evolved;

the broken are more EVOLVED.

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

“Yeah I know, I just mean –” He let out a sigh, “Don’t want him t’do somethin’ he’s gonna regret, you know?” Sol mumbled, he’d never expressed such care for someone, it was freeing but terrifying all at once. When had this happened? He didn’t sign up for shit. 

"You care about him even if you don’t want to admit it out loud.” Link knew that. She had never seen Sol really care about someone else like the way he was caring for Eric and the guy was still practically a stranger to most of them. “I still stand by what I said. It’s okay to care about him.”

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

“Yep,” Sol mumbled, wiping his free hand down his face, squeezing the bridge of his nose as he nodded. Thinking too much about Xander only fuelled his anger, made him want to break the promise he’d made to Eric, that fucker should pay for what he did, death was far too simple. His head tilted to the side before looking down at her, “S’his call, just not so sure doin’ anything quick s’gonna make him feel any better.”

"Doing anything slow might not make him feel any better either. No matter what happens to Xander, doesn’t change the fact that he was shot and half of the people around here thinks he’s the devil.” Either way, it may not making Eric feel better but it was still his call which meant she was going to stay the hell out of the way when the time comes. 

[nerdishpursuits-deactivated2024]

When it rains, it pours

There will be blood in the water …

[fightsol]

breathcdfire:

Link shook her head, “You’re fine. Figured you’d probably be a while.” She wasn’t sure how long the conversation with Eric would be and considering Luka seemed a little less than willing to leave Eric’s side, she had a feeling it would take a bit to even coax the younger male out of the room. “We’ll have his back. No questions asked.” She shifted in her spot before resting against Sol. She wasn’t going to question it. It had been a long night, a lot had changed, and maybe they were all in some need of comfort in that moment. “Do I want to ask about what’s going to happen to the person who shot him? Just assuming he told you about that.”

He began to comb his fingers through her hair, it wasn’t unusual, he had done it for his wife, done it for his child and he’d been doing it from the moment he and Lincoln were comfortable around each other, it soothed him just as much as her, brought a sense of home to the man. “Oh I know who it was, but… I promised him he’d deal with that fucker, Xander – we ain’t to do anything, just set him up. Personally, if it were up to me, he wouldn’t be dyin’, not anytime soon, that prick would be sufferin’ for years to come.”

[breathcdfire]

"Eric wants to deal with the guy himself?" She questioned, tilting her head to glance at Sol. "Thought it was bad just thinking another community member did it but a fellow leader? That definitely has to sting." Link rubbed her lips together before speaking again, "could always bring up the possibility to him. I'm sure Eric isn't thinking about it in his current state."

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

He looked her over, “Didn’t mean to wake you up, darlin’,” Sol whispered, though he knew he wouldn’t rest until some form of plan had been set into place. “Yeah, you called it, think he’s pissed. S’only worry is his nephew and Luka, wants them safe, but s’willing to help us. He’s with us now, Link, we have his back, like always.” Sol pushed himself up and crossed the room, encouraging her up and sliding into the seat, letting her fall back against him, damn he was needy for comfort today. “Gotta give a signal to the rest of them in the morning, they’ll come in, do the dirty work, we sit back, keep out of it till the last moment. Ain’t nobody gonna be surprised but m’not having Eric caught in the crossfire.”

Link shook her head, “You’re fine. Figured you’d probably be a while.” She wasn’t sure how long the conversation with Eric would be and considering Luka seemed a little less than willing to leave Eric’s side, she had a feeling it would take a bit to even coax the younger male out of the room. “We’ll have his back. No questions asked.” She shifted in her spot before resting against Sol. She wasn’t going to question it. It had been a long night, a lot had changed, and maybe they were all in some need of comfort in that moment. “Do I want to ask about what’s going to happen to the person who shot him? Just assuming he told you about that.”

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

Sol breathed out, shaking his head, “My wife died. My kid died. You and Eden and Rowan, y’my family now, that’s already enough people to be worryin’ about.” He didn’t pull away just yet, finding himself almost dependent on Link’s subtle comfort. “I know, do m’best.” 

Around an hour later, Sol was trudging back towards his house, it was dark outside and there was an atmosphere in the community, one Sol ignored. He’d already asked Link to be there when he got back, they needed to talk, whatever the outcome of his conversation with Eric, at least now he knew it had been relatively positive. “Hey,” He mumbled, sinking into his seat, letting his head fall back against the sofa, “So – Eric’s on board.”

Link couldn’t pretend to know what it was like to be in Sol’s shoes: to lose both his wife and his child and while she knew that he considered herself and a select few others as family, she also knew that he cared for Eric even if he didn’t want to admit it. He wouldn’t have been waiting to see him, he wouldn’t have brought up the possibility of him being a part of this if he didn’t but she didn’t argue it knowing there was no point.

Link had made herself at home at Sol’s place, almost drifting off until she heard the door shut. “Hey,” she murmured while moving to sit up a bit straighter. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. Maybe I should be but I’m not.” He would have been stupid to go back to the community that clearly didn’t want him around anymore. “Like I said, Eric looks like he can be a Susie Homemaker and also stab someone in the throat without thinking about it.” She shifted in her spot to face Sol better, “So, how is all of this going to play out?”

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

Sol appreciated her constant support, Lincoln had never really fought him on anything, she was a good kid and he’d always placed her first, but now he wasn’t simply thinking of her, not even simply thinking of his people, but of Eric too. He let out a sigh, nodding, afraid to admit it out loud in case it became too real, “Fuck.”

He didn’t have to say it out loud. The nod of his head and the curse that fled his lips was enough for Link to know. “You know it’s okay to care about someone,” she said quietly. “To let someone else in.” She ran a hand down Sol’s back before letting out a soft sigh, “I know you don’t need my stamp of approval but...I like him. If he accepts all of this...you’d be dumb to let him go.”

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

“I should’ve known everyone in here couldn’t be as good as him,” Sol responded, leaning into Link, placing his hand on the back of her neck as he brought her closer, resting his chin on her head. It was more of a supportive hug for himself than her, but Sol knew she’d understand that. “I’m gonna get him the revenge he deserves, we’re takin’ this place, and Eric’s with us… Just gotta get him on side first.”

"Still didn’t expect them to turn on one of their own even if most will probably blame us for this.” Link let out another soft sigh as she moved into Sol, moving her arms around him. What Sol said shouldn’t have been much of a surprise. The real question was whether or not Eric would agree. “As much as I want to say turning his back on his people doesn’t seem like his style...I don’t see how he can stand by them now.” She rubbed her lips together before speaking again, “You really do care about him don’t you?”

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

Sol stepped out of the room, granting Luka some time with Eric now that he was awake and said little to the girl who had stuck by his side the whole night. He leaned against the wall, staring down at the floor as Lincoln spoke, only able to give her a nod in response to her question. Solomon hadn’t allowed guilt to touch him in years, he had pushed aside every ounce of the feeling after he lost his wife and little girl so that he would never have to deal with it again, he’d kept his caring for others to a minimum, his sympathy even less so. But here he was, feeling like shit because Eric got hurt.

“Course it is,” He shook his head, “Not us. Me. I brought us here. I wanted this shit.” Solomon wiped his hands down his face, finally looking back towards the female, “He could’ve died ‘cause he was good to us, ain’t that some shit?”

Link couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Sol like this, if ever. Feeling guilt wasn’t his forte and it sure as hell wasn’t hers but she found herself feeling bad for Eric. She couldn’t remember the last time she actually felt pity or empathy for someone else and yet, there she was. This community wasn’t like any other community they had come across and Eric wasn’t like anyone they had come across either.

"You couldn’t have known, Sol. We couldn’t have known.” Link let out a soft sigh as she looked towards the older man. “I know we’re not saints here and I know what the plan is but I doubt getting rid of Eric was something just brought on by us being here. Whether it was us or someone else...it may have happened anyway.”

[breathcdfire]

It was a shock to the system really even though it probably shouldn’t have been. Link knew all too well what people were capable of but to think that someone would stoop so low to the point of trying to take out one of their own was still a shocking revelation to her. Maybe they had underestimated this group and maybe they should be taking the time to re-think what the hell they were doing.

"Luka still in there?” She asked as she moved to sit next to Sol. She had taken the time to clean herself up once she was no longer needed. She figured Luka probably was considering Sol was still outside. “Is this really all because of us?” @fightsol

[breathcdfire]

wlkemery:

He grinned as Link turned to face him, lower lip poking out momentarily, “Is that your way of telling me I’m your favourite?” Emery teased, resting his hands in the small of her back as their lips met, forcing him to bring his hands up, cupping her jaw, fingers threading through her hair. Yes, they definitely should have done this a lot sooner. 

Link almost wanted to chuckle at that, “Yeah, maybe.” Neither of them seemed to be interested in talking any more as their lips finally met. This was probably something they should have done the first time Link stepped foot in Emery’s home but she was patient although that patience quickly wore out. She deepened the kiss, her hands moving under Emery’s shirt.

[breathcdfire]

sinnerjesse:

@breathcdfire ▸ you, again

Only a few days had passed since Jesse had come to the makeshift medical clinic concerning his right leg, but seeing as it had been used as a weakness time and time again and seeing as Jesse was the type to worry about his personal health it was only logical that the man would find himself back in the clinic for a checkup. If damage had been done Link and Eric would hear about it. 

Jesse limped his way into the house that had been designated the hospital of Arcadia, stopping momentarily to lean against one of the interior walls for support when the pressure caused by his 6′2″ frame had become too much to bear on his bad leg. Desperation had lead Jesse to seek pain medication and more medical attention from those qualified within the walls of Arcadia, but had it made him desperate enough to seek it from the woman he caught sight of in the room? Of all the people Jesse didn’t want to see at that moment, she was at the very top of his list. “Goldilocks,” the male called as he sauntered into the room doing his best to appear unaffected by the injury. “God, you’re still here. That’s….disappointing.” 

Link rolled her eyes when she heard that familiar voice and almost had half a mind to walk out and leave him to his own devices. “Link. Lincoln, if you prefer. Not Goldilocks or whatever sixth grade nickname you have to throw at me.” She looked over at Jesse, pausing momentarily in what she was busying herself with before finally turning to face him head on. “What do you want?”

[breathcdfire]

wlkemery:

“Haven’t we been over this?” Emery taunted, rolling his eyes playfully as he turned back towards his door, pushing it open and gesturing inside for the girl to enter first. “Just for the record, you don’t need an invitation, ‘specially if you’re turning up naked, just let yourself in,” The male winked, quick on her heels as he closed the door behind them and slipped his hands around her waist, lips trailing the crook of her neck.

Link chuckled softly, “Is that so? I’ll keep that in mind for next day. The moment the door was closed, Emery moved closer and she found herself tilting her head to to give the other a bit more room. “Probably should have done this the first time I was over.” Granted, Link was still feeling Emery out then but she couldn’t deny that the guy was attractive and a lot more easy going than other members within the community. Link shifted, moving to turn so she faced Emery before leaning forward to press their lips together.

[breathcdfire]

fightsol:

He hated this, being forced into a corner, not doing what had always come so naturally to him. Sol looked out for Link, for his whole group, but where she was concerned he was willing to go to different lengths. The man breathed out a sigh, wiping his hands down his face, “Fuck, m’sorry kid, shouldn’t be like this.”

Link shook her head, “You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It is what it is.” She looked away from Sol to instead glance around the community before she looked back towards the older man. “Jesse’s not a big deal any way. Just...a minor annoyance.” Maybe she was downplaying it a little bit but somehow she had a feeling that Jesse was going to cause some problems.

[breathcdfire]

wlkemery:

“Dad?” He repeated, only to recall their previous conversation. Emery let out a sigh of a laugh, “That’s not exactly gonna win anyone over but I don’t know, the thought of you kicking ass woke me up a little…” His head cocked to the side, “If I knew you were only planning on running back to your old man, I’d still be snoozing right now.”

"You know what I mean.” Link cocked her head to the side with a raised brow, “Turned on by ass kicking woman, huh?” She smirked while tilting her head to the side, “You going to invite me inside or what?”

[fightsol]

breathcdfire:

“Well aren’t you living the life.” Link almost smirked but stopped once she noticed river. “God you need a bell or something.” Link chewed on the inside of her cheek before speaking, “he’s going to defend my honor. What else would he be doing?”

River rolled his eyes, pushing his hands into the pockets of his shorts, “I’m just saying, you’ll blow up your own plans if you go and find him now, don’t you think? Unless there is no plan now and we’re just gonna go in there guns blazing. You think if you hurt one of them, even someone who’s pissed off Lincoln that they’re just gonna let it slide?” River was speaking sense, irritating sense. Sol growled, glancing around them before letting his eyes rest on Eric’s home, before shifting back to Link, his brows knitting together, “Fuckin’ prick.” He grunted, sinking into the seat on his porch and bouncing the bat against his knee. After a moment or two, River gave up, letting out a sigh and heading the other way, presumably back to Eden, while Solomon turned to Link, “What you want me to do?”

[breathcdfire]

Lincoln let out a heavy sigh. She hated to admit it but he had a point. If sol went out there now, whatever plan they had was going to blow up in their faces. "Nothing. What choice do we have? Rivers right. You do something now, we'll never win anyone over." She moved to sit on the porch. "I'll deal with him if need be."

[wlkemery]

breathcdfire:

Link smirked as she moved to stand in front of him, “hoping you’d say something like that.” She gave another roll of her eyes, “someone’s going to end up paying attention to him eventually and what happens won’t be good.”

Emery lifted a brow, “Don’t give into him, don’t give him a reason to get his own way,” He murmured, reaching out a hand to hook into the waistband of her pants, pulling Link closer, “Maybe I do have it in me after all…”

[breathcdfire]

"Who said anything about it being me? I have giant number one and dad with a baseball bat." Link raised a brow when thenother pulled her closer, "I thought you were tired."