#I have some replies queued so don’t fret!

[maxmoffs]

because i can’t be around much tomorrow ooc , here’s my early positivity drop for ALL OF YOU. please make sure you are taking care of yourselves ! I have infinite appreciation and adoration for all of u . remember that . because i know most of everyone is online during the weekend , I’m the opposite 🥲 only bc I’ll be socially depleted from work since it’s the last weekend before christmas week, so people will be crazy i will be around for sure but to write and unwind . there’s no promises that I’ll be as yappy though that will definitely be good break baha 🥹🫧 but I’ll have some replies i got to do tonight on queue for the rest of the weekend ~

[percyinpanties]

hey I'm the pipeyna anon and that's ok!!! can u do pipeyna with piper pining after hot jock Reyna which hopefully ends happy (smutty)

just a quick warm-up, i say, i won’t spend too much time on this. i really had to resist just going on and on and on with this. i miss writing this ship, damn.

anyway - this fits really well with an enemy to lovers prompt i have for jercy, so thats what im hinting at too here.

Read on Ao3

for context : i always write college aus from a UK uni perspective bc that’s all i know and i don’t care to adapt to how it might or might not work in the u.s. (sorry)

rating: teen+ (no smut in this one, but let me tell you, this TEMPTED me)

words: 2.2k 

___

“An actual goddess” Piper says wistfully from where she’s leaning against the wall next to Percy, taking back the cigarette she’d just bummed of him. Her eyes are glued on the field, and more precisely on Reyna, smile on her face and water bottle in her hand as she jogs over to Jason standing at the side of the field. They greet each other with a hug, even as Reyna wrinkles her face, seemingly complaining about her own sweatiness.

It’s coincidence that the end of Reyna’s soccer practice collides conveniently with Piper’s and Percy’s late seminar on Mondays. It isn’t coincidence that Percy and her have taken to sharing a cigarette on the side of the building that looks out toward the field during their break, however.

 Percy makes a non-committal noise and his eyes follow Piper’s gaze while she takes a drag of the cigarette and wrinkles her nose. She needs to quit smoking for good, she thinks, and flicks the ash to the ground. There was a brief moment in first year when Piper thought that Percy might be interested in Reyna, or she in him, but luckily, nothing ever came of that.

 “You think they’re dating?” Percy asks, arms crossed over his chest now, making no move to take the cigarette back again. He’s not even pretending not to be staring, his eyes intense where they flit between Reyna and Jason. Piper on the other hand has the common decency to at least cast her eyes away every now and again before she’s caught looking for a little too long.

At the edge of the field, Reyna and Jason are standing close together now, chatting about god knows what, smiling and laughing. They’re certainly comfortable with each other, but Piper can’t say that’s much of an indication given how she’s around Percy.

 “I hope not.” Piper mutters and Percy laughs at that, even though she knows he agrees. Percy wouldn’t admit it in a million years, but Piper would bet real money that he has a thing for Jason, too, as much as he claims to hate the guy. She’d have to be deaf and blind not to notice the tension between them.

It would make sense, though, in a way. Jason is captain of the men’s rugby team, Reyna of the women’s soccer team. Some of their practices collide and the two clubs do most of their weekly socials together, and Piper’s seen the two of them hanging out aside from that plenty as well. Reyna and her haven’t talked much about Jason, maybe because Piper hasn’t actually exchanged more than five words with him and never had much of an urge to change that, but she knows that Reyna and Jason have known each other before university.

Around Jason, Reyna seems to let her guard down, something Piper has only managed to achieve a handful of times since they met during their first year.

 Jason laughs at something Reyna says, eyes bright and head thrown back and Piper can’t deny that he’s handsome, at the very least. He’s fairly decent, too, as far as guys go, and really, Piper knows she shouldn’t be hoping that there is nothing between Reyna and him if that is what would make Reyna happy.

 “Invite her to the party.” Percy suggests then, drawing Piper’s attention back from the tangent her brain was so insistent to start on. When Piper turns her face to look at him, he’s already looking back at her, one eyebrow arched. “I was going to, anyway, but it’s different coming from you yourself.”

 He’s not teasing her, it’s an honest suggestion, and technically not even a bad one. It’s Percy’s birthday this weekend, and if nothing else, it would be a good excuse to hang out again. Percy knows a ton of people, but he usually doesn’t invite too many to his party, so with any luck, it won’t be too crowded to actually spend some time with Reyna.

More than that, though, it’s another opportunity for Piper to finally get a move on. Percy, Piper knows, thinks that Piper’s pining had reached a point where it’s almost comical halfway through last year, but even so, Piper has yet to manage to actually act on her feelings.

A party is casual enough that she can always play it off as nothing serious when it ends up blowing up in her face. Piper might finally get over herself and just ask Reyna out already – although she’s tried that a few times before only to find herself tongue tied and staring at Reyna like she hung the moon in the sky. She’s been head over heels for Reyna since maybe three weeks after they met in first year, and now that they’re starting their third and final year, Piper needs to get a move on or it’ll simply be too late. Granted, she’s scared shitless at the prospect of being turned down, but at this point, even that would be better than pining forever and never finding out if she’d even stand a chance.

 “Yeah… maybe.” Piper says finally, and manages a small smile towards Percy who bumps his shoulder against hers playfully. They should be heading back inside, so Piper sneaks a last glance toward Reyna and this time, finds her looking back.

    They don’t share any classes this year, and Piper doesn’t usually run into Reyna on campus, so on Wednesday morning, she ends up texting Reyna on her way to class. She fumbles with her phone, almost tripping over her own two feet trying to type the words out as fast as possible, and ends up having to sidestep off the path to actually send the texts.

 Hey you.

we’re having a party on Saturday, it’s Percy’s birthday.

 Piper wants to add more, but instead, she bites her lip and stuffs her phone back into the pocket of her jeans. It’s almost an open invitation like this already anyway, and Piper wants to gauge Reyna’s first reaction before deciding exactly how she’s going about asking. Technically, it would be so easy to just as Reyna to go with her, specifically, to the party, but the intention might be lost over text and anyway, wouldn’t it be simpler to just invite her generally?

Piper frets throughout the entirety of her first lecture, and most of the second one, for nothing. Reyna doesn’t answer, even though the messenger app shows Piper that she’s read both texts already, and Piper tries not to be disappointed about it. She doesn’t know what Reyna’s schedule is like today, the girl might just be busy and planned on replying later. It makes sense, much more than Piper’s second thought that Reyna is not answering because Piper is annoying and Reyna doesn’t actually want to spend any time with her. She knows that thought is stupid, knowing that however does nothing to ease the anxious knot in Piper’s stomach.

 Piper finds herself checking her phone more often than not. It would be funny if it wasn’t so ridiculous, and if the lecturer wasn’t so clearly catching on that Piper isn’t paying as much attention to the class as she is to her phone. She texts Percy as well, but she knows he’s in that seminar he shares with Jason, so chances are that she won’t be getting a reply on that end anytime soon either.  In the end, she has to force herself to put her phone away and actually focus on the lecture up front, even though by that point, she is already lost as to what they’re even talking about in the first place. It’s no good, and Piper can’t deny being relieved when the lecturer eventually dismisses the class.

 She doesn’t allow herself to check her messages until she’s across campus in the coffee shop, queuing for some much needed caffeine and fishing out her phone so she doesn’t have to make small talk with anyone while she waits in line. Reyna still hasn’t replied, but at least Percy has messaged her after his seminar.

 I’m gonna strangle him, Piper. You’ll have to bust me out of prison because they are going to arrest me for goddamn murder.

 All she’d asked was if his classes were as boring as hers today, and while she had expected Percy to go off about Jason in reply, this isn’t exactly what she’d thought to be reading today. She smiles at her phone, types out a quick reply and moves up in the queue.

 That bad? What’s he done now?

 The way Percy talks about Jason makes Piper think of a Cartoon Network villain, always plotting, provoking and scheming. The few times she’s spoken to Jason, the guy wasn’t half bad, and if Piper is honest, she doesn’t quite get the vendetta these two have with each other. She suspects though that it has something to do with how ‘infuriatingly attractive, like fucking superman or something’ Percy described Jason after their first class together.

 It’s like he thinks I’m stupid or something. Got a dumb fucking project to do together and he honestly told me that he ‘needs to pass this class so iif I’m not planning to put in the work, we might as well ask for new partners right away’

Like, excuse me, bitch? My grades are better than yours, for one thing

And for another, it’s not like good-old Dodds is gonna let us switch anyway

 Piper huffs audibly while she reads the texts. It’s clear Percy’s actually upset by this, and she figures it will only get worse if they actually have to do the work together in the coming weeks. Before she can shoot Percy a reply though, she’s next in line.

Piper orders her coffee, steps aside to wait once she’s paid, and rereads Percy’s texts before she types her reply to Percy.

 Sounds like a dick move.

 Piper’s almost inclined to defend Jason for a moment, since Percy mostly doesn’t pay much attention in class, especially in Mrs. Dodds seminars – so how is Jason meant to know how much effort Percy puts in outside of it? On the other hand, though, Piper knows how Percy is, and how personally he’s clearly taken Jason’s comment already, so trying to convince him otherwise would simply be fruitless.

Once Piper’s coffee is done, she heads back outside, finding an empty bench to enjoy the break before her next class. If nothing else, at least Percy’s ranting is distracting her from Reyna, and the party, and asking the other girl out – and in between the rapid texts Percy and her are sending back and forth Piper almost forgets about it entirely. Until she has to head back to her last class, that is, and sees that Reyna has, so far, still left her on read.

 Piper hesitates for a moment, clicking on the text field without typing anything just yet. Is she going to come off as desperate if she texts again, or should she just clarify now before it gets too late and Reyna already makes different plans for the weekend?

Piper types out a few words, deletes them again and pockets her phone only to get it back out a few seconds later to try again. She shouldn’t be walking and texting, especially given that she should be going faster to actually make it to her lecture in time, but Piper knows that if she doesn’t send this text now, she’ll spend another lecture agonising over what to say.

 So yeah, I wanted to invite you too ofc :)

 Piper cringes at her wording, but figuring it won’t get much better, she sends the text anyway and finally tucks her phone back into her pocket to actually hurry to class.

   By the time Reyna replies, it’s late and Piper is sitting on the beat-up couch in her shared flat’s living room, watching something trashy on TV without really paying much attention at all. Percy is clanking around in the kitchen, making something that smells good enough to remind Piper that she should probably be getting herself some food, too. She’s about to get up and rummage through her fridge compartment in search of something edible when her lock screen lights up with a message from Reyna, and that derails any thoughts of food immediately. Piper isn’t subtle in the way she practically lunges for her phone, but luckily, Percy can’t see and judge her from his position in the kitchen.

 Sorry, long day, reads the first text, following a few seconds later by another one.

Promised Jason to hang out but I’d love to :(

 Piper bites her lip, knowing before typing out the words that Percy won’t like what she’s doing in the slightest.

 You could bring him? Percy won’t mind.

 Except that Percy most certainly will mind, Piper thinks, and grimaces. If she hadn’t come off as desperate before, she most certainly does now – texting back within less than a minute after having been left on read all day, only to offer that Reyna can bring her friend (boyfriend?) along as well if that means she’ll be there.

There’ll be other opportunities, Piper tells herself, and scrubs a hand over her face. She needs to chill, and maybe she needs to grab a cigarette and step outside and calm down before she embarrasses herself even further.

 Piper stares at the screen. How on earth is she meant to interpret this? At this rate, she won’t make it until Saturday, dying of one crisis or another before then.

 if you’re sure? I’ll ask him.

haven’t seen you in a while, would be nice to hang out again ;)

 I’m sure.

[fireladybuckley]

New Year’s Surprise

Fandom: Supergirl (AU) Pairing: Alex Danvers / Lena Luthor (Agentcorp) Word Count: 4981 Rating and warnings: Probably 18+, kinda smutty Summary:  Alex and Lena unexpectedly discover their mutual attraction at a  New Years Eve party for L-Corp.  Flirtations and lust abound. Timeline: This is an AU. No specific time.  Post-Maggie, Pre-Kelly.  Somewhere in between but not finite timing!

[ gif made by me ]

              “Don’t you have any plans tonight?”  Kara asked as she came into her living room and spotted Alex lounging on the couch in a tank top and pajama pants.  

                “Nah,” Alex shrugged, taking a swig of her beer and changing channels on the TV.  “Fell through, and I don’t feel like bar hopping.”

                “Oh,” Kara frowned, unwilling to leave Alex sitting here alone on New Year’s Eve.  “You don’t have anyone to go out with?”

                “Everyone’s either away for the holidays or busy already,” Alex replied distractedly, not looking up from the TV as she read the synopsis on a movie listing.  Kara’s frown deepened and she narrowed her eyes, thinking.  Suddenly, she realized the solution and let out a small gasp of excitement, startling Alex into looking up at her.

                “I know!  Come to the L-Corp party with me!”  Kara exclaimed brightly, grinning as Alex’s eyebrow raised.  “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

                “A party full of tightly wound businesspeople?  Pass,” Alex said flatly, her head turning back to the screen and changing the channel again.

                “It’s not just businesspeople,” Kara said, shaking her head.  “I’m going to be there!  And James, and a couple other people from CatCo you know.  And obviously Lena will be there.”

                “Kara, that’s not really my crowd,” Alex told her, looking up at her sister again.  “You guys will all be busy mingling and I’ll have nothing to talk about with all the other people. I’m better off here, as long as you don’t care that I stay in your apartment.”  

                “Come on,” Kara insisted, walking over to the couch and taking Alex’s hand, tugging gently. She nearly pulled Alex off the couch with her first tug and adjusted her strength accordingly for the second, letting out a soft laugh as Alex shot her a look.

                “I wasn’t even invited, Kara,” Alex pointed out, pulling her hand out of Kara’s and shoving her sister playfully.  “I don’t think I’d be welcome.”

                “Oh please,” Kara scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.  “Lena likes you, she’d be perfectly happy if you turned up.   Besides, I’m sure it was just a technicality that she didn’t invite you anyway, since you’re not part of L-Corp.”

                Alex looked at Kara pointedly after that last sentence, and Kara shook her head.

                “I just mean she probably didn’t think to invite anyone outside of the company, not that she wouldn’t want you there.  Please, Alex?” Kara asked, grabbing Alex’s hand again and squeezing it.  “I don’t want you to be alone on New Year’s Eve and I want you to come with me!  It’ll be fun!”

                Alex sighed as Kara’s voice started to get higher pitched and more nagging, knowing that she wouldn’t quit until Alex gave up.

                “Fine, fine,” Alex relented, and Kara clapped her hands once with excitement.  “I’ll come, but don’t be surprised if I duck out early before I die of boredom.”

                “Yay!  You won’t regret it, I promise.  Now go get dressed, we don’t have much time!” Kara beamed at Alex as she rolled her eyes as turned off the TV, forcing herself to get off the couch.  

                “I don’t even know what I’m going to wear,” Alex complained as she headed towards the bedroom. “I don’t think I have any nice clothes here and we don’t exactly have the same style.”

                Kara followed Alex into the bedroom and looked in the closet with her, her mouth twisted slightly in thought.  Alex was right; while Kara had a lot of nice clothes, none of them suited Alex at all. Alex did have a few outfits that she left here, but nothing nice enough for a party.

                “Okay hang on, I’ll run to your place and grab something.”  Kara said, taking Alex’s keys from her.

                “Fine, but don’t grab anything too –” Alex began, but Kara was gone, leaving Alex in her slipstream. “—skimpy,” Alex finished with a sigh, her hair ruffling around her face in the sudden breeze.

                Kara was barely gone two minutes when she returned, clutching a garment bag in her hands and looking excited.  Alex raised an eyebrow at her and Kara unzipped the bag, then turned the hanger to show Alex the dress – the black one she’d worn when she’d gone to dinner with Max Lord a couple of years before, the one with a plunging neckline and short skirt.

                “No, Kara,” Alex groaned.  “I said not skimpy…”

                “It looks really good on you,” Kara insisted, thrusting the dress at her.  “And you have no time to argue, it’s this or nothing!”  

                Alex made a face at her that suggested ‘nothing’ would be better, but Kara quickly cut in again before Alex could open her mouth.

                “But you’re not staying here, so get dressed.”

                With that, Kara left the room and Alex sighed again, looking at the dress.  It did look good on her, she had to admit, but it had not so great memories attached to it. Deciding that just wearing it was easier than arguing with her irrepressible sister, however, Alex took off her pajamas and slipped into the dress, squirming until it fell as it was meant to.

                “Beautiful!” Kara said, smiling from the doorway. Alex jumped, a hand flying to her chest to cover the very low neckline, feeling her cheeks redden.

                “Here, wear this necklace,” Kara said, coming up behind her and fastening a delicate silver necklace with a deeply purple amethyst pendant around her neck.  “You look incredible, Alex.”

                “Thanks,” said Alex, a little flatly, though she had to admit it felt nice to dress up sometimes.

                “Hey, maybe you’ll even snag a date!” Kara grinned, winking as Alex rolled her eyes again.

                “Do not set me up with any of your coworkers, Kara,” Alex said warningly as Kara giggled and left the room with Alex at her heels.  “I’m serious!”

                Alex quickly did her makeup and slipped her feet into a pair of black heels (thankfully hers and Kara’s feet were roughly the same size), and looked up to find Kara glancing at her watch and wincing.

                “What?  What time does the party start?” Alex asked, glancing over at the oven clock and noting it said 7:56.  

                “Eight,” Kara replied, frowning.

                “Well, I guess we’ll be fashionably late,” Alex said with a shrug, pulling on her leather jacket over the dress.   “Let’s go then.”

                “It’ll take way too long to cab it there, we won’t be there until like 8:30,” Kara lamented. “Unless…”  She smiled and looked over at Alex, who deadpanned and shook her head.

                “No, Kara.” Alex said sharply, as Kara grinned.  Alex’s voice went from sharp to incredulous.  “No!  Oh, come on, really?”

                “Please, Alex? I don’t want to be late!” Kara pleaded, and Alex let out the tiniest whimper before sighing.

                “Fine, but I swear to god if you play chicken with a building again like you did last time I will never fly with you again.”

                “I promise!” Kara laughed.  Reluctantly, Alex followed Kara to the window and cozied up to her sister’s side, wrapping her arms tightly around Kara’s middle.  Kara wrapped an arm around Alex’s back and Alex could feel Kara’s strength and protectiveness.  Still, it didn’t stop Alex from inhaling sharply in fear as Kara took off through the window with Alex clutched tightly at her side.  

                They were near the L-Corp building in seconds, Alex’s chest feeling tight from the speed of the wind passing them, making it hard to breathe.  Kara dropped down behind some bushes not too far from the building and let go of Alex, who teetered on the spot precariously for a moment, gulping air like it was going out of style.  Alex shakily brushed her hair back, attempting to smooth it back down, her hands trembling a bit as she took stock of herself.

                “Never again,” Alex muttered as Kara lead her around the bushes and towards the front entrance of the building, Alex still trying to flatten her windswept hair.  Kara lead the way from the front entrance to the elevators, then down a couple of hallways to the reception area on the top floor. They approached a large entryway near the end of a beautifully decorated hall, and Alex could see lots of lights and hear music floating down to them.

                “Kara and Alex Danvers,” Kara told one of the guards at the doors brightly as they reached them, Alex hanging back a few steps, unsure.

                “Kara Danvers,” the guard said, running a finger down the list.  “You’re good.  No Alex Danvers, though.”

                “Oh it’s alright, she’s my sister and a friend of Lena’s,” Kara told him, taking Alex’s hand and pulling her forward. Before she could get past the guard however, he put his arm out and physically blocked Alex’s path, Kara tugging her right into his arm.

              “Only listed invitees allowed,” the guard said firmly, pushing his arm back a bit to force Alex to back up, which she did, letting go of Kara’s hand.

                “See, Kara? It’s okay, go and have fun,” Alex said, shaking her head.  She’d known this was going to happen, why had she wasted her time?  

                “But.. Alex…” Kara began, as Alex backed away from the doors, allowing some other guests to pass.

                Alex was just about to reassure Kara again that it was fine when a sharp voice suddenly spoke up.

                “Kara! Lovely to see you!” Lena moved partially into view and hugged Kara, who beamed at her friend. “And you brought Alex, that’s wonderful!”  

                “Yes!” Kara agreed. “But the guard won’t let her in,” Kara said, gesturing at the guard, who suddenly looked uncomfortable.

                “I’m sorry ma’am,” the guard said hastily, as Lena turned to frown at him.  “But she’s not on the list, I didn’t think—” he sound worried, but Lena shook her head.

                “Alex Danvers is more than welcome at this party, but of course you didn’t know that.  Don’t fret, Albert, it’s nothing but an oversight.” Lena reassured the guard, then gestured to Alex to come in, still half obscured to Alex by other people.  Alex stepped past some guests who had queued, nodding at the guard as she approached him this time.

                “Thanks,” Alex said, smiling at Lena as she passed the guard, who looked relieved that he wasn’t in trouble.  Kara shot her a “toldja so!” look and Alex rolled her eyes.

                “Of course,” Lena said, smiling back and reaching out to give Alex a hug as well.  Alex felt like she’d been punched in the chest and her heart skipped several beats when Lena stepped back from the hug and Alex saw what she was wearing.  She looked absolutely striking in a dark grey pinstriped pant and waistcoat set, with a black and grey patterned blouse and a deep purple, silk cravat.  She looked incredibly elegant and sophisticated and absolutely gorgeous.  Her perfume lingered in the air between them as she pulled away from the hug and Alex felt slightly punchdrunk at the combination of sight and smell.

                “Th-thanks,” Alex said again, feeling a bit lightheaded.

                “I meant to invite you anyway, but I must have forgotten,” Lena said apologetically, putting a hand on Alex’s arm. “By the time all the invites were sent to everyone affiliated with the company, I completely forgot the few non-L-Corp invitations!”

                “That’s alright,” Alex replied, her voice wavering a little as she stared at Lena, hyperaware of Lena’s touch, even through her jacket.  Lena didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, but Alex, when she finally tore her eyes from Lena’s face for a moment, caught Kara looking at her with a bemused expression.

                “Here, let me take your coats,” Lena said, gesturing for them to hand them over.  Alex shrugged out of her jacket, still trying to shake herself, and thought she saw Lena do a double take when she looked over at Alex as she handed over her jacket.  Lena passed the jackets to one of the servers to take the coat check and turned back to the sisters.

                “You both look amazing,” Lena smiled, her eyes lingering on Alex for much longer than Kara, something that Alex noticed immediately and that caused her cheeks to redden slightly.

                Before they could do much more than say thank you, someone who looked important came up and began speaking to her, and Lena signaled her apologies and began to speak with him, walking away from them.

                “What was that?” Kara asked, as soon as Lena was out of earshot.

                “What was what?” Alex asked innocently, quite aware that her cheeks were still red.

                “You know what,” Kara retorted, looking intently at her sister.  

                “It was nothing, I just… have a headache, and the bright lights made it worse for a minute,” Alex invented wildly, hoping it sounded convincing.  It seemed to work; Kara’s face went from suspicious to concerned, and she began digging around in her small purse.

                “I don’t have anything for pain in here,” Kara said regretfully, but Alex shook her head.

                “I’m sure I’ll be fine, I’ll just have some water.  Look, there’s James!” Alex said, pointing as she recognized him a little farther into the room, glad of the distraction.   Kara took the bait and flounced off, Alex following her.  Alex looked surreptitiously around and spotted Lena not too far away, watching her talk animatedly for a few moments as Kara greeted James enthusiastically.  

                Alex spent most of the evening wandering around after Kara, participating in some discussion, but mostly just people watching.  The food was excellent, thankfully, and Alex mused that the food and free drinks alone had been worth letting Kara drag her here.  

                Kara spent a lot of time talking to a cute coworker of hers and trying to constantly drag Alex into the conversation, telling her coworker about things Alex was good at and things she liked that she and the coworker had in common.  Alex could smell the set up coming from a mile away and excused herself to the washroom. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the sentiment, but Alex was not interested in being set up – if she found someone to date, it would be on her terms only.

                Kara immediately accosted Alex on her way out of the bathroom.

                “Didn’t you like Emma?” Kara asked almost accusingly as Alex headed towards the bar for another glass of expensive wine.  

                “Sure, she seemed nice,” Alex shrugged. “Not my type, though.”

                “Well what is your type?” Kara asked, her tone disappointed.  “I have a lot of cute coworkers.”

                “Kara,” Alex began, patting Kara’s arm.  “I appreciate you’re trying to help, but I don’t want to be set up, okay?  I want to find a girlfriend on my own.”

                “But –“

                “Kara…”

                “Okay, okay,” Kara agreed, looking put out.  “I just want you to have a good time.”

                “I am,” Alex told her genuinely, leading Kara to a table covered in fancy hors d’oeuvres . “More fun than I thought I’d have anyway.  Have you tried these?”  

                The rest of the evening passed in relative fun.  Alex and Kara spent a long time chatting and joking around with James and a few others, and Alex really did enjoy herself.  She even managed to forget about her momentary panic upon seeing Lena; that is, until Lena herself joined them.

                “How are you guys? Enjoying the party?” Lena’s voice came suddenly from behind Alex and she nearly jumped out of her skin as Lena appeared at her side, beaming at them all.  Alex’s heart rate immediately increased as Lena’s perfume wafted to her and she stayed silent as others answered Lena’s question, not trusting herself to speak just yet.  Thankfully it seemed Kara was thoroughly distracted at least, so Alex was grateful.

                “Almost midnight!” Kara announced pointing at the large clock hanging over everyone’s heads. The clock read 11:59:30, and the noise level around them grew exponentially as people started getting excited and shouting for their friends and loved ones to join them for the countdown. Alex smiled as everyone started counting down, clapping along and counting herself.

                “Nine, eight, seven…”

                Alex suddenly remembered what the tradition was when the clock struck midnight and felt sad when she realized she had no one to kiss.

                “Six, five…”

                Alex glanced around her to see people pairing up, and her eyes happened to land on Lena, who was only a few feet away and already looking at her.

                “Four, three…”

                Alex’s heart shot into her throat when she saw Lena’s gaze was on her and stared back, hope blossoming in her chest at the expression on Lena’s face.

                “Two, one…”

                Lena tilted her head slightly, as though asking for permission, and Alex gave an attempt at a casual shrug and a half smile, trying to play it cool and come across like she was saying “Yeah, sure”.

                “Happy New Year!”

                The crowd erupted around them and cheers and the music blared as the clock struck midnight.  All around them people were either yelling or kissing, but Alex heard none of it as her brain hyper-focused on Lena’s face as she stepped forward towards Alex.  

                Without allowing herself to think about it, Alex leaned forward as Lena did the same, and their lips met.  Alex felt a thrill of joy shoot through her as Lena settled a hand on her waist, her head tilted delicately to the side as they kissed.

                It only lasted a few seconds, but it felt both like it had taken a split second and many long moments.  Alex’s heart was racing as she pulled away, both terrified and excited to see the look on Lena’s face, wondering if she’d enjoyed the kiss as much as Alex had.  Lena’s face was hard to read; there was a small smile on her face, but then Alex saw the fire in her eyes and realized just how much Lena had enjoyed it. Before Alex could stop herself, before she could remind herself they were in a room full of people, – people who worked for Lena, no less – Alex had moved forward.  Lena, too, moved forward in the same moment and their lips meet again, Alex’s hand drifting upwards and settling on Lena’s jawline, the other on her arm, as Lena’s arms slid under Alex’s and held her around the middle, her hands settled on Alex’s back.

                This kiss lasted a lot longer and went deeper, more than a mere peck. Their lips parted just slightly and their tongues tentatively met, sending shocks of excitement and arousal through Alex, and through Lena as well, if the woman’s small but sharp inhale was anything to go by.

                Many moments later, both Alex and Lena seemed to realize that the people around them were finishing their kisses and looking around; pulling out of the kiss, Alex opened her eyes and noticed a few people already looking at them, whispering to each other.

                Wordlessly, Lena took Alex’s hand and pulled her away through the crowds, ducking around and under arms, away from everyone they knew. Lena lead her down a hallway and through a couple of doors, and suddenly they were in a place Alex had seen before; Lena’s office.

                “Lena, I…” Alex began, with no idea where the sentence was going as Lena stopped pulling her along and turned to look at her, that small smile and fiery look back in her eyes.

                “Don’t,” Lena said softly, laying a finger over Alex’s lips to stop her.  Surprised, Alex immediately stopped talking and let Lena lead her over to the couch, though they stopped before sitting down.  Lena turned back to Alex and Alex felt her heart flip flop once more as they locked gazes.

                Lena reached out and pulled Alex closer, wrapping her arms around Alex’s waist again.  Alex felt herself melting, moving with the flow, slipping her hands slowly up Lena’s arms and to her neck, stroking the skin there and looking at her in awe, wondering how on earth she was being allowed to touch her like this.   Without a word, Lena moved closer and pressed her lips to Alex’s again.  Alex nearly collapsed into the kiss; she managed to keep herself upright and kissed Lena back at once, her hands around the side of Lena’s neck, stroking her jawline with her thumbs.

                The kiss deepened quickly and their tongues clashed, both of them becoming breathless in record time, Lena’s hands slipping from Alex’s back to her sides, feeling their way up, as Alex let one of her hands slip into Lena’s gorgeous black hair, her fingers tangling in the strands as she held the woman as close as possible.

                They parted for a moment in order to breathe, both of them panting, Alex feeling more than a little shaky.  Lena looked extremely pleased with herself for taking Alex’s breath away, and momentarily rested her forehead against Alex’s as they absorbed what had just happened.

                “You are so gorgeous,” Alex murmured as she lifted her head a little and looked down at Lena’s outfit again.  “Way out of my league.”

                Lena’s eyes flared and she spun Alex around, pushing her a little roughly down onto the couch, Alex’s eyes widening in surprise as she landed on the couch with a soft “oof”.

                “Don’t be ridiculous, Danvers.” Lena’s voice had a bit of a growl in it and that combined with her use of “Danvers” went straight to the pleasure centre of Alex’s brain, making her breath hitch slightly as Lena leaned over her.   “You are the most beautiful woman in this building.  Maybe in the entire city.”

                Alex felt her cheeks reddening again and was about to protest when Lena climbed onto the couch and straddled Alex’s lap on her knees, making Alex’s heart stop briefly as she leaned down and brushed Alex’s hair out of her eyes.  

                “Not to mention, you are extremely brave,” Lena continued, tossing her long hair over one shoulder and again causing a jolt of lust in Alex’s brain.  Lena leaned down and kissed Alex lightly, then pulled back and spoke again.

                “An excellent fighter,”

                Lena planted another light kiss on Alex’s lips.

                “And the smartest woman I know.”

                Before Alex could say anything, Lena lowered her rear so she was sitting in Alex’s lap and slid both of her hands into Alex’s hair, pulling the woman close and kissing her deeply.  Arousal and lust shooting through her, Alex wrapped her arms around Lena and held her close as they kissed, her hands roving over Lena’s back and settled over her ass, holding her in place.

                Alex was completely breathless as Lena pulled away from the kiss a moment later and gasped as Lena pushed Alex’s head back gently and began to kiss down her jawline, down her neck, pausing for a moment and kissing deeply under Alex’s jaw, right along her pulse point, before continuing down to her collarbone.  Alex whimpered as Lena’s hands slipped into the front of Alex’s dress – the neckline dipped down to well below her breasts – and slid her hands over Alex’s bare skin, making Alex inhale sharply at the feeling.   Lena immediately paused and looked up at Alex, clearly searching her expression.

                “Too fast?” Lena asked, clearly not wanting to push any boundaries.  Alex shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest.  She was nervous as hell to have Lena touching her like this but also ecstatic, and she definitely didn’t want her to stop.

                “Keep going,” Alex said hoarsely, and the clear lust in her tone made Lena smirk, able to discern from those two words that Alex was just as into this as she was.

                Lena slipped her hands farther upwards and cupped Alex’s breasts from below, unsurprised to not encounter a bra in the dress she was wearing.  Alex gasped as Lena’s thumbs brushed over her nipples, sending shocks of pleasure through her.  Smiling at the noises Alex was making, Lena leaned closer to kiss Alex again, still gently touching her nipples, circling her fingertips around them, making Alex gasp throatily into the kiss.  

              Alex brought her hands up between Lena’s arms and reached for Lena’s waistcoat, unbuttoning it with shaking hands, moaning as Lena resumed the kissing of Alex’s throat, her hands still deep in Alex’s dress.  Alex managed to get the waistcoat undone and pulled it open, then began to work on Lena’s blouse, her fingers slipping on the buttons as Lena gave her no moment of calm. Lena had pulled either side of Alex’s upper dress apart now, completely exposing her breasts, and Lena was kissing down Alex’s throat and over her collarbone, clearly continuing to head downwards.   Alex knew she needed to get Lena’s shirt undone by the time Lena got to her nipple or she was done for.

                Alex had just finished undoing the last button of Lena’s blouse as Lena’s lips reached Alex’s nipple.  Lena drew the nipple into her mouth and gave it a gentle suck, making Alex gasp sharply and breathe hard, the feeling incredibly intense.  Alex was just reaching into Lena’s undone blouse, touching her bare skin for the first time, when there was a sudden noise at the door across the room and an audible gasp and the sound of papers hitting the floor, as though someone had just dropped them.

                Lena sat bolt upright and turned her head as Alex instinctively threw her arms across her own chest, blocking her breasts from view. Alex sat stock still as the horror of the situation sank in; someone had just walked in on them and was staring at them.   Lena found her voice a moment later and Alex sat, frozen, mostly blocked by Lena’s body.

                “Molly!  What have I told you about knocking?!” demanded Lena sharply, still breathing a little hard and sounding incredibly firm and unwavering considering she’d just been caught straddling Alex on the couch, sucking on her nipple.  Lena still hadn’t moved; she was still straddling Alex’s knees and turning to look at her employee; Alex suspected it was to preserve her modesty, and she appreciated it.

                “I… oh my god Ms. Luthor, I am so sorry,” Molly sound abjectly horrified and Alex felt a bit sorry for her.  She probably thought she was about to be fired.    “I thought you were down at the party so I didn’t… I was just going to drop off these folders, I… I’m so sorry!”

                Alex heard the young woman’s footsteps as she ran off and saw Lena relax and turn back to Alex, who was staring up at her in shock. They looked at each other in a slightly awkward silence for a moment, Alex’s arms barely covering her breasts, Lena’s shirt hanging open, their faces flushed but the moment clearly over.

                “Don’t worry, she won’t say anything,” Lena said after a few moments, climbing off of the couch and turning to allow Alex to slip her dress back into place.  “But I need to go and talk to her before she thinks I’m going to fire her.  You understand, right?”

                “Of course,” Alex said hastily, her face burning. “I’m sorry, I should’ve…” Alex trailed off, unsure of what she wanted to say, but Lena turned around to face her again and shook her head, smiling.

                “You have nothing to apologize for,” Lena said softly, leaning over and pressing a light kiss to her lips.  Alex had to stop herself following Lena as she pulled away, trailing a hand down her arm as she stood up again and began re-buttoning her blouse.   Alex made sure her dress was in place properly and stood up as well, smoothing her hair and begging her heart to calm down and slow to its normal rate.  

                Once Lena was finished redressing and had straightened her cravat, Alex looked over at her, wondering if this had been a one-time thing, or if maybe there was the possibility of something real between them.  They certainly had chemistry, tons of it, and they were both smart, strong, capable women who could complement each other nicely.  But was Lena interested in a relationship?    As though reading her mind, Lena came over to her and took one of Alex’s hands in her own.

                “Since our little tryst got cut so short, let me make it up to you,” she said, bringing Alex’s hand up to her mouth and kissing her knuckles.  “I’m guessing you have plans tomorrow?”

                Alex nodded, her heart pounding so hard she thought Lena must be able to hear it.

                “Thought so. Then let me take you to dinner this weekend.  Does 7pm on Saturday sound alright?”

                Alex nodded, biting her lip, trying not to grin as widely as she wanted to lest she seem a little deranged.  Lena laughed at the expression on her face and gave her a radiant smile in return.

                “It’s a date, then. Happy New Year, Alex.”  Lena pressed another light kiss to Alex’s lips before straightening her waistcoat and walking out of the office after her assistant.

                Alex nearly collapsed to the floor right then and there, but managed to stay upright, leaning back against the wall nearest her, letting out a long, shaky breath.  She hadn’t felt something so intense in a very long time and the fact that Lena seemed just as interested in her as she was in Lena made her unbelievably happy.  She stood there for a while, just catching her breath and floating on a cloud before she finally, slowly, made her way out of the office and back to the party.  Some people had started leaving but Kara, James and many of the others were still around, dancing or chatting, so Alex slipped back into one of the groups, hoping no one noticed she’d been gone at least an hour.   She stayed until Kara wanted to leave, the majority of the time lost in a daydream, barely able to wait until Saturday night.

  -----

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[datarevived]

   -- Ⅳ : ᴢᴀᴠᴀʟᴀ

The feeling of the sun was warm today. Its' rays not too hot nor blistering; while being caressed by the gentle tones of the wind that brought in a cooling kiss upon ones' skin. The welcoming of a new day rests upon the horizon, its' luminescence peering through the vented windows of the building she called a home. Today was the day she'd stop sneaking around and hiding. Today was the day she'd make a decision.

The dull twilight of ones' skin twinkled in the soft sunlight of the room as she stretched herself awake to a new day. Body having sprawled against the mattress on the floor, as sheets seem to have tangled her lower legs in a midnight fret, causing a temporary distress solved by none other than viciously kicking until the cotton fell from her feet. A yawn -- or was it a groan? as she tumbles upon her side, lazy arm flung over her face as she debated greeting back the morning with tiresome gaze. 

In the back of her mind, she'd blame the mattress being on the floor, that she should have stacked more blankets to make do for the lack of comfort. But in reality, it was a tiresome mind, too loud to cut off and too persistent to sleep peacefully. Numerous questions and scenarios that had rot through her head during the night -- her purpose, and what she now stood for among the people. What this power in her chest stood for and who granted it -- for what reason, why her -- she'd fail to get the answers she wanted; and so she'd try to get the answers she could, today.

A familiar whirl chimes in the air -- mechanical tick hovering over lifeless body as it queued an audible ' hum '. A single blink of ones' optic as if to consider the following, before its' voice cracked the air in such sharpness against the silence.

" Do you plan to stay in bed all day? " the light asked.

A rhetorical answer -- the Awoken lets out another groan, the tips of her fingers flexing in consideration before rolling onto her stomach and shoving her face further into the pillow. Arms cross over her head, her backside seeming to rise and fall with each breath. Already, the stress of being unreasonable and responsibility was weighing on her social meter.

" It's not healthy, you know. Even as a Guardian, you still have to take care of yourself. "

And her companion-for-life was not helping.

" Ihm ghttin' hmp. "

" ...Ah, what? "

" Ihm' ge'ttin' upppp, " the translation whines, pinched between pillow and cheek as Selene turns her head just briefly enough to inhale clean air and understandable vocals. A pause in her movements before getting committed, the woman then putting her hands at the sides of her head and pushing upward in a mean cat stretch, a few bones in her shoulder popping the excess air between joints as she did so. It was a satisfying yet dreadful feeling -- bringing her knees beneath her core and sitting on her feet, raising arms to the ceiling as she tugged each shoulder once at the opposing side before pushing her chest outward in another stretch following ' pop '. 

A worn expression written across her face, certainly not the one of a full nights' rest but it would have to do. Dulled irises take point around the room, surveying the box-esq environment that had been gifted to her from Hawthorne before looking up upon her Ghost, its' shell hovering in plain sight. A half frown in return to its' original statement, that she'd rather much stay in the damp coolness of her room than go out another day avoiding Ikora's eye contact. 

" Are you always like this? "

" Like what? " the Ghost blinked.

" Like... this, " she flips a wrist, motioning to nothing in particular as she comments, " You know, around. Just kinda... floating about. Do you not sleep or do activities yourself? "

" I... do not, " the reply comes with a vague confusion, " No sleep, no hobbies, well -- there is reading and decoding, but, most would say its' more a chore than hobby, " it rattles, " But, we Ghost don't exactly require the physical stimulation that you life-forms do. Nor do we have a purpose outside our Guardian -- hence, my hobby, is making sure that you have hobbies. And that you're safe, and kept in line. "

" Mmm... sure, " the Guardians' head tilts, the information only half making its' way to being processed. That the Ghost was more an unmovable thorn in her foot, than that of a best friend for life. Interesting, to say the least. At this point, not knowing if she'd be fond of the fact or not.  

Matters to decide for later, she supposed.

With violet brows furrowing in thought, she then begins the day by prying herself from the floor. Pulling ones' self to feet, walking over to the nearby dresser, stocked with two sets of clothes as she changes from her sleep wear -- a tank with cotton shorts to a long-sleeve and fitting pants. The threads in the pocket of said pants prickled at the side as if only recently seamed. Nothing too spectacular, but it beat walking around the place bare. A cotton-braid pair of socks, with boots to match the fix, and she was out the door -- greeted by the rising sun on the horizon as the sounds of the busy Bazaar scurried awake.

" Are you going to talk to Ikora today? " the Ghost asks, keeping its' distance within the Awoken's head space. Its' optic ever so often looking back at its' Guardian, curious of what new actions she might take. Rarely did it seem to meet eye-to-eye, her attention always seemingly caught elsewhere.

" I'm not sure. "

An exaggerated way of saying, ' no ', she walks through the halls of the Tower before coming up to the opening of the balcony. The soft breeze causing her hair to flutter to the side, the sun once more striking a ray against her face, causing a set of star-aligned freckles to shimmer. The smells of the ramen shop just up the road begin to make way into her senses -- lunch prep ushering her to spend what few glimmer she carried.

In the corner of her eye, the Warlock is already at her post. Never a dime missed on the hourglass, it seemed. The mere thought of how a woman could remain so... poise, even in the front line of a war; it sends a chill down the Awoken's spine. A nervous swallow in the back of her throat as she considers her options -- her doubts. If such was true that Ikora was apart of the Vanguard, and that they ran things around here...

" ...I think, I want to talk to the other Vanguards. "

" The others? " her Ghost perks, a questionable expression lighting upon its' sensor. " Is that wise? "

" I'd have to meet them eventually, anyway, right? " Selene hums. " Plus... what if this whole place is just... some sort of recruitment shack. Like, they just... tell you what you want to hear. A bait and trap. "

" You don't trust them? "

" It's not that... " her voice cracks at an offended tempo, " It's just... this is still, just... I don't know, it's just so unreal to me. That this... this is what the middle of war looks like, that half these people have one life to live while the others are just, eating it up and doing whatever they want. That, who decides what goes on around here is driven by people who don't have any reason to fear, and that by any standard is just --  just -- "

" Okay, okay. Wrong term, my bad, " the Ghost interrupts, stopping the woman in her rant. " Ah, perhaps the use... ah,  paranoid? I do believe that is the better definition here. You're weary -- perfectly natural. Humans are very weary creatures, always the unexpected. But! If I might be able to help weigh your options a bit, that the people here might be more of help that say so, whatever it is that they are fighting beyond the wall. "

" Yeah, yeah -- I get it, yeah, " she sighs, waving a hand in surrender as the other is raised to her head -- pinching the higher bridge of her nose as she breathed. Nothing to get the blood boiling like good morning conspiracy theories. " I know... I know here is right. It just, feels right. But I... I want to know what the others say. I want to see if someone says anything different. Or if this place is just... one big... "

" Recruitment center? "

" ..Was going with family, but yeah. That would be the alternative, I guess.  "

The Awoken's mind settling on the latter, she then moves from the shadow of the halls and onward toward the courtyard. Vibrations throughout the pipes of the Tower, rattling in motion between docking ships and fired engines becoming more apparent the further she climbed up the various stairwells. The smells of burnt wire and steel work replace the scent of spices and broth -- the sound of tinkering tools echoing off the plated walls of the gunsmith's shop. To its' side, the sounds of soft tapping and page turning from the cryptarch -- the mans' gaze loitering over the passing Awoken for a moment before going back to his  work in hand.

What could be rightfully labeled as the roof of the Tower -- vibrant in both color and life. Multitudes of Guardians walking about the place, as conversations dotted the corners and other shops. A booming voice that stood among the masses laughed near the edge of the walls, a man built tall and full garb in armor head to toe with hands planted at his hips. Occupied with several other Guardians in full suits, their chat too mixed between the masses to really listen in on the details. 

Had his aura not been so inviting, Selene may have very well mistaken the man as the Vanguard she was here to see. But not too far away, stood another man who seemed quieter of the bunch -- matching a very fitting description of, ' big blue ', as his attention held tight to the city beneath the mass. 

" That is very much a leader pose if I've ever saw it, " her Ghost comments, swerving a round.

Her stomach is already twisting in an eager knot at the thought. The brief idea of hunting down the remaining Vanguard, first, then saving the king for last -- it's an option on the table but whether or not it'd place her anywhere different, is slim chance to none. To suck it up, get it over with -- she wanted answers, and who better than the leader of the pack to get them? It was a mental battle of persistence and cowardice, the Awoken's face twitching in discomfort before taking in a deep breath and flooring it towards the man with a staggered walk. Her Ghost, the small light which held plenty of commentary before, quickly popping out of existence as she approached, its' guidance silenced by the figurative means to observe and not heard.

Before words can leave her mouth, it was one step too late that the Titan turns his back to the city, his full attention held in approach as he meets her gaze eye to eye. As if sixth sense, or perhaps just the idle sound of footwork from behind -- the man replicates the traditional Awoken features, his skin touch of blue and eyes sharp as nails against night. An inquisitive look dosed upon his face, brow anchored upward in question as he stares back at the doe before him. 

A silence is given in return -- the woman held hostage by her own nerves as she stares back. The height difference only just now dawning on its' intimidation factor, the Titan's shadow engulfing her like an eclipse. His face lacked the warmth of the Warlock's smile, and his voice remained unspoken, immediately lacking Hawthorne's charm. What was she thinking, just only having one foot in the den and already going towards its' pack alpha? What did she expect?

" Eh--Excuse me... " the two words slipping through her mouth, it feels as if it takes the remainder of her breath along with it. " I was... l-looking... "

" --Looking? " his jaw opens, curiosity piqued in favor as one brow raises higher. " Something I might be able to assist, Guardian? "

Ah. A traditional habit they seemed to have -- the disregard to names. A previous conversation held with Hawthorne echoing in the back of her head, it's just easier that way. Pensive expression slipping through the cracks of constraint for only a second, the Awoken regroups her words in full before trying again. 

" I... I mean, I was looking... for the Van..guard. "

Pause is held for what felt like hours, the woman sheering away her gaze to something minuscule upon the ground as she waited. In return, the Titan's face softens momentarily, brow put at ease and corners of lips curl in interest. It isn't a smile, but a look of concern -- the nudge of ones' head as he speaks, his voice resonating in low cadence.

" We've not met, have we? " it's stated far less than a question, and more as matter of fact. " I would welcome you to the Tower, but it seems that someone else has beat me to it, and has already offered you space, " he motions, a hand raising in gesture towards her familiar attire. " I apologize that we've not been introduced earlier or I'd been happy to oblige... but I am Zavala, Commander of the Vanguard and seer to Guardian Military Operations. To whom I owe the pleasure? "

" I'm... I -- my name, is Selene. I'm... H-Hawthorne, actually, got me... settled in... " the Awoken fumbled, her eyes darting to anything else than to maintain eye contact with the other as her hands grabbed at the loose ends of her shirt. Her cheeks pinched in ache at the attempt to remain presentable -- a hallow hole in her chest nearly suffocating her by a whim. " I... don't mean to intrude... "

" Ease yourself, Selene. There are no enemies here, " Zavala  spoke, this time cracking a soften smile. " I am unsure what has you so... perturbed. But I assure you, you are safe here. A place of solid peace and mind, may there be no safer place out there. "

How unfortunate that his words only fulfilled the opposite of what they mean to encourage.

" S-Sorry, it's just... adjusting, " she manages to speak out, one hand reaching towards the nape of her neck. Another survey of the courtyard and its' distortion before taking a breath and meeting back eye contact with the Commander. " I've... talked to Ikora Rey, and, wanted to.. speak with the remaining Vanguard if it was possible... "

" Ikora? " he repeats, quirking another brow movement, " A woman often too wise for her own good, but unmatched in the laws of Warlocks. I can only hope she remained positive in mentioning the remainder of the Vanguard, " a chuckle. " I am... right to assume then, as a New Light, she's given you some insight on the situation we find ourselves currently? "

" S-Somewhat... she mentioned a war. Something about, Cabal and the Traveler, " her eyes move up to the figure in the sky temporarily, " And that... Guardians are, typically the front line. Especially uhm... new Lights... "

Another pause -- the Titan works to process all of his words correctly, perhaps more in detail than the Warlock let on. As he, too, takes a glance at the chained Traveler, his expression is something Selene's already witnessed before upon the face of Ikora when she spoke all the same of the deity. A pained look of failing hope -- something so far to grasp, yet barely brushing the fingertips of the chosen.

" ...We've lost many of our best. Ghaul having been a step ahead this whole time, and with it, leaving us to be hacked away by the masses. The Red War will not just be known for its' fight against the Red Legion, but the blood of our fallen brothers and sisters... we owe it to them to fight. To keep strong, and win against this threat that's taken away from us so many. " a hand moves in place as Zavala grips the railings of the Tower, the fabric of gloved mesh tightening against his figure. " This is not just a War for the Traveler, but for the very species of the human kind. Should we lose, risk extinction against the Cabal, and like a history untampered, we become like the rest we dare never meet. "

Put into a larger perspective, the decision begins to weigh twice as much upon her shoulders now. A grimace of features as she raises hands from shirt to arms, wrapping her own across her chest as she hugged at her own frame. A being so small, yet so full of power. The human race stood on the line, and the Guardians were the only ones who stood a chance to fight back. It was less of a heroic journey and more of an obligated fate, sewn between crimson string that fell indestructible to scissors of the Gods. 

Anyone to chose any differently -- to decide that enough was enough and that they'd live their life normally, while those condemned to a single life worked tirelessly to survive, were they looked at in poor taste? Or were they shunned all together, nothing but rumors upon dirt to those who remained so cowardly and/or selfish to abide by the strengths they were given.

She didn't ask for this.

No one did. 

But certainly, in her mind -- Gods, she didn't ask for this.

" Had it not been for the Traveler, I doubt even humanity would have survived past the Golden Age... " Zavala's words pick up, guiding the Awoken's attention back to his front, " But here we are. More alive than we've ever been. And I'll be damned I let the Cabal take it from us. "

His hand lessens around the railing in front of him, his gaze teetering back to the Guardian present. Selene's entire body seemed encased by uncertainty, so much so that the Commander could read it without question. He takes a breath before continuing, rephrasing the very same that had been spoken of from the Warlock days earlier.

" -- We do not ask that all Guardians fight. That is a choice for them to make their selves, and in doing so, your decision to make. We cannot ask you to risk life after life, fighting for something you do not believe in. But if I might be able to give one simple request, " his voice comes between a mix of empathy and solidarity -- " is that I ask you to think it over, Guardian. Not everyone can do the things that you can do... nor can they achieve the heights you can achieve. With this boon of the Traveler, it is my belief we owe it to those who cannot fight for themselves. That we are gifted in such a way that we are meant to do so much more. If you believe your strengths to be shone elsewhere, however... there is none to stop you. Nor will we see you as any less. "

It was a concern on its' own how contempt his face sat in the process of delivering a bold-face lie. His words thrown on her like a weighed cloak, sewn with half-needles as they gnawed into her skin. The repeating definition -- ' gift ' -- such things were given in joyous occasion, not bestowed upon those unnoticed. And yet, it seemed all the same here -- both between the Vanguard and other Guardians who seem to accept such responsibility so lightly.

Was she wrong, for being so callus?

Was she wrong, for needing time to decide?

" I... I'll think on it."

Right now, all she wanted to do was retreat back into her room. To dive back under the blankets, sink into the floor and melt away. What she wanted, answers to questions that plagued the back of her skull like a continuous tune, and yet what she got was a louder tempo. It was sickening -- she felt morally sick, her chest aching to explode at the lack of air and her arms wanting to bruise at the brute force her nails seem to dig against.

She didn't want to think.

She didn't want to be here.

She didn't want to be a Guardian.

She just wanted to be.

" It's all we can ask for, " the Commander nods, offering a plain smile. " Was there anything else I can do for you? "

" No, thank you. I'm... actually going to head out for lunch. Then... ah... "

" Rest easy, Guardian. Enjoy your meal, " he finishes the farewell for her. Whether its' to be polite and ease her burden, or be it for his own impatience -- she didn't know. He was but a temple, impossible to read in the ways she could others. Fatigue quickly zapping the rest of her energy as she turned and walked away, the mental capacity of all that was running through her head meeting the equivalent of informational override.

" That was... different, " her Ghost hums, sparking back to life as it weaved near her shoulder. " What do you think? "

. . .

" I don't want to talk about it right now. "

[abbygkane]

Habits of my heart: 2/3

Here it finally is, the second chapter, I’m so sorry that it took so long :/ I honestly didn’t mean to wait this long before writing the second part. I really hope that it’ll be worth the wait even though I’m not completely satisfied with the result. So I’m kind of nervous about publishing it. Anyway, hope you’ll enjoy. You can read the first part here

Abby had been feeling fidgety and jumpy all day. The last time she was this nervous of coming into work, was on her first day at the hospital five years ago. Even some of her interns had noticed her slightly out of character behaviour. She had observed more than one confused look being thrown between Jackson and Murphy. Naturally, she had pretended not to notice those glances and brushed off any remarks because how was she supposed to explain that the man she’d been glaring daggers at and complaining about was taking her out on a date after work?

She’d woken up this morning with a small smile on her face before gleefully getting up and taking a shower. There might have been a small wardrobe crisis as well, not that she’d ever admit it of course. Her smile had still been present during breakfast, much to the amusement of Clarke and Lexa, who had both teased her relentlessly but even that hadn’t ruined her good mood.

As she had walked into work this morning, she’d been on the lookout because Marcus usually came in around the same time as her, but she hadn’t seen him, and the first wave of nerves kicked in. 

What if he regretted asking her out? What if he had thought it over at home and decided that going on a date with a co-worker wasn’t a good idea? Maybe he even called in sick because he didn’t want to run into her today? 

Those thoughts had plagued her between patient consultations until she’d walked into the canteen during her lunch break and she spotted him waiting in line to pay for his food. Not wanting to waste this opportunity to talk to him, Abby had ushered over and quickly grabbed a sandwich and a bowl of soup as she queued behind him.

Any feelings of doubt she still might have had about Marcus changing his mind, disappeared when he turned around and greeted her with a broad smile before bashfully asking if she slept well. They had exchanged some pleasantries, both feeling a bit awkward in each other’s presence. After paying for their food, they had agreed that Marcus would pick her up at her place around 7:30. Initially, Abby had assured him that he didn’t have to pick her up, that she would be perfectly able to drive herself but he had insisted so she eventually caved. Before parting she had given him her number and address with a smile, telling him that she was excited for tonight, grinning when Marcus had blushed and replied that he was looking forward to it as well.

The rest of the day had passed in a sort of daze really. Before Abby knew it, she was on her way home, mentally going over the contents of her closet, hoping that she’d find something suitable for a date. Because to be honest the last time she’d gone on a date was literally during the previous century and she has no idea if she even owns a dress.

—-

 "You sure that this dress isn’t too much?“, Abby frets, hands running over the fabric of the dress while giving her reflection a scrutinising glance. 

"Mom for the tenth time you look absolutely stunning in the dress”, Clarke reassures her while getting up from the bed she’d been sitting on, “And no it isn’t too much. Nor are you too old for something like that”, she quickly adds as Abby opens her mouth to interrupt. 

“Besides your legs and boobs look amazing in the dress Abby”, Lexa offers with a grin from her position on the bed, causing Abby to blush and Clarke to throw her girlfriend an irritated glare.

“Not helping babe. Also, that’s my mother you’re talking about”, she mutters but Lexa merely smiles and shrugs her shoulder. 

“Just because she’s your mom doesn’t mean she can’t be hot”, the girl points out. 

“And I think that Marcus will definitely agree with me. Although he might prefer her without the dress”, she adds with a wink, bursting out in laughter when Abby turns an even deeper red and Clarke lets out an appalled groan, feeling slightly queasy at the mental image of her mother and Marcus doing that. 

“Girls”, Abby gently calls after a couple of seconds, “There will be nothing of the sort. We’re not a bunch of teenagers and this is only our first date. I’m absolutely certain we’ll be able to control ourselves”, she sternly admonishes them, only to fidget when both girls throw her almost identical incredulous looks. 

“I am”, she repeats. 

“Sure mom, whatever you say,” Clarke whispers as she pats her on the shoulder.

Her daughter tries to sound sincere but Abby isn’t fooled by it. Same goes for Lexa’s muttered, of course Abby. The eye-roll both girls not so subtly give each other doesn’t help either. 

“Now”, Clarke excitedly claps her hands, “What are we going to do with your hair?" 

"My hair?”, Abby frowns, “What’s wrong with how I’m wearing it right now?" 

”Moom“, Clarke whines, "You can’t go on a first date with someone while wearing a dress like that and have your hair in the same messy ponytail you always have for work”

“I can’t?”, throwing a confused look at Lexa who shakes her head with a tiny smile. 

“Fine”, she sighs, deciding that resisting is futile, “Do whatever you want with my hair. Just don’t make me look ridiculous please." 

"We won’t”, Clarke cheers, “Lexa hand me that brush will you?”

—-

Marcus stares at his reflection as he nervously adjusts his tie, for the fourth time. He can’t even remember the last time he’d been this nervous for a date. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even know if he’s ever been this nervous before. But then again, he has never gone out with someone like Abby Griffin before and he’s still in a state of relative shock. He still doesn’t entirely believe that this is actually happening, that in less than an hour he’ll be having dinner at a restaurant with Abby Griffin. Honestly, if you had told him yesterday morning that this would happen, he would have suggested an MRI. But here he was, almost ready for their date.

As he casts a critical glance at his hair, Marcus debates whether he should slick it back like usual or simply brush it. When he notices the time, the decision is made for him because he realises with a muttered curse that if he wants to arrive on time, he has to leave right away. So he merely runs his hand through his hair, trying to flip back that persistent curl but failing. Accepting that there’s nothing he can do about, he cast a final glance at his reflection before grabbing his jacket and keys and making his way to his car.

The ride to Abby’s house is a short one, thank god, because Marcus honestly believes that his nerves couldn’t have handled a longer one. When he arrives at her house, he carefully parks in the driveway before taking a couple of seconds to take several deep breaths. 

There’s no need to this nervous. It’s not like it’s a blind date or anything, you’ve known Abby for five years now, you see her practically every day. Just breathe and everything will be fine. 

After running his hand through his hair one final time, Marcus finally gets out of the car and makes his way over to the front door before ringing the doorbell. It doesn’t take long before the door opens and when it does, his brain momentarily short-circuited when he lets his gaze wander over the woman in front of him. 

He can’t help but stare, with what he assumes most but a flabbergasted expression on his face, at Abby. She’s wearing a form fitted black dress, that stops an inch above her knees, giving him a perfect view of her incredible legs, not to mention the tantalising neckline that shows more cleavage than he’s used to seeing, makes his mouth suddenly feel dry. Letting his eyes travel higher, Marcus observes with wide eyes that her hair is out of her usual ponytail and now hangs around her shoulders in loose curls and he can feel his fingers twitch with the sudden urge to tangle them in those luscious looking strands.

“Marcus?”

Blinking a couple of times, he looks her in her eyes and notices how she’s nervously biting her lower lip. Realising that he hasn’t said anything since she opened the door, he blurts out, “You look incredible Abby”.

Abby gives him a shy but pleased smile in response, “Thank you, Marcus. You look very handsome too. I especially like your hair like that”

“Yeah?”, he wonders, feeling his cheeks warm as he runs his fingers through it while observing how her eyes follow the movement and giving him a small nod.

“Thank you. Are you ready?”

“I am, let me just say goodbye to Clarke and her girlfriend and grab my things”, she says before turning around and disappearing behind the door.

Marcus can hear voices murmur, but he’s unable to understand anything when he suddenly a head full of blonde curls peeps around the door, giving him a scrutinising glance over.

“So, you’re Marcus?”, the girl asks through narrowed eyes, making him slightly fidget under her gaze.

“I am. And you must be Clarke. Nice to finally meet you”, he replies, inwardly cheering when his voice comes out steady.

“Mm”, Clarke hums, “Piano or guitar?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Piano or guitar?”, the girl repeats with raised eyebrows.

“Guitar”

“Electric or acoustic?”, she questions.

“Acoustic”

Clarke stays silent and Marcus swears he can hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears when a broad smile appears on her face, extending her hand so he can shake it.

“Nice to meet you Marcus”, she says with a smile and he just nods, not entirely sure what just happened.

“What did he answer?”, a voice from behind Clarke calls out.

“Acoustic guitar”, the girl shouts back over her shoulder.

“Nice”, the voice replies and a second head appears at the door.

“Hi, I’m Lexa. Clarke’s girlfriend. Nice to meet you”, the brunette introduces herself, shaking his hand as well.

“Nice to meet you too”, Marcus murmurs, unsure how to handle himself.

“So, what are your plans with Abby? I hope that it’s PG13 rated?”, Lexa questions, ignoring the poke she gets from Clarke.

“I – uh”, he stammers, but he’s thankfully saved by Abby, who returns with her coat on.

“Girls, leave Marcus alone,” Abby warns, giving them a stern look, “I’m sorry Marcus, were they bothering you?”.

Three pairs of eyes turn to him and honestly, a two-hour board meeting is less nerve-wracking than this.

“Oh no, they just introduced themselves”, he reassures her, not missing the two almost imperceptible nods of approval, he gets from both girls and how Abby’s posture relaxes.

“Great. Well girls, we’re off now. I left money on the counter so you can order what you want. And please try not to eat all of the ice cream”, she announces, stepping outside the house.

Both girls roll their eyes, but they give her an affectionate nod. “We won’t”

“Bye”, Clarke states closing the door.

“Behave”, Lexa shouts just before the door falls shut.

“Well, those two certainly are-”, Marcus starts, unsure how to proceed and Abby giggles at the bemused look on his face. 

“A handful?”, she suggests, smiling when he nods, “They certainly are but they mean well”

They share a smile before Marcus offers his arm which Abby accepts and they walk towards his car, both nervous but also excited for the date.