#* keith〳ft. faye

[scftlightz]

@redemptioninterlude gets  a  closed  starter  !  muse:   keith   yun  .   32   .   biker gang leader/mechanic

it  felt  like  a  decent  night  within  the  stars  as  keith  roamed  the  sky.  mostly  to  test  out  a  ship  that's  been  in  commission  for  over  handful  of  months.  the  ability  to  work  on  such  large  caliber  of  machines,  keith  was  terrified  of  his  own  talent  in  repairing  them.  he  preferred  to  keep  his  name  at  a  level  below  mainstream  to  avoid  the  false  narrative  of  as  gang  leader.  he  made  sure  to  make  the  message  well  known  with  his  organization  that  they  weren't  part  of  the  majority  that  does  partake  in  crime.  at  least  he  thought.  in  regards  of  fixing  the  ship,  the  mechanic  was  given  a  spot  in  a  near  by  bar  for  his  guys.  the  drinks  went  down  with  ease  as  he  participated  in  the  rush  of  a  drinking  game.  somewhere  on  his  third  drink,  keith's  vision  must've  succumbed  to  the  drinks  due  to  him  seeing  a  figure  that  resembled  a  familiar  femme.  "  faye?  "  thick  brows  knitted  together  as  he  squinted,  then  a  humored  grin  started  to  spread  on  his  lips.  passing  by  the  other  men  with  the  matching  jackets,  he  made  his  way  over  to  where  she  was  last.  "  how  long  has  it  been?  better  yet—  how  much  do  you  owe  me, again ?  "

[scftlightz]

when  it  came  to  drinking,  keith  didn't  shy  away  from  it,  he  just  preferred  to  indulge  in  it  when  there's  something  worth  celebrating.  in  a  sick  and  twisted  way,  he  was  doing  just  that.  the  blood  that  seemed  to  have  a  splattered  effect  across  his  inked  skin  was  a  clear  indicator  that  he  was  the  cause.  it  wasn't  his  first  time  but  soon  he'll  register  that  the  chain  of  events  will  soon  have  a  mountain  of  bodies  dumped  at  their  feet.  might  as  well  enjoy  the  moment  before  everything  hits  the  fan,  and  might  as  well  do  it  with  the  woman  who's  been  intriguing  since  day  one.

"  oh,  fuck  off.  "  he  joked.  dragging  out  his  words  as  he  still  brought  a  half  grin  to  his  semi  bruised  face.  "  i  can  handle  it,"  he  sighed.  his  hand  going  to  run  through  the  black  mass  of  his  hair  to  push  it  back,  before  licking  his  lips  to  continue,  "  it's  when  you  have  issues  and  start  drinking,  it  turns  into  something  else.  so  sorry  if  i  like  to  be  in  a  good  mood  when  i  drink.  "  he  explained  with  a  monotone.  his  attention  going  to  her  movements  as  she  took  the  first  sip.  he  wasn't  sure  if  it  was  the  neon  lighting  peaking  from  the  blinds  or  how  comfortable  he  was,  but  his  eyes  couldn't  stop  roaming  over  the  femme's  features.  seeing  her  out  of  the  familiar  yellow  outfit  gave  him  a  different  perspective.  "  what  can  i  say?  i  like  mysteries  and  you're  the  biggest  one  here.  "  this  time,  keith's  lips  had  spread  wider  into  a  smirk  as  lazy  hooded  eyes  never  left  the  femme.  "  why  would  i  lie  to  you  now  when  i  almost  bled  out  at  the  front  door?  if  anything  i  think  i  might  be  seeing  wings  behind  you.  "  was  that  considered  flirting?

maybe this is a bad idea. she thinks about the last time she shared a bottle with someone where there wasn't a bounty involved. how back then it had seemed simpler to trust someone, even with all the damage there. that gren was like a GOOD FIT for where she'd been at, before she finds out about all the way she really doesn't know a person. and it hadn't even been like that ( like what? ), and maybe that's the part that scares her, that despite her own cynical take on things that everyone was shit and nobody could be trusted... that there was still a little part of her that wanted to be proven wrong and felt wounded with every take that seemed to agree with her world view. she wonders.what does she really expect of keith? that part still lingers, a question.

"i'm starting to think you don't know how to handle your liquor." faye shot back, just as dryly, her tongue parting at the seam of her lips, thoughtful about the offer before she's pretty it to her lips, taking that first real sip that isn't from a let me wind down drink poured when she came through the door. "okay. i guess it'd be good to know what YOU'RE looking to know." it's a bit cagey of her, faye trying to make it all seem so awfully dull with the way that she frames it, as if each piece didn't feel like a negotiation to part with. "and i'm just warning you now that maybe some of these answers? might not feel real to you. but i'll uh... promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth if you do the same." funny. nobody even uses that phrase anymore, do they? small chips, of a life before *all of space* opens up to humanity, weren't they?

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

he really needed to give his brain a break. having to carefully plan the future he cared so much about, and carry the weight of not only his charter but the aftermath after tonight. he wanted to think about anything else. anything. there was a moment where he drew up a flirt towards the bounty hunter. tossing between referring her to his nurse or a guardian angel that's tired of his bullshit. it was a good thought. faye valentine. just her name alone was soothing and leaving him wanting to stay there. he'll take his chances with the possibility of getting pistol-whipped by the femme. at least he'll forget the night until the morning comes.

he internally cringed at the memory of his past self. starting out the club was harder than setting up his garage, and it was without paperwork. there were a lot of favors and many times his life was on a thread. yet, his strange relationship with death saved him as if he was bound to it. being preserved by it whenever they said it was his time. those favors got them where they are now. they branched out to have charters, tar wasn't just local. the plan was to spread it across the galaxy. " im starting to think you like me drunk. " he chuckled, shoulders jumping. letting her take the bottle from his hold, he leaned his back against the fabric of the sofa as his lips matched her smirk. " well, the one with the bottle should go first. "

well. who WASN'T involved in a little illegal activity, here and there? faye doesn't talk about her debts, her own times pinged as a bounty for all the things she's stolen, swindled, and conned along the way. she wasn't a good person anymore. not the girl who'd woken up after the fuck how long, the one who'd been made a fool of, and for what? she'd had everything she'd ever wanted before, in family, wealth, and friendships... and now it felt as if everything was so... hard to grasp onto. even this, this could evaporate at any moment, couldn't it?

life was just all FUCKED UP like that.

young, huh? what's that make him now? she wants to laugh at that, but she imagines, her even at 20 was a different woman than the one that she was now. loss does something to a person. loss of people, loss of faith... she finds herself in a crisis of it, constantly, reminded that the only thing that she could pledge herself to was herself, selfishly. funny thing that. he was living the opposite way, for everyone else but himself. she wonders. what was it that made him feel so STEADFAST in his dedication to the club that wasn't just a club? "well. i'll drink if you start telling me some of those secrets." that's a bad idea faye. she knows what it is. it's the kind of intimacy that strikes closer to the bone, the sort of thing she demands because everything else is laughable. she's a liar, a cheat, a thief... and she doesn't know how to open up at all. how hopeless. her fingers ringing round the neck of the bottle, smirking, as she raised it up to her own lips. "i'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours."

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

he wondered how she did she know to stitch a wound in such a neat pattern. it seemed he still had some things to learn from faye. he owes her. big time. she had the choice to close her door, not answer it, or even take him in for leverage. she witnessed enough from the club to depict them as gang instead of a club. but here she is, giving him a drink and helping him without being asked. she just keeps surprising him.

" hey, " his brows furrowed as his lips twitched upwards. " i was young and didn't understand what i was getting my self into. but i'm the one that's still breathing. " turning playfully defensive, keith maintained the low volume. the air between them seeming dense. the act of her helping with cleaning his wounds made him feel as if they had gotten over a wall. something shifted. " i gotta have my secrets too. " the memory still clear as day. bullshit charges and an agent with a hard on for him. same agent responsible for his vice president's fate. a rival club at the time caught wind of his situation , and a hit was made. he had protection after but his jail time was cut after another situation- happened to get him to be let go. he gave his vengeance, but now there was peace and it was made even. his hand held her own for a minute before his eyes made the glance between her lips and eyes. sighing, keith let her go before reaching for the bottle again. " are you going to make me drink by my self? that's a first, valentine. "

keith looks wound up and ready to be released. which, he'll get to she's sure now that she's finished cleaning him up, her own scowl matching his whenever he winced or cringed. well whatever, let that be the way that he remembers not to DO THIS again next time. though... why does she care, again? she shouldn't. that's not where they're at, and she certainly shouldn't didn't give a shit about him. he's just some guy who runs that shop that she happens to frequent all the time. damnit. well. that didn't have to exactly mean anything. she was just too lazy to go anywhere else.

there's a startling of her touch, unsure for a moment when he took her hand. that guidance having her suspicions sizzling, but she's letting him map out his poor decisions and the things that hadn't worked out in life. she had more than enough of her own FAIR SHARE of reminders that she carries with her now thanks to impulse decisions, or her own bad luck. "oh, so you really showed them by getting stabbed, huh?" her fingers, though, he'd feel that flinch when he's guiding her hand lower to the second. and this time, she traces out that odd sensation, of scar tissue plied and stitching together his skin, holding the man in one piece. "that's not fair. i have a feeling that's the fun story here." just as dry - wait, why is her heartbeat racing?

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

he would gladly admit that he has a soft spot for the bounty hunter. at first she was difficult to read, which only intrigued him. going from a loyal customer, to someone he can depend on made him feel an immense sense of comfort. he was glad that he was able to make one good decision without leaving a trail of bodies behind him. he's tired, irritated , and overall conflicted. keith begged for the next day to come already. a fresh start and clear mind to figure out what the hell to do next. . . . how can they turn legit?

his cheek slightly twitched at the pain from the stitch being tightened. blinking a few times he could feel the familiar heat rise to his neck then rolled it's way up to his face, all sourcing from his abdomen. he thanked himself for being a light-weight. he lightly hummed from the cloth being pressed against his skin , his nerves completely simmering. " how many? " he repeated. placing the bottle down on the side, keith reached for her free hand to gently guide it to his opposite shoulder. " that was from my first one, when tar was smaller than it is now and they underestimated me. " he lowered the volume of his voice, he turned a bit sheepish at the memory. " then this one , " he spoke while leading the hand to the same side but down to beneath his ribs, slightly pulling her a bit closer. " jail. " he confessed dryly. " don't ask. "

she doesn't know. how could she? part of her knows that he holds a sort of burden, a GRAND RESPONSIBILITY to people other than her. who was she to him, really? someone he felt bad for? whatever. she'd use that. at least... that's how it was at first. when did things start to change? the fact that he even had a place here for her if she had another bad run in thanks to a shoot out somewhere out in space... her chasing after some bomb or villain or eco terrorist or ex boyfriend, she's wrecked her poor red tail more times than she cared to speak on.

a grim snap of annoyance flickers within her stare as she glanced upwards. palms on warmed skin, she can't remember the last time she actually touches someone without the violence. that feels so much more natural to her, and she wonders if it's the same for him. maybe not... he was so much KINDER than she was. giving. empathetic. so many good things, and she knows it from the way the others treated him, how he was with her. it was a consistency of character that she found odd in a world that was so cut-throat and cruel by her own estimations. but there, he's sweet, faye scoffing with a rolling of eyes before she's stitched up what she could, dipping a cloth in water to dab the blood that remains, from him. "yeah, looks like you do. how many knife fights have you been in again? because from what i'm seeing..." her gaze follows up, old wounds sketched over with ink and colour. how it felt raised, beneath her fingertips ( and how she wanted to see more ).

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

underneath  the  displayed  exterior,  keith  could  feel  the  shift  within  the  club  was  weighing  in  on  every  member.  the  idea  of  possibly  being  challenged  was  resting  in  the  back  of  his  mind,  rent  free.  he  was  being  backed  into  a  corner  and  he  could  feel  himself  slipping  into  a  place  he  didn't  favor.  one  that  he  made  sure  was  a  rule  in  the  club.  they  were  outlaws  but  to  a  certain  extent.  keith  might  have  dabbled  in  a  few  illegal  activities  but  it  was  occasional  or  for  justice.  the  type  of  justice  the  people  of  their  community  won't  get  from  the  law.  which  is  why  he  made  up  for  it  with  every  act  of  public  service.  bounty  hunters  on  the  other  hand,  a  few  might  have  questioned  him  in  the  past  about  his  club  members.  that's  when  the  weight  of  being the president  starts  weigh  in  heavy. they've  lost  their  way  as  a  bike  club and turned outlaw.  now, he  was  paying  for  it  silently.  if  only  his  brot—

  nope  he's  not  doing  that.  he  waved  two  fingers  simultaneously  with  faye  to  order  a  final  drink.  maybe.

  "  you  smell  that?  "  for  a  moment,  keith's  face  fell.  the  cunning  smile  that  was  practically  glued  to  his  features  had  dissolved.  dark  hues  glancing  at  their  scenery  for  the  source  of  the  smell.  "  i  think  i'm  smelling,  "  he  started.  his  attention  going  to  the  femme  next  to  him,  the  smile  finding  it's  way  back  to  his  charming  face  "  bullshit.  "  a  hearty  laugh  erupting  in  his  throat  as  he  leaned  back  in  the  stool.  everyone  had  something  to  worry  for.  even  if  it's  minuscule.  there's  always  something  to  keep  someone  going.  he  was  going  to  reach  for  his  glass  before  hearing  her  speak  once  again,  making  his  eye  widen  at  her  words.  "  i  beg  your  finest  pardon,  valentine?  "  bringing  the  rim  of  the  chilled  glass  to  his  lips,  the  male  threw  the  liquid  in  the  back  of  his  throat  with  ease  before  placing  the  glass  down  normally.  "  i'm  so  sure  of  myself?  i  thought  i  was  just  being  positive?  you're  lucky  i'm  not  driving  tonight.  "  he  was  sure  the  last  drink  was  going  to  be  his  limit.  luckily,  one  of  his  guys  had  brought  the  flatbed  and  can  tow  his  bike  to  the  garage. 

  "  you're  right  about  that.  "  his  words  were  ghostly.  it  lingered  in  his  mind  as  there  was  something  he  genuinely  wanted,  but  he  knew  that  he  wouldn't  get  it.  no  matter  how  hard  he  puts  good  karma  into  the  world,  or  deliver  street  justice  when  it's  due.  he  still  won't  get  it.  it  took  some  years  to  for  him  to  come  to  terms  with  it  but  he  was  moving  on  by  taking  it  a  day  at  a  time.  "  will  it  be  a  problem  if  it  was?  "  the  moment  all  humor  and  smooth  calmness  had  left  him.  he  was  being  serious.  thick  brows  were  static  until  his  expression  broke  at  the  mention  of  her  way  of  exiting  life  itself.  "  see,  now  we're  on  the  same  page  with  that,  but  you're  avoiding  the  question—  you  do  that  a  lot.  "  the  male's  eyes  trailed  to  a  random  spot  before  looking  back  to  meet  the  pair  of  jade.  "  but,  hey,  i'm  not  the  type  to  probe.  just  know,  you  have  a  ear  if  you  need  one.  to  talk  to.  i  want  to  know  what  crazy  shit  you  get  yourself  into.  "

keith has always been someone who wasn't exactly hard to read - but he wasn't exactly as toothless as he might seem to her at first, because despite the garage, the men he brought in to ensure that they were still CHUGGING ONWARDS despite what people like her did to mar their lives... well. like to like, she tells herself. though there wasn't much that he tried to do to hide it, his colours on display, jackets and bikes outside, parked by the dozen. and sure. some of them were criminals and annoying in their own right, but it's something she hardly cares for... unless their picture flickered across her own screen back on the bebop. then at that point? what was the point in bets on, or off, when she needed woolongs to keep fuelling the impossible greed of her own lifestyle. would he be offended for it? probably... she hates complications. staying around here too long, it left her soft, because why the fuck else was she turning that as a possibility in her mind to begin with? he was nothing, nobody, impossible, so why was she imagining it'd be like, a little bit shitty to hurt him like that?

FORGET IT... she orders another drink.

he talks about how she's behind, and she'll blame it on that. she's so steadfast, ignoring, ignoring, she's someone with blinders on, willing to charge without thinking things through. all that did was slow you down, and leave you weak, and maybe that idea of vulnerability was what freaked her out the most. it's a thing people can all but smell on you, and most, if not all people were plagued with ILL INTENT and a selfishness that she shares, but wants no part of. "i don't worry about anything." as if that landed, right, given the way that the words all but spit past her lips like venom. whatever. maybe she wasn't so cool after all, the drink delivered, and faye's got it slung back, back, a hand out. "another!" as if this were really, on the block ,her gaze cutting to him with a certain flinty annoyance to it. "now i'm all caught up. now what?" beat her, her ass. she was far too much of a person given to vice, greed and bad habits, any sense of discipline having long left her body. "have another one too now, since you're so sure of yourself."

oh, how she acts like a child for this. a scowl meeting his jovial expression, eyes narrowing, tongue clicking. the glass presses to her bottom lip, a miserable shutter as if she didn't dare acknowledge that he'd asked, that she'd spoken, that he'd responded. he's so jokingly casual it reminds her too much of someone else, and it frustrates her. NOTHING GOOD came of that kind of association, she thinks, the ice clinking within her glass, moisture rubbed off, distracted, against her thigh. "people want lots of things." green eyes darting his way, watching. he didn't look like the type that cared about money. there was a kind of greed that always stuck out, to her, but not him. he gave away too much. himself, his heart, his time, his care. she watches it all flood out in these spare days she walks about here whenever she's left hitched and stranded, waiting for her next ride out once her red tail was fixed and space-worthy again. "what. is it your turn to worry?" she'd have laughed, but this time... it's a little nice to have someone ask. who ever did anymore? faye doesn't have much of anybody around her anymore thanks to wondering peers and the great allure of things that couldn't be found at hand, but how could faye complain about it? she was just as much a stray. "it's dangerous, sure. but. i'd rather feel like i died doing something exciting. besides. i hate desk jobs. i'd rather get mine, my way. isn't that what you're doing?" turn it, spin it. she won't let him keep her on the ropes.

- @serxndipities

[scftlightz]

he wanted to tell faye everything, down to the miniscule detail. give her some type of insight on what's going on in his mind. yet, he wasn't sure to whether disclose it now. it's not that he lacked trust when it came to her, he had to see how the media would take it first. with the amount noise the club made, those who associated with the recently deceased will pick up on it. the next chain of command most likely coming from an entirely different solar system, when in due time keith with deal with that as well. his story was put together, and deals closed with no loose ends.

thick brows started to knit inward to refrain from grimacing at the stinging. the expression she displayed made him roll his eyes, " what? you should see the other guy. " ink covered skin had patterns of slices with the beautiful detail— the graze of a bullet that took a bit more then little. he sighs. " i'll remember this regardless. i owe you, big time. " out of habit he was going to shrug his shoulders but he stopped himself to let her work. " i didn't get my ass kicked. " he quickly protested. almost childishly. " [ . . . ] do you really want to know? " dropping the light mood, the male turned his head to give her his attention. " we don't have to play therapy, darlin'. " during their whole time of knowing one another, not once did keith refer to her as the nickname. he was being genuine, his gaze soft and filled with visible admiration. giving her a short half grin before taking another drink from the slowly drained bottle. " i do need to practice my knife work, though. "

she doesn't know what happens in the club. she sees it from the outside, the friend of the leader who was treated respectfully enough in that they certainly cat called less then the other men on this forgotten little dust bowl of a moon, but... she hadn't exactly taken it SERIOUSLY. he was doing shit that he shouldn't, she knew, turning a blind eye to bad behaviour because, well... keith was... keith. wasn't he still the person who cut her breaks and drank with her without her needing to talk and the both of them filling the space with meaningless nothing. they like, kind of understood each other. but maybe he's into more shit then she knew... and given that he knew what she did for work, maybe it's why he wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to tell her what had gone down.

whatever. she's not the one that's BLEEDING on a fold out couch, is she?

at least he's cracking jokes ( how familiar? ) as he leans back heavily, she's given him what she can. and more than the parallels she looks at what's different here in him. like the apology, for one. he drinks ; she's suffering. pulling off his clothes which drew out a look on her face for a moment, somewhere between curious and horrified. the last time this happens, it was on some other moon with a man who found themselves with a VERY different body thanks to experiments being done during the titan war. she inhales sharply, and gets to work, as if she isn't affected at all, but even as she's cleaning, stitching, she's softer about the process then she's acting like she'll be. worried, somehow, that she might hurt him even more. "shut up. just remember this when i come tomorrow to pick up my ship." no no no. she's happy he came here. that he'd trust her. it's a shift in things she didn't expect, faye too careless and frantic to know what to do with this revelation. "you look like you need help if you got you ass kicked this thoroughly. what happened?" expecting, honestly, that he wouldn't tell her a thing.

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

behind  the  largest  smiles,  the  inked  covered  australian  held  heart  ache.  of  course  he  wouldn’t  admit  to  it  nor  mention  it.  he  told  himself  he  didn’t  have  time  to  dwell  in  the  pain  of  great  loss.  he  did  for  a  while  but  he’s  been  pushing  it  further  and  further  back  within  himself  as  he  was  convinced  that  it  was  over  with.  guilt  played  a  factor  which  was  one  of  the  main  purposes  for  the  bike  club.  the  bike  was  initially  for  his  brother  before  the  incident,  now,  he  rides  with  grace  knowing  he  wasn’t  alone  on  the  road  or  in  the  sky.  it  was  hardly  ever  mentioned  but  when  keith  had  to  correct  a  fellow  biker,  it  made  him  feel  dirty.  violence  is  what  caused  the  hurt  and  he  was  recycling  it  when  he  had  to  deal  with  his  own  group  or  protecting  their  territory.  other  than  that,  that  was  the  closest  to  crime  that  keith  committed.  even  then,  he  still  gives  himself  shit  for  it.  in  the  world  he’s  in,  he  couldn’t  show  weakness,  especially  as  a  LEADER.

      her  laughter  made  his  eyebrows  raise  as  his  own  laugh  started  to  make  its  way  up  his  throat.  “  I  guess  he  seen  a  few  hooters  then.  “  his  semi-glossy  glaze  went  over  to  the  group  of  rowdy  men  with  the  same  matching  jacket  as  he  was  wearing.  shaking  his  head  in  a  mixture  of  disappointment  and  fondness.  he  didn’t  have  them  around  to  replace  his  brother,  he  had  them  to  make  sure  that  they  weren’t  alone  in  the  world.  unlike  himself.  as  long  as  he  was  able  to  form  a  safe  bond  between  people  who  loved  bikes,  forming  steady  friendships,  and  unwavering  loyalty.  turning  his  head  back  to  face  faye,  giving  her  his  undivided  attention.  “  if  I  don’t  torture  myself  who  will?  “  he  couldn’t  get  through  the  whole  sentence  without  chuckling.  leather  covered  shoulders  bouncing  from  the  deep  chuckle,  “  you  sound  a  bit  concerned,  faye.  don’t  care  about  me?  “  maybe  he  was  being  charming  but  the  question  did  hold  a  bit  of  weight  for  him.  partially  because  he  wanted  to  know  but  he  was  poking  fun  at  her  reactions.  “  ah,  I  think  I’m  one  more  drink  in.  you  should  have  gotten  here  earlier,  I  would  have  beaten  you,  valentine.  “  leaning  against  the  bar  stool,  keith  felt  the  effects  of  his  previous  drink  and  the  one  he  recently  had.  he  kept  his  composure  as  he  was  sure  that  he  was  at  his  limit. 

  “  I  didn’t  say  it  was  a  dirty  profession!  someone  is  projecting.  “  another  joke  as  his  arms  were  crossed  against  his  chest.  dark  glass  textured  hues  studied  the  femme  before  him.  not  trying  to  make  it  obvious  of  course  so  he’ll  occasionally  glance  behind  her  or  to  his  group.  she  appeared  fickle  but  he  wouldn’t  press  the  matter  anymore.  not  unless  he  notices  an  opening  or  cue.  he  just  wanted  her  to  know  she  had  a  safe  place  with  protection  if  she  needed  it.  he  was  going  to  properly  answer  her  question  but  she  cut  him  off.  making  a  sly  smirk  spread  across  his  lips,  “  I  wasn’t  but  now  I  am.  what  more  could  I  want  in  life?  hmmmm  [  .  .  .  ]  more  money,  and  a  piece  of  mind.“  the  last  part  being  authentically  himself.  a  true  answer.  “  I  bet  you  feel  like  shit  now.  “  he  laughed  shortly  before  parting  his  lips  to  speak  up  once  again.  “  you  had  me  at  make  your  own  schedule.  sounds  like  you  hit  the  jack-pot.  don’t  you  get  into  a  lot  of  danger  though?  [  .  .  .  ]  are  you  okay?  “

keith is a strange guy. the sort that would help you out of a jam, despite looking like he'd PLAYED TOO DEEP with the wrong kind of people. purposeful. oddly kind. what a sucker. faye wants to think that he'll meet his, in trusting people when he ought to be protecting his back, that all those that he let crawl about within his garage, they'd come back at him, and make him regret it! but it's... weird. reassuring in a way, that whenever she's stumbling through his part of the universe, he's rather unchanged despite it all. maybe he was just made out of stronger stuff than her - faye's long realized that it's harder to be kind, then bitter. but it's a little too late for her, and maybe she likes black coffee, whisky and bullets now over the sweet promises whispered by those who never intended to stay in the first place... but it's nice that it's working out for him. even she could concede that much.

still, it's just the way he asks what's hooters? with such indignation that faye can't help but burst out laughing. the drink in her hand spills - which leads to an immediate pause, scowling, as she downs whatever's remaining within her glass, licking away the excess that spilled down her wrist, dryly offering up the alternative. from the expression on his face, it seemed that he didn't really EXPECT THAT, sighing with a wave of her hand. "what do you expect? a degenerate place attracts degenerate people. exactly the kinds of people i'm looking to find." so she'll swallow her dignity, because truthfully, she had none. she'd make it happen, she's find her collar. and in her defence, she had - it was just all that followed along with it that lead to the disaster that she was in now. his comment leaves her frozen, trying to play off this whole thing as if it were nothing, nothing at all. but at least he took it all in good humour, instead choosing to complain about the inevitable hangover as she shot him a glance, a wry grin following along with it. "only if you sit here and try to keep up with me. you know, most men would know better by now, but i'm starting to think you really enjoy throwing up the next morning."

the admission comes so smoothly from him that all faye can do is BLINK. once, twice. when was the last time someone said that to her, willingly? even on her last ship, all everyone ever did was find themselves at odds... well... except maybe ed. that kid... what was she up to? it's something she has to shake herself out of, using it as a stiff reminder why found families were bullshit, and everyone out there was just inherently selfish. so why get all caught up within that bullshit? "what, it's not a dirty profession... plus. it means i can work as little as i want if i want to, and i can do whatever i want. what more could you want in life?" lazy, selfish... isn't that what they call her? "wait, don't answer that. i already know you have some disgustingly frustrating answer already in your head." in that they made sense. but she'd rather bite her tongue than admit that.

- @serxndipities

[scftlightz]

his brain was slowly starting to reset itself after executing the most thorough plan ever made in the asphalt reapers history. keith killed two birds with one stone— literally. the club came to an unanimous decision, keith had to be the deliver justice by getting rid of the vp that turned rat. it was painful but he suspected it. he swallowed his feelings and got it done— its not like he had the time to even dwell on covering a former friend with bullet holes. along side with successfully getting out the aggressive 4 year long arms deal. of course they couldn't walk out in one piece, it was tar or them that was going to walk out of the warehouse. the thought of celebrating was overpowered by the thought of the outcome of it all.

" why not? you need a bit of color in here. " he half chuckled with a lazy grin. walking towards the couch, the male let out sigh before taking a drink from the bottle. it helped. a little. in order for her to get to the gashes caused bullet grazes and near miss slices from an up close knife encounter. they were fighting for their lives. another drink . after stripping his upper frame of the leather and a red stained white shirt, he allowed her to tend to his wounds. " thanks. " he huffed a bit of air through his nostrils. " nah, i don't think i have anything broken. i'll feel it in the morning. " his words having double meaning as he sighed. " i'm sorry for comin' here [ . . . ] for seeing me like this. "

... okay. something is not right. something has gone completely off the rails, which leaves her worried for WHAT'S TO COME. after all this time she's spent around him, the boys, the club, she knows, there's always a line of tension that seems to reverberate uncomfortably among them all. electric and anxious, what could this mean for them? had someone done something that they shouldn't? had keith needed to... what. pull rank? this all feels so foreign and given the state of him ,she thinks he'd be so reckless as to dive into this, poor man... she sighs. motioning for him to sit in her living room, faye slipping off as she went to collect what she could around here.

"sit there. don't bleed on my shit." faye's clipped, handing him a bottle of liquor first for what she can only imagine hurts - tongue clicking on the inside of her mouth, thoughtful, she's not really sure how much of him is doing alright, but at least she knows what to do. water runs, she fills a bowl, the cloth she used wiping away at the blood that rusts against his skin. he isn't ready to talk about it. THAT'S FINE. she's rough, but thorough, her fingers careful as she felt down each arm, trying to feel out what could be broken. "the bottle's yours now, just finish it off." no holes at least. meaning hopefully no bullet wounds, no knives plunged... "any ribs broken?"

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

allowing faye into the clubs space was entirely a mistake on him. he should have known that the timing was not on their side but one win was needed. just one. having to back out of a deal that could benefit his club and the . . . ' investor '. keith had gotten in the bed with devil on multiple occasions. maybe it was his confidence in successfully escaping his previous entanglements, but this one — he escaped by the hairs on his chin. but at what cost?

once she motioned for him to enter, he crossed the door's threshold with a bit of haste. not that he believed that he was being followed- he wouldn't dare bring that type of heat to faye. closing the door behind him, his sore frame leaned against it before finally meeting the pair of jade. " which way? " the taste of metal hitting the side of his tongue made his nose slightly crinkle at the taste. catching the sight of her firearm, he wanted to chuckle at the view but he couldn't. he was irritated. jaw clenched with a wild glare that was on the path of calming down.

it's supposed to be her LAST NIGHT HERE. meaning that there was freedom to be had if she was open to it, her ship fixed, and keith having told her that by the morning, she could e jetting out of here. faye's already picked up a new hot lead on a bounty that has a fat payout offered up, eager to jet out of here before things get too comfortable. isn't that always the worry? that there's a weird circular something when it came to meeting up with not only keith, but all the guys there at the bar come the night.

the hangover definitely WORTH IT in the mornings after.

but what she doesn't expect is to see him now, knocking at her door in a move that seems to come out of nowhere. in fact, she's halfway surprised he even remembered where she holed up in out of this hotel. he looks so BRUISED AND BATTERED, it reminds her of a certain other idiot. tongue pressing in against the back of her teeth before she motioned for him to come on in, gun slung loosely between her fingers.

- @scftlightz

[scftlightz]

ever  since  he  was  child  ,  keith  understood  the  concept  of  his  choices  could  have  a  potential  consequences.  with  having  a  lack  of  parental  guidance,  he  learned  the  lesson  rather  quickly.  mostly  due  to  him  having  the  responsibility  of  taking  care  of  his  younger  brother,  all  while  navigating  his  way  through  life.  but  that  was  years  ago,  and  now  he  moved  onto  making  a  legacy  in  his  sibling's  honor.  the  biker  had  a  soft  spot  for  the  space  he  created,  he  worked  hard  for  it  to  be  where  it  is  now.  his  blood,  sweat,  and literal  tears  built  the  foundation.

  “  what  the  hell  is  hooters?  “  resting  his  elbows  against  the  surface  of  the  bar,  his  brows  furrowed  at  the  thought  of  the  name.  when  she  explained  it,  Keith’s  brow  perked  at  the  mention  of  ‘  strip  club  ‘  then  it  immediately  dropped  due  to  the  personal  label.  she  killed  his  curiosity  with  ease.  what  really  held  his  attention  was  her  going  into  detail  about  the  new  damages.  watching  her  down  what  she  had  left  of  her  drink,  he  chuckled  while  he  shook  his  head  in  an  amused  manner.  “  you  know  what,  “  he  started.  an  ink  covered  hand  went  to  grab  his  own  drink,  passing  a  silent thank  you  to  the  bartender  before  taking  a  rather  long  sip,  purposely  dragging  it  out  for  the  sake  of  being  dramatic  until  he  he  finished  the  glass.  which  for  him  it  wasn’t  difficult  nor  long,  “  at  this  point,  I  think  i'll  leave  you  the  keys  to  the  shop.  “  a  harmless  poke,  “  its  probably  not  as  bad  as  you're  making  it  out  to  be.  don't  be  dramatic.  you  gave  me  less  to  work  with  before,  remember?  “  he  laughed.  resting  against  the  bar  he  cleared  his  throat,  “  I’ll  see  what  I  can  do,  but  if  you  want  to  come  around,  please  do  the  afternoon.  I’m  going  to  have  one  hell  of  hangover  in  the  morning.  “   “  why  would  I  be  lucky  to  see  you?  “  Keith’s  chin  was  tilted  up  as  a  half  grin  started  to  tug  at  the  corner  of  his  lips.  “  believe  it  or  not,  I  think  we’re  friends.  especially  after  getting  me  a  drink—  which  I  did  enjoy,  by  the  way.  thank  you.  “  manners  still  found  its  way  through  his  rambling.  "  wait–  i  just  realized  you  said  '  doing  better  then  the  asshole  i  just  dragged  in  '  ?  "  might  as  well  ask  while  the  opportunity  was  apperant.  "  [  .  .  .  ]  are  you  a  bounty  hunter?  because  with  the  damages  i've  seen  you  give  red  tail  .  .  .  unless  you're  doing  it  on  purpose  but  i  think  you're  smarter  than  that.  " /@redemptioninterlude

okay. sure. maybe it's not the NICEST THING of her to do. but why did faye have to be nice? she's been that before, seen herself taken advantage of when she had allowed for it. why let in the devil once more? it doesn't matter that she knows the truth, the ugliness of it all - it only hardens another part of her. and maybe it's all the ups and downs, the people that she makes family with, who then dissipate the moment they're able... you can't rely on anybody, can you? and what would make keith any different then that, all too aware of the underpinnings of his operation that don't quite line up with reality, but who cared? without a bounty on his name, there was no point in shaking things up. he was smarter then that, a begrudging truth, for a man, she'd say. which was a hell of a compliment, coming from her...

spoiled, he says, drawing a rolling of eyes from faye. but leave it to him - fucking joker. her hand lifting, catching the eye of the bartender ( it helps, being one of the only women in here, her low cut everything, her figure built for distraction ) to indicate a second glass, and another for her. there's a slow sucking of air into her lungs, the question slipping through, because HE KNOWS, that fucker. he always does. "let's just say... she's doing better then the asshole i just dragged in. but i miiiight have clipped the side of the space equivalent of a hooters." wait. wrong era, faye. "... a restaurant slash strip club slash den for degenerates. fucking crushed the nose of her. and maybe damaged the wing... i mean she flies, but..." god. she hates this part. tongue pocketing into a cheek with resentment, before throwing back what's left of her drink to drown her sorrows in this one. "... i think i'm stuck here for a while until she's all cleaned up. sooooooo-" god. fuck. did he already know where she parked and left off? "guess i'll see you here maybe a few more days, if you're lucky."

framing it like it was all for him, how predictable of her. her pride can't take it. her nerves can't either. it's bad fucking luck, is what it was, and all that told her was that once this was done, it was meant to TURN AROUND, and perhaps it was good timing to go lose all that she had left on her card to some new casino. who knew? maybe she'd make it big after all.

- @serxndipities

[scftlightz]

the  mechanic  had  his  fair  share  of  him  being  taken  advantage�� of,  it  was  always  a  tug  of  war  between  the  quality  of  his  work  on  damaged  ships  or  his  position  as  a  leader.  even  though  he  was  aware  when  it  occurred,  he  allowed  it.  one  of  those  few  that  he  let  bypass  was  faye  valentine.  the  first  impression  didn't  win  first  place,  but  it  was  her  loyalty  that  turned  her  into  a  regular  of  his.  which  still  made  him  question—  what  the  hell  does  herself  into  for  her  to  become  a  regular  for  a  mechanic.  with  the  'debt'  ,  which  he  considered  as  an  inside  joke  to  him,  she  was  entertaining  and  an  enigma.

  "  oh?  "  he  questioned,  thick  brows  were  raised  as  the  corner  of  his  lips  tugged  up  to  form  a  humored  smile.  "  my  turn  to  get  spoiled?  well,  let's  see  what's  the  most  expensive  drink  in  this  place.  "  keith  had  let  his  eyes  roam  around  the  interior  of  the  bar  before  shaking  his  head  abruptly,  "  i'm  just  joking.  i'll  take  what  you  have,  though.  "  the  expression  on  the  male  simmered  more  to  a  warm  half  grin  as  it  was  one  that  never  left  the  surface  of  his  face.  "  good  diversion."   there  was  a  hint  of  calmness  in  his  tone.  almost  as  if  he  was  content  with  the  realization.  "  how  bad  is  it  this  time?  " / @redemptioninterlude

THE BIG SCORE just about cuts itself loose... almost blown in the last minute, literally, when her ship fucking blows its engine, faye left cursing as she used the last of her missiles to knock them out from their attempted re-entry to mars, a champion, when she manages to drag them into the escape pod after boarding, tied, and delivered. "no bow?" an officer asks, bored, as he smokes and barely raises his eyes, swiping a card so that the woolongs can finally pile right up. faye barely has the energy to flip him off ( but she manages, somehow ), grabbing at her winnings, big, all ready to head off to the casino when... she's left staring at the broken down wreckage that fouls up the parking station. fuck. right... she needed to deal with all of that first...

and given the state of her credit right now? there's only one place that she knows she can head to. the only one willing to deal with her given her TRUANT record...

which makes the whole hauling of her ship into keith's garage even more humbling, which she'd paper right over with a scowl once she's jumped out from the cab of the towing ship. she could just dump this job on one of his other employees and blow them off as she headed off to find the next way to burn her time, with a promise of LATER PAYMENT. only... isn't it just her luck? because once she's hit that bar, who's there to call her out by name, sucking in her cheeks, where whisky already burns at the back of her throat, a smile twitching at the edges of her lips. fuck. "not that much, right? not enough to ruin a good night for the both of us, i hope. here. let me make it up to you. what you drinking?" distract, diffuse... and hopefully, she'd get the hell out of here before he realized how big of a job she'd dumped onto one of his men.

- @serxndipities