#i was bolting past this escalator right by the glass door with the sunlight coming in and i didn’t look back but i felt him running closer

[lonelyangelonlyangel]

.

[bohemian-napsodyy]

Like Real People Do

Summary: Elliot makes a sudden decision to try and get more comfortable with physical contact. Being his closest friend, you’re the one he turns to for help. Inspired by Hozier’s song of the same name

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings: none, I don’t think!

A/N: guys there’s only two weeks until the final season of Mr. Robot and you know what

I haVENT EVEN WATCHED SEASON 2 OR 3 YET

I have 13 days to catch up oh mY GOD

anyway enjoy this little tiny fic while we wait :)

(also Elliot is probably super ooc because as mentioned above I’ve only seen season 1 and that was also only once almost an entire year ago)

Come over.

You practically bolted out your apartment door as soon as you got Elliot’s text. 

The two of you had become close friends ever since you moved into the apartment above him last year. Overtime, you figured out that Elliot had a simple sort of code whenever he was in trouble: he’d text you.

Most of the time he wouldn’t even text you at all. He’d just show up at your door with his hood up and only the slightest smirk on his face as he held out a worn out copy of Back to the Future II and a joint. 

But the times when he did text you, you knew it was his way of asking for help. You’d show up at his apartment to find the poor soul huddled beside his broken radiator, shaking and sobbing so hard he wouldn’t even realize you had come in the door. You weren’t at the point yet where you could just hug him, as much as you really wanted to. So instead you simply sat beside him, whispering little reminders that you were there for him. That things were going to be okay, eventually.

You were preparing yourself for the worst as you rushed downstairs to Elliot’s floor, cursing under your breath as you missed a step and stumbled over your own feet. The image of your best friend curled up in a broken mess made your heart break as you lifted a shaking hand to knock on his door. 

The door whipped open before you could knock twice, and to your surprise Elliot looked... normal.

Well, ‘normal’ in comparison to the previous states you’ve found him in.

“Hey,” you greeted him breathlessly. Elliot nodded at you as he opened the door fully so you could enter.

“Hey.”

There was a thick silence as he shut the door behind you. You were still trembling slightly from the rush of adrenaline that came from running down the stairs. 

“Are you okay?” You asked cautiously, your eyes scanning Elliot and his apartment for anything out of order. You were still in a slight shock from not finding Elliot curled up in a ball, or surrounded by broken glass like that one time last month.

Elliot nodded. You caught him trembling ever so slightly as he raised a hand and ran it through his hair. As he glanced back at you, you noticed the anxiety that suddenly filled his eyes, and you immediately went on high alert.

“Did you need anything?” You asked in a rush. “I’ve got Tylenol upstairs if you need it, and I also got some Nyquil last week and it really helps me sleep if you want to try it-”

“Y/N-”

“Or if you have to stay up, you know, for work, I could grab you a coffee?” You continued. “I think the place down the street is open late, I-”

“Y/N, could you... could you do me a favour?”

“Yeah, anything.”

Elliot inhaled a shaky breath. He ran his hands through his hair once again. Your heart began to race, you could practically feel the anxiety pulsating off of him in waves.

“Just... stand still.”

“What?” You weren’t expecting that. Elliot took a tentative step towards you as your mind attempted to process what was going on with your best friend today.

“Elliot, what-”

He held up a hand to stop you, and the severity that darkened his eyes made your breath hitch in your throat.

“Stay there! Don’t move.”

You watched as Elliot faded for a moment, disappearing into his thoughts for a split second before coming back to the present. As he took one final, almost tentative, step towards you, it seemed as if he was at war with himself.

“Y/N, you’ve helped me so much,” Elliot began, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You see me for who I am, and you never expect me to try to change. I feel... comfortable... with you.”

Your heart picked up its pace as you tried your best to maintain eye contact with Elliot. Normally he was the one who had trouble keeping his gaze still. Often when you spoke, Elliot would often shift his gaze back and forth between your eyes and the floor. Now it seemed the roles had reversed.

“I’ve been thinking for a while now, and I finally decided,” Elliot continued. “I want to try something.”

Lost for words, all you could muster was a small nod to encourage him to continue.

“Y/N, can I... can I touch you?”

You gaped at him, your wide eyes mirroring his own as you attempted to process what Elliot just asked you.

“Uh,” You stammered. You could feel the heat rising rapidly to your cheeks. Elliot had never held eye contact with you for this long before, and you couldn’t shake the effect it was having on you.

“Y-yeah, I guess. Um,” You cleared your throat, hoping to shake off your sudden nerves. “Go for it, knock yourself out. Oh god, that sounded really bad, I mean yeah, sure-”

You trailed off as Elliot suddenly closed the distance between the two of you. He scanned your features, almost as if he were a computer analyzing you. His gaze dropped down to your hands, and your heart picked up its pace as Elliot reached out and very slowly took your hand in his.

His hands were so warm.

You had almost never touched him until now, and you always expected he’d be cold like his apartment. But the feeling of his hand in yours, as gentle and warm as sunlight, made your breath hitch in your throat. 

You watched as Elliot trailed his hands past your wrists up your arms to rest on your shoulders. You could really feel him shaking now. His jaw clenched as he fought to keep his hands still.

“Elliot, you don’t have to do this if you’re not comfortable.” You whispered gently, afraid to make any sudden movements in fear of scaring him away. “You can stop.”

“No.” Elliot answered, his eyes flickering back to meet yours. All the signs of nervousness you had seen in his eyes moments ago were gone, without a trace. 

“I want to do this. I can do this.”

Before your mind could argue twice with you about it, you reached up to your shoulders to place your hand reassuringly over his own. Elliot’s hands were shaking now, but he didn’t flinch.

“Okay,” You encouraged with a nod. “Okay.”

Moments after you dropped your hands to your sides, Elliot’s hands continued their course upward. They were on your neck now, and he must’ve felt your breath as it hitched in your throat, because Elliot immediately ripped his hands away as if you were on fire.

“I’m sorry.” He said quickly. His hands were trembling more than before. You shook your head.

“No, that was me.” You answered breathlessly. “I just, I wasn’t expecting you to do that all of a sudden, but I’m okay.” You nodded to emphasize your point. 

“You can continue, El. I’m okay.”

Elliot reached up with only one hand this time, tracing his fingertips over your jaw, and up to your cheek. It took everything inside you to maintain your composure and not fall into a puddle on the floor right there.

Elliot traced every single one of your features, across your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, and you noticed the trembling in his hands was fading. The silence was so strong in the room, it seemed as though your hearing had been amplified tenfold. You could hear Elliot’s quiet shaky breathing, as well as your own. 

You stopped breathing altogether when you felt Elliot begin to gently trace the outline of your lips. His fingertips were feather light, barely even there, but it was enough for you to know in your heart that you wanted him as more than a friend.

You had been wanting him for a while now, but you had suppressed those feelings so far down because you knew with someone like Elliot, relationships were probably a big no.

And yet, standing here stock-still as Elliot continued to run a finger gently over the shape of your lips, you never wanted him to stop. 

“Y/N.”

“Hm?” Was all you could manage to get out.

“I can touch you, right?”

You nodded, unsure of what he meant by his question. What was this, then?

Elliot’s gaze flickered from your eyes down to your lips, and back up again. It was a pattern he kept repeating, one that knocked all your breath right out of you.

Before you could register what was happening, Elliot suddenly pulled you towards him, closing all distance between the two of you. His lips were on yours, trembling and rushed yet in control all at once.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

Elliot was kissing you. 

You couldn’t help yourself as you looped your arms around his neck and pulled him closer, if that even possible. He continued to kiss you feverishly, as if the world were about to end any moment now.

Just as things were beginning to escalate, Elliot pulled away and rested his forehead against your own.

“Why’d you stop?” You asked breathlessly, your mind still reeling at the thought of what just happened.

“Are you real?” Elliot asked you, his tone heavy.

“What, Elliot of course I’m real.”

“Are you real?” Elliot demanded once again, his hands moving to either side of your face urgently. “Please, tell me now.”

You gaze softened as you realized what Elliot was going through. He was thinking you were an illusion. Something too good to be true that he could never have. 

“Elliot, I’m real,” You assured him with a small smile. “I promise.”

“Prove it.” His entire body was trembling now, this was urgent. 

“Um,” You searched your mind for something you could use as proof.

“You came over to my apartment last week,” You began slowly. “You brought over a bag of chips, sour cream and onion I think, and I asked you what movie you wanted to watch. You didn’t really care, so I chose The Karate Kid-”

You were cut off as Elliot kissed you once again. Hard.

There were tears in his eyes, and you pulled him in for a hug.

Your first hug since the two of you met.

“I’m here,” You whispered slowly. “I’m real, Elliot. I’m real.”

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips, We should just kiss like real people do.

[hullabamoo]

Pairing: Medusa/MC

Rating: PG-13

Author’s notes: Just wanted to add one lil thing to the newest special

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The last hours of sunlight faded away in the company of her friends. Medusa lost track of the number of cups poured for her, the toasts endless once they got started. Her tolerance served her well, however, as did the glasses of water Eryn periodically passed her. A hungover wedding might be tradition, but she be damned if a headache kept her from fully enjoying Claire in her dress. She could only hope Claire survived the night as well, but the increasing wildness of her texts was starting to make her worry.

Speaking of--Medusa snagged her vibrating phone, unlocking it with a swipe of her thumb. Someone shifted into the barstool next to her as she chuckled at the newest picture. A blurry image of Cyprin and May, decked out in the most ridiculous outfits and clutching microphones on an equally decorated stage. The caption only said 'save me’, and before Medusa could type a reply another picture came through, this one of a bright red Claire as she lunged for whomever had stolen her phone.

"Looks like she's having fun."

Medusa hummed in agreement, tilting the screen so Scylla could better see. "Half her department is there. They rented out a club so they could drink and not have to worry about anyone seeing some stray aura while they perform."

"So you're telling me--" Charybdis appeared before them, bottle in one hand and shot glass in the other, "--that your bride-to-be is currently in a private club full of drunk H.E.R.A. agents?"

The glint in her eye made Medusa tense, the smirk she shared with Scylla too familiar for her to ignore. "I suppose that's true."

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yeah, but you're the one who gets to convince her."

"Convince me of what," Medusa asked, eyes darting between her two oldest friends.

Charybdis' grin turned wicked, shot disappearing down her throat before she dropped the glass onto the bar. "All I'm saying is we've got a bar full of drunk gangsters and there's hardly a better sendoff we can give our retired leader than one last raid."

"We couldn't. Claire and I aren't supposed to see each other until-"

"The day of your wedding, which," Scylla pushed up her sleeve and checked the rolex bound around her wrist, "doesn't start for another hour."

"The subway wouldn't get us there in time."

"We've got two DDs and vans in the parking lot. Meant to have them drive everyone home at the end of the night, but this will be more fun."

"There are a least two demigods with her. Not to mention another fifteen or so agents."

"And they're drunk off their asses, just like we are."

"That's not a point in our favor." Brow furrowing, Medusa tried to form a mental layout of the club from the scattered pictures Claire had sent. Cyprin and Persephone were the most recognizable threats, but more than one agent Claire worked with had an aura. Not to mention her fiancee's own power.

"Oooh, she's thinking about it."

Medusa blinked, the haze lifting as she refocused on the present. "Even if I am, it's a horrible idea."

"It's the best idea!" Charybdis cackled, waving a hand in the air to catch Prime's attention. "C'mon, don't you want to sweep your girl off her feet one more time before the big leap?"

Though she loathed to admit it, Charybdis had a point. It would all be in good fun, and the gang's current state would ensure the violence didn't get out of hand. Plus it would give her another chance to see Claire before the morning.

"Alright, let's do it."

Charybdis' whoop of glee drew the attention of almost everyone in the bar. The rest turned their heads when she clambered up onto the bar, bottle raised high in the air as she shouted. "Alright you lazy fuckers, we're ending this party right!"

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

With everyone aware of the ticking clock, it was barely ten minutes later that they had the participants chosen and piled into a van. Charybdis, Scylla, and Prime were obviously along for the ride, but Medusa's sisters had bowed out on the excuse of their past trouble with H.E.R.A.. The three others who had come had once been Medusa's trusted lieutenants, and she knew they wouldn't let the fight escalate beyond bumps and bruises.

Despite the alcohol flooding their veins, everyone was on alert as she passed out what details she knew. Charybdis' grin only grew when she explained Cyprin's and Persephone's auras, her hand shooting in the air when Medusa asked who wanted them.

"Prime and I can keep them busy, no problem."

Scylla shook her head, a quick glance telling Medusa they were on the same page. "That would end with the building collapsing on top of us. We need small group tactics, not a straight up brawl."

"Agreed. This is a speed run, with one target and one goal." Finger drumming against her cheek, Medusa let the pieces float in her mind, the puzzle coming together in bits. "Claire will be near the stage and we'll be coming in from the back. That's a lot of people we'll have to get through to reach her. Unless we go around them."

"Unless we send you around them, you mean." Grin just as toothy and wild as her girlfriend's, Prime pounded a fist into her palm. "There's bound to be an exit by the stage. We'll keep everyone busy while you slip around and grab her from behind."

Everyone nodded, knuckles and necks cracking as they readied themselves. Medusa let them hash out the details of who would move where, and when they would pull back. When the driver called out a five minute warning, she pulled her phone out and set the alarm, the others following suit when they noticed.

"Twenty minutes to get in, get your girl, get out, and get gone. Not the tightest timetable we've had." Scylla straightened her tie and pulled on her jacket, wisps of purple light shedding from its surface. She was the first out when the van jerked to a halt, holding the sliding door open as everyone else piled out. The driver took off as soon as Medusa's shoes hit the pavement, and she settled herself into the middle of the pack as they made their way into the club.

A bouncer stepped out of the shadows when they approached the door. "Sorry ladies, private party."

"We know." Charybdis smirked, lock of hair curling around her finger. "That's why we're here."

"Name?"

"The other bride."

He blinked, then glanced about their little group. When his gaze settled on Medusa, she raised a brow and crossed her arms, refusing to look away until he did.

"Alrighty then. Make sure you don't wreck the sound equipment. There'll be an extra clean-up fee too."

Charybdis all but threw her credit card at him, shouting, "Charge it!" as she pushed past him into the club. The distant thump of music lead them through a darkened hallway and into an open room. A bartender looked at them curiously when they filed in, but they disappeared the second after Prime pressed a large bill into their hand. Keeping to the shadows, everyone began to fan out along the back wall, eyes on the tables full of cheering people. Medusa picked out Claire immediately, her table front and center by the stage where Persephone belted out some cheery pop song.

About to call out an order, Medusa froze when the lights went out and Persephone spun on her heel. The music lulled into a quiet beat, but she missed her cue to sing as she gawked at the crowd lurking in the back of the room. Understanding dawned on her face when she picked out Medusa, inhale audible through the microphone as she thrust a finger towards them and shouted.

"Intruders! Protect the bride!"

Chaos followed as the agents reacted on instinct, tripping out of their chairs as they stumbled to catch up to what was going on. Medusa had barely a second to note Cyprin's position before Charybdis and Scylla stepped in front of her. Fists wreathed in purple, they shouted a warning before the air exploded with light.

A myriad of butterflies cut through the aura flashbang, but Medusa was already gone by the time Persephone leapt into the fray. She hugged the wall, moving in time to the gangster's flashy attacks. Several agents were already groaning on the floor, but they still outnumbered her crew and Cyprin had yet to move from their spot near Claire. By the time Medusa reached the stage they'd moved only a foot away, stag hovering by Claire's side as the doe raced around harassing Scylla's octopus.

Pegasus thrummed under her skin, ready to charge at the demigod's unprotected side. But Medusa held back, wary of the golden sparks flickering in the air. Claire might've looked ready to topple from her perch on her chair, but Medusa had learned more than once how quickly she could call her shield once she felt Pegasus' presence.

"You picked the wrong party to crash!" Claire shouted, laughing as another explosion of aura rocked the room. "Take them all down!"

Medusa sucked in a breath, the world narrowing to the flush of her fiancee's cheeks and the elation lighting up her eyes. Distracted by the stall of her heart, she nearly missed Prime's signal as she rushed forward, aura splitting into three and headed straight for Cyprin.

The move put her square in the center of the agents, surrounded on all sides with Cyprin striking for her front. What it also did, however, was draw enough attention for Medusa to slip, unnoticed, closer. By the table now, she debated the merits of simply lunging and bolting, when a sudden pulse of golden light made her stumble.

Claire raised her arm, golden bubble pulsing around her hand before it exploded outwards. The shield rushed through all the combatants, stalling their auras and forcing the gangsters back.

"You're not taking me! Surrender your leader now and maybe we'll--ah!"

Arm locked around Claire's waist, Medusa hauled her over her shoulder and bolted for the door. Her ears rung with Claire's startled shriek, but she shook it away as she charged through the stage exit and down the hallway. When silver intruded on the edge of her vision she swung her free arm backward, sending Pegasus charging towards whomever had chased them.

Her laughter accompanied the bang of the door as they broke into the night air. Claire squirmed in her grasp, half-shouting and half-laughing as she pounded on her back. Medusa just laughed harder and held tight as she raced through the streets, not slowing till they'd reached the cover of a small park.

Claire pushed out of her arms the moment she loosened her grip. Landing on her feet, she clapped her hands over her eyes and turned her back. "Medusa! We're not supposed to see each other!"

Still riding the high of victory, Medusa dug her phone from her pocket and draped herself over Claire's back.

"We have about five minutes before that rule takes effect."

"We-" Claire spun on her heel, snagging Medusa's wrist and turning it so she could see the screen. "Did you seriously-I cannot believe you!"

Her hands fisted in Medusa's collar and she dragged her down for a kiss deep enough to dispel any thought of her being upset. Medusa stumbled at the sudden jerk, but her attempt to steady herself on Claire's waist just made them both stagger. They broke into laughter, noses brushing as they clung to one another.

"You're an absolute dork," Claire said when Medusa's phone let out a warning beep.

The squeal of tires interrupted her retort and Medusa settled for a kiss instead as a van came roaring into view. "See you tomorrow?"

"You damn well better."

"Not even the gods could keep me away."

"Boss! Let's go!" Scylla shouted as she slid open the van door. "We're out of time!"

Claire laughed as Medusa winked and bolted for the vehicle, calling out as she ran. "Love you!"

"Love you too!" She shouted back, one foot in the van and hand on the panic handle. A blown kiss made Claire giggle and clap a hand over her mouth, their eyes staying locked until the door slid shut just in time for Medusa's alarm to go off.