Archive of Our Own ^beta

The August night air hung heavy in the Blackbell garden, lamplight casting dancing shadows among the trees. Anya Forger, with her pink hair and green eyes, sat on the lawn beside her two best friends: Becky Blackbell, and Damian Desmond. Their other classmates formed small, scattered groups across the expansive grounds.

"It's absolutely ridiculous!" Becky exclaimed, waving her punch cup dramatically. "How can they just expect us to marry complete strangers, all because our parents signed some papers?"

Damian nodded gravely, which was unusual for him when it came to family issues. "I've worked my whole life to be the perfect son they expect: good grades, impeccable behavior, everything to honor the Desmond name. But this..." He paused, looking up at the stars. "This is different."

"Exactly," Emile chimed in, having joined their group. "My father already has three 'suitable' candidates lined up for when I finish Eden. I don't even know them."

Ewen, his usual jovial personality replaced by a serious expression, joined the conversation. "At least you have options. I was told the Sinclair family already accepted the proposal for me. I haven't even spoken to their daughter."

Anya remained silent, watching her friends vent their frustrations. Inside, her own thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions she preferred to keep hidden. While they complained about arranged marriages, her worries ran much deeper.

Memories of her childhood in the lab washed over her like a cold wave: the endless tests, the scientists observing her like an experiment, the crushing loneliness. She'd thought those days were over when Loid adopted her, when she met Yor and finally had a real family. But reality was far more complex.

Just three months ago, she'd overheard her father talking to some WISE members. They'd discovered her telepathic abilities, which she'd managed to keep secret for years. The organization's message was clear: they could protect her from the government, but in return, she'd eventually have to work for them.

"It's better to end up with WISE than the government," she'd tried to convince herself repeatedly. "At least with Papa, I'll be guaranteed to come home."

But the idea of being used as a tool, a weapon, terrified her. She'd seen what the government did to people like her in the coded news she sometimes caught from adult minds: experiments, forced breeding with other "specimens," a life devoid of freedom or choice.

"Anya?" Becky's voice broke through her dark thoughts. "Are you okay? You look... miles away."

"Yes," Anya replied automatically, forcing a smile onto her face. "Just tired."

Damian watched her more intently. Over the years, he'd learned to read Anya better than most. Something was clearly off with her.

"It's strange," Becky commented, frowning her dark brown brows. "Usually, you'd be the first to tell us to break the rules or to stop trying to please those boring old men."

Damian nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I expected you to say something like 'just do whatever you want' or 'fate isn't set in stone' or something like that."

Anya felt a pang in her chest. Her friends knew her so well, yet they couldn't know the truth. They couldn't know she herself felt trapped in a cage far more complicated than a simple arranged marriage.

"Maybe..." Becky leaned forward, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Maybe we could do things differently. I mean, nothing's really set in stone, is it?"

Damian looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Becky gestured vaguely, "we could... I don't know, find ways to choose our own path. Maybe if we're smart enough about it..."

"Do you really think we could be free?" The question spilled from Anya's lips before she could stop it, her voice heavy with a desperation she couldn't fully hide. A flicker of hope shone in her green eyes.

Becky and Damian exchanged a worried look. Anya's tone was different—more vulnerable than they'd ever heard.

"Free from what, exactly?" Damian asked softly, his gaze fixed on Anya.

Anya realized she'd revealed too much. Her hands trembled slightly as she struggled to find the right words.

"I... it's just that..." she began, but the words caught in her throat.

Becky moved closer, her expression shifting to genuine concern. "Anya, what's going on? And don't you dare tell me 'nothing,' because it's obvious something's bothering you."

Damian also drew nearer, forming a small, intimate circle away from the rest of the group. "Whatever it is, you can trust us."

Anya looked at both of them, her best friends, the people who'd been by her side all these years at Eden. Inside, she battled with the desire to tell them everything and the fear of being judged, or worse, putting them in danger.

"It's complicated," she finally murmured, her pink hair framing her face.

"The best things always are," Becky replied with an encouraging smile.

Damian nodded, his eyes holding understanding. "We've been through a lot together. Remember when you thought I hated you?"

Anya couldn't help a small smile touching her lips, a hint of amusement in her green eyes, as she recalled her early days at Eden, when Damian had bullied her and she'd responded with equal fervor. "You were incredibly annoying."

"Hey!" Damian protested, a playful glint in his honey eyes, but his expression was teasing. "You weren't exactly an angel yourself."

"Both of you were terrible," Becky added with a laugh, her dark brown hair bouncing. "But look where you are now."

It was true. Over the years, their relationship had evolved from animosity to a deep friendship, and recently, Anya had started to notice something more in the way Damian looked at her, in how their conversations had grown more intimate. His honey eyes often lingered on her.

"It's not about arranged marriages," Anya finally admitted, her green eyes serious. "It's about... about not having control over your own life."

Damian frowned, his brows furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Anya took a deep breath, the night air filling her lungs. She couldn't tell them about her powers or WISE, but maybe she could share part of her burden.

"Have you ever felt... abnormal? Like there's something about you that makes you different, and that difference could be used by other people?" Her green eyes searched theirs for a sign of understanding.

Becky and Damian exchanged another look, their expressions thoughtful as they carefully processed her words.

"Everyone's different in some way," Becky said softly. "That's not necessarily a bad thing."

"But," Damian added, his voice showing surprising understanding, "if you feel like that difference could be exploited, then yes, it can be terrifying."

Anya looked at him in surprise. "How...?"

"I've spent my whole life being 'Donovan Desmond's son'," Damian explained. "Every accomplishment, every mistake, every word I say—it all reflects on him and his expectations. Sometimes I feel like I'm not a person, just an extension of his reputation."

Becky nodded sympathetically. "And I'm 'the Blackbell heiress.' Every decision I make has to consider how it'll affect the family company. Sometimes I wonder if I weren't rich, who would I really be?" Her dark brown hair fell over her shoulder.

Anya felt overwhelmed by her friends' understanding. While they couldn't know the specific details of her situation, they grasped the feeling of being something more than just a free person. Her green eyes welled up slightly.

"But," Damian continued, "that doesn't mean we have to accept it forever."

"Exactly!" Becky brightened. "I mean, sure, we have responsibilities and expectations, but at the end of the day, we're the ones who decide how to live our lives."

Anya felt a spark of hope. "You really believe that?"

"Absolutely," Damian leaned a little closer, his hand accidentally brushing Anya's. His honey eyes held hers. "It might take time, and it might require us to be creative about how we handle things, but yes."

Becky noticed the subtle exchange between her friends and smiled to herself. "Besides, you're not alone in this. We have to look out for each other, right?" Her dark brown hair shone in the lamplight.

"Yes," Anya felt tears welling up in her green eyes. "It's just that... sometimes I feel like the important decisions have already been made for me, and I have no say in my own future."

Damian took her hand completely this time, his fingers intertwining with hers. His honey eyes were steady. "Then let's make a pact."

"A pact?" Becky asked curiously.

"That no matter what our families expect, or what society tells us to do, we'll always support each other in making our own decisions." His honey eyes held a silent promise for Anya.

Anya looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling a warmth she hadn't experienced in months. Her green eyes softened. "What if those decisions are... complicated?"

"Then we'll face them together," Damian replied with determination, his honey eyes firm.

Becky extended her hand to cover theirs. "Together." Her dark brown hair framed her determined face.

For the first time in a long time, Anya felt there might be a way out. Perhaps she didn't have to passively accept WISE's plans for her. Perhaps she could find a way to use her abilities on her own terms. A new light shone in her green eyes.

"There's something else," Anya admitted, her voice barely a whisper, her pink hair almost glowing in the dim light.

Both friends looked at her expectantly, their eyes full of concern.

"I'm afraid of disappointing my parents. Of them thinking I'm a problem or being too dramatic." Her green eyes were filled with worry.

Damian squeezed her hand gently. "Anya, your parents love you. Any parent who truly loves you would want you to be happy, not just obedient." He glanced at her pink hair.

"And if they don't understand at first," Becky added, her eyes kind, "then we'll be here to remind you that you deserve to be heard." Her dark brown hair swayed as she spoke.

Anya felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders. The worry lines around her green eyes softened. "You promise this won't change anything between us?"

"Are you kidding?" Becky laughed, her eyes twinkling. "This only brings us closer." Her dark brown hair bounced with her laughter.

Damian nodded, and Anya couldn't help but notice how his honey eyes lingered on her face a little longer than usual, taking in her features. "No matter what happens, we'll be here."

As the night wore on and their other classmates began to disperse, the three friends remained together, talking about dreams and fears, about the uncertain future that awaited them. Anya, with her pink hair, felt a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in ages.

"You know what?" Anya said as they gazed at the stars, her green eyes looking upwards. "I think you're right. Maybe we can be free." The starlight seemed to catch the highlights in her hair.

Damian smiled, his hand still intertwined with hers. "Then we start tomorrow."

"Start what?" Becky asked with a mischievous smile, her honey eyes sparkling. Her dark brown hair was slightly windswept.

"Writing our own stories," Anya replied, and for the first time in months, her smile, framed by her pink hair, was completely genuine. Her green eyes shone with hope.

As they walked back toward the house, Anya realized she no longer felt alone in her struggle. She had her best friends, Becky and Damian, and perhaps, just perhaps, someone who could become something more. The future remained uncertain, but it no longer felt like a sentence. Her pink hair flowed gently in the night breeze. 

The next day, Anya finally spoke with her parents about the WISE proposal. To her surprise, both Loid and Yor listened with attention and understanding. Together, they found a way to negotiate terms that would allow her to help WISE without completely sacrificing her autonomy. Her green eyes sparkled with relief.

And when it was time to return to Eden for her final year, Anya walked through the halls with newfound confidence. Her pink hair bounced with each step. Her chains hadn't vanished completely, but now she had the tools and the support to manage them.

Becky and Damian, were waiting for her in their usual classroom. When Damian offered his hand to help her up the steps, his honey eyes meeting her green ones, Anya took it without hesitation. Maybe the future was uncertain, but for the first time, she felt excited to discover what lay ahead.

Together, they would face any challenge that came. Together, they would write their own stories of freedom and choice. And perhaps, just perhaps, some of those stories would intertwine in ways none of them had fully anticipated.

Summer was over, but the promises they had made under the stars would stay with them forever. Their eyes reflected the shared hope.