rcsesnoir

[rcsesnoir]

MAGGIE ISN'T JUST ANY kind of woman. hell, sometimes she doesn't feel like a woman at all. she is explosive. breaking through the fabric of time. but there are times -- especially like this one, when she is tired of fighting. and for some reason, she finds herself compelled to open herself up in front of willem. bare her soul. but her sensibilities get the better of her. she continues to hold the strong facade she bares together. it's not just because it's easier that way, but because it's all she's ever known.

at first, she's silent. manuvering slowly, as if she's a member of the undead. as if her feet are engulfed in quicksand. but, she eventually finds the chair in the corner of the room -- before adjusting it to his bedside. even if her vision is hazy. engulfed in the overwhelm.

as numb as she's always been, moving through life -- in this moment, she feels so much. perhaps because she has never allowed anyone to know her quite like he does. just some bruises. he says it so casually, but she sees it playing in her mind -- if things could have gone differently. even if she thanks every second that it didn't, she can't escape the thought.

" finn's fine. " she nods quietly, placing a hand on one of the railings of his bedside as she tries to collect her thoughts. silence her mind, even if it's just for five fucking seconds. and yet, it screams louder than ever. " he didn't even want to go in the first place. barely looked up from his video game. " she pauses, before an exhale turns into nervous laughter. " i should have chucked that console against the wall a long time ago. but, apparently it's trendy to tune out from the world at that age. pretend your parents don't exist. "

again, she's silent. before the words finally come. and they spill over before she can make sense of them.

“ you don’t get to do that. die on me. “ she whispers, nearly choking on the emotions that threaten to betray her. “ i need to go first. “

Willem sees the expression on her face and immediately swallows the quip at the end of his tongue - at least take him out to dinner first, he wanted to say, but the nurse was still eyeing the pair of them furtively, her own doubts clear as day.

Despite Maggie's blunt tone, he was certain her words carried the weight of emotions she wouldn't, would never, name. At least not to him. Willem was only privy to glimpses of her past, a odd constant in her present days, so he could only draw his own quiet, private conclusions at her current state of mind.

"Just some bruises." He spoke lightly, thew in a disarming grin for good measure. "And...perhaps a little token head injury. But the CT scan was clear, so I'm right as rain." He hastily tacked on the last sentence, wanting to ease rather than add to her worries.

"How about Finn? Is he at home? Safe?" Some may have considered his lack of overwhelming panic a sign that he truly did not care for the kid, but if there was one thing Willem knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt - Maggie would not be here, darkening his doorstep, if her beloved nephew was hurt or injured.

He understood, intimately, the weight of some priorities over others. It's why he believed they got along so well.

[rcsesnoir]

WHENEVER SHE FINDS HERSELF taking someone under her wing -- she's often mystified by the concept they find themselves liking her. appreciating her company. she hasn't exactly wanted to be liked. more than anything, she just wanted to survive. however, subconciously, it was comforting for her to know that someone else was in her corner.

even if she finds herself puzzled by him. how his kindness comes so easily -- even if the world has been anything but to either of them.

while she knows that some may have been sarcastic about the ordeal, that he was so wlling to run into the fray to save his friends ( even if she too found the aimlessness concering ) -- there was a part of her that found it admirable. " don't take that mindset seriously, you hear me? no matter how strong any of us are, none of us are invincible. " after a moment, she gives him a nudge, her tone pivoting in a teasing direction. " except for me. "

of course, maggie takes a moment to ponder. how is she, really? " i'm... keeping my head on a swivel. perhaps it was far too hopeful that whoever the fuck this shadow is would stay gone. "

Freddie has come to find himself liking Maggie - but then again, who does Freddie not like ? He is someone who is attracted to people, blinded by his own naivety to accept that some may not be as good as they appear.

He’s sure that’s not the case with maggie, though.

As he stands in line at get baked, waiting for the same thing he orders every week ( a cinnamon bun and iced latte - his sisters favourite order and one he takes to visit her every Saturday ) the familiar voices addresses him. He can’t even find it in himself to be frustrated about yet another person bringing up his actions at the festival. “ yeah, yeah, I’m fine - you know me. I’m like the terminator I am, nothing can defeat me. ” he says with a bright smile, “ what about you? You alright? ”

[rcsesnoir]

WHEN IRIS CARES, SHE cares deeply. with every bone in her body. so when moments like these happen -- it feels like she's being crushed. her people are hurt, and she has no control in what happens next. if they're saved. and while she knows this, she struggles to truly believe it. that there's not something she can do. the weight had been sitting on her chest throughout her entire stay in the waiting room. her smile is gentle at the mention of food. " that's definately fair... a good place to start. " iris smiles, in her usual understanding way. even in hard times, being understanding is reflexive. however, she used to believe she was too much so. there are people in this world who don't deserve your gentle heart, even if you're anything but when you have a screen to protect you. " the second you get out of here though -- burgers and a milkshake. it's happening. on me. " while in this moment she's often place a hand on her friend's shoulder -- she's well aware that she's just emerged in the aftermath.

fuck. if there was any time to sugarcoat it, it was now. but then again, if she did and stella learned of this -- she knew she'd never hear the end of it. " don't blame yourself. i'm begging you. please. " iris whispers. she needs to rest. the last thing she needs is to be kept awake until the sun rises, questioning what could have been. what she could have done. even if her heart tugs in disagreement, knowing she had spent hours wondering how she could have protected henry and stella. henry was their leader. and while her recent promotion -- so was she. " it wasn't your fault. " she whispers, finally finding it within herself to take stella's hand in hers. " do you hear me? none of this was your fault. "

Stella smiles at the gesture, the warmth of the sentiment cheering her much more than she can convey in her features. The morphine makes her sluggish, her body only allowing her enough energy for the most necessary of movements. Still, her lips tug into a faint curve, and she hopes that's enough. "You know, I'm actually not sure..." she frowns, her eyes glancing to the food tray attached to her bed, noticeably bare. As if her stomach has been privy to the conversation it rumbles, and she suddenly feels ravenous, like the past 24 hours has finally caught up with her. Still, the thought of a burger makes her roil with nausea. "I might have to start with something bland first. Maybe a bagel or a croissant, and work my way back up to a burger with you." Another feeble smile. What Stella really craves is the tomato soup her Mom used to make. Her Mom. Is she here? Her brother?

She has so many questions for Iris but they all die with the revelation. Thick and regretful, hanging suspended in the air. "Six?" Stella croaks, heat prickling at the corners of her eyes. six people she couldn't reach because her mind and body had failed her when she needed it most. She hadn't been paying enough attention to the stall, clearly groaning a warning to her before it fell. She hadn't been strong enough to wrestle herself out of its grasp. And six people had paid the price. She tries to swallow the braided knot of guilt but she can't. It persists and strangles, and Stella has to bite down on her tongue to stifle a sob. "Who?" Give me the faces, the names, she thinks. I deserve to be haunted.

[rcsesnoir]

IF THERE WAS ANYONE who knew the complicated relationship between anger and death, it was oxana. she had fought tooth and nail -- bore her teeth, desperate to keep away danger and keep her head above water. to keep herself from getting hurt. that's why she didn't let people get too close either. the ghost riders had initially been a mans for protection -- so someone else could watch her back and so she could raise her sister. but being a part of them had also allowed her to learn how to feel. which brought along the fear of having someone to lose. oxana may have not known adeline explicitly outside of some work -- but, she knew the way jason had felt compelled to protect her. and the inevitable self-sabatoging guilt. blaming himself for an instance he could not control.

her eyebrows raise at the mention of the whiskey. " i don't know how my nurse would feel about us downing the whole bottle -- but a shot wouldn't hurt. " even sitting in the hospital, she was still absorbing the situation. that she had just pushed out two children, and they were very much real. " i can't tell you how much i've missed our nights out. me, you and zak. " it was funny, because on one of those -- the tide had shifted. she knew she needed to be safe, stay out of sight until her children were home safe, but she couldn't deny that her usual stubborn nature had been clawing at her.

oxana soon moved over to make space for jason, happy to see even some form of joy on his face. the comment from the father of her children -- while her eyebrows raise, this does make her laugh. after a moment, she feigns examining his eyes closer. " well -- you've got to squint. " she teases, giving him a gentle nudge. opening her phone, she scrolls through the list of apps, she soon finds the photos. every time she sees their faces, even in photographs, she melts. " look at this... zak holding irina. "

Jason wouldn't have been able to describe it if he tried, not even with a gun pressed to the back of his skull — describe the thoughts that wracked his mind or the heaviness that weighed on him let alone articulate them out loud. But knowing Oxana was in his corner was enough for him. And perhaps in time, he could make sense of it all to her. But for now, her worried glint was met with a pointed look and a haphazard shrug, waving it all off as not a big deal. Because it was. There were way more important things for her to focus on.

"Yeah, 'course I'm sure and if anythin' we can just crush this bad boy instead." Jason suggested, gesturing towards the push present with just the nod of his chin. The pause that followed was a deliberate one allowing for a moment of debate as to whether or not he was being serious or not, stretching in the silence until Jason shook his head to confirm that he was mostly kidding. "Only messin' around."

Oxana's question had his attention shifting back to where it should have been all along on her and the twins —  his god children and one of the two reasons he'd gotten Dilan and himself out of that damn carnival and to the hospital in the the first place. "Hell yeah I wanna see 'em." Jason practically jumped at the chance, the closest thing to smile at his lips. "Zak says they got my eyes."

[rcsesnoir]

FRANKLY, OXANA FOUND HERSELF reflecting on the people in her life as of late. when she arrived in the city, she had not a single other soul in this world but her sister. she had never had a best friend that wasn't blood. but then again, the way oxana felt about brooklyn -- she may as well be. there are very few people in this world who she'd go to the ends of the earth for. " and the twins were early. they decided they had to come out... fought like hell. if we're talking on par... we can add that to the list. " whenever oxana was paid a compliment, especially for her birth process -- she found herself feeling bashful, an emotion that had taken many different shapes over the years. " it's setting in... slowly but surely. that they're really here. " the same could be said for the fact that her friends were alive and well. she thought another person was about to be ripped from her. " ...there's more than the note, i just thought i had more time to set it all up. " she gestures for the other woman to sit at the chair positioned beside her bed. " when i was thinking about a person i trust without a doubt... you're the first person i think of. you always have been. "

Brooklyn shook her off, "Yeah, but you know me, I'm always late to something, so this is pretty on par anyway," and that was true, her time management skills could use some major improvement. "I bet you are, mama. You did a lot of hard work today." Brooklyn said as she settled into the chair next to her. "We are all gonna be okay, they are next on my list to check on, but seriously I'm fine, just tripped trynna get away." It was a little white lie, she was thrown a little bit in the blast, not enough to do much more damage than it did. "It's okay, really. I loved my note, I'm very excited to be apart of this."

[rcsesnoir]

HE HAD BEEN VUNERABLE. it had been something she had so desperately wanted out of him -- needed, even, but he hadn't been willing to give it. and this girl had ripped the carpet right out from under him. anyone would be heartbroken by such a betrayal. perhaps it's why iris hadn't found it within herself to settle down, to get serious with anyone after him. even if she and nico had their closure, she was terrified of getting hurt again. even if it wasn't by him. after a moment, iris slowly takes the bottle from his hands. " if anything's going to come back and fuck you in the ass tomorrow, it's this. " she mutters, accompanied by a quiet confidence. after a moment she stands, placing the bottle on her kitchen counter, across the room. " water. that's where we'll start. " she founds the corner into her kitchen, thankful for the open floor plan of the shoebox she called home. she could see him from here. once she's seated next to him again, she releases a shaken exhale. " you really care about her, don't you? adeline. " she mutters, placing the glass in front of him. " i'm sorry. i only knew her in passing... but she was always kind to me. that's a rare thing.. in our world. " a hand comes to rest on his shoulder again. " we don't have to say anything, but.. i mean it when i say i'm not going anywhere. okay? "

Nico shook his head, "No... yes." He let out an exhaled. It wasn't that simple. "I found out about her, then I told her... not my finest moment." He said as he brought the bottle back to his lips. "Kinda fucked myself on the ass there." What was there to do? He wasn't even sure anymore. All he ever knew was pain and loss and right when things were starting to feel whole again, it was ripped from his grasp. This is why he kept people at a distance, didn't let them in. "I don't know." He exhaled as he looked up at her, he didn't know what he needed, what he wanted. "I was there. They wouldn't let me see her."

[rcsesnoir]

MIRAY IS NEVER HURRIED. that's the first thing nasrin notices. her cousin is always deliberate, stratigic in not only the way she moves, but the way she speaks. something is wrong. something has occured that has the ability to shake even her. therefore, she's silent. and she waits, with bated breath. however, what she hears is the last thing she expects. it takes a moment for the knowledge to process. she's pregnant. she's going to be an aunt, again. of course she's excited -- excited beyond belief. however, she notices the worry creasing miray's features. thus, a conflicted reaction. " hey... " she begins, gripping her hand. " are you happy? " after a pause, she uses her free hand to wrap the other woman in an embrace. " because no matter what, i'm always in your corner. if you ever doubt that, then i've done something seriously wrong. "

The second they were sat down, Miray started speaking, barely stopped for breath in between the words. “Nothing… happened per say. Well I guess technically something happened. I just have something I need to tell you and I should have told you so much sooner but I needed to tell Liam first and I just couldn’t find the right time to tell him but I finally did so now I need to tell you because I tell you everything.” She took a breath finally realising she hadn’t done that since she started speaking. “Nasrin I’m pregnant.” She said and finally shut up, waiting to see what her cousins reaction was going to be to the news.

[rcsesnoir]

WHILE HE'S FOUND HIMSELF wondering this many a time -- he can confidently say that he's never been so completely enamoured with another living soul. before freddie, sex had been merely transactional. but when there's a connection -- one so deep that it transends space and time... he doesn't even have the words to discribe how powerful it is. how deeply freddie is woven into his bloodstream, the way his heart jumps every time he looks at him. eyes drift downward as he notices the movement of freddie's hand -- he's touching himself. he has yet to be completely unclothed, and the man he loves is already touching himself out of desperation.

i want everyone to know, i want everyone to know that i'm yours. oh freddie, you don't know how deeply elias feels the same. even when there's present danger -- the need to hear his name fall from his lips -- echo against the trees. " look at you.... you can't even wait, hm? " a pause soon comes, as he admires the sight. his fingers tangle in his hair, his grip tightening around those golden locks he had come to know so well. that i'll never be anyone else's again. those words get to him. fingers soon trail across his left cheek, before wandering underneath his chin. " look at me. " he commands. " say it again. " he angles himself closer, realizing in that moment just how desperate he is to hear it. " you're mine, mi corazón. mine. " even in death, elias knows that he is his.

the teasing is enough to nearly send him over the edge. it's taking everything inside him to stay strong, especially considering their serperation. the forced time apart. it's then he removes his boxers -- exposing his rock hard member, aching to make him scream. it's then, in a rare moment of vunerability, he speaks again.

" i need you, baby. i need your mouth. "

The way Elias looks at him causes him to grow increasingly hard, and a hand reaches down to palm himself over his shorts. FUCK, he’s not sure what he’s done to deserve someone like Elias. Someone who is so gentle and yet fucks him till he can barely walk. It’s foreign, but he’s growing increasingly familiar with it.

The blonde parts his lips without hesitating, lips closing around the brunettes thumb, tongue swirling round the tip and dampening his finger just enough before he pulls away “ so bad. ” he repeats “ I want everyone to know, I want everyone to know that I’m yours. That I’ll never be anyone else’s again. ” it’s deeply personal, and all true.

FINALLY, finally Elias is down to his boxers, and Freddie moves his hand from his pants, moving forward to rest it against his hip, lips pressing against his legs, up his inner thigh, soft and first and then bruising. “ so hard already. ” he whispers once he’s nose to nose with Elias’ clothed bulge, fingers curling round over the fabric, teasing for just a moment longer.

[rcsesnoir]

Ashley Moore for LoveShackFancy * Bohème

[rcsesnoir]

OXANA REMEMBERS THE TWINGE. when zak had told her what had happened within the confines of babylon’s walls. part of her had been heartbroken. trust had always been something of great value to her — considering trusting no one had always been a method of her survival. however, there was also something to be said about his honesty. his willingness to move forward from his past, acknowledge his wrongdoing — and allow her to set the terms ahead needed to feel like she could trust him. while oxana had heard things about dilan in passing, having heard of a kindness that oxana once would have thought of as pure naiveté — it makes her happy to see jason happy. as long as he stays that way, that’s more than enough for her. she’ll be civil. “ no need to apologize. “ she nods. “ i’m alright. rest doesn’t come easy, but the health of my children is all that matters to me. “ of course she’s tired — so tired, more so than she’s been in a very long time. however, not tired enough to send anyone who dares to enter on their merry way. a small, exhausted laugh falls from her lips at the mention of the speed of the twins arrival. “ i suppose they’re much like me, in that regard. stubborn beyond belief. “ after a moments pause, she begins once more. she knows it’s hovering over them both. “ i also want you to know… zak told me. shortly after we started dating. i’ve known what happened for a while. the last thing i want is animosity — not that i expected there to be any. i consider jason to be a very good judge of character. “

There was so much happening all at once, too much for the brunette to wrap her head around everything. From the secrets, to the explosion they'd thankfully missed, and even to the two new humans who'd made their arrival. Dilan was glad to have Jason by her side throughout all of it, her hand fitting perfectly in his as they waited together at the hospital. With her boyfriend now off to find them something to eat the brunette thought it'd be a good time to finally meet the woman of the hour. Oxana was someone she only knew by name, though Dilan was happy to hear all the wonderful things Jay had to say. "Hey — I'm sorry to burst in like this, but Jason went off to get food and I figured I could see how you were doing?" She questioned softly, making her way toward the side of her bed. It was unclear to her how much Zak had told her about their past, but relief filled her body knowing that she was very transparent when it came to the beautiful blue eyed man she'd shown up with — she was happy to tell Oxana anything. "They sure know how to make an entrance."

[rcsesnoir]

HE KNEW THE FEELING, being terrified to be seen. to feel like someone is reaching between the cracks in your doors -- prepared and able to let the light in. especially after something so jarring. the explosion had been weighing heavily on his mind, having known very little piece until all of his people were safe and accounted for. then, their bodies could both come to rest -- and even if neither of them had explicitly stated that they didn't want to be alone, they could find peace in each other's company.

somehow, elias couldn't help but wonder if food was one of his greatest love languages. it always brought him comfort to make it, and it made him happy to see the people he cared about enjoying it. a silver of joy, like breaking through the surface of the ocean. fresh air.

elias quickly nods in agreement. he may not take part in as much as he wonders if she will -- but a shot or two, maybe five certainly wouldn't hurt. just enough to loosen up. " that -- " he begins, standing before heading in the direction of his liqour cabinet. after some light rummaging, he emerges with two different bottles. " patron? casamigos? " his smirk goes even bigger. " i always come prepared. "

he places both bottles on the table before his face softens, returning to his seat nearby. where he'd be as long as she needed him. " you wanna talk about it? " he asks, before picking up the nearby tv remote. " or do you wanna pick a movie and i'll pour the first shot instead? both is also on the table. whatever you need. "

Bianca exhaled, slow and steady, forcing herself to focus on the plate in front of her instead of the tightness in her throat. The weight of the night of the carnival pressed against her, heavy and unrelenting, but she refused to let it pull her under—not here, not now. Not when Elias was looking at her like that, like he actually saw her.

She picked up her fork, took a bite, chewing with careful precision before swallowing. The silence stretched, thick with everything unspoken, until she finally nodded, the corner of her mouth twitching up in something that almost resembled amusement.

"Tequila," she said, voice even, but there was a rawness beneath it, a thread of something brittle she couldn’t quite swallow down. "Lots and lots of tequila."

Her gaze lifted to meet his, something knowing flickering in the depths of her dark eyes. She wouldn’t say it—not out loud—but she was grateful. For the food. For the quiet. For the simple fact that she wasn’t sitting in an empty apartment, alone with the echoes of her own thoughts.

"Unless you’re planning on being the responsible one tonight," she added, arching a brow, "in which case, I’ll take your share too."

[rcsesnoir]

AS EXPECTED, MIRAY WAS cool as a cucumber. perhaps he should have expected it, considering a hitwoman certainly was amongst the hardest to rattle. it was one of the many things lorenzo had admired about her, a strong trait of leadership. to be calm in a crisis. " it's my past, right? " he sighs, shrugging his shoulders. " anybody's past coming back up is going to effect them a little bit. no matter how strong they are. " that moment had been his biggest heartbreak, in more ways than one. " but, perhaps i can be thankful for it. showed me that no self-respecting human being would be loyal to someone who was willing to throw them away like trash. and then you opened the crimsons to me. "

“I’m still perfectly comfortable.” Miray shrugged. She wasn’t, not quite but things could have been significantly worse. If you lined all of the gangs up next to each other they were still doing well in comparison to some. People knowing she killed an ex husband wasn’t going to change that. “How are you doing with all of that stuff being out in the open?”

[rcsesnoir]

LUDOVICA CAN'T HELP BUT nod as she listens to the other woman speak, holding her glass upwards in agreement -- to insight a cheers. " i've gone to great lengths to eradicate most men from my life -- but those i’ve that i’ve come into contact with do not seem to learn a very simple phrase in early childhood: speak when you’re spoken to. " she pauses before she continues to speak, clearly acknowledging her own tendency to speak when she feels it's required. but then, there are the occasions when it isn't. " that is, unless the conversation is descending into criminal stupidity. “

same scriped, usual different fool. the brunette can't help but nod in agreement, her face contorting along with it. at first, it hadn't even hit her that even her singer, someone who had become so important -- had also been pulled into the madness of this fool, masqurading as her father. and while it did hurt, now knowing what it felt like to trust, to care -- she still did have to keep her wits about her. two spies alone had been found within the serpents.

" ah, men and their desperate need for attention. it's such a shame he feels the need to hide... if you're going to be so brazen, at least stand by your actions. " ludovica shakes her head. they had been moving on with their lives -- focusing their attention on the war that waged on. twisted gossip girl was beginning to get deeply boring. and deeply unsatisfying. frankly, she had done worse. " would you take... i'm not quite sure yet as an answer? " ludovica laughs, running her fingers through her hair as she adjusts in her seat. " perhaps that's a better way to put it. i suppose the best thing we can do is wait for the loose thread to fall. but then again... i've never been very patient. "

“ If there’s one thing I know about men who think they’re bigger than the world they’re tryin’ to control, it’s that they never really know when to shut the hell up and stay gone.” Her tone was light, teasing, but there was a sharpness beneath it, an edge honed from years of watching power-hungry fools tear each other apart.

She leaned against the bar, posture effortless as ever, but there was an unmistakable glint in her dark eyes—something amused, something intrigued. “But honestly, should we be surprised? It’s almost adorable how predictable these types are. Like clockwork. Think they’re orchestrating some grand spectacle when really, it’s just another tired act.” She arched a perfectly sculpted brow, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. “Same script, usual different fool.”

Her gaze flickered toward Ludovica’s martini, then back up at her. “Tell me, sweetheart—are we drinking to the headache this is about to become? Or to the fact that we both know how this ends?” A pause, head tilting ever so slightly. “Because I don’t know about you, but I plan on enjoying the show. Some men just love to be their own worst enemy… and far be it from me to stop ‘em.”

[rcsesnoir]

OF COURSE MAGGIE WAS angry. she had felt it swirling inside of her since the moment she had learned about adeline's death -- since the very moment she learned that the carnage would continue. however, maggie is less of a loose cannon and more of an aiming weapon, waiting for the cue to fire. " you're not the one who has to look at you. " after a moment of silence is shared between them, she releases a sigh before continuing. perhaps she can continue to improve her candor. she nearly laughs at his second comment. " if you're saying that to me, it's almost like we've never met. have you forgotten i'm the queen of that phrase? " her face softens, remembering watching nico and adeline together. she had never seen nico so protective. so gentle. " they won't get away with this. " her tone shifts. if she finds this fuck who was putting them all through this -- he'd be dead. " she didn't deserve that. " she deserved so much better than even us.

It took a while for Nico to trust someone. He wasn't known for playing well with others. It took him a while to get there, just like Maggie. The two were similar in many ways but different in others. "I don't look like that." Nico snapped. Everyone should be as angry as he was, everyone should feel the way he does. When he discovered what Adeline did for him, he nearly had a breakdown. Not just him, Jason and Sophia too. Nico was gutted and that didn't even feel like a strong enough word to describe his state of mind. "Can't you just fuck off."

[rcsesnoir]

EVERYONE HAD THEIR SECRETS. thus, lorenzo couldn't help but wonder what caused some of the people in their circle to be acting so much holier-than-thou. thus, on the outside -- he wasn't too worried. however, he can't help but look over his shoulder just a hair extra these days. the eldest sahin likely wouldn't be too happy about the reveal, considering it showed just how far he was willing to go to control his daughter. he was willing to turn his back on someone who had otherwise been completely loyal to him. all because lorenzo loved his daughter, desperately and without deviation. shouldn't a father want the man in his daughter's life to be willing to do anything for her? again, more questions -- with no answers. instead, he focuses on his fellow crimson. he's always liked harper. they work well together. thus, he's relieved that somehow, there wouldn't be any changes in their working relationship. " well, that's a fuckin' relief. because i'm tired of answering them. " he mutters, shaking his head. " the worst part? none of them are original. the least our peers can do is get some new material. " he watches as her own weapon is unsheathed. " wanna make this interesting? cleanest target gets lunch on the other. "

With some bored freak on the loose spilling secrets, she knew she needed to keep herself safe. Harper was prepared to put up a fight. She'd owned a gun for years, but she hadn't gone to practice her target skills in a long time. She needed to brush up on her skills, and that was the only reason she was there. She'd fully intended to keep to herself, to avoid contact with anyone. Harper was having a hard time placing trust in people after Valentine's Day, even with some of her own, fellow crimsons. She hadn't expected to see Lorenzo there, but she wasn't immediately dismissive of him like she would be some other people. "Well, I'm not a cop, and I'm not a journalist or a therapist ... so no. While I'm sure I could think of some pretty impressive questions to ask you, I'm here to shoot a target in case some homicidal ghost decides they want me to be their next victim. I wonder how they'd feel coming face to face with good 'ol Betsy here," she said, shrugging.

[rcsesnoir]

OXANA HAD CERTAINLY EXPECTED this very moment to look a hell of a lot different. well, she'd expected a lot of things in her life to be different. she was far more used to adapting to moments like these than she gave herself credit for. there had been so much endured to make sure that oxana was safe and protected throughout the entirety of her pregnancy -- it had almost been too easy. " okay... okay... " oxana nods. zak knows all too well just how little she cares for being seperated from the people she loves when they need her the most. the same goes for her children. even if she knows exactly where they are, the ache still remains. the nodding continues, with the reassurance that her children are being watched by people they trust. a hand comes to rest against his cheek for a moment, admiring the man she loves -- the father of her babies. " it felt so real.. " she whispers, realizing she's also reassuring herself that he too is safe and sound. after all, there had been a time when she wondered if he'd ever get to meet the twins. " when everything eases... i think we should get out of the city. even if it's just for a week. " she was well aware they couldn't stay away for very long.

everyone is okay. oxana nods, realizing just how that his words are finally beginning to sink in. it's not that she doesn't believe him, of course she does. in fact, oxana doesn't trust anyone else more. " she wasn't wandering all alone, was she? " oxana questions, hand coming to rest across his chest. ah, sophia. she was officially a big sister, as of this very moment. " i love you. " she whispers, remembering when there was a time where she could never see herself becoming a mother. my oh my, how so much had changed. " remember when we were just friends? who knew we'd end up here... with our beautiful family? " perhaps her ramblings are because that yes, she is indeed tired. however, she clings to the recollections of the good to protect herself from everything else.

Zak wraps an arm around her as she nuzzles into him. "We are okay baby." He whispers in her ear. He could feel the pound of her heart against him. He let his hand come up and rub on her back, "I can go check on them." He whispers to her before giving her a tighter squeeze, "A nightmare? It's okay baby. We are safe here. Our people are around protecting us. I have us. I have someone outside NICU at all times overseeing the twins." He said softly. He made sure everything was taken care of so they could get a little rest. Peace of mind, it was the only way he would get some sleep.

He gave her a nod, "Yes, I've heard from Jason and saw Nico earlier with Maddie." He let out an exhale. "Everyone is okay. Asher is doing okay too. Ma came and picked up Sophia, and she will be back in the morning. "You did so good, mama. I'm so proud of you." He gave her a kiss to the forehead. "You did so well, they are so perfect."

[rcsesnoir]

THE THING WAS, IRIS hadn't always been stubborn. she had simply become tired of being agreeable. it had never gotten her anywhere but hurt and alone. from the moment she'd come to this realization, it felt like she had bee snapped out of an overwhelmingly lucid dream. as he speaks, iris can't help but sigh. somehow, she can't help but wonder how she always ends up being the one talking him down. while she may be an emotional person, where she's benifitted is the fact that she's rational. " do you always have to be so goddamn stubborn? " she questions, crossing her arms over her chest. perhaps, she intended for that statement to stay in her head -- however, she's far too goddamn tired from her wait in the hospital. however, her face does blossom into a gentle smile after she speaks. she's relieved, truly. while their relationship is a complicated one -- it doesn't take away from the fact that she'd go to the ends of the earth for him. after a moment, she nods. " i know, i know. probably would take a lot more than an explosion to put you down. " of course she understands the frustration. there were very few things in this world she hated more than feeling stuck. she's well aware it's the closest thing she'll get to a promise, some kind of reassurance that he'll actually take care of himself. " i'll get it. but i need a promise that you won't try to pull some bullshit. "

It was pointless to argue with her, because it was like arguing with himself. Two stubborn people would not find middle ground easily, and he knew that. Neither of them wanted to bow out, and he was sure Iris was just as aware. "Well they can give a fuck about me regardless of where I am," he argued. Granted, he didn't expect her to see things his way no matter what he said. He just really hated hospitals. He had since he was a kid, and it wasn't ever going to change. He wanted out, and nobody was willing to listen. Go figure. "Well I'm not going anywhere, okay?" he said, half - annoyed, half trying to make her feel better. It wasn't her fault he was stuck there, he knew that. He was just frustrated by all of it in general. He wasn't great at being sympathetic, but he was trying a little bit. He huffed, gaze wandering to the door, then back to Iris. He knew she was right, but he was too obstinate to confess. "Can't really do anything stupid when I'm confined to a hospital bed," he pointed out. He wasn't going to make promises, though. Henry still had half a mind to get himself out of there or try to convince someone else to assist him with leaving. For the time being, he'd stay put. He wanted to find out who was responsible, as he was certain many other people did, too. Whoever it was, if they were discovered, there'd be consequences. "I want my laptop," he told her.