Slip Up

As the title says, Chris has a little slip up when they're with Jade. This takes place a few months after the breakup. (M's off-page scene will release next week~)

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Chris’ eyes close, head thrown back in ecstasy as sweat dots their forehead. There’s a flash of pride when Jade notices how Chris’ cheeks tint with color and their mouth open to speak.

Praise me. Tell me that I’m better than them, that you prefer me.

She expects it and predicts the words scrambling from Chris’ lips as one final burst of ecstasy moves through them. The smile is on her face before the words leave their lips, a surety that she knows so well- because she is better in so many ways.

She’s ready to preen under the attention, preemptive as always.

The name falls from Chris’ lips, your name. Said in absolute bliss as their hands gripped the sheets.

It’s like jumping headfirst into a freezing pool after soaking in a hot tub. Her skin prickles and her shoulders tighten as the name reverberates in her head.

Chris tenses underneath her, eyes open wide as they look at her.

It was impossible not to hear, considering how loud they said it.

She buries it deep down and covers it up in falsities like it doesn't sting. It can’t hurt her if she doesn't let it. She smothers it in denial and looks at the facts. Chris is with her. Your name, no matter how loudly whispered, won’t change that.

It’s a slip-up, nothing more. It doesn’t have to mean anything, and she refuses to let it. She might not be able to erase you from their memories, but that doesn’t mean she can’t erase you in other ways.

The bed you two shared now smells of her. Every sign of you in the apartment was erased the day you left. She made sure of it. You only linger in fragments: the countertop you chose that she made sure you can’t look at anymore, the dog that refuses to let her own them.

It will just take time to erase you from Chris’ thoughts, those little seeds of desire they think she can’t see. They’re weak that way, trying to hold on to something she laid ruin to.

After all, she’s the one they chose, finding comfort in her body when you were toiling away at your office, planning some little wedding that never came to be.

Jade’s jaw clenches and Chris sighs deeply, preparing themselves for an argument. But little do they know, that’s not what angers her.

It’s just a name. It doesn’t mean anything. At least that’s what she chooses to believe as she smiles down at them. She positions herself, intent on reminding Chris who’s responsible for the bliss that threatens to pull them into the realms of sleep.

“Wait,” they mumble, propping themselves on their elbows and shaking their head.

The tension in her shoulders tightens, her teeth biting at her lip. “What?”

Chris motions for Jade to get off them and then slide to the other side of the bed, their feet resting on the cold floor. They lean forward, elbows on their knees as they sigh into their palms.

She can’t read them this way, and it irks her. She waits, wondering if Chris will apologize for the slip-up. They did the first time, back when she reacted more. Back when she was positive that Chris fully belonged to her.

She still thinks they do now, still thinks that her name is the one that carved its way into their heart.

They’re just nostalgic, that’s all. Missing what they thought they had, what they thought they wanted- until they realized that she was a better pick. She always had been.

Your parents can attest to that. Hell, she’s sure she could even get them to say it if she said the right words.

“I… I need some air.” Chris whispers, glancing at her from the corner of their eyes before walking out onto the balcony with a blanket in tow.

So, weak, she thinks, standing from the bed.

She stares at herself in the mirror above the dresser and runs a hand through her hair. Look at her, gorgeous and confident. So unlike you.

Draining—that's what you are.

Even absent, you claw your way back into her life. But it's pointless; she’s already won.

The thought brings a smile to her lips as she pulls open one of Chris’ dresser drawers, showing them just how much they liked seeing her there. In their place, in their things. An image she intends to make them remember.

The smile on her lips falls when she opens the drawer, her brows furrowing as her hands slide over the fabric of a shirt. It’s not hers; she has much better taste than that. Her fingers curl around the fabric, a tightening grip she barely notices as her breath catches. She turns it over, the faint scent assaulting her like an unwelcome guest.

It’s not Chris’ shirt. They’d never wear something like this.

She glances toward the balcony, watching as Chris runs a hand through their hair before gripping the pale blonde strands. Crystal blue eyes shut tight as the cool air greets their face.

A bark in the other room pulls her from her thoughts.

She pulls the shirt from the drawer, her anger spiking as she notices the smell of it. A scent that dares to make itself known in her presence. Chris turns, intent on heading back in before she can discard it. Instead, she tucks the shirt into the storage bench at the bottom of the bed.

Jade gives a small smile, charming of course, ignoring Chris’ questioning gaze as she makes her way over to wrap them in her arms. “Let’s get back to bed.” She purrs, intent on making them forget you, intent on making herself forget that shirt that belongs to you.

With a calculated kiss and a practiced roll of her hips, she’ll make Chris forget. She’ll make everyone forget.

Piece by piece, she’ll carve herself into their life until there’s no room left for anyone else, not even ghosts.

She’ll be the only one that matters. Perfect Jade, perfect life.

What will you have when I’m done?