#c: hazel jones w. leo cross 002

[dxrkenedheights]

where: supply depot

with: hazel jones and leo cross @ofwrxth

★・・・・・・★

Well, Brody managed to talk her down from a ledge for a few minutes. That's no small feat. And when Hazel made the decision to leap from the cabin in a rush towards the depot, she'd forgotten one very important thing. Her literal daughter, who was the literal reason for literally wanting to be there, right? But now she's here, Lu-less. Watching Leo prepare a truck with his cousins. Now, it seems like she's forgotten why she felt such a strong urge to say anything else to him. Good luck was fine, Brody literally said so. It tends to happen like this, doesn't it Haze? Good ideas seem not so good all of the sudden. She frowns to herself, thankful that she's not been noticed yet. Until, Leo turns from the bed of the truck and their eyes meet. Which Hazel promptly breaks, an obvious pondering over her face. Shit, she has to think of something now. He's walking to her. She has to think of something.

"Almost ready?" she gestures to the truck, purposely so she can peer around him instead of to him. "I was just...gonna help out here but looks like you got enough people." Hazel shrugs then, her hands clapping together as she takes a step backwards to mark her exit. Oh...that means a goodbye. "Good luck." again.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Hazel chuckles, giving another glance to Fiene and looking for any sign of Wolf lingering and helping with the truck. The sweetness of the Cross family has never been lost on her, well aware it's not a word used for them. But they're all here, helping, spending last moments together. It makes her frown to think they could truly be last moments, and she glances back to Leo with a hesitant look. Worry, too. "Yeah, she's great. Even if she keeps sayin' fuckin' now by the way." she laughs. "She's gonna miss you. I got like a thousand stories lined up for when she asks for you, 'cause she will." her chuckles grow again as she gives Leo a deadpanned expression, save from the grin, at his twist of words. "You're so damn Cross sometimes, I don't know how there's room in all those cabins for your egos."

The levity slips and Hazel nods subtly, cursing herself for showing up here now if Leo truly was going to stop by all along. There went her head again. But she's grateful too, giving him a sincere look. "I know y'all don't think we're as strong as you are but I will use it if I gotta." it's a promise. In all of this, they can both agree that they love Lucy more than life itself. A middle ground that makes everything feel much easier when navigating how to talk to one another. "You ain't gonna do nothing stupid out there, right?" her own concern notices and she scrunches her nose. "'cause I'll run outta things to tell Lu if you don't come back."

Leo swears. "God, I hope not. Who knows. Maybe Tyr'll get a sibling soon," he lets out a low laugh, but not without a slight shiver. "Hey. Lu's completely fine," he replies with a slight smile when speaking of their daughter. "No signs of world domination yet." Though it's probably only a matter of time. Even in ten months, he's seen her grow into more of who she was. He's grateful his family had stepped in while he'd been gone but he still regrets the time he'd had apart from her. "Yeah, see. I'ma quote you on that. Crosses are known for bein' responsible. Hazel Jones, December 31, 2023." It doesn't matter if he's taking her words out of context, his smile remains, even with her look of surprise.

"I would've if you hadn't stopped by to wish me luck," he smirks a bit. But behind his demeanor is the very real truth that nothing is off limits if it protects his daughter. And that extends to Hazel, whether she likes it or not. "It's just'a precaution, Haze. And, well, no one exactly plays fair." They'd be foolish to think that vampires didn't have silver laying around for the same reason. Leo shakes his head. "You don't gotta thank me for that," a wry smile ghosts across his lips as he glances around them. "I'll always protect Lu." And you. Unspoken but his meaning might be clear. He looks back at her. "And I know you will too."

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Hazel's grin is light but smug at his scoff, a quick bounce of her brows as she fights a chuckle. She supposes half of this...co-parenting thing is learning about one another. Not quite as simple as just sharing a child. Leo is Cross in every which way, and Hazel is Jones to the bone. A recipe for disaster, she reminds herself, if they can't find the perfect footing. Her eyes find Fiene again, head tilting at first in admiration before she laughs, giving another look to Leo. "Oh?" her eyes glimmer. "Leo Cross spllin' the tea, huh? There gonna be like Viking Cross babies next?" she snorts. "I thought a Jones Cross kid was bad enough." she adds in a teasing mumble, sorting through the first crate with a curious rummage. Even though the task is to carry it, not look through it. A delay tactic? "Mm, you're right." she responds facetiously, falling into actual laughter next. "I forgot how y'all Crosses are known for bein' responsible."

Her laughter is stopped by a nearing Leo and Hazel halts with a slight surprise, keeping her eyes on his and the sincerity behind them. As soon as the stake is delivered to her palm, Hazel huffs out. "Jesus, Leo. Couldn't just stop by for this?" she darts a look around the depot, clutching the stake then and having no choice but to tuck it into her coat to hide. But, she quickly hears his words. And she quickly remembers the full moon, a night that is lingering over all of them. From anybody's perspective, friend or foe, the Cross formation that night was impressive to say the least. Showing their determination in the best light. Hazel clears her throat, nodding. "Well...thanks." she taps her coat, stake procured and hidden. "Now I'ma be walkin' around like I stole a pirate leg but, I hear you." she adds, humorously and then serious. "I said thanks for that, right?" she tilts her head. "The full moon, I mean. I know I said thanks for the literal ban-able weapon."

Leo scoffs at her reply. "Can't blame me for asking," though his lips twitch just a little at her quick response. It's one thing he's noticed in the past months that he wouldn't have had a chance to in one night. Hazel Jones was quick on her feet, well, at least until it comes to playing King and Queen, a thought that begs a smirk but he resists. "Exactly," he affirms with some interest as to why she'd even come in the first place. He catches the way she clocks the insignificant task and shakes his head. "Doubt she'll join, though maybe if Wolf's got something to say..." he chuckles at his cousin's expense. "She's just helpin' look for Cece...was with her for a bit I think." Leo offers the information before rolling his eyes. "If we turned into Joneses, we'd be runnin' into trouble every run we took," he references her cousin's recent runs which had resulted in everything from kidnapping, to new members, to a baby.

"But, uh, look, Haze." He begins, shifting closer to block her from view of others preparing trucks. Leo slings his pack down from his shoulder, tone a bit more serious now. "I know you got your family with y'all," he rifles through his pack for a beat before taking her hand to press something into it. "But I ain't gonna be here if they try and take advantage of all us bein' gone again." Leo glances down at her hand in his, and at the wooden stake that now rests in hers. Not exactly a friendly weapon to be toting around in a town full of wolves and vampres. "I know you ain't gonna let anything happen to our lil' girl," he affirms, looking at her now, "but...just in case." It's his main apprehension leaving, especially in light of November's full moon. But the Joneses are capable, even if they're not as ruthless as the Crosses, they've protected their own well enough to make it to Hollow Cove. He respects that but he still things his concern is merited, for Lucy's sake.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Hazel's head tilts, her expression deadpanning for a moment despite a flicker of a grin. "I just left her by the fire, gave her a gun and told her to shoot whoever comes through the cabin." she shrugs before she bops her head with a small eye roll. "Brody." she offers an amused clarification but it's increasingly difficult to hold onto levity. Her eyes move to the truck again, the heaviness over all of them is obvious, she thinks. Maybe even the one she has over herself. She only nods in reply, before Leo's suggestion makes her glance to the crates. "I...sure. Since I'm here. Not a wasted trip." Hazel sighs and speaks at once, dispelling the tension from her lungs while moving around him and towards the crates. Now that she really sees them- there's not anything here Leo can't manage. Scratching her face briefly, Hazel decides to not comment. "That er...Visser wolf always goes on these, huh?" she distracts herself with a nod towards Fiene in the distance. "She gonna join y'all? Y'gonna be the biggest damn pack there is. Sorta turned into Joneses, open door policy." she smirks slightly.

Leo's focus is set on preparing the trucks for their run. A few hours remain before they're set to depart and each is filled with an odd sensation. Anticipation for the thrill of a fight, apprehension for what's at stake. He will come back. He'd promised Lucy, even if he hadn't said the words outright. I'll see you tomorrow. That's what he'd said. And it didn't feel like enough, but it'll have to do. His plan to stop by the Jones cabin before leaving is in limbo anyway, uncertain if it's necessary or not. He settles on maybe not when he spots Hazel, hovering to the side and raises a brow. Eyes scan behind her for a sign of their daughter but she's not there and a slight frown tugs at his lip as he approaches. Until she speaks and he can almost hear the wheels turning in her head.

"Who's with Lulu?" Comes the first question, though he's assuming one of her family members has her. "Uh, yeah, just about," he responds with a nod, running a hand over his jaw as he glances back at the truck and the people continuing to load it, and then back at her. "I – thanks. Can use all of it." Leo gives her an amused look, watching the step back with a twitch of his lips. "Y'know, I could probably use a hand over here." He nods towards a stack of crates a bit away from the people loading up the truck. There are fewer crates than merited her help, but if she's here already, the decision is made for him and he doesn't have to make another stop.