QUEEN
Vermont stormed out of the mansion, his hand wrapped firmly around mine, dragging me behind him. His pace was brisk, his movements rigid with tension. He didn’t say a word, and the silence between us was deafening. My legs struggled to keep up, stumbling slightly on the uneven path as tears streamed down my face. The events inside replayed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn’t escape, each moment is heavy.
I had chosen to hurt him.
When we reached his car, Vermont yanked the door open with more force than necessary. He didn’t look at me, his jaw tight and his chest rising and falling with suppressed anger. He gestured for me to get in, and I slipped into the seat, my hands still trembling. The door slammed shut behind me, the sound is sharp and final, making me flinch.
I glanced at him as he rounded the car, his face a storm of emotions—anger, hurt, and something else I couldn’t quite place. He slid into the driver’s seat, his movements stiff and controlled.
For a moment, he sat there, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white with tension, while I sat in the passenger seat, struggling to catch my breath. The only sound was my quiet sobs and the occasional hitch in my breathing as I tried to compose myself.
I stole a glance at him again, my tears blurring the sight of his profile. His jaw was clenched, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes remained fixed outside.
"I’m sorry," Vermont said suddenly, his voice low and filled with something I couldn’t quite place is it guilt? Regret? "I'm really sorry Queen."
I gasped softly, turning to look at him through tear-streaked eyes. I nodded, unable to find my voice, and he sighed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly.
"I brought you there because I wanted you to feel like part of my life," he said quietly, his voice is strained. "I thought they’d see how amazing you are, Queen. But instead, they hurt you."
I turned to face him, my heart aching at the raw emotion in his voice. 
"I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” his voice is trembling as he said that. "I didn’t want to ruin things for you."
"It's fine." His eyes met mine then, a mixture of anger and vulnerability shining in their depths.
"I couldn’t protect you from them," he said softly, his voice breaking. "And seeing you cry like this—it’s killing me, Queen."
I shook my head, my tears falling freely now. 
"You protected me the best you could. And that’s enough."
The silence returned, heavier than before, until Vermont broke it again. His words were hesitant, almost afraid.
"Is it true? What they said... about you and Thanos?" I turned to him, my face twisting in disbelief.
"Do I look like that to you?" I asked, my voice trembling with anger and hurt. I may admit it, but fuck did he believe that?
"No," he said quickly, his tone firm, as though he was trying to convince both of us. "Of course not."
But something in his response broke something in me. The dam I had been holding back gave way, and the words came tumbling out.
"You think I’m Astrid, don’t you?" I snapped, my voice rising as anger bubbled to the surface. "You believe that I am really Astrid." I pointed out and he shake his head.
"Fuck no-"
"Don’t lie to me!" I cut him off. "Or you see her when you look at me, don’t you? This whole thing, it’s a lie! You’re still in love with her, Vermont!" I pointed at him, my hand trembling with rage, before burying my fingers in my hair in frustration.
He opened his mouth to protest, but I didn’t give him the chance. "Why are you doing this to me? To us? If you’re so hung up on her, why didn’t you just-"
"Stop," Vermont said, his voice firm as he leaned toward me. But I couldn’t stop, the words pouring out in a desperate flood.
"You’re still in love with Astrid!" I shoutedscreamed, my voice cracking under the weight of my anger and despair. "Admit it!"
He didn’t respond with words. His chest rose and fell sharply, his jaw clenched, and his eyes burned with an intensity I couldn’t decipher. Instead, he grabbed my face and kissed me. I was surprised, his large hands cradling my cheeks as his lips crashed against mine.
It wasn’t a gentle kiss born of love or tenderness. It was rough, demanding, filled with all the emotions we were both too afraid to speak aloud. His lips moved with a ferocity that demanded my attention. I froze for a moment, shocked, but then I began pushing him away, hitting his chest.
But he didn't stop and anger surged through my veins like wildfire. I pushed at his chest, my fists continue pounding against him in frustration.
"Stop it!" I yelled against his lips, but Vermont didn’t pull back.
Vermont’s hand slid to the nape of my neck, his grip firm yet careful, as though he feared I might break apart at any moment. His other hand tilted my chin, keeping me in place as he deepened the kiss despite my resistance.
I grabbed at his hair, trying to pull him away, but his determination was unyielding. Against my better judgment, I found myself kissing him back, my emotions a tangled mess of rage, passion, and something I didn’t want to name.
My hands that once intent was on pushing him away, is now gripping his shoulders, holding onto him as though letting go would shatter the fragile intensity of the moment.
When we finally broke apart, both of us gasping for air. I glared at him, my emotions still a tangled mess. I slapped his chest, the sound echoing in the confined space of the car.
"You’re an idiot," I spat as my voice trembling with frustration. I then hit him again.
Vermont didn’t stop me. He just sat there, taking it, his face a mixture of guilt and desperation. When I finally stopped, letting out a frustrated sigh, he reached for my hand, his touch soft and gentle.
"I’m sorry," he said again, his voice quieter this time.
I shook my head, pulling my hand away. "We need to take a break," I said, my voice cracking under the weight of the words.
"No," Vermont said firmly, shaking his head. He reached for my hand again, holding it tightly this time. "I never saw Astrid in you. Not once. I don’t think you’re her, fuck I'll admit, I'm sorry. I did at first I plan to make you tell the truth but I notice a huge difference between the two of you and I don’t love her anymore. Queen, I’m down bad for you. I love you."
His words were raw, pleading, but I was too angry, too hurt to let them sink in.
"I used you," I said coldly, my voice is devoid of emotion. "Everything I said back there was true. I used you for my own gain."
"Don’t do this," Vermont pleaded, his voice trembling.
"You think I’d actually fall for you?" I continued, ignoring his plea. "I’ve never forgotten my fiancé. He’s all I think about when I’m with you."
"He’s gone, Queen," Vermont said softly, his voice breaking. "He's already dead, you're fiancé is already long gone!"
"I know," I replied, my voice trembling.
My heart screamed at me to stop, but I forced the words out anyway.
You can do it, Queen.
"But I still love him. You could never replace him." Vermont’s face crumpled, and for a moment, he looked utterly defeated. 
Fuck, no. I already forget him.
"It’s fine," Vermont said, his voice shaking with emotion. "You can use me again. You can think about him all you want. I don’t care. I love you, Queen. Please, don’t leave me."
"Fuck, you’re crazy!" I shouted, my anger boiling over again. But deep down, I was breaking. I had already let go of my fiancé, and I loved Vermont more than I could admit, even to myself.
"Yeah, I am crazy," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Crazy about you." Then he tried to kissed me again this time it was slow and gentle. I don't have the strength to pushed him away.
Vermont gently cupped my face and when our lips parted, I mumble the words...
"I can’t do this," I whispered, shaking my head. "Let’s end this—"
Before I could finish, a knock on the car window startled us both. We turned to see Mabel, her face streaked with tears.
"Lhance, Mom... Mom collapsed,” she said, her voice trembling. "She was..."
I looked at Vermont, my heart sinking.
"You should go," I said softly. "Take care of your mother. We’ll talk later."
He hesitated, his eyes searching mine as though afraid I’d disappear if he let me go.
"Go," I insisted. "She needs you, this is urgent, Ver."
"But..." I shake my head and touch his face.
"Your mom needs you." Finally, he nodded, squeezing my hand one last time before stepping out of the car.
"Well talk this out, okay? Don't leave me."
"Hmm." I hummed in a weak voice.
"I love you, Queen."
"Y-yeah." I saw the pain in his eyes when I said that. He bite his lips and I look away.
"I'll be back. Wait for me here. I love you." I didn't answer him and he gently close the door and walk away from the car. I silently watched him leave and my chest aching with a pain I couldn’t describe.
—IAmRoseee