beautiful & delicate。。。。 @fallonkaveh - Tumblr Blog

jacktcrrence:

“it’s fine, don’t worry about it,” he says, trying for a smile—and as per usual, ending up with more of a pained grimace than anything else. he’s not usually friendly to people, after all. tends to keep interactions to a minimum. maybe it’s for reasons like this. in truth, his mind is less focused on her apology and more on why she isn’t making a break for the nearest exit, but even that wondering is short-lived. as selfish and unhinged as it is, he can’t help but think about the missed opportunity he had to take a good, long drink of the energy that had to be lurking beneath her skin. or maybe it’s nothing. but he can’t deny that he felt something there, something beyond the capability of a normal person. something he keeps to himself, for the time being. he’s not one to share much of his thoughts, anyway.

he nods, watching with awful, hungry eyes as she walks off toward the labs. can’t help but feel a pang of relief—and a contradictory stab of regret—when she’s finally out of sight. but both feelings are short-lived and replaced with the hauntingly familiar desire when she actually, to his surprise, returns. “oh, yeah, that’s fine,” he says as she walks up, nodding. “i agree, the cafeteria isn’t the best.” not that he actually knows, or cares. he doesn’t have any need to eat or drink, and thus… has never had a need to actually go there. “sure, sure,” he continues as they approach the elevators, taking a small step back. that selfish predator beneath his skin wants to deny her that, but he doesn’t tries his best to keep that feeling out of his expression. “where should i meet you?”

fallon shies away from jack’s admittedly creepy , attempt of a smile. looking more terrified than apologetic , herself. “ ri-right ...” is all she manages , before scurrying off to the labs. torn between making it a short trip , or taking longer than necessary. no matter what she’s mentally decided on , her feet move on their own accord. carrying her back out to the man that both intrigued and spooked her. “ oh , yay! i think you’ll like it , it’s really laid back and relaxed. there’s this super awesome melon refresher , i love. you should totally try it out , if you’re up to it. ” she tries to fill the tense air around them , with idle chatter. anything was better than the awkward silence, that would present itself.

“ nice , alright! uhmm ... you can just meet me ...” fallon racks her brain for landmarks , that she’d passed in the building. struggling to think of a proper space. “ oh! we can just meet outside the entrance , by that fountain? pretty hard to miss and all , so i don’t have to worry about getting lost. ” stepping into her elevator , she offers a short wave. waiting in the agreed meeting spot , for jack to join. “ so! uhmm ... have you been in chicago , long? any particular hotspots , i should know about? ”

#✨ c: jack

jacktcrrence:

you’re hurting me! everything she says seems to make his mind go crazy, and it frustrates him that he can’t figure out why. first, she seems to make that awful, hungry energy he’s harboring go berserk, and now it feels like he’s… missing something. like he’s been here before, somehow, but just can’t remember. it’s maddening! but not quite as much as the desire to fling caution, or decency, to the wind and lunge at her again. he tries to focus on the way the wall feels against his back, tries to ground himself away from her, but it’s hard when she isn’t… well, making a break for it like he thought she would. maybe she’s getting similar feelings, albeit minus the cravings he alone experiences. “it’s fine,” he says, although it sounds pretty lame; “it’s not like you knew.” he doesn’t talk about himself much, after all, least of all his time in the military. partially because the memories are… fuzzy, at best.

truth be told, he really doesn’t know why she’s still talking to him. knows for a fact that if he hadn’t used every last shred of common sense he possessed, that she wouldn’t be. knows for a fact that if she touches him again, he won’t be able to do that. the offer comes as more of a surprise. he can’t even remember the last time someone from work actually wanted to spend any time with him at all, minus eiffel. then again… she is new, even if it’s hard for him to think of her that way. “uh, coffee. right, yeah, sure,” he says, more awkwardly than he means to. god, it’s still so hard to focus on what she’s actually saying. “the labs are right up this way. so you can drop off what you need to.” he pauses, trying to find the will to refuse.. but he can’t. “and after that we can… i don’t know, i guess i can show you the cafeteria, unless you had somewhere else in mind.”

though feeling guilty , fallon still regards jack with wary eyes. trying to keep a reasonable gap , between them. “ well ... still ...” she trails off with uncertainty , combing fingers anxiously through her thick curls. “ i shouldn’t have just ... snuck up on you , like that. it was awfully inconsiderate of me , to just assume you’d be alright with it. ” the way the apology comes out makes it seem as though she’d violated the man , and not merely rest a hand on his forearm. better to sound over-apologetic , than not apologetic at all. briefly , she wonders if he’ll even accept her offer to hang out. and is mildly surprised , when he does. a relieved smile makes it’s way to her face , as he accepts. maybe once they got a chance to sit down and actually talk , she could figure out why he seemed so familiar.

“ right , yes. okay uhm .... i’ll .. be right back , okay? ” with that she makes her way to the labs. making quick small talk and idle chatter , with her soon to be workmates. schedule safely tucked away into her binder , she’s walking back into the hallways. “ actually ... if you don’t mind , i had someplace else in mind. it’s just ... from my experiences , cafeteria food is the worst. ” she tries to joke easily , with a small smile. the moment they reach the elevators though, fallon hesitates. “ uhhmm ... maybe ... it’s better if we don’t take the same one? no offense just ... you know ... “

#✨ c: jack

jacktcrrence‌:

“sorry,” he says, though he really doesn’t sound as sincere as he’s hoping. more because it’s still obvious his distracted than the fact that he doesn’t tend to dabble in remorse. “i’ve just got… other things on my mind. paperwork, you know.” jack is far from bad at lying, but it sounds lame even to him. he just can’t pull his head out of his… err, stomach, so to speak. he doesn’t know why she’s making him feel like he’s starving, but he doesn’t have to⁠—that predatory sequence he’s hosting is trying its hardest to make him go berserk. feels like it’s only a matter of time before it succeeds. “you…” he trails off, somewhat awkwardly; “you like water that much?” ouch, social skills gone. but something about the realization makes the space behind his eyes itch. why the information is important, he can’t seem to grasp. water, water, water. why does that make his brain feel like its being drilled into?

jack swallows hard, composing himself. “i know. you don’t have to say it,” he mutters, lips tugging into his usual grimace. he’s well aware that what PRIME puts him up to isn’t ethical, but then, what does he care? it’s more of the same shit the military was doing, just… not quite wrapped up in the justifications of war. “are you⁠—?” he doesn’t even have time to finish his question before she’s touching him, and it feels like his brain is being put through a blender. before he can stop himself, his wrist flips around to let his fingers clamp down around her bare wrist hard enough to bruise. he knows he’s staring at her like a freak, now, all semblance of normalcy flying out the window. she would have to be blind to miss that awful glint in his eye. but military discipline manages to hold him back, and before he loses his last shred of self control, he’s dropping her wrist and slamming his back against the wall. “sorry,” he chokes out. he’s apologizing here more than he ever has. “i—before i worked for PRIME, i was at war. it… you know, it comes back to me, sometimes. just⁠—just don’t surprise me like that, okay?”

her frown only deepens at the obvious bluff , sighing heavily as they continue. the frown is quickly replaced , with a perplexed look. honestly she couldn't tell if jack was being sarcastic or trying to be funny. “ do i .... like water that much , as a marine bio major? ” she asks with an arched brow , glancing over at him. “ well .... i mean ... if i didn’t , i’d be in the wrong field of study. ” that as well as the elemental sequence , choosing the wrong host. this guy couldn’t really be so socially inept , could he? especially as a field agent and having to work with others, so often. maybe he just wasn’t keen on meeting new people , or a fan of anyone working in the labs.

fallon does feel a small pang of guilt , for having a negative outlook at his line of work. “ no , sorry. i didn’t mean it that way , just ....” she’s trailing off again , chewing her bottom lip. before she’s got another chance to explain herself , he’s snatching her wrist. familiarity , panic , and fear , all strike her at once. leaving her frozen on spot and staring up at him , with wide eyes. “you’re hurting me , let go. ” is choked out , as she tries to separate them. no sooner does she utter the words , jack is freeing her. backing himself further away. “ ye-yeah .... right , no. it was ... my fault. ” she presses herself into the opposite wall , keeping a cautious eye on the man. fallon’s desperate to know , why jack seemed so familiar to her. like they’d met somewhere before. “ uhhmm... look. i just ... have to drop off these forms and get my work schedule. ” she doesn’t know why , she’s telling him this. her mouth seems to be moving , without her consent.

“ if you wouldn’t mind .... i’d like to treat you to coffee , or something? in apology for uhm ... triggering , you? ” she offers with an uncertain look. “ maybe we could get to know each other, a little bit better? start off on the right foot , this time? ”

#✨ c: jack

james-ironside

History Lesson - Open

fallonkaveh

james-ironside‌:

There was something about a dog barking that automatically drew his head toward it. When it came from such a gorgeous beauty as this, it was worth it! James smiled at the big dog despite its bark being in his direction; James assumed it was something behind him until the owner came over to him. He watched her pluck the dreadful book from the bin, his eyes moving between the pair; the door seemed calmer now, though James risked not holding out his hand.

“I threw that particular book away because it is worth less than the paper it is printed on.” James replied companionably, smiling amicably at the young stranger. “I have a reverence for books of any kind, so believe me when I say that this one just shouldn’t have been published.”

a quick glance down at the book title , and she’s giving a thoughtful hum. conduit propaganda, at its finest. a shame such misleading information was even published , to begin with. still though ; a library book , was a library book. it shouldn't be so carelessly thrown into a trashcan. a small frown pulls at her mouth , as she sets the book down. “ well ... i wouldn’t say that i disagree , but , it shouldn’t go into such icky public garbage. ” as she speaks , she reaches to grab her pack of sanitizing wipes , wiping first her hands and then the book. “ there we go , you should be able to return it , without too much , hassle. ”

her dog gives another loud bark , this time whining about the lack of attention. “ looks like someone , wants either attention or a treat. and knowing him , it’s probably both. ” she chuckles with a lighthearted smile , picking up the leash. “ i’m fallon , by the way. and this big brat , is dubai. he’s all bark and no bite , i promise. here , just offer him a treat. he’ll warm up to you within seconds. ” fallon hands the man one of the dog treats , motioning for her companion , to sit. “ we’re actually new to chicago , and would be super appreciative of a tour guide! if you’re interested , that is? ”

#✨ c: james

jacktcrrence‌:

oops. looks like she’s been able to pick up on his disappointment, not that he’s all that surprised. it’s hard enough to manage that ugly, gnawing feeling, let alone keep anything else in check. “oh, yeah, yeah, i’m sure it is,” he answers, but is clearly not invested in conversation—the most obvious thing about him right now is his distraction. with her, that is. it’s hard for him to focus on what they’re talking about when all he can think about is devouring her… and the fact that he’s never felt this overwhelmed by it, before. “i’m sure the rest of your department will be happy to have you.” he, on the other hand, can’t decide if he’s more keen to have her leave or not. on one hand, that primal hunger isn’t going away anytime soon, and it would be far safer for her to keep her distance. on the other… he’s selfish. wants her all to himself. isn’t eager to see her leave his sight.

“you’re telling me.” the paperwork has actually slipped his mind until now. sure, it’s only been a few moments since he mentioned it, but… it feels like longer. like each second is taking hours and hours. luckily, he can get a bit of a distance between them—mentally as much as physically—while leading her toward the labs. “no, i’m—” he breaks off, trying to resist the urge to turn around and snag her. “i work in the field. they call us in every so often, though.” others, sure. not him. while he isn’t aware of this fact, he’s been more or less deemed too unstable for further experimentation. “it’s not much farther,” he says after a long moment of silence, working hard to keep his eyes on the path in front of him.

fallon can’t help but roll her eyes , displeasure obvious. she was just trying to be social and make idle chatter , jack could shove it , for being so dismissive. “ if you’re not interested in the conversation , there’s no need to pretend. ” she huffs out , playing with a wayward curl. the sooner they went their separate ways , the better. at least up in the labs , her soon to be colleagues , would be appreciative of her enthusiasm. “ i’d sure hope so , considering they were the ones who pushed , for my transfer. what i really wish for though , is that i wasn’t land-locked. nothing beats the natural marine life , like australia. ” by now she realizes , she’s practically talking to her self. anything is better than the tense silence , that had consumed them earlier.

“ oh , a field agent? that’s ..... “ she’s struggling for the right words , as she mulls over the given information. she’d never been a fan of the fieldwork PRIME had , or any of their agents. no matter the location , they just all seemed so ... volatile and aggressive. instead she let’s that part of the conversation die , and tries to keep up with the man’s long strides. “ oh , good. honestly , i’m sure i can manage from here , if you’ve got more important things to do. plus ... i’m pretty sure ... you have to be a lab tech , to actually go in and everything. ” fallon reaches to casually , place a hand on jack’s forearm. trying to revert his attention , back to her.

#✨ c: jack

jacktcrrence‌:

admittedly, he manages to feel a shred of disappointment over the concept of her work. nothing about it screams experiments with conduit sequences, the one thing he’s really interested in getting back in the lab for. if only he could remember why they stopped being interested in him… “oh, that’s… interesting,” he says, his disappointment gone as quickly as it appeared. he’s much too focused on other things to worry much about what she does down in the labs, and truth be told, he’s almost tempted to take the next opening to get out of the elevator and away from her. he doesn’t want to. maybe that’s just another reason he should do it. but now he’s committed to showing her the way to those oh-so-elusive laboratories, despite knowing just how bad an idea it is.

“no, no, not this floor. close, though,” he says, straining himself with the effort to look as nonthreatening as physically possible. and still failing miserably. can she pick up on the way he’s staring at her like a tiger eyes a piece of meat? “don’t worry about me,” he says, reaching around to punch in the right button; “the more ways i figure out to avoid my paperwork, the better.” he’s trying to sound friendly and joking but it just doesn’t work for him, not like it’s supposed to. god, he can’t remember feeling like this around someone, before. so why does it all feel so familiar? it’s almost too much to bear. “here, this floor,” he continues, slipping out of the doors as soon as they open. maybe it’ll help if he isn’t stuck alone in a box with her—at the very least, it’s less of an opportunity.

he doesn’t seem interested in the slightest , at her work. his tone alone , exposes his disinterest. “ well don’t sound too , excited. ” she huffs. “ it might not seem as extravagant or technical as some of the other labs works , but my field of study is equal parts difficult and amazing. ” fallon is close to ditching jack , in favor of finding her own way. she’s used , to having to defend her choice of study to others. she’d just assumed working with PRIME , that wouldn’t have been the case.

though before she’s got a chance to try and escape , he’s reaching to close the elevator doors. leaving them trapped together again , as the box continues to rise. she does appreciate the effort of him trying to joke , even if it sounds forced and unnatural. “ well .... i guess i can’t blame you for that , then. paperwork can be so grueling and it never seems to end , does it.” she offers back with a small upturn of lips , towards him. only for them to slip back into a little frown , as he’s bolting out the doors , the second they open. the man was confusing , to say the least. flip-flopping between trying to keep a distance between them , but then looking at her , with such intensity. sighing , she follows behind him. the sooner she gets to where she needs to be , the sooner she can finally ditch him.

“ do you work in the labs too , is that how you know where they are? ” she asks curiously , as they continue down the hallway.

#✨ c: jack

jacktcrrence‌:

there’s something uncomfortable familiar about this feeling, but it’s hard to focus on where it might come from. all he can focus on is her. the way her lips move as she tries for an awkward smile, the creases around her eyes as she squints in his direction. the pulse beating in her neck. she’s nervous, he can tell, but all he can think about is lunging forward and—ugh, what the hell is wrong with him? he finally manages to tear his eyes away from her, if only from a moment. “no, not really. i don’t even do much work in the building.” he’s aware she’s trying to joke with him, but it’s hard enough to talk, let alone return her attempts at a friendly attitude. his teeth feel too big in his mouth. too dull. too unlike him. he remembers feeling like this before, but where? where the hell is this coming from?

“you work in the labs?” he manages, eyes raking back over toward her. that catches more than his inner predator’s attention. it’s been so long since he’s been in there… “i’m jack.” he doesn’t stick out a hand to shake, doesn’t really trust himself to let go if she takes it. “and—err, that’s not the right floor. for the labs, i mean.” this is a bad idea. this is a bad idea. this is a bad idea. but his lips are moving before he can stop them. “here, i can point you in the right direction. this building’s big, you know. easy to get lost if you’re not used to the layout.”

fallon doesn’t like the weight of his gaze , feeling very much like a gerbil in a cage. she feels every little one of her movements is being scrutinized by the other , as the elevator moves up the floors. “ ah , i .... see. “ she trails off uncertainly , tucking away a wayward curl , behind her ear. figuring it best to occupy herself with something else , she takes to going through her binder. being sure all of her needed paperwork , is there. and to avoid having to return , jack’s uneasy stares. but before she can make her escape out of the box , he’s speaking back up. this time , asking about her work. “ i do , work in the labs! i’m actually doing a program here , for school. it’s supposed to be a study over how certain marine life can be aided or harmed , with the possibility of a conduit variable. ” as she goes on , she feels a little less anxious. but still , keeps her guard up.

“ oh , it isn’t? i could’ve sworn the directory said this floor , for sure. ” fallon wonders if the lie sounds as bad to jack , as it does to herself. chewing the inside of her cheek , she nods. stepping back into the elevator and reclaiming her spot , on the opposite side. “ if you’re sure , then by all means. i really hope i’m not causing you any trouble though , would hate to be an inconvenience. ”

#✨ c: jack

james-ironside

History Lesson - Open

fallonkaveh

james-ironside‌:

Seeing another article about a ‘rogue’ conduit apprehended in the line of duty, James realised that he knew little of what had happened during the ‘Third World War’. At the time he had watched the news but with a baby and a law practice his plate had been rather full. It was that morning article, so innocuous, that had made him realise he knew little of the true ins and outs. So he went to the library.

In the three years since the ‘end’, James doubted there would be many accurate reflections on the subject, but…well, his life was rather on the empty side at the moment and he had the time. Clad in black trousers and a crisp, white shirt, James put on a jacket - though with the sunshine it may be a layer too much - and went off in search.

There he found very little on the topic but borrowed one book, which he took to the park to begin reading. How long had it been since he had read a textbook…his brain felt out of practice as he scanned the chapter titles.

Not so out of practice that he believed everything written. It was obvious that this particular title was working off some very, very lacking evidence. James groaned as he gave up, stood up, and chucked the book in the bin.

today seemed like a great day , to go exploring the city. and she decided to take full advantage of her free time , by doing just that. fallon was strolling through the particularly nice looking park, only to have stop , so she could adjust her shoes. claiming the vacant bench , she sat to do so. letting the grip on her dog’s leash slip , in the process. only for both to be startled at the sound of something heavy , being thrown into the nearby trashcan. the great dane turned his full attention to the stranger , before letting out a round of loud barks.

“ hey , shush! you’re so noisy , my goodness. ” fallon scolds her companion lightly , before turning towards the man. “ i’m so , sorry! he just likes hearing himself bark , honestly. you spooked him , when you tossed your ..... book? ” brows furrowed lightly as she reaches to carefully pluck the object , from the garbage. “ if it isn’t too much to ask , why did you throw away .... a library book? it’s all bent and battered now , what a shame. ” she questions curiously, up to the stranger.

#✨ c: james

jacktcrrence‌:

jack may not enjoy the daily grind that PRIME puts him up to, but that doesn’t mean it won’t need to be done. his most recent mission in particular required… way too much paperwork, and although he isn’t the only one tasked with filling out the appropriate reports, he has a good chunk of it left to do. so what if he’s a little late getting it done? they already know what happened. he still doesn’t know why they need him to spell it out for them. but his own opinion on the matter means nothing; PRIME gets what PRIME wants.

his thoughts stop dead in his brain, like his whole world is on pause. it isn’t unusual for someone else to get in an elevator in their building, but there’s something about this one that—he doesn’t even know what’s happening. one minute his shoulders are slumped and he’s groaning about work, and the next he’s stiff as a board and staring down a young woman like a hyena stares down an injured gazelle. he physically backs himself up against the elevator wall, not feeling trustworthy. “my… floor?” he pauses. they’re alone. it’s too easy. all he has to do is—no! no. he can’t do this, not here, not now, not ever. “right, uh… yeah, let me—” he breaks off, eyes not leaving her—unable to—as he reaches forward to tick the right button.

“you’re new.” it’s not a question.

a sudden tenseness hangs itself in the air , as fallon watches the other with a squinted gaze. shooting him an awkward smile , as he reaches over. taking quick note of which floor he’s headed to , she notes to herself to jump off on the floor right before his. “ yep , your floor. unless it is .... the elevator , is where you get all your work done? ” she tries to ease the awkwardness , with a friendly little joke. rationally she’s aware , this is one of the last places , she should be fearful of. but the other’s unwavering gaze , isn’t helping.

“ i am , new! i uhhmm ... start today , actually. still trying to figure out where everything is , and all. the branch here is absolutely , insane! i’m really hoping the lab facilities are just as grand , or it’ll be such a letdown. ” fallon tries easing her paranoia , with small talk. waiting for the man to reclaim his spot , before jabbing the button below his. the sooner she’s out of the confined space with him , the better. “ i’m aahh ... fallon , by the way. annndd .... this is my floor , sooo..” she hums with another forced little smile , hurrying to step off of the elevator. “ i’m sure we’ll run into each other again , but uhhmm ... this was ... pleasant? ”

#✨ c: jack

@jacktcrrence

she hadn’t meant to run so far , behind schedule. first day jitters , she supposes. that and she was utterly and hopelessly , lost. fallon had spent over five minutes alone , staring up at the intimidating directory. the chicago branch of PRIME , clearly had the most real estate. it was honestly a bit ridiculous , all this space. weaving her way through the throngs of people , she makes a dash for the elevator. managing to slip in just as the heavy doors , are sliding to a close. this particular one doesn’t move though , until proper identification cards are swiped through the little slot.

just as she’s moving to do so , she startles at the realization , she isn’t alone. heavy binder clatters to the ground , as she nearly jumps out of her skin. “ oh my gosh , you spooked me! i’m so sorry , oh geez. i didn’t even realize---” fallon cuts herself off , as she glances up at the man. he seemed ..... intense? or .... more ... deranged? either way .... just super unsettling. though also , familiar. collecting her fallen belongings and self , she moves create some distance. “sooo.. did you want to ... pick your floor , first? since you know ... you aah , got here before , me. ” she chuckles out , nervously. shifting her gaze , to stare at her shoes.

#✨ c: jack