories flooding back with each familiar sight and sound.

Her gaze came to rest on a figure seated at a corner table, their back turned to her. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of them, the familiar silhouette stirring emotions she had long tried to suppress.

It was the detective, her detective, the one she had loved so fiercely yet had never dared to claim as her own.

Ava swallowed hard, her palms growing clammy as she approached, each step echoing loudly in the stillness of the bakery.

Taking the last few steps, the detective turned as she drew near, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of the unspoken tension between them. This meeting had been planned, a carefully orchestrated proposition by Ava to the detective as soon as she received word that the detective was retiring.

As Ava approached the table, each step felt like a journey through time, carrying her back to a place she had both longed for and dreaded. With each inhale, memories flooded her mind, memories of stolen glances and whispered confessions shared in this very bakery.

"Detective," Ava finally spoke, her voice a delicate echo in the hushed ambiance of the bakery, her heart pounding a staccato rhythm against her chest.

"Ava," the detective's voice washed over her like a warm tide, soothing yet electrifying, stirring emotions she had spent years trying to suppress. Their eyes locked, a silent exchange of longing and regret passing between them like a silent symphony of unspoken words.

“Please,” the detective’s hand gestured towards the empty seat opposite them, an invitation laced with unspoken hope and trepidation.

Ava hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the detective's face, the lines etched with the passage of time, a testament to the years they had spent apart. But despite the physical changes, the spark in their eyes remained unchanged, a flicker of recognition and longing that threatened to consume them both.

With a silent nod, Ava finally took her seat, the distance between them narrowing with each passing moment. It was as if the years melted away, leaving only the raw, unbridled connection that had always bound them together.

As an unfamiliar figure approached their table, Ava and the detective were jolted out of their shared reverie, brought back to the present moment by the intrusion of the outside world.

"Hi, my name’s Zoe, and welcome to Haley’s Bakery. What can I get for you today?” The cheerful greeting sliced through the cocoon of nostalgia, pulling them back to reality with a gentle insistence.

For Ava, the sudden interruption was a stark reminder of the passage of time, a jarring contrast to the timeless sanctuary of the bakery. She couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise at the absence of Haley's familiar presence, her mind instinctively expecting the comforting embrace of familiarity.

Despite the subtle shift in dynamics, Ava found a strange sense of relief in the realization that Haley no longer worked here. It meant that their reunion would be shielded from prying eyes, that they could share this moment without the weight of scrutiny or judgment.

“I’ll get the black coffee,” the detective's voice cut through the silence, their eyes briefly flickering towards Ava's before returning to meet Zoe's gaze.

Ava, her thoughts still lingering in the past, offered a faint smile as she made her order. “I’ll just have tea, earl grey if you have any,” she said, her voice a gentle murmur against the backdrop of bustling activity.

Zoe scribbled down their orders with practiced efficiency, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the quiet intensity that hung between Ava and the detective.

With Zoe out of earshot, the detective's amused chuckle broke through the lingering silence, drawing Ava's attention back to their shared reality. "Do you think that level of joy is a requirement for employees here?" they mused, their eyes still fixed on the retreating figure of the waitress.

Ava's lips formed a thoughtful purse as she considered the question, her mind working through the possibilities with the precision of a well-oiled machine. "I suppose it’s possible that it’s part of Haley’s training regimen," she replied, her tone tinged with a hint of wry amusement. "After all, it seems to have worked wonders for all these years."

Their brief exchange hung in the air like a delicate dance, a momentary respite from the weight of their shared history.

As they awaited their drinks, Ava and the detective found themselves cocooned in a silence thick with the weight of unspoken words. It was as if time itself had slowed to a crawl, allowing them to linger in the space between past and present, longing and hesitation.

For Ava, every heartbeat felt like an eternity as she locked eyes with the detective, the intensity of their gaze conveying emotions too profound for words. In that suspended moment, the air crackled with anticipation, the silence filled with the promise of what could have been and what still might be.

“It's good to see you,” the detective finally broke the silence, their voice a gentle echo in the quiet intimacy of the bakery.

Ava offered a tentative smile, her heart fluttering with a mixture of relief and apprehension. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" she replied, her voice a fragile whisper against the backdrop of their shared history.

The detective nodded, their expression a mosaic of emotions as they regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Yes, it has. I wasn't sure you'd come," they confessed, their vulnerability laid bare in the soft timbre of their voice.

Ava felt a pang of guilt tug at her heartstrings, the weight of their unspoken fears casting a shadow over their fragile reunion. "I almost didn't," she admitted softly, her gaze drifting downward as she struggled to contain the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

The weight of years of separation hung heavy between them, a suffocating silence thick with the echoes of what could have been. Despite the passage of time and the divergent paths their lives had taken, the ache of longing remained a palpable presence, a silent testament to the love they had both chosen to deny.

Ava's mind raced, scrambling for a topic to break through the oppressive silence, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of uncertainty and longing. But before she could muster the courage to speak, Zoe arrived with their orders, a welcome interruption to the tense atmosphere enveloping them.

“Here is your order, one black coffee and one earl grey,” Zoe happily said, earning soft thank you’s from both Ava and the detective.

“If you need anything else, I’ll be one call away from the counter. Enjoy your drinks!” She said and walked away.

Taking small sips of their drinks, Ava and the detective exchanged glances, the tension between them easing slightly with each passing moment. It was as if the simple act of savoring their drinks served as a silent acknowledgment of the fragile truce they had forged.

"We should catch up," the detective's voice cut through the lingering silence, their words a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty. "How have you been, Ava? How's life in the Chamber treating you?"

Grateful for the distraction, Ava seized upon the opportunity to divert the conversation towards safer waters, launching into a discussion about her work with a sense of purpose and determination.

"It's as expected," Ava began, her tone laced with a hint of self-deprecation. "Politics, intrigue, the occasional uprising of those wannabe-rogue groups."

The detective's laughter danced through the air, a melody of warmth and amusement that echoed against the cozy walls of the bakery. Their eyes sparkled with a playful glint as they leaned forward, fully engaged in the conversation unfolding between them.

"Sounds like you've had your hands full, to say the least. I can't imagine navigating the intricacies of vampire politics," they remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of their lips.

Ava returned the detective's smile with a wry twist of her own, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges she faced in her role within the Chamber. "Oh, those are just the tip of the iceberg, detective," she quipped, her voice laced with a hint of dry humor. "If I were to regale you with every twist and turn of my adventures, we'd be here until next week."

The detective raised their hands in mock surrender, their expression one of playful defeat. "Just trying to empathize, that’s all," they chuckled, their laughter a soothing balm against the backdrop of their shared history.

Ava released a soft sigh, a ghost of a chuckle escaping her lips as she leaned back in her seat. "It's certainly been... interesting, to say the least," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and resignation. "But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've learned a lot in my time with the Chamber, about the world, about myself..."

The detective smirked and said, "All those difficult things to handle and yet, you still somehow always forget that I'm no longer a detective."

Ava closed her eyes, cringing at the many times she had called her previous teammate that title. Heck, she's been calling them that throughout this whole meeting.

"My apologies, agent?" Ava asked, uncertain about the current title of the person in front of her.

They let out a laugh at Ava's expression, a wonderous sound that Ava would like to hear over and over again whenever she needed to.

"Eh, detective's fine."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly from there, Ava painting vivid pictures with her words as she regaled the detective with tales of her diplomatic missions and the delicate dance of negotiation she navigated on a daily basis. With each anecdote, she peeled back the layers of her experiences, offering glimpses into the complexities of her world and the challenges she faced with unwavering determination.

But even as she spoke, Ava's thoughts lingered on the detective, curiosity burning bright in her eyes as she turned the conversation back to them. "And what about you?" she inquired, her voice soft with genuine interest. "How have you been doing? Especially with retirement looming on the horizon.”

The word retirement seems to hang heavy between them.

The detective's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, but a faint smile danced at the corners of their lips, betraying the mix of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

"It's going to be an adjustment, that's for sure," they admitted, their voice carrying a note of uncertainty. "But I'm looking forward to the chance to slow down and take stock of things."

Ava offered a soft hum of acknowledgment, her gaze drifting to the steaming cup of tea cradled between her hands. The detective's next words drew a chuckle from her lips, warm and genuine.

"I’ll probably do boring things like gardening, reading, maybe trying my hand at cooking—though I'm still a bit hopeless in the kitchen," they confessed with a self-deprecating grin.

"Well, at least you'll be keeping busy," Ava remarked with a teasing smirk, the playful banter a welcome reprieve from the weight of their conversation. "I can't imagine you ever being the type to sit still for long."

The detective's shoulders lifted in another shrug, a hint of nostalgia creeping into their expression. "Old habits die hard, I guess," they mused.

“And yours never seem to go away,” Ava added with a teasing smirk, earning a laugh from the detective.

As the moment went away, the detective’s face settled into a smile that some would consider bittersweet.

"I haven’t had much time to properly grieve for my mother," they confessed with a heavy sigh, their words carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow.

Ava's heart sank at the mention of Unit Bravo's handler, her thoughts drifting to the indomitable woman who had been a pillar of strength for the detective and their team. Her passing had cast a shadow over the agency, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill.

The detective's mother had been more than just a maternal figure; she had been a guiding light in their darkest moments, a source of unwavering support and wisdom. Her absence was keenly felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her, a testament to the profound impact she had on those around her.

Yet, despite the depth of their grief, the members of Unit Bravo had been unable to attend the funeral. The members were already station all over the world, not to mention, their identities are too well-known in the tight-knit community of Wayhaven. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that they could not pay their respects to the woman who had meant so much to them.

And to not be there for the detective let a horrible taste in everyone’s mouth.

But even in death, the detective's mother remained a beacon of strength and resilience, her memory a guiding force that would continue to shape the lives of those she left behind. And though they may have been unable to say their final goodbyes, her legacy would live on in the hearts of all who had been touched by her kindness and grace.

Maybe we’ll all be able to go to the cemetery soon, all five of us, Ava thought.

Ava was jolted out of her reverie by the detective's words, pulling her back into the present moment with a gentle tug. "So, I’ll be doing a lot of that, and enjoying the rest of my life with lots of food and much-needed sleep," they remarked with a mischievous twinkle in their eye, their trademark troublemaker smile tugging at the corners of their lips.

Ava couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in the detective's demeanor, a veil of lightheartedness masking the underlying sadness that lingered beneath the surface. It was a familiar defense mechanism, one she had seen countless times before, and yet she chose to let it pass without comment, unwilling to disrupt the fragile equilibrium they had established.

As their conversation flowed, the tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of familiarity and warmth that washed over them like a gentle tide. They were no longer two estranged lovers tiptoeing around their unresolved feelings, but old friends rediscovering the comfort of each other's presence after years apart.

But as the night wore on and the bakery grew quiet, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. The weight of their unspoken past hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over their fragile reunion and reminding her of the gulf that still existed between them.

She knew that they couldn't avoid the elephant in the room forever, that eventually they would have to confront the feelings that still lingered between them. And yet, the thought of dredging up the past filled her with a sense of apprehension, unsure of what lay on the other side of that conversation.

"I missed you," Ava confessed, her voice a mere whisper amidst the gentle hum of conversation that surrounded them.

Though slightly taken aback, the detective's eyes softened, a flicker of warmth thawing the last bits of icy barrier between.

"I missed you too, Ava." The detective’s hand reached out tentatively to hold Ava’s hand, which she accepted without hesitation.

The familiarity of the touch sent a jolt of electricity through between them. A small smile tugged at the corners of the detective's lips as they interlocked their fingers, a silent testament to the enduring bond that had weathered the test of time.

But beneath the surface, Ava could sense the lingering pain and longing that etched lines of sorrow across the detective's face.

“God, I missed you so much, Ava,” the detective confessed, their voice filled with a rawness that spoke volumes of the depth of their emotions.

Ava tightened her grip on the detective's hand, anchoring herself in the moment as if trying to imprint the memory into her very soul. She knew that this conversation could unfold in countless ways, each path leading to its own uncertain destination, but for now, she chose to linger in the warmth of their shared connection, savoring every fleeting moment as if it were their last.

In that fleeting touch, they found solace amidst the chaos of their lives—a silent recognition of the bond that had once woven them together. Despite the years that had slipped away and the chasm that had grown between them, their connection endured, steadfast and unyielding, a testament to the enduring power of love.

Yet, even as they shared this intimate moment, Ava couldn't shake the gnawing sense of uncertainty that gripped her heart. They had just peeled back the layers of a wound that had long been sealed shut, exposing the raw ache that still lingered beneath the surface.

"I never knew heartbreak until I had to say goodbye to you," the detective confessed, their voice trembling with emotion as they struggled to conceal the tears that threatened to spill from their eyes.

Ava felt her own resolve waver at the raw honesty in their words, the pain of their separation echoing through the depths of her soul. "I know," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I've spent every day since then wondering what could have been."

The detective's laughter, mingled with tears, cut through the heavy atmosphere. “When did you become so honest and straight forward?”

Guilt washed over Ava like a tidal wave, a sharp pang of regret piercing her heart as she remembered the walls she had erected to shield herself from the vulnerability of their connection.

It was her fear, her inability to confront her own feelings, that had driven them apart, and now, faced with the consequences of her choices, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her actions pressing down on her.

As their gazes met, a silent understanding passed between them, unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. The detective's fingers brushed against Ava's tear-stained cheek, a wordless confession of the depth of their yearning.

"Do you ever think about what could have been if we'd just held on a little longer?" the detective asked, their voice barely above a whisper, filled with a vulnerability that mirrored Ava's own.

Ava's response was immediate, her voice barely above a breath as she nodded, tears threatening to spill over once more. Leaning into the touch, she sought solace in the warmth of their connection.

"Every single day, my love," she confessed, her words laced with a vulnerability that mirrored the detective's own.

At the tender endearment, the detective's heart skipped a beat, their chest tightening with the intensity of their emotions. In that fleeting moment, amidst the pain and longing that lingered between them, there was a glimmer of hope—a silent acknowledgment of the love that had endured despite the passage of time.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they both grappled with the ghosts of their past, the ache of longing threatening to consume them whole. Though Ava had chosen duty over desire and the detective had given up on Ava’s impenetrable heart, the love they shared remained unyielding.

They stood as two souls tethered by a love they could never fully grasp, destined to traverse divergent paths in the intricate dance of fate. There were no vows of eternal devotion, no pledges of undying affection—only a silent acknowledgment of the immutable truths that governed their lives.

When the time came to part ways, Ava and the detective lingered in the doorway, their eyes locking in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of the unspoken bond between them. There were no words left to say, no gestures to bridge the chasm that separated them—only the weight of unspoken regrets and unfulfilled dreams.

Stepping out into the cool embrace of the night air, Ava felt a bittersweet ache settle in her chest, mingling with the fading echoes of their shared history. She cast a final glance back at the detective, their silhouette illuminated by the warm glow of the bakery, and offered a wistful smile.

"I hope our paths cross again in another lifetime, detective," she whispered into the night, her words carried away by the gentle breeze as she turned and walked away, leaving behind the fragments of what might have been.

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A/N: I hope this sets the tone for future writings on this account mwehehe

#ava du mortain #angst du mortain #wayhaven chronicles #the wayhaven chronicles #wayhaven detective #interactive fiction #writing practice #writing prompt

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