#the decreasing number of pink clothing when fall hits make me sad

[pinayelf]

I wanna be a dress girlie...I just genuinely really love dresses and they're so comfy to me...I've been thinking about clearing out my closet and getting more dresses into my wardrobe. I've been wearing them almost exclusively this summer

it's just hard to find dresses I like for the colder months bc you pastels aren't a ~winter or autumn color

[normal-thoughts-official]

Do you have any hcs for Magnus taking ppl to pride for the first time? I kinda feel like he’d act as a guide for others, making sure everyone feels safe and happy during their first time. Like, I can picture him bringing daylighter Raphael out for the first time, showing Meliorn around (bc even though they’ve been around for a while, the Seelies don’t really do human stuff) and holding Alec’s hand while he looks around in amazement.

well surprise surprise this got very long. bet y’all never saw that coming

ok so i particularly love this ask because like, the idea of meliorn going to pride for the first time is a riot and i adore it

like seelie society has developed completely independently from mundane society in every way, hell, it existed before humans did. so there's absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe that their culture even has the concepts of gender of sexuality, and believing that it would be the same as modern western ones is just straight up anachronistic tbh

so like personally i hc that seelie society has no gender (and therefore no concept of sexuality in the way that we see it), so the idea of pride- doesn't even make sense to them, cuz there's no concept of these identities, much less a history of oppression that would bring forward the need to celebrate their resistance like there currently is

so meliorn would want to go just to like, see what that's like and what's it all about. and the whole time they're just following Magnus around and like, taking notes. hm, interesting, what is this trans thing again? ah yes, people who dont think their personality matches the one mundanes believe would be brought by their genitals. hm. fascinating. and Magnus is just like, laughing loudly and it's the best pride he's ever been to, because he knows how ridiculous queerphobia and cishetnormativity are, but meliorn can make that so clear in their words in a way thats just, like, fantastic to hear, you know? and they dont even mean to, but it's great all the same

plus meliorn actually does feel good because a lot of people look at them and smile broadly or even wave, especially younger people who are just like, in awe of them and Magnus, who are so unapologetically gnc and indisputably beautiful, and looking at them is just like, inspiring, you know? and Meliorn has never felt this admired and appreciated and they dont even fully understand why, they're just walking around in their usual clothing and leaf makeup and everyone is just like, in love with them. and it's nice. they can tell there's an edge of sadness to the whole thing, like how their normal everyday existence seems to be so shocking and refreshing for these people, but mostly they feel good about it

later they bring their findings to the other seelies - you know, the ones who dont usually leave the realm and are way less familiar with mundane culture(s) than they are - and the others are like. shut up. there's no way this is real. the shape of their genital defines what wavelength they are supposed to find appealing? this makes no sense. and meliorn's like "idk what to tell u buddy i literally physically can't lie" and they're like surely this is an elaborate prank

but anyway it's fun and nice and they enjoy it greatly and ask Magnus a lot of questions, and Magnus loves going with them more than anyone else because its just so fun and the way this is completely unnatural to them feels refreshing - Magnus doesnt have to explain why he feels the way he feels, for once, but rather he has to explain why people dont get that, and thats a good change tbh

okay onto other ppl im sorry for this tangent djdndjdndk RAPHAEL YES. god i just. okay i love the mental image of Magnus taking Raphael to pride aaaaaaaa

like okay first of all so many layeRS to make this emotional, okay. the fact that he's now a daylighter and can enjoy being out in the sun, the fact that this is a bright costumed parade and it kinda reminds him of the día de los muertos parade and makes him feel at home, the fact that he gets to celebrate and meet other ace ppl - just, so many good things going on here dundidmdi

and Raphael was kinda unsure about going because 1- pride can get pretty sexual at times, and while he gets it and doesn't mind other people's business, he doesn't want to be hit on or participate in that; 2- big crowd makes senses go craycray and it can get very overwhelming and he's scared of overload, plus it's just not his scene in general with huge parties and such. but a part of him does want to go and he's torn, so of course Magnus is immediately like "oh dear, don't worry, i can take you, i'll make sure it's good" and Raphael is like okay

so Magnus takes him and it's :') nice, because as always he’s just so attentive. disclosure i’ve only ever been to the São Paulo pride so i’m gonna go with how it works in here but im assuming it’s not that different in like, other places. also São Paulo currently has the biggest pride parade in the world along with NYC so you know, i think it’s influential at the very least

anyway so he finds a section that’s led by ace pride groups, one that’s considerably small (in number of ppl) and spacious, and it’s. nice. very nice. magnus makes it a point to paint the ace pride colors on raphael’s face (we deserve raphael in makeup tbh) and raphael is all like “it’s fine, it’s not like i’ll want to draw a lot of attention” (like he isn’t wearing the ace flag colors already) and magnus is like hush, let me have this, i want my boy to have a good pride experience. so raphael lets him and hides his smile and lets him, and it’s. cute okay

also idk why but i have the mental image of raphael seeing some other latino guy with some sign like. “i’m not your fetish” or something of the sort, and kind of tearing up because his whole life he’s been seen as this kind of sexual fantasy that couldn’t not be about sex, much less not be interested in it, and he feels seen. and it’s nice, okay

and as promised it’s not too overwhelming in matters of like people, tactile issues and such (there’s little magnus can do about the noise other than spell raphael to decrease his sensitivity so he doesn’t get overwhelmed, which is not ideal because it makes communication a bit harder between them, but he does it anyway if raphael asks him to), and if raphael gets tired, they can always turn into a corner and take a portal back home and cuddle the post-crowd jitteriness away. so it’s a success. and raphael hugs magnus later and thanks him and says that it was so great, that he’s missed this, the energy and the colors and the sun, and he never thought he’d get to have it again, and he did thanks to magnus. and magnus hugs him back and tells him “anything for you, my boy,” and it’s the sweetest thing okay im emo

also okay this still falls under Raphael and Meliorn but the POLYCULE okay, or at least saiaphaeliorn. like sign me the fuck up for the 4 of them together at pride, meliorn and magnus helping make some cute pride-themed makeup on the other 3, just aaaaaaaaa. maia looking absolutely gorgeous with her face framed in the bright bi colors, maybe a sunny dress with the trans flag colors? just because i think she’d look so cute in like, a mostly white dress with baby pink and blue details, okay. simon just paints the pan flag on his cheek but it’s still vibrant and cute and it suits him. and ghhghghghg meliorn delicately painting raphael’s face with colorful glitter..... effervescent, okay. just beautiful

and they get to hold hands in public and laugh and crack jokes and simon loves the music and the festival and raphael smiles fondly at him and maia singing along (him and meliorn definitely don’t know what the fuck they’re singing, but it’s okay because they’re clearly happy and that makes the two of them happy too) and just duahsdiahdaiuha soft okay. also they all get to experience meliorn’s takes on the whole thing and it’s fantastic and as usual meliorn gets raphael to laugh until he almost cries, and simon smiles brightly at the sight and gives meliorn a peck for their efforts, and just aaaaaaaa

in short they’re SOFT and i’m SOFT. and look yes i know that usually parades esp big ones are super crowded (lord knows the SP pride parade is an experience) but if in SP with 5 million ppl parading i could find sections with less people where you had enough space to walk holding hands and hear each other and not be overwhelmed, then i’m sure they can too, especially with magic and powers at their disposal. so i’m going to have this

also like. as much fun as this is for magnus (and it definitely is, it’s very nice to get to enjoy to be himself openly, and to bring kids there for their first time, and you know), it’s also bittersweet because like. he was there at stonewall, he was there for the first pride, you know? and apart from the obvious part where he lost so many friends who were there, there’s just. the very bad memories of the riots, because as important as they are and as much as he obviously doesn’t regret them, riots are hard, they are the language of the oppressed. he’s had to magically protect people from being shot by the police, he’s had to withstand trial by the Clave for using magic to shield the people from the tear gas and risking being seen, he’s had to save a lot of lives and he’s failed at it sometimes, too (i’ll always hc that he’s the reason neither Marsha nor Sylvia died during the riots and you can pry that away from my cold, dead hands). and he’s also seen it be whitewashed and lose some of its resistance and meaning, he’s seen Sylvia be booed at a later march when she spoke against imprisonment, and he’s seen so much be lost

and in that sense going to pride with alec later on might be his favorite, because it’s not like, a first time where he’s trying to get everyone to have the most fun they can and shit, you know? plus alec loves watching more than he does participating, he feels way too exposed in the crowded streets with so many openings and whatnot. but watching from a rooftop, where he has the best view, can still hear the sounds and enjoy the colors and the beauty of it from a distance? that’s perfect for him, and it’s a different experience

and magnus sits by his side as they watch, hand in hand, and reminisces about everything that he’s experienced after so many years, all the changes he’s seen, how he feels pride but he also feels loss and he feels old, and he fears what happens if pride’s history is forgotten, you know? and alec listens to him, listens to his version of this story, playing with magnus’ fingers and just enjoying the sound of his voice and the sight. and it’s nice. alec is always super attentive and enjoys hearing him talk and magnus can get lost in his memories unapologetically, you know? and it’s good

but that’s later on, of course, when they’ve already attended plenty together. for alec’s first pride he probably wants it to be like, perfect, so much so that alec has to tell him to slow down again, because of course magnus wants alec to have The Full Pride Experience, but alec would rather soak it up slowly than participate in a lot of stuff, anyway. magnus paints the rainbow flag on his cheek (one of the only occasions alec lets magnus put glitter on him, then promptly complains for the next three months because i swear that stuff is still on my skin, magnus, the other day i found some on my shoes! and magnus laughs at his antics as always and alec is forced to laugh too and can’t even be mad) and they kind of stay more by the end, and alec is kind of smiling in disbelief to himself the whole time as he watches all the colors and the unapologetic way people express their pride, and magnus can’t stop looking at him and grinning, too. and they walk hand in hand and it’s cute

(later, magnus says, see, mundane culture isn’t so bad, is it? and alec looks at him with a way more serious look, full of joy and happiness, and says, no, it isn’t. and kisses him and thanks him for everything, and it’s sweet)

also I'm soft thinking about Magnus reminiscing about planning the first pride along with "his dear friend Brenda" to Alec and/or Raphael, them putting their arms around his shoulder as he tells them the softer stories, too, the good things they did

small bonus: Magnus plays 2 truths and a lie with Simon regarding his memories of past prides, and Simon gets it wrong every time and is all wide eyed by the end, which makes both Magnus and Raphael laugh :)

[lexiseigneur]

Chapter six: Trust

Ao3

Sleeping was a blessing. Her brain ran smoothly and the daily sparring had become enjoyable once more. Energy could be allocated to other matters such as gardening and the occasional drawing. Sometimes, looking over her shoulder to make sure she was alone, she edited Goodweather’s notes further. Adding educated guesses as to the reasons behind Quinlan’s birth.

The price of that rest was that she now owed him. It was on her mind every night as she attempted to fall asleep by herself and quickly gave up. After the tenth night, she had stopped knocking and just quietly slipped to his side. The Dhampir had always been awake and Lexi was convinced that he could hear everything that occurred within the confines of the bunker. Habit stemming from repetition decreased the awkwardness of their shared nights.

His room remained quite empty. Just a chair on which he deposited his clothes and sword. In a corner, the metal trunk. It felt as if he could just grab all his belongings and disappear in an instant. That was probably the thought behind the minimalistic decor.

Lexi and Quinlan leaned above a sturdy table cluttered with various tools.

“It feels wrong to do that.”

The Dhampir paused to look at her then put on his leather gloves.

“May I remind you that this was your idea?”

“I’m not saying we should ditch the plan and kick the Master into a volcano or send him to outer space but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Look at it, it’s beautiful! It’s a work of art.”

Quinlan did not reply. He stared at her for an unnecessarily long moment, scowling. Lexi cleared her throat and he looked away. Without hesitation, he tore the silver cover off the Occido Lumen. Lexi grimaced. She collected the pages and tied them together. With reverence, she deposited them in a wooden box. The Dhampir was already hammering at the thick silver panel. His lips lifted in concentration, revealing the sharpness of his front teeth. After putting the mangled book in Quinlan’s metal trunk, she went back to observe.

Each powerful blow echoed in her chest. He shaped the soft metal into an oval container. At times he stopped to verify that the edges were straight and in the end, he measured its dimensions carefully. Then he repeated the process with the back cover of the book. The two pieces fit snugly into each other. The box was the length and width of his hand. Flattened and deformed engravings ran on its surface.

On the stove, using a cast iron pan, they melted lead wire. The liquefied metal shimmered beautifully. Quinlan poured it on the closed box. Once the first side had cooled, he poured more lead on the other. The result was a misshapen lump that Quinlan filed and cut until smooth. After separating the two pieces, he continued filing until they once again fit together snugly. Both stared at the final result but Lexi left after a while. This was an important moment for him that she did not wish to disturb.

Besides, she had her own work to worry about. And oh boy, did she worry. Lexi sat at her desk. The computer displayed calculations and code developed by the late Dutch Velder. The numbers had finally started making sense and Lexi understood that she had bitten more than she could chew. Quinlan had just finished the box and she could not let him down. She entered other parameters, such as the addition of five normal Strigoi brains. Every single time, the analysis revealed that the jamming device would be useless. She held her face into her hands and whimpered. How she wished for written notes from the hacker herself. She needed to clear her mind. To think fresh about the paradigm presented on the laptop screen. Mortified by her own incompetence in this crucial moment, she swore and ran.

Lexi rushed to the gym, swearing under her breath in French. Quinlan stood another moment with his arms folded over his chest then when the pounding started in the other room, he followed. With a stick, she was striking madly at the sandbag. The heavy object barely moved despite the savagery of her assault. Quinlan grinned at the total inadequacy of her stance and the weakness of each blow.

“That is not how I taught you.” He said.

Lexi glared above her shoulder, dropped the stick and used her bare fists to unleash her frustrations.

“This is…not…a…training session!” She spat back. “LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!”

His years as a teacher made him incapable of ignoring her mistakes. A few more punches and she would probably end up hurting herself. It would delay their progress further. Had she used another tone, he might have tried a more gentle approach.

“Cease this instant.” He ordered and closed the distance between them.

The woman ignored him and he felt a pang of annoyance. Lexi was becoming too comfortable with the idea of disrespecting him. Quinlan caught her arm and pulled her away from the bag. Her knuckles were an angry red and her cheeks and ears flushed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She hissed.

“Preventing you from hurting yourself.”

It was not entirely true. The small body tensed and her gaze turned cold.

“Let go of me. I don’t need you to patronize me.”

Quinlan hesitated. On one hand, there was no rational reason for him to continue holding on but on the other hand, he simply did not want to humor her. His grip tightened. She would calm down and act reasonably. They had crucial work to finish.

Her fist flew to his face, surprising him. Not the punch which had been sloppy and slow but the intention to strike him. His own, much larger hand closed on hers. The corners of her mouth fell but not in disappointment. She was bracing herself as her knee flew up to his crotch. Quinlan avoided it with ease and sneered. Her struggle was pointless but she still fought dirty. Both her arms were clamped firmly in his hands and she attempted to wriggle free.

“Calm yourself.” He chuckled.

Her eyes grew wide and for an instant, he saw how he had just bruised her pride. She scrutinized every part of his body, searching for a non-existent weakness. The hazel eyes zeroed in on his throat. What had she found there? Muscles contracted intensely in her jaw and she grimaced in pain.

The coppery scent of her blood hit him with each of her breaths. Quinlan winced. I am sated, this is nothing. Just this morning he had consumed a bag of blood. But it had been cold, thin and almost tasteless. With the lingering of misery and vitamin deficiency. The sad result of repeated forced bleeding on deprived people. He knew hers was so much more satisfying. Vibrant, warm and healthy.

The tip of her tongue deposited a fat drop of blood at the corner of her mouth. Quinlan froze and his grip faltered. Sensing the opening, she pulled herself free and scrambled out of his reach. Her heart pounded viciously against her ribs and she frowned at him, her chin high in defiance. The drop had made its way down her face and jaw.

Lexi’s anger melted when she saw his third eyelid close briefly. It was now replaced by confusion and apprehension. She glanced at the door then at the Dhampir in her way. Quinlan fully intended on letting her leave but his body reacted instinctively as she ran past him. His arm encircled her shoulders and he sprang to the wall where he pinned her with a thud. Tears were filling her eyes and she had stopped fighting. He calmed himself and forced his stinger to stay within the confines of his mouth. The Dhampir was disgusted at his reaction but most of all, angry at her.

“That was incredibly stupid.” He whispered.

His hand let go of her shoulder and his gaze wandered down to her lips and the pink trail left behind by the drop. It was there, a rich crimson, glistening on her neck like a jewel. With his thumb, he collected it and carried it to his tongue. It was everything he remembered but with the sting of adrenaline. Her heart rate was decreasing and she stood expressionless, staring at his mouth.

“Go clean up. You have work to do.”

Lexi did not rush out as he expected. She took her time to exit the room, enter her own and get the water running in her bathroom. Quinlan felt like yelling or punishing her somehow. The Dhampir shook his head at the memory of her knee swinging at him and his anger diminished. So pointless.

By the time he came back from the kitchen, she was at her desk. His throat radiated heat more than usual after he had filled himself with blood. The woman’s face was controlled and impassive again.

“Quinlan…”

She started, sighed and turned to him.

“I’m sorry.”

He nodded in acceptance and felt deeply satisfied by this turn of event. Quinlan stifled the purr that wanted to creep up. Her eyes narrowed and she stood.

“But…I know you’re stronger than me. You don’t need to demonstrate it.”

His satisfaction turned sour. The desire to purr vanished.

“No. I don’t.” He replied.

He had simply wanted to. Quinlan folded his arms on his large chest and masked his growing irritation. She was not done speaking.

“Once again, I cannot make you do anything but…” She said.

A rattle vibrated in his neck.

“…don’t touch me like that again.”

She turned away from him and sat back down.

“Please.” She added.

Lexi put her headset on and music built a wall around her as she continued working. Quinlan stood still for a long time. He did not need to sit to focus on his thoughts. The scene replayed in his mind over and over again. Was that really just anger in her struggling and her hits? The more he focused on her face in those memories the clearer it appeared. It was rage directed at her helplessness. It was desperation in the ineffective blows that he had found so amusing. Quinlan had toyed with her like a cat with its prey. His reason had been because he could.

Should he then fault her for using the only thing which could have distracted him? Vulnerability was a feeling he had not had to experience in several lifetimes. But guilt was an all too familiar friend. He cringed at the memory of his laughter. It had been mocking of her distress. “You don’t have to be kind…but you don’t need to be cruel.”

Quinlan had been cruel because he did not tolerate disobedience. Because of his ego. As if others, victims of their frailty, were not entitled to their own pride. How puerile. It had been unfair to use his superior strength for his own amusement. It had been a violation. His head fell in shame. Lexi stood and removed her headset. Music still pounded out of the small speakers.

“It works.” She announced without a look in his direction.

Because of the flatness of her voice, the meaning escaped him for a moment.

“Excuse me?” He asked.

“I scraped everything and started from scratch. It means using three devices instead of one but it works. We don’t even need to get more materials, we just divide what we have between the three.”

She closed the laptop and the processor inside shut down with a murmur. The music stopped. Lexi turned to him but avoided his eyes.

“I had the idea while punching the bag.”

Light footsteps headed away and her bedroom door closed shut. What a fool.

For the next week, Lexi had tossed and turned in her bed at night. The sluggishness of sleep deprivation was back and she was making mistakes while drawing the updated schematics and building the devices. Errors were met with a blank stare because caring required too much of an effort. There were no outbursts of frustration or creativity. Quinlan worried that he had taken the only thing which permitted her some peaceful sleep: her trust in him.

On the seventh night, he laid on his bed and listened. She had been stirring for two hours with increasing unrest. The Dhampir scowled when she whimpered. Her footstep smacked the concrete to her door and echoed in the large control room. The woman stood at his door.

He felt a wave of relief until her heartbeat accelerated and the door remained closed. Quietly, she walked back to her own bed. Quinlan growled and jumped to his feet, making himself as loud as possible. He had no intention to startle her but this was becoming too much for him to bear. She sat up when he entered her room. Her expressions were always less controlled in the dark. Did she not realize that he could see her just as clearly as in plain daylight? Lexi’s eyes were wide open and her mouth slightly agape.

“I can help you sleep.” He said.

She chewed her tongue. Quinlan expected a negative retort but she remained quiet. Finally, the woman scooted toward the wall to give him space. He laid with slow and measured movements.

Usually, she would crawl to him in the dark while he did not move a muscle. Quinlan was not quite sure why this time he guided her to his chest. Instead of crossing his fingers on his nape, he put a hand on her shoulder and the other on his core. The fluttering of her heart entered a slow and enthralling rhythm.

Hair tickled the swirls of his neck and he flattened the strands while enjoying their softness. The smell of her skin under the soap and shampoo became very strong and he breathed deeply. He had missed it. Immediately, he felt guilty at the discovery. Was he doing this for his own satisfaction or to help her? She still resented him for that preposterous display of force the week before. His heart accelerated slightly. Quinlan had not apologized for his actions. Pride had not prevented him from making amends. The fear of her rejection had kept him from breaching the subject. Perhaps she would be open to it now.

“That day in the gym…” He whispered.

Lexi tensed which displeased him greatly.

“I apologize. I was cruel to you…. It will not happen again. I promise.”

Her cheek was pressed against his chest and he felt her smile forming. The torment of his own mind lifted instantly. Lexi’s small fist closed tighter on the fabric of his shirt and to his amazement, she nuzzled him before settling down. His sudden satisfaction triggered a low purr from within his throat. She inhaled sharply and put her hand flat above his heart. Then higher toward the pit between his collarbones. Curiosity was pushing her to the source of this rumbling. She pressed lightly against the delicate indentations on his throat. The purr intensified and he found himself enjoying her touch.

The inquisitive digits traced the swirls slowly. Quinlan’ eyes shut and his lips parted. His mind slipped out of his control. For a fraction of a second, he imagined the sensation of her lips on the very skin she was caressing.

Quinlan’s heart went into a frantic rush and the purr subsided. He reached for the offending hand, enclosed it kindly but firmly in his own and deposited it on his chest. He did not let go so she would not be tempted to try that again. The small fist closed on his thumb and his purring started again. It took a minute for him to calm down fully.

When she fell asleep he allowed himself to think about his precarious situation. Letting this happen had been a mistake. Not just her hand on his skin but the very first time she had crawled to him with exhausted and begging eyes.

The end was so very close. He could imagine it so easily in his mind’s eye. All the pieces falling into place. This would just complicate things unnecessarily. He needed to get up, return to his room and refuse her if she ever came again.

Quinlan did not go. Instead, he rested his hand on the smooth skin of her nape. Blood rushed a mere very close but he ignored its appeal and plunged his fingers into the brown strands. It felt rich and warm against his palm. Her scent hit him and he craned his neck toward it. Then he stopped and put his hand back on her shirt. What a fool he was.

The next day, two completed devices laid on the floor of the infirmary and she was working on the third with renewed efficiency. As she had explained, this one would be crucial and would ultimately collect data they might need to improve the system. Quinlan assisted her in holding tools or pieces. The Dhampir stared at the woman and the nature of that gaze filled him with shame. It was the shame of doing something he knew to be wrong but not wrong enough to compel him to stop. She bent above the device while facing him.

“Here and here.” She pointed. “I don’t have the right bit so I have to use a screwdriver. Can you hold it please?”

Quinlan crouched and held a mess of wires and circuitry still while she secured it. The shirt she wore was too large and gaped at the neck. The Dhampir’s eyes widened when he caught a glimpse of her naked skin through the loose collar. He looked down but the view turned more obvious when she shifted to the next screw. Temptation took over and he glanced up again. Her breasts enclosed in a tight bra swayed with every twisting movement. He would detach his eyes in a second… She was busy and would not notice… It was at eye level so he really had little choice… She shifted to the next screw and her arms pressed on each side of her chest. His heart jumped against his ribs. The plastic handle of a screwdriver bumped the top of his head. He looked up into large hazel eyes.

“Focus!” She said while waving the tool in front of his nose.

Then she giggled and continued her work. Quinlan was mortified. The Dhampir had been caught red-handed and the embarrassment stunned him into silence. Lexi looked at his face and whatever she saw there made her laugh out loud.

“Relax, it’s fine!” She said and her smile turned compassionate.

“I…I’m sorry…I…”

He stopped there because he had no justification to offer.

“Well, you’re human too after all.”

Lexi shrugged and placed the next bit of electronics in place. Quinlan smiled at her statement because it gave him hope. He caught himself. Hope for what? That she would ignore his monstrous nature? A mere week ago he had tasted her blood in front of her tearing eyes. That thought twisted his stomach painfully. He regretted that day so very much.

“We can start collecting…heads…soon.” She said taking breaths with each twisting motion.

This was more comfortable territory for him and he relaxed.

“We shall travel far enough to avoid attracting undue attention on this facility.”

She nodded in agreement.

“Maybe we should pick up on the training a little more. So I don’t get myself killed…like a moron.”

Quinlan shifted his weight uncomfortably. Fighting, combat training, tactical planning were all within the range of his comfort zone. Right in the middle, as a matter of fact. However, since that day in the gym and the previous night, the idea appeared more…complicated. Still, she was right.

“Very well.” He said as soon as she had finished with the last screw.

“Very well, what?”

“We can start a training session right now.”

Her brow was shiny with sweat and she was breathing quickly from all this manual labor.

“Now but…?”

“You are tired?” He asked.

“Yes…”

“Good. One rarely starts a fight while feeling completely refreshed.”

Lexi considered his statement and nodded reluctantly. The lesson lasted one hour during which she pushed her body harder than usual. She had made clear progress from that first time three months prior. Still, Quinlan found himself frustrated at her physical weakness. She ate enough to be healthy but not enough to build stronger muscles. He could feel it with each of her blows. For the first time, Quinlan worried not for the sake of the mission, but for her.