Hold me in your arms

Hangovers are never easy to get over and the pounding headache coupled with my light sensitivity makes me want to spill my guts all over the driveway, but as punishment for starting the fight according to my parents I have to do lawn work for the weekend with my dad. Which means mowing the yard, doing the edging on the overgrown grass creeping onto the walkways, moving a literal metric fuck ton of dirt to the back garden planters, turning the compost heap, and cleaning the garage and it all starts at 9:00am.

“Fuck, I wanna die right now.” I yell over the roar of the mower, at least I have my headphones and I can listen to music while I work and the dark mirrored aviator sunglasses keep the brightness of mid morning at bay so I am not spewing my breakfast all over the lawn, at least I have one more pass after this and I am done with mowing the lawns.

A white two door Mazda Miata rolls into the driveway across the street, out steps Rarity and she’s dressed in a flowing sundress that ripples in the slight breeze. I stop and stare at the girl for a few seconds while leaning on the handle of the mower which tipped it up and I face-plant onto the top of the hot mower.

“Fuck me that burns like a son of a bitch!” I shout in pain as my left arm lands straight on the hot metal bits of the just used mower.

Rarity spins around and looks at me, hands on her hips and scowling, “do you really have to use that crass language?!” She shouts over my cursing in pain.

I roll off the hot mower and on my back onto the warm concrete, “you try burning your arm on something hot and try not to have the same reaction Rarity.” I growl out through gritted teeth.

“Well it’s very unbecoming of a gentleman to curse like that, besides, serves you right for ogling me,” she says while walking across the street standing next to me trying to offer a hand.

“Well what can I say, I’m a sucker for a pretty gal in a sundress.” I reply with a smirk.

I see her walk across the street to help me up, the way she walks annoys the fuck out of me. It’s like she’s trying to be sexy plus flaunt her body at the same time but also is concerned with what people will think of her.

“Oh don’t think sweet words will let you off the hook Mr. Blackwood,” Rarity states as she sticks out a hand to help me up.

Taking her small hand in mine the difference was night and day, the softness of her hand against my rough calloused one was refreshing. Finally on my feet I wobble a bit from my hangover trying to steady myself I place a hand on Rarity’s shoulder.

“What are you doing?” She asks with a hint of disgust in her voice

“Getting my balance, got a killer hangover I might, hgggur,” I smirk as I bend over pretending to dry heave.

“You bet— hgggur, don— hugggur,” Rarity tried to talk between her own dry heaving spell, while I’m still bent over trying not to laugh.

“Don’t hggur you dare do that again, she says indignantly with a huff, all the while I can’t hold my laughter back, “Now would you please stop that this instant!” She shrilly huffs at me getting in my face.
Noticing my scar she stops immediately, reaching a hand up to touch it. I stop her hand inches away from my neck, “what is with everyone and wanting to touch my scars,” I sigh.

“So sorry darling but after what Rainbow told me at school about it I was always curious,” she states in a small voice, curiously eyeing my neck.

“It’s fine, looks like something I’ll have to get use to,” I say as I take my shirt off and show her the large one on my chest, “this one you can touch if you feel so inclined,”

Rarity’s jaw hits the ground as she looks over my chest and slowly raises her hand to trace the scar. Her fingers delicately pass over the raised flesh but stop at my tattoo, “who’s Britt?” She asks softly.

“My fiancé, this was her proposal gift since I don’t like to wear rings,” I tell her as I lift my Mjöllnir with my thumb, the ornate carved silver hammer shone in the sunlight as it lightly dangled from the nickle and copper chain around my neck.

“That is simply gorgeous darling, your fiancé has incredible taste, I’d like to meet her and possibly make her an outfit or two,” Rarity says excitedly.

“I really wish you could have met her, sadly she is no longer in Midgard anymore, Hel keeps her soul in her hall now,” I say in a dejected tone, “you two would have gotten along very well.”

Rarity’s smile drops flat, “when did she pass?”

“Three weeks after summer vacation started between Jr. high and freshman year, she told me she was pregnant and then next thing I knew I was lowering her in the ground along with our unborn child,” I say in a dark tone while I stare vacantly into Rarity’s eyes.

“I— I-I’m so sorry darling,” Rarity says choking from little sobs, she wraps her arms around my torso and hugs me tightly, “you’ve been through so much and from what I’ve heard of you I made judgements too quickly, I’m so very sorry darling.”

I wrap my arms around her as she is still glued to me as I rub her back hoping that she would let go soon. She looks into my eyes and kisses my cheek before backing away some.

“What was that for?” I reply a little confused

“Thought you might need it.”

“I appreciate it.”

“What are you doing later this evening?”

“I don’t know but if you want to drop by for whatever you’re planning then be my guest,” I tell her trying to keep my tone as neutral as possible, “thank you again for the hug it was much needed.”

Rarity eyed me up and down mumbling to herself as her eyes lingered on my scar and then wondered down further as a faint blush covered her cheeks as her gaze lingered for longer than she expected. I cleared my throat and shot her a questioning look, to be fair I was wearing my workout shorts with compression underwear that really didn’t leave anything to the imagination, and my build wasn’t that impressive either although if I had to describe myself I’d say I’m more muscular fit but not overly muscular, still no chiseled abs though but nothing flabby either.

“Uhhh Rarity, my eyes are up here darling. You’ll have more of a chance to cop a feel when you take my measurements or whatever you’re planning on doing later tonight,” I say letting out a small chuckle.

The fashionista was completely in her own world and didn’t hear a word I said, “well looks like I have no choice but to do this again,” I say to myself as I bend down and hoist Rarity over my right shoulder.

An indignant squeal from her was all I got when I got halfway across the street, “puuuuutttt mmmeeee doowwn this instant you brute!”

So she finally noticed, “stop flailing or I’m gonna drop you flat on that well toned ass of yours,” I say to the squirming girl slung over my shoulder.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rarity huffed as she started to hit my back and kicked her legs trying to get out of my grasp.

“Try me, but I wouldn’t want to see that well made sundress get dirty,” I reply, trying to hold her in place, “stop squirming!” I bark out as I slap her ass with my free hand. Rarity let out an audible moan when my hand connected, a light hit on my back from her fist was all I got in response.

“Was that a moan?” I ask her, knowing full well what I just heard.

Rarity went stiff as I walked up the stairs on the front porch to the door, I tossed Rarity off my shoulder and caught her in my arms in one fluid sweep. I clearly remember the first time I did this with Britt when she ‘broke’ after she accidentally brushed her hand over my crotch on the bus.

‘‘You good?” I ask Rarity, her face completely red from embarrassment.

“C—could you watch where your grabbing, although I–I don’t mind being held like this but your grabbing my breast Mr. Blackwood.” She stuttered out, trying to compose herself.

My mind drifts back to the 8th grade field trip and I completely zone out. A few minutes pass with me just standing there in front of Rarity’s front door, I hear Britt’s voice call me through the fog of my mind.

‘‘Mr. Blackwood.”

‘’Mr. Blackwood.”

The voice was faint but growing louder little by little.

“Mr. Blackwood, let me go.”

A slap shook me from my thousand yard stare, “Sorry Britt, I must have zoned out there.” I say to the girl in my arms as I gently let her down.

“That’s fine darling, you looked lost in thought, but I really need to get inside.” Rarity said as she smoothed out her dress.

I pull her closer to me by the waist and give her a kiss on the cheek, “Why’d you do that!?!” Rarity yelped as her hand came fast and hard on my face.

“Where am I, you’re not Britt.” I say confused as I feel the sting from the slap on my face as I look at Rarity, a sad realization washes over my features as I come to my senses.

“I’ll forgive you for what just happened because you looked like you were reliving a memory and given what you’ve been through I don’t blame you at all.” She says still mad for what had happened moments earlier.

“Sorry, this just reminded me of a fond memory with how you acted,” I say sadly.

“That’s fine darling, I’ll be over at 8:00 tonight,” Rarity said as she opened the door to her home, “Sunset will be over as well.”

I shallowly nod to her and turn to leave, Rarity latched onto my back wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug again, “what’s this for?” I say as I stop mid stride.

“I’m so sorry for slapping you, I can see that you’re still going through her loss pretty hard. But I’ll help you through it if you’d want my help that is darling.” Rarity said, her voice muffled in my back, one hand grabbing my chest while the other found it’s way a bit lower near my waist line.

“Thank you but I should get back to those chores,” I tell her.

***

The day passed quickly, lunch came and went, and now I am at home alone while my parents are out with a few friends and my brother is staying over at one of his friends house.

“What to have for dinner,” I say to myself as I pace the kitchen floor debating on buttered noodles or stuffed bell peppers.

Looking at the clock on the stove figuring I have time to make a quick dinner that’s when I hear a knock at the door, “fuck, of course she’d be early,” I say to myself.

Dragging my feet not really looking forward to opening the door and dealing Rarity at the moment, taking the drink I had sitting on the counter and downing what was left in the glass, the strong cocktail numbed me just enough to deal with this shit. As I get to the door slightly stumbling as I reached out for the handle I swiftly throw it open.

Rarity and Sunset stood at the door talking amongst themselves patiently waiting. “You’re early,” I say to the two girls on the front porch.

“No, it’s 8:00, anyway are you ready?” Rarity said to me while she crossed her arms.

I nod my head slightly and step out closing the door behind me, “so why did you invite me over to your place again?” I ask as I slightly wobble down the driveway, now feeling the full effects of the alcohol in my system.

“Because darling, I wanted to make you something. You are going to be playing at the battle of the bands right?” She says while looking over her shoulder.

“Fuck I knew I shouldn’t have drank on an empty stomach,” I mumble out not really hearing what Rarity said at all.

“What was that darling?”

“Drinking on an empty stomach not my brightest idea,” I say a bit louder.

“Why are you drinking!” Sunset exclaimed turning around to face me in the street, if the look she gave me could kill I’d be dead.

“Because the world is cruel and unforgiving,” I slur a bit looking at her in the eyes, my expression blank and my voice cold and unfeeling.

“That’s no reason to be drinking though!”

“You don’t know what type of pain I’m in Britt, I had to burry you and our unborn child. So yea I fucking drink to take away that FUCKING pain!” I grab Sunset’s shoulders as I growl out.

Rarity looks at me grabbing Sunset with concerned understanding, “Milo darling, snap out of it,” she says while placing a hand on my shoulder shaking me, trying and failing to get me out of the episode I am in.

“I—,” Sunset stammers out as I squeeze her shoulders tightly.

I start to shake from the emotional flood I was experiencing, “I— I tried to kill myself because I couldn’t take it anymore, living without you is the hardest thing I am facing right now and drinking has been something to take my mind off the pain,” I choke out between sobs.

Sunset looks very uncomfortable with the situation she was thrust into, she wraps her arms around me as I openly sob in the middle of the street.

“Milo it’s gonna be okay,” Sunset held me tightly, she gets this thousand yard stare and her eyes go blank.

~~~

“I want to give you something my love, this has been in my family for a long time,” the young woman says as she reaches behind her neck and undid the chain, holding a beautiful ornate nickel and copper chain with a hammer in the middle.

“Britt I can’t accept that, it’s a family heirloom and I’m not family.” A tall young man says as he takes her hand in his moving the necklace back to the young woman.

“You are family Miles Blackwood. This is my proposal to you, you are my family and I have another surprise for you, I’m pregnant.” She says while wrapping her arms around the stunned young man.

He wraps his arm around her in return and kisses her deeply as she places the necklace around him.

~~~

“Thank you for coming everyone, I know this is hard for all to be apart of, to lose someone so young so soon is tragic in its own right,” a young man dressed in a ceremonial mask with runes painted on the face, “Goddess of the dead, keeper of the departed I call on you to care for my fiancé and keep her in your hall till I join her when my time comes.”

He leans in to the body in the casket while lifting his mask some, placing a gentle kiss on her lips before placing a hand on her stomach leaving behind a carved antler with his personal runes and her personal runes.

“Goodbye my love, I will see you again soon and we will be together again,” He cry’s as the casket lid closed on the body inside.

~~~

Multiple empty bottles of liquor strewn on the floor in front of the young man hanging by the neck in his closet, a photo held in his hand with blood on the bottom left corner.

~~~

Rarity shakes Sunset out of the trance, and looks between the two of us and asked, “what did you see Sunset?”

Sunset lightly shook her head, “sh—she lo–oked j–just like me, that’s why you called me Britt the first time you saw me in the hall,”

I nod my head slowly and look over Sunset in the dying evening light, “my neck hurts, and I feel numb,” Sunset said to Rarity.

“Well darling what did you see when you touched him?” Rarity asked as she put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder.

“Well I can’t explain it really, a proposal with a family heirloom that Milo has around his neck right now. She told him that she was pregnant and then a skip to—,” Sunset let the last words die in the throat as she suddenly realized what I told her was the truth.

“How did you know about this,” I say with a shaky voice, pulling out the Mjöllnir from under my shirt, “I’ve only shown a few people this. And what are you talking about Rarity, it’s not like she can read minds or look into someone’s memories right?”

“Well yes I can, long story short it’s magic from another dimension that is connected to this one by a portal but I’m not going into detail about it cause it’s a long involved story.” Sunset exclaims, she looks at me closely straining her eyes in the dull evening light.

“Well why don’t we go inside and I’ll make some tea and we can hear the story from Milo,” Rarity suggested as she started to walk to her house.