(u can play the song if u wanna but there's a part in the chapter where it will go back)

also im backkkkk <3 love u guys

𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫....

𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.(𝐲/𝐧) : LOL I REMEMBER THIS. but thank u 💙💙

𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐧.𝐭𝐡𝐞.𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 : better change the location before.. yk what nvm.😁

𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞.𝐂 : hm.. interesting information
╰ 𝐣𝐮𝐣𝐮.𝐝𝐚.𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐛 : @𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞.𝐂 see me personally i wouldn't let this caption slide ..
╰𝐛𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 : @𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞.𝐂 i wouldn't let someone use this LOCATION for MY "girl" but hey 🤷🏾‍♂️
╰𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞.𝐂 :@𝐣𝐮𝐣𝐮.𝐝𝐚.𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐛 @𝐛𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 yall right

𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.(𝐲/𝐧) : change ur mf location NEOW.
𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.(𝐲/𝐧) : i love you forever & then some 💖💖

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟓
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 : 𝐀𝐓𝐋 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡
𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐚.𝐦.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲

It was midnight when a familiar pitter patter at your window woke you up. It was accompanied by the sounds of muffled So Beautiful by Musiq Soulchild. Wondering what it could be, you got out of your bed and went over to your balcony. In one swift motion, you opened the doors and voilà! It was C holding a boombox over his head with balloons in his hand. All you could do was smile.

"Happy birthday, Princess."

"You wanna get yourself killed ?" you laugh. "You're right near my parents' window."

C puffed up his chest and sucked his teeth. "I ain't scared of nothin'."

"Mhm," you answer, still smiling and looking down at him.

C looked back up at you, almost forgetting what he was there for. "Oh ! Here's your balloons."

"Are you just gonna-"

Before you could even ask how he intended on getting them to you, he let go of them. Just when you reached your hand up to catch them , a gust of wind pushed them away, making them collide with a power line right by your window ! A big spark and loud boom followed as you and C ducked for cover. It must've been loud enough to wake your parents up because you then saw their light flick on and footsteps coming up the stairs. "Go ! My parents are coming !"

"Wait catch this !" C yelled, blowing you a kiss.

"Really ?!"

"Catch it !"

You pretended to catch it, unamused.

"Okay now send one back !"

"C, go !"

"Okay fine. But you owe me one later !" With that, he ran off into the night and just in time because your dad swung your door open, poking his head in.

"Everything okay in here ?" he asked.

"Yeah," you said, breathlessly. "Yeah everything's swell."

"Hm. Alright get some rest. Happy birthday sweetheart," your dad's pink lips curved into a smile.

"Thank you."

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟓
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 : 𝐀𝐓𝐋 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡
𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲

The day of your 18th birthday finally arrived. It fell on a Friday this year and your party was going to be that night. All you could really think about was not enjoying your special day. You were really worrying about the invite list to your party. I mean, think about it. C, your brother, and your dad all under the same roof ? Part of you thought that the universe plays funny tricks on you a little too much.

But you tried to leave it all in your mom's hands. She was very hands on when it came to your party planning. You figured since she missed the chance to plan Nicky's 18th, she wanted to go all out for yours. And that she did.

Decorations, food, music. All of it she did to a T. She hired the hottest DJ in Atlanta, caterers that specialized in all types of different cuisines from across the world, and even had custom decorations that would've took a year to create, done in just a few weeks.

However, one thing that you did help to come up with was the theme. You already had it in your mind but you decided to do a decades party. However, it was way too hard to figure out which iconic decade to do. So,  you decided to just do a costume party. C and you decided to do a couple's costume, only because JuJu was so set on being Miles Morales and Bryson was insistent on Tupac and Janet Jackson from Poetic Justice with Tommie. The costume was Beyoncé's Foxxy Cleopatra and Austin Powers. However, C wasn't going for the blonde toupe. Either way, it was a pretty good costume choice.

The party had started at 6 and right about now, you and your friends had decided to take a quick break from skating. From talking to so many people, thanking them for coming, AND trying to enjoy yourself, you were pooped. Regardless, you were having the time of your life.

"Unt un what she got on ?" Tommie eyed a white girl with an Afro wig walking into the party.

Everyone at your table made it as obvious as possible that they were looking at her. But as if all of your thoughts manifested into a real person, all of you watched a brown skin band reach up and snatch the wig off. As soon as it happened you all looked away and burst into laughter. "Like these white girls get crazier everyday," Zen laughed. "No offense."

"None taken," Sasha answered.

"Anyways how does eighteen feel ?" Bryson asked from across the table. To answer his question truthfully, you felt OLD. Well maybe not old. It just felt like everything was moving too fast, especially when it came to things you had doubts about. School, college, debates, and now you had to pay taxes ? What the fuck are taxes ?! Why do we pay them ?! Who do you give the payment too ?! What's gonna happen if you don't ?! All questions you didn't know who to ask but for sure had to learn pretty soon.

You shrugged. "I mean.. I can vote now," you answer.

"Try not to be so pessimistic !" Jean responded.

"Yeah ! You can become an organ donor !" Mikasa added.

"And ! Um.. and you can work full time," Nicky chimed in.

"Fuck allat. You can get a sugar daddy," JuJu winked.

"I mean she don't really need that now.. C is pretty much-"

"I'm what now ?" C snapped out whatever trance or high he was on to tune back into the conversation being had.

"What sugar she giving C ?" Your brother questioned.

"Enough. You see all those gifts she got from him alone ?" Tommie teased.

"That is a lot of presents and you didn't even give her the-" Eren began to speak but Armin nudged him hard in his chest. "Sorry."

Everybody at the table got quiet and to remove himself from a awkward situation, C had to think fast. "Imma go get some punch. (y/n), you want punch ?"

"Uh..sure."

C let out a deep sigh as he skated away from the table and over to the snack stand. And the one thing he was hoping didn't happen tonight, looked as if it was about to occur.  All night C was actively trying to avoid your dad. Of course he spoke to your mother because your mother seemed to be a more welcoming and understanding person. But from what you told him, it was probably best they didn't engage in conversation. Of course though, he was right there. Sitting down at the snack stand with your uncle on one side and your mother on the other.

"Oh C ! Hello. Thank you for helping out !" Your mom got up to hug C.

"No problem Mrs. Smith."

"You look nervous," Levi eyed the boy, who was fiddling with his hands behind his back.

"Not at all," he responded.

"Great. So now is the best time for us to talk. Follow me," Erwin said standing up.

C and your dad walked outside and somehow this went unseen by everyone except for your uncle and mom.

The October night's air was cold and C shivered at the feeling of a cool breeze running down his back. It was quiet for a little so C counted the stars, trying to avoid eye contact. Lucky for him it was a cloudy night so he found himself confusing the flashing lights from passing airplanes with actual stars. Either way, he was gonna count it.

"Shagadelic costume," your dad spoke, finally breaking the silence. Unknown to C, your dad loved Austin Powers. He's actually the reason why you watched the movies when you were younger. With that being said, C hasn't watched one second of any of the movies. So, C raised an eyebrow not knowing if the word your father just spouted was an insult or some type of weird compliment. Your father notice the confused silence and cleared his throat. "It's a quote from Austin Powers." C remained quiet. "Your costume is Austin Powers."

"Oh ! Is that who this is ?" C looked down at the retro get up you practically forced him to put on.

"You didn't know ?"

"No (y/n) kinda just told me to put it on," C shrugged. Of course he didn't resist the costume even though he didn't;t have the slightest clue as to what it was. C was like putty in your hands and the way you looked in that Foxxy Cleopatra costume, he would do whatever you told him to do.

"It seems like you and my daughter are getting pretty close."

"She's a great person. It's hard to not want to be close to her.. Not like that." C knew exactly where this was going. At least he thought he did.

"She's our pride and joy."

"I understand why."

"Are you nervous around me ?'

This is where C felt like things were about to go a little left and the way he would choose to go about it would alter the future. Not only for him and you, but everyone involved. And right he was. "No. Not at all," C answered.

"Is that so ?" C nodded in response. "I'm glad to hear that. But y'know something has been bothering me recently and I just can't put my finger on it."

"What is it ?"

"You know I'm the head detective."

"(y/n) might've mentioned it." Mentioned it ? C knew way before he even met you.

C's poker face was enough to make your dad want to lunge at him but he managed to keep his cool. "Great. So recently I've been getting so many anonymous tips about drugs coming in and out of Paradis. From parents, of course. They find their kids doing all types of drugs including this thing called.. 'stars' and they tell us. Would you know anything about this ?"

Play dumb but not too dumb, C thought to himself. "Stars ? I think I heard someone talking about it in the locker room but I never stopped to ask them. I don't take interest in things like that."

Erwin chuckled to himself before pulling out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "I haven't been totally transparent with you and I think you know that."

"What do you mean ?"

"Your name is Constance Springer. People call you Connie or C for short. And your father is Johnathan Springer, who was arrested for all types of drug and violent charges. In fact, the most recent charge is possession of illegal substances, including his in progress invention, "Stars". This is him right ?"

Erwin handed the piece of pocket paper to C. He unfolded it and low and behold it was a picture of the infamous Jonathan Springer.

Fuck. "I commend you for all of your knowledge on me and my dad. But can you explain what this has to do with me ?"

"Well how else would your father get 'Stars' up and running from prison ?"

C shrugged. "I have no clue. I cut off all ties." This was partially true because in reality he did cut off all ties. However, this didn't stop him from perfecting his father's craft. He had mouths to feed and what else was he supposed to do to get money quick ? "You don't think I have something to do with it. Right, Mr. Smith ?"

"Really ? I'm no dummy son. In fact if you can tell me the whole truth right here and now, maybe consequences won't be so dire."

"I am telling the truth. If you don't believe me you can ask him yourself. Or maybe your son. As far as I know, Nicky might have shared a cell with him-"

"C ? Are you out here ? Let's dance !" You called, trying to not fall because of the change in texture between the rink's floor and the concrete outside. "There you are ! Oh and hey..daddy."

"Are you enjoying your party, Princess ?" your dad asked, snatching the piece of paper from C before you were able to notice.

"Yes and I'd enjoy it more if you talked to your son," you answered honestly.

"I will but not here."

You cleared your throat. "Anyways wanna dance ?" you smile, directing your gaze to C.

Despite his business almost being exposed, C smiled his brightest smile. "Of course." You grabbed his hand and he trailed behind you. But he didn't leave your father without speaking once more, "It was great talking to you, Mr. Smith."

You and C got all the way into the building before you asked him anything. "What was that ?"

He was about to make up a lie but thankfully, C remembered what he promised you. "I'll tell you later. Let's just enjoy your day okay ? As a matter of fact. I have something for you."

You raised your eyebrow. "But I was gonna wait until I got home to open your other gifts. What else could you be giving me ?"

"I can't tell you but this one's special. Go to the back for like ten minutes and lemme set it up," he answered.

"What about our dance ?" you whine.

"We'll have plenty of time to dance after your surprise. Now stop being so hardheaded."

You went into the back, where Mr. Nelson and Nicky were catching up. But when Nicky saw you he got up and left. And you couldn't tell if he was mad at you or not because he was in such a hurry. Regardless you patiently waited for the ten minutes to pass while talking to Mr.Nelson. When the ten minutes was up he left you in the back by yourself as well until Bryson and JuJu appeared.

Their faces were obvious statements that they were trying to contain some type of emotion but you didn't know what. It was actually kinda scary because all of your years of knowing them, you took pride in how well you could read them.

"Watch your step," was all JuJu said, taking and holding one of your hands to guide you since your eyes were closed.

"If you make me bump into a wall, we finna have a problem," you respond.

"What's going on ?" You ask the two.

"Why would we tell you if it's clearly a surprise ?" Bryson answered.

"Clearly age doesn't bring intelligence," JuJu whispered.

"JuJu I will tear yo ass up if you-"

"Okay open your eyes," Bryson said before you and JuJu could start bickering.

When you opened your eyes there were people lined up on either side of you, leading up to the rink. In the rink though, people continued to skate in a circle but they were holding something and skating around something in the middle. You couldn't see what though. That is until the lights in rink dimmed and 'Use Your Heart' by SWV began to play on the speakers. (play the song now if you haven't <3)

Still holding either one of your hands, Bryson and JuJu walked you to the floor's opening. That's when people began slowing down and handing you one individual red rose. When they finished handing it to you, they went to a space in the floor, crowding it up but still leaving a path for you to go through. The final roses you received came from you mom, uncle, brother, Mr.Nelson, Mikasa, Jean, Eren, Tommie, Zen, Armin, Sasha, Historia, Ymir and even Onyakapon. You were wondering where your dad was but he wasn't anywhere to be found. But that was the least of your worries. Right now you were focusing on how the hell you were gonna not drop any of the 20-30 roses you had in your hand.

The more you walked towards the middle of the rink, the more you saw C standing there with a large teddy bear with a sign taped to it and a little black rectangular box. "Happy birthday," he smiled. 

You wanted to try and hide your smile but with all of the camera flashes on you and a person you cared so deeply for standing in front of you, it was pretty hard. "Thank youu-," you begin to whine happily. That's when you read the small sign which said :

"Will you be my girlfriend ?"

Holy shit. You felt your heart drop to your ass but not even in a bad way. All eyes were on you now and you had to quickly weigh out the pros and possible consequences in your head. Actually no time for that. But that's fine because you know what you wanted to do. You wanted to say yes. Remember earlier when I mentioned there was so much you were unsure about with your new age ? Well this wasn't one of them. In fact it was probably the one thing you were most sure about right now. You wanted to be with C more than just a 'more than friends but not in a relationship' way. Sure it was fun the way it was but you felt like this new beginning was right. It's been ages since you felt this strongly for someone. Who knew you would've found it in someone like C. And you felt like if a boy with a past like C's is doing all of this for you, what should you possibly be allowing to hold you back ?

I'll answer that question. Your dad. Just as you were about to say your answer, you caught a glimpse of him, outside of the rink. His blue eyes were staring at you, silently telling you what he wanted your answer to be. And you almost succumbed to it but then you realized. Your whole life you've been living to please him. Every decision you made you had your dad in mind. Will he be disappointed ? Will he be proud ? Well new age, new beginnings. That part of you was going to be left in the past. Maybe it would cause problems down the road but that's all apart of life.

For once in your life, you were going to live your life the way you wanted it to be. And you could thank the man standing in front of you for that.

"Yes."

The building erupted in cheers as you and C gave each other a big hug. The both of you really wanted to kiss to seal the deal but it was two too many parentals and one too many older brothers in the building. Then, C finally gave you the dance you wanted.

From there, the party continued until it was time for everybody to maybe not go home, but to get the fuck up outta the Juke. It was around 1 in the morning when you, your friends, and family finished cleaning up. But for you and your friends, the party wasn't ending there. As part of your birthday gift, your lovely friends rented an AirBnB for that weekend. It was a pretty big house, almost like a mansion, right near where all of the moves were in Atlanta. From shopping, to clubs, to swanky restaurants. Your group was going to do it all/

Your parents and Levi reached your house before you. You were only staying the night since they could only rent the place for Saturday and Sunday. You hopped out of JuJu's car and walked into the house. Any other party night, him and Bryson would sleep over but they both had arrangements to have sleepovers with the people they were seeing.

When you unlocked and opened the front door, instead of the drunk laughter you were expecting, all you heard was arguing. "SHE'S FINALLY HAPPY AND HE'S JUST A KID-" Your mom's yelling bought out her accent. "Oh hey baby. Wasn't expecting you home."

"Just for the night.." Your uncle and father looked away from you and now that you've noticed it, you realized how they haven't looked at you since you stepped into the house. However, they had different reasons of doing so. "What's wrong ? Y'all good ?"

"Everything's fin-" your mother started in hopes to avoid another conversation gone wrong.

"Why did you do this , (y/n) ?" your dad asked.

"Do what ? If you're talking about the milk, I swear I thought you could make at least another bowl." you asked, puzzled. That's when the kitchen got quiet until your mom talked.

"Erwin just save this for another time," your mother  tried to suggest.

"You said yes to that- that street scum !" Your dad shouted, scaring you a little because he never took that tone with you.

"Street scum.. You mean, C ? Of course I said yes."

"Whoever he is. Don't you know the sacrifices we've made to give you the best life and put you on the right track ? And you're going to throw it all away dealing with people like him. Just look at-"

"Erwin !" Your mom tried to interject.

"Look at who ? Nicky ?" you replied. Something about your father's eagerness to bring up Nicky and his past when he was not even man enough to utter a single word to him, really almost sent you over the edge.To be frank, you always knew you and your dad was going to fall out. It was going to come a day where all of your emotions and feelings will boil over. You were tired of letting him dictate who you and your brother were. And today, you were going to finally tell him about himself. "I don't get how me finally making a decision without your permission is gonna make me end up like Nicky."

"He didn't see either. I always told you that you are the company you keep."

"Okay first off. Not only do you clearly not know your son, you also don't know C. Whatever happened to not judging a book by it's cover ?" you clap back.

"Your problem is that you try to find the best in people. Your brother is a murderer and C is probably the same."

"My brother is innocent, C is a good guy, and maybe if you took the police badge from up your ass you would know that."

"Don't talk to me like that. I am your father !" Erwin's large hand knocked over the scattered glass cups, shattering them onto the floor.

"Really ? I couldn't tell."

"Get out," he said, ridding of all of the bass and brute in his voice.

"Get out ?"

"If you can't tell I'm your father. Then there's no need of you staying under my roof anymore."

"Erwin where do you expect her to go ?!" Levi snapped.

"Doesn't matter. Maybe she'll end up wherever the hell Nicholas is."

You sigh, laughing to yourself. "Shocker. Father of the year kicks yet another child out and then says we're the problem."

You walked past your mom and went to your room to get as much of your stuff as you could fit into one of your suitcases. Your mom ran up the stairs, crying and begging for you to just stay the night in your room and let all the tension pass. But each word she said, went ignored and out the other ear. When she realized this, she sobbed in frustration and went to her room, slamming the door behind her. You felt terrible. The woman's family that she worked so hard to build was falling apart all because her husband couldn't except the his kids have lives of their own.

When you were done packing, you sat upstairs for a bit, trying to figure out where you would go for the night. You didn't want to bother JuJu or Bryson, Mikasa and Jean were probably busy, Armin could barely take care of Eren, and Sasha wouldn't answer the phone anyway. Every time she would get drunk, she passed out as soon as she saw a couch. You tried to call your brother and Onyakapon but this was around the time the two of them would be sleep after watching 90's cartoons on VHS. You had only one option left.

"Hello ?" C spoke, sleepily into the phone.

"Hey."

"What's up ? You're usually sleep by this time," he responds as you hear the sounds of movement, signaling that he was sitting up in his bed.

"Yeah and I would've been but there's a bunch of shit going on. I need you to come get me."

"Come get you ? And go where ? It's pretty late for a late night drive and we gotta be up early tomorrow."

"No I mean.." you sigh. "Listen I got kicked out and I need somewhere to stay for the night."

"Kicked out ? Are you outside right now ?!"

"No, relax. I'm still in my room."

"I'll be there in five. Just hang tight, okay ?"

C hung up, grabbing his keys before doing so. The drive between his and your houses was ten minutes but he was there in five. You went downstairs when he texted you, rolling your suitcase and carrying one of your duffle bags. Before heading out the door, you gave your mom a kiss on the cheek, wetting your lips from her salty tears that ran down her face.  "(y/n) just try and give him time. He'll change," she pleaded. Your mom couldn't take losing another child. But it was no use. It seemed as though everyone had their minds well made up.

"Bye mom, I love you."

With that, you left, slamming the door behind you. C was waiting outside of his car for you, ready to take your bags and load them into his trunk. He opened the door for you before walking over to his side of the car. Before he got in, C noticed a tall silhouette looking through the curtains downstairs. The more he looked, C saw that it was your dad. Not wanting to stick around and see what it is he had to say, C got into the driver's seat and sped off into the night.

The car ride was silent and so was the walk into his house. It wasn't until you got through his front door when all of the pint up water works and tears began to stream from your eyes. C didn't notice until he heard one of your bags dropped. When he turned around, all he saw was you sniffling and wiping your eyes, in desperate attempt to cover any traces of emotions.

He didn't say anything. C was never that good at comforting people. Mostly because he didn't like to be comforted in times where he needed it most. The most anyone would say was "I'm sorry" or "It'll get better". That's all he heard when his mom died and it wasn't like the sorry's or the words of encouragement would make a difference. So, he just figured that's how everybody else felt. All he did was give you a hug, thinking that was the best he could do to help at the moment. "Listen Imma give you some shower stuff. Go take a shower in my bathroom and I'll get everything ready. We'll talk when you get out, okay ?" C said.

You didn't know what exactly he was getting ready but you listened. Who knows ? Maybe the shower would help you calm down. You did as he said and showered. Half of the shower, you were spaced out, just replaying the events that took place an hour or two ago. Then, you dried yourself off and threw on a pink night gown that stopped just below your ass.

It turns out, while you were in the shower, C was setting up his room to make it more comfortable for you. He was going to make a bed for you out in the living room but there was no way he would have the "Princess" sleeping on a couch when there was a bed available. He changed his sheets and laid out a fluffy blanket on top of his comforter for you to snuggle up with, hoping it would simulate how your bed was. C also lit a cinnamon roll candle and cleaned up a little. "What's this ?" you ask.

"You're gonna sleep in here. I'll take the couch."

"What ? No I'll take the couch."

"Just lay down. Let's talk," C said, pulling back the covers to tuck you in. "What happened ?"

You snuggled yourself under the covers with C sitting next to you and explained the whole situation. C felt terrible that his grand gesture put you in that position. Maybe regret wasn't the right word but he still wished that he chose a different time and place to ask you out. And as bad as it sounds, he blamed himself 100%. You saw the guilty look on his face and immediately could tell what he was thinking. So, you reassured him that it was completely your father who was in the wrong.

"I'm so sorry Princess. You're welcome to stay here for however long you need."

"You already have enough people to take care of. You don't need me here too," you laugh.

"Don't be crazy girl. You're my girlfriend now. I'd take care of you for forever if you'd let me."

You smiled and moved over in his bed, patting the space next to you. "You can start by sleeping with me tonight." C got quiet, side eying you with a hint of suspicion. "Please ? I don't want to be alone right now."

"Fine. But the second you start hogging blankets, I'm pushing you onto the floor."

"Yeah right."