saving grace

  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    Marshall's face scrunched in disgust at the mention of Chuck E Cheese's pizza. He shook his head, holding a hand to his chest as if he was offended by the mere suggestion of eating it. "You are never going to have to eat that pizza again. It's so.." he trailed off, exaggerating the shudder than ran down his spine as he glanced toward her. There was a wide grin on his face as he looked toward her. "Absolutely awful, if you ask me. I'd rather pay a few bucks more than be subjected to that filth," he added with a huff before reaching for a second piece.

    Raising an eyebrow, Marshall nodded toward her now empty plate. "You want another piece? You're allowed to," he added toward the end. Not because he felt like he needed to give her permission but he could only imagine everything that she had been denied over the years while she was imprisoned. While Marshall couldn't be sure, he would be willing to bet that she had to ask for even the bare essentials. Certainly not a second slice of pizza if she wanted it.

    Once he was finished, Marshall propped his feet up on the coffee table. "I probably won't head to bed just yet but you let me know when you're getting tired and I'll help you get settled into the bed, okay?" Marshall asked before he took a sip of his tea.
    March 27th, 2020 at 08:29pm
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
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    United States
    The longer she laid on the couch, the easier it was so hold a conversation with Marshall. The detective she first met when he rescued her and when he came to visit her at the hospital, had been a hardened shell of a man. A frown permanently etched into his face. It was weird to hear him teasing her and joking around, weird to see a smile practically stapled onto his mouth.

    She didn't want to leave and go to bed, instead opting to rest on the couch a bit longer. Ames didn't pay attention to the tv, but rather closed her eyes and just focused on his scent and the sound of his quiet breathing. It was enough to almost lull her to sleep after their talking died down.

    Catching herself before she fell asleep, she picked her up and looked up at him with tired, bloodshot eyes. How long had she spaced out? Yawning, she tried to pull herself to sit up, running her hands through her hair. "Marsh...?" Ames voice was thick with sleep. "Can you help me to bed?"

    @ castle.
    March 27th, 2020 at 09:53pm
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    Marshall was quick to respond to Ames when she tried to get his attention. His head snapped to the side and he sat up, raising an eyebrow. "What's up, little miss?" He asked, his own voice showing just how tired he was. He was quick to nod his head, pushing to his feet when Ames asked for help to bed. He leaned down long enough to slide his arm beneath her knees and one beneath her shoulders before he lifted her into the air long enough to set her down in her chair.

    Leading the way to his bedroom, Marshall pushed open the door before stepping out of her way. "My bedroom is right across the way and there's an ensuite, the door is open in there. But I'll leave the door open. If you need anything, just shout, okay? I sleep pretty light so you shouldn't have to yell too much," he joked.

    Marshall let out a yawn of his own, biting back a groan as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Oh! Let me just grab some clothes to sleep in and then I'll be out of your hair," he murmured as he walked over to his dresser to grab a pair of sweats.
    March 28th, 2020 at 12:05am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
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    United States
    Ames pushed herself over to the side of the bed, looking down at the dark olive sheets that covered the mattress. The blankets were strewn about and the pillows pushed around and from where she sat, she could catch his scent pouring off of the fabric. He must've been trying to sleep moments before the hospital called him. Ames fought back the purr she felt trying to rumble up her throat, her inner omega growing excited about the idea of sliding into his sheets, being wrapped up in his scent.

    She still didn't like the idea of making him sleep on a futon. Glancing back up at him, she watched as he rifled through his drawers, trying to find sleep pants. This was such a completely different environment she found herself in. It felt calm, safe... The way Marshall spoke to her was so different from what she had been used to. It was hard to not like him, it was even harder trying to get her inner omega to ignore him.

    Pulling herself out of her chair, she climbed into his bed. Pulling herself up so she was comfortably propped up against his pillows. Leaning forward, she grabbed the tangled sheets and pulled them up to cover her legs. Ames found it was harder to deal with everything at night. Even in the hospital, locked away in her room, she had suffered panic attack after panic attack. And even though she knew Marshall would just be across the hall, she still felt her stomach tying itself up in knots.

    "Y-Youll be... Just across the hall, right?" That had been what he had just said, but Ames only wanted to confirm. She didn't expect to bother him in the middle of the night with her nightmares or anything, but she was trying to calm herself down. She knew how her fear had to be tainting her scent, souring it, but it wasn't just something she could make go away. Everytime she closed her eyes, she was back in that closet.

    @ castle.
    March 28th, 2020 at 03:17am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    Marshall pulled out a pair of sweatpants just as Ames spoke up. He turned toward her, nodding quickly. “I’ll be right across the hall. I’ll leave this door open and mine too. Not much that a light will bother either of us but at least you’ll be able to yell out if you need anything, okay?” He cleared his throat as he made his way back toward the doorway. Marshall pauses, twisting around so he could face her again. He wasn’t leaving anything off of the table.

    “I mean anything, okay? If you need help to the bathroom or you need a drink or... whatever it is. I have the next few days off to make sure you can get nice and settled so don’t worry about me getting enough sleep or anything like that. Got it?” Marshall’s voice dipped just a bit, making it clear that Ames could wake him up at any time of the night. He didn’t want her to worry about anything. Right now, Marshall was most concerned about her being comfortable here. He had no idea how long she would be here but Marshall wanted it to be the best time that it could be for her.

    Marshall gave her a smile before reaching out to turn off the light of the room after pointing out the lamp that Ames could turn on if she wanted or needed to. The moment he was in the spare room, Marshall changed into his sweats before heading back out to the hall closet to pull out pillows and blankets for him.
    March 28th, 2020 at 03:51am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
    Location:
    United States
    Ames slid down into the sheets the moment Marshall stepped out of the room. Almost completely blanketed by the darkness in the room. A thin strip of light poured in from his room across the hall, but it hadn't bothered her. If anything, it oddly comforted her knowing he was so close. It was probably just her paranoia or the fact that she was still young and her mind liked to run off with the worst possible scenarios, but she was terrified that monster would try finding her again.

    They hadn't caught him.

    That had been all the police and the welfare officers talked to her about. They had tried to squeeze any information out of her they could to find him, but she barely knew anything. Not one of them had asked how she was doing, if she needed anything. Other than Marshall and the nurses. Rolling onto her side, she grabbed two of the pillows laying on the other side of the bed and pulled them towards her, hugging them tightly against his chest. Pressing her nose into one of the pillows, she took a deep breath, inhaling his scent, enjoying how the two of theirs mingled together. But no matter how much she tried to get comfortable, she couldn't slip into a deep sleep. Over the course of an hour or two, she found herself so close to slipping away, but at the last minute found herself jerking awake.

    There was too much space.

    Ames was used to feeling confined, boxed in when she slept. Even at the hospital, with the bed being so small and having the guards on either side... Rolling over with a huff, her eyes fell on Marshall's closet and a horrible idea popped into her head. It looked small, but large enough for her to lie down in on the floor and she was willing to bet his scent would suffocate her in there. Without thinking much on it, Ames sat up in the bed and moved back over to her chair. Grunting as she pulled her legs from the bed, she wheeled over to the closet and pulled it open. Clothes hung from the rack and a hamper half-filled with the dirty clothes took up most of the space on the floor. Grabbing it, she pulled it out of the closet and let it sit next to the wall, before she wheeled back over to the bed and grabbed Marshall's blankets and pillows.

    Tossing them into the floor of the closet, she held on to the armrests on her chair as she slowly let herself slide out into the floor. Sitting on her bum in the floor, Ames quickly went to work building a small nest in the floor of Marshall's closet. Glancing back towards the dirty clothes hamper, she scooted over to it and tipped it over, before digging around and finding a hoodie and a pair of sleep pants that didn't look like they needed to be washed too badly. Fitting them into her nest, she crawled into the small space and instantly felt more comfortable. Like she had cocooned herself into a small space. Nothing could hurt her in her nest, right? It would be much easier to fall asleep here.

    @ castle.
    March 28th, 2020 at 04:09am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    When Marshall woke the next morning, he had to admit that he was surprised when he realized that Ames hadn't called out to him all throughout the night. He had expected her to yell for something at least once and she hadn't even tried to? His brows pulled together as he pushed the blankets off of his body before he raised to his feet. Marshall rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made his way across the hall, nudging the door open with his foot. When he looked up, Marshall frowned at the sight of the empty bed. Not only was Ames not in it but neither were his blankets or most of his pillows. He spotted the wheelchair and turned away from the bed, only to freeze at the sight he was met with.

    Ames was curled up in his closet, wrapped in the blankets that he had left on his bed. Marshall was even pretty sure that he saw an arm of his hoodie peeking out from one of the blankets. Had she used his clothes as part of her nest? Marshall swallowed thickly, trying to remind himself that it didn't mean anything. Ames was just nervous and afraid of a lot of things. She was trying to get readjusted to normal, everyday life. So what if she used some of his clothes to help her find comfort in her nest, right? At least Ames had managed to find that comfort. It was more than he thought he could have asked for.

    Marshall cleared his throat as he leaned over, knocking against the wall just beside the closet. It wasn't close enough that it would startle her but still, Ames jumped awake. She was still just as unsure of her surroundings as she had been when Marshall first found her and he wasn't the least bit surprised. It was evident that Ames had found the right place to nest and he wasn't about to question her over it. He wasn't going to start making her feel bad for nesting because at least Ames had felt comfortable enough to do it. He exhaled softly, smiling down at her sleepy form.

    "Hey, sleeping beauty," Marshal teased, making sure to keep his voice low as he spoke. "Do you want to come on out to the living room and we can get started on some breakfast? I'm sure you've got to be hungry by now.."
    March 28th, 2020 at 04:58am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
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    United States
    While sleeping curled up in the closet wouldn't have been ideal for most people, Ames found it unusually comfortable. You think she would have an aversion to it, but instead it brought her peace. The blankets were padding the floor around her, completely pushed into every corner of the closet and then, she had even more blankets to cushion it all. Ames jumped awake, startled by the light knocking Marshall did on the wall to wake her.

    Ames hadn't even thought about what Marshall might think when he found her sleeping like this. If he'd be mad, or annoyed... She forced herself to sit up, almost instantly, her head moving in every direction as she looked around the small space she had made a bed. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Rubbing her tired eyes, she felt her heart in her throat, nervous that Marshall wouldn't understand. "I'm sorry, I-" her voice was quiet, layered with sleep as she tried to wake.

    Luckily, she was cut off by Marshall greeting her. He didn't sound mad at all. Not even slightly. Looking up at him, she almost didn't know how to react. She was used to being beaten first thing in the morning when her old alpha would open the closet... She wasn't used to being woken up like this. "Starving." She mumbled, quickly shoving the arm of his hoodie back into the blankets, out of sight.

    @ castle.
    March 28th, 2020 at 05:17am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    There was no mistaking that Ames was nervous. The sweet, syrupy smell was far sweeter than normal which Marshall was beginning to understand meant that Ames was nervous. Or more so than usual, anyway. Marshall tilted his head to the side, trying to remind himself that he needed to act normal. Like there was absolutely nothing wrong because that was the only way that Ames would start to get comfortable with him. He nodded at her answer, frowning just slightly when Ames shoved his hoodie out of sight. Was she ashamed of it? It certainly wasn't something that he would have been used to, seeing an omega comforted by his scent but it caused a swell of pride. He puffed out his chest before clearing his throat.

    "Ya need my help up?" Marshall asked softly, raising an eyebrow. Once Ames was settled in her wheelchair, Marshall twisted around and led the way back out to the kitchen where he began to cook a full breakfast. As far as he was concerned, waffles were the only breakfast food worth acknowledging when you had the chance to cook an elaborate breakfast. Deciding to make bacon and slice up an apple each for them, Marshall glanced over to Ames.

    "If.. you feel up to it, we can go grocery shopping so you can get things you want. Or you can give me a list, whatever makes you more comfortable," Marshall offered as he finished up the waffles before plating their food.
    March 29th, 2020 at 12:16am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
    Location:
    United States
    Ames sat in the room for a moment, glancing down at the little nest she had made in the closet. Marshall was being so nice, not even batting an eye at the strange way she had wanted to sleep. It confused her. He was an alpha, but...he didn't really act like one. At least, not like the one she had known. He was soft and was sure to ask before he touched her, and genuinely seemed like he cared.

    Wheeling herself out of the room, Ames went slowly down the hall. She could hear him in the kitchen, moving about and she could hear the sizzle of bacon. Coming into the kitchen, Ames couldn't deny how attractive he looked. She had nestled with his clothing all night and still, that hadn't been enough to satisfy her. Her inner omega was preening, wanting to get closer to him.

    "Uhm.. I could make a list? I.. don't want to go out yet." Her voice was quiet as she stopped her chair by the table, hoping that her answer didn't upset him in anyway. The thought of crowded people was enough to get her antsy. Taking her plate from him, she sat it down on the table. "Thank you!" She smiled, not having lied about how hungry she felt.

    @ castle.
    March 29th, 2020 at 12:40am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    "We'll do a list after we finish eating then," Marshall agreed with a nod of his head. He gave her a small smile in an attempt to help her relax. She seemed like she was starting to come around, being able to smile at him and pick which option worked best for her. Marshall had been a bit hopeful that Ames would feel comfortable to come with him but he wasn't going to push her too fast. There was a fine balance between being here for her and going too fast and ending up damaging her progress. That was just about the last thing he wanted to do, at least right now.

    Pouring himself a glass of iced tea and whatever drink Ames walked, Marshall settled down opposite of Ames, at the small dining table. He sighed as he stretched out before starting to dig into his food. After a few moments, Marshall looked up with a raised eyebrow. "So, what snacks do you want? Oh! You can tell me what sorts of things you like and I'll try to pick out what ice cream I think you'll like..." he trailed off with a little grin. "And whatever else you want. I'll try not to take too long at the store. We'll work on getting you a phone so you can call me if you need anything and I'm not here."
    March 29th, 2020 at 03:19am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    United States
    Once they were both done with their breakfast, Ames watched Marshall take their plates to the sink and then slip his shoes on. He had given her a bit of paper to write down anything she could think of that she wanted, but not much was coming to mind. She scribbled down a few things, like sugary cereals and noodles. Easy snacks that she wouldn't have a problem with if Marshall wasn't home.

    Taking the list, he promised her he would be back soon. Even made sure one more time that Ames was positive she didn't want to go. When the door shut and Ames heard him lock the door, she sat alone in the living room and looked around. It might've been clean enough by a man's standards, and it wasn't disgusting, but Ames felt like she needed to do something to thank him. That, and it was just instinct for her to take care of the alpha.

    Starting in the kitchen, Ames rolled her chair over to the sink and started on the dishes. Afterwards, she cleaned off and scrubbed down all of the counters and even did her best to sweep. Cleaning the kitchen alone felt like a mini work out, but she didn't stop there. Moving to the living room, she did the same, cleaning and organizing as fast as she could because she didn't know how long he would be gone.

    Once she made it to his bedroom, she grabbed the laundry basket and slowly moved it to the laundry room. She had to push the basket forward first and then wheel herself in the chair, doing that repeatedly until she made it to the washer. Tossing his clothes in, she started the wash and went back to make his bed and pick up around the room.

    All of this had taken a good chunk of time. Ames disability definitely hindered her and made things take a lot more time than they normally would. She was smoothing out the pillows when she heard the lock on the door jangling and the door push open. The house definitely looked a lot cleaner, a lot more organized. Ames hoped he'd appreciate it.

    @ castle.
    March 29th, 2020 at 04:27am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    Marshall really hadn't meant for him to be gone for the nearly two hours that he ended up being gone but he had found himself lost in the aisles of the store he ended up at. He made his way up to his apartment, setting a bag down before he was able to open the door. He shoved it open, his head dropping forward so he could grab the beg he'd abandoned before setting them just inside the door. He hardly looked before he started to turn back around. "I'll be right back," he called just before disappearing a second time.

    When Marshall reappeared a second time, he was carrying two bags in each of his hands with a large blanket tucked beneath his other arm. He stepped through the threshold of the apartment. When Marshall actually looked up and could take in his apartment, he was completely stunned. There was no way around his shock when he realized that Ames had done her best to clean his apartment. His eyes widened as he straightened up, looking around for Ames.

    "Ames?" He called, his voice carrying throughout the apartment. Marshall was completely surprised over all the work that Ames had done and he felt more than appreciative. When he finally found her, Marshall gave her a shy smile. "Hey, you. I got you a bunch of stuff... more than what was on the list," he grimaced, almost embarrassed by how much he had bought her. He certainly wasn't about to admit to Ames how much he had spent, having carefully rid all of the items of their price tags.

    "You can call it a little thank you, hm?" Marshall murmured, motioning her back toward the living room.
    March 30th, 2020 at 12:23am
  • dezz

    dezz (100)

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    Ghoul of 2016
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    27
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    United States
    Ames wasn't sure why she froze when she heard the door, even when Marshall had entered and called her now throughout the house. She just had. It was only when she heard his footsteps near the door that she pushed her chair away from the bed and began to leave the room, to meet him. "M-more than the list?" Ames looked up at him confused, not entirely sure why he would go out of his way for her. Still, she could feel her face blushing as she wondered what he could've thought she needed.

    Leading them back into the living room, she glanced over her shoulder at him, "I-I tried to clean the best I could... I know you didn't tell me I had too, but I hope that's fine?" Most of it had been organizational. She had done a lot more than she thought she had. Everything was in its place.

    Entering the living room, her eyes shot open when she saw the multiple bags and the big, fluffy sherpa blanket. Her lips parted in surprise, but she had no idea what to say to him. She felt silly as she looked through the bags. There was no reason for Marshall to thank her. He had saved her life, pretty much. Poking through the bags, she saw things like razors and shampoo, body wash, even new underwear and a few different pieces of clothing. There was a lot there, it was almost too much to take in.

    It was also the nicest thing she could ever remember anyone doing for her. Looking back up at Marshall, it was clear she wanted to choke up. "T-thank you so much..., you didn't have to do any of this..." Her voice was quiet, her bottom lip trembling. A small smile pulled to her face, she was by no means upset. Just shocked.

    @ castle.
    March 30th, 2020 at 01:16am
  • castle.

    castle. (2000)

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    "It's fine, Ames. I appreciate it. A lot," Marshall added with a small laugh. To him, it wa surprising to see his apartment cleaner than it had been since the first day he had moved in. It had been far too difficult to keep it properly cleaned with how much he had to work. Marshall was almost sure that it was something he could get used to. An omega carrying for his home while he was out, solving crimes. He nearly wanted to ask Ames if she would stay more long term but that wasn't what either of them were ready for. Either way, Ames seemed to be enjoying her time here.

    That was only confirmed when Marshall followed Ames out to the living room and he saw her excitement when she started looking through the bags. It was reserved, sure, but Ames couldn't hide the way that her scent sweetened. She was excited, happy over the gifts that Marshall had bought her and that warmed his heart. Told him that he had been right about what he chose, even if he'd been unsure. For the most part, Marshall had thrown just about anything he thought she might like into his cart at the store.

    "Didn't have to. But it was worth it to see that smile," Marshall teased with a shrug of his shoulders. "If you don't like any of it, I can always return it. And I guess you can come with me to pick out more things. Once you're feeling more comfortable."
    March 31st, 2020 at 12:49am