fidelity, bravery, integrity

khalil hassan thirty-five. investor. fbi intelligence. ❛ experience is making mistakes and learning from them. seattle → providence peak

[dtorres]

location : any dive bar near the saints & sinners event. prompt word: dance. partner: @khalilhassan

Daniel found himself nursing a drink at the dimly lit dive bar, his mind swirling with thoughts of missed connections and fractured relationships. As he glanced around the room, his gaze fell upon a stranger seated nearby, and he decided to break the silence with some small talk.

"Hey there," Daniel greeted with a half-hearted smile, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "Crazy night, huh? I mean, it is Valentine's after all. You find yourself here by choice or just rolling with the punches?" He leaned back against the bar, his posture relaxed yet guarded, unsure of what kind of response he might receive.

As he spoke, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that lingered in the air around him. It wasn't the first time he found himself without a date on Valentine's, but tonight it seemed to weigh heavier on his mind than usual. The thought of calling Ale for a hookup briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Their arrangement was casual, but even he had his limits, especially on a night like this. Ingrid was another option, but as usual, they were on rocky terms, and he doubted she'd appreciate a call from him tonight.

Lost in his thoughts, Daniel turned his attention back to the stranger, hoping for some what of a distraction

[khalilhassan]

Music pulsed through his bones, every step growing heavier as he scanned over the room full of half dressed party goers. He'd traded out his usual suit and tie affair for something far more casual — dark jeans and a plain shirt that hugged his upper half as if it'd been tailored to his every muscle.

Teeth raked over his bottom lip as he watched two strangers intertwine as if they were one. It triggered flashes of a certain fiery brunette and how much hunger had consumed them. Maybe that one text was all he'd need to find himself slipping out of the party in favor of the woman's apartment.

Head turned and brows lifted as he turned to capture the view of another. "That's one thing I'd call it." Even crazy seemed tame by some of the wandering hands he had witnessed on his way to finding solace in a corner. "Rolling with the punches. I was out grabbing some food, heard about this. Figured I'd check it out." And now that he had, he was ready to snake through the same doors he'd only just walked through. He wasn't happy, nor was he in love and the kind of red he saw was far from romantic.

"How about yourself? You looking for love, or already found it?" Even saying the word aloud caused his stomach to turn over. Did a man like him deserve a real shot at happiness? He doubted it. After so many bad things, there wasn't much he did deserve. Broken. Darkness. Fucked up. Maybe a wise woman hadn't been so wrong about him after all.

@dtorres

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

"I'm glad that she has you to help," she knew that maybe they'd never find her, but Dilan didn't want to think about that. Hell, she didn't want to think about it because she could only find herself wondering what if that was her daughter, one day? "I hope so, too," she gave a nod of her head, "Will you keep me updated?" Dilan questioned Khalil, knowing that she'd not want to invade her colleague's privacy with the subject at hand. @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

His heart thudded a few beats faster. He'd helped her in plenty of ways. "I'm doing my best to help," he assured lowly, the memories of his car and the warehouse rendezvous filling his head to the point he reached for his water to wet his mouth that had gone dry in a matter of seconds. Nodding, the agent placed the nearly empty cup down and caught Dilan's gaze. "I'm sure she'll keep you updated too, but if she's having a hard time, just try and cut her a little slack." He knew he didn't have to say it, but the advice had rolled off his tongue without much thought.

@dilanxbarak

[lorelai-tseng]

Lorelai blinked a few times, which was just about as much shock she could readily show, the rest of it was internalized at his comment. "Goodness, this conversation took a rather philosophical turn. Would you care to elaborate on what you mean? Or would you prefer to take up the clouded with mystery route?" She asked as she had no idea why someone would just say something like that aloud without caring to talk more about it. If Lorelai didn't know any better, she would believe Khalil was fishing for that question. But, she had a feeling he didn't have that type of desire when he spoke to make someone want more, or at least he didn't consciously think about it.

"Right, well if by giving it a go, you mean making horrid coffee then I don't think that's really anything but you putting around. Perhaps...try harder?" She made it known she was only teasing by the small smirk that accompanied the words. Lorelai didn't mind giving Khal a hard time, as it seemed like it was quite a frequent part of their bizarre companionship. "Ah, well I can't argue there. It isn't going anywhere, but it's always a wonderful place to stop by. You really have only been doing a disservice to yourself."

@khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

Sticking to being a mystery was his safest bet. Though, the more questions one asked, the more difficult it was to continue the lies. It was a dangerous game to play with a woman familiar with the Cranes, but he held a steady smile as if none of that mattered. "I'm just saying, things aren't always what they're supposed to be and I've learned that I can change that. All I can do is go with it and make adjustments along the way." He offered a small smile to further prove his point, but a hundred different things crossed his mind at once, some flashes of memory causing his head to spin. Life hadn't gone to plan, but then again, nothing ever did.

He believed that coffee making was an art, but he didn't have the creative touch to make it. Even the simple act of tipping a coffee pot had proven to be a challenge at times. "Right, I'll do that," he countered with an eye roll and half smile. He would be putting that energy elsewhere, but it was humorous to believe that there was a world where the front he held made him a coffee enthusiast or something of the sort. "I'll own that. It's hard when I haven't been getting out much, but that's changing."

@lorelai-tseng

[abelpcyne]

starter for @khalilhassan at deja brew —

"Imagine that..." Smirk taking shape when he spotted the familiar barista, amusement and something playful took over him. "Barely back in town a few days, first trip back into the shop, and you're the face I see. It's like it's fate or something." He and the big man had a longstanding tease between them, innocent and friendly, that often brightened up the parts of his days whenever he'd stop in. They'd barely exchanged names and barely knew anything else between each other (aside from Abel's coffee order) yet they never seemed to fail in carving out a bit of time for each other. "You got any specials today or are you just serving me up with that killer smile?"

[khalilhassan]

The posing investor had avoided the coffee shop for nearly a week straight before growing bold enough to visit once more. Thankfully, the woman he'd been avoiding was out, leaving the agent to revel in cups of brew without the crushing weight of a conversation he wasn't prepared to have. The smooth voice of a male filled his head and caused his brows to furrow. Could it be? He turned slowly, dark gaze capturing the handsome man that triggered a devilish smile to pull crookedly on his mouth. "I would like to believe it's fate," he countered, a twinge of amusement strung into every word. He lingered by the counter, knuckles knocking quietly against the wooden top as he offered a shrug. "Depends. Isn't my killer smile enough? If not, we're doing a red velvet latte, iced or hot. And by we, I mean someone far more qualified to make a nice drink." He'd mastered the simple tipping of a coffee pot, but when it came to speciality drinks, the man knew nothing. "So, what will it be?"

@abelthcmpson

[sarayoon]

Sara wasn't expecting to be missing the fishes her son loved so much, especially when he wasn't around to teach her things about the sea creatures. Yet, here she was, buying herself an entrance ticket to Coral Cove on her day off. Maybe she could get some sketching done to get her mind off things that had been troubling her so much these days.

With her sketch book in hands she had been focused on getting some details down on paper when she felt a shadow being cast, which brought her gaze up and, prompted Sara to step aside. She hadn't recognized the tall man up until he spoke, and his voice brought in nice memories of sharing a dance with him at Ver and Emmy's wedding, sharing drinks with him at the distillery, sharing coffees with him.

"I guess that would depend on whoever said that about you. I particularly think you're not an ugly view to look at." She chuckled, rubbing one hand over his back, as if trying to soothe him from their little moment. "I mean no disrespect to your girlfriend, of course." Because God forbid anyone heard her saying that and thought she was making a pass on Khal, knowing he had someone on his side.

And, honestly, being as small as Sara was, she was used to being towered and having others stepping onto her field of vision anyway. "It's alright, Khal. I'm not mad or anything." At the news that were shared by him, she couldn't help but smile. "Oh, really? Bin is going to be sad to see some of them go, but that's great news, actually." She should probably bring her son over to bid them goodbye. It would be a nice lesson to teach. Maybe she could invite Hyun Woo, too, if he was up for it. "How have you been? It's been a while, hasn't it?" / @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

The general buzzing in his veins couldn't be curbed, no matter how hard he tried. He'd found a viable distraction in a woman that he'd vowed to help and his defense, he had been doing just that. The agent smoothly pulled in a deep breath, surprised in the lack of the ache in his chest, or maybe he'd grown used to it. Anxiety had bloomed there long ago, making a home between his ribs. Happiness never lasted long and if it did, it would crumble in his palms at his self-made sabotage.

Brows lifted, amusement spiking his veins. "Still, I think it's a shame to pay for a ticket to see this," he tapered off, gaze shifting back to the glass, "and end up seeing the back of my head." The apology that followed cause an inaudible sigh to roll off his tongue. Girlfriend. He'd lost her weeks ago. "I don't think you have to worry about that."

Guilt washed over him in waves, but truth was, their undoing had been inevitable. It was only a matter of time before the truth spilled and trust was broken. The career he had given up everything for had only forced him into a life of making it a pattern. The lofty agent nipped at the inside of his cheek, his hands finding solace deep in his pockets. "We broke up," he added, tone low.

A hint of a smile showed on his mouth, her reassurance not all too surprising. She'd always been kind in the few exchanges they'd had. "That's what I heard." And in believing so, he felt hopeful that perhaps he still stood a chance too. The simple question left his head tipping back as a low hum of laughter was exhaled. How was he doing? The honest answer wouldn't suffice. "I've been alright considering a couple of things. How about yourself? You doing alright?"

@sarayoon

[elliot-chapman]

Characters: Elliot Chapman & Khalil Hassan(@khalilhassan) Location: Providence Peak Gym Closed Starter

Nothing he had done that day could make it drag any less. It was full of the most tedious and boring paperwork known to man, and he loathed every second of it. By the time it was a reasonable hour to clock out, his body was stiff and he felt like he definitely needed the second workout of the day. So he headed back to the gym, grabbed the spare change of gym clothes from the trunk of his car, and made his way to the changing room. He figured a few rounds of weights would help ease his mind and body before he made his way back home. As soon as he walked in through, he immediately spotted a very familiar figure who was busy tying up his shoes. "Look who finally showed his face around," he greeted Khal as he made his way towards him, setting his bag down on the bench. "It's been a while buddy."

[khalilhassan]

The compression shirt he wore hugged every inch of his chiseled upper half. The trip to the gym had been his best attempt at falling back into a routine after weeks of not knowing where a single day could lead him. He'd scanned over the buzzing area, half wondering if any of his old friends were around, half wondering if the spin instructor was looking for her next victim, but neither were found. The agent had just pulled his laces tighter when a familiar voice filled his head and caused a barely there smile to pull at the corners of his mouth. "I had to take a break. I was getting too big. Didn't feel right with all these others playing catch up," he joked dryly, though his smile lifted as his gaze lifted. "Too long. I'm trying to take it easy today, but you know I'll do my best to keep up. How've you been?"

@elliot-chapman

[khalilhassan]

location — coral cove.

character — @sarayoon

When he needed to think, there was a few places in the city that were his go-to. In the end, he'd settled on the aquarium, figuring it was a safe bet to avoid any and all potential run-ins with anyone he knew. That, and he often got lost in just how beautiful the fish were behind the glass and knowing that when it was their time to leave, they'd be released back into an ocean somewhere to enjoy the lives they were meant to live. In a way, he felt trapped like them and wondered when he'd be set free too. The agent hadn't been paying any mind to his movements or placement, but when he peered over his shoulder, he noticed a woman much smaller than he was trying to peek around him to view the sea life within. "I'm sorry," he muttered, apology genuine as he stepped aside to allow for a better view. He'd been lost in his own thoughts, head so far up his ass that he'd forgotten anyone else existed. "I used to be told I made a better door than a window. I must have forgotten that. Hopefully I haven't been blocking your view for too long?" He flashed a warm smile towards the other, noting that it was one of his more innocent mistakes. "I overheard one of the trainers saying that they were getting ready for a big release day. Guess some of these big fish are finally going home."

[khalilhassan]

location — ale's apartment.

character — @alesolcno

As he sat alone on his couch, a bottle of untouched whiskey before him, he knew that there were options. He could drink on his own and fall asleep on the makeshift bed he'd made there, could go out and drink the night away, or he could send a single message to a woman that had taken his life by storm. Before he'd made it through the option list, he'd already pulled her name up on his phone and shot off a quick text. Does that offer to be there still stand? He waited with a baited breath, heart thundering at his temples until his phone dinged and alerted him to a new text. It was her location, causing excitement to flood his chest. Khalil had traded out his tailored suits for joggers and a thin hoodie that hugged his chiseled arms and did little to combat the breeze. He followed every direction on his phone screen until the only thing standing between them was her door. He choked down a breath and stepped forward, knuckles rapping against the wood a few times for solid measure. The sound of padding steps on the other side caused his heart to flutter with desire. When the door swung open, he lifted his hand, the bottle of whiskey on full display. "I come bearing gifts." His eyes dropped shamelessly down her frame before trailing upwards, only pausing on her mouth before meeting her gaze. Boldly, the agent stepped forward, two fingers brushing against the bottom of her chin as he dipped lower, mouth capturing hers in a brief, but heated kiss that left his head spinning. "Mind if I come in now?"

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

His admittance was not one that Dilan wanted to hear but she knew that Khalil was being truthful in the sense. "W-wait? Ale? Her sister is missing?" That went to show how out of the loop that Dilan had become since becoming a mother. "I've - only just started going into the office again and not for very much," at least some of her wedding planning she could do from home so she hadn't run into Ale more recently. "Oh, that's so devastating." Her words were barely above a whisper as saddened eyes moved to look at the table. @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

Should he have said anything? Surely the woman wouldn't mind, but it was surprising that she hadn't already mentioned it. "She's put posters up around the city. I thought she would have mentioned it, but yes. She's missing and I've been trying to help her put together the pieces." So far, he hadn't done too good of a job with answers, but they'd gotten closer than she'd been before he started digging. "With that little one, I can't say that I blame you." Maybe that was it. Dilan had been living it up under the safety of her roof, but in time, he knew the truth would come. "I hope that it works out in the end, you know?" He hated himself for spilling such false hope aloud, but maybe if he said it enough, he'd actually believe it.

@dilanxbarak

[remiwilder]

"Oh, yeah, I heard about that." After their initial reunion Hana had filled Remi in on the updates, the way things had changed and how Khalil had seemed so far removed from the person he once was. "What happened — failed to protect and serve?" Again, her thoughts were on her friend and how she'd been abandoned and left for the wolf that had driven her out of yet another city she'd made home. Maybe she shouldn't be so harsh on someone that clearly had no clue what she was talking about or why she had such a distaste when it came to him, but she was protective. It wouldn't be something she backed off from or stopped.

Soon, with the donuts left on the shelf, Khalil confirmed what she had assumed. Granted he'd only recently re-entered Hana's life and wouldn't know that they had become close in the six years she had lived in Providence Peak before her stalker brought her to run away again. "So, you're telling me that you believe you've done everything right? That you've been good to your partners?" She could spell it out for him or Remi could see what dawns on him.

"Have you ever paid penance? Any bit of it?" Eyes rolled then Remi sighed, her head nodded and she glanced around their position in the convenience store aisle. "Maybe that's the problem. You're trying to be things that you're not." ( @khalilhassan )

[khalilhassan]

He'd failed a lot of things, but he'd never failed beneath the NYPD's badge all those years ago. His reason for leaving had been confidential. One that he'd wanted to share with Hana, but hadn't. It had been selfish, a running theme for the man who made mistakes left and right. "Decided it wasn't for me anymore. People change and so do careers." He sold the lie well, but a part of him knew that regardless of what he said, the woman before him wasn't going to give a damn. She'd made up her mind about him and for good reason. He'd broken the heart of someone she cared for and that was unforgivable crime.

A question he wouldn't deny. The agent shook his head slowly, bitterness coating his tongue. Not because of her, but because of his own failures. "No. I haven't. I've been a selfish man. I'd like to think that I've changed, but I'm still making mistakes." He'd hurt plenty of people and not without regret, but what did it matter if he wasn't learning from his mistakes?

A breath of amusement clawed it's way from his throat. Had he paid for any of it? Every damn day. "Not enough, but I have paid." There was no amount of repayment that could make up for all that he'd done. Even his attempts at helping Hana escape her stalker or the search of a missing woman with a fiery brunette he hadn't been able to keep his hands off of weren't going to make up for the terrible things he'd done. He could try to be good all he wanted, but maybe he'd terrible all along. "Maybe you're right about that. Maybe I am as terrible as you think I am."

@remiwilder

[jesseelmassalamy]

What Jesse would give for any kind of escape and reprieve from the dark recesses of his mind. Guilt bowed his shoulders and the burdens of his troubled past showed their hauntings in his long oceanic stare. He was a man that had weathered more than most, never one to compare, but he had walked back from the brink of deepest ring of hell more than once.

If he wasn't working then he was stuck alone brooding, he hadn't gripped a phone with a number to dial in such a long time. If ever. Despite having people that he could call.

Thankfully this heroic act wasn't done alone and he hadn't found himself in yet another waiting room of another hospital with bad news on the horizon. Since Ashlee's passing he avoided these places. They reminded him far too much of all the visits they'd had to make when it came to the harrowing nature of her addiction.

In fact, there was a big chance that Jesse would find himself a bottle after this visit and break nearly three years of sobriety because this cracked the foundation that he built.

Memory was often a horrific thing, sending him images of what his late wife looked like sick and helpless in her hospital bed. The Boston native rubbed the heels of his palms into his eyes and did his best to push everything from mind.

"I think I just worked all year." Which, wasn't a stretch, and was likely how the year ahead looked. "What do you even do?" Brow creased as his gaze met that of the man who visited him often late at night. It was a subject they always seemed to avoid.

Perhaps it was the instincts and sense he had in regards to Khalil.

It was a wonder they hadn't run into each other more often on the streets both being downtown residents and preferable to walking. Jesse supposed he spent far too much time either in the dark places of his apartment or at work, not much else in between. "Most days it just seems useless. I'm happy to have a vehicle when needed though." Like that quick trip he'd taken out to Bighorn Hills.

"Coffee's not hard," a smirk sounded more in his tone than displayed on his expression. "But do yourself a favor and steer clear of me and my ways. This," he gestured to himself, "is not the example. It's the opposite, actually."

If only Khalil had known how he'd lost his wings and how far he'd fallen.

At the other man's words once he'd finally taken a seat, the disgraced former policeman glanced up at him. "They're gonna be ok," he reassured and wasn't quite sure where that confidence had come from. Normally he lied to himself and spared others, usually preferring to say nothing if he couldn't be honest.

The truth was that he didn't know either way.

After a swallow and a steady observation of the man across from him, Jesse ventured out, "what's going on?" / @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

Hospitals had a certain smell. One that worked it's way through one's head and filled them with dread. How could the medical miracles be so overshadowed by the terrible things that happened there? New life was welcomed under it's very roof and yet, it was loss that anyone ever thought of when stepping foot into the place.

He recalled his own stay in the hospital and how lonely it felt as he tried pushing the limits to leave. Time and time again, an overly kind nurse had pushed him back into his bed, pleading with him to rest while he healed from his injuries.

The man posing as an investor lifted his head, his attention granted to the barista and the million dollar question. What did he do? Plenty of things.

"I'm an investor, but not a very good one. I've been thinking about getting out and back into something where I'm more useful. I didn't realize how much I missed working a case until recently." Khalil flexed his fingers, jaw set tight as he thought of the car and how the case hadn't been on the forefront of his mind as he came undone.

How was it that he missed being helpful, but couldn't stand the thought of wearing another badge? He offered a soft expression towards the male, mindful of how easily Jesse could see through bullshit if it wasn't sold exceptionally well. His cover had to be airtight and if it wasn't, it was simply another reason he needed out.

Some days, when behind the wheel, he wondered what would happen if he drove past the city limits sign and didn't stop. Outside of losing his job, others would wonder where he'd gone, or perhaps they wouldn't? For a moment, he wondered if Jesse would notice his absence. "I never had a car in New York. Just my cruiser. Got used to that, so when I moved and everything wasn't so jam packed together, I had to adjust."

Downtown offered a cluster of shops, restaurants, and other various spots, but the neighboring locations nearby weren't close enough to make the walk.

Lips curved upwards, despite how impossible such a feat had felt. "You mean that this isn't a good cup of coffee? There aren't even that many grounds in it and I think it'll keep me awake for the next two months," he countered with a bit of humor of his own. The gritty and bitter grounds hadn't even bothered him all that much, but he'd pick the other's brew time and time again.

Falling from Jesse's mouth, he wanted to believe it. That, despite the injuries they'd witnessed first hand, the couple they'd aided would be just fine. "They're going to be okay," he echoed, hope hidden beneath his raspy return.

What he hadn't expected was the question that followed and how badly he wanted to spill everything. How he had blood on his hands, how he was leading an innocent woman down a rabbit hole to find her sister, how he'd watched as his ex left town, even if he knew it wasn't safe. He'd added another name to the list of hearts he'd broken too. "I'm helping this woman try and find her sister, but between us, I don't think she's still out there."

Khalil hated himself for saying it aloud, but if anyone was going to understand, it was Jesse. "She just wants answers, but I know this stuff plays out and I want it to be different, but I just," he trailed off, head shaking as defeat dared to choke him out where he sat.

"I just need a win. No matter how big or small, I just need one."

@jesseelmassalamy

[lorelai-tseng]

"Not entirely, but perhaps if that makes you feel better then, you can believe that." Lorelai said in a teasing tone. Unlike the man, she was purposeful about how much or how little she worked in a day. She knew how to delegate quite well and so days where she did do a lot versus days where she only did a small amount were planned that way. She knew when to take time and what her limits were. Lorelai didn't always let others know her limits though, enjoying to exude the idea that she could go on forever or stop whenever she wanted. So perhaps that's what Khal was seeing in her.

Giving him a look of disgust at the mention of grounds in the coffee, she shook her head. "God no, I don't know anyone who wants grounds in their coffee, little lamb. Of course that question is rhetorical, but really you should at least attempt to hone your skills for your own sake."

@khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

"I'm not entirely sure what to believe anymore." He had spent his entire life looking for something more and with the Bureau, he'd thought that maybe he'd found it. For awhile, it had been everything he'd wanted, but now it felt more like a burden. One that he couldn't bear much longer. The only problem with walking away was losing everything they'd built for him. It mean building more lies to cover and lying to the people who cared for him. "But I'm sure I'll figure it out with time."

Her look caused laughter to spill. He was no barista, even if Jesse claimed it wasn't all that difficult if one knew what they were doing. "I'll have you know I've been giving it a go whenever the shop is slow, but only on myself. I can't afford people thinking that it's the norm to have shitty coffee." The familiar nickname was a reason to smile. It reminded him of less complicated times. "Speaking of lamb... I think I'm overdue a sit down at your restaurant."

@lorelai-tseng

[alesolcno]

The attraction coupled with the neediness she felt when it came to the big man whose mouth she'd already tasted had begun to cloud Ale's thoughts. Her pooling desire to have him between her legs had damn near made it impossible to think of anything but how, when, and where she'd take him. Of how good it would feel to have him filling her up.

Would it be hard and slow, or fast and wild?

Not much was being said in exchange anymore. Their words had become less and less as the tension built and had become palpable, of which the photographer had begun to mostly reply with expressions. A look, a smile, something more curious, etc.

When Khalil had asked her what was written all over him, the brunette leaned forward and reached across the table. Her hand found his and was much smaller when she turned his to be palm up and smoothed her own against his. The need for something tactile could no longer have been restrained, dark eyes sized up his fingers and her lips parted, but then her hand traveled up the underside of his forearm where she gripped him a little.

"You're an outlier," was her initial answer. "You're broken and haunted," Ale tacked on but left out the part 'like me'. "You've made a lot of bad choices and feel like your life is completely fucked up." The photographer's brow lifted in challenge, daring him to tell her she was wrong.

As moments passed the figure of the Arizona native had started to feel tight and wound up. That feeling only doubled with Khalil beside her, the overt manliness of him forced her legs apart slightly to give relief to throbbing ardor.

When his arm landed on the back of the booth behind her, it damn near felt like an invitation to slither over to his side and nestle in. But at that point Ale knew she couldn't behave herself any longer and wouldn't be able to withstand the confines of the restaurant and social acceptabilities.

Either the tension needed to be broken somehow or they needed to leave before things became entirely too indecent.

Dark eyes met his and she slid over until she was flush against the coffee shop owner, her hand laying flat on his thigh. It was up to him to move and they head out or she would be bold. "I'm far too impulsive to wait for a motel. Especially since you've promised yourself to be a man of many talents."

Not only had her voice taken on a husky, lower register but her gaze had darkened. Khalil had moved just before her touch journeyed to his groin. A heavy breath was released and Ale followed him out, her hand smoothed along his waist as she passed him at the door.

"Uhh," it was taking a moment to find coherency through the fog of desire, "none, really. I haven't been successful on getting any decent information on her movements."

It was barely a glance at his phone before her gaze flickered up to meet his, her pulse was rapid and the blood in her veins was pumping to all the wrong places for the task at hand. She opened the door, her hand covering his, before she went to her knees in the parking lot and settled in the passenger seat of his vehicle.

As soon as the door was shut behind her the brunette was kicking off her shoes and nearly ripping the front of her jeans open with the impatience of a woman far too frustrated to function. Ale shimmied her pants down and barely made note of Khalil getting in on the driver's side of the car. One leg was tossed over him and her mouth was on his without any hesitation. Her tongue tasted his lips then his own as the liplock grew hungrier. Body flush against his, no words were spoken as Ale reached between them and pulled her panties to the side. / @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

His dark hues dragged over her features time and time again, but as much as he tried to figure her out, he couldn't. He saw a woman who never took no for an answer. He saw someone who had been through hell and back, someone that had become better because of it.

And then he fell on the curve of her mouth and wondered how many ways she could ruin him. The agent knew what it was like to have her lips against his, but the quick exchange had been nothing by comparison to what he assumed she could do.

A breath hitched in his throat, the warmth of her touch sending jolts of electricity throughout every inch of his frame. Fingers twitched, tips brushing against her wrist as her hand crawled high, his gaze still fixated on her full lips. Would she grip at his arms while he lingered between her thighs? Would her nails sink into his skin, leaving crescent shaped indents in their wake?

It was her voice that pulled his eyes upwards. Bluntness coming from anyone else would have struck him bitterly, but coming from her, it felt more like a compliment of being understood.

Broken knows broken.

Word for word, he offered a barely-there nod of confirmation. He couldn't deny any of it and why would he? It was a tether between them, an understanding of brokenness that others couldn't quite grasp. "Guess you and I aren't so different after all."

Touching thighs only aided the heat that had pooled in his lap. Every movement was torture, every passing second a reminder of how little restraint he had left. He cared little for what was acceptable, even less so when her perfume hit him tenfold. If his hand fell between her thighs, would anyone know? He doubted it, but there was far more pleasure to offer and anything less was unacceptable.

Khalil sucked in a sharp breath, her palm dangerously close to the only proof needed to show that he wasn't the patient type himself. Bold and driven by desire, he leaned closer, his voice dipping low as his lips ghosted over her ear. "I'm also a man of my word."

And with that, he lifted from the booth, every part of him wishing that he'd set that meeting elsewhere. In his defense, he'd shown up with a file in hand, but now, the file was nearly forgotten.

"We'll check this out and see what we can find." Had he been thinking more clearly, a gentle warning would have followed. Don't go anywhere without me.

All logic had shattered as her smaller hand splayed over his own. He debated falling to his knees, allowing the gravel to dig into the fine material of his pants, but he closed the door behind her and rounded the car with a smirk.

It was only when he'd opened his own door that he saw freshly exposed skin and knew that the destination he'd plugged into his phone were no longer needed. He slid into the driver's side, one hand falling to push his seat back, the other fumbling with the button to his pants.

Anticipation nearly broke him as he wiggled from side to side, a desperate sigh of relief ghosting off his tongue and onto hers as his length sprang upwards, proof of his own impatience settling between them. A breath lodged in his throat as he felt her sinking onto him inch by inch, the world having stopped spinning around them.

When she'd settled atop his lap, every inch consumed by her heat, he lingered close, his tongue desperate to match the rhythm of need she offered until something more animalistic washed over him.

Fingers curled into her hair and with one tug, he leaned forward, capturing the pulse point of her neck, teeth raking against her skin and tongue flicking in between claiming nips. He hooked an arm around her back and hips rolled beneath her.

@alesolcno

[zillace]

"lets go babe"

OA Zidan & Tiffany Wallace || FBI 4.07

[lorelai-tseng]

Lorelai let out a hum of semi-understanding. The part that she couldn't relate to was the fact that for her, being on the go gave her more energy rather than tiring her. It was the sticking around that drained her. "Well sometimes when you're not conscious of your actions you just go into autopilot, it's understandable why after some time though you'd realize that you're doing too much. It's good to take some time though. I hope it's been good for you." She shared as she felt like that much was something he might need. Her brows raised though at his nonchalant response. Remembering her own dealing with her breakup had been about comparable, she figured there were very few who even knew she'd been dealing with a breakup since she kept so private about it. She hadn't realized just how relatable Khal was to her though. "Yes, I suppose so." Lorelai gave a small shrug, unsure what else to say at the subject. "No, I can't say I have. Oh? Are you saying you would make it or have a barista make it?" She smirked trying to bring the tone light again, especially since Lorelai felt a certain type of heaviness surrounding the news of Sophia. She reminded herself to possibly seek her out, or at least make an effort for their paths to cross to give her apologies as well.

@khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

Autopilot was hard to come by when everything felt forever changing. He'd watched as Nathan committed an unforgivable act, followed by his helping hand. What should have been felt like a stride in the right direction had only caused his stomach to turn in guilt and disappointment. Not to mention, every time he stumbled upon a lead for the missing woman, he always hit a dead end, leaving him with a similar feeling. "It's overdue, but some things are better late than never. I'm sure you understand what that's like." The woman before him was a workaholic. At least, that was the read he'd had on her in Seattle and even more so in Providence.

Khalil offered a throaty laugh, the memory of his last attempt behind the counter popping into his mind. He'd attempted to play barista for a barista... and it hadn't entirely worked out how he'd wanted. While the top of his breakup lingered, he opted to move on from it. "Well, it depends. Do you want a decent coffee or are you okay with a few grounds in it?" He was defeated, but what little humor he possessed hadn't entirely burned out. If he could hold onto that, then maybe all hope wasn't lost after all.

@lorelai-tseng

[zeynepxturkmen]

They had to admit: it felt good to recount their hellish date to someone. Then again, they're a natural storyteller. For as long as they could remember, they indulged in all kinds of stories. Whether they were reading a story, listening to a story, watching a story, or even creating their own story, they hardly spent a second of their life without doing at least one of them. Every time they tried to, they felt miserable. Stories have become of the main reasons why they kept going. Well, second to their children, of course.

So while they weren't sure if they were to ever cross paths with the stranger again, if this was the beginning of something or a one time thing, it was rather fun to converse with him and tell him their momentary plight. One that they hoped would not happen again any time soon. "A new record, I'm sure of it." They chuckled. For the first time all night, they were able to laugh even a little bit over how ridiculous it had been. "Oh, they're a marvelous manager, but yeah: a horrible matchmaker. I deleted that damn thing before the coppers even showed up. If I ever do decide to try and date again, I'd rather do it the old fashion way; Be on a Fellowship to deliver the One Ring to Mount Doom in Mordor while being the protector of the Ringbearer with romantic undertones."

A joke, really. Given by the way Hero chuckled before taking another sip. Nah, dating was no longer in the cards for them. And at this point, they were okay with that. Well, sort of. Nodding, their head tilted as they looked over. Dark eyes scanning his features for a moment. "Either you're new here and having made some friends yet, or you're growing through something. Or you're a lone wolf who tends to prefer his apartment walls yet decided some fresh air could be good for him in this rare occurrence." An eyebrow quirked up. "Am I close? Or have I completely misread ya?" ||👾@khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

His first relationship had been the one he'd expected to go all the way. It was his own foolish behavior that had driven it into the ground. A perfect woman and he'd let her slip through his fingers for a career that had done nothing but ruin him. He supposed he deserved the the loneliness, deserved the ache that built in his chest when all he wanted was to melt into someone after a long day's time. The tension that had been brewing between himself and the brunette with a missing sister had worked wonders for that void, but he feared what would happen when they stumbled across the truth of whatever it was that had happened to her sister.

Lost in thought, he cleared his throat, only catching the second part of the other's response. Lonely or not, his venture onto a dating app had been for nothing more than a cover to speak with another law enforcement officer. Though, after Freddie's stumble upon said account, the agent had deleted it. "I had no clue that's what the old fashioned way looked like, but I think that it might a safe option to make," he countered with a half pulled smile.

The whiskey pressed into his palm was his only saving grace from the night, but he knew that in one text, it could all change. He didn't a drop to send it, but he gripped the glass tighter and sucked in a shallow breath. "You're close." He was going through plenty, and he was a bit of a lone wolf, but the latter had changed during his time in the city. "As for which parts, I'm afraid I can't disclose, but, I'd like to add... there's a lot more pleasure in having someone else pour your drinks. Helps keep the amount of refills to a minimum."

@zeynepxturkmen

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

"I figured as much," though she hated to see that look about him. Her heart would always hold a space for Khalil, no matter how hard she had once tried to remove him from it. Watching as Khalil pulled out his phone for her to look at, Dilan studied the photograph of the woman that he put in front of her. "No," Dilan paused, shaking her head, "I don't think I have. Is - is she okay?" Her brows furrowed towards her nose with concern, looking from the digital photo up at Khalil. @khalilhassan

[khalilhassan]

"Well, at least one of us has been making strides in life." He flashed a soft smile in her direction, but his simple statement held heavy truths. While she was raising her child and settling into a relationship, he'd just ran his into the ground, along with his career. Not to mention, he was assisting in a wild goose chase, one that he feared was going to end in a heartbreaking way that he couldn't even begin to wrap his mind around. He nipped at his bottom lip and blew out a shallow breath. "I'm not sure." It was the most honest thing he could say, even if he wanted to give a more positive response that ensured all was well. "She's missing. There are flyers going up around the city. Her sister — she works with you."

@dilanxbarak