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  • 2 days ago
CATCH AND RELEASE (GL)

Category

🎈
Fun
Transcript
00:01the music thumps through the empty viper training gym a pair of worn white cheer shoes stomps down
00:07onto a black half-gloved hand that hand belongs to serafina razor-sharp abs a predator's stare
00:14she launches the flyer three meters high with a single roar lyra spins a perfect 360 in the air
00:21skirt flaring every muscle on display she lands the taunt mid-flight on america's top blue mat
00:26serafina trust funds don't fly heavy only she does but the return is a trap serafina's lips
00:32curl cold and she steps back half a beat the music cuts a sickening thud too lyra slams onto the
00:38padding vision blacking out thighs raw and red from the friction before she can rise a shadow engulfs
00:43her serafina straddles over one knee pinning her down gloved hand grinding against lyra's outer thigh
00:49their faces are five centimeters apart breath colliding her whisper low and lethal you maniac
00:54you almost broke my neck serafina only grins and presses her thumb hard into the flushed skin
01:01her whisper low and lethal honey on my mat i decide how high you fly and how hard you fall
01:06so tell me afraid of heights or afraid of me lyra's lip trembles fury and fear tangled
01:14los angeles rain lashes the hospital windows lyra sprints down the white corridor in her cheap hoodie
01:20sopping wet leaving muddy footprints the doctor slaps a two-page bill against her chest fifty thousand
01:27dollars due by 8 a.m tomorrow or her brother's ventilator gets cut through the glass her brother
01:32cassian lies motionless chest barely rising lyra crumples to her knees clutching the doctor's coat
01:38pleading for a few more days until the scholarship comes no money no mercy
01:48she bites her own hand until blood wells up forcing herself to think she pulls out her cracked phone
01:55the glow illuminates her pale face one name stares back serafina her finger hovers then stabs the call
02:01button one ring fowey and a lazy knowing laugh i thought you'd hold out longer little flyer
02:08the penthouse elevator opens to a panoramic view of beverly hills serafina lounges in black silk
02:15bourbon on the rocks every inch the untouchable heiress lyra stands at the edge of the rug
02:20fists clenched 50 000 i'll pay you back serafina laughs drains her glass and stalks forward like a
02:30panther she tilts lyra's chin with a contemptuous finger that rug you're standing on costs more than
02:35your scholarship then what do you want in a flash serafina's hand clamps the back of her neck forcing
02:44her eyes up whiskey and cedar envelop her like a cage be my exclusive flyer step only on my hands
02:52fall only into my arms and i'll sign the check right now a red and black varsity jacket embroidered
02:59with serafina in gold slams into lyra's chest put it on tomorrow tell everyone a jorda
03:09or go collect your brother's body tonight the ultimatum hangs razor sharp
03:16midnight the gym is empty lit by two harsh spotlights lyra soaks through her tank top legs
03:22trembling serafina stands like a tyrant on the mat liberty one leg lift your core is mush lyra bites
03:32her lip and steps onto serafina's palms but her strength gives out she crashes onto the blue
03:38mat ankle screaming gasping like a dying fish serafina doesn't help she plants one knee across lyra's
03:44body and yanks her up by the collar genius to my hands you won't even trust your life to my
03:52hands
03:53how will you repay that fifty thousand dollars is your body worthless
04:01you hurt my on purpose you hurt my ankle on purpose you never meant to catch me
04:09her thumb presses against lyra's carotid slow and threatening a flyer's only faith is her base
04:15and remember who owns you now lyra gasps choked and humiliated her defiance crushed under raw force
04:26after practice the locker room is empty lyra sits alone wincing as she rolls up her shorts to spray a
04:32massive purple bruise on her inner thigh the door slams open serafina steps in locks it behind her
04:39eyes fixed on that bare skin what do you want lyra yanks her shorts down but serafina kicks a locker
04:46beside her trapping her in the corner one booted leg forces its way between lyra's thighs trying them
04:52apart the spray can clatters away serafina's calloused fingers press directly into the angry bruise and
04:59grind lyra cries out in pain tears springing that hurts you perfect but serafina doesn't stop her
05:07fingers slide higher slow and possessive her voice a sick obsession that bruise i gave it to you when i
05:14caught you yesterday every scar on your body belongs to me and i'll chain you to my bed lyra
05:21goes limp panting caught between terror and something far more dangerous sun blazes over the school's
05:27outdoor football field lyra leans against the chain link fence sweat dripping down her neck skirt clinging
05:32to her hips after a brutal backflip chase the star quarterback swaggers over with a greasy grin
05:38and an iced drink his eyes glued to her legs new hotness on the viper team that backflip was flexible
05:46my villa party friday night ride shotgun and i'll teach you some other sports lyra's disgust is instant
05:54i'd rather stare at serafina's cold abs than a creature radiating blind straight male confidence
06:01chase's smirk falters 10 meters away serafina stops mid-drink her blue eyes go black a 20 pound
06:07training ball rips through the air grazing chase's nose and smashing into the fence beside him the
06:13entire chain link shutters what the fuck serafina strides past him like a death goddess grabs lyra
06:20and shoves her protectively against her shoulder her chest heaves with fury as she hisses at chase
06:25serafina nurture you're blind in your dog eyes chase stammers trying to save face look at her legs
06:32again with that disgusting gaze and i'll make sure every orthopedic surgeon in la can't reattach your
06:38throwing arm tomorrow she's not your pet serafina laughs coldly forcing lyra's face into her own neck
06:46blocking the world out she is free drop of sweat all mine get out the field falls silent lyra
06:54pressed against serafina's burning chest feels her own heartbeat shatter into chaos
07:06coach vance cuts the music and storms onto the blue pad screaming are you two performing a stunt
07:12or having an affair your eyes are glued together you can't can't be torn apart lyra burns red vance fumes
07:24no teamwork no leaving night falls the massive gym doors slam shut and lock from outside main lights go
07:33out leaving only dim security glow lyra backs away spine hitting a padded serafina tears the athletic
07:39tape off her wrists steps closer breath hot on lyra's collarbone solitary confinement honey
07:47where we're going to have great training session in this thousand square meter empty gym lyra's eyes
07:55squeeze shut lashes trembling past 11 pm the gym echoes with heavy breathing and squeaking shoes
08:02serafina's chalked hands launch lyra into a full extension tick tock legs switching midair but lyra's muscles are shot
08:09her center wavers and she crashes downward serafina catches her and they both slam onto the giant crash mat
08:16sweat mingling
08:19the central ac shuts off the air turns cold lyra drags herself up
08:24limps toward a thin yoga mat far away muttering i'll sleep over there don't expect me to lie next to
08:30you
08:30serafina wipes her jaw eyes flashing she strides over hooks lyra's waist
08:35and hoists her onto her shoulder in one brutal motion ignoring lyra's shrieks then slams her back
08:41onto the soft crash mat the massive shadow looms serafina drops on top hauling the team's fleece
08:47blanket over them both her leg pinning lyra's thighs shut she grabs lyra's wrists and pins them to
08:52the padding breath ragged we have a death drop practice tomorrow do you want to cramp up in the cold
09:02close your eyes move again and i'll make you beg me to stop tonight
09:08two in the morning freezing air lyra's calf seizes in a painful cramp she curls up helpless in the dark
09:15a furnace hot body wraps around her from behind like a vine serafina's arms lock around lyra's waist
09:21pulling her spine flush against her chest her powerful thigh forces its way between lyra's cramped legs
09:27skin on skin using her own heat to soothe the spasm lyra jolts awake every nerve screaming
09:33serafina let go don't touch me lyra squirms but serafina's grip tightens responding to a deeper
09:43instinct fear of dropping her flyer she buries her face in lyra's neck and in a broken tear thick
09:48whisper don't fall lyra i've got you please don't fall lyra freezes the arrogant heiress the tyrant
09:57is trembling in her sleep terrified of failing to catch her under the dim emergency light lyra sees
10:03serafina's furrowed brow her helpless vulnerability something inside lyra cracks irreversible dawn they
10:10stand on the wooden edge of the foam pit preparing the most dangerous death drop serafina's chalked
10:15hands lock into a solid base lyra steps on and with explosive force she is hurled three meters high
10:21the fan roaring overhead she closes her eyes and falls backward blind trusting but sweat and chalk
10:28have made the floor slick serafina's shoe slips lyra's trajectory veers her head heading straight
10:34for the concrete corner of the pit edge serafina lunges with inhuman speed throwing her own arm and
10:40back against the sharp concrete as a shield a sickening crack they tumble into the foam pit blue
10:45blocks swallowing them lyra surfaces unharmed to find serafina pale lyra surfaces unharmed to find
10:53serafina pale right arm twisted at a wrong angle blood at her lips lyra saw pain and adrenaline
11:04snap serafina's composure she grabs lyra's head with her good hand and pulls her down into a brutal
11:11desperate kiss the gym door bangs open coach vance early check-in stares down at the tangled
11:17pair in the pit his clipboard clattering to the floor mud splatters everywhere coach vance stares
11:23at the tangled pair in the foam pit like they're aliens lyra's brain short circuits she shoves serafina
11:29off and scrambles upright lips swollen face burning covered in sludge coach it's not what you think we
11:36messed up the move serafina got the wind knocked out i was giving her mouth to mouth vance's veins
11:44bulge do you use your tongue from mouth to mouth two weeks until daytona if i catch you two creating
11:51a scandal again i'll bury you under that blue mat now clean up and get back to training he stomps
11:59to his
12:00car and roars off leaving exhaust fumes silence returns serafina rises slowly from the mud not even
12:06wincing at her dislocated shoulder filthy but regal she stalks toward lyra who backs up until her spine
12:12hits a thick redwood trunk serafina cages her against the bark one arm braced on either side
12:18her hot chest pressing against lyra's muddy clothes she dips her head breath grazing lyra's ear
12:25mouth to mouth terrible lie funny how i remember someone's tongue responding pretty enthusiastically
12:32but the taunt sticks like a burr late night the training facility's sauna blasts 80 degrees
12:38of wet heat lyra lies on a wooden bench in tiny black sports bra and shorts sweat cascading down
12:44her abs a sudden cramp seizes her calf she curls up gasping the door swings open serafina steps in
12:52wearing only a black tank muscles glistening a bottle of cbd recovery oil in hand she doesn't ask
12:59she swings one leg across lyra's cramped thigh straddling her with brutal intimacy lyra squirms
13:05what are you doing
13:09get off i don't need your fake kindness serafina pins her knees don't move want to tear a ligament
13:15and become a cripple tomorrow she warms the oil in her palms then works her fingers from lyra's calf
13:21upward professional firm but her hands keep climbing past the knee into the most sensitive inner thigh
13:28rough fingertips brushing the edge of lyra's shorts the heat the oil the touch lyra's breath breaks
13:33into ragged gasps she bites her lip to stifle any sound serafina stops massaging but keeps both hands
13:40clamped on her inner thighs then leans down and nips lyra's earlobe teeth grazing lyra jolts tears of
13:47overwhelmed sensation escaping serafina's whisper rough and low against her ears you're shaking so much
13:54tell me is it pain or pleasure the sauna air thickens with cedar oil and dangerous tension
14:02lyra can't answer she turns her head away cheeks flushed one week later the lavish pre-competition
14:09sponsor gala in beverly hills lyra wears a cheap white silk slip dress a lamb among wolves
14:17slone captain of the rival black panthers glides over in hot couture two champagne flutes in hand
14:24well well the viper's ghetto flyer without your crazy captain you can't even hold a glass properly
14:31with a slight of hand she flicks a micro dose of potent hallucinogen and aphrodisiac into one flute
14:37then offers it have a drink not wanting to cause a scene takes it and downs half pushing through the
14:44crowd toward the terrace desperate for cold air from the upper mezzanine serafina watches black
14:50tailored suit wine glass in hand eyes like a hawk zeroing on prey she spots lyra stumbling pulling at
14:56her dress serafina's jaw tightens she drops the glass onto the carpet without a glance the high altitude
15:03night breeze does nothing it fans lyra's internal flames she collapses against the cold glass railing
15:09of the empty terrace panting eyes glazed tugging at her shoulder straps her skin glows pink under the
15:15moonlight heavy footsteps approach leather soles on stone serafina steps through the glass door
15:22and yanks the limp trembling lyra against her chest her voice is ice sir who gave you that drink
15:28she runs her hands over lyra's waist and thighs checking for injury or unwanted touch but the drug
15:35has demolished lyra's pride instead of pushing away she melts into serafina's cool suit jacket fisting her
15:41shirt collar sobbing hot i feel so bad help me please serafina's breath catches the willing surrender
15:51hits like a hammer but her twisted control snaps back she won't take a drugged victim she pulls out a
15:57black vip penthouse key card and slides it slowly deliberately into the deep neckline of lyra's
16:03dress the hard edge scraping her collarbone her voice is wrecked you asked for this the night wind
16:09whips across the terrace the cold hard key card sits against lyra's burning skin the shock of it jolts
16:16her foggy mind back to semi-clarity she sees the devil holding her eyes black as a bottomless pit
16:22after the banquet wait for me in the top floor suite no don't do this let me go but serafina's
16:27grip
16:27is iron one hand crushes her waist the other tilts her chin up her smile is cruel want to run
16:37think about the consequences i'm paying for your brother's intensive care using my brother's life to
16:43force me into your bed what do you take me for a street prostitute prostitute you bought for one
16:50night serafina's hidden hand clenches to keep lyra safe she doubles down on the lie take that card up
16:57there please me obey me and i'll keep signing checks step out of this hotel your brother's ventilator
17:03gets unplugged the threat lands like a blade lyra stops struggling tears sliding silent her inner voice
17:09fractures i had such a secret crazy desire for her but now it is a disgusting transaction she reaches
17:16out trembling and clenches the key card in her palm serafina releases her coldly turns and walks back
17:23into the glittering hall leaving lyra alone in the dark shaking deep in the dim suite lyra sits on the
17:29carpet kekard biting into her palm the drug surges again skin flushed forehead beaded her last shred of
17:36reason drowning she hates herself for craving the demon's touch she strips off the silk dress wraps
17:41herself in a velvet duvet and bites her lip bloody to stay silent the door beeps serafina strides in
17:49night cold and cedar scented locks it behind her she sees lyra's flushed shoulders her drugged eyes
17:55and her own face twists with murderous rage of the poisoner but when lyra's hate-filled glare
18:00meets hers that rage warps into something gut-wrenching raw pain lyra closes her eyes tears falling
18:06voice shattered come on you paid fifty thousand for me isn't this what you wanted to see me grovel
18:13take what you want then sign the check she throws off the duvet bearing her throat in surrender
18:19serafina's breath catches she rips the blanket back wraps lyra tight and lifts her bodily off the floor
18:25she carries her into the bathroom and turns the shower to full cold ice water drenches them both
18:31lyra screams claws at serafina's neck draws blood torture me some more you wanted me to please you
18:38so touch me her drugged lips press against serafina's chin begging serafina's muscles lock
18:45trembling with restraint as she pins lyra's flailing hands she ducks her head dodging the desperate kisses
18:51and presses her lips to lyra's freezing forehead instead her voice is wrecked eyes red stop crying
18:57until you look at me sober and willing i would rather die of one the cold water the confession
19:03lyra's strength gives out and she passes out limp in serafina's arms
19:09morning light spills through the curtains lyra wakes with a pounding head she bolts upright checks
19:14her body she is wearing an oversized shirt then she feels a cold compress on her swollen ankle
19:20she looks down and her heart stops serafina is on her knees by the bed still in her ruined wrinkled
19:26white shirt from last night her eyes are soft focused an ice pack in one hand athletic tape in
19:31the other tending to lyra's bruised ankle like it is made of glass lyra's voice cracks you stayed with
19:38me all night serafina jerks her head up the tenderness instantly masked by contempt she scoffs awake
19:45your ankle swollen like cheap bread if i don't fix it i'll have to put a pig on the mat
19:51next week i
19:52won't lose my championship because of you the jab stings lyra pulls her foot back knocking over a black
19:58leather folder on the nightstand medical bills scatter across the floor lyra's eyes lock on the bold print
20:04patient cassian amount fifty thousand dollars psy d fully paid special care and lung surgery payer
20:11serafina and the dates i be three days ago before that humiliating terrace deal lyra's hands shake as
20:18she clutches the receipt tears blinding her you paid it three days ago serafina flinches then climbs onto
20:26the bed caging lyra in her voice is furious desperate you were drugged and couldn't stand and you still
20:32try to run into the street if i hadn't played the villain tricked my stupid rabbit into my safe territory
20:38the walls of resentment inside lyra crumble all that is left is a heart-shattering truth the next
20:44morning in the vip underground garage sloan the poisoner hums as she approaches her pink porsche
20:49from the shadows comes the scrape of metal on concrete and a pair of heavy combat boots crash
20:55serafina in a long black coat swings a steel golf club through the porsche is windshield glass sprays
21:02sloan screams cowering serafina grabs her by the hair drags her over the shattered hood
21:07and slams her face down on the broken glass you're crazy i'm your father's biggest sponsor's
21:14daughter you'll lose all funding serafina pulls a micro recorder from her pocket and slaps it across
21:21sloan's bleeding cheek sponsor times have changed that footage of you drugging the champagne and this
21:27recording i've sent them to the la pi d and you're already bankrupt hypocritical father sloan collapses like
21:33a marionette with cut strings serafina looms over her using the cold steel club to tap her trembling
21:40face her voice drops to a blade's edge every inch of lyra's skin every tear every sweat drop they
21:47belong to me only i get to bully her come within 10 meters of her again your whole family disappears
21:53from
21:53la get out behind a concrete pillar lyra watches hand clamped over her mouth tears streaming she sees
22:02the princess who once ruled with cruelty now tear the world apart to defend her not a demon who bought
22:09me a mad woman who blocked all hellfire for me serafina you broke into my world so brutally
22:15now you'll never push me away she listens to her own wild heartbeat and smiles her soul at last
22:21surrendered after the garage scene lyra's gaze has changed back on the practice mat she looks at her
22:27base not with fear or resentment but with visible magnetic desire prepare the death drop lyra this is
22:35a blind jump trust your base with your life up lyra steps onto serafina's chalked hands the explosive
22:43lift sends her three meters high normally a flyer's body stiffens with fear at the apex but this time
22:49lyra smiles she closes her eyes opens her arms perfect that's the level of trust serafina's
22:57entire body freezes her pupils blow wide throat bobbing the look in lyra's eyes is that of a
23:03huntress not a prey and the base's last shred of restraint is about to shatter
23:09mid-break lyra steps into the cramped equipment room crowded with foam blocks and yoga mats the air
23:15thick with rubber and deodorant she barely turns before a tall shadow slips in behind her the heavy
23:20iron door clicks shut serafina locks them in cutting off the noise from the gym no preamble serafina
23:26shoves lyra against a stack of blue crash mats her leg forcing its way between lyra's thighs pinning
23:33her in place her voice is wrecked barely restrained what the hell was that out there who taught you to
23:38look at me like that do you know how badly i wanted to tear your uniform off in front of
23:43everyone
23:43when you called me base but lyra doesn't cower she grabs serafina's soaked tank top and yanks her down
23:50nose to nose breath mingling her voice is silk laced with fire didn't you pay 50 000 for my absolute
23:57obedience so now that i'm offering my heart on a platter why is the wealthy heiress too scared to take
24:03it
24:03serafina growls drops her head and crushes lyra's mouth in a brutal kiss
24:10daytona beach the sun blazes over the massive nca outdoor stage backstage the air crackles with
24:17competition adrenaline hairspray chalk and nerves lyra sits on a crate reaching for her white
24:22competition sneakers serafina taping her wrists nearby keeps her eyes locked on lyra lyra bends the
24:29sole of her right shoe to test flexibility and freezes a deep cut runs through the rubber
24:33two-thirds of the way across nearly invisible serafina lunges snatches the shoe and her face
24:39goes ashen some coward sliced through the soul if you'd landed a backflip on these the shoe would
24:45have split your ankle would have shattered the stage manager yells vipa two minutes serafina doesn't
24:55hesitate she kicks off her own custom base boots drops to one knee on the rough asphalt and forces her
25:02shoes onto lyra's feet laces tighten brutally lyra's eyes well up you're the base the competition mat is
25:08slippery your knees and ankles will be ruined if you wear those flat bottom backups your knees and ankles
25:14will be ruined serafina stands pulls lyra into a crushing embrace and whispers against her ears i'd
25:21rather break both my legs on that mat today than let my flyer fall an inch get out there lyra's
25:27heart
25:27detonates she is gone completely and irrevocably the daytona stage thousands roar the music thunders
25:36the viper team executes a flawless two and a half minute spectacle flips twists perfect synchronization
25:43despite her flat-soled backups serafina anchors every catch through sheer brutal core strength the
25:49final move a double up to stretch lyra launches off serafina's hands spinning like a helicopter into a
25:55one leg stand but sweat has soaked the blue mat serafina's right foot without proper tread slips
26:00catastrophically her ankle twists at a sickening angle with an audible crack her face goes white cold
26:06sweat pouring the crowd gasps they expect the flyer to crash from three meters but lyra feels no wobble
26:12the support beneath her is rock solid serafina eyes bloodshot jaw locked lip bitten raw holds the catch
26:18without a millimeter of drop even as her ankle dislocates even as blood drips from her split lip onto the
26:24mat
26:24the final beat hits music cuts lyra lands perfectly and the moment her feet touch serafina's strength
26:31gives out she crashes to one knee fairly conscious the stadium erupts but lyra's already turning sprinting
26:37and throwing herself around the kneeling base on live national television sobbing
26:44that night in a daytona beachfront suite the gold championship trophy sits forgotten on the carpet
26:50moonlight and fireworks glow through the window serafina lies back on the sofa her right ankle in
26:55a heavy cast face pale lyra locks the door crosses the room and straddles serafina's thighs trembling
27:01her fingers trace the cold sweat on serafina's cheek even when your bone broke just to keep me from
27:07falling if you'd ruined your career for that serafina wraps her good arm around lyra's waist burying her
27:12face in her chest in those seconds there was only one thought i could not lose you the walls crumble
27:19lyra cups serafina's face and kisses her fiercely tearing at her uniform jacket they tumble from the
27:25sofa to the bed and this time lyra is not passive she straddles her base marks her collarbone with her
27:31teeth takes everything she has been denied afterwards lyra lies in serafina's arms playing with the
27:36championship red ribbon on her wrist serafina kisses her hair that fifty thousand is spent
27:42what will you use to renew your base lyra lifts her head smiles and kisses her throat
27:50morning florida sun floods the tangled sheets serafina sleeps arm locked across lyra's waist
27:55even in unconsciousness lyra slips out puts on a robe and finds a folded paper in serafina's jacket
28:02pocket the original fifty thousand dollars possession contract serafina wakes sees her
28:07holding it and bolts upright in panic lyra listen that thing has been invalid for weeks i never meant
28:14to lyra tears the paper in half then quarters she cups serafina's face i'm a national champion now
28:21do you think a few pieces of paper can tie me down i stay because i choose to relief floods
28:27serafina's
28:28face she pulls lyra into a deep kiss but her phone vibrates on the carpet the caller id reads
28:34father she answers on speaker his voice is glacial you were seen crying on national tv in a slum woman's
28:40arms the family stock dropped three points last night come home never see her again lyra goes pale
28:47serafina's voice drops to a snarl don't touch her her father laughs coldly cut off all funding for
28:53her vegetable brother and signed a transfer order get back to la or i'll pull the plug myself the line
29:00dies two days later los angeles hospital four hulking bodyguards seal off cassian's vvip ward lyra
29:09stands in the corridor bloodshot eyes fists clenched serafina's father sits on a leather wheelchair
29:15cigar between his fingers staring at her like gutter trash he flicks a check across the floor one million
29:22dollars take this money take your half dead brother and leave california forever lyra's jaw locks i'm
29:29not leaving serafina broke her ankle for me will not abandon her the patriarch rises cold fury in his
29:36eyes you think you're helping because of you she may never compete at worlds again stay and you'll
29:42destroy her dream billion dollar empire she was born to lead the words hit like poisoned arrows destroy
29:48her dream lyra knows what cheerleading means to serafina her hands shake tears gather she feels the
29:53weight of being a millstone slowly humiliatingly she bends down and picks up the check i'll take
29:59the money i'll leave serafina stands there crutch abandoned face drenched in cold sweat her eyes
30:05fixed on the check in lyra's trembling hand the light behind her eyes dies replaced by pure scorched earth
30:11despair hospital corridor dead silence lyra clutches the check shaking serafina stares at it her expression
30:18hollowing into something unhinged the patriarch smiles pouring acid see serafina one million dollars
30:26and she sold you without hesitation serafina drops her crutch her casted fractured foot slams onto the
30:32marble floor bone grinding against bone blood blooms through the plaster but her eyes are those of
30:37a demon crawling out of hell serafina you can't put weight on it you're insane but serafina reaches
30:45her rips the check from her hand tears it to shreds and flings the pieces in lyra's face then she
30:50grabs
30:51lyra's wrist her grip pure iron my mother's shares are worth 10 of your hospitals the father bellows don't
30:58test me stop her bodyguards step forward serafina pulls a tactical folding knife from her waistband
31:04one step closer and i die here empire loses its only heir they freeze serafina drags a struggling
31:13lyra into her arms and whispers in her ear voice dripping with broken rage took the money and tried
31:19to run you'll never escape me if you won't stay in heaven come to hell with me night a secluded
31:26hillside
31:26villa rain lashes the windows lyra is hurled onto a dark oversized bed the heavy door clicks locked
31:33lightning illuminates serafina's pale furious face and the blood now soaking through her cast lyra sobs
31:41your foot is bleeding go to the hospital he was going to take your world spot i took the money
31:46because
31:46he was gonna take your world spot i couldn't ruin your dream serafina lunges onto the bed pinning her down
31:52my dream is you without you i don't want any damn championship why won't you believe me
32:00her words are a roar of heartbreak she doesn't listen she pins lyra's wrists above her head and
32:06kisses her punishing brutal bloody but through the rage lyra feels hot tears falling onto her own cheeks
32:12the untouchable heiress is crying serafina's voice shatters was i only worth one million dollars to you
32:18never worth your trust she pulls back opens the bedside drawer and produces a delicate but
32:24unbreakable golden ankle chain the lock clicks around lyra's left ankle the other end chained to
32:30the bedpost she wipes the blood from her lips her eyes hollow and obsessively cold you always want
32:36to fly away clip your wings so i'll clip your wings no longer the viper's flyer my canary now you're
32:43my
32:43and you're not going anywhere the next morning the patriarch's corporate penthouse serafina sits
32:49in a leather chair surrounded by empty bottles her ankle is re-bandaged and the doctor's orders
32:54are absolute no weight bearing but her eyes are dead the door bursts open coach vance storms in
33:00serafina's assistant behind him vance slams a file on the table serafina where the hell have you locked
33:06lyra you blind idiot don't mention that woman who sold me for cash the assistant pulls up a tablet and
33:13plays a hospital surveillance recording you'll destroy her cheerleading dream and lyra's broken
33:18just don't touch your base position vance shoves a medical report across the table this is lyra's
33:23withdrawal and her lumbar amurai there she damaged her spine on our championship landing to protect
33:29your hands she took the million not to run but to have surgery in new york so she wouldn't drag
33:35you
33:35down thunderbolt every ounce of her rage every cruel act every word of humiliation it was all aimed at a
33:42woman who was silently destroying herself to save her serafina rips out her ivy line prepare the car
33:47the villa now she is gone a storm of grief and madness unleashed sunlight pours into the villa bedroom
33:54but it doesn't warm the floor lyra sits in a thin nightgown the golden chain trailing from her ankle
34:00knees drawn to her chest her eyes are empty watching birds outside a flower wilted beyond saving
34:05the heavy door slams open serafina crashes through no crutch no care she hits the floor on her knees
34:12her freshly recast ankle re-breaking with an audible crack but she doesn't stop she crawls hands and knees
34:19on the cold marble dragging herself inch by inch to lyra she reaches for the chain trying to unlock it
34:25lyra flinches away not looking at her lyra's voice is hollow flat as death let me go my flyer's waist
34:31is
34:32ruined you're free serafina grabs a shard of broken glass from the floor forces it into lyra's hand and
34:38presses the tip against her own good achilles tendon her face is a mess of tears and mad devotions
34:43i don't want to be champion anymore cut my tendon make me a cripple just stay and i'll be your
34:50dog for
34:51life lyra's dead gaze finally flickers the madness of the woman before her punches through the numbness
34:58the bedroom is thick with tension serafina presses the glass shard into lyra's palm then guides the
35:04tip to her own healthy achilles tendon her eyes closed face wet waiting for the blade one push
35:09and the greatest base in the country would never stand again blood trickles from the glass edge
35:14staining the carpet lyra stares at the woman who would sacrifice her legs her career her life just
35:20to keep her from walking away the last frozen wall around lyra's heart splinters then shatters the glass
35:25clatters to the floor shattering against the wall lyra lunges forward grabbing serafina's trembling
35:30shoulders pulling her into a crushing embrace you crazy fool if your foot is ruined who's gonna catch
35:38me who's going to be my base the words hit serafina like a defibrillator she sobs ugly heaving unrestrained
35:46and clings to lyra as if she is the only solid thing in a crumbling world her fingers dig into
35:51lyra's
35:51back desperate to merge serafina fumbles in her pocket pulls out the tiny key and unlocks the golden
35:57chain it falls to the floor with a soft clink she drops to one knee cradles lyra's reddened ankle and
36:03presses a burning tear-salted kiss to the bruised skin her voice is pure submission i'm sorry my flyer
36:09everything i have is yours to command lyra tilts serafina's chin up forcing eye contact her voice is
36:16silk over steel remember what you said now carry me to the shower then wash every drop of blood off
36:22yourself two weeks later the villa's rehab room bright with sunlight thick with the sharp scent
36:29of athletic recovery oil lyra lies face down on a professional massage table her top pushed up
36:35revealing a slender back covered in therapy patches serafina wears a tank top legs straddling
36:40the table on either side of lyra her right wrist is still bandaged from the garage smash she pours hot
36:45oil into her palm rubs her hands together then presses her calloused palms into lyra's damaged
36:51lumbar muscles lyra groans body tensing serafina's voice is tight controlled bear with it the doctor
36:58said the statius has to be broken or your waist won't make it to worlds but even as she works
37:02with
37:02professional precision her eyes trace the curve of lyra's spine and her fingers begin to slow her
37:07thumbs drop lower tracing the groove of lyra's spine then circling the sensitive dimples just above her
37:13waist she leans down chest pressing against lyra's back breath hot against her ears two hours of
37:18massage don't you want a reward beyond rehabilitation lyra's entire body goes weak toes curling eyes
37:24glazing as she looks back over her shoulder serafina's throat bobs she leans in for the kiss when the wall
37:30tv blares breaking news the tribal patriarch has formed a striptina of all inheritance rights the nca
37:36has issued an indefinite ban on both serafina and lyra no one friend revoking all viper sponsorships
37:44the heat in the room freezes solid serafina's eyes go arctic
37:50next day nca headquarters la rain pounds the windows the patriarch sits at the head of the long
37:56conference table cigar in hand beside him sloan smirks back in the league through daddy's money
38:02serafina walks in lyra's hand in hers she is stripped of titles but her presence still makes
38:07executives sweat the patriarch slides a document across the tables sign this severance leave the
38:14slum woman apologize to sloan restore your inheritance and your world's eligibility otherwise
38:21no gym in america will take you sloan steps up to lyra sneering hear that poor thing climbed the social
38:28ladder now she can't even afford cheer shoes grabs sloan by the throat i'd rather starve in the stream
38:35air as her look at her again and i'll gouge your eyes out she releases sloan like garbage nca ban
38:42disowned turns to her father and tears the viper captain's gold emblem from her chest she throws it
38:48at his feet shattering it her voice rings through the rooms the build my own league without people like you
38:55one week later a crumbling industrial warehouse on the outskirts of la rain leaks through the roof
39:01serafina in dusty coveralls lugs a heavy blue practice mat across the concrete floor her hands
39:07raw blistered smeared with grease lyra watches towel in hand then spots several pawn shop receipts on a
39:13crate paddock philippe three porsches her mother's diamond necklaces all dead pledged her eyes flood
39:19you sold everything for secondhand equipment serafina shrugs pulls her into a hug you're here
39:25this old mat is the most luxurious stage in the world they kiss in the middle of the ruin when
39:29the warehouse's massive corrugated door grinds open blinding light floods in silhouettes fill
39:34the doorway study dozens of them the former viper team all the main players and coach vance at the
39:39front hey serafina heard you're starting a new team think we're too old to join not handing out
39:44application form the team files in lining up on the worn mat looking at their former captain with
39:50unwavering loyalty the team chants in unison we're the bases we fly serafina's eyes ignite with fierce
39:58ambition she grips lyra's hand and faces them all voice thunderous from today we are phoenix i'll show
40:05the entire nca who the unshakable gods of this matter one month later the warehouse is transformed
40:12hardcore raw the phoenix banner hanging in blood red three days until worlds qualifying the air is
40:18thick with chalk and adrenaline all eyes are on lyra her first attempt at a triple and a half
40:24basket toss since her lumbar injury lyra stands at the launch point the memory of her spine tearing
40:30grips her cold sweat drenches her tank her legs tremble she looks at serafina fear naked on her face
40:36serafina shoves the spotters aside and steps in front of her she cups lyra's chalk dusted face with both
40:42hands forcing eye contact breathe don't look at the mat look at me even if the sky falls i'll catch
40:49you
40:49just fly the fear evaporates replaced by something rawr absolute irrational trust one two down up she
40:59launches lyra four meters high triple and a half twist flawless no hesitation no reservation a flight born of
41:06blind faith thud serafina catches her like forged steel her arms not bending a millimeter despite the
41:12impact the team erupts and screams lyra still in her arms grabs serafina's neck and kisses her brutal
41:18possessive unashamed thabad in front of everyone base we're going to worlds orlando florida the world
41:27championships venue outside the glittering stadium the black panthers luxury bus gleams sloan dripping
41:34in swarovski encrusted uniform poses for cameras trash-tacking her rivals then the crowd goes silent
41:40a beat-up ford van pulls up the sliding door screeches open serafina steps out in plain black
41:45no logos no crystals just raw presence lyra follows matching her both radiating the kind of lethal
41:52confidence that comes from crawling through hell and coming out the other side sloan struts over
41:58microphone in hand sneering look who showed up those rags are your team uniform you don't deserve
42:04to breathe the same air as this blue mat serafina doesn't even glance at her she drops to one knee
42:10reedies lyra's plain white sneakers with absolute focus then she rises dusts off her hands and finally
42:16acknowledges sloan like a queen inspecting a cockroach your sparkles can't hide the fact that
42:22you can't do a double backflip without crying sloan keep your neck clean next up independent team
42:30fain it serafina wraps her arm around lyra's waist lyra's smile is pure fire ready to dominate base
42:38as you wish my queen
42:41backstage the patriarch blocks the victory tunnel phone buzzing with news of his empire crumbling
42:47his voice is desperate oily she shoves a legal document into his chest
42:51serafina proven yourself announce phoenix is merging into the family group and i'll restore
42:58your inheritance she shoves a legal document into his chest correction you're bankrupt not me half an
43:06hour ago the capital that shorted your company was her she leveraged her mother's trust fund tenfold
43:11and legally acquired every share you held the patriarch's legs give out he crumbles to the floor a broken old
43:18man i told you don't touch her you crossed my line now you lose everything don't ever appear in front
43:25of me and my wife again at the end of the tunnel the championship podium blows lyra squeezes serafina's
43:30calloused hand eyes shining let's go billionaire base espn broadcasts live golden confetti rains down
43:37like a storm the crowd chants phoenix in a deafening roar the championship trophy is presented to serafina
43:44but she doesn't even glance at it she passes it to vance like it is a paperweight she turns crosses
43:49the stage and grabs lyra she hoists her flyer onto her shoulders one-handed effortless 7d for the whole
43:56world to see look up she says to her go touch your world championship lyra reaches up catches a piece
44:02of
44:02golden confetti she looks down at serafina the woman who gave up everything then clawed it all back
44:08her voice through the mic rings across the globe you are my crown she prepares to jump down but serafina
44:14sets her down gently then before the whole planet the most powerful woman in cheerleading
44:19drops to both knees on the sweat stained chalk covered blue mat the world holds its breath
44:26the stadium goes nuclear with gasps in lyra's ears everything is silent she sees only serafina
44:32sweating shaking eyes blazing with terrified love from her plain black uniform pocket she pulls a small
44:38velvet box inside not a flashy diamond a ring forged from her mother's melted gold necklace set with a rare
44:45blood-red diamond the color of every sacrifice every broken bone every drop of blood shed to keep lyra
44:50safe her voice through the mic cracks across the world lyra i brought you into my world in the
44:55worst possible way i made you suffer lyra can't speak she nods over and over tears streaming then
45:02she launches herself crashing into serafina kissing her with every ounce of everything they've been
45:07through pain obsession sacrifice victory i do golden rain falls the camera pulls back catching them
45:15locked together at the center of the world two women who fought the world and won
45:20you
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