Fic: The Rules of Engagement
Title: The Rules of Engagement
Fandom: One Life to Life
Character/Pairing: Todd Manning; Todd Manning/Evangeline Williamson
Rating: All
Word Count: 594
Summary: "I love you, Todd, but I don't need you."
The Rules of Engagement
Evangeline’s wearing what Todd can only describe as an Ally McBeal type suit. It’s a sensible grey; there’s absolutely nothing playful about the colour. However, there is something playful about the tight fit of the suit, the low neckline of the camisole underneath and the short hem of the skirt. If she can’t persuade him with logic, she’ll resort to seduction.
She strides into the penthouse confidently and stops in the middle of the living room. She folds her arms below her breasts, calling attention to them. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“I’m only going to say this once, Todd, so you better listen.”
“I always listen to you, Evangeline. You know that.”
“Don’t,” she warns firmly. She knows his game. Knows exactly what he’s playing at when he lowers his voice and puts on a tone and air of sincerity. He becomes the handsome All-American man he should’ve grown up to be. It’s easy to be seduced by that fantasy.
It’s not easy to love, though. It’s not who he is. He’s Todd Manning, rapist, ex-convict, murderer, liar and on the edge of sanity. That’s the person she loves. Todd reasons Evangeline must be crazy and knows how to hide it better than he does.
“So these are the rules: number one, you don’t own me. I get to do what I want when I want. Number two, no public fights. If I see you on top of a table wielding cutlery I won’t be responsible for what I do. And most importantly, number three, if you lie to me about anything important, if you try to deceive me the way you’ve deceived Blair I will walk away from this.” Her voice becomes softer, pleading almost. “I love you, Todd, but I don’t need you. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
He should be happy that he’s finally getting what he wants: her in his life, in his bed, and eventually his home. A leopard can’t change his spots and he wonders how long before he does betray her, how long before she leaves. It’s not like with Blair or Teá. If she leaves she won’t come back. She’s too proud to do otherwise.
“You’re not happy,” Evangeline says. Her arms uncross and she closes the distance between them.
Todd can feel the air between them begin to vibrate. One step closer and they’ll be touching. Conversation will be a moot point then. This is important to her so he’s careful to keep her at a distance.
“I don’t know if I can promise not to fly off the handle. It’s who I am. I’ll try--”
“Don’t try, Todd,” Evangeline cuts him off, radiating annoyance. “Do it. If it’s important, if I’m important enough, you’ll do more than try.”
It’s that simple for her, but it’s not for him. It’s one of those moments that require a leap of faith. He made this kind of promise to Blair once and that didn’t turn out too well. He got soft and forgot to watch his back. It’s a catch-22. If he doesn’t promise she’ll leave and if he does he might find himself on death row again. The universe has never been kind to him.
“Todd…” Evangeline’s voice is soft, breathless and broken.
Her hand is on the side of his face. He can’t speak because he’s viscerally reminded of how much he loves her. When Evangeline kisses him there’s a moment of vertigo. It’s disorienting but Todd loves it. There’s nothing he can do but exhale and leap, hoping he lands somewhere safe.
End
Fandom: One Life to Life
Character/Pairing: Todd Manning; Todd Manning/Evangeline Williamson
Rating: All
Word Count: 594
Summary: "I love you, Todd, but I don't need you."
The Rules of Engagement
Evangeline’s wearing what Todd can only describe as an Ally McBeal type suit. It’s a sensible grey; there’s absolutely nothing playful about the colour. However, there is something playful about the tight fit of the suit, the low neckline of the camisole underneath and the short hem of the skirt. If she can’t persuade him with logic, she’ll resort to seduction.
She strides into the penthouse confidently and stops in the middle of the living room. She folds her arms below her breasts, calling attention to them. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“I’m only going to say this once, Todd, so you better listen.”
“I always listen to you, Evangeline. You know that.”
“Don’t,” she warns firmly. She knows his game. Knows exactly what he’s playing at when he lowers his voice and puts on a tone and air of sincerity. He becomes the handsome All-American man he should’ve grown up to be. It’s easy to be seduced by that fantasy.
It’s not easy to love, though. It’s not who he is. He’s Todd Manning, rapist, ex-convict, murderer, liar and on the edge of sanity. That’s the person she loves. Todd reasons Evangeline must be crazy and knows how to hide it better than he does.
“So these are the rules: number one, you don’t own me. I get to do what I want when I want. Number two, no public fights. If I see you on top of a table wielding cutlery I won’t be responsible for what I do. And most importantly, number three, if you lie to me about anything important, if you try to deceive me the way you’ve deceived Blair I will walk away from this.” Her voice becomes softer, pleading almost. “I love you, Todd, but I don’t need you. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
He should be happy that he’s finally getting what he wants: her in his life, in his bed, and eventually his home. A leopard can’t change his spots and he wonders how long before he does betray her, how long before she leaves. It’s not like with Blair or Teá. If she leaves she won’t come back. She’s too proud to do otherwise.
“You’re not happy,” Evangeline says. Her arms uncross and she closes the distance between them.
Todd can feel the air between them begin to vibrate. One step closer and they’ll be touching. Conversation will be a moot point then. This is important to her so he’s careful to keep her at a distance.
“I don’t know if I can promise not to fly off the handle. It’s who I am. I’ll try--”
“Don’t try, Todd,” Evangeline cuts him off, radiating annoyance. “Do it. If it’s important, if I’m important enough, you’ll do more than try.”
It’s that simple for her, but it’s not for him. It’s one of those moments that require a leap of faith. He made this kind of promise to Blair once and that didn’t turn out too well. He got soft and forgot to watch his back. It’s a catch-22. If he doesn’t promise she’ll leave and if he does he might find himself on death row again. The universe has never been kind to him.
“Todd…” Evangeline’s voice is soft, breathless and broken.
Her hand is on the side of his face. He can’t speak because he’s viscerally reminded of how much he loves her. When Evangeline kisses him there’s a moment of vertigo. It’s disorienting but Todd loves it. There’s nothing he can do but exhale and leap, hoping he lands somewhere safe.
End