#and youre crossing an incredibly busy unlit road like that?

[disabled-dragoon]

Begging anyone who walks at night/in the dark to wear SOME KIND of reflective clothing

[fullmetalscullyy]

royai week day 1: coincidence

rated: t | words: 3562

read on ao3

“I don’t know, man,” Roy mused. “She made it pretty clear she didn’t want to see me again. I can’t even remember her name.” He’d been drunker than he cared to admit last night. Luckily, he’d suffered no affects from it this morning after downing two glasses of water before falling asleep.

“I know, but I’ve never known you to just give up like that,” Maes commented. As they stepped out into the street and left the busy coffee shop behind, Roy slid his sunglasses off his head and shielded his eyes. It was too hot a day for coffee but after his horrendous night yesterday, he needed the extra fuel to get through the day.

“True, but I always respect a lady’s wishes,” he griped, offended Maes would suggest such a thing. “Besides, it obviously wasn’t meant to be.”

Maes snorted. “Only because you fucked it up.”

“Maes,” Roy warned. He didn’t need this today. He had an important meeting at work today that needed all of his attention. What he didn’t need to think about was Maes’ efforts to try and push Roy and the woman from last night back together.

Roy’s oldest friend lifted his hands in surrender. “I won’t push it anymore. All I ask is that you consider it.” His words were sincere but the eyes behind his glasses glinted in a way Roy didn’t like. Knowing Maes there was always a hidden agenda when trying to set Roy up with someone. The man was married and had a kid on the way. Now that he was happy, Maes suddenly thought it was his life’s mission to ensure all his friends were happily married too.

“I have to go,” Roy announced, avoiding the opportunity for Maes to further preach how good it was to be married and how fantastic it felt to be father. Each to their own, but Roy wasn’t going to pressure some random woman into it especially when apparently, she didn’t even like him. Why waste time on a relationship like that? He’d made a mistake, acted like an asshole, plus, he didn’t even know her. Apparently that wasn’t enough to deter Maes Hughes, love life extraordinaire.

“Think about it, Roy,” Maes pressed, waggling his eyebrows. He laughed as Roy muttered under his breath. “Where’s the harm in that?”

“Fine,” Roy agreed. He could think about it all he wanted. It didn’t mean he would have to act on it.

“Take care of yourself, and good luck with the meeting!” Maes called as Roy begun to walk away. “Don’t fuck it up like you do with everything in your life!” he grinned. Maes crossed the busy road in Central and left Roy to continue his journey alone.

The sweltering sun beat down on Roy as he walked. It was far too hot to work today. His thoughts had already wandered to finishing time, contemplating how he would enjoy the last of the summer evening. He might go for a walk around the park near his house, or he could sit in his garden and soak up the last of the sun and heat while he ate his dinner.

That sounded like a better idea.

The air conditioning of the office building was a welcome change. It caressed over what little bare skin he had on show, cooling him considerably, as soon as he entered through the door. Without another thought and a quick glance behind him, Roy saw another person approaching the door, so he passed through it and held it open for them. A woman murmured her thanks and he nodded with a smile, heading towards the lift on the opposite wall.

Once inside Roy loosened the tie around his neck. His shirt was sticking to his back with sweat but it was too hot to keep his blazer on. Removing it, he loosened the cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. He still had an hour before the meeting. Plenty of time to cool down and make himself presentable again.

“Hey, Roy,” Jean Havoc greeted with a nod and a mock salute. Currently, his colleague was leaning back in his chair, unlit cigarette perched on his lips, feet raised and resting on his desk with his ankles crossed. A balled-up piece of paper flew from his hands and landed in the wastepaper basket. Jean pumped his arm and whoopedin celebration. “That’s four today! I’m already heading for a new record.”

“You know,” Roy ventured, weaving through the desks in their office to his own by the window. “You could do work instead. Just a thought.”

“It’s twelve minutes to nine,” he replied, checking his wristwatch. He too had forgone wearing his blazer and had his shirt sleeves rolled up. “Therefore, I have twelve minutes to get as much scrap paper into that bin from this chair.”

“Wow, Jean, you’re getting really good at telling the time,” Roy stated patronisingly. “Keep that up, buddy, and you’ll be onto analogue watches this time next year!”

“Shut it,” he muttered, face sour. “Anyway, this was a gift from Rebecca. It would be rude not to wear it.”

“Aw,” Roy crooned. “Even your girlfriend is conscious of you having the mental capacity of an eight-year-old.” Their youngest member, Kain Fuery, snickered from his desk, not looking up from whatever he was furiously scribbling down on a piece of paper.

“At least I have a girlfriend,” Jean muttered. Seeing the frown on Roy’s face, Jean’s expression perked up. “Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it,” he winked.

“I can take it just fine,” Roy muttered, glaring at Jean as he snorted, his mind obviously going somewhere far dirtier.

“Boss?” Heymans Breda announced his presence, poking his head through the glass door. He was leaning back, stopping in while passing, with a stack of papers on his hands. “Do you want these in the meeting room?”

“Yeah, that would be great Heymans. Thank you.”

“No problem.” He walked off, stack in his hands, and disappeared down the corridor to their meeting room of the day.

This whole floor was his. His company, Mustang Construction, owned it. It was complete with an office for Roy and his four employees to work in, another empty room which was used as storage space – but had been cleared out for today – a break room, and two meeting rooms. Being in the centre of Central, the space was expensive, but Roy had worked his ass off to start up this company and he’d managed to get it off the ground on his own merit.

This contract they were working on were with a company called Hawkeye and Son. Roy had previously worked with the Hawkeye in question, but word on the street was Berthold had retired and left it so his child, presumably, the son.

Something tickled his mind at the mention of Berthold, but he couldn’t grasp a hold of it… It must not have been that important if he could barely remember.

“Roy, Riza Hawkeye just called saying her team will arrive in about half an hour,” Vato Falman announced, entering through their office door.

“Okay, Vato, tha…”

Riza…Hawkeye…

Oh.

Oh no.

“Roy?” Vato asked, concern on his face. That was probably because he’d just paled considerably. “Are you all right?”

“Uh, yeah,” he quickly recovered, straightening his spine unconsciously. Oh… Whoops. “Thanks, Vato. If they’re on their way, let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Kobe!” Jean called, tossing one more balled up piece of paper as his legs dropped from his desk to the floor. It hit the edge of the basket and fell in.

* * *

RM: Holy shit.

RM: Holy shit dude.

RM: You won’t believe who’s taking this meeting.

Roy was sweating again under his blazer but for an entirely different reason than the heat.

Because, the woman who was spearheading this meeting, and the contract between Roy’s company and her own, was none other Riza Hawkeye, the woman he’d made an incredibly bad impression with last night.

This morning he hadn’t remembered her name but after hearing the name and seeing her face it all came rushing back to him and Roy paled for a second time that morning. It was enough that Jean noticed and asked him if he was all right. Roy had nodded numbly.

The name of the company was Hawkeye and Son, so Roy just assumed it would be a dude. He’d seen the name on the contract – it read R. Hawkeye – but hadn’t put two and two together until he saw Riza and her team exit through the lift outside their glass encased office. Seeing her face made all the pieces fall into place. Vato had left to greet them, as pre-planned, and showed them to the office opposite where they could set up and get themselves organised. Roy had ducked and buried his head in his paperwork, desperately fumbling through his pockets to find his phone.

MH: Who?

Maes replied almost instantly. Obviously, work was slow at his office today if he could reply to Roy’s text right away.

RM: Riza, from last night.

MH: That’s interesting.

Roy could almost hear Maes’ hum of contemplation as he sent that text, completely unconcerned about the fact that he may have fucked up this contract before it even began. Not intentionally, mind you, but this still wasn’t good.

RM: No shit. This is your fault. What do I do?

MH: Hey, at least you’ve remembered her name now. And how is it my fault?

RM: Maes. Focus.

MH: Well now you don’t have to think about anything.

Maes’ snicker entered Roy’s head as he read that text.

MH: Apologise and hope she’s professional enough that she doesn’t allow it to come between you both.

Before Roy could reply, another text came through from his friend.

MH: Or, use the same tactic as last night. Insult her father and assume she’s going to be an asshole like him. Because that worked so well.

RM: You know what? You’re a real cu –

“Mr. Mustang,” Riza announced her greeting. Roy turned off his phone screen as her team began to file into the meeting room. His own team followed behind with their own laptops and notes. Sliding his device into his pocket, Roy shelved his conversation with Maes until a later time. Riza extended her hand and offered it to him. Right. Professional. “It’s a pleasure to be here today to spearhead this contract with your company.”

“Miss Hawkeye,” he greeted pleasantly. “It’s our pleasure to have you,” he replied, switching on his charm as he did with everyone. It didn’t work. It was a minute movement, but Roy noticed the twitch of her eye and the hardness of her stare that lingered just little too long.

Right. She was still pissed.

“Can I get you a coffee?” he asked, offering his version of a peace offering in this environment. “Tea? Water?”

“No, thank you,” she declined. Again, that hard look was back. As if to show just how pissed she was, she took a seat at the table and poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher Kain had put out ten minutes ago.

Roy swallowed.

“I trust you looked over the information I sent over yesterday?”

“Of course,” he replied. Despite his evening being taken up by going out with Maes last night, he knew how important this contract was and had read up on everything before he left for the evening. Not to mention a quick skim over it this morning.

“Excellent. I expect no delays in this meeting, then.”

“Of course not,” Roy nodded, plastering a smile as fake as they come on his face. He didn’t care for the accusation that he was incompetent. That may have come across the previous night, but it was far from the truth. This was one of the most important contracts of his career and he wasn’t going to blow it.

The previous night, Maes had insisted Roy come out to this new bar with him. The atmosphere was good, the drinks were well priced, and both men agreed this would probably become their new haunt. It was well situated – located in the centre of the city but only a two-minute walk from a train station for them both to travel back to the suburbs. They’d gotten a little obnoxious and loud, talking about things they shouldn’t have in such a public place, but Drunk Roy and Drunk Maes were idiots who couldn’t help themselves.

“Yeah, the dad was a bastard so who knows what the kid will be like,” Roy had slurred, tipping towards the bar and landing to lean against it. “Probably a stuck up eighteen-year-old trying to tell me how to do my job!” He’d laughed, and Maes had joined in too.

Someone cleared their throat behind him. Turning, Roy came face to face with one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. She wore a simple white blouse tied in the middle with a belt, her black jeans hugging her body so perfectly Roy was almost drooling as he looked down. He wasn’t proud of it, but Drunk Roy really was a bastard. Her blonde hair hung loose, tumbling over her shoulders and dropping down her back. It was incredibly smooth and straight. She was stunning.

“That’s quite a claim,” she stated, taking a seat on a stool as she waited to be served. Roy was mute as he stared – no doubt looking like an idiot (but that was his usual state of being while drunk) – unable to voice a response. “Are you all right?” she asked with a light laugh.

It was the most beautiful sound Roy had ever heard.

“Y – Yes,” he stuttered.

She waited for him to respond, raising an eyebrow, but chuckling when nothing happened. Roy felt his face turning read as Maes guffawed loudly behind him.

“So, whose father is a bastard?” she asked conspiratorially, as if looking to be included in an inside joke. A smirk curled around her features as her voice lowered

Instead of shutting up like he should have, Roy snorted and continued his conversation from before. “Someone I used to work with. Total prick. I hated him.”

“What was his name?” the woman asked, offering him a sweet smile that he was powerless to resist. Maes protested from behind Roy, stating “I’m still here, Roy”, but he waved him off.

He should have shut his big mouth.

“Berthold Hawkeye,” he revealed, face twisting in distaste. “I’ve got to work with his kid soon, unfortunately, so I can only hope he’s an improvement!” Roy laughed loudly.

“My name is Riza,” she offered with a smile. Roy couldn’t tell because he was too drunk, but her smile tight and strained, as she offered Roy her hand to shake.

“Roy Mustang,” he smirked, lifting her hand to his lips to kiss the back of it.

“If you’ll excuse me, Roy, I need to get back to my friend,” she excused, retracting her hand forcefully and lifting two drinks off the bar.

“Here, let me help you,” he offered quickly, almost falling over in his haste.

“No, I’ll be fine, thank you,” she stated. “After all, you don’t want to work with Berthold Hawkeye’s kid.”

Roy stopped, thoroughly confused. “What?” he asked stupidly.

“Riza Hawkeye,” she smiled sweetly. “Nice to meet you.” The smile was still present but there was a rage in her eyes.

“Oh… Shit.”

Riza hummed in agreement. She turned and walked away, leaving Roy feeling like a fool. He’d followed her, trying to apologise, but he was drunk and Riza wasn’t interested.

“Good night, Mr. Mustang.” Her tone was cordial, but her expression was anything but as she sat down at a table next to a brunette. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

Shit.

What a coincidence it was that the woman he’d wronged last night – unintentionally – was actually going to be his business partner for – hopefully – years to come.

He had some making up to do.

Unintentionally or not, he’d been rude to her and she deserved an apology, regardless of what professional deal would come between them.

* * *

The day was successful, thank god. Roy had spent the whole of the meeting rattling off offers for Hawkeye and Son and proposing his plans to Miss Hawkeye. She seemed pleased with what she’d heard and by two o’clock, they’d come to an agreement and signed the contract between the two companies.

Roy could finally relax. And, stop sweating under her gaze. He’d caught a whiff of himself and during their lunch break he’d dashed to the toilet to apply more deodorant.

“Miss Hawkeye?” he called, exiting his office as he saw her team packing up to leave. She was the only one left in the office they’d been assigned for the day, her team already waiting on the lift in the hallway. “May I speak with you for a minute?” he asked, poking his head through the door.

“Of course,” she replied, not looking up from packing up her laptop. Roy closed the door behind him quietly, approaching her desk but keeping a respectful distance.

“I would like to apologise for my actions last night.” Riza finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. “I, uh, was drunk, and Drunk Roy is an idiot. Just ask the rest my team in there.” An amused look passed over her face before returning to sliding her laptop in its case. “I was out of line and making stupid assumptions. I apologise.”

Riza straightened, regarding him for a second. “You know, I remember seeing you working with my father.” Roy perked up at that, not expecting that response. “He used to take me to the sites with him. I wasn’t allowed to stay in the house by myself when I wasn’t at school.”

Roy did the mental maths. He’d started working with Berthold as an apprenticeship, when he was eighteen right through to when he was twenty-two. That had almost been ten years ago. Come to think about it, he did remember seeing a teenager sitting in one of the portacabins, cooped up all day, with Roy thinking how boring it must be for her.

“He was very strict,” she continued, volume of her voice lowering, gaze dropping to the table beside her. “And like you, I didn’t like him either.”

Roy swallowed again. He hadn’t meant to drag up painful memories, or make the conversation take this kind of turn. However, gauging by the look on her face, Riza needed to vent this out.

“It’s nice to meet someone who knew just how bad he was,” she added, expression holding a hint of relief.

“I’m sorry?” Roy asked for clarification because he didn’t think the man’s own daughter would come out with something like that.

“Everyone always sings his praises, tells me how great a man he was, but he wasn’t. I smile and nod because I’m “too nice” to tell them otherwise. At least, that’s what my friend says.” One side of Riza’s mouth quirked up.

“Uh, yeah, I…”

“It’s all right, Mr. Mustang –”

“Please, it’s Roy. If we’re working together now, I’d prefer to go by first names. Only if that’s all right with you,” he added quickly.

“Of course, it is,” she smiled. “It’s all right, Roy. I know how bad he was, believe me.” The haunted look in her eye told Roy it was more than him just being a strict parent and he felt dread pool in his stomach. “Anyway,” she added, taking a deep breath and exhaling in a rush. “I wasn’t happy because you’d already judged me on my father’s reputation, and not my own merit. Since taking over I’ve managed to turn this company around, which you stated you’d noticed over the years, and yet you still judged me.

“I apologise,” he interjected, feeling guilty, because he had judged her unfairly.

“Plus, I think you’ve suffered enough today, lying in wait to see if I would punish you for it.”

Roy found himself amused at the mischievous glint in her eye. He chuckled. “Yes, I think I have.”

“I’m a professional, Roy, and I need this contract just like you do. I wouldn’t have jeopardised it because of some dumb comment some drunk guy made in a bar last night. I thought you might have had a better head on your shoulders than that,” she winked, teasing him.

“Thank you, I appreciate that.” His thanks were sincere and as Riza smiled at him, he felt his stomach flutter.

“What a coincidence it is, that we would meet each other again after all this time, and it would be me who was heading a contract with your company.”

Roy chuckled quietly, holding the door open for Riza. “I would’ve loved to see the look on the old man’s face when he found out you were working with me, his “good-for-nothing” apprentice.”

“Oh, it was a picture,” Riza replied, gaze sliding across to his with an amused smile. “Would you hold it against me if I said I picked your company out of spite?” she joked, the pair of them laughing together, sharing an inside joke.

Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad like Roy thought they would be, working with Hawkeye and Son. He was excited to see where this new relationship would take them.

[phandabbydosey]

Here I Stand ~ Chapter 7

Artist: @lost-clues ~ art here (slight gore in one picture)

Word count: 19082 (so far) - 2285 this part

Rating: R

Warnings: Graphic description of crude medical procedure (amputation), violence, blood, zombies (and all the stuff that comes with it), one or two uses of ableist slurs (send me an ask if you want to know what they are)

Summary: Zombie AU. Everyone knows that getting bitten is the end, that the only fate is death or reanimation. But Dan is different, Phil can’t just let him go and they agree to a drastic ‘surgery’ to remove Dan’s bitten leg and save his life. However, surviving the procedure is only the beginning and Dan faces numerous obstacles on the rough road to recovery in an extreme and dangerous world.

A/n: Soooo after about two years I’ve decided to try and get back into writing again. Sorry about the cliffhanger left on this fic :D

In other news, I’ve lost contact with my old beta reader so if anyone is interested in helping me out then just get in touch :D (also yeah this isn’t beta-d so if anyone spots any issues just let me know)

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“I can’t believe she fucking sold us out,” Kyle growled, his anger just intensifying as he struggled to light the rusty camp stove they’d found in the back of their current hideout, “I told you she was no good.”

They had multiple little store rooms and safe spots in the area surrounding their original house and had just about managed to get in and secure one before night had fallen. Will had rigged up some quick traps so they should be safe even if a horde scented them out, but being away from the familiar security of the house had put them all on edge.

“Well, maybe if you hadn’t continuously treated her like crap she might have stayed loyal,” Dan snapped back, already in an incredibly grumpy mood after the painful trek over. He’d had to be supported by Phil and Scott the entire way and, although they tried their best, the odd knock or scrape had been unavoidable. Not to mention he’d spent weeks just laying on the sofa so his muscles were sore from all the exertion.

“Oh so you’re saying this is my fault?” Kyle turned to glare daggers at Dan, looking as if he were contemplating walking over and giving him a good thump, “When she’s the one who colluded with Liam and the others to steal everything we’ve worked for. She’s the one-”

“That’s enough, boys!” Scott said sternly, standing over the unlit stove with his arms crossed, “It doesn’t matter whose fault this is. There’s things all of us could have done to prevent this and throwing accusations around won’t help anything. What happened, happened. We can’t change that now so the best thing we can do is focus on where we go from here.”

As sour as Dan’s mood was, he couldn’t argue with Scott and was silently grateful they had the older man in their group with them. His years as a doctor had given him a level head and a logical mind that were invaluable when tensions boiled over in the group.

“Scott’s right,” Will said, his voice coming from behind a wall of boxes at the back of the large room. They hadn’t used this storeroom for a while because their scavenging had been sufficient as of late, so he was busy doing an inventory, “We have a good amount of food in here but it won’t last forever and it’s all long life stuff so I doubt the nutrition is going to be great. We don’t need to rush into finding somewhere new, it’s safe enough here, but I don’t really like the idea of it becoming permanent. I’m sure there’s better places out there.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda spooky here,” Lily murmured, her small body curled up on one of the tatty sofas Scott had dragged out, “There’s loads of spiders too.”

“What?” Dan squeaked, his eyes wide as he pushed himself a little more upright on his sofa and looked around the room.

Just like that, the tension in the room seemed to dissolve as everyone began giggling at Dan’s reaction. He might have been deadly in a fight and a sarcastic bastard, but even after everything he’d been through in the apocalypse, he was still deathly afraid of spiders.

-----------------------------------

“C’mon Scott, I only want to go out for an hour or so and Phil will be with me the entire time,” Dan pleaded, “It’s midday and it’s clear outside, I’ll be fine.”

Dan had been begging for days at this point and he’d thought Scott might have broken by now, but the older man was remaining stubborn in his position. They’d stayed in the storehouse for just over a week until Will, Kyle and Phil managed to find a suitable new home. The new place was great, but not exactly what would be described as suitable for a disabled person. There were a lot of stairs so, even with the pair of crutches Will had managed to cobble together from metal pipes and some other scraps, Dan was pretty much stuck in the main living room.

He and Phil had shared one of the bedrooms upstairs at first, but Dan was still very weak and he’d gotten fed up with having to be carried up to bed every night so now he just slept on the sofa.

He’d thought getting the crutches would be great, but the fact he was still very limited in his movements despite them was making him feel more and more trapped in the stuffy living room. He just wanted to go outside and get some fresh air, but Scott was adamant it was too dangerous.

“No, Dan,” he said firmly, not looking up from his washing up bowl, “You’re still too weak. If something happens then Phil won’t be able to get you back inside and protect you both at the same time. Plus it’ll be an unnecessary strain on your body, you’re meant to be building up strength gradually so you don’t end up injuring yourself more. It’s three floors down and back up again, that’s too much for you right now.”

“But I-”

“Dan, I get that you want to go out, but the risks aren’t worth it. We’ll keep doing your exercises and I’m sure you’ll be strong enough soon. Now I don’t want to hear anything else about it.”

Scott’s tone left no room for arguments so Dan just flopped back down onto the sofa, letting out a slightly over dramatic groan that Scott firmly ignored. Lily saw that he was clearly upset so climbed onto the sofa beside him, cuddling up to his chest and talking to him quietly until he dozed off. He was still building back his strength and the exercises Scott put him through daily really wore him out.

Once she was sure Dan was asleep, Lily carefully climbed out from under his arm and headed to the other room where Phil was sorting through the haul from their last scavenging mission.

“How long do you think it’ll be until Dan will be able to walk around better?” She asked as she plonked down onto the floor beside Phil and started to help organise the food.

“I’m really not sure Lil,” Phil sighed. He’d noticed how disheartened Dan was becoming and it was really starting to concern him, but he didn’t know what he could do to help, “He’s strong and he’s determined, but his body really suffered from the trauma and the infection. I’m sure the stress lately didn’t help, either.”

Lily nodded then was silent for a few minutes, not really focused on organising the various packs and cans. “I think you should take him outside,” she whispered, looking up at Phil with dark eyes that were tragically wise beyond her years, “I know Scott says he shouldn’t, but I think he might go crazy or even...give up if he stays stuck in here much longer. You won’t have to take him out for long and you can get Will or Kyle to go with you so you have some protection. If you go in the middle of the day then there shouldn’t even be any zombies around anyway. I just think it might help give him some hope and remind him of why he needs to get himself better as quickly as he can.”

It was Phil’s turn to be silent now, thinking over Lily’s words. He’d always been one to take Scott’s word as law when it came to medical issues, but he’d been an A&E doctor and not a psychiatrist so perhaps he wasn’t fully considering just how bad Dan’s mental state could be getting. Phil knew that he’d suffered depression in the past and had recognised the signs that it might be creeping back in, that would be the last thing Dan needed when he was meant to be focusing on his recovery.

“Scott and Kyle are going out soon to get some more things from the museum group for Will’s prosthetic,” Lily said, seeing that Phil wasn’t far from agreeing with her, “You and Will could take him out then and Scott’d never even have to know.”

“You know, you’re a cunning little thing aren’t you?” Phil chuckled softly, making Lily smirk and giggle, “Looks like we’re going to have a little undercover mission this afternoon.”

--------------------------------

“Dan. Daaaaan. Wake up Dan, we’re breaking you out.”

Dan blinked himself awake slowly, mumbling a complaint as he was shaken gently by whoever was speaking to him. His eyes slowly focused on Will’s messy hair and Phil’s bright eyes, both leaning over him where he’d been sprawled out on the sofa.

“What’re you on about?” He grumbled, not happy about having been disturbed from his nap, “What are you breaking me out of?”

“We’re taking you outside buddy, give you a chance to stretch that one leg you have left,” Will grinned. Dan could hear Lily giggling softly from somewhere behind the pair that were still leaning over him.

“Scott’s out at the moment and it’s completely clear outside,” Phil explained when he saw how confused Dan looked about Will’s joke, “I know he said you weren’t allowed out, but we all agreed it’ll do you more harm than good to just wait until your strength is properly back up. Will is going to come to protect us in case something happens, so I’ll be able to support you the whole way if you need it.”

“A-Are you serious?” Dan’s eyes were wide and he shot up into a seated position, looking between his friends as if he didn’t quite believe what he was hearing, “You’re taking me out?”

“Yep,” Phil grinned, happy to be seeing some kind of joy in Dan’s face for the first time in a while, “We can’t stay out long because Scott is right when he says your body is still weak, but I was thinking we could go and sit on the wall out front for a bit so you can get some proper fresh air and just get out of this house for a while.”

“Oh my god, thank you so much!” Dan beamed, throwing his arms around Phil and giving him a tight squeeze. It was clear from his elation at the simple idea of short visit outside how much being stuck in the house was affecting him, confirming for everyone in the room that the risks were more than worth it, “I love you so much.”

“Hey, it was my idea,” Lily piped up, her own face almost splitting in half with her wide grin, “Where’s my love?”

“C’mere then,” Dan giggled, waving the younger girl over to receive a tight hug.

“Right, as cute as this all is,” Will interrupted, his arms crossed though his face also sported a large grin, “We’ve got somewhere to be, so shall we head off?”

It wasn’t easy to get Dan down the multiple flights of stairs in their new home. Will was walking in front, ready to catch Dan if he fell or fight off any trouble that came their way, while Phil supported most of Dan’s weight. He’d initially tried to go down on his own using his crutches, but he’d almost immediately fallen and nearly took both Phil and Will down the whole flight of stairs with him.

By the time they reached the bottom, Dan’s limbs were all trembling a little from the effort and his forehead was covered in a slight sheen of sweat. Phil wondering if maybe this was too much for him after all, but all of his doubts wiped away the moment they stepped outside the front door.

Though he was still a little breathless, the smile on Dan’s face was bright enough to rival the sun. The last time he’d been outside had been when they moved to the new house and, thanks to a run in with a hoard after they’d broken into a building to rest, that hadn’t exactly been an enjoyable experience.

But now they were safe and there were no zombies to be seen, so Dan could truly just enjoy being out in the open air. The sun was hidden behind some clouds but it was still giving Dan a pleasant warmth against his skin, only a slight breeze blowing past and ruffling his curly fringe.

Phil gently guided Dan over to a little wall that bordered the house’s overgrown front garden, helping him sit down comfortably before taking the spot beside him. Will was stood out in the street, keeping an eye out but also giving Dan and Phil some space to enjoy this moment together.

Neither of them said anything for a long while, Phil giving Dan time just to relish in his happiness. At one point Dan leant into Phil’s chest, a soft, contented hum rumbling in his chest. His smile hadn’t dimmed once since they’d stepped outside.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. It was so calm and serene, he didn’t want to disturb that, “I didn’t realise just how much I missed...this. Just being outside and not couped up in that stuffy living room. I know I still can’t do anything more, but it’s making me feel more...free.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Phil murmured back, looking down at Dan fondly, “I’d do anything to help you feel better, God knows you deserve it after these last few months.”

“You really are perfect, you know that?” Dan grinned, tearing his gaze away from the sky to look up into Phil’s face. He leant forward, capturing Phil’s lips in a brief but very sweet kiss, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

[flyingaroundinabusinesssuit]

10 Tips for Solo Female Travellers

While our area of interest leans more towards business travel from a business travel agency point of view, solo travelling when you are on business is probably more the norm than the exception and if you have some free time, taking in the local tourist spots would then usually also be done solo. Therefor we thought it apt to share this excellent article. Enjoy the read!

Solo travel is on the rise these days, and single female travelers may face some particular threats and obstacles while on the road—so France-based (and female) TPG International Contributor Lane Nieset highlights 10 tips and tricks to help women take a safe and savvy solo getaway:

I’ve had my fair share of experiences—both good and bad—while traveling by myself, from post-college backpacking through Europe to exploring far-flung locales around the globe. There are certainly hazards out there, and at times, being alone might feel more lonely than exciting. But while you can’t avoid every danger or setback, there are ways to be more aware, cautious, prepared and empowered while you’re out there exploring the world Marco Polo-style, as a modern-day woman.

Here are my 10 tips for other solo female travelers:

Try to blend in.

When I studied abroad in Paris during college, my professor said that wherever you go, you should learn how to say these six phrases and you’ll be golden: Hello, Goodbye, Thank You, How Much Does that Cost?, Where are the Toilets?, and I love You. I couldn’t agree with him more; these simple gestures make all the difference when it comes to respecting a culture. The same goes for dress code and clothing: a scarf can double as winter wear, as well as something to cover your hair or shoulders if you are in a Muslim country. This also goes for revealing or flashy clothing—save it for the nightclub. Even in sexy cities like Miami, you’re going to draw attention, and it may not always be the kind you want.

Talk to Strangers.

As a child, parents and teachers always taught us to shy away from strangers, but one of the best ways to explore a city is by striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know. For instance, I’ve met new friends on trains who’ve started sharing their tips about particular destinations, and by the time we arrive at our final stop, they’ve become my travel partners. Look up from your smartphone, step outside of your comfort zone and go on a new adventure, whether it leads you to a hidden (and delicious) restaurant recommended by the bartender who just served you, or to a speakeasy club that’s filled with locals. In high-end hostels like Europe’s Generator, you could even book a private room, but still enjoy the social setting hostels are known for—and make a friend to go out with that night. Just remember to use common sense and never disclose too much information about yourself.

Be Prepared for a Plan B.

Travel doesn’t always go smoothly. Planes are late or cancelled; trains get delayed; you might miss your ferry and have to wait a day or two for the next one. While airport information desks and airline attendants make it easier to handle these types of situations, it’s not always the case for other modes of transportation. My boyfriend is notorious for missing flights and has no fear of finding a last-minute spot to sleep in anywhere from Kazakhstan to Bangkok, but I’m the opposite—situations like this stress me out while I scramble for a solution.

I was once stranded at a train station outside of Venice in the middle of the night because my overnight connection was delayed three hours. For a woman on her own, a situation like this can be disconcerting, since many open-air train stations in Europe lack security, attendants, and any type of social setting like a café or restaurant. If you find yourself in a similar situation, try to find a well-lit spot that’s not deserted. Not an option? Train stations are typically near hotels, so try walking to a nearby spot and explaining your situation to the concierge. Most hotels are fine with allowing a woman on her own to sit in the lobby or hotel restaurant and wait for a few hours until her train arrives.

Use Social Media & Smartphone Apps. While you shouldn’t flash your new iPhone 6 around, prepare for your next journey by glancing at maps and recommendations on your phone. This way you have a general idea of where you’re heading and can avoid standing out too much like a tourist with a giant paper map. Social media is also a great way to find out about local events and attractions, as well as connect with locals. Book a room at a hotel, hostel or Airbnb while on the road, maybe even snagging a last-minute deal.

While I was exploring the coast of Croatia, I booked my B&B for the next night via iPad and not only found an incredible rate on a sea-view room, but also had a lovely welcome drink with the Croatian owner and daughter, who gave me great recommendations for things to do. Think Tinder is just for meeting your next boyfriend (or rendez-vous)? The app is also a way to get ideas for things to do from locals, and maybe even meet in a public group setting. Just be careful and once again use your common sense and female intuition.

Dine Alone—And Love It.

One of the main concerns most travelers have is dining alone. Telling the hostess (who may not even speak English) you want a table for one may seem intimidating, but there are ways around the awkwardness.

Breakfast and lunch are the easiest meals for eating solo. I can’t even talk before coffee, so a table with me and a newspaper is the perfect plan for breakfast at a café. Same goes for lunchtime: bring a book if you need to feel entertained during your meal, or take advantage of some free WiFi. Often when I find myself sitting solo at a café or park, I’ll jot down my trip-notes and personal thoughts in a small, stylish notebook that can fit in my purse.

At dinnertime, when it seems like everyone else is out with friends, on dates, laughing and conversing, I’ve found that tables seem too stuffy, so I opt to dine at the bar. Bartenders have a gift for gab, and can make great dinner companions. But remember, you took this voyage alone for a reason—whether it’s your own Eat Pray Love moment or a work trip—so consider simply savoring some alone time, free of distractions. (That is, aside from taking food pics for Instagram.)

Don’t Announce Your Room Number.

Most hotels have gotten savvy when it comes to keeping guests’ room numbers private at check-in. It’s better to have the check-in person write down the room number instead of announcing it out loud for others to know where you’re staying. When getting into an elevator or walking to your room, stay mindful of unwanted company; if a person makes you feel uncomfortable, as soon as possible, get off, pick up your pace, or switch directions. Share your itinerary with a close friend, parent, roommate, so that someone knows where to find you in case of an emergency. And a last word of advice when staying at hotels or going out on the town alone: don’t drink past your own limit. We know those craft cocktails at the hotel bar look cute and all, but when you’re on your own, you put yourself at risk when you can’t stay aware of yourself and your surroundings.

Guard Your Bags & Valuables.

A TSA-approved lock not only helps keep your bags (relatively) safe at the airport, but can also be used while staying in hostels and napping on trains. The same goes for keeping an eye on your purse, backpack and smartphone. I know a few women who have set their phones on a table while having lunch or a coffee, and the minute they looked away, it was gone.

Keep your passport safely stored at your hotel and stay aware of your bag in crowded places and on public transport. The Paris metro, for instance, is notorious for pickpockets who slash bags open and steal what’s inside. You should even be careful at clubs, especially when dancing with a handsome stranger. One second my friends were kissing a dark-eyed beauty, the next they realized their wallet was no longer in their cross-body purse. Always have spare copies of your passport and identification, just in case those go missing, too.

Carry Local Currency.

Whether you withdraw money at an ATM or convert your dollars at the airport, always carry local currency in case of an emergency—and never pack it in a checked-in bag while flying. Depending on the country, some restaurants and taxi drivers may only take cash, or your credit card may not work with certain vendors (even with the international EMV chip). Having cash is also useful at local markets, or when your Uber driver fails to show and you need to hail a taxi. I also like to keep spare cash and an emergency credit card in a separate bag (usually stored safely at the hotel) in case something happens to my wallet or purse. For those in a real rut, Western Union is a great resource for friends or family to wire you money. (This has saved friends of mine who “lost” their purses at nightclubs in Paris.)

Wander, but Use Caution. I love learning my way around a new city—wandering through different neighborhoods during the day, figuring out how to navigate local transport, and finding great restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, but I always try to discover where not to go, especially at night.

When I first moved to Nice on the Cote d’Azur of France, I was told by locals that walking alone in the Old Town at night wasn’t the safest bet; women had been mugged, beaten up and grabbed in the street. As I result, I avoided unlit areas, tried to walk on busier streets, and kept my phone close at hand in case I needed to call for help.

But I also quickly learned to avoid speaking loudly on the phone or to a friend when walking at night, as my French isn’t always perfect. If you’re not fluent or can’t get a hang of an accent, speaking loudly will draw attention to the fact that you’re a tourist, and potentially an easy target.

The lesson? Do your exploring in daylight, and be prepared to get back to your lodging safe and sound at night, even if that means a direct taxi ride versus braving the subway. And always keep a card with your hotel’s name and address on it (especially for that moment when your trusty phone battery dies) that you can give to the driver to ease communication.

Take a Tour or Try a Local Activity.

Free walking tours exist in most major international cities, and are a haven for solo travelers, because not only can they help you get your bearings and learn more about the culture, you’re with a crowd of people for a few hours and may find someone to meet up with for the next few days, or even make a new friend.

Other local activities can provide the same perks. If you’re in Bordeaux, sign up for a wine tasting. In Tulum, try a yoga class or week-long retreat. Go on a kayaking trip in Norway. Making connections with people who have similar interests can make the world feel smaller—and inspire you to keep traveling.

Treat solo travel as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and the world. Let loose, but take simple precautions like these to stay safe without worrying too much. You’re on vacation, after all.

Ask your corporate travel agent to work in some ‘bleisuring’ into your next business trip! Need some good advice? Why not connect with TravelManor today.

Source: http://businesstravel.postach.io/post/10-tips-for-solo-female-travellers