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To say that Sloane felt self conscious when she stepped out of the bathroom was an understatement. She couldn't remember the last time she wore clothing that revealed this much skin, nor could she recall the last time she did anything physical after leaving her private school to come to camp. It didn't help that Liam seemed to be staring, not that he didn't have a habit of doing that already. But it was longer, with a silence that grew heavier by the minute. She found herself tugging at the hem of her shorts and regretting her choice to wear those clothes. While his gaze remained firmly on her, hers flitted about the room as her cheeks grew warm.
Finally, Liam managed to move to his feet and go over to the kitchen. He quickly prepared some basic breakfast meal of some sort and place the bowl on the counter, pushing it in her direction. "Food first. Never skip breakfast. I can't have you passing out on me. Hmmm?"
Sloane gave Rocco a quick pet as she walked past him and took a seat at the counter in front of the bowl. She slowly began to eat the contents while sneering at whatever concoction Liam mixed up for himself. She was thankful for her plain oats. "We're going to find where Trinity and Wes are in this place, too. I was thinking that Trinity would be a good place for you to start. You know... because..." Her hand freezes a few inches from her mouth with a spoonful of food as she waited for him to finish his statement. "She knows woman things."
The scoff came out before she could keep it in. It wasn't at the thought of Trinity knowing... 'woman' things. Obviously she did, she was a woman. But that that was the reasoning that Liam decided to speak. Sloane didn't question, instead focusing on her bowl of oats making sure she ate it all so her socially tact body guard wouldn't harp on her. Then following his lead, she gave Rocco a good bye pet, even squatting down to his level to place a kiss on the pup's head before following him out of the cabin.
It seemed there was a slight hitch in Liam's plan when it became quickly evident that he had no idea which cabin was Wes's. To be fair, neither did she. But watching him go from porch to porch, knocking and disturbing the sleeping campers was a bit amusing. Rather than following him up onto every porch, Sloane lingered a few feet away from the stairs, close enough that she could see who answered the door but also far enough that she didn't look quite as ridiculous knocking on all the doors.
When the door opened revealing Wes, she caught a brief glance of someone else ducking out of view. Trinity perhaps. Either way it wasn't Sloane's place to judge. After all, for the past couple of nights she has been staying in the company of another male. Plus, from what it looked like Trinity and Wes were a couple so there was no crime there. Instead of eaves dropping, she paced around on the trail outside Wes's cabin, twiddling her fingers. At one point the blonde even waved toward her with a tight smile, which she returned in kind.
It wasn't long before the four of them found an open clearing someone on the camp grounds. Sloane could almost guarantee that she wouldn't be able to find her way back to the cabins alone if she had to. But luckily, she wasn't alone. She felt like a mouse, the way she stood behind Liam slightly and kept looking over her shoulder like Sylas might show up at any moment.
“How do we wanna do this, chief?” Trinity asked Liam, but then her gaze drifted over toward Sloane. She tensed slightly, standing more straight. “Have you hit someone before, Sloane?”
Sloane looked over to Liam then back to Trinity. She inhaled softly before parting her lips to reply. "No." She nearly left it there but it seemed that in present company, now might be the time to admit things she wouldn't normally. That is, if she wanted to improve at all. And deep down, she did. Sloane didn't want to be dependent on others. "But I've made one person hit another," replied frankly as if stating a fact rather than divulging a glimpse at what her powers could do.
To say that Sloane felt self conscious when she stepped out of the bathroom was an understatement. She couldn't remember the last time she wore clothing that revealed this much skin, nor could she recall the last time she did anything physical after leaving her private school to come to camp. It didn't help that Liam seemed to be staring, not that he didn't have a habit of doing that already. But it was longer, with a silence that grew heavier by the minute. She found herself tugging at the hem of her shorts and regretting her choice to wear those clothes. While his gaze remained firmly on her, hers flitted about the room as her cheeks grew warm.
Finally, Liam managed to move to his feet and go over to the kitchen. He quickly prepared some basic breakfast meal of some sort and place the bowl on the counter, pushing it in her direction. "Food first. Never skip breakfast. I can't have you passing out on me. Hmmm?"
Sloane gave Rocco a quick pet as she walked past him and took a seat at the counter in front of the bowl. She slowly began to eat the contents while sneering at whatever concoction Liam mixed up for himself. She was thankful for her plain oats. "We're going to find where Trinity and Wes are in this place, too. I was thinking that Trinity would be a good place for you to start. You know... because..." Her hand freezes a few inches from her mouth with a spoonful of food as she waited for him to finish his statement. "She knows woman things."
The scoff came out before she could keep it in. It wasn't at the thought of Trinity knowing... 'woman' things. Obviously she did, she was a woman. But that that was the reasoning that Liam decided to speak. Sloane didn't question, instead focusing on her bowl of oats making sure she ate it all so her socially tact body guard wouldn't harp on her. Then following his lead, she gave Rocco a good bye pet, even squatting down to his level to place a kiss on the pup's head before following him out of the cabin.
It seemed there was a slight hitch in Liam's plan when it became quickly evident that he had no idea which cabin was Wes's. To be fair, neither did she. But watching him go from porch to porch, knocking and disturbing the sleeping campers was a bit amusing. Rather than following him up onto every porch, Sloane lingered a few feet away from the stairs, close enough that she could see who answered the door but also far enough that she didn't look quite as ridiculous knocking on all the doors.
When the door opened revealing Wes, she caught a brief glance of someone else ducking out of view. Trinity perhaps. Either way it wasn't Sloane's place to judge. After all, for the past couple of nights she has been staying in the company of another male. Plus, from what it looked like Trinity and Wes were a couple so there was no crime there. Instead of eaves dropping, she paced around on the trail outside Wes's cabin, twiddling her fingers. At one point the blonde even waved toward her with a tight smile, which she returned in kind.
It wasn't long before the four of them found an open clearing someone on the camp grounds. Sloane could almost guarantee that she wouldn't be able to find her way back to the cabins alone if she had to. But luckily, she wasn't alone. She felt like a mouse, the way she stood behind Liam slightly and kept looking over her shoulder like Sylas might show up at any moment.
“How do we wanna do this, chief?” Trinity asked Liam, but then her gaze drifted over toward Sloane. She tensed slightly, standing more straight. “Have you hit someone before, Sloane?”
Sloane looked over to Liam then back to Trinity. She inhaled softly before parting her lips to reply. "No." She nearly left it there but it seemed that in present company, now might be the time to admit things she wouldn't normally. That is, if she wanted to improve at all. And deep down, she did. Sloane didn't want to be dependent on others. "But I've made one person hit another," replied frankly as if stating a fact rather than divulging a glimpse at what her powers could do.
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So, the cat and mouse played. Of course, Sylas had been trying, for awhile now, to seduce Evelyn. He didn't deny it nor did he hide it. He wasn't a bashful flirt. But, something deeper inside him was a bit surprised. Not that he would admit that to anyone. To some extent he thought cracking her would take more work and time, lots of time. This wasn't to say he was now privy to all her deepest darkest secrets. But he had her, in the most primal way one person could have another. And while some say that sex complicates things, it also is a window into someone that most don't get to experience, yet he did.
And she was ravenous.
Their little game of cat and mouse, seeing who could outsmart one another was like prolonged foreplay that only seemed to wind her up more. He could almost say he was happy he was there when she finally had to let it out. Sylas was a proud man, but a woman has not perplexed him nor played him quite like Evelyn did... and it made him just as ravenous.
For the first time in... he didn't know how long, Sylas wasn't rushing his recent escapade out the door. Instead he laid there, breathing heavily, entangled with the stunning red head as her fingers ran through his hair. In that moment, he was content. Odd.
“Seems you can hold your word when you want,” she spoke softly in his ear, breaking the silence. Then her satin lips found their way to his earlobe, giving it a tender kiss. Was that a thank you? Sylas had to keep himself from smirking, but to say he wasn't pleased with himself would be a lie. Hearing you're as good as your word would boost anyone's ego.
In that moment, he was tempted to pull her closer, perhaps even take her one more time. But just as he began to move, Evelyn climbed out of the bed. As she began to find her clothes and put them back on, Sylas rolled onto his back in the bed, making sure, at least, his lower half was still covered by a sheet. All the while, his gaze scanned her bare back, her waist or a brief glimpse of the curve of her breast until her clothes concealed her once more. His brow quirked slightly as she flicked her hair out from the collar of her shirt. It was something small that most wouldn't notice, but for some reason, laying there in bed, watching her... it was immensely attractive.
“Thank you for the coffee it was....” Sylas crossed his arms under his head and even smirked a little waiting for her choice of words. “Flavourful.”
Sylas hummed softly to himself before finally speaking up himself. "Most... delicious cup I've ever had."
“Could I use your bathroom?” she asked after finishing getting dressed.
"Of course," he replied as he motioned in the direction of the bathroom. As she left him, Sylas slowly sat up in bed, stretching and running his fingers back through his hair. With a sigh, he dragged himself to the edge of the mattress and pulled on his boxers. He then rested his elbows on his knees as he waited for her to return.
“I can show myself out if you like,” Evelyn said as she exited the bathroom.
"If that is what you want." His voice was soft, in a way that not many people saw. Sylas slowly looked up at her as he extended his right hand toward her. His index fingered hooked around the belt loop of her jeans and tugged her a bit closer. "And what if I said... I wanted you to stay." He continued to gently guide her toward him, not forcefully though. If she desired to be free of him, she could with ease.
Once she stood between his knees his other hand took a hold of her waist. His thumb just barely under her shirt so that his skin could lightly brush her own. "Plus," he said softly as his other hand slowly caressed her thigh coming to rest below her backside. "You still have a question to cash in."
So, the cat and mouse played. Of course, Sylas had been trying, for awhile now, to seduce Evelyn. He didn't deny it nor did he hide it. He wasn't a bashful flirt. But, something deeper inside him was a bit surprised. Not that he would admit that to anyone. To some extent he thought cracking her would take more work and time, lots of time. This wasn't to say he was now privy to all her deepest darkest secrets. But he had her, in the most primal way one person could have another. And while some say that sex complicates things, it also is a window into someone that most don't get to experience, yet he did.
And she was ravenous.
Their little game of cat and mouse, seeing who could outsmart one another was like prolonged foreplay that only seemed to wind her up more. He could almost say he was happy he was there when she finally had to let it out. Sylas was a proud man, but a woman has not perplexed him nor played him quite like Evelyn did... and it made him just as ravenous.
For the first time in... he didn't know how long, Sylas wasn't rushing his recent escapade out the door. Instead he laid there, breathing heavily, entangled with the stunning red head as her fingers ran through his hair. In that moment, he was content. Odd.
“Seems you can hold your word when you want,” she spoke softly in his ear, breaking the silence. Then her satin lips found their way to his earlobe, giving it a tender kiss. Was that a thank you? Sylas had to keep himself from smirking, but to say he wasn't pleased with himself would be a lie. Hearing you're as good as your word would boost anyone's ego.
In that moment, he was tempted to pull her closer, perhaps even take her one more time. But just as he began to move, Evelyn climbed out of the bed. As she began to find her clothes and put them back on, Sylas rolled onto his back in the bed, making sure, at least, his lower half was still covered by a sheet. All the while, his gaze scanned her bare back, her waist or a brief glimpse of the curve of her breast until her clothes concealed her once more. His brow quirked slightly as she flicked her hair out from the collar of her shirt. It was something small that most wouldn't notice, but for some reason, laying there in bed, watching her... it was immensely attractive.
“Thank you for the coffee it was....” Sylas crossed his arms under his head and even smirked a little waiting for her choice of words. “Flavourful.”
Sylas hummed softly to himself before finally speaking up himself. "Most... delicious cup I've ever had."
“Could I use your bathroom?” she asked after finishing getting dressed.
"Of course," he replied as he motioned in the direction of the bathroom. As she left him, Sylas slowly sat up in bed, stretching and running his fingers back through his hair. With a sigh, he dragged himself to the edge of the mattress and pulled on his boxers. He then rested his elbows on his knees as he waited for her to return.
“I can show myself out if you like,” Evelyn said as she exited the bathroom.
"If that is what you want." His voice was soft, in a way that not many people saw. Sylas slowly looked up at her as he extended his right hand toward her. His index fingered hooked around the belt loop of her jeans and tugged her a bit closer. "And what if I said... I wanted you to stay." He continued to gently guide her toward him, not forcefully though. If she desired to be free of him, she could with ease.
Once she stood between his knees his other hand took a hold of her waist. His thumb just barely under her shirt so that his skin could lightly brush her own. "Plus," he said softly as his other hand slowly caressed her thigh coming to rest below her backside. "You still have a question to cash in."
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“So you’re telling me this isn’t a five star hotel?” Wes was going to reply with an equally sarcastic remark, but before he could get out a word, Trinity took a hold of his face and pulled him towards her. The action surprised him, but he didn't fight it. He let her guide him straight to her lips and lingered there in that moment until she pulled herself from him. She then laughed and stroked the back of his neck. “Sorry, sorry.”
"No need to apologize." Wes smiled, placing a final kiss upon her forehead. Unlike her hasty kiss, his was soft and tender.
“Now, are my choices between a shirt or shower or is it way too bizarre to have both?” Trinity grinned which only made his own smile grow. Gods did he love her smile.
"Well, you said it yourself, this isn't a five star hotel," he teased in return. Wes then pointed toward the bathroom. "It's all yours. I'll find you something to wear."
Once Trinity disappeared into the bathroom, Wes was slow to his feet, yawning and stretching. After a moment or two, he finally shuffled across the room toward his dresser. He sifted through his belongings trying to find one of his smaller shirts that might fit her best. Just as he grabbed it, he heard her call from the other room. “Wesleeey? Could you grab a towel, please?”
Wes cursed himself under his breath, forgetting that there must not have been clean towels in the bathroom. To some it might have seemed like some sort of ruse to get Trinity naked, but he wouldn't have done that to her. Maybe in the past, before camp, before Trinity, he would have been shallow like that. But now, he tried so hard not to put a toe out of line. He grabbed a clean towel and a shirt before making his way over to the bathroom door. He held up his free hand to shield his eyes, even keeping his head turned away as handed her what she requested. "Sorry about that."
“Thank you,” Trin said as she took the towel and shirt. With a smile, he nodded his head being sure to not accidentally see what he shouldn't.
Then, there was a knock on the door. It took Wes by surprise. Who could possibly be at his door? Instantly, something inside of him began to worry. Worry that it was something to do with Andy. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Trinity exit the bathroom wearing his shirt like a dress and whatever worries he had, melted away for a moment. She looked content for a moment. She was beautiful, but whatever moment they might have shared there was ruined by the guest at the door.
Wes sighed and walked over to the door, opening it to find Liam with Sloane lingering down by the path, dressed for training. Behind him, he heard Trin nearly dive out of view of the door which made his heart sink a little. But, this wasn't the time for him to dwell on that. He sighed knowing what those clothes meant, which meant he was probably here for her. "I'm guessing you're here for Trinity."
Then just as he said her name, he felt Trin's hand softly touch his back to alert him of her presence behind him. She didn't address her brother, but waved toward Sloane as she waited. “This probably requires appropriate clothes. I can meet up with you guys in a minute.”
He nodded his head as she disappeared into his cabin. Wes winced with a soft laugh as he heard her slamming drawers. In a moment or two she returned in his shorts with her clothes bundled in her arms. She gave him a farewell kiss on the cheek saying, “Thank you," and then heading off towards her cabin.
Which left Wes standing there with the less than talkative pair. He stood there for a moment, then tapped his fingers on the doorframe. "Let me change real quick." He left the door open incase either one of them wanted to come in while he got dressed. It didn't take him terribly long and he made sure to also grab enough bottles of water for the four of them before heading back out. He tossed one to Liam and Sloane, then motioned toward the son of Ares to proceed and he'd follow.
It didn't take long for Trinity to rejoin them ready for training like an child of Ares would be. “How do we wanna do this, chief?” Wes didn't try to partake in these conversations. He wouldn't be surprised if they tried to rope him into training as well. But until he was called upon, he'd stand on the sidelines like a good water boy.
“Have you hit someone before, Sloane?” A typical Trinity question if there ever was one. Wes had been on the receiving end of some of those questions. A natural warrior, she always needs to know the extent of people's skills and usefulness. For over a year now she's been trying to convince him to use his powers. He's used to the questions.
"No... But I've made one person hit another." When the shy, quiet girl spoke up, it got Wes's attention. No doubt that response already had the wheels spinning in Trinity's mind. He looked between Liam and Trin curiously before finding a log to sit on and watch.
“So you’re telling me this isn’t a five star hotel?” Wes was going to reply with an equally sarcastic remark, but before he could get out a word, Trinity took a hold of his face and pulled him towards her. The action surprised him, but he didn't fight it. He let her guide him straight to her lips and lingered there in that moment until she pulled herself from him. She then laughed and stroked the back of his neck. “Sorry, sorry.”
"No need to apologize." Wes smiled, placing a final kiss upon her forehead. Unlike her hasty kiss, his was soft and tender.
“Now, are my choices between a shirt or shower or is it way too bizarre to have both?” Trinity grinned which only made his own smile grow. Gods did he love her smile.
"Well, you said it yourself, this isn't a five star hotel," he teased in return. Wes then pointed toward the bathroom. "It's all yours. I'll find you something to wear."
Once Trinity disappeared into the bathroom, Wes was slow to his feet, yawning and stretching. After a moment or two, he finally shuffled across the room toward his dresser. He sifted through his belongings trying to find one of his smaller shirts that might fit her best. Just as he grabbed it, he heard her call from the other room. “Wesleeey? Could you grab a towel, please?”
Wes cursed himself under his breath, forgetting that there must not have been clean towels in the bathroom. To some it might have seemed like some sort of ruse to get Trinity naked, but he wouldn't have done that to her. Maybe in the past, before camp, before Trinity, he would have been shallow like that. But now, he tried so hard not to put a toe out of line. He grabbed a clean towel and a shirt before making his way over to the bathroom door. He held up his free hand to shield his eyes, even keeping his head turned away as handed her what she requested. "Sorry about that."
“Thank you,” Trin said as she took the towel and shirt. With a smile, he nodded his head being sure to not accidentally see what he shouldn't.
Then, there was a knock on the door. It took Wes by surprise. Who could possibly be at his door? Instantly, something inside of him began to worry. Worry that it was something to do with Andy. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Trinity exit the bathroom wearing his shirt like a dress and whatever worries he had, melted away for a moment. She looked content for a moment. She was beautiful, but whatever moment they might have shared there was ruined by the guest at the door.
Wes sighed and walked over to the door, opening it to find Liam with Sloane lingering down by the path, dressed for training. Behind him, he heard Trin nearly dive out of view of the door which made his heart sink a little. But, this wasn't the time for him to dwell on that. He sighed knowing what those clothes meant, which meant he was probably here for her. "I'm guessing you're here for Trinity."
Then just as he said her name, he felt Trin's hand softly touch his back to alert him of her presence behind him. She didn't address her brother, but waved toward Sloane as she waited. “This probably requires appropriate clothes. I can meet up with you guys in a minute.”
He nodded his head as she disappeared into his cabin. Wes winced with a soft laugh as he heard her slamming drawers. In a moment or two she returned in his shorts with her clothes bundled in her arms. She gave him a farewell kiss on the cheek saying, “Thank you," and then heading off towards her cabin.
Which left Wes standing there with the less than talkative pair. He stood there for a moment, then tapped his fingers on the doorframe. "Let me change real quick." He left the door open incase either one of them wanted to come in while he got dressed. It didn't take him terribly long and he made sure to also grab enough bottles of water for the four of them before heading back out. He tossed one to Liam and Sloane, then motioned toward the son of Ares to proceed and he'd follow.
It didn't take long for Trinity to rejoin them ready for training like an child of Ares would be. “How do we wanna do this, chief?” Wes didn't try to partake in these conversations. He wouldn't be surprised if they tried to rope him into training as well. But until he was called upon, he'd stand on the sidelines like a good water boy.
“Have you hit someone before, Sloane?” A typical Trinity question if there ever was one. Wes had been on the receiving end of some of those questions. A natural warrior, she always needs to know the extent of people's skills and usefulness. For over a year now she's been trying to convince him to use his powers. He's used to the questions.
"No... But I've made one person hit another." When the shy, quiet girl spoke up, it got Wes's attention. No doubt that response already had the wheels spinning in Trinity's mind. He looked between Liam and Trin curiously before finding a log to sit on and watch.
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After Andy admitted to not regretting their time together in the closet, let out, what she gathered to be a sigh of relief. She watched him, with a slight smile as he looked down at their intertwined hands. "I'm glad," he replied. Two simple words that made herself also sigh a bit in relief. This didn't solve a lot of their problems. If anything this might have caused more. But for the first time, in who know's how long, Mason and her were being completely honest with each other. And given all the other drama, it helped relieve some of the weight from her shoulders.
When her gaze drifted away, Andy was caught off guard when his hand clutched her own a little tighter. A small gesture that made her smile faintly and give her courage for the words she spoke. He didn't say anything, but nodded in acknowledgement. This was new territory that they were both tiptoeing into. They both had discourse in their hearts but at least right then in that moment they were content and would figure it out, together.
After a few moments in silence, something that stirred in Mason's mind brought a smile to his face. Andy found herself smiling at the sight. Her hand squeezed his and gave it a playful tug. "What are you thinking about?"
"Question, and it's going to seem a little off topic but, way back when you first came to camp, why'd you go for the minotaur? You were new, you had no obligation or expectation to protect others or fight."
Her eyes squinted slightly as she thought back to that day. Gods did it feel like forever ago. It was odd to think of one event that was a snowball for so many things. Without that minotaur her and Mason might never have become friends. "Part of it was to keep it from harming anyone. If you haven't realized by now, self preservation isn't my strong suit." Andy chuckled softly as she looked down at their hands. "But honestly, I think I did it for the minotaur. It was some poor creature doing what was in it's primal nature. Maybe someone let it loose in camp or maybe it wondered into camp. Either way, that didn't mean it deserved to die."
She exhaled softly as she tapped her thumb against his hand. "Just because something appears evil doesn't mean they are... even people," Andy concluded looking up to meet his gaze. Her words carried a second meaning. Nothing that she hadn't told Mason one hundred times before. But regardless of what he said he was or anyone else, Andy knew he was a good person. Right then at that moment he was showing it, even if it was for only her eyes. That was enough.
It was then that Mason released her hand leaving her own where it rested partially open for a moment before she finally closed it. He picked up the medicine that Iliana had brought her and examined it. "Can you even apply this?"
"Why? Are you offering?" she teased, even managing a laugh. Of course, with sore and broken ribs it didn't feel too pleasant but it was nice to laugh. The joke was probably in poor taste, but she knew, if anything, it'd get a smile out of him.
"What is it?" She leaned forward to get a better look, seeing that it was aloe. "I don't know if I have any burns." Andy took hold of the blanket's hem and raised it a few inches to look down at her legs. "Unless Cherise healed those?" She rested back into the bed with a sigh. "I don't know if I could... Maybe?" Although that probably wasn't the answer he was looking for.
"Honestly, on a scale of one to ten, where's your pain at the moment?"
Andy had never seen Mason so worried, definitely never about herself. He freed her from his father, but she never saw his concern first hand. But now, sitting here, he worried just as much as she would if the tables were turned. It a strange sort of way it was comforting knowing, that even through all his bitterness he cared for well being as much as she cared for his.
She stretched and moved her arms, then ran her fingers along her ribs to try and gauge how it felt. "My arms and legs are sore, like after a long day of physical activity. If anything hurts, it'd be my ribs." But Andy couldn't get away with that as her answer. So before Mason asked her again she sighed. "I don't know... 5, maybe a 6. I'll be ok." She knew her words wouldn't reassure him much. They were both good at brushing off their own issues and this was no different. Andy didn't want him to worry about her. But telling each other not to worry was never successful.
"Do you want something to eat? I can get you some food, fresh clothes."
Andy hadn't thought about her stomach until that moment. It seemed at the mere mention of food, her stomach growled with protest. She hated asking anyone to do something for her. She could have tried to conjure something up. But if she used her powers who knew how much weaker that would make her... Or pissed Mason would be at her for trying. She sighed. "I would love something to eat and something to wear that isn't an itchy hospital gown. Even if it was just a t-shirt." Her eyes closed as she spoke, grimacing as she had to ask for help. "I hate being useless," she confessed.
"You have to stay here a little longer, okay?" Andy let out a deep sigh as she nodded her head. She knew. She didn't like it but, she knew. If she even tried to get out of bed Mason, Daniel and Trinity would get her ass back in bed so fast she'd probably have whiplash. It was like he could tell how much being stuck in be infuriated her. As she sat there nearly pouting, Mason's hand gently brushed her hair back from her face. Her gaze slowly raised to meet his trying to give a slight smile. "A few more hours of observation, I'll get you whatever you want, then I'll get you out of here if you're well enough."
As he spoke, his hand came to rest upon her, gently caressing Andy's head. It stayed there for a moment, until Mason realized it and shit his hand to rest beside her head. "Alright. Just... make sure you get food for yourself. Ok?"
After Andy admitted to not regretting their time together in the closet, let out, what she gathered to be a sigh of relief. She watched him, with a slight smile as he looked down at their intertwined hands. "I'm glad," he replied. Two simple words that made herself also sigh a bit in relief. This didn't solve a lot of their problems. If anything this might have caused more. But for the first time, in who know's how long, Mason and her were being completely honest with each other. And given all the other drama, it helped relieve some of the weight from her shoulders.
When her gaze drifted away, Andy was caught off guard when his hand clutched her own a little tighter. A small gesture that made her smile faintly and give her courage for the words she spoke. He didn't say anything, but nodded in acknowledgement. This was new territory that they were both tiptoeing into. They both had discourse in their hearts but at least right then in that moment they were content and would figure it out, together.
After a few moments in silence, something that stirred in Mason's mind brought a smile to his face. Andy found herself smiling at the sight. Her hand squeezed his and gave it a playful tug. "What are you thinking about?"
"Question, and it's going to seem a little off topic but, way back when you first came to camp, why'd you go for the minotaur? You were new, you had no obligation or expectation to protect others or fight."
Her eyes squinted slightly as she thought back to that day. Gods did it feel like forever ago. It was odd to think of one event that was a snowball for so many things. Without that minotaur her and Mason might never have become friends. "Part of it was to keep it from harming anyone. If you haven't realized by now, self preservation isn't my strong suit." Andy chuckled softly as she looked down at their hands. "But honestly, I think I did it for the minotaur. It was some poor creature doing what was in it's primal nature. Maybe someone let it loose in camp or maybe it wondered into camp. Either way, that didn't mean it deserved to die."
She exhaled softly as she tapped her thumb against his hand. "Just because something appears evil doesn't mean they are... even people," Andy concluded looking up to meet his gaze. Her words carried a second meaning. Nothing that she hadn't told Mason one hundred times before. But regardless of what he said he was or anyone else, Andy knew he was a good person. Right then at that moment he was showing it, even if it was for only her eyes. That was enough.
It was then that Mason released her hand leaving her own where it rested partially open for a moment before she finally closed it. He picked up the medicine that Iliana had brought her and examined it. "Can you even apply this?"
"Why? Are you offering?" she teased, even managing a laugh. Of course, with sore and broken ribs it didn't feel too pleasant but it was nice to laugh. The joke was probably in poor taste, but she knew, if anything, it'd get a smile out of him.
"What is it?" She leaned forward to get a better look, seeing that it was aloe. "I don't know if I have any burns." Andy took hold of the blanket's hem and raised it a few inches to look down at her legs. "Unless Cherise healed those?" She rested back into the bed with a sigh. "I don't know if I could... Maybe?" Although that probably wasn't the answer he was looking for.
"Honestly, on a scale of one to ten, where's your pain at the moment?"
Andy had never seen Mason so worried, definitely never about herself. He freed her from his father, but she never saw his concern first hand. But now, sitting here, he worried just as much as she would if the tables were turned. It a strange sort of way it was comforting knowing, that even through all his bitterness he cared for well being as much as she cared for his.
She stretched and moved her arms, then ran her fingers along her ribs to try and gauge how it felt. "My arms and legs are sore, like after a long day of physical activity. If anything hurts, it'd be my ribs." But Andy couldn't get away with that as her answer. So before Mason asked her again she sighed. "I don't know... 5, maybe a 6. I'll be ok." She knew her words wouldn't reassure him much. They were both good at brushing off their own issues and this was no different. Andy didn't want him to worry about her. But telling each other not to worry was never successful.
"Do you want something to eat? I can get you some food, fresh clothes."
Andy hadn't thought about her stomach until that moment. It seemed at the mere mention of food, her stomach growled with protest. She hated asking anyone to do something for her. She could have tried to conjure something up. But if she used her powers who knew how much weaker that would make her... Or pissed Mason would be at her for trying. She sighed. "I would love something to eat and something to wear that isn't an itchy hospital gown. Even if it was just a t-shirt." Her eyes closed as she spoke, grimacing as she had to ask for help. "I hate being useless," she confessed.
"You have to stay here a little longer, okay?" Andy let out a deep sigh as she nodded her head. She knew. She didn't like it but, she knew. If she even tried to get out of bed Mason, Daniel and Trinity would get her ass back in bed so fast she'd probably have whiplash. It was like he could tell how much being stuck in be infuriated her. As she sat there nearly pouting, Mason's hand gently brushed her hair back from her face. Her gaze slowly raised to meet his trying to give a slight smile. "A few more hours of observation, I'll get you whatever you want, then I'll get you out of here if you're well enough."
As he spoke, his hand came to rest upon her, gently caressing Andy's head. It stayed there for a moment, until Mason realized it and shit his hand to rest beside her head. "Alright. Just... make sure you get food for yourself. Ok?"