Genre: Paranormal romance, drama
Type: Series
Characters: Leigh, Jesse, Shaun
Prompt:53. Sun
Characters: Leigh, Jesse, Shaun
Prompt:53. Sun
Word Count: 800 +
Warning: Two highly flammable men ahead, my gift to you
Rating: M- (coarse language, adult situations, nudity. N.B-Applies to the whole series)
Summary: Leigh finds an outlet for her pain, Shaun and Jesse reveal their hidden agenda.
________
Champs Les Sims, present day
Jesse watched Leigh potter in the garden, her long auburn hair shimmering in the sunlight. There was so much he wanted to know from her, but every time he brought up Krisis, she closed up, her lip curled stubbornly and there was a hardness in her eyes he’d never seen before. But underneath the hard exterior, he saw the vulnerability too, and the sadness.
He wanted to erase her pain. Make her smile again. She really was a beautiful woman, especially when she smiled. But lately she’d been smiling less, and frowning more. And she was doing a whole lot of crying too.
“What’s she doing?” Shaun wrapped his arms around him and peeked over his shoulder. He liked Leigh. And they were somewhat friendly. She’d dated his brother, Travis, throughout their stay in college, and two years after graduation. Travis was still gaga over her though. And Shaun knew Jesse had a soft spot for her. But he still liked her; she was a decent person, kind to a fault sometimes.
“That garden is the only thing that makes her happy. Maybe we should call Krisis,” Jesse suggested.
“And say what to him? We don’t know what the story is. Let’s not get involved. Besides, it will ruin our plans,” Shaun replied, suddenly moving away from him, an annoyed spark in his eyes.
“I’m still not sure about that. Look at her, she’s in mourning. It would complicate her life.” Jesse explained his misgivings, but Shaun would have none of it.
“Losing your inheritance will complicate your life! She’s your best friend. She’ll do anything for you. I mean what harm will one weekend of pretending to be your fiancé do?” Shaun hissed, his brown eyes shooting daggers at him.
Jesse fell silent then, thinking about his situation…
After he'd come out to Leigh, she’d pushed him to tell his parents. And that conversation did not end well. Everyone cut him off. Except his grandmother, Ruth. But she made a few clauses in her will, and one sticky condition. He’d only get his inheritance if he married a woman.
Ruth was convinced he was going through a phase; there was no such thing as being bisexual. But the fact that he had never brought a woman home had weighed heavily on her mind, and she’d hung on to the clauses in her will, refusing to change it till she met his fiancé.
Recently Jesse had learned Ruth was fading fast from esophageal cancer. She didn’t want to fight it, preferring to spend the time she had left with her family, making happy memories. The doctors estimated she had less than two months to live. Shaun could see Jesse’s inheritance vanish along with her. That’s how he came up with the harebrained scheme of duping the old lady, soon after Leigh showed up in Champs Les Sims.
They planned on paying Ruth a weekend visit soon. Jesse would parade Leigh as his fiancée, assuming she agreed to help them. They would have to give a convincing performance of course if they wanted the old lady to believe them.
Shaun knew Jesse would not have a hard time with his performance; he was in love with Leigh at some point in college, so he just had to remember those feelings. He wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but he wasn’t comfortable with being poor either. Besides, he trusted Jesse, and Leigh was obviously still smitten with Krisis, despite the spark of anger in her eyes whenever she saw him on VMC.
“I don’t think it’s right, Shaun. Tricking the old lady is underhanded,” Jesse spoke up at last, but his voice lacked conviction.
“Oh, and your family cutting your off was right? You’re just taking what’s rightfully yours,” Shaun snapped, making his way to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.
“We don’t need the money. I don’t want my family’s money Shaun. I can make it on my own. We’ll start our fashion house on our own,” Jesse tried to appease him, but the look in his partner’s eyes told him it wasn’t working.
“How? With our bad credit records? No bank will fund us…No creditor wants to touch us!” Shaun threw his hands in the air. They’d borrowed heavily from the bank to pay off their student loans, and to buy the house. The free-lance work they did for fashion houses in and around Champs Les Sims paid well. But even with all that money, they were barely breaking even since a large portion of their salaries went to loan repayments. They were the poorest bisexual men they knew, and in their community, wealth and affluence meant everything.
“You’re right. I’ll talk to Leigh,” Jesse relented in the end. They both knew he would. He always gave in.
“Soon. She needs to get used to the idea,” Shaun yelled after him as he left the room. He always had to have the last word...
_________
Credits- the sim who plays Shaun was created by Aussie Karima. Thank you Karima, for letting me use him.
Hmmm...not sure I like Shaun.....He seems a little pushy. I still feel bad for Leigh, she obviously wants to run back to Krisis, but is maybe afraid? Something is stopping her, she knows that he loves her. :D
ReplyDeleteKim, Shaun is pushy, I guess he's the domineering one in the relationship. He's not necessarily bad; some circumstances make perfectly good people, insanely bad, and I'd like to think he's one of those. If circumstances were different, he'd be one of the good guys.
ReplyDeleteLeigh is conflicted, that much is obvious.
Mmm...
ReplyDeleteJackie's compulsion maybe didn't work that well...?
*Thinks about it*
Yes!!! *punches the air*
Shaun seems a bit pushy, and he had to have the last word. I feel the need to bitch about something but I need a TOPIC...
I hope Krisis finds Leigh soon, Something just popped into my head... Hmm, interesting.
One last thing,
ReplyDeleteDAMN, THE GUYS ARE HOT!!!!
I like where this is headed! Krisis is not going to be pleased :D And if a paper is released with the headline "Star Rocker's Girlfriend to Wed Another" hits Bridgeport...I can just see the sparks fly!!! AND OMG Jackie would be HAPPY!!! OMG OMG OMG Ok...I'm playing so many scenarios out in my head right now...where is the 2nd prompt? There was no "more" button!! WTF VAL!?!?
ReplyDeleteLeigh is a sweetie. She will go along with it but if I were her, it would be at a price. Jesse seems to be a good hearted person but for Shaun's sake, it would cost.
ReplyDeleteHe has rubbed me the wrong way so far but I'll hold judgement for now.
I don't like Leigh looking so sad!
Uh oh...I imagine a serious rock would go along with this "engagement" - one that would be very visible if she was found, or photographed.
ReplyDeleteShaun is SO incredibly hot, yet kind of a dark streak, I think. If he really loved Jesse, money or status wouldn't matter. (at least not so much that he'd make a plan like this, then bully him into it.) Did I mention Shaun's hotness? Yes, I believe I did. :)
Leigh looks so sad in that garden. C'mon, Krisis! Find her already!!!! You need to crawl around in her head PRONTO!!!
- I do not like this Shaun character very much at the moment, I won't hold my judgement! I don't foresee him being anything other than what I am feeling a pushy, greedy, materialistic control freak!!! Ok maybe I took that a bit far!
ReplyDelete- Jesse how could you do that to your friend! Tisk, Tisk!!!
- To comment on what Daijahv said about headlines in the paper...maybe that will lead Krisis to Leigh? Ahhh...the possibilities!
- The longer this continues the harder I want to smack the taste out of that dirty doctors mouth!
P.S The blanket party has just been upgraded to a blanket slumber party, I will supply the pizza and popcorn, BYOB!
You know I love your updates they make me sit in agony and anticipation! lol
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I like Shaun.
Krisis might pull some heads off.
:) Hopefully it will be Jackie's head. Even though I doubt it...can't help but wish though.
Why don't she make a kid with the Jesse. Then they are even. :P
ReplyDeleteI hope he finds her soon, its so sad to see her like this. I like her sassy side.
Leah, Jackie's compulsion did work, but she made a mistake of not telling Leigh to stop loving Krisis. Shaun is ambitious and pushy, but he has both their interest at heart. He just wants both him, and Jesse to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so afraid to ask what popped in your head :-/
@ Leah, yeah, Shaun seems to be everyone's favorite.
ReplyDeleteDaijahv, I'm so glad you like it. Krisis will def not be pleased, if he finds out. Where they are, they are well secluded, so running into paparazzi is unlikely. Jesse and Shaun can breathe easy for now. LOL. That was a stand alone scene, so no "read more". Sorry. But today's update will be in two parts.
ReplyDeleteQui, you're right, she will go along with it, but the thought of charging them won't cross her mind. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of Shaun, I know it's going to be wild, so I'm bracing myself.
LOL. Jill, hopefully it doesn't go that far. Krisis would be seriously pissed off.
ReplyDeletesim Shaun is Karima's creation, so all the kudos go to her. He does love Jesse, but he also wants a comfortable life for him. The way he sees it, they are just taking away what rightfully belongs to Jesse, it wasn't right for his family to cut him off.
Remember that kiss she shared with Jesse by the fountain, that's what's making her sad. She cries about it all the time. I think she feels like she cheated on Krisis, and she can't stop crying. So getting her to look sad wasn't hard at all.
NyGirl, let it all out, I like seeing everyone's reaction to the same character. And so far everyone dislikes Shaun.
ReplyDeleteIf circumstances were different, he'd be a great guy. But they are pressed for time, Ruth may very well die the next day, so getting that will changed is high on his list.
Jesse hates the idea, but he loves Shaun, and he'll do anything to make him happy. So if he had to choose between making Shaun happy, and tricking Leigh, I guess we all know by now what he'd go with.
It would...but then he'd ruin everything in Champs Les Sims, and poor Jesse and Shaun won't have their inheritance.
I feel your anger, but her day of reckoning is getting closer with each update :)
I've booked my plane ticket, and I'll be there soon soon :)
kristendaray, thank you, it makes me so happy to hear that.
ReplyDeleteThere's still a few more updates with Shaun in them, so maybe you'll be able to make up your mind about your feelings for him then :-/
There's no might about it, Krisis will pull some heads off.
Thanks for reading.
Dutchysim, this isn't about Leigh getting even with Krisis. She loves him and Lily and all the baggage he comes with. This is about two people who love each other dearly and have been forced to live without the other. So Leigh having a baby with Jesse so she can get back at Krisis would be a little immature on her part. Besides, the only baby Leigh will have is Krisis; the way she feels about him, she would never want any other man's kid.
ReplyDeleteHe'll find her soon, don't worry.
Thanks for reading.
LOl, I know that. But there is a unbalance in their relationship. She is way to much hurt because of him. She gives her everything and her all. Its time to let him deal with some hardship because of her. She is just to much the victim. I am not criticizing just my own opinion. If I didn't like the story I wouldn't give an opinion :)
ReplyDeleteDutchy, and I value your opinion, it's everyone's comments that motivate me to keep writing. And I love criticism if it's constructive, and yours is right up that alley.
ReplyDeleteI respect your take on their relationship, but I beg to disagree.
A lot of focus has been placed on what Leigh's been through, we've never stopped to question where Krisis is emotionally and how everything's affecting him.
First, he had to watch his first partner, Laura, die, then he met Leigh and fell in love with Leigh, against his will and better judgement, he almost lost Leigh at the hands of that mad man, Vlad, he killed a vampire because Leigh's life meant much more to him, and that crime alone is punishable by death, if he ever gets caught...when he gets caught. Then he found out he's having a baby with a woman he despises. When he's still getting used to that Leigh just ups and leaves. Though he suspects Jackie, he doesn't have proof, and sooner or later he will have to face the possibility that perhaps Leigh left on her own, and she doesn't want him anymore. His hardships far outweigh hers, but I don't want to focus on those imbalances or make them eve; I'd rather put a lot of energy into how their relationship grows and evolves, and how each of them grows and changes, and adapts to their ever changing situation. Relationships always have obstacles, and Jackie keeping them apart is just one of those; it's a test on so many levels, on their relationship, on their love for each other and on themselves. Each has to find out how much they are willing to give for the other, how much of themselves they are willing to give up.
This time apart shouldn't be seen as one pining for the other, this is the perfect time for Leigh and Krisis to look at themselves individually, work on what needs to be worked on, find themselves without the other, draw their own identities, and grow on their own, and when they come back (if they do), they'll both be stronger, and ready to conquer whatever challenge is thrown their way or enjoy their happily ever after.
I don't write my stories with an idea of a happy ending, and a happy life for each character, some will be happy, some will find love, and some will die. It's a continuous cycle of life, and the relationship dynamics are ever changing.
I'm waiting for a rebuttal :)
~ I think Jesse & Shaun look cute together, & I do see that he feels he is righting a wrong caused by the families prejudice,to them loving each other,or Jesse's preferences in a choice of a partner!
ReplyDelete~ Shaun feels like Jesse was wronged by his family,& loves him & is trying the only way he knows how, to right it!I don't think he is a bad person,he is in love & sees the one he loves, is hurting because of his family!
~ In a way Leigh showing up was a gift,& Shaun knows she will do just about anything for Jesse,remember they were all very close in their Uni years!
~ Shaun is one of those people that hates prejudice,& I think it runs deep in him!
~ Poor Leigh she looks so sad! It is really upsetting Jesse to see her so down!
~ Fantastic, Val!(",)
haha, your waiting for a rebuttal. Ok, here it is.
ReplyDeleteOk, Laura sad story there, but he is also not the victim there. She was, poor girl.
The only reason why he almost lost Leigh is because of his own past with Vlad. Poor Light she has nothing to do with it. She is really the victim here.
He can maybe despise Jacky but he did sleep with her. So, he can only blame himself. Your not a victim if it is your own choice. And little lilly, really that is not a hardship but a blessing for him.
Light being brainwashed, poor Light, also not because of her doing but because of him.
Do you see my point she is always the victim. Of course is hard for him and of course he suffers for it. But its all his own doing. Didn't he mess with Vlad relationship. (I get why he wanted to help her, she was being abused, but he could also have helped another way ) What response do you expect from a man like Vlad. He should have seen it coming miles away.
Didn't he himself sleep with Jacky? Didn't she help his human. And when he finds someone better she is not good enough anymore? Even if their just sleeping together and nothing more, its cruel. And there is nothing more dangerousness then a duped woman. He deserve it this treatment. And didn't he know from the start that he should never have a relationship with a ancient vampire?
Really for somebody with so much years behind him, he should know better.
Oh, I can see your really love your own writing. You really feel for your own characters :) And you also love their flaws. That makes your story good :) There is a lot of heart in this story.
-Karima, I'm so glad that side to Shaun shone through for you. That's exactly how he feels, admittedly, his plan isn't right, but what Jesse's family did is not right either, and that's how he sees it.
ReplyDelete-Leigh loves and respects Jesse, and she will do anything for him because of their friendship, but whatever she decides might also be influenced by her feelings of indebtedness to both Sean and Jesse, they were there for her when she was alone and lost in a foreign place, and they took care of her and for that she'll always be grateful.
-That kiss with Jesse did a number on her. She can't stop crying over it. And it does upset Jesse to see her so sad.
-Thank you.
Lol, I sound like a feminist.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am to hard on the guy...
Go Krisis! Go!
Get your love back!
This better? hihi
Dutchy, and what a long one it is. You’ve obviously been thinking about this for some time.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I’m going to have to disagree on the first few points. Vlad was abusing Laura, and he had to help her by taking her away, that turned into something more. The way I see, it wouldn’t have mattered how he intervened, Vlad would have still held a grudge against him.
I’m not saying Krisis is the victim because he isn’t, but everything that’s happened has affected him too. Losing Laura was hard for him, she chose to let go, and he had to honor her wishes, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t hurt.
The only reason why he almost lost Leigh is because of a mad man’s delusions. Notice in the Enemies prompt, Krisis honestly thought the feud between them ended when Laura died; in his mind he’d moved on buried the hatchet, but Vladimir obviously hadn’t. So the person who should take blame there is Vlad. He did warn Leigh about Vlad, and it’s so unfortunate because when their relationship began, he had to go on tour, and too many things were happening; had circumstances been different, he would have protected Leigh with his life.
He and Jackie had an understanding, he didn’t expect her to get attached, they were clear on the status of their relationship from the start, and sadly he doesn’t control her emotions. He takes full responsibility for getting careless with her, and that’s why he accepted the pregnancy without any hassles because he knew he was just as responsible for the mess.
Lily is the only good he got out of his relationship with Jackie, and he doesn’t see his little girl as a hardship. He loves Lily to bits.
Leigh is an adult, she knew what she was getting herself into when she got involved with a vampire, she knew the risks, and she decided to take her chances. Both she and Krisis can’t control the actions of others. To blame Krisis for Jackie brainwashing her is a little unfair. It’s like expecting Krisis not to have a past; she knew he’s a rock artist, and he comes with a whole lot of baggage and she continuously accepted him back in her life, with all his drama, so the victim card, I don’t go with it. Unfortunately things did happen to her, and it’s sad, but if she didn’t want any part of his dark life, she should have walked away right after she was saved from Vlad’s clutches. She made choices, and she has to live with the consequences, just like Krisis.
Dutchy, continued...
ReplyDeleteJackie helped his human, but she could have simply refused. No one was holding a gun to her head. He asked, and she agreed to help, because of her feelings for him, feelings she shouldn’t have had because all it was between them was casual sex. He didn’t discard Jackie after he found Leigh; he ended things with her three days before he and Leigh officially hooked up, but he ended the relationship because he couldn’t lie to himself anymore, and he couldn’t deny his feelings for Leigh any longer. Fate and luck played a part in this, because when he ended his relationship, that’s when Leigh came to him. If she hadn’t he would have probably stayed alone, than be in a meaningless relationship that wasn’t going anywhere. Nothing forbids vampires from getting involved with each other, ancient or young, sure the ancient ones are crafty, but when they entered into their agreement, he trusted Jackie to keep her end of the bargain; too bad for him, he got fooled, so in this case, he’s the victim.
Years don’t necessarily translate to wisdom, I think that comes with experience too. He’s been through a lot over the past ten months with Leigh than he has in his 251 years, so his experiences with Leigh have taught him a lot, and he’s not likely to make the same mistakes. But he will still make mistakes, and he will still continue to learn.
Wow this “Oh, I can see your really love your own writing” makes me sound like a narcissist, and I’m not sure how you meant that, but I love writing, and once upon a time I wanted to be a writer. I do feel for my characters, and I love their flaws as much as I love their strengths. Thank you, that means a lot to me.
Gee, you really don’t think much of Krisis do you? LOL.
Dutchy, feminist or not, I loved it. It's been a while since I got to engage so deeply about any of my characters, in fact, I think it's a first, so thank you, for making me see the other side of the coin. I appreciate your unbiased feedback.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean anything bad about loving your own story. Isn't that the way it´s suppose to be? Only when you have heart for the things your write you can be good at it. So no narcissist.
ReplyDeleteI love my own stories too, I wouldn't write them if I didn't. I also wanted to be a writer when I was younger. I did write in the past:) I don't really anymore because my life went on a different direction, but I still love it as a hobby. And sims gives you the opportunity to make a sort of manga, if you can't draw like me :P
Dutchy, that's a relief :) LOL.
ReplyDelete"I also wanted to be a writer when I was younger." Makes me wonder how old you are, cos in my mind I see you as a sixteen year old. You sound very youthful and energetic, and funky, so you can't be that old :)
And I thought I was the only one who couldn't draw. It's a skill I wish I had. DH can draw, and he can play the guitar, something I wanted to learn but never got around to it, and I just write Sims stories :(
I am sending you this message two times. I think something went wrong with the first one. If you do get it, delete one :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't draw but I do play the piano. Not very well, but I can hold my own.
Sixteen? I don't know if I see that as a compliment. hihi. Maybe its because of my crappy English that you see me so young. Sixteen, it does bring a smile on my face. I just past thirty and been married for 10 years with 2 kids :)
Good luck with your sims stories. Don't be sad, your on of the better writers out there in my opinion. It's like reading a good romance novel :)
What crappy English? It's not my first language either :), so it's not that at all. I think it's the voice you write with that makes you sound so young, it's unique and different, and not in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll graciously take the compliment.
Well, I don't dislike Shaun, I don't know enough yet to form an opinion. The plan is underhanded and sneaky, and really, doomed to fail, as most of these type plans do eventually. But it makes for great drama.
ReplyDeleteHe is also, quite gorgeous, great job there Aussie Karima, creating him.
He is interesting, hope he sticks around for a bit.
Again, you manage to weave great plot around solid characterization~
Oh, yeah, I changed my avatar, I am caught up with this character for the moment, but I will change it again when the winds change, LOL!
Karen, I'm so glad you pointed that out about the plan, what looks good on paper, doesn't necessarily turn out to be so in reality; underhanded and sneaky, definitely. And you're right, indeed it does.
ReplyDeleteHe'll only be in a few more prompts, but I don't see him being a permanent character.
Thank you, hearing that means a lot to me.
I'll have to find out who this character is, making you get rid of Lorcan; he must be very, very intriguing. But I still stand firmly by my Lorcan.
How did I get so far behind again?
ReplyDeleteI foresee this "plan" going horribly wrong.
I don't like Shaun's pushy side but I do like the fact that he's not a saint and is willing to snatch up an opportunity when it comes his way. However like Holley said, this plan may just go awry.
ReplyDeleteHolley, if it does go wrong, it will go horribly wrong.
ReplyDeleteTrish, yeah, Shaun doesn't have a lot of fans, but that's what I like about him too, he doesn't pretend to be someone he's not; he's an opportunist and he's not one to deny it.
ReplyDeleteKarima makes the hottest sims!!!
ReplyDelete