Life is about kicking ass, not kissing it

>Smuggler-- 25 years old You have to begin to realise people can survive most things. Not because they are brave or strong, but because there isn't any damn choice.

[seanmaddox-blog]

Sean stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans, shrugging his shoulders as he smiled slightly. “It’s alright. Safety first.” He chuckled slightly, turning towards her as she spoke again. “Yeah? I could just make you one, it’s not that hard. Don’t really need to buy it.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley shook her head. “Nope. I wouldn’t take it for nothing. You need to name a price....or a trade. It’s how I roll.” She let a smirk appear on her facial features. “That’s how I fuckin’ roll too--literally.” She pointed at the skateboard, referring to her ride minutes earlier. “Do you do the whole paintwork too?--cause if I am gonna have you make me a skateboard, I want a carlosfandango one.”

[tommybrooklyn-blog]

Tommy looked at her blankly before starting to laugh as he shook his head, hearing anyone say they could kick his ass was a direct route to his funny bone. Even in joking he found it hilarious. “Yeah okay, you and what army?” He asked as he stopped laughing to raise his eyebrows in a similar manner to her. “Yeah, you wouldn’t. Ever. In a million fuckin’ years.” He stated. Tommy nodded slightly, everything for him had to be spoken aloud maybe that was him being a total caveman regardless he was glad.

Another wave of laughter came from Tommy again in amusement as he watched her struggle, to be fair she was strong but just in comparing the size of his bi-cep to hers was a clear indication that unfortunately she wasn’t going to win and he was just fine with that. “You know I could probably hold you up with one arm.” He added with a slight lift of his shoulder as he kept his arm perfectly still in an upright position, his hand moving back a fraction when she started to use both hands. “So when I win you make me dinner?” He asked, starting to push her back slowly.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley wasn’t offended at his burst of laughter, simply because she knew her limits and whilst she could kick plenty of asses, she knew he couldn’t with him. It wasn’t something she would ever admit however and so she blatantly told him she could. “I am a one woman fuckin’ army, sweetheart--I don’t need anyone else to help me.” Her grin was wide now and even she couldn’t hold in a laugh, herself. “You know what they say?...always expect the unexpected.” The brunette gave a wiggle of her brow.

What the hell was she thinking when she set herself such a challenge? The truth was, she was really wasn’t thinking at all. Charley had mainly done it in a playful way, her cocky attitude always showing itself in every situation. Only now she knew full well he could win her--more than likely with her using both hands too.

“Yeah yeah..I make you dinner...if you win.” Taking a moment to gather her composure after starting to laugh again, Charley moved her body around the counter top. She was now positioned so that her back was against his chest and his hand was in front of her where she could try and put more of her bodyweight into it, which meant her adjusting her hand too. Yeah, she was cheating and any formal contest would have banned her minutes ago.

[blakesbliss-blog]

“Very true,” Blake nodded, smirking just slightly. Oh, how she’d love to see them fall on their asses. “Genuinely what the word suggests. I promised James I wouldn’t really leave the house much, so I’m not gonna need them all that much.” She raised her eyebrows at Charley, “Okay, if I change my mind you’ll be the first to know.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley gave a nod. “I think I would go stir crazy if I had to stay indoors and would more than likely have a rude word or two to say to anyone who tried to tell me to as well.” She shrugged, giving a smile. “But no problem..I am sure you know where to find me now, if you did need help.”

[tommybrooklyn-blog]

(stubbornxenigma:)

Charley just shot him a deadpan look, but it wasn’t genuine at all and that could be indicated by the slight curling up of her mouth at the corners. “Sarcastic fucker you are….” She wasn’t pointing out anything new, because he knew he was a sarcastic fucker too. “Literally pick me up?..I don’t fuckin’ think so, sweetheart. I didn’t complain when I was hurt when you picked me up–but if you tried at any other time..say if it was to kick me out, I would raise holy hell. Just note that down…ya know..for future reference.”

She let one brow cock, almost sure he was going to state he didn’t care. Charley actually expected him to say it. Yet the final word didn’t quite come out. “See…wasn’t so hard to hold back was it….” She stated and swallowed some more steak, remembering her Father telling her not to speak whilst she was eating–so now she purposely made a point of it. “Yeah I do, Tommy. I aint gonna bullshit…I used to want to damn well strangle you–but I do fuckin care about you and I really don’t have all that many I feel that way about…so it’s been said…and you know…and yeah…moving the hell on.”

She flicked her tongue out between her lips to capture the residue juice that that was there from the steak. She tried so hard to look serious as she saw him take position for an arm wrestle, but ended up sporting a playful expression. “I bet you a cooked dinner…you cook for me if you lose..not just steak…like a full dinner” She tried to refrain from saying, ‘I cook for you if you win.’ and assumed her position too. “You ready?” Charley grinned as she took hold of his hand and her fingers wrapped around it into a tight grip.

Tommy just smirked at the look she gave him, he knew it wasn’t serious but either way he would have given her the same reaction. “You expect anything less but sarcasm?” He questioned, the smirk still plastered across his face as he raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Is that right?” He asked, leaning back against the counter as he folded his arms across his chest and looked at her. “How’d you think you’re gonna raise holy hell against me?”

“Yes, actually it was.” He replied bluntly, making sure to keep his face blank to keep some sort of dignity about him. He was lying but he wasn’t going to admit that any time soon and he could lie through his teeth anyway. Tommy kept his narrowed eyes on her as she spoke, he didn’t know if she was being truthful or not but nodded slightly regardless. Surely she wouldn’t blame him for being skeptical. He didn’t want to actually talk about it any more so settled on finishing off the steak rather quickly, practically wolfing it down.

He couldn’t help the small and playful grin on his face as he looked at her challengingly, still keeping any laughter at bay as he cracked his fingers. “Full dinner? Fine.” He agreed, the same look still on his face as he nodded to signal he was ready. “You sure you don’t want to use both hands?” He asked jokingly with a smile as he started to push her hand back.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

She shook her head, casually looking over at him. “No..I don’t expect nothing less with you at all.” Her brow wiggled playfully at him, her grin reciprocating his and hers remained there even when he sat and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well...it’s simple, Tommy. Don’t you know?” Charley wasn’t expecting to follow through her explanation as it was a fairly random comment--but she went with it anyway. “I would kick your fuckin’ ass..and you would beg me to stop.” She nodded and both brows were cocked. “I would...”

She knew he’d struggled to hold back the words ‘I don’t care’--just like he struggled to say that he did care.“Yeah well...things don’t always have to be said out loud--for the other person to know.” Charley nodded at him, not wanting to sound like she was joking around, because she was actually being truthful.

“Full dinner....so let’s do this..” The brunette really didn’t know what she was doing, only that she had every determination to beat him--even though she pretty much knew she couldn’t. “No...just one hand.” As soon as their hands connected, Charley started pushing against his. She was sure there was a slight movement in her favour for a split second, but then she was obviously losing. “Don’t hold back will ya...don’t do me any favours...ya know...me being a woman and all.” She knew full well he wouldn’t hold back and she put all her strength into it, a noise leaving her lips as she gritted her teeth. “Damn it...” It was then she brought her other hand up, so she was using both hands.

[seanmaddox-blog]

Sean chuckled a little as he started to run a little faster to keep up, glad she was getting the hang of it that was until she jumped off of it and he came to a halt. He watched as the skateboard kept going before hitting the wall as it came to a stop. “We’ll tackle braking another day, at least you got the hang of it.” He smiled, looking back over at her.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Her brow raised as her line of vision watched the skateboard continue before coming to an abrupt halt as it hit the wall. “Sorry..but I would’ve ended up colliding with the wall as well if I didn’t jump off.” Charley grinned, secretly enjoying the last few minutes. “Okay...brakes we will do another day.” She shot a look over at him and tilted her head. “Maybe I will buy one off of you too..”

[luke-gold]

“Good.” He said, leaning to kiss her more fully. “Hey!” He protested, jumping back and hitting the sink as he tried to escape the cold water. “That was just mean, and we all know that it was on purpose.” He pouted, not appreciating the droplets that had hit his face.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

She gave a mock pout.”Oh come on...I was fuckin’ joking with ya” She cocked a brow in his direction and sighing, making out she was offended. “A bit of water never hurt anyone...” Charley slapped his ass hard as she shot him a look and picked up her clothes, before heading to the bedroom to get dressed.

[seanmaddox-blog]

“Yeah, some people kinda suck.” Sean agreed with a nod, he’d met a lot of people around the base and some weren’t the nicest, probably some crazy but he tended to avoid people like that. He smiled slightly as he let her other hand go, still jogging next to her steadily. “See, you got this.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Sometimes Charley was one of those people who sucked, but today with him--she wasn’t. “I have aint I!” She almost sounded pleased with herself until there was a slight downhill slope and it went faster. “Hm..” That was all she said as she quietly contemplated what to do. It was then, she quickly jumped off and the skateboard continued moving. “It’s lacking brakes.”

[tommybrooklyn-blog]

Tommy rolled his eyes in a joking manner, looking at her with a look that said ‘really?’ exaggeratedly and he shook his head once she finished speaking. “When you have time, do me a favour and find out the meaning of the word rhetorical.” He replied, sarcastically, clearly because she did probably know the meaning of the word but he couldn’t help the small smirk on his face at what he thought was a good comeback, in reality it probably wasn’t but for Tommy it was something. “Literally pick you up and kick you out.” He nodded surely, before playfully glaring at her for a brief moment. A glare that anyone else would probably have took as serious. Keeping a blank face and showing no sign of emotion was something Tommy mastered in, he could and would kill a parent and stare blankly at their hysterical children, that’s just the way he was but as she spoke he couldn’t help the uncomfortable feeling coming over him because every word she said was indeed true and he gulped slightly as he listened. “I don’t-” Tommy started and stopped what he was about to say immediately, his instinctive reaction was ‘I don’t care’ but it was blatantly clear that whatever he said wouldn’t be true. He frowned as he gulped yet again, something that was annoying him already and he’d only done it twice. “You care?” He asked as he looked at her, frown set in place in sheer disbelief. “About me?” He finished, the confusion clear in his face and eyes as he looked at her. Honestly, he’d never herd those words in his life from anyone, not his father anyhow and that was the only person he would consider he was close to solely because he grew up with the man. “I am good at everything.” He stated again, he knew it wasn’t true, so did she but he was just messing around, which he didn’t do a lot or at all but here he was. “Oh yeah? What do you bet?” He asked, a grin on his face as he had to hold back a laugh as he moved to place his elbow on the counter and holding his forearm and hand up waiting.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley just shot him a deadpan look, but it wasn’t genuine at all and that could be indicated by the slight curling up of her mouth at the corners. “Sarcastic fucker you are....” She wasn’t pointing out anything new, because he knew he was a sarcastic fucker too. “Literally pick me up?..I don’t fuckin’ think so, sweetheart. I didn’t complain when I was hurt when you picked me up--but if you tried at any other time..say if it was to kick me out, I would raise holy hell. Just note that down...ya know..for future reference.”

She let one brow cock, almost sure he was going to state he didn’t care. Charley actually expected him to say it. Yet the final word didn’t quite come out. “See...wasn’t so hard to hold back was it....” She stated and swallowed some more steak, remembering her Father telling her not to speak whilst she was eating--so now she purposely made a point of it. “Yeah I do, Tommy. I aint gonna bullshit...I used to want to damn well strangle you--but I do fuckin care about you and I really don’t have all that many I feel that way about...so it’s been said...and you know...and yeah...moving the hell on.”

She flicked her tongue out between her lips to capture the residue juice that that was there from the steak. She tried so hard to look serious as she saw him take position for an arm wrestle, but ended up sporting a playful expression. “I bet you a cooked dinner...you cook for me if you lose..not just steak...like a full dinner” She tried to refrain from saying, ‘I cook for you if you win.’ and assumed her position too. “You ready?” Charley grinned as she took hold of his hand and her fingers wrapped around it into a tight grip.

[tommybrooklyn-blog]

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Tommy countered with raised eyebrows as he turned to look at her, he had no clue what on earth mustard was, it didn’t sound too nice whatever it was. “Next time?” He repeated, the only major thing he took in from the sentence before frowning slightly as he scratched the side of his shoulder absentmindedly. “I’d kick you out if you were here and I didn’t want you to be.” He replied after a few seconds, dropping his hand again he started to eat the steak. Tommy listened as she spoke, chewing on the food loudly before frowning a little in confusion. “The kid stays with the mom?” He asked, the confusion clear in his face as he never knew his own mother at all. He glanced over at Ella and smiled a little before looking back at Charley. “I just don’t want her to turn out like me.” Tommy smiled crookedly at her about the caveman tag, he probably had some blood in his teeth but he didn’t really care. He looked over the next few files, getting the basic information into his head. “I’m good at everything.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

“Well seeing how you asked....” Charley shot him a smirk. “....it’s sometimes a little difficult to know when you are joking or not--so I just go with the flow and judge you by your expression and the words that leave your lips--I just wasn’t sure when it came to the mustard.” There was a look of amusement on the brunettes face. “You would kick me out?...good job you want me here then, isn’t it.” Her brow wiggled as she tucked into her steak, the flavour hitting her tastebuds and make her let out a soft moan. “Been a while since I had a decent steak--or a steak for that matter.” Charley knew what she was about to say next, might make him uncomfortable, but she thought it had to be said.”Look...she won’t be like you..apart from strong and able to look after herself and that’s a good thing. I have seen you with your kid and you are a great fuckin’ father. I mean--the whole killing thing aint good--but that’s a life choice, not something that will be forced on her. You might be some fuckin’ emotionless hunk of guy with others--but you show love to her--I have seen it in your eyes--your expression--your actions.” Every word she spoke was true, but she needed to lighten it just a little bit. “...and you aint emotionless to me..no matter how much you try to make out you are...you care and you fuckin’ know it.” She shrugged. “But that’s okay...because I do too.” She shook her head when she noticed the blood from the steak on his front teeth, but didn’t say anything. “You aint good at everything...let me arm wrestle ya...bet I can beat ya...” There was no way in hell she could, but she was willing to try.

[seanmaddox-blog]

“Yeah, some people kinda suck.” Sean agreed with a nod, he’d met a lot of people around the base and some weren’t the nicest, probably some crazy but he tended to avoid people like that. He smiled slightly as he let her other hand go, still jogging next to her steadily. “See, you got this.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley just nodded in agreement, when the truth of the matter was, some people really needed the crap beating out of them. They were out for themselves, taking stuff what others had work hard to obtain and the brunette had no qualms about punching someone in the face for attempting to cross her.

As he let go of her hand, Charley moved it out a little to balance herself up and for a spilt second there was a flicker of a grin at her achievement, even though it was trivial. She could feel it pick up speed a little. “How do you stop?..jump off?” She wasn’t used to being on something with no brakes.

[seanmaddox-blog]

“Nah, it’s just you don’t seem like you…like meeting people. Does that make sense?” Sean asked with a raised eyebrow, starting to jog lightly next to her, occasionally looking at her and what was ahead of them. Honestly it didn’t look like they were moving that fast but on a skateboard for the first time at this speed, he could understand anyone being a little anxious. “Well thanks, I try not to be.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley concentrated for a moment then turned her attention back to him again. “Met a lot of people on this base over the years and there has been deceit and betrayal too–I learnt the hard way years ago. So yeah..not keen on meeting people. I don’t trust hardly anyone at all.” She was honest and that was the best she could do which was good for Charley, because she could frankly lie through her back teeth and not feel bad about it. “Go on then…let go…I’m ready to try on my own.”

[luke-gold]

He found the razors after he dressed, and finally began shaving away the whiskers that had grown far longer than he usually kept them. He finished about the same time she stepped out of the shower, and wiped his face clean before he turned to face her, smile in place. “Better?”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

Charley finished off whilst he had a shave and was just wrapping a towel around her body, before stepping out of the shower. Casting a look at his face, she smiled. “Definitely....” Her hand came up and stroked his jawline. “Smoooth...” She leaned up and kissed him on the lips, then shook her head and let drops of water fly everywhere. “Oops?” Shooting him a smirk, the brunette got another towel and gave her hair a rub.

[tommybrooklyn-blog]

“What the fuck is mustard?” Tommy asked, eyebrows raised and a confused look on his face as he tried to recall some sort of edible thing that sounded like mustard, was it like salt or something? He didn’t know, he knew meat and protein bars, anything else he was clueless, well minus baby food now. “Taryn. Yes, she was haven’t seen her in a month or so, she went out on some run. Probably dead or infected.” He replied as if he was talking about the weather, he wasn’t affected or cared, that was clear. He probably should be, although saying the mother of his child was dead, he knew there was always a possibility that she wasn’t dead but he wasn’t the most optimistic of people. “Why?” He asked, looking at her briefly as he transferred his own steak to a plate. He smirked slightly at the comparison and nodded in agreement, it was true. “I don’t trust anyone.” He supplied in response, maybe it was a lie, he wasn’t sure. The words trust no one were drilled into his skull from a young age and it stuck. He didn’t even trust himself at times, although the brunette across from him was breaking the not trusting anyone thing quickly. “Cutlery.” He repeated slowly, confirming the caveman comparison and he scanned his brain to remember what exactly that was. He leaned against the counter, moving his gaze to a file as he tore a small part of the bloody steak off with his fingers then chewing on it fairly noisily soon after, looking at her as he finished chewing and licking the blood from his thumb. “Cutlery. Forks and shit, right?”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

“What?...you are joking yeah?” Charley had to cock a brow when she looked surprised at him. “You don’t know what mustard is?” She’d managed to pick up some when scavanging, the stuff had a long life date on it, unless it was opened, but it still could be stored a while in a fridge. “Okay...so now I know what I am going to get you for next time...mustard, so you can try it.” She nodded and shot him a smirk. “In case you were questioning it...yes there will be a next time--whether you want it or not.” Charley gave Tommy a wink and then listened as he spoked about his daughters mother. It didn’t really sound the easiest of situations, but life was never easy any more for anyone. “I don’t know...I just wondered where her mother was. I didn’t know if something had happened to her or if she was around and had access. I know the kid usually stays with the mom that’s all.” She gave a shrug. “Was never one for that double standard shit though...cause your kid looks happy and well looked after--so you are doing a far better job than my father ever did.”

She shook her head and she had to chuckle. “Seriously Tommy, fuckin’ hell. Yes...cutlery. You have just confirmed my caveman tag for you.”  She waited for him to say where they were and yet he seemed in no rush to tell her--even looking at a file as he pulled apart his meat and ate it. “Yes..forks and shit...forget it..” She pulled her knife out and stuck it hard into the meat, picking it up in one full piece and sinking her teeth into it. “Mmmm...perfect...another thing you are good at, huh.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

(luke-gold:)

“Seems like I’m going to owe you a lot.” He mused, leaning to kiss her one more time before he moved to get out. “I think shaving would probably be a good idea. I feel too scruff.” He admitted, rubbing a hand along his jawline before he reached for a towel to dry off.

“Yes...it’s looking that way isn’t it..” She smirked and kissed him back, an amused look on her face, before continuing to wash and shampoo her hair. “Have a look in that cabinet over there then. There should be some deposable razors.” Packets of razors were definitely one of the things she smuggled in if she found any outside the base. She stayed under the shower a little longer until she was done and then turned off the switch.

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

(ozsmith:)

Oz wondered about the way she had transformed from a sharp-tongued woman ready to fight to someone that seemed quiet and broken down. It always surprised him to see how much people relaxed when the realized he wasn’t going to bite back. “There definitely is. Even if we can’t see it because there’s so much darkness around us.” He replied softly. “In the world we live in, it’s impossible not to.”

“I’m not offended by people getting sharp. I know it’s just because so many people are broken and left with jagged edges, they can’t hep it.”

Charley would much sooner offend people than they scratch the surface and see the softer side of her. For some reason she always saw it as a weakness. She put it down to the way she grew up, always getting into fights to prove she could handle herself, quite often with older kids too--usually boys. Hitting her teenage years was the hardest, the guards ended up knowing her and quite often she would end up in a cell for the night. The brunette had just got better at not getting caught that’s all. “Too much shit has happened though. Some days the light hides in the shade.”

“I get offended..if people are pissy with me...I wanna punch them. I am an hypocrite I don’t care.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

luke-gold:

“I’m still scruffy.” He pointed out with a chuckle before leaning in to kiss her again. “So does this not count until I shave?” Using her logic that would make sense, but he didn’t think it would anywhere else. Plus he had no idea when he was going to be able to shave anyways.

---

Charley grinned against his lips before pulling back just enough so she could look up at him. “Well..going from my logic..then no..it doesn’t count so you will still owe me when you are shaved too.” Her brow wiggled and she nodded, before grabbing the soap and starting to wash. “There will be a razor in the bathroom cabinet if you do wanna shave.”

[stubbornxenigma-blog]

ozsmith:

Oz nodded sadly, listening to the story. “That sounds rough. Sounds like it forced you to grow up a bit too fast.” He told her, looking on with calm eyes. “At least you got a good friend from it.” He offered, though he was sure that nothing he could say would help with the pain of that loss.

“It just takes finding the right thing to smile about. I never used to smile much either.”

-----

“Yeah..” He was right of course. She’d learnt to look after herself from a very young age and while in some areas that was good, it had a few negative points too. “That’s true. So there’s always light in every situation, right?” Charley tried to believe that, although it wasn’t always the case. “It’s fine anyway..we all have our tales of woe don’t we.”

“Yeah, but you still smile even when I was being offhand with you.”