i hear trouble coming

Sully Monroe. Road Captain of the Brothers of Ichor. affiliated with Never Nevada written by Mel

[strifeborne]

nevernevadastella​:

LOCATION: Killer Cupcakes

TIME: Mid-afternoon

OPEN TO: All

Stella was working a shift at the bakery and her day had been going decently well. While it was extremely busy, that meant that the end of her shift would come quicker and she could go home and be reunited with her baby girl. It was never easy to leave her kid to go to work and in a perfect world she’d love to become a full time stay at home mom. But, that just wasn’t possible. So there she was, work t-short and apron on, trying to stay clam and collected while dealing with this asshole of a customer. He’d gotten upset when they were out of his “favorite” pastry and when offered a different flavor, he refused and was going on and on about how this place is a joke. “You know, you can just leave if you aren’t satisfied here,” the blonde points out, narrowing her eyes to him. A few choice words are exchanged and the older man slams the door after Stella is called a bitch. That sure wasn’t the first time she had been called that before as an assistant manager.

Blood boiling, she runs her hands through her messy hair and takes a deep breath. God, she hated people sometimes. It wasn’t until she realized that there was someone else in line that she snaps back into reality.

“Shit, sorry. Uh, what would you like today?” She replies, trying to jump back into being semi professional.

┌ 

It was supposed to just be a quick trip down to the bakery. He’d check in on Stella and get to grab a sweet treat. Two birds, one stone and all that. So it goes without saying that he didn’t expect to be contemplating getting arrested for assault in the middle of the afternoon, but here he was just the same, staring down the man dressing down Stella over a fucking pastry. Sully had always had little tolerance for men who were aggressive with women and even less so with women he cared about as he’d always been a little overprotective of the women who ran with the Brothers. It takes him a second of his own to come back to himself and realize she was talking to him before he tears his eyes off the man’s back and turns back to the counter.

“What the fuck was that about, Stel? He come here a lot?”

[strifeborne]

heldfate​:

OPEN TO: anyone LOCATION: a ballroom in any of the hotels 

“I don’t really take drinks from anyone anymore.” It was no secret that certain people couldn’t be trusted. It was, however, a secret to be affiliated with The Foxes. Her excuse, if asked, was right there –– she was a woman that was alone at an event she wasn’t originally invited to. Lux liked to crash parties and who could really blame her? It was a bit of excitement in her otherwise dull day-to-day lifestyle. “I will take someone who goes and requests something other than this god-awful music that sounds like it should be played at a funeral instead of a party, though.” Formal gathering or not, the blonde’s request didn’t seem too outlandish… to her.

┌

“Ah. Sounds like you were at the party at Rousseau’s too.” The tall man shrugs before knocking back the flute of champagne he’d just offered her. He wouldn’t blame her either way as his presence here did seem out of place, but he thought he’d offer since they both looked near bored to tears. His invitation to this little soiree had been more of a fluke than anything, an offer from a man who had seen once of his fights and obviously thought Sully might be the next ringside cash cow and wanted to introduce him to some of his friends. The Brother normally wouldn’t entertain that kind of thing but the club liked to know who was rubbing elbows with who in Vegas and, frankly, he’d had nothing better to do tonight.

“I could probably get him to change it. You wanna waltz or are you lookin’ to shake your ass?”

[abbie-a-aaronson]

[tim-lucy]

“Thanks, we got it from here.”

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

Large green eyes just blink back at him, wet tears sticking to dark lashes as she tries to wrap her head around what he is saying. Is that what he had thought this was? That her years of pent-up feelings was just that? She wants to scream, throw her head back and yell at the moon. How could she be so fucking stupid? Rubbing her face Ianthe doesn’t even pay the other men any mind. Every inch of her skin was burning with an amalgam of emotion with no place to put it down, only out. Past her lips, brutal cruelty she’d spent years facing alone, “You’re the one who called me your secret fuck buddy. Don’t twist it like I’m the one with all this control here, Sul.” Ianthe watches his every movement, her eyes flickering towards every jolt of his muscles. It doesn’t take long for the hair on her arms to stand on ends. Casting a long glance around them, she feels the leering eyes for the first time since stepping into the balmy desert night. Rolling her eyes despite the tumbling ache in the pit of her stomach, Ianthe steps into Sully, her fingers curling against his chest; he’s a good foot taller than her, and she has to tilt her head back to look at him, to meet his stare from this close. “You can feed me a lot of lines, Sully, but don’t say that like I’m supposed to believe it. You care what people think. I’ve seen it for years every pass I make, everything I say-” Ianthe’s palm splays on his chest, her fingers drumming absently, searching for the following best or worst thing to say. She is never as sure with him as she’s been. “I don’t get what me fucking prospects has to do with the waitress, with the way I feel like I’m just one step behind- less. ” Her forehead slowly drops against his sternum, and for a moment, she forgets, for a moment, Ianthe can ignore the truckers, she can forget their vulnerability and just stand there taking slow breaths, her forehead against his body if only to keep from having to level her stare on his. Before Ianthe can think of another thing to say, some disgusting leering comment is shouted in the space between them- she had lost herself to the silence of figuring out how to tell him what she wanted, how to tell him how much he had meant to her when in a brief and instant moment it was all scattered to fucking hell. Ianthe feels the crackle in the air, her chest tightening at the idea of everything to come. Sully is looking at her, but her eyes are behind him, stuck in horror, waiting for something terrible to happen. She’s quick to look around Sully, her eyes glued to the truckers, her other hand rummaging in her bag for the smooth handle of her stun gun in case things go more south than they’ve already gone. “We’re leaving-” She speaks to the men finding purchase against the smooth surface. “I don’t want to go home- ” She speaks low enough for him, “just not here- anywhere else, please Sul, please forget these guys.” She feels the waiver in her voice as she begs, her words coming thick and stuck to her tongue. She moves to the bike, her eyes still on the men behind Sully- “Baby, please.” She chances a glance away to look up at him, “Please.” Please don’t get hurt, please take me away from here, please forgive me for all I have done and all I have yet to do.

┌

Another glance behind him and something on Sully’s face must have had the man hesitating because all he utters is a muttered ‘fuck off’ before turning back to his group, leaving the taller man to huff out a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding as he turns back to his companion, her plea still ringing in his ears. “Yeah...we’re going.” Fuck. What was wrong with him? Even at his baddest, he couldn’t take on that many guys at once. Ianthe just made him feel crazy sometimes. But she was also one of the few people on the planet who could pull him out of it. Without another word, he strides over and mounts the bike, waiting only long enough for her to get her helmet on before he takes off out the parking lot with a roar of the engine.

He drives with no destination in mind, only knowing that she told him not to take her home, but knowing he has no energy left to fight with her, no desire either. He just needs to take her somewhere and convince her to let this all go, that they were both just raw after what happened during Halloween. The first place he comes across is one of those shitty interstate motels and he pulls into the relatively empty parking lot and turns the bike off, the silence almost startling after so long. Swinging his leg over, he dismounts the bike and takes a few steps away, rubbing a hand over his face.

“Please, Annie, just let me take you home. I don’t wanna fight anymore.”

[strifeborne]

la-sangradura​:

open to: @strifeborne​ | sullivan monroe location: styxs

Hyacinth looked up from the notepad, the elastic strap wrapped around her hand as she finished writing the imperfections she had seen on the motorcycle. Her client had insisted she come and see it where they were, see it in action, and she had bee hesitant at first. Was there a chance the Brothers of Ichor suspected her? She hadn’t stayed long to make much of an impression, let alone be seen. She had blended in with their chaos, and now, she stuck out. She was cut with fine edges against the tattered masterpiece that their brotherhood was. It was miracle they even worked with how little discretion they seemed to have.  

“Excuse me,” She asked, looking up from over the bar. The deal had yet to be signed, and if the man outside continued to test Hyacinth’s patience, there may be no deal at all. She put down the glass she had. “Could I get something a little stronger in this?”

┌ 

His head cants up at her call, a small smirk curving his lips as he finishes wiping down the other end of the bar before heading her way. He’d taken note of her when she’d first come in as she didn’t blend with the usual crowd that permeated Styx, but once he’d realized who she was there to meet, he’d just been waiting for such a request. “I’ll admit, you lasted longer with Tony than I thought you would. He’s a nice guy, but he doesn’t know when enough’s enough.” A friendly smile is offered as he slings the towel over his shoulder. “So, what’s your poison?” The statement is innocuous, the man oblivious to the double meaning it might hold for the other.

[strifeborne]

la-sangradura​:

“Peeping Tom? I-” Briar leaned forward only to throw himself back into his chair, face scrunched in disbelief against his work once again getting that label. As much as he hated it, though, it was on brand. Briar snuck around, held his distance, and used what he saw to feed back information whether it was below Styxs or on the street. He had better skills than keeping account of debts and bribing people to spend more than what they had.

He sighed, “I haven’t found anything other than some people callin’ people rats. I thought it was a pretty lame insult, but maybe that’s something? And a whole lotta boob touching. People were taking out flasks left and right all night. That’s bad for business.”

┌

As much of a hard time as Sully gave the other, Briar was good at what he did, otherwise he wouldn’t be pushing him so hard for details. The younger man picked up on everything it seemed, even if he wasn’t consciously aware of it. “Not really worried about Cyrus’ profit margins right now, but I’ll pass it along. It’s not that weird unless you saw someone behind the bar pulling one out. They could have been spiking the drinks. More than likely though, the whole shipment was fucked from the beginning. I’m gonna have to pay a visit to his distributor.”

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

Anger was so much easier to project than every other thing warring inside of her, so Ianthe clung to it like it was her one and only lifeline. So Ianthe does not look back as she heads into the moon illuminated night, totally oblivious to the group of men she doesn’t know, oblivious to Sully following her, only aware of every ounce of her anger, embarrassment, and sadness. Ianthe didn’t stop until his words secret fuck buddy rolled off his tongue and struck her so hard her stomach began to ache. Whirling, Ianthe levels him with a contemptuous stare and keeps a safe distance. “You’d have to fuck me for us actually to be anything.” Without lowering her eyes, she points out only crossing her arms when he is close enough to touch. “You could have said anything when she treated me like I was just an annoying stepping spot to get in your pants, but hey, if you’re so pissed off by how I reacted, go back in there.” Ianthe nods towards the diner. “I’m sure she’ll love the attention.” “Exactly, Sul, she is a fucking stranger!” Ianthe shouts back, getting a few interested stares from people lingering in the parking lot. Ianthe doesn’t notice. Ianthe searches his face, hoping for some sort of understanding. They were strangers here. They could have been anything, but even here, she was a secret almost, a secret nothing. Scoffing, “Do whatever you want Sul, I don’t care.” A lie through her teeth but one she told without a hint of irony as she looked away from his face.

┌ 

“Says the girl who freaks out every time we get close! But you can go fuck some random prospect, right? So it must be me who’s the problem.” They’ve definitely garnered some attention from the men loitering in the parking lot and Sully shoots them a scowl when he hears them chuckling amongst themselves, nearly takes a threatening step towards the group. It would be so much easier to take everything he was feeling and turn it to anger, to relieve the pressure in his chest in a little bit of familiar violence, but no, he couldn’t be reckless. He couldn’t leave Ianthe there. He had to look out for her, he was always looking out for her. Why was she the only one who couldn’t see that?

Momentum pushes him towards her instead, pushing further into her space, but his earlier words hit too close to home and suddenly all he is is tired. It’s him that’s the problem. Every time they get to close to...something, she pushes him away because she knows that he feels too much, has gotten too fucking involved, and that’s not what she came to him for, not what any of this was supposed to be for either of them, but he can’t separate his care for her from what they do together. “I didn’t say anything because I don’t care what she or anyone thinks. The only thing I was focused on is you. I took this whole day to come see you when I should be looking for who poisoned everyone because I was worried about you. Because for all the loyalty I claim to the Brothers, I still find myself putting you first. I don’t know what the fuck else you want from me, Ianthe!”

“She wants your dick, dude, weren’t you listening!”

The jeering comes from off to the side where the group of truckers were huddled, laughter following the brave man’s remark, making Sully’s hands instinctively curl into fists, knowing there would be no better feeling right now than the man’s nose cracking beneath the force of his knuckles. He craved it, even. But out here, he was no one, mark of his status still hanging on the hook beside the front door of his home. He wasn’t a brother, he wasn’t the Road Captain, he was just Sully, out with someone who needed him, despite her anger. Still, his feet seem to move almost on autopilot as he takes a few steps towards the group.

“Be a lot safer for you if you minded your own goddamn business,” he finishes his threat by spitting at the vocal man’s feet, nails digging into the flesh of his palms with the force it takes to hold himself back, as he foolishly turns his back to the group. “Get on the damn bike, Annie. I’ll take you home.”

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

Ianthe was heated, stood as the waitress spoke, and gave her a disgusted look up and down. “Sweetheart, it’s not friendly when you smell like a cat in heat.” She was quick to retort, ready to fight consequences be damned. Her mind was a fog of frayed nerves and exhaustion that left no room for logical reasoning. Ianthe stepped into the woman, daring her to push her further, begging her to give her a reason. Then like a literal saving grace, she was called away and slunk to the back without taking their order, without another word, and the anger fizzled against her skin. Ianthe practically collapsed back against the booth, pressing her palms into her eyes before looking up in time to see the incredulous look dart across Sully’s features. Her mouth opened in a small o as she returned his look with her own of contempt. Her latent anger at the waitress directed towards him and Ianthe laughed. She laughed a bitter discordant sound as she pushed herself up from the table. “The last thing I need Sullivan is you telling me how to behave.” Ianthe moved towards him, stepping into the booth to make herself eye level with him, her heart hammering in her chest. “I’m not hungry.” Her eyes moved from his eyes to his lips and back to his eyes again, her stomach tightening at the sight of him. “It’s not like you did anything to correct her, but if shes right it’s good to know.” Inches from his face one moment and the next she’s walking into the cool desert night.

┌ 

Oh, this had taken a quick turn. So much for a lighthearted time out. They weren’t strangers to bickering with each other, but the tension was thick between them in the diner and he wasn’t sure if it was anger or something else and the other is storming away before he can test his theory that it just might be the latter. Of course, that’s not his top priority as she struts out into the night, alone, among a rather unsavory crew who had stopped to have a cigarette. Leaving the gossiping waitresses with nothing more than a glare, as they hadn’t even been served, after all, Sully catches up to Ianthe in a few long strides, reaching out to grab her by the upper arm and pull her around to face him. “Will you stop it!”

They were coming dangerously close to approaching unspoken territory with his words, but they were both a little more raw, a little more careless. “What did you want me to do? Tell her ‘Oh no, she’s not my sister, she’s actually my secret fuck buddy.’ Would that make you happy?” Maybe it would have. He certainly didn’t know. Every time he thought he knew what she wanted from him, she flipped the script and pushed him away. “What the fuck does it matter, Annie? She’s nobody. A stranger!”

[strifeborne]

trovbledsovls​:

CASSANDRA HAD BEEN ON THE opposite side of the street, on her way back from the gallery when she spied the man sat alone at the table. so, she halted in her tracks and made a direct beeline for him instead.  “ ah, ”  she started, her tone light and laced with the faintest hint of amusement.  “ so this is where you snuck off to then? ”  she arches a manicured brow, quickly eyeing the vacant chair he pushes toward her before slipping into it.  “ let me guess, you’re on the coffee run? ” 

┌ 

Busted. Whatever. It’s not like he wasn’t going to bring her something too. This was a completely guilt free treat. “I volunteered, actually.” See, I’m the good guy. “Some of the guys still aren’t feeling one hundred percent after the party. And the rest are just milking it.” Normally he would call them out on their bullshit, make them go for a run with him or go have a sparring session, but right now, even a coffee run was better than twiddling his thumbs waiting for answers about who was responsible for the debacle at Rousseau’s. “You want something?”

[amyritter]

#you’re doing amazing, sweetie

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

Ianthe gave a shake of her head and turned her eyes to the menu. “No, of course not.” Chewing the edge of her thumb, Ianthe settles on grilled cheese and fries and a cherry coke before looking back up at him. “I haven’t been into work since before Halloween.” She didn’t say the idea of people leering at her right now made her sick, the idea of being in a crowded place all eyes on her- expectant, wanting, it made her want to climb out of her skin and into oblivion. She’s thankful for his reassurance, but it’s just that- “There are countless hot girls who can dance in Vegas. I’m a dime a dozen.” She ignored the comments of saving Lav, she’d pressed ice to his heated body and did her best to keep him focused until help arrived. It was the very least she could do given the circumstances. Thank fuck the waitress showed up in time to save her from having to continue this awful conversation. Ianthe gave the woman a polite smile. Her order was practiced and ready to go. However, the niceties died on her tongue, and her smile dropped from her face. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she watched this woman with the audacity hit on Sully, right fucking in front of her. Ianthe sat up, snapping her fingers in front of the woman’s face. “Baby, ” addressing the woman with a faux saccharine tone, Ianthe licked her bottom lip and pushed to the edge of the booth, ready to stand if needed. “I’m not his sister. This little flirty bit you’re leaning into, stop. It’s not working for you. If you could please just take our orders and fuck off, that would be swell.” Ianthe batted her lashes not once removing her eyes from the womans. “and please, don’t call him baby. Sir is fine from you. Thanks.”

┌ 

So much for not getting stared at because he’s pretty sure they have the full attention of all the other waitresses, who honestly don’t look all that surprised at the faux redhead’s actions, but their eyes are practically gleaming as they wait for Ianthe’s response, like sharks smelling blood in the water. Ianthe, of course, doesn’t disappoint, she never does, giving the woman a dressing down that would have been kinda hot if he wasn’t so worried she was actually going to fight the other woman with how frayed her nerves have been. Calling Jeremy to spot him some bail money really isn’t high on his list of things to do, but it’s becoming a very real possibility as the waitress somehow thinks it’s a good idea to retort.

“It’s called being friendly, sweetheart. You might wanna take some notes.”

Well, there it goes. He can’t save her now. Luckily it seems someone still can as word of the potential skirmish seems to have reached the back of the house as one absolute brick shithouse of a man wearing an apron comes out of the kitchen and shouts what he can only assume is the waitress’ name before pointing an angry thumb towards the back, causing the woman’s head to drop as she slumps away from the table, leaving Sully to turn to Ianthe incredulously.

“Seriously? We’re fighting truck stop waitresses now? Real low profile.” It may have come off harsher than intended, but it really was the last thing they needed.

[itendsbad]

— 14.03

[strifeborne]

la-sangradura​:

He had a point, but Briar had learned to deflect until he was able to collect his excuses. Sully had received them more than once getting caught holding his own bets under Styxs, until he was eventually taken on as their bookie. 

“What are we going to do about Halloween?” He asked, menu down where he signed his question to make sure it was understood one way or another. “Even if it wasn’t at us, which we don’t know, people got hurt. People we’re suppose to protect, right? What are we gonna do about it?”

┌

Right. The question all the Brothers were asking, but no one yet had a satisfying answer for. Mostly because they didn’t have a target to aim all that anger at. Sully, at least, knew what he wanted them to do. “We’ll send our own message back, twice as bad, to them and whoever might be stupid enough to follow in their footsteps, and we won’t be sneaky about it like they were. It’ll be a loud and proud declaration, the Brothers are off limits. But we can’t do any of that until we know who, so if any of your Peeping Tom missions have found you anything, now would be a great time to start sharing.”

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

Taking the helmet, she lifts green eyes to him, “People don’t often complain about me not being nice.” It was a one-off retort before she was outside and on the back of his bike. Ianthe let the silence of the thirty-minute ride free her mind- the only thoughts came from the smell of his body wash, the fading Vegas skyline, and the heaviness that untangled the further they drifted from the city. Finally stopping at the place she had picked, Ianthe sat on the back of his bike to take in the view. An authentic small-town, historic and charming, offering little to the average person, but for Ianthe, it was a haven. It offered anonymity. 

 The restaurant was nothing special, an old ma and pop diner specializing in pies and breakfast, but it was far enough away that it didn’t matter what food they served. Stepping off the bike, Ianthe tried to leave her fears and anxiety that lingered from Halloween outside. The roadside diner was scarcely occupied, a bell wrung over the door as they walked in, and a stand instructed them to seat themselves. Slipping towards the back, Ianthe sat with her back towards a large window and stretched her legs across the booth, pressing her face against the cool wall. She let her eyes close in the first peaceful moment in weeks. “Do you think Lav will fire me- Vicky’s?” She asked with her eyes closed, not noticing when a waitress brought over menus and waters before skirting off back towards the front of the diner.

┌ 

Riding on his bike and taking in some fresh air had always had a way of clearing his mind like nothing else did and by the time they reach the little diner, he feels more in control, more himself as he follows the brunette inside, a smile spreading across his face as she stretches out across the booth, leaving him room to spread long legs under the table, something so comforting and familiar about the act. While Ianthe may have not noticed the waitress, Sully thinks he may have spent a second too long gawking at the terrible red dye job adorning her head as the waitress’ smile turns from friendly into what he can only assume she thinks is sultry. Ah, fuck. He quickly drops his eyes to the menu, hoping she’ll forget about it if he doesn’t respond in kind.

“I doubt it. You saved his ass that night.” Okay, maybe that was a strong assertion as he thinks the poisoning was more of a message than any sort of attempt at racking up fatalities, but he’ll stand by it. And he’ll be more than happy to firmly remind Lav of it if the man implies any danger to Ianthe’s current position at Vicky’s. “Besides, he knows where his bread is buttered. Losing you would be bad for business. Why? Has he said something? Have you even talked to him...about that night?”

Before he can get his answers, the walking red flag has returned to their table, little notebook at the ready and all eyes for Sully, her greeting nearly making him choke on his water. Christ. “Do you and your sister know what you want to drink, baby?”

[strifeborne]

ianthe-halliwell​:

She hadn’t expected him to call her bluff- tho she should have. Ianthe knew better than that. Curling her finger, a phantom memory of teeth scraping the digit fogs her brain, and for a moment, she isn’t on his counter with him between her legs, but she is at the bar daring him and finding how quick he is to call her bluff. “Reckless man.” She whispers under her breath and slides between him and the counter, her feet slowly touching the ground, and for a moment, there is not an inch of space between them. “You know I like riding.” Ianthe shrugs and sighs, and as she slips away from him, she tugs the shirt she’d been wearing up, one of his. Easily peeling it away from her bare skin, she throws it on the floor behind her and goes to find the jean and shirt she’d come here in on his bedroom floor. For a moment, Ianthe stands half-naked in his room, and the fleeting, fearful thought of what the fuck am I doing? sinks into the bottom of her stomach. She swallows it down and snatches up her jeans. Pulling her phone from her pocket after she pulls on her jeans, Ianthe googles places outside the city. Away from the memories, away from the fear that seems to be holding her tighter than she can bear. Shirt in hand and her face illuminated by the glow of her phone Ianthe ambles back into his living room - “Here, ass.” She pushes her phone at his chest while pulling her shirt over her head. Untucking long hair from the collar she leans over his shoulder, her chin against his arm. “It’s about thirty minutes away.” Ianthe brushes her lips against his arm, her teeth lightly grazing his skin. “Let’s go.” She practically rushes but doesn’t move for a beat more.

┌

Oh, she’s a minx, to be sure. The only thing better than seeing her wearing his shirt is seeing her strip out of it, but he’s a man on a mission and he won’t be dissuaded. Besides, there would plenty of time for fun later. Right now, he was compelled to take care of her in other ways first, the way a best friend should. He thinks if the time ever comes that that isn’t the case, it might be better for them to end this little arrangement all together. Not that they had talks like that or talks concerning said arrangement at all. No, because that would make it real and neither of them were ready for a dose of reality yet.

He busies himself pouring some fresh water and a bowl of food for Zipper, not entirely sure how long they’d been gone. It was his intention to have a day reacquainting her with the world outside, not just with food, and remembering that it’s not all that terrifying, especially when he was there to watch her back. He’d failed her once, but he wouldn’t let that happen again. Before he can head down that shame spiral again, she was back, taking his thoughts in a much different direction with her teeth against his skin. With a huff, he goes to grab one of the spare helmets hanging by the door and holds it out to her, fishing his keys out of the pocket of his jeans. It’s almost unheard of for him, but he leaves his cut where it’s hanging. They’re going for low profile today. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s not nice to tease?”

[strifeborne]

Sully became fluent in ASL for Briar, mostly so he wouldn’t be able to ignore him.