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Cassius was fuming. Okay, when was she not? But, she thought this was a terrible idea, and what happens when the men were in charge... maybe having the crazy, mute chick isn't such a bad idea after all...

She'd take her side... right?

And out of all the Supes they were turning to... they were going to Mesmer? She might as well just blow her head off now...

"Oh, God, it's like a low-budget, even more embarrassing comic-con." She mutters as they make their way through the crowd of stench and b.o. and she gags to herself. Bellamy rolls his eyes at her, though he did have to cover his nose as they pass people.

"Fix your face." M.M. whispers to her as they approach the Mesmer line.

"This is still a horrible idea." She stresses under her breath.

"Then you could've stayed in the van." Bellamy voices quietly behind her.

Her nose twitches as she battles with herself over snapping or staying silent.

"And I can still slash your knees right here in front of everybody." Cass pops off at him. When has she ever chose silence?

"Will you two give it a rest, for like five fucking minutes?" M.M. sighs.

As Mesmer guessed what the stupid people in line were thinking each tine it someone's turn, Cassius couldn't help but think it was all a scam, and one big fucking lie. If she hadn't seen Supes actually do something in front of her very eyes, she would believe none of it was true, and all some made up bullshit. Part of her still does. Especially with this guy. How does she not know that whatever he says people don't just go along with for fun? Or because he's 'famous.' Though she uses the term, even in her mind, loosely.

"Mr. Mesmer." M.M. says cheerfully as he walks up to him, arms open.

"Ah, just-just Mesmer." Mesmer corrects. "No "mister" necessary." He speaks tightly. Cassius rolls her eyes, thinking he should just be glad he even has any 'fans' at all, while Bellamy pretends to flip through a brochure, "minding" his business.

"You know, I'm a big fan, man." M.M. continues.

"Thanks." Mesmer nods.

"Weren't you in Teenage Kix with A-Train?" M.M. makes conversation.

"Yep." Mesmer motions to his shirt.

"Yeah. Yo, A-Train's really blown up, hasn't he?" M.M. comments while Cass's eyes boredly travel up to the ceiling.

"Yeah." Mesmer nods.

"He's doing his thing."

"Yeah, he's great. I'm-I'm happy for him."

Bellamy glances up from his booklet, raising a brow.

"Yeah."

"Yeah." They both say awkwardly looking at each other.

"You a fan of the show?" Mesmer points his thumb at the poster propped up behind him.

"Oh, nah, man. I've never seen it." M.M. says, nodding his head at Cass. "She's a great fan though." She snaps her head down, glaring at him.

"Okay." Mesmer responds curtly, looking forward once again.

"You know what I'm a fan of?" M.M. asks him. "Your insider trading." He shakes his head, exhaling. Cassius sighs, hoping the point is made, soon. "Whew. The way you brushed your hand up against that Wall Street guy? Brother, that shit right there, now, that was ruthless." Mesmer blinks at him. "I mean, Vought dropped you like a hot potato afterwards, which I think is some bullshit, but with the SEC coming..."

"Who the fuck are you?" Mesmer cuts him off abruptly. Cass crosses her arms as Bellamy's gaze on the two men sharpens.

M.M. raises his hand up. "Why don't you take a peep and see?" He suggests lightly.

Mesmer looks up at him before placing his hand in his and M.M. wraps his hand firmly around his. A smirk finds its way to Cass's lips as Meser closes his eyes for a moment before popping them back open. Ah, well, maybe it's not bullshit after all by the looks of it.

"How do you know about Cleo?" Mesmer asks him, warily eyeing Cassius out of the corner of his eye, which Bellamy noticed immediately. Cassius hums, hmm, would you look at that?

M.M. wraps his arm around Mesmer's shoulder. "There are no secrets from me." He smiles for their picture and Cassius is relieved she doesn't have to take one...

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"Well, we work for Child Services." M.M. tells Mesmer as he, Cassius, and Bellamy walk with him at a park. Cassius smiles fakely as Mesmer glances over at them. "Our colleague Tina, she owes me a favor. See, she, just like I, believe in second chances." Cassius scoffs. "Clearly this one over here disagrees." Oh, I disagree with a hell of a lot more... she thinks to herself.

"Cut the shit." Mesmer steps in. "I lost custody three years ago. Nobody believes in second chances for fuckups like me."

"Well, somebody does." Bellamy finally speaks up. "So shut the hell up and listen, would ya?"

Mesmer comes to a stop as a table comes into view. He exhales, swallowing.

"She's waiting on you." M.M. tells him. Mesmer glances up at him before approaching.

"Tina. Hey." M.M. calls over to the woman sitting at the table with a girl who's back is turned to them. Cleo.

Cass swallows her anger, jealousy, wondering what hell this asshole did to deserves to see the young girl he cares so much about in his life. Why was it always them? Why do the Supes always manage to get what they want, no matter what they fucking do? It not fair, it isn't fucking fair.

The two little girls in her life who meant the entire world to her were six fucking feet under because of Supes. And here she was, handing one exactly what they fucking wanted, what SHE will NEVER get back.

Coming back was a mistake. A fucking mistake. And she fucking knew it would be. So she asks herself the same question yet again... why was she here?

M.M. and Tina exchange greetings with each other as Mesmer walks around to the young girl sitting on top of the table. And Bellamy? He's watching Cassius. Like always.

He saw the look in her eyes, one he is quite familiar with at this point... the one where if she could burn down the entire fucking planet with one stare... she would. Her chest takes just a couple seconds longer in between rising and falling, and no ordindary bystander would be able to tell a difference. But Bellamy does. He knew exactly what she was thinking, exactly what was fueling the fire of her pure hatred anger.

And it was his fault... And he can never take it back. He can never bring the crinkle that forms in her eye when she laughs back, the little snort she does in between laughs trying to catch her breath. The spark of mischief and joy that once shone in her eyes. He killed it all... he killed them.

And as Mesmer asked his daughter if she hated him and she told him she didn't really know him... two people stood but a mere few feet away with the exact opposing problem.

That was their issue. They did know each other. Probably more than two people ever should, or will. And they were both standing there idly watching, or more so zoned out, drowning in their own respective hatreds. One for themselves, and the other towards the self-induced.

Because love may seem like the strongest emotion in the world... but it can always be overpowered with hate.

And that hate is what destroyed them both.

Mesmer sniffs as Cleo and Tina leave, breaking both Bellamy and Cass out of their thoughts.

"I can see her every month?" He asks M.M.

"One hour, supervised." M.M. tells him. "You clean?"

"I-I can be." Mesmer nods.

"Good." M.M. nods in return.

"Who do you want me to read?"

Bellamy steps forward.

But can their shared hatred for the same cause be enough to put their other feelings aside... the soured ones, of course.

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0вυттєявιѕ¢υιт7 ѕρєαкѕ!

Oooo!! I DID THATTT!! I FUCKING ATEEE Y'ALL!! MHMMM!!! I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT!! A few weeks ago I was feeling a little... down? Doubt? About this bookkk, BUT DAMNNN have I felt like I've been killing it these past few chapters & I am SOOO glad!!

SOOO... WELCOMEEE BACKKKK!!! Truthfully, I just wasn't feeling like writing on the day I was gonna update this last week, so I didn't haha, sorry about that y'all... but WE BACKKK!! AND ON THE PERFECT DAY BC THE BOYS ANNOUNCED SOME BIG CASTING NEW TODAYYYY ON TIKTOK & INSTAAA!! (I had planned to update on this day beforehand haha, so I feel like a freaky little genius planner lol) OOO I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT ROLES MISH & JARED PLAY IN S5!!!

Anywaysss... I hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrr!! Everytime Cass thinks about her nieces, ugh, my heart just shatterss... And I love y'all getting both her & Bellamy's thoughts/perspectives on things!! Especially when they mirror/parallel each otherrr!!! (And can we talk about M.M. giving my girl Cassius shit this chapter haha, he was not letting uppp, but also he's had enough of her attitude rn lmaooo, my man is getting feddd uppp bahahaha)

Def don't be afraid to comment y'all's thoughts, questions, & reactionsss!! And until next timeee!! Mwah!! <3333