☘ тнιεғ ιη тнε ηιgнт ☘

"I'm not the one that said we should go." She reminded him as he spoke, sensing a way to get out of this and not have to face her past. Her face actually echoed with hopefulness that he changed his mind- even though he was right of course and she should face it. She distracted herself from the thought as she played with the line of his collarbone, tracing the freakles there affectionately. Her eyes drifted up at his prompting, curious at that tone of his voice and that particular grin on his face. Oh..oh that was a fun look on his handsome face!

"Practice huh? Sounds like an actual job." She chuckled, chewing on her lip as she thought....well not really thought. She knew her answer already of course. "What if I giggle when I see you doing it?" She pointed out with a huge smile on her face.

The thief narrowed his eyes. She didn’t want to go, did she? And he had thought he had done a pretty good convincing. “If ye want me ta get caught.” Eric chuckled. “I’d never steal from yer ex.” Features now firm, he shook his head. As if he was actually being serious. “Maybe from his lass…” Though he didn’t usually steal just for the sake of it, or to sell anything; Eric was a thief who got hired, who actually had some sort of moral compass. He didn’t do it randomly.

He took Alex’s hand and pulled it up to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. “If ye really don’t wanna go, we can stay ‘way. Bu’…I think we should.” He looked her in the eyes. “Show ‘em they’re no’ any be’er than us an’ tha’ ye don’t need tha’ prick.”

#;ch:alex

There is a moment, when you're racing...... when the car listed to your every command, when you are in complete harmony with yourself, the car and the track that was transcendent. It was, in her estimation, when you were no longer driving but almost flying. She was slowly reaching that moment where she wasn't just driving, but transcended into that moment of perfection. Starting to pull away ever so slightly, when she felt the tears streaming down her face as memories of loss, love, and so much more began to flood her senses.

Before rounding one of the corners, she slammed on the breaks stopping in the middle of the track as she tried to settled her breathing.

The other car was suddenly out of his periphery, and although he was supposed to focus on the track, Eric couldn’t help but look into the rear-view mirror, watching as Wendy was slowing down until it came to a full halt. It didn’t take him much longer to stop his own car. Now, this is something you absolutely don’t do in a race, on the track: stopping your car in the middle, risking your own life, and especially not getting out of the car when the race is still on. But this wasn’t an ordinary race, and him and Wendy were the only ones on the track. So naturally, Eric opened the door and got out, pulling the helmet off his head to toss it onto the seat before he ran all the way back.

Wendy wasn’t one to give up. She kept moving forward, no matter the obstacles, sometimes even no matter the consequences. For her to stop in the middle of the track was highly unlikely – and still she had done it. Something must have gone wrong. Eric was running until he reached her car, and without giving it a second thought, he frantically opened the door of her car, bending down to her. “Wendy? You a’righ’?”

"I've never asked either of you to 'save my ass.'" She pointed out. "And even if I did ask someone it would be Eric." She stood firm for a moment, looking him right in the eye. Finally she broke eye contact to look down the hallway where Eric was. Could she even sleep in there or would it hurt him?

She sighed and looked back at him. She scowled for a moment before taking the gun out of her bag and holding it out to him. "Next time I'm keeping it though." She grumbled. She knew that she was standing there stupidly but she wasn't sure that she wanted to go back into the room and for Eric to continue being angry with her. "I dont know how to help him." She finally said planely.

Ian’s eyebrow rose even higher. He did want to challenge Alex and ask her what made her think Eric could actually save her ass from the bed he was bound to – but he didn’t say it. Actually, even a man like Ian needed to get some sleep now and again. He took the gun from her and glanced down. Was he supposed to tell her it wasn’t even loaded?

Ian sighed. “You can help him by not running out trying to kill everyone you think is fucking responsible for this. You can help him by staying by his side.” That was probably the softest Ian had been in years. “He needs you here – and if it’s just holding his hand. Why the fuck anyone would ever want that, though…”

#;ch:alex #;fc:ian

A bark of a laugh came from her and he snapped at her. At least he'd looked shocked- she had a feeling that probably happened even less then him liking people. "Believe it or not, not everything is about you Ian." She reminded him. "This actually has to do more with me being in love with your son."

She snorted at his comment about not knowing where he lived. "I thought we were past you underestimating me Ian. I'm sure I can figure something out."

The snarkiness did die down when he pointed out that she was tired though. She didn't have a clever rebutale for that. In fact her shoulders physically slumped and face dropped at the mention of that. "Yeah well...." She trailed off for a moment, glancing at the bedroom. "Theres not much I can do about that."

Alex laughed – and Ian just stared at her motionless, his face not giving away what he was thinking in that moment. If she had been anyone else, she would long be buried deep down in someone’s bloody front garden. “Sure. Go out and find him. Have fun,” Ian told her dryly. “I’m not gonna be the one to save your fucking ass then, and your boyfriend can’t even get his outta bed.” He cocked up an eyebrow, still unimpressed.

“Give me the fucking gun back and go to fucking bed now.” That wasn’t a suggestion, it was more of an order. “It’s like taking care of fucking kindergarteners….”

#;ch:alex #;fc:ian

"If he's cute and sweet enough." She shot back with another little peck to his lips. She pushed one of the curls from his forehead as she took him in. He was cute of course but that wasn't the point. That first night had been such a profound connection- which was hilarious since at the time they had both thought it was just a one night stand. Her only once night stand it they were being honest.

Her fingers reached out to trace his lips when he pressed them together. A shoulder half shrugged in the position they were in. "We can get one on the way. Its not like there are many places to get a tux here." She hummed. She didn't even think about the weight thing. The only way she'd noticed was being relieved that he was gaining weight considering she never had been able to put it back on.

She laughed and rolled off of him slowly and reluctantly. "See. Cave men are sweet." She joked, looking over at him. Her nose wrinkled at the thought of trying on other dresses. "I guess they are the people that would notice if I wore one I already have...."

“I mean…no’ tha’ it’s any’f their feckin’ business…” Eric muttered. He was going to hate that wedding, wasn’t he? With all those pretentious, stuck-up pieces of shit attending. All he could picture were those snobs with plastic in their faces and tits, dressed in clothes worth a year’s salary of ordinary people’s jobs, holding glasses of the most expensive champagne in their hands. He wanted to gag. But the thought also had a smile slowly stretching his lips.

“Y’know…I haven’t been on a job in a whoile…” Eric mused, the smile turning into a full grin as he turned his head to look at Alex. A moment later he was lying on his side again, elbow propped up and head resting on his palm. “I could practice a bi’ a’ tha’ weddin’.”

#;ch:alex

kit-just-kit

"Thorpe Park would involve Niamh, Tommy and I standing about while you run around the place like a madman, going on all the rides by yourself about five times and us three not going on them at all because the kids are too small and I don't want my hair to get messed up.....so no" she replied, pulling a sardonic expression at him.

Plus it was stupidly overpriced, the food was garbage and it was full of screaming brats......literal hell on earth, in Kit's book, but she resisted on spelling it out.

"Since when does Tommy hate Lego? I thought he loved it?". Her face changed to show genuine concern, worried now that she's missed something in all the panicked moments she'd had lately over her health woes.

The thief pursed his lips in disappointment when Kit listed all the negative points about Thorpe Park. Of course Lego Land was a lot better than the other park on those matters, but really, he never liked those little colourful bricks. Tommy did, though. Eric chuckled, shaking his head. “Baby – I was jokin’! Course Tommy luvs Lego.” He laughed. On normal days Kit would have easily picked up on it, but today was just different. He couldn’t blame her, though.

“Yer hair’s gonna ge’ messed up, anyway, though. As far’s I know, Lego Land has a water roide.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “An’ I’m no’ gonna ge’ on it with two kids on me own.” He reached out to take both her hands in his, squeezing them lightly. “How ‘bout we don’t tell ‘em where we’re goin’ an’ keep it a surproise for ‘em?”

#;ch:kit

As much as there was a weird pull to the car, something shifted as the lights counted down. Her eyes focusing, and without hesitation her car was off. Feeling the creation of her team under her control was almost like a lullaby from child hood she had forgotten.

She had gotten lost in the way it moved, cornered. She was home once again.

To try racing had been a spontaneous decision for Eric; he had always liked fast cars, had even once participated in some kind of cannonball run across the US. He thought of himself as quite skilled, so it had only been natural to start professional racing. To feel the engine rumble through his entire body, the way the car reacted to his movements. The adrenaline shooting through him. The full focus demanded. God, he loved it!

His gaze shot to the side for a brief second when he noticed Wendy right next to him, the grip on the steering wheel tightening. This was just for fun, he had to remind himself, not for a prize or anything else. Just a fun little race between the two of them. Still, the ambition was strong.

It was a strange ritual, something she had done that she did not realize was still ingrained in her soul. Her bare hand on the hood with a silent prayer before moving into the car. Gloves on, the spotter at the controls.

Wendy gave Eric a nod before she went almost limp. Her head falling forward, her eyes closed. A centering breath...... before looking back up at the starting line. Waiting...... the anticipation of go, yet for her? Everything went silent.

This was when everything around her ceased to exist, and all that was there was the car and her.

Eric knew better than to get distracted, especially in racing, and also in his line of business (of which he still hadn’t told Wendy; but it was better that way). Still he couldn’t help but glance over at Wendy now and again as they waited for the green light. He had to remind himself to stop it, to focus on the track, to not let his feelings for her take over. Not now, anyway. There was still time for it later.

The green light flashed up, and his car effortlessly went off. The second he felt the engine, the second he saw everything flash past him, the worries about Wendy were forgotten. His mind only focused on the race between them.

#||ride of your life #//omg yes 🥹

sickfuture

Wendy looked up at Eric, a soft smile on her lips as she put her gloves on for the first time in ages. "Eric," she paused shaking her head. "Do you really think anyone could make me do something I did not want to do?"

Her hands stretching out in the gloves, a piece of her that had been missing for far too long. "Besides..... I think I need to."

Eric sat behind the wheel of his car, his gaze not leaving Wendy the entire time. He just wanted to be sure she was certain about this; that there were no issues whatsoever. At the slightest doubt, he knew, it was better to stop. All jokes and teasing aside.

He pulled the gloves over his hands, then put on his helmet, making sure everything sat tight and as it should. Racing wasn’t just driving the car; it was a lot of preparing beforehand, and most importantly, doing everything to keep the drivers safe. He gave their spotter a thumbs-up when he was done, then shot Wendy another look, raising his thumb once more – but this time to make sure she was okay.

Alex walked over to the little bar and pulled herself a drink, taking it in a shot....badly. Her entire face scrunched up as it burned and tasted like shit. How did people enjoy this crap? She had to resist when she heard Eric call out. It pulled at her heart but sh needed a minute.

She glared back at Ian as he took out his gun. Maybe he thought she would resist but...she didn't. When he held it out to her, she took it without hestation and stuck it in her bag.

"Okay." She said simply stepping around him.

#;ch:alex #;fc:ian #//I can't xD

Alex was lucky she was Alex – because if anyone else had just taken a drink from his bar without asking, Ian would have shot them on the spot. Thankfully for her, she was his son’s girlfriend, and Ian actually also liked her, which was rare: Ian hated everybody. That she was just taking the gun from him, though, surprised him. For a moment he considered shooting her, but Eric would never forgive him that. Oh well.

“Are you trying to fucking impress me?” he asked instead, turning around with her. “You don’t even know where the fuck he lives.” And just looking for the man in the phonebook wasn’t going to do the trick. “You’re not even awake enough. It’s the middle of the fucking night, you need rest.”

She couldn't help but let her grin spread wider as the very funny and unsexy 'Oi' came from him. Well not exactly unsexy. Nothing Eric could do was unsexy to her. Even when he was being the worlds biggest dork. Maybe especially then!

"It sure did." She hummed in half confirmation half assuring him, cooing the words playfully, teasing him clearly. "Then again...I mean, I'd been locked up out here in the middle of no where for two years so I think you might have had a little bit of an advantage." She was clearly teasing.

Her entire face pulled tight as she tried SO BADLY to hide that she was smiling when he tried to look suave. "Oh you are so sexy and smart." Notice that she didn't say suave...but that was besides the point. "And you're sweet." She leaned down and pecked his lips. "Okay so...New York....wedding. I'm kind of excited to see you in a suit."

“Ye mean, ye would’ve jus’ taken any caveman crossin’ yer path?” In some way, she had. Eric wasn’t exactly known as booksmart; he wasn’t dumb, either, though he did think so of himself. But he just wasn’t the smartest guy around; didn’t know anything about politics (didn’t care, really), history, or books. He was living his life, from day to day, doing what he did best, what he had learned: stealing.

The thief hummed into the kiss, his arms moving around Alex. When the wedding came up again. Pursing his lips, he let his head sink back onto the pillow. “I’mma have ta buy a new one,” Eric admitted. “I think moine no longer fits.” It had been a while since he had last worn one, and some things had happened that changed his weight… “Wha’ ‘bout you, though? Ye need a really noice dress tha’ outshoines the broide. I mean…” his brow rose, “ye a’ready do, bu’ tha’s besoides the point.”

#;ch:alex

She felt herself frown for a moment, before looking back to Eric. "Are you getting cold feet on me?" Wendy asked incredulously . Stepping back she looked at both men.

"I am fine." she tried to reassure them. "It's one lap.... I can manage."

“Me? Cold feet?” Eric laughed out loud, shaking his head before he grabbed his gloves and helmet. Not putting them on just yet, though; he usually only did it once he was seated in the car. It was some sort of ritual.

He stepped up to Wendy, lowering his voice. “No one would blame ye if ye don’t wanna do this, ye know tha’.”

"I don't tremble." she corrected. "Or go weak at the knees. Not when it comes to my cars." A slight glare in her eyes at the mere suggestion.

"Don't worry..... I wont go easy on you."

Making it to the garage their spotter was just showing up before giving Eric an odd look and resting a hand on Wendy's shoulder.

"Are you sure you want to do this Miss?" He had been with her family for years, and had seen what had happened when her late husband.

"I am."

“Nah – jus’ when it comes ta me.” Eric grinned, but then stopped in his tracks when their spotter arrived. His gaze shifted back over to Wendy. Of course he hadn’t forgotten about her late husband, about the circumstances. But perhaps it was indeed time for her to fight those demons from the past…

Eric caught up with her, putting his hand on the small of her back. “Y’know ye don’t have ta,” he told her quietly, more seriously now. “I know someone who kept tellin’ me…when there’s jus’ the sloightest hint’f a doubt in me moind, I should cancel the race for good.”

She smiled as their brows met. Her eyes closing softly at the intimate moment between the two.

"Only one way to find out......" leaning to kiss him before she pulled away and made her way towards the garage.

His eyes narrowed. Leaving him hanging here like that? Rude. She was right, though. They had agreed on racing each other, and he really couldn't wait. Clapping his hands as he followed Wendy to the garage.

"D'I see a tremble there?" he asked jokingly. "Are y'afraid?"

Alex glared right back at Ian. "No- considering I beat someone to death with a fucking baseball bat last night, I just might be a little confused on what is acceptable and what rules you oh so noble asssains have." She sneered. "Because to me, trying to murder your son isn't trying to 'fucking kill people randomly'." She mad the quotes on the air to make her point. Because really what other better reason was there? "I'm not arguing. Just saying your code on conduct isn't 100% clear."

With that she turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Apperently she was just here to cuddle Eric or something. At least they thought that was why they had brought her here. She liked to think that if Eric had been awake he would have known her better then that by now.