The First Rule

Chapter 21a: Smashing Webbs

"Babe. Come on!"

The sky's gray, heavy clouds threatening to rain—perfectly depicting Tyler's mood. As he drives, Taylor sits beside him, scrolling through t****k with a nonchalant expression, turning a blind eye to his growing irritation. In between his rant, Cavill's stomach rumbles loudly, signaling his craving for—

"Burger Bros is all I ever thought about for the past week—and you still don't—can you just—show some compassion?!" he stammers as he glares at her, his eyes pleading helplessly. However, Taylor just scoffs and shakes her head firmly,

"Compassion—babe, I'm on a diet! I can't indulge in that kind of food."

"That kind of food?!"

Pausing, he stares at the road with a disgusted look, traumatized by the mere thought of his girlfriend.. disrespecting the Burger Bros.

The burgers that taste like the dancing baseball—ball, back and forth in the fields. The burgers.. which ingredients perfectly harmonize with the others—the juicy patty.. cooked to perfection with just the right amount of peppers.. and the melted cheese.. which adds a creamy richness—while the tangy pickles and savory bacon provide layers of contrasting textures..

The burgers.. which every. bite. is a burst of satisfaction. The burger.. that's not just a meal.. The burger.. that's an experience.. The burgers he loves so much. The burgers.. that help him get through everything. The burger.. which if he persuaded you—

...

You would've been very excited to accompany him—

He reminisces about the days when he used to do WEBBS with you.. and a nostalgic smile escapes his lips—until his stomach grumbles again.

Fuck this.

He hits the gas pedal to full speed—causing Taylor to instinctively drop her phone and tighten her grip on the handle!

"Ty what are you doing?!"

"Getting my precious burger, and you're very welcome. to hop off if you don't want it!"

"Tay, I'm gonna buy some sugarcane."

Taylor lifts her head for the first time as a look of confusion crosses her face. "Again?" she questions, only to be met with a subtle bounce of eyebrows. Acknowledging his firm decision, she nods wearily and goes back to scrolling through t****k, again.

As they arrive at the sugarcane stall, the seller—the.. weird.. gruff looking man, gives Cavill a less-than-friendly glare. Especially when he notices some unknown girl standing beside him—that’s when his glare turns into something more.. repulsive.

"Sir—uh.. 2 sugarcanes please,"

"Two? I don't—"

"Yeah, I know," Tyler confirms, already anticipating Taylor's unwillingness—and immediately shifts his focus to the sugarcane seller, clarifying, "two sir—"

But he's met with the seller's grumpy face looming in front of his nose. Tyler jumps in surprise, retracting his head like a turtle. With a nervous chuckle, he takes a step back, but the seller continues to narrow his eyes suspiciously and grumble something unintelligible.

Also retracting her head, Hill keeps her gaze fixed on the grumpy old man—reluctantly asking, "Do you have a.. problem with him..?"

Reluctantly casting a sidelong glance at Taylor, Cavill murmurs, "I.. don't think so.." his voice trailing off as he observes the man's expression in perplexion. As the man grumpily prepares their sugarcanes, they exchange confused glances but ultimately shrug it off.

"You drink two sugarcanes? Babe, that kind of drink is unhealthy," Hill remarks.

Typical. There. Again.

Categorizing food is probably one of her hobby, you know, besides bullying people out of nowhere—

Sorry—sorry! I'm so biased lol.

Tyler's jaw tightening as he fights the urge to roll his eyes. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath—trying to contain his frustration, but the words slip out before he can stop them,

"Yeah but this is my comfort drink," casually shrugging a shoulder, he trails off, "so.." Averting his eyes, he uncomfortably waits on the sugarcane. The tension hangs in the air for a moment before Taylor sighs, relenting.

"Fine, just don't drink too much of it."

Unease settles in his stomach, causing him to grip the steering wheel tighter than usual. Tyler finally arrives and parks his car, feeling the existing tension grows. The usual confidence in his movements is replaced by nervousness as he steps out of the car—heart pounding loudly in his chest. Grabbing the two sugarcanes from the passenger seat, eventually, he walks up to the front door. Hesitating.. he goes to touch the door—when it opens! Leaving Cavill's expression shifts to confusion..

"Uhhh, am I in the wrong house?"

Revealing his dad, standing between the doorframe of your house. However, before Tyler could receive an answer, a loud voice from behind filled the room.

"Who's that?! Is it that brat?!"

And he knows damn well who it is..

Snapping his head to Mr. Winters, Greg shoots him a glare, "I'm the only one who can call him brat! Don't talk to my son like that—you brat!"

"What?! I'm the brat now?!" John's voice rises in indignation. Returning his head to face his son, Greg gives Tyler a tired expression as he tilts his head slightly, indicating the tension. "He's the one letting all this happen!"

Tyler exhales heavily at the accusation before finally mustering the courage to enter as his dad steps aside—allowing him to pass. However, as he steps into the house—with impeccable timing, he sees you—making your way down the stairs. Catching a glimpse of him standing awkwardly in the doorway, you immediately retreat back upstairs. Nevertheless, Mr. Winters' stern voice stops you mid step.

"Emilia Winters. Come here."

Tyler cringes guiltily. Taking a deep breath, you straighten your posture and continue descending the stairs—shooting the traitor a death glare as you pass by. You hesitantly take a seat in front of your dad—refusing to look him in the eye. Greg follows suit and sits on another chair, also encouraging his son to come join the judgment day. Finally breaking the silence, your dad fixes you with a serious glare before sternly asking,

"Does this week give you a lesson?"

You reluctantly nod.

John squints his eyes.. before he intensify his means, leans forward and roars,

"No more boys in this house?!"

Flinching at the firmness in your dad's tone, you nod.

Seeing the distress in your expression, your dad's demeanor softens. With a hint of concern in his voice he asks in a gentler tone, "Cry or no cry?"

You try to hold back your pouting, putting on a facade of strength.. and shake your head briskly.

...

But then you lower your head. And in this definitive silence.. everybody's eyes on you. Tyler could notice the way your mouth starts to quiver, making him whisper, "Winny.." and it's like a dam breaking. All the emotions—anger—shame.. frustration.. mix together. Unable to hold it in any longer.. you end up crying.

Your dad pouts and opens his arms as he calls your name, and you sob like a baby in his embrace. "Emilyyy~ It's okay to cry.. I'm sorry, okay?" he comforts as you sob in your dad's arms.

"I'm—sorry—too—"

Greg chuckles at the scene, joining the consolation by patting your back as he also checks on his son.. who's been watching the scene in tremendous guilt.

"I'm sorry—"

Both you and your dad turn your heads to him simultaneously—glaring, causing him to falter. Then you resume crying into your dad's shoulder as he pats you on the back.

"I brought sugarcanes!"

Once again, both you and your dad turn your heads to him simultaneously. But this time, only one maintains his glare, while the other one..

Rule #6: No matter how mad, you have to forgive them if they bring you sugarcane or burgers.

So.. yeah I was grounded for a week.

Because. of. Tyler! And yes. I didn't talk to him for a week either. Ok, ok—I know it's not entirely his fault, but—damn, we were doing so. awesome! But he just had to ruin my ongoing fairytale, huh?

...

But hey, he brought me sugarcane. Sipping these sugarcane feels like a fairtytale anyway.