The bell above the convenience store door gave a soft, lonely chime as Alex stepped inside, the sound fading quickly into the quiet hum of the coolers and the low buzz of fluorescent lights.
The place felt different at night—shelves casting long shadows, the front windows reflecting the empty street outside, rain starting to patter against the glass in a gentle rhythm.
Ash nodded without looking up, fingers tightening around the can.
Mary disappeared into the small office, pulling the door until it was only cracked open—a silent promise of unbroken privacy.
The store fell into a heavy quiet, broken only by the soft rain outside and the distant tick of a wall clock.
Ash didn't turn around right away. She finished placing the can on the shelf with deliberate care, her movements slow, almost ritualistic. When she finally faced him, her arms wrapped around herself like armor, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands.
"Thanks... for helping me out that day" she said, voice barely above a whisper, eyes fixed on the floor between them. "And for... honest. I didn't think you would."
Alex leaned against the nearest counter, giving her all the space she needed. His presence calm, steady. "No problem. I'm here to help."
Ash nodded, a small, jerky motion. She shifted her weight, hoodie sleeves twisting in her fingers. The bruises on her arms had faded to faint yellow shadows, but the memory of them lingered in the way she held herself—closed off, ready for pain.
"I... I wanted to say sorry first" she started, words coming out halting, like each one cost her. "For how I acted. When you I saw you coming around Mom. I was... angry. All the time. At her. At everything. I took it out on you. I thought you were another scumbag like Jake."
Alex stayed quiet, letting the words settle.
She took a small, shaky breath. "I thought you were just another guy using her. Like Dad did before he left. Like... everyone does." Her voice cracked on the last word, but she pushed on. "I was wrong. You're not..."
A long pause. Ash's eyes stayed on the floor.
"And... thank you" she whispered. "For that day with that asshole Jake." Her fingers brushed an old scar on her wrist unconsciously. "You really scared him. Bad. He hasn't come near me since. Hasn't texted. Hasn't... came to the store at all. I didn't think anyone would ever shut him down like that. Not for me."
Alex's voice was low, steady. "He won't come near you again. I promise you"
He did sound like a serial killer promising to get rid of a target, but at least that sounded relieving to the girl.
Ash looked up then, golden eyes searching his face—looking for pity, for lies, for anything that would prove he was just saying words. She found none.
Alex just looked like a righteous perfect gentleman.
"You don't know what it was like..." she said, voice trembling but pushing through. "It started in high school. I stood up to him once—told him to leave some kid alone in the class. He didn't like a girl talking back. I even slapped him as hard as could. Made me his... punchdoll after that."
She swallowed hard. Jake went to the same highschool as her. He enjoyed the privilege of being stronger and more reputable to beat a bunch of kids without consequences.
Instead, whenever someone raises their head, he would find a way to reflect all the blame on them and play the victim.
"At first it was just shoves. Name-calling. Then worse. Cigarette burns when no one was looking. Bruises where clothes would hide them... He'd corner me after class, or follow me home on the bus. Said if I told anyone, no one would believe the 'angry crazy girl' that assaulted him"
Her voice broke, but she kept going, quieter now.
"He was right for a long time. Teachers looked the other way. Friends drifted because I got 'crazy.' Mom was working doubles—she didn't see the worst of it. His father is a high rank police officer and wealthy. Even when I tried to report him, they would just make me feel like a crazy idiot reporting the nice guy... Thought it was my fault for opening my mouth that first day."
Alex's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, letting her speak.
"Those nights on the rooftops..." Ash's hands shook harder. Tears began spilling out. "I was done with my life countless times...The city looked so small from up there. Like nothing mattered. Like jumping would finally make the noise stop." She wiped at her eyes angrily with her sleeve. "I stood there a long time... But I couldn't bring myself to do it..."
She looked at Alex, golden eyes glassy.
"Then I thought... maybe someone would notice I was gone. Maybe Mom would. Maybe... someone. I don't know why I came down everytime. But I did."
Silence stretched, heavy but not uncomfortable.
Ash took a shaky breath. "I don't even know why I'm talking all those nonsense... Sorry, I look stupid and weak..."
Alex spoke softly. "I'm glad you came down. And no, you're not weak, Ash. You had the courage to speak up to him unlike anyone else. Neve lose that brave spirit in your heart."
Ash nodded, tears threatening again but held back. "I tried, but I wasn't able to do anything good for anyone... Please tell the future is going to be better than the past... Tell me good days will come..."
She looked at him as if she was begging for hope. Tears still sliding down her cheeks and arms wrapping around her body, as if she was trying to hug herself.
Her cries wasn't returned empty. Alex nodded and came closer. Wrapping his arms around her trembling body and hugging her tightly into his embrace. Gently whispering into her ears.
"Things will get better, I'm sure. I promise you the good days are here now. You can be happy" Alex took a vow to his heart that he would protect this broken girl and make sure she was happy from that moment on.
Although she had no bond to him. He felt a connection to her heart.
'That's good! Just hug tight, handsome. I can help make sure she never have another bad day either' Liza also supported. Despite being a hell creature, she felt the immense emotions between the humans in front of her and believed that such pain shouldn't stay in a heart.
Minutes have passed and Ash's sobbing was coming to an end. She ended up hugging him back and squeezing so tightly closer. It was a hug she never had before.
That helped her calm down and trust his words and promises.
It was her first time talking with him, but he didn't feel like stranger. Actually, she did some research about him for the past days after the incident with Jake happened.
Nothing appeared bad. The opposite, he was a quiet handsome man that liked spending most of time reading books. Although she heard recently he was a playboy, messing with multiple girls without hesitation.
Ash had no idea if she should believe such rumours. What mattered the most that she felt comfort hugging him.
Mary's voice suddenly called from the office. "Wooahhh... already bonding? Well, not bad! Dinner's ready if you two are hungry! Nothing fancy—just ramen and whatever's left in the fridge."
The mom was shocked seeing her quiet rude girl hugging a man so desperately and passionately. But she felt warmth in her motherly heart.
Ash glanced toward the back, surprised. "You... Don't misunderstand this"
Mary poked her head out, smiling gently. "Yes, yes, I get it! Alex, you're staying, right?"
Alex looked at Ash. She hesitated, eyes flicking between him and her mom, then gave a small, shy nod.
The three of them gathered in the small back room—a folding table, a couple of plastic chairs, the microwave still warm. Mary had turned instant ramen into something comforting—added eggs, sliced green onions from the produce bin, bits of deli chicken, even a dash of chili oil for kick. There were a few rice balls she'd made earlier for the grab-and-go case, still fresh.
They ate in comfortable quiet at first, steam rising from the bowls, the rain a steady patter outside.
Mary broke the silence with a soft laugh. "Remember when you were eight and demanded cup ramen every single night for a month straight? Thought it was the fanciest food because it came in its own little cup."
Ash's lips twitched—almost like annoyed smile. "Yeah... I remember that, I lined the empty cups up on my shelf like trophies."
Mary reached over, ruffling Ash's hair lightly. "Cute girl!"
Ash rolled her eyes, but there was no bite in it. "Stop embarrassing me."
Alex smiled. "She's right. That's cute."
Ash glanced at him, shy but warming a fraction. "Don't join her... Let me eat in peace."
Mary chuckled with eyes full of care. She truly loved her daughter, but had no chance to admit. Being down to the ground with debts, work pressure, lack of business.
Even the mom cried herself to sleep every night. Both have broken hearts that needed so much love and care to heal.
Alex sat across the table, eating noodles, but down in his heart. He promised to heal them both. One way or another.
The conversation stayed light—Mary sharing more old stories, Ash adding small, reluctant details, her guard lowering bit by bit with each shared memory.
Dinner wound down, bowls empty, the rain still falling outside, but much lighter than before.
Mary cleared the table slowly. "I'll wash up. You two talk if you want."
Ash looked at Alex, voice soft and cautious. She came out of the room with him and walked between the shelves. "Thank you... for tonight. For listening. I don't... I don't talk about this stuff. Ever."
"You don't have to" Alex said. "But I'm here if you want to."
She nodded, eyes on her hands. "Will you... come by again? Just to talk. Or eat bad ramen."
Alex smiled gently. "Anytime you need. We can hang out in campus too, I see you around sometimes."
Ash nodded. She was still feeling in pain from all the trauma, but now she had someone by her side.
Mary walked him to the door, voice low. "She's talking because of you. Thank you, darling."
After Ash went inside. Mary let out her intimate side show up. Getting close and hugging his arm and squeezing her huge titties against him.
That was perfectly normal, as that hot mommy belonged to him after that passionate kiss.
"Don't worry, she's in my care now, as you are" Alex spoke with a warm smile before lowering his handsome face and taking Mary's plump rosy lips to his.
A long love kiss that ended in the cold breeze after a minute.
"I will be back tomorrow." Outside, the night air was cold and wet. Alex walked home under streetlights, mind heavy with Ash's pain—the years of assault, the hidden scars, the rooftop, the slow, fragile thaw of trust.
But he was relieved he made a bit of a difference.
Liza spoke softly. 'I didn't know you could be this heartfelt, handsome dude~ but I guess you know how to get into a woman's heart! You've got the mom and the daughter.'
The succubus have as well contributed to calming the two broken girls. She was excited for the future that unites them all. Obviously in an 'inappropriate' way.
Alex smiled, as he went in the quiet residual streets. The day was over.
But tomorrow would bring more.