𝕃𝔼: 𝕃𝕖𝕘𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝟚 [BxM] 16+✔️

|10|

AN: I'm so proud of myself...10 chapters w/o smut ☺️

Manhattan, NYC, NY
Random Clothing Store
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Landon sighed, I swear, shopping isn't my cure for stress... he convinced himself as he looked through the rows of clothing.

Really Landon wasn't in need of any outfits, he had just came to this mall after the awkward breakfast with Ryojin to get some space.

He didn't have any other place to go, home was too quiet, all of Landon's friends were busy studying for their upcoming quizzes; and so Landon came to the mall.

Landon pulled out his phone and looked at the time, it was almost noon, I might as well go back home now... he thought and left the store without buying anything.

As he was walking through the parking lot to get to his car, Landon was stopped by a woman running up to him with a tape recorder.

"Mr. Laurier! How are you reacting to the news of Jake Miller being released from jail?" she asked, pushing back her long brown hair that was blowing from the wind.

Landon paused and instantly he felt like throwing up, "W-what did you say?" he turned to her, asking in a low voice.

The woman didn't seem to notice his response and repeated her question, "I said, how are you reacting to Jake Miller's release from jail?"

I thought that's what she said- Landon's head instantly hurt and he couldn't help but have a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"I don't-" Landon shook his head as he slowly started walking away but the woman followed him, "I'm sorry, I have to go."

Landon ran to his car and drove off as fast as possible, nearly racing back to his house as he fought back tears.

No, no no she's gotta be lying...there's no way, they wouldn't let him go! Landon convinced himself as he pulled into the driveway.

New Rochelle, NY
Liegth Mansion
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"Dad? Ace?" Landon yelled as he slammed the front door behind him and made his way into the living room.

There sat Ace and Light, on the couch, having a discussion in Russian.

Ace was the first to turn to Landon, "Lanka," he started slowly, standing up from the couch before looking back at Light.

"Jake's being released from jail, did you know?" Landon asked, breathing heavily as tears continuously fell from his eyes.

Light nodded, "The lawyers called a few hours ago, Ash knows too."
Landon could feel his breathing slow, but his heart kept racing...and then he couldn't breathe.

Ace and Light quickly rushed over and sat Landon down on the floor, "He's having a panic attack. Landy, breathe."

The voices were muffled as Landon's parents tried to get him to calm down but all Landon could think of was; he's coming for me...I know it.

some time later;

"Lanka?" Ace called, shaking Landon's shoulder softly to get his attention.

Landon's breathing had calmed down a few minutes ago but he wasn't aware of whenever Ash or Alvarez, their lawyer, had arrived.

"Are you doing okay Landon?" Alvarez asked with a concerned frown, sitting on the couch besides Ash.

Light was standing in the corner of the living room with his arms crossed over his chest, avoiding eye contact with Ash.

Landon stood up and sat down on the opposite couch, "I don't know, I guess I'm doing terribly. Is it not to your standards?" he replied, a little more snarky than he meant to.

"Landon, he's only trying to help." Ash said in a strict tone, but one look from Light had him going back to silent mode.

"I know he is. But how hard is it to keep a convicted rapist in jail longer than a year?" the 20-year-old pointed out.

Alvarez sighed as he opened his briefcase and handed Landon a packet of papers, "The case is difficult. Miller's lawyers are adamant on trying to prove the incident was consensual."

Landon sat up and looked down at the pages, "What do you mean 'consensual'? I screamed for help, isn't that enough proof?"

"Well...the security tape's audio was damaged somehow, so all there is to go off of is video. And in the video, your screaming can be perceived as..." Alvarez paused to search for the right word, "something else."

Landon nodded as he felt his anger rise, "You mean moaning. Me screaming for help could be perceived as moaning is what you're saying?" he spat.

Light sat down on the couch beside Landon and held his hand, "Landy, no matter what happens we'll figure it out." he said reassuringly in a soft voice.

Landon sighed, heeding Light's words as he took deep breaths.
"So what do we do now?" Ace asked Alvarez before looking at his phone to check the time.

"Miller's lawyers are persistent, they want you to drop the charges." Alvarez said to Landon, "If you don't and the jury doesn't find him guilty, the entire case goes to trial."

Drop the charges...isn't that the same thing as saying I lied? Landon thought, biting his tongue to keep from yelling out while Alvarez was still explaining.

"If the case goes to trial, it could take a few months to even years for it to be settled. The statue of limitation might even pass, and the jury could even then not find him guilty." Alvarez sighed, "On top of all of that, the press'll know the entire story and they'll never let you have a moment of peace."

Landon swallowed thickly, "What other options do I have?" he asked as Light quietly excused himself to go pick up Leah from school.

"You could drop the charges-" Alvarez started but was quickly cut off.

"The fuck you mean drop them? You want him to just forget about what happened?" Ash announced loudly, clearly displeased by the choice.

Alvarez breathed deeply and waited a few seconds before continuing, "You could drop the charges and file for a restraining order instead."

Landon shifted in his seat, wondering how the order would benefit his current situation.

"It won't put him back in jail unless he violates it. Coming within 100-200 feet of you would get him put back behind bars, of course that would mean every year you have to see him in court to get a new order." the lawyer continued to explain, folding his hands on his lap.

Landon looked back at Ace, who was standing behind the couch, before looking over at Ash, "I can't make this decision alone." he admitted.

Ash looked over at his husband before nodding to Landon, "Whatever you decide, we'll back you. But we can't tell you what choice to make."

Ace was clearly in agreeance with that declaration, but Landon was quite displeased.

After sitting in silence for a few minutes, Landon sighed, "I'll drop the charges. I can live with seeing him once a year in court."

"Okay then, I'll set the court date and draft the paperwork." Alvarez closed his briefcase and stood up.

God, I hope I made the right choice...

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bc look at that...ik some legal stuff