the curses of diamonds and rings

Gavin Reed. 35. Rogue Freedom is on her knees, handcuffs on her wrists, begging for release. We are here to break her chains. Ask me what I fear and I will tell you nothing because Death is an old friend that I will greet with a smile when the time comes. RP Account associated with HeroesRPG

[succubarefemina]

Tatiana could never tell Gavin the full story, for fear of him never wanting to speak to her again. Sure, her ‘accident’ had been a complete lack of knowledge of her own ability, but there was always that little niggling thought at the back of her head that knew that she wanted Harry dead. A dark little whisper than wanted him to pay for breaking her heart. But this was about Gavin, and she wanted to divert the conversation back to him. She shook her head before taking a sip of her drink. “This is about you, my love,” she said, swallowing her drink down. “What I did was unthinkable, accidental, but harrowing none the less.” Looking to him, she half smiled and, with her hand still in his, gave him a squeeze. “How did it happen? I don’t think I know enough about your ability.” Upon saying this, she realised that he might not want to go into details. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.” 

[magnetic-reed]

Gavin sighed, but it was more of a huff preceding a laugh as he dropped his head, knowing they were talking about him and he had to admit he wanted to turn it back to Tatiana after that, but that would wait. “But you next, okay?” He pointed at her, making sure she understood. Shaking his head, he didn’t want to go into detail, so he wouldn’t. “I worked at a bank and he got hit him on the head. My magnetism was just discovered so metal boxes were flying around and--” He supposed Tatiana got the picture from that. Rubbing the palm of his hands against his thighs however, he rocked in his seat as he came up with the courage to say what was next. “I wish that was the worst part, but it’s not. Recently, police from that city came to visit me at work.” He swallowed roughly. “I changed my name for that first job, I didn’t want people to know who my parents were and as soon as that happened I up and left. I left the city, I dropped out of school. I directed the detectives to my lawyer and they haven’t contacted me since, but... what if they find out? Not even the best lawyer money can buy can get me, a post-human, to walk free from killing someone. That is, if it even goes to trial.” Gavin swallowed roughly, averting his eyes from Tatiana. “And I think someone’s been following me so I haven’t been going to the mansion or to the power station that often because the last thing I need is something to link me to Rogue. I...” his voice cracked and he just brought a fist to his mouth, shutting himself up.

[magnetic-reed]

uccubarefemina

Tatiana had never seen Gavin like this before, it made her want to pull him to her bosom and comfort him. Before he spoke, of course her brain went into over drive trying to figure out what he could have done, but she kept an open mind as she watched him calmly. Her hand was still on his, and when he looked to her, she reached for her drink, separating her touch from his as he continued. She quarreled with herself as to whether she could take his hand again, but she didn’t. Her eyes met his as he finished his confession, and Tatiana stayed quiet for a moment. More than anyone, she probably knew exactly how he felt. She too had taken a life through her ability, and is still dealing with the consequences. “Gavin,” she began, taking his hand in hers. “As hard as it may be, you can’t blame yourself for this. We were just normal people, living our lives, doing normal things - and then these abilities were sprung on us. We’re bound to make mistakes, because sometimes these powers are too strong for us to control. Especially when we first discover them.” Looking down for a moment, she thought about her late husband. “I know, more than anyone, exactly how you feel.” She reached for her drink and took a good swig of it. “I’ve never told anyone about it, but I’ve done the same thing…only to someone close to me.”

Gavin listened to her, especially when she took his hand. He wasn’t sure how she would react, but surely taking his hand didn’t mean that she was angry at him. He nodded to her words, believing that yes, maybe he shouldn’t blame himself, but he did and he wasn’t sure it would ever go away no matter what anyone told him. And when she said she understood, well, Gavin had to know what she meant by it. it was a relief to get that off his chest, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t still something putting pressure on it. And that something was tied up to what he had done those years ago, but it could wait for the time being. “What happened,” he asked Tatiana, offering his other hand to comfort her as she had done to him. He knew the weight of keeping something like this to yourself and the fact that she never told anyone was troubling, Gavin didn’t know what he would do if he had kept it from everyone and told no one.

[magnetic-reed]

succubarefemina

Tatiana honestly found it difficult to understand how someone hadn’t scooped Gavin up and made him a husband already. He was more than perfect, aside from the ‘work being the center of his life’ thing at the moment. She took a sip of her drink, and felt the mood change when he began to speak of his troubles. Tatiana was more than good at picking up on these sorts of things, due to her ability. She wasn’t surprised to know that there was more than work going on for him, it was the same for her really. Placing her hand on top of his, she looked into his eyes and smiled. “I’ll tell you everything, but I want to know what’s going on with you first, you’re more important. To me.” With that, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, keeping a hold of him in an attempt to comfort him, she had a feeling what was coming next might be hard for him - if he wanted to share that was.

“Okay.” Gavin realized he wanted to tell, he wanted to talk about it, but he had grown up with this unsaid silence about what bothered you. You didn’t talk about it. Sure, you can blow up at someone because something had been bothering you for a while but you can’t mention it. You can’t burdon someone with it, you can’t bother them with petty things in your life. Seeing as it only concerned him, he felt the need to leave it as only concerning him. He smiled at Tatiana, grateful for her friendship. He reached to take a larger sip of his drink before giving a shaky exhale. Gavin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out as he stared off to the side, not wanting to look at her in the eyes just yet. “When I was young, I did something terrible. I hurt someone.” He looked at Tatiana now. “It was an accident and--and I was just realizing my ability, you see. I didn’t have the years of control and restraint I do now.” He inhaled deeply, not sure how Tatiana would take the next part. “The guy, he... he never woke up.” Years of therapy still made him unable to say it out loud. He didn’t like the way those words sounded. Killed. Murdered. Dead.

[magnetic-reed]

succubarefemina

Tatiana let out a chuckle and nodded, knowing there had been more than a need for being comforted behind that kiss. It was blatantly obvious that Tatiana had thought of maybe trying to get somewhere romantically with Gavin, but like he said, things got in the way. “You’re so gentle with a girl’s feelings, handsome,” she said, leaning on the bar and letting out a soft chuckle. Her cheeks blushed a little, as she patted them, feeling the warmth from the alcohol. “You’re right, though, busy is a word I’d use for both of us. I think we both need to learn how to make a little time.” The bartender delivered her next drink and she took a sip, before nudging Gavin’s arm. “So, what’s going on with you?” She gently tapped her finger on his temple. “What’s going on in your head?”

Pursing his lips he smiled and nodded, grateful she thought that. “It’s hard,” he chuckled, looking down at his lap. “But for you I’d try.” He smiled wider before taking a drink. It wasn’t wine, but it was definitely what he needed right now. Something to let him relax. He felt like he was always on edge, all tense. He shifted in his seat as he laughed once more, but he was uneasy, not wanting to tell her the drama of his past and how it was coming back to him in a way he didn’t know how to escape. “A lot,” he spoke with a sigh before looking to Tatiana, a smile still appearing on his face. “Work is,” he tried, he tried to blow it off as work stress, but it wasn’t and he couldn’t do that to Tatiana, but this was something he had told less than a handful of people. “it’s not even the reason.” His breath of a laugh was more of an attempt to comfort himself, to laugh it off as no big deal. “If I go will you tell me what’s on yours?”

[magnetic-reed]

succubarefemina

Tatiana nodded at his little ‘better days to come’ message, hoping that he was right. Now that her father was passed, she was sure she could have a better relationship with her Mother, however, it could go the complete opposite way. She wasn’t sure if her Mother would forgive her for never patching things up with him, after all, she was finding it difficult to forgive herself too. Keeping her eyes fixed on Gavin. she tried to put thoughts of her family to the back of her mind. “I appreciate that I was even on your list of ‘things to take care of,’” she said, finishing her drink, before motioning for another. “I always miss you, Gavin,” she informed him, swiping her hair from her neck. “If anything, I wish we were closer. But I get that it got awkward after I decided that kissing you was a good idea.”

Gavin laughed, hearing it said back to him made it sound rather weird. “It’s more like something that was on my mind that I kept putting off, but I realized I shouldn’t have. It’s been too long.” His drink arrived and he took a sip, enjoying the taste, but knowing these can hit you and you’re not even aware of it. At the mention of the kiss, Gavin had to blink, having forgotten about it. “What? No, no that had nothing to do with it, I swear.” He remembered thinking about it, thinking it would lead to something else the months following, but he started getting busier and busier at work and their conversations grew sparse and it all but left him. “I’ve just been busy, as you have been, right? There’s nothing wrong with that.”

[magnetic-reed]

succubarefemina

Taking a drink of her ice tea, she found herself smiling at the fact that Gavin had been looking for her. It felt nice that someone wanted to be in her company, given her recent attitude to life. But Gavin didn’t know any of that yet - and she wasn’t sure if she should tell him, for fear of scaring him off. “I’ve been…better, but I’m still ticking,” she said, tilting her head. “How are you, handsome? You’ve been a busy boy lately.” Her cheeks flushed a little as she noticed the alcohol was beginning to have an effect on her, if only little. Attempting to sit a little more straight, she moved a little closer to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I have missed your company.”

Sighing, he nodded, completely understanding. “At least we know there has to be better days to come, right?” He shifted in his seat, hoping for the better days to come. Sooner the better. Hadn’t seen much better since his friend’s passing, but there was still hope for the future. “I have been busy, that’s true,” he dropped his head, a little ashamed at keeping his distance from everyone. It was all for the best, he was handling things, being a big boy. “Never too busy for you,” he looked back up, smiling warmly at the gesture. “You’ve got me now, so you can check that one off things you miss--and things I need to take care of.” He laughed gently.

[magnetic-reed]

succubarefemina

Lost in her thoughts, Tatiana almost didn’t notice Gavin taking a seat next to her, until he spoke. She shot him a half smile before holding up her drink and replying. “Long Island Ice Tea,” she replied, before taking a sip. It was more than a pleasant surprise that Gavin was there. He always seemed to be the one who showed up with things were tough for her. In her head, she liked to think that he had picked up on her low mood, but she new it was more likely that work was bothering him and this was a chance meeting. “What’s a guy like you doing in a bar at this hour?” She asked, relaxing her shoulders a little as she let her guard down.

“Sounds good,” he caught eyes with the bartender and asked for one himself. He was glad she wasn’t having something like whisky or bourbon, goddamn did he hate those drinks. Far too strong for him. He preferred the mixed drinks or just some good wine. Long Island Ice Tea would do for now. Easing further into his seat, he gave a warm chuckle. “I could ask you the same thing,” he leaned in forward momentarily before sitting straight. “I was looking for you actually. They told me you were heading to a bar and I got lucky!” His laugh was louder this time as he extended his arms out before returning them to his lap. “How’ve you been, Tat? We haven’t spoken in a while.”

[succubarefemina]

Staring into her drink, Tatiana watched the bubbles dance together as they bobbed happily up and down in her cocktail. A quiet sigh slipped from her mouth as she looked around the bar. It was quiet, which made her feel even more alone. Sure, she had Emrys, but he had his own things to be doing, and having just come out of work at the Rogue HQ, she decided alcohol was needed. Lately, she had been feeling rather weak, with her Father dying only weeks ago, and not having reconciled their differences, Tati felt rather guilty. But alcohol was a good friend at keeping her guilt at bay.

[magnetic-reed]

It had been a while. Gavin was working tirelessly, mostly on his own away from the mansion and especially the power station. He was wearing thin, but it was necessary, everything was necessary. He tried not to let the stress get to him, but it was. It was eating him, everything was eating him and he wasn’t sure how it was going to end up. Whatever happened, though, he would take care of those he cared about, that much he wanted to make sure. When he saw Tatiana at his rare visits in the station, it was brief, but he knew he needed to speak with her. Catching up was necessary--as much of a break it seemed, it wasn’t. When he couldn’t find her, he asked and they said she headed out, another added to a bar. He wasn’t sure which one and tried for one nearest to them. It was relief when he spotted her at the counter. Sitting in the seat beside her, he smiled. “Hey,” he greeted, hoping to break her out of her thoughts. “What are we having?”

[ulanbator88]

“X Ambassadors - Unsteady - The Reason EP” by kidinakorner

[erica-jackson]

@ Rogues

[magnetic-reed]

erica-jackson:

A smile appeared on Erica’s face at Gavin agreeing to help out - she had chosen her job for many reasons and this was basically her job, only better. Vocation instead of occupation. And maybe the more people she could involve that hadn’t been examined by Nexus, the better. After all, the gaps in Nexus’ research must be coming from somwhere. She gives a light smile that she hopes looks comforting: “Maybe that’s better - it would have been sad to push the number of us who have been much higher than it already is.”

Great that she had happened upon someone who had such control over their ability - that would possibly make the experiments easier. “I can’t do all that much here, but would you be alright with getting a blood test done? That way I can test some hormone levels and see which ones associate with usage of your ability. I have some equipment in my room?” She gestured towards the staircase, unwilling to spread out all her stuff in one of the common areas. While she trusted everyone here, you could never be too sure. Additonally, before she knew whether what she was planning actually stood a chance of suceeding, she didn’t want to make a grand announcement out of it. Failures at this stage would only upset everyone.

Gavin’s past was weighing heavily on his mind and now that it had finally caught up to him--you don’t know that for sure--Gavin wasn’t sure what he was sure of anymore. He had clenched his fists and pursed his lips, not really all there in the current conversation, but making attempts to be present. It was a strange sensation and Gavin wasn’t sure when it was going to end. It was as if he was slowly growing mad and everyone was just watching. Just reach out, he pleaded with himself, but maybe he inherited more from his father than he’d like to admit.

“Blood test is fine,” Gavin answered as he walked over to the staircase, leading as if he knew where it was. However, it was all just muscle memory walking up the stairs, eyes to the ground as he silently stressed over what he was going to do if his lawyer didn’t make questioning detectives go away. As he reached the top, he dragged his hand over his mouth, realizing he hadn’t a clue where her room was. “Uh, which way,” he asked, pointing to each side as he released a low chuckle. Once she directed him, he continued walking. “So, how will all this work,” he turned around to look at her. “I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say I’ll understand, but I’ll try.”

[magnetic-reed]

aka-sylar:

“Yes I shall take him there, but we’re still not sure if he’s special or not, so he could just be a normal child. Maybe bringing him to the PROTECT won’t do hime good. Maybe I just need to bring him to an orphanage.” Sylar said. But of course he was going to bring him in to the PROTECT. The kid belongs there…even when he’s not that special.

“An orphanage?” Gavin scratched at the back of his head, not wanting to upset Sylar by disagreeing with him. “Maybe he isn’t you’re right, but maybe he is. At least at PROTECT you can figure it out.” Look at him, advocating PROTECT. It was kind of disgusting and yet it had to be done. It was a baby for christ’s sake, with the potential to be a post-human, where else would you take it?

[magnetic-reed]

The False From The Real

Gavin wasn’t sure if things were getting better, but he had been more focused on a client so he momentarily forgot about everything that was going on for most of the day. The times where he had to switch hotels definitely brought him back to the reality that there was someone following him. However, he was sure that it was his business alone and to bring any of the other Horsewomen into it, well, that would have been selfish. Not to mention he had never relied on any of them the way he did with his old friend. He had grown up since then, took care of his own problems instead of looking for someone to do it for him. And yet having to go to a hotel room alone, only occasionally with Nigel, he wished to be able to have her here again. He never felt like he was imposing with her. Never felt like he was bothering her with any paranoid thoughts. It was strange, losing her. Nothing fit quite the same way anymore.

On the night Nigel stayed with him, he looked to his butler, his last close friend for guidance. If someone was following him, why? What did they want? Who were they? And did they pose a threat not only to him but those he cared about? It was stressing him out far more than he was ready for.

“Maybe I should just let them find me. Walk into an alley, jump me or... do whatever they want with me.” He spoke aloud as he ran his hand down his face.

“I don’t believe that to be a good idea, Mr. Reed.”

Sighing, Gavin leaned forward, pressing his elbows onto his knees as he stared off into the carpet of the room.

“This is killing me, Nigel. I need to know.” 

He glanced up at his friend, who was always good at remaining collected and calm, even if he saw the boy he had taken cared of, had been a father to, grow up to become a man who could grow to be suspicious of his own shadow. Even when looking into Gavin’s bloodshot eyes, he still saw the young man he met, the once spoiled brat turning into a man with respectable morals, someone who had a purpose that turned his life around. Rogue was his family; they were everything to him. Every last one of them. He had long pledged his life to the cause, whether he was aware of it at the time or not. He knew, when it came down to it, he would do anything to ensure the safety of Rogue.

-

The meeting with the urban planner was taking a little longer than Gavin would have liked, but it was only because he was arguing that the budget Gavin was suggesting wouldn’t cut it. However, Gavin argued that they wouldn’t have enough funds to cover the concept and it was better to play it safe.

Thankfully, he was interrupted by a phone call. Walking over to answer, the woman at the front desk was on the line.

“Hello?” He responded.

She stuttered with his name which made Gavin frown and he wondered why she was nervous. “There’s two detectives who wish to talk to you, should I send them up?”

Gavin frowned even further at that and was confused as to what they were doing there. He put one of his hands on his hips and his eyebrows knitted together as he thought of what to do. He could bring them up sure, but he was with a client. However, he wasn’t stupid. Unless they were arresting him, they didn’t have to speak with him. He was sure anything they wanted him to sort out could be sorted out by his lawyer. And if his lawyer wanted him to meet with them, he would, but he wouldn’t talk to them without his lawyer present.

“Tell them anything they want to ask, my lawyer can answer. You know the information, right?”

“Y-yes. I’ll tell them.”

“Alright then. Is that it?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Gavin hung up but remained by the phone. Detectives? Wanting to speak to him? What could it be about? He scratched at the back of his head, his heart racing. He wasn’t doing anything illegal that wasn’t properly hidden. Even if they did find traces of anything, he had excuses. They couldn’t tie him to Rogue even if they tried. So, that couldn’t be it. Could it?

“Ahem,” the cleared throat caused him to turn around. “Can we continue?”

“Of course,” Gavin responded with a soft sigh and walked back to the urban planner.

[aka-sylar]

Sylar had not really an idea on which side this guy stood on. Sylar was used to people not being nice to him…but this guy really looked like he wanted to be Sylar’s enemy. “Right.. PROTECT …I think that’s a good choice. This kid deserves a chance to live like he wants to live.”

[magnetic-reed]

Gavin didn’t think the guy would agree with him, but he did. It seemed as strange as he was, they still had some morals in common. Gavin just nodded along. “He really does. So you’re going to take him there, then? You’ll make sure the little guy is safe?” Children were innocent. They deserved the best protection possible. He didn’t need to realize the ugliness of his past just yet.

[aka-sylar]

“Well…if you say it like that. For once I’m asking for your opinion. Just this once, so enjoy it. Who do you think are the right authorities?”

[magnetic-reed]

Gavin sighed, pursing his lips, thankful the other guy didn’t know his allegiance. “Honestly? The closest to the right authorities would be PROTECT. Everyone knows the police would just turn the child into Nexus and god knows the child would be better being raised by you than even spending one minute with Nexus.”

[aka-sylar]

“I wouldn’t say you are that either. So…who do you think the proper authorities are again?” Sylar asked his question again.

[magnetic-reed]

“Never said I was,” Gavin gave a small shrug. “What,” he teased, avoiding the question, “are you asking me for advice?”

[aka-sylar]

“What would be the proper authorities to you? Who knows I’m even telling you the truth. I could have just killed his parents to kidnap him.” Sylar always liked it to play with people’s minds.

[magnetic-reed]

“Proper authorities are definitely not you, buddy.” Gavin sighed, crossing his arms. “And, I wouldn’t put that past you.”

[aka-sylar]

“Maybe I am, maybe I am not.” Sylar grinned. “Who knows.” Sylar knew it was true, but he had to deliver the kid to the protect, but needed to keep a watch on him.

[magnetic-reed]

Gavin rolled his eyes, sighing. “Well, if you are telling the truth then maybe you need to take that kid to the proper authorities instead of just hanging around with him. His life could be in danger.”