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wesley preston
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Wes was happy to linger in the distance as the training commenced. He knew full well this was not his area of expertise but Trinity seemed to want him there. And honestly, Liam looked like he could use the presence of another male to balance the odds out a bit. He couldn't help but quirk a brow when said male seemed to make his way back towards Wes. At first he thought Liam just wished to stand back and watch the proceedings. But when the large man leaned in toward him, his words had a different tale.
"What does it mean when you hit on a woman and the woman you are with is upset by it, but she is still saying that I should do my thing? On a scale of 1-10 - if I stared at another woman's boobs and told her that I would do bad things to her in front of said other woman, how much trouble am I actually in? And should I stay away from other women for the rest of my life?"
Now this was something he did know well, whether or not he liked it. Wes noticed Liam's lingering gazes toward Sloane. A curious predicament. He never would have imagined the two of them together. But opposites attract and for some reason the small awkward brunette vexed him.
Wes tried to keep up the ruse, keeping his face as plain as he could while turning his attention more toward Liam. "Ok, first of all," he started, extending his bionic arm in a cautionary manner. "Whenever a woman says to do what you want, that never means do what you want." Wes chuckled softly. "It means you can do what you want, but if you don't want to piss her off... Do what she wants. Most of the time, the woman is right and we're dumb. Then there's the off chance we're right and that... well that's something else. I haven't even figured out that territory yet." Given his recent circumstances with Trinity he was by no means an expert in trying to convince a woman she was wrong. Sure, they figured it out in the end. But it was a rocky road.
"As for the second part..." Wes sighed. His brows furrowed in sympathy and confusion. "Dude, never ever check out a girl or hit on a girl if you're in the presence of another girl, unless you've explicitly said you are only platonic friends. If you're just wanting a piece of ass, then I suppose you can do as you please. But what you'll need to ask yourself is how do you feel about this girl? And what do you want with her? Because if it's more than just sex... If you really want her, then yes, you'll need to stop looking at other women."
Wes's gaze fell to the ground as he slid his hands into his short pockets with a sigh. "If she's really someone special, she'll consume your thoughts." He slowly looked up, finding his blonde several feet away attempting to train Sloane. "And you won't notice other women."
It wasn't long into the training that Alex seemed to appear from the edge of the woods. Wes inhaled sharply, looking between Alex and Trinity. Not good. "Sorry, you'll have to excuse me," he said to Liam before heading over toward his friend, hoping that Trin was too preoccupied to notice her arrival.
"Hey... I... can I talk to you for a moment? I need some advice and... well, that's not the only reason I want to talk to you. Please." Wes nodded his head but said nothing. He gently took a hold of her arm and lead her further away from the training. Once they were out of ear shot, he released his hold on her. "A part of you probably hates me right now, and I don't blame you, but... I just want to say that I and Ajax are leaving soon and I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you. I'm going to miss you, cupid."
He didn't like it. His stance probably said that. It seemed as the words left her mouth, Wes crossed his arms over his chest. He sighed. "If that's what you think is best. I know camp has been... difficult for you recently." He didn't know how else to say it, but it was true. Ever since Jennova, it's only gone from bad to worse. "I'll miss you too," his tone was softer as he gently patted her shoulder. "I hope it helps."
"I hope, one day, you'll forgive me." Wes nodded and gave his best smile. In time, he would. But even though Andy wasn't his closest friend, watching his best friend do that to someone left him a bit shook. "I also feel like I should apologize to Andy, but... I don't think it will make any difference with how much she hates me."
Wes inhaled sharply between his teeth. That was a true statement. Neither of the girls were particularly fond of the other, and for good reason on either part. But he wasn't going to voice that. "I don't know Andy well enough to know how that would go over. For that you'd have to ask my girlfriend," he said, nodding his head towards Trinity. It was the moment the word left his mouth that he realized what he actually said. Gods, would she kill him for labelling them like that? He tried not to think about it even though his heart began to race in his chest. "Or Daniel." He quickly continued the conversation. He would have said Mason. To be honest, it seemed the son of Hades knew Andy better than most but he knew that just saying his name would erase any chance at peace.
Before they could talk anymore Iliana snuck up on the pair of them. "Morning. Sorry to interrupt you, but I wanted to talk to you Alex."
He didn't say anything. Wes simply nodded his head while giving both girls a gentle touch to the shoulder. He excused himself and slowly made his way back to the group. When there was a temporary lull in training he passed behind Trin, placing a quick and brief kiss on her head. But he didn't linger there. He simply smiled toward her before making his way back to the log and taking a seat beside Liam.
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sylas astor
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“I would inquire what benefit you think we can gain from one another by me staying. Then worry perhaps you were getting attached or trying to distort my emotions,” Evelyn said after she let herself be drawn closer to him.
"You speak as though I have an ulterior motive." Sylas's gaze remain fixed on hers while his voice was deep playing into their little game of cat and mouse. He did quite enjoy the chase with her.
He didn't need her words to know that there, in that moment, Evelyn was his. Her words might have said one thing but her body moved with his every touch like it was hungry for more. And while manipulating the hypnotizing red head might have been tempting, he secretly found himself magnetized to her as she was to him. Maybe it was the mystery or her way to see through the veil, if only a little. She was a woman who wasn't scared by the potential beast within, but intrigued by it. That only made him more ravenous.
“I know,” she commented in regards to the question she still had in her arsenal. “But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I have to make it count.”
Sylas smirked slightly watching her nibble at her lip as he could see the wheels turning in thought. Part of him wanted to make another sly comment. Who's to say he hasn't been honest with her thus far? Maybe she thought everything that left his lips was a lie. Or maybe she just wanted this one particular question to count. He couldn't help but find his pulse quicken the longer it took her to think of what she wanted to ask. What could she want to know? And what would she think of his response? This was new territory for him... honesty.
“What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in life so far?” Sylas was surprised at the question, almost expecting something far more personal. He sat there in the silence, mulling over the answers in his head while Evelyn's hands gently ran along his shoulders and down his arms. The tip of his tongue grazed his lips when her gaze fell to them. But just before they could kiss, she guided his head sideways and placed her lips softly upon his neck. All the while, she moved her body ever closer to him until her knees rested on the bed as she straddled him. Once she was settled, he let his hands move to her backside, tugging her closer with a quiet groan.
"I've learned..." Sylas spoke quietly, tilting his head with her tender kisses. He let himself conform to her touch, as his voice grew quiet and serious, a small fraction was perhaps even vulnerable. "That I'm alone in this world." He didn't elaborate. Because it was that plain and simple. He let his gaze fall to hers for a long moment and his face showed the seriousness that was apparent in his tone.
“I should get one more request because you've been...somewhat distracting and in a way, I did two favors for you.” Evelyn's words caused him to chuckle and his smirk regaining it's place upon his lips. “It can be an easy one like a confession of your choice. You couldn't be afraid to overshare with all that power lurking in your veins.”
"She's had a taste and wants more," Sylas said as his smirk grew slightly. If anyone else was there, his comment would seem surface level and merely about sex. But she knew his meaning. Evelyn enjoyed having the power to pull secrets from him, something that seemed unobtainable to most. And she wanted more. "If that is the case, then it's only fair if you confess something yourself."
After a long moment, Evelyn sighed and wiggled her hips, presumably to get comfortable, although it still caused Sylas to raise a curious brow. “Part of me is tempted to test your endurance and stamina.” Her gaze trailed his bare chest while her fingers following suit. “But I'd hate to wear you out. Things to do, people to see, I'm sure.”
"You'd be surprised what I can handle." He remained sitting on the bed as Evelyn retreated. Sylas could have pulled her back and whispered velvet words to persuade her to stay. But instead he watched her exit his room, no shame in taking in her form as she walked.
He waited there, seated on the edge of the bed as he heard her move about his cabin. Sylas ran a hand through his hair as he took a deep breath. His gaze drifted towards the heaps of blankets strewn about the bed and along the floor, his mind letting the events that just transpired sink in. Part of him, wanted to let her leave. Let their moment in bed remain that and nothing more, but something else was drawn to her. Something he couldn't quite explain. She was different than other women. Evelyn challenged him. Her tongue silvered like his own and it was intoxicating.
He hadn't heard the front door, so she still lingered somewhere. Before Sylas could play out the possibilities or think of a plan of attack, he was on his feet, moving toward the door. For a moment he wondered, until he found her standing at his kitchen sink. He didn't announce himself. Quiet footsteps carried him across the room until his bare chest brushed against her back. His fingertips slowly found their way to Evelyn's hips as the tip of his nose brushed along the nape of her neck. "You want a confession?" he purred in her ear.
His voice was deep and graveled in the back of his throat. It was primal, not dripping with honey, but seductive and intense. Sylas's right hand ran up her arm and along her shoulder until it cupped the side of her neck. "I'm dangerous. And you should stay far from me." That was a confession no other would hear. A confession that is a brief glimpse into his true nature and his acceptance of it. Sylas was a dangerous person and he knew it. What they shared couldn't be described. Was it simply a game of discovery? Lust? Something more? They didn't talk about it. But everyday they grew closer. And as much as her curiosity and tests thrilled him, it only drew her closer to a black void.
He did not move, nor release his hold on her. Sylas stood there for a long moment, before he gently turned her around. He kept her there, pinned between himself and the counter, looking down into her eyes. "When I'm around you, I lose reason... Your presence is intoxicating."
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sloane astor
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“Well, that's something. How'd you feel afterwards?” Trinity said almost like there was some light at the end of Sloane's hopeless tunnel.
She found herself standing there silent with her mouth slightly agape as she searched for a response. "I don't remember... I just know that they deserved it."
“I was actually going to suggest you hit me... Or any other person or object. I just think you must be furious about being in your circumstances.”
Sloane's brows furrowed as she tried to put a finger on how she felt. Anger would be reasonable. That is to be expected. But she had grown used to how Sylas treated her. It was sad, but the truth of it. She knew what the pain felt like, his temper and his reactions. She no longer tiptoed around him to try and not set him off, because if it wasn't one thing it was another. She accepted it.
...Until someone intervened. That's when the fear returned. Before, she could talk back to him and accept her punishment with her head held high. But now, it was bigger than herself. When Sloane was his punching bag. It was contained. She could handle the pain because it was hers to bare. It was under control. And now, Liam was part of it... perhaps even Trinity, Wes and Andy simply because they knew the truth. Whatever courage Sloane once had was gone because whatever misstep she took would no longer be inflicted upon herself... but him. She no longer had control.
But she said none of this, although her face, no doubt, showed how deep in thought she was. "It's fear... Not anger," Sloane admitted, as her gaze fell to her hands. That wasn't something easy for her to admit. No one likes to admit when they are frightened. But this girl she barely knew was trying to help. Liam was trying to help. If she wanted to protect them from her brother, she had to let them help her. And secrecy wasn't the answer.
"My thought was that we teach her how to defend herself." Liam put up his hands in surrender before he continued. “All she has to do is get her hand on someone, right? We just have to train her to utilize quick defensive movements - brushing a hand away, whatever it may be - to allow her to use her own power to do the fighting for her. I mean, think about it.”
While, from a tactical point of view, what Liam said made sense. But Sloane didn't like using her abilities. Sylas did but she didn't. And on top of that, she had only been able to use her abilities on her brother once... once. Not that they knew that. But the moment she did, he knew. It was like an inner alarm went off letting him know that she was there, trying to slip her tendrils around him. And it was hard... Perhaps the most difficult thing she ever did.
"We're on a different playing field. Even in the normal world, people train for years to learn how to fight. We are not going to train Sloane in a day or even a week. She's small, so right there she's disadvantaged against at least more than half of the camp. But she knows her powers, so she just needs to learn how to use them to do the fighting for her. But her power is control over another person. It's no small power. It has... endless uses in a fight. You probably know the folks around here better than me. I think I dropped out of school before I learned anything about mythology. You're more experienced in this area..."
“Liam..” Trinity began to speak, but was cut off.
"She just needs to stop being afraid to do what she has to do. She has no confidence." A lump instantly grew in Sloane's throat as her gaze fell to the ground. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she tried not to show her discomfort. It was the truth, she could not deny that. But it still hurt. The words cut deep and it took all she had not to just walk away. "You can teach someone to fight... but that won't mean anything if... you know..." What made it all worse was he spoke to Trinity... Like she wasn't even there. So, rather than be offended, she acted exactly like he did... Like she wasn't even there.
“Right,” Trinity replied briefly.
Sloane didn't move from where she stood, nor look up at Liam as he stepped up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just tell yourself that today is the day you're not going to take any more shit. You got this."
She listened to his words but once he finished, Sloane shrugged his hand off her shoulder. "I know," was all she said in response, walking away from him and heading out into the clearing.
After Liam left them to take a seat on the log, Trinity joined her. “Size doesn't matter,” she added lowly, concluding the previous discussion. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make Sloane smile and remove a little of the chip on her shoulder that Liam, so kindly, put there.
“I guess I'll be guinea pig then.” Trinity clapped and moved in front of her. “Some of us have reflexive powers, but I need to know you're in control of yours.”
"I can control them," Sloane said in a factual way. This she knew for certain. She learned to do this years ago with her mother's aid and used this to refrain from using her powers all together. But she understood Trinity's concern and would not question it.
Then, quickly without warning, Trinity's hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Sloane was practically trained not to fight back or flinch whenever Sylas lashed out. So, contrary to what most might think, she didn't flinch nor blink. Her brow's furrowed as her gaze fell to Trinity's hand. It took a second or two before she realized what the blonde was trying to do. "I've uh... gotten used to it. Sorry... You want me to dodge or... something?" she asked rhetorically and then smacked the hand away.
It seemed the moment she pushed Trinity's hand away another came back faster. Sloane faltered a lot in the beginning, her reactions were delayed or she barely used any effort to push the girl away, not wishing to hurt her or be too forceful. But it seemed like the more she did that, the harder and faster Trinity went. It pushed her. Until it was almost subconscious to shove the hand away, not particularly worrying about how hard she went. Her form was not good and it would, by no means, block a real hit. But she wasn't standing still like a punching bag waiting for her punishment.
“Perfect.” The pace got faster. Trinity no longer withheld her hits. There were going to be bruises in the morning, Sloane was sure of that. But she tried to match the pace. Sometimes she missed, but sometimes she actually deflected. Then things shifted and before she knew it, Trinity's leg was behind her, knocking her off balance. Sloane stumbled backwards, but not for long before the blonde was behind her with an arm around her neck. She was standing on her tip toes, barely, without a clue how to get out of the hold. Part of her didn't want to hurt her, but this was all a test.
Sloane contemplated kicking Trinity in the knee or biting her arm, but before she could do either, she spoke to her lowly so that only she could hear. “Do you trust him?”
She hesitated for a moment, trying to figure out who Trinity meant. But then her gaze fell on Liam. Sloane swallowed before answering. "Yes..." She said quietly. His bedside manner needed some work... a lot of work. But even though she hadn't known him for long, he meant well. If he didn't, he wouldn't have gone to Trinity for help. And maybe that womanizing part of him was doing it hoping it would get him laid, but he was still helping her. Although something in her gut told her, that that wasn't it. Maybe part of it was her projecting her own emotions on him. But she didn't have time to think about that, not at that moment.
She shook off the thoughts after Trinity released her from the hold. Sloane sighed softly as she brushed loose hairs behind her ears. “Liam, your turn.”
"Wait, what?" Sloane quickly pivoted, looking towards a retreating Trinity. That was barely enough practice for her to be ready to go against... well, anyone, let alone a man over twice her size who could break her with a sneeze. She didn't argue. But she didn't like it. Instead she remained where she stood, twiddling her fingers, trying not to look nervous.
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andromeda bolton
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Mason seemed to have zero problems with going to get her food and clothes, which only made Andy feel worse. Knowing him, he blamed himself. She was in the closet with him and he was the one who had bad blood with Alex... worse than her own anyway. But there was nothing she could do to stop him. A strange foreign feeling she didn't enjoy. Useless.
"I'll be quick. What do you want?"
Andy hated being the person who abused a gift and at that point, she could eat anything. "Just something... bread. Toast, bagel, whatever. And a piece of fruit." To be honest, she listed off the first things she could think of. Something quick that he could grab, because she didn't want to be alone in that place any longer than she had to.
By herself, she sat there in silence. Andy combed her memory of what happened the day before. Part of her ached, not from the lightning, but from before. She had no idea where all her indecisive feelings came from. They seemed to appear almost over night. When you're in love, you weren't supposed to have feelings for someone else. But there it was. She felt guilty about it. Mason was there for her, always. No matter if they were just fighting or vowed to never speak again. If she needed him he was there. He always put her first. And to Ajax she was first... After Alex.
Andy never blamed him for that. Alex was family and she was just... some girl. But it seemed like each time it happened, it hit a little deeper. She thought maybe, this would be the difference. If it wasn't murder, then his sister nearly killing her would be the one time she'd come first. But still... he wasn't there. Worst of all, she found herself staring at the entrance, hoping that Ajax would come through. That he'd prove her wrong.
Her lips clenched as she tried to sniff back the tear that ran down her cheek. Luckily, she managed to wipe it away just as Mason came walking back in with a bag and food in tow. "Hey. How'd I do?"
Andy smiled, trying not to sniffle. "It looks great. Thank you."
He set down the bag and food before coming to her side. "Come on, sit up." He offered her his arm for support, which she used but her movements were slow. So, rather than letting her suffer through it, Mason lightly wrapped his arm around her. She rested her chin on his shoulder as he lifted her in a gentle hug to help her sit up. Andy quickly blinked back the tears and took a deep breath while her face was hidden, trying to keep her emotions in check. Then by the time he pulled away she was smiling once again. "Good girl."
Afterwards, Mason even moved the tray over to her so she could eat. Andy rested her hand on top of his while he still held the tray before he could withdraw. "Thank you for being here." She had already said it before and she was probably going to say fifty more times before she got out of the infirmary. His support meant more than words could say and if the only way she could show it was by saying 'thank you' too many times, then so be it.
Before her was a bagel and an apple, which Andy was all to happy to dig into. A few bites in, she held out the other half of the bagel to him. "Here... I won't take no for an answer." She waited there with her arm outstretched until he took it, which was quite a feat considering how sore she was. But she was stubborn. Mason knew that. She also made sure that every other bite of her apple she passed it off to him. Regardless if he admitted it or not, he also needed to it. Andy wouldn't have him withering away while he nursed her back to health.
Once she was done, Mason seemed to grow nervous as he reached down and picked up the bag. "I thought it was better to get fresh...everything. I tried to get clothes that weren't too clingy but they all looked the same to me. I can get some staff to help you get changed or find Trinity?"
Andy opened the bag and sifted through what he brought. When she came upon undergarments, her cheeks instantly flushed. She swallowed and took a deep breath before looking up at him and smiling. "It's perfect. I'll be ok. I need to try doing it on my own." She was determined not to be entirely useless. Even if she spent all her energy just changing. But this was something she had to. At least, try on her own.
She pulled out the baggiest clothes she could find and laid them on the bed beside her. Andy slowly and carefully draped her legs over the edge of the bed one at a time. She felt like she was moving slow as the grave, but she was doing it. Once there, she paused for a moment to take a breath then grabbed the sweatpants. Luckily, a hospital gown made it easy for her to pull them on to her thighs. She then, cautiously stepped off the bed. For a moment she lost her balance, grabbing Mason's arm for stability.
She stood there for a moment or two until the room stopped spinning. "It's ok. I got it," she quickly reassured him before she let go. It took a little work and wiggle but she managed to get the pants on. Andy turned her back to Mason before she tried to reach behind her back and untie the gown. Her hand could barely reach up to her hip before she got a sharp pain in her ribs. She took a deep breath and tried again with her other arm to no avail. "Dammit," she cursed under her breath. For a long moment, she stood there with her face in the palm of her hand trying not to have a melt down about not being able to take off a damn gown.
Her face quickly grew red. She knew what she had to ask but was too embarrassed to speak up. It took her a couple minutes to finally open her mouth and speak. "Can you untie this... please?" she asked quietly, unable to look back at him.
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