xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
x
"You have." Mason's words took Andy a bit by surprise. She didn't say anything. Part of her wanted to ask how, but he answered her question before she could pose it. "I was depressed and angry. I mean I’m not totally cured from those emotions but I was pissed at the world. Didn’t care about anything or anyone and then along came you. A stubborn pain in the ass but good company in your own way." She couldn't help but smile and even chuckle at his comment. That about summed up their relationship right there.
"If I wasn't a pain you'd get bored of me," she teased in return. They had been through a lot together from a minotaur, to the underworld. Their friendship has been nothing short of a rollercoaster and it changed both of them. Some might say for the worse. But from Andy's perspective it made her stronger, even if it didn't show over the past couple months.
"But if you want I can try arrange something so you can save me."
"As enticing as that sounds... I'd rather you not get into any near death experiences."
It seemed the lightness in the air faded as conversation shifted back to more serious matters. Andy wasn't going to lie about how she felt. For too long she's been repressing and hiding her true feelings and it was eating her up inside. No more. There was a vulnerability that came with the honesty, but she'd rather that than lie to herself.
Mason's hand took ahold her own that rested upon his chest. "Let’s agree to 50/50 blame. I don’t know what you did or what your confusion entails—" Andy gave him a look that said yes you do but she said nothing. He knew what her confusion was about. It was right before their eyes and everyone else noticed it before she did. "—but you seem sure. And so am I about my part. So half half?"
Andy nodded her head in acknowledgement but regardless of what she agreed to, she still blamed herself... Well, Alex's for the fight because she did nothing on that front. Although everything else that came to pass recently was her. She deserved to be alone after the triangle she unintentionally caused. But Mason was the one person who was probably stubborn than she was. He wouldn't move on no matter how much she told him otherwise. While that made her feel guilty, she also couldn't fight the slight smile that grew upon her lips.
"Ok." Mason finally conceded and agreed to some sleep. It might have been mid afternoon, but neither of them had the energy to wait until nightfall for some well deserved rest. Andy took his jacket and shoes after he removed them and got settled. "Don't try anything now," he said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'll try to refrain."
Andy slowly slid off the bed, her muscles screaming when she tried to move too quickly. A dagger eye of his flew open and he was all but on the verge of growling at her. Before Mason could argue, she held up her hands in surrender. "I'm just changing. I'd rather not sleep with your blood on my clothes." She set down his things on a near by chair, before grabbing fresh clothes from her dresser. She gave him one last small smile before stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her, almost certain he'd be asleep before she got out.
Tracking her to the bathroom, he was defeated. He was sore and tired, angry, anxious and having to nurse a stubborn cripple. All together, a cocktail of emotions and events that drained him. All the way to 0%. Somewhere he believed if she needed him, she'd do the right thing and wake him up or he'd hear her.
Finally alone, she let out a soft sigh before setting the fresh clothes down on the toilet. It took Andy far longer than she wanted to admit to get out of her clothes. You never quite realize how things are taken for granted until they can't be done simply... Like getting dressed. While nude, she spared a glance up at her reflection. Feint bruises not completely healed by Cherise clung to her fibs. There were slight dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't slept for days and over all she looked in desperate need of a shower. It was tempting but she knew if she tried doing that at that moment it'd probably go terribly and she'd never hear the end of it from Mason. So, instead, she washed up best she could at the sink and then spent the better part of fifteen minutes struggling to get into her pajamas.
Once finished, Andy came back out of the bathroom to an unmoved Mason. She didn't dare try and disturb him to help him under the covers. She grabbed one of her extra blankets, lightly draping it over her bed and Mason. She couldn't fight the feeling like there were still things she needed to do, but the exhaustion was winning the fight. Without the energy to fight it, Andy succumbed and crawled under the blanket beside him. For a couple moments she laid there, in silence, watching him sleep. She had never spent the night with him before. For someone so passionate and angry, it was strange seeing him so at peace.
There was a sort of comfort being in the presence of someone asleep. It was like you could say anything, yet not have to face the repercussions of what you said. Part of her wanted to say something, just to get it off her chest. But even with Mason asleep it still tightened in her gut. So rather than saying anything, she leaned closer and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. That was enough for the moment. Andy then rolled over and quickly fell asleep.
Mason woke to an odd sensation, a feeling of warmth beside him as he was lied down, a comforting scent. Steph? No This felt different, less familiar. As he blinked his eyes open, he found himself nestled into some brunette locks and arm draped over her mid-section. Andy. That's right, he fell asleep trying to babysit her and somewhere in his half-asleep mind he must've been drawn to the weight and warmth. He drew back his face and arm slowly.
The stirring in the bed slowly roused Andy from her sleep. By the time she came too, she barely was able to notice that his arm was around her. She went to rest her hand upon his, but he pulled away before she was able to stop him. He obviously didn't want to be caught in that position or he would have remained. So, rather than put him on the spot, she remained in bed for awhile longer, letting him think she was asleep.
By now it must've been... bright! Mason looked around for a clock trying not to move too much or suddenly. Morning! Shit! Mason wiped down his face blinking several times. He must've slept all through the day and night. Mason tried to move out of bed without waking her. He wasn't aiming to dash out the door but he'd settle for not being found out as a snuggler and some morning coffee. If the woman had any. He lifted his top, taking a whiff of the material that had endured two days on his skin without smelling foul then wandered over to a chair.
Certainly, it was tempting to use her shower, travel to the hall and back before she even knew he was gone. But when he was out, it would probably be the time she woke. He dug through his jacket pocket, pulling out a spare cigarette and his lighter but brought himself to a halt. The cigar returned to the pocket with a sigh, and the lighter flicked on and off.
The flicking of the lighter drew Andy's attention. With a yawn, she slowly rolled over in bed, her hand brushing the warm spot on the blankets where Mason once laid. She sighed softly looking over at him. "I wish you'd quit," she said quietly. Andy wasn't going to chastise him for his decisions, but it was a bad habit. And while lung cancer or whatever else didn't scare Mason, she still worried about his health... Even with how low nicotine was on the death factor for demigods.
Upon hearing her morning greetings, he smiled. He snapped his lighter shut and simply shrugged at her. "Sure you don't want to wish for world peace first?"
Andy pushed off the bed and slowly sat upright. With the blanket still over her lap, she wrapped her arms around her knees while looking over at him. "...Were you leaving?" Her fingers lightly tugged at her covers, mindlessly. "If you need to go shower, or whatever... You don't have to stay." Andy ran her fingers through her bed head with a weak smile. She didn't particularly know if she wanted to be alone, but she felt as though she already jeopardized enough of his time on a regular basis, let alone when something like this happened.
Mason looked her over for a second. She seemed to appear and move better. He evaluated her question and offer, genuinely. "I thought about it. But figured I'd see how you were doing first before leaving a cripple without care." He let Andy stew for a second and see how she'd interpret his words. Detached, impartial, joking, serious?
She let out a soft laugh, not entirely sure if he meant it as a joke or not but she tried her best not to let it get under her skin. Andy knew that Mason lacked a certain tact and tenderness that other people might have. So, to some extent she was used to it. And in more circumstances they'd both laugh about it, perhaps she was slightly saddened that he considered leaving without a word at all.
Given she had been through hell, Mason showed clarity, not leaving her hanging too long. "I'm not going. And if I did, it'd be for essentials and I'd come right back." And maybe a smoke at the front of her cabin, but she didn't need to hear that. "With that said, I'd love a shower. Kinda pushing it over two nights." For the first time ever, Mason rose his brows and awaited a hint of approval or permission to help himself to what he wanted. She did say he didn't have to stay but it all depended on how she was feeling. Besides, like he said, he'd come back. He didn't know who else he'd be so wrapped around.
Andy ran a hand back through her hair while motioning her other hand to the door. "Go ahead. I'm probably smelling pretty ripe myself." She smiled slightly. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a bit happy that he'd be coming back. He didn't have to, nor would she make him believe it was necessary. But knowing he wanted to on his own... was nice. She stretched her arms, still feeling a bit of soreness but nothing quite as severe as the day before. "Plus, I'm sure you have better things to do than babysit me. Zeus kids to torment, hearts to break," she jested with a playful smirk.
He stood and half smiled, gathering his things. But then she added more pulling Mason to a halt. He did owe Ajax a broken nose. And if he could tolerate Alex at least a little he might have tried to break her heart. Maybe he could get someone else to do it. Instead of ruining Andy's mood, joke, and that smirk of hers, he shrugged. "Probably." Mason flashed her a smile. "I'm coming straight back to babysit duty. Meet you near the hall?" Once Mason got confirmation of a meeting location, he left. Although he wouldn't take it to heart if she wasn't in said place. Those Hecate kids spread themselves thin and had a thing for being obliging social butterflies.
She nodded her head, agreeing to meet at the hall. Andy remained under her blankets until Mason left and even for a bit afterwards. She then dragged her legs from the warmth to place her bare feet on the cool floor. With a yawn and a stretch that made her groan at her lingering sourness, she stood up and headed for the bathroom. Luckily, it seemed that morning she had enough movement to undress hers with a lot more ease. She was dreading Mason finding her in the bathroom half tangled in clothing unable to do a simple task like taking a shower. Once she removed her pajamas, she stepped under a cascade of steamy water.
"You have." Mason's words took Andy a bit by surprise. She didn't say anything. Part of her wanted to ask how, but he answered her question before she could pose it. "I was depressed and angry. I mean I’m not totally cured from those emotions but I was pissed at the world. Didn’t care about anything or anyone and then along came you. A stubborn pain in the ass but good company in your own way." She couldn't help but smile and even chuckle at his comment. That about summed up their relationship right there.
"If I wasn't a pain you'd get bored of me," she teased in return. They had been through a lot together from a minotaur, to the underworld. Their friendship has been nothing short of a rollercoaster and it changed both of them. Some might say for the worse. But from Andy's perspective it made her stronger, even if it didn't show over the past couple months.
"But if you want I can try arrange something so you can save me."
"As enticing as that sounds... I'd rather you not get into any near death experiences."
It seemed the lightness in the air faded as conversation shifted back to more serious matters. Andy wasn't going to lie about how she felt. For too long she's been repressing and hiding her true feelings and it was eating her up inside. No more. There was a vulnerability that came with the honesty, but she'd rather that than lie to herself.
Mason's hand took ahold her own that rested upon his chest. "Let’s agree to 50/50 blame. I don’t know what you did or what your confusion entails—" Andy gave him a look that said yes you do but she said nothing. He knew what her confusion was about. It was right before their eyes and everyone else noticed it before she did. "—but you seem sure. And so am I about my part. So half half?"
Andy nodded her head in acknowledgement but regardless of what she agreed to, she still blamed herself... Well, Alex's for the fight because she did nothing on that front. Although everything else that came to pass recently was her. She deserved to be alone after the triangle she unintentionally caused. But Mason was the one person who was probably stubborn than she was. He wouldn't move on no matter how much she told him otherwise. While that made her feel guilty, she also couldn't fight the slight smile that grew upon her lips.
"Ok." Mason finally conceded and agreed to some sleep. It might have been mid afternoon, but neither of them had the energy to wait until nightfall for some well deserved rest. Andy took his jacket and shoes after he removed them and got settled. "Don't try anything now," he said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I'll try to refrain."
Andy slowly slid off the bed, her muscles screaming when she tried to move too quickly. A dagger eye of his flew open and he was all but on the verge of growling at her. Before Mason could argue, she held up her hands in surrender. "I'm just changing. I'd rather not sleep with your blood on my clothes." She set down his things on a near by chair, before grabbing fresh clothes from her dresser. She gave him one last small smile before stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her, almost certain he'd be asleep before she got out.
Tracking her to the bathroom, he was defeated. He was sore and tired, angry, anxious and having to nurse a stubborn cripple. All together, a cocktail of emotions and events that drained him. All the way to 0%. Somewhere he believed if she needed him, she'd do the right thing and wake him up or he'd hear her.
Finally alone, she let out a soft sigh before setting the fresh clothes down on the toilet. It took Andy far longer than she wanted to admit to get out of her clothes. You never quite realize how things are taken for granted until they can't be done simply... Like getting dressed. While nude, she spared a glance up at her reflection. Feint bruises not completely healed by Cherise clung to her fibs. There were slight dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't slept for days and over all she looked in desperate need of a shower. It was tempting but she knew if she tried doing that at that moment it'd probably go terribly and she'd never hear the end of it from Mason. So, instead, she washed up best she could at the sink and then spent the better part of fifteen minutes struggling to get into her pajamas.
Once finished, Andy came back out of the bathroom to an unmoved Mason. She didn't dare try and disturb him to help him under the covers. She grabbed one of her extra blankets, lightly draping it over her bed and Mason. She couldn't fight the feeling like there were still things she needed to do, but the exhaustion was winning the fight. Without the energy to fight it, Andy succumbed and crawled under the blanket beside him. For a couple moments she laid there, in silence, watching him sleep. She had never spent the night with him before. For someone so passionate and angry, it was strange seeing him so at peace.
There was a sort of comfort being in the presence of someone asleep. It was like you could say anything, yet not have to face the repercussions of what you said. Part of her wanted to say something, just to get it off her chest. But even with Mason asleep it still tightened in her gut. So rather than saying anything, she leaned closer and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. That was enough for the moment. Andy then rolled over and quickly fell asleep.
* * *
Mason woke to an odd sensation, a feeling of warmth beside him as he was lied down, a comforting scent. Steph? No This felt different, less familiar. As he blinked his eyes open, he found himself nestled into some brunette locks and arm draped over her mid-section. Andy. That's right, he fell asleep trying to babysit her and somewhere in his half-asleep mind he must've been drawn to the weight and warmth. He drew back his face and arm slowly.
The stirring in the bed slowly roused Andy from her sleep. By the time she came too, she barely was able to notice that his arm was around her. She went to rest her hand upon his, but he pulled away before she was able to stop him. He obviously didn't want to be caught in that position or he would have remained. So, rather than put him on the spot, she remained in bed for awhile longer, letting him think she was asleep.
By now it must've been... bright! Mason looked around for a clock trying not to move too much or suddenly. Morning! Shit! Mason wiped down his face blinking several times. He must've slept all through the day and night. Mason tried to move out of bed without waking her. He wasn't aiming to dash out the door but he'd settle for not being found out as a snuggler and some morning coffee. If the woman had any. He lifted his top, taking a whiff of the material that had endured two days on his skin without smelling foul then wandered over to a chair.
Certainly, it was tempting to use her shower, travel to the hall and back before she even knew he was gone. But when he was out, it would probably be the time she woke. He dug through his jacket pocket, pulling out a spare cigarette and his lighter but brought himself to a halt. The cigar returned to the pocket with a sigh, and the lighter flicked on and off.
The flicking of the lighter drew Andy's attention. With a yawn, she slowly rolled over in bed, her hand brushing the warm spot on the blankets where Mason once laid. She sighed softly looking over at him. "I wish you'd quit," she said quietly. Andy wasn't going to chastise him for his decisions, but it was a bad habit. And while lung cancer or whatever else didn't scare Mason, she still worried about his health... Even with how low nicotine was on the death factor for demigods.
Upon hearing her morning greetings, he smiled. He snapped his lighter shut and simply shrugged at her. "Sure you don't want to wish for world peace first?"
Andy pushed off the bed and slowly sat upright. With the blanket still over her lap, she wrapped her arms around her knees while looking over at him. "...Were you leaving?" Her fingers lightly tugged at her covers, mindlessly. "If you need to go shower, or whatever... You don't have to stay." Andy ran her fingers through her bed head with a weak smile. She didn't particularly know if she wanted to be alone, but she felt as though she already jeopardized enough of his time on a regular basis, let alone when something like this happened.
Mason looked her over for a second. She seemed to appear and move better. He evaluated her question and offer, genuinely. "I thought about it. But figured I'd see how you were doing first before leaving a cripple without care." He let Andy stew for a second and see how she'd interpret his words. Detached, impartial, joking, serious?
She let out a soft laugh, not entirely sure if he meant it as a joke or not but she tried her best not to let it get under her skin. Andy knew that Mason lacked a certain tact and tenderness that other people might have. So, to some extent she was used to it. And in more circumstances they'd both laugh about it, perhaps she was slightly saddened that he considered leaving without a word at all.
Given she had been through hell, Mason showed clarity, not leaving her hanging too long. "I'm not going. And if I did, it'd be for essentials and I'd come right back." And maybe a smoke at the front of her cabin, but she didn't need to hear that. "With that said, I'd love a shower. Kinda pushing it over two nights." For the first time ever, Mason rose his brows and awaited a hint of approval or permission to help himself to what he wanted. She did say he didn't have to stay but it all depended on how she was feeling. Besides, like he said, he'd come back. He didn't know who else he'd be so wrapped around.
Andy ran a hand back through her hair while motioning her other hand to the door. "Go ahead. I'm probably smelling pretty ripe myself." She smiled slightly. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a bit happy that he'd be coming back. He didn't have to, nor would she make him believe it was necessary. But knowing he wanted to on his own... was nice. She stretched her arms, still feeling a bit of soreness but nothing quite as severe as the day before. "Plus, I'm sure you have better things to do than babysit me. Zeus kids to torment, hearts to break," she jested with a playful smirk.
He stood and half smiled, gathering his things. But then she added more pulling Mason to a halt. He did owe Ajax a broken nose. And if he could tolerate Alex at least a little he might have tried to break her heart. Maybe he could get someone else to do it. Instead of ruining Andy's mood, joke, and that smirk of hers, he shrugged. "Probably." Mason flashed her a smile. "I'm coming straight back to babysit duty. Meet you near the hall?" Once Mason got confirmation of a meeting location, he left. Although he wouldn't take it to heart if she wasn't in said place. Those Hecate kids spread themselves thin and had a thing for being obliging social butterflies.
She nodded her head, agreeing to meet at the hall. Andy remained under her blankets until Mason left and even for a bit afterwards. She then dragged her legs from the warmth to place her bare feet on the cool floor. With a yawn and a stretch that made her groan at her lingering sourness, she stood up and headed for the bathroom. Luckily, it seemed that morning she had enough movement to undress hers with a lot more ease. She was dreading Mason finding her in the bathroom half tangled in clothing unable to do a simple task like taking a shower. Once she removed her pajamas, she stepped under a cascade of steamy water.