#ike's choice

[ikenbar]

Mr. Love: Ike’s Choice Ch2 Pt 2

Warnings: Super Sassy Sass coming from the legendary Officer Gavin, Plot development, and cliffhangers :D

(Chapter One parts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,  chapter two’s prologue, and part one here :))

((Please read the author’s note on chapter one part one if you’re new here :D))

Chapter Two:

Part Two:

 I groaned and looked up at the entrance to the alleyway. Sure enough, there he was. Chestnut hair, amber eyes, with a hand resting cockily on his hip. Except this time, instead of his usual denim wear, he supported a blue button up shirt with a black tie and a police jacket.

“Ah, yes.” I said, throwing my arms in the air, “And the day is saved by officer…” I squinted at his name plate, “Govin? Was it?” 

“You know full well who I am.” Gavin rolled his eyes. 

“You know the police officer?” Sam whispered, hurriedly wiping his wet face.

“Unfortunately, yes.” I folded my arms and kept my eyes on the police officer in front of me, “This one just so happens to be my next door neighbor. So, officer, what are you doing here?”

“I got a call about shots fired.” Gavin mimicked me as he folded his arms as well, “How am I not surprised that you are connected to this?” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “I am surprised though,” Gavin walked closer to us, “that you dragged a kid into it.” I gripped at my sleeves as Gavin knelt down to make eye contact with Sam. “I’m Officer Gavin.” His voice was noticeably softer, “What’s your name?”

Sam opened his mouth but I grabbed his arm. “Not happening.” I deadpanned, pulling Sam behind me protectively, “Well, if you have the perp under control, We’ll just be on our way!” I turned to walk away from the kneeling officer.

“Hold it.” Gavin’s stern voice made me freeze. He stood up and walked towards us tediously slow, “I need to take you two in for questioning.” I held back a groan as I turned to face him.

“Really?” My voice was apathetic.

“Really.” Gavin’s was determined, “Just by context, I can determine a few things. There was a shot heard, a man is on the ground, and a gun is next to him. A child and a deranged female-”

“‘Deranged?!’”

“-Are fleeting from the scene. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty suspicious to me.” 

I glared at Gavin. Through bared teeth, I said, "But you interrupted a conversation between the kid and me about how we were going to turn him in.”

“Yeah well, the kid also said something about needing an explanation for something. Something out of the ordinary.” Gavin squinted his eyes. I tightened my grip around Sam’s wrist slightly, “I’d like to hear that explanation too. Does it, perhaps, have something to do with the strange hole in your jacket?” Gavin pulled on my leather jacket, bringing to light the hole that was burnt into it.

“It’s a fashion choice.” I pulled the jacket away from his grasp, “Not that you’d understand.”

“Ike, please don’t make me get my cuffs.” Gavin sighed. I prepared to stand my ground a bit longer but I felt a slight tug on my sleeve. I looked down at Sam who was looking at me worriedly.

“We should do as he says.” His voice shook slightly. My whole body relaxed as I looked at him. He just watched his sister get shot, thrice, and now she is talking back to a police officer and they are not on good terms. This was probably a lot for Sam to take in, and I was making it worse by dragging him into it.

I sighed and turned back to Gavin. His eyebrow was raised and his arms were folded again. His face read one that was ready to move on but I knew that he was celebrating his victory on the inside. “Fine.” I half-heartedly said, “Let’s go.” Gavin nodded and turned around. I moved to follow but Gavin stopped in his tracks. He hissed and turned to me.

“By the way,” He said in a tone that cloned empathy, “The front seat is taken by the computer. So you can’t sit there.”

“Then where am I sitting?” I stupidly asked.

The car ride to the police station wasn’t a bad one. That is, if you enjoy being squeezed in the back of a police patrol car with an unconscious perpetrator and an anxious kid who grips your arm to the point of exploding. Gavin whistled a carefree tune as he drove the car, knowing full well how nice it was to have that whole front of the car to himself. I wanted to take the taser from his belt and stab him in his ridiculous face with it. I folded my arms uncomfortably. “I don’t remember the drive to the police station taking this long.” I grumply pointed out.

“Maybe it’s just been awhile since you have been there.” Gavin’s voice radiated a level of vanity that almost broke the scale of arrogance. I rolled my eyes and looked out the window… or at least tried but the perp’s head was leaning on it, blocking the view. Gavin made a sharp turn and my problem was solved as the perp’s head left the window and landed on my shoulder. I scoffed and glared at Gavin.

“Hey!” I called to the front of the car, “There is no right turn to the police station!”

“Sorry, there was a cat.” Gavin sung, “I had to turn this way to avoid hitting it. This will make the ride longer, so,” He looked at me through the rear-view mirror, “get comfortable.” My glare deepened even further. I considered leaping from my seat and strangling the smirk off Gavin’s face but Sam tugged on my sleeve before I got the chance to commit.

“Ike,” he whispered quietly enough for Gavin not to hear him, “Do you think now you could tell me why you didn’t… you know…” I looked up at Gavin. He looked at us through the mirror suspiciously but he didn’t seem to know what Sam had whispered.

“Well,” I blocked my mouth with my hand, “I-”

“What are you whispering about?” Gavin shouted back to us, “Anything you have to say can be said out loud to the rest of the car.” I began to glare again but an idea came to mind.

“Alright!” I waved my hands as well as I could in the squashed backseat, “you asked for it.” I turned to Sam and put on my best mom voice, “Well, once a month woman have this week where all they do is bl-”

“Ok!” Gavin called from the front. His grip on the wheel had tightened and his ears burned red, “You can whisper about that but not about the case!” 

I winked at Sam, who’s smile was lackluster. I felt my gut twist again. I cleared my throat and resumed my position of blocking my mouth as I leaned close to him, “I’m an Evolver.” I whispered. Sam gave me a look of confusion. I continued, “I’m a human with evolved DNA that gives me certain abilities that normal humans don’t have.”

“You have super powers?” Sam’s voice sounded like it took a lot of refraining not to shout.

“We call it ‘Evol.’ But in essence, yes.”

“How did you get the pow-Evol?! Did you fall into a vat of acid?! Get struck by super charged lightning?! Get bitten by a superhuman?! ”

“I was born with it. Evolvers have advanced evolutionary genes that get passed on from generation to generation.”

“So I can’t be an Evolver.” Sam sounded disappointed.

“No.” I rubbed his head, “But you don’t need superpowers to be a hero.” Sam smiled genuinely at me. It was good to see it. After the events of today, he looked as if he would never smile again and nobody would want that.

“So you are bullet proof??” Sam sounded more like himself as he spoke excitedly.

“And I have super strength.” I gloated, covering my mouth from any raising corners, “That’s why I like working out. To test my limits and get stronger.” Sam giggled slightly, directing Gavin’s attention back to us. Sam immediately looked down to avoid suspicion. Gavin slowly redirected his attention back to the road. Soon, Sam’s once cheerful face twisted as realization struck.

“Do you think he attacked us because you’re an Evolver?” Sam asked, eyeing the sleeping man next to me. I followed his eyes and held my chin in thought.

“I think so. He didn’t immediately ask for money or tell us to get on our knees or anything. He just said that we were to follow him. Also, I don’t know if you noticed but did you catch the way he looked at me after he fired the gun? His hands shook as if he was scared. But his eyes-”

“You guys done?” Gavin unknowingly interrupted me as he slowed the squad car down, “We’re here.”

(Next)

[ikenbar]

Mr. Love: Ike’s Choice Ch2 Pt 6

Warnings: Literally none. Unless you have something against fluff. Oh and spoilers for Stage 2-16 in the game. And Cliffhangers

(Chapter two’s prologue, parts one, two, three, four, and five here :))

((Please read the author’s note (and the beginning of the story) on chapter one part one if you’re new here :D))

Chapter two:

Part six:

I placed a bowl of soup in front of Gavin and sat in the stool next to his. Noticing how close we were, I scooted my seat slightly to the left. There was an awkward tension in the air as we picked at our food. After a moment, I broke the silence.

"So, you got the files?"

"Yeah." Gavin gestured to the bag he had brought with him, "In there." He moved to get the bag but I moved faster. 

"Stay." I jumped from the stool, "Eat.” I grabbed the bag and moved to go back to my seat. I stopped. Gavin was staring into his bowl with a strange expression. He obviously had something on his mind. Something that was bugging him. I fidgeted with the bag slightly. We were almost having fun with each other. Then he had to go and ruin it by getting so close to me. Maybe I could fix it. “I promise I haven't poisoned it." I said, walking back to the bar, “At least, not enough for you to taste.”

"Har har." Gavin sarcastically laughed, rolling his eyes. Still, he looked back down at the soup questionably, "... I'm gonna let you take the first bite." 

I rolled my eyes and gave Gavin the bag. I sat back down as he took out the files and took a bite from the soup. I had eaten this soup plenty of times so it was nothing new. In fact, I could tell there was room to improve. I hope Gavin wouldn’t notice.

"This is what we have on the 'Hill's Warehouse, Wall' address that Hickman gave us." Gavin handed me a folder.

"What do we have on Hickman himself?" I asked, taking the folder and opening it.

“We just have a few things.” Gavin took his spoon to the soup, “Some shoplifting charges but nothing too major.” I hummed quietly as I looked through the folder Gavin gave me. 

“These are all warehouses that belong to a Gregory Hill, correct?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the folder, “As in the man behind ‘Hill’s Wheels?’ The bike stores?” Gavin was silent. I looked up at him. He was staring at the soup bowl in front of him, placidly. “Earth to Birdcop.” I said waving my hand slightly to get his attention.

“You made this?” Gavin kept his eyes on the bowl.

“Was the messy kitchen not convincing enough?” I sarcastically asked, masking the worry that had started building in my stomach, “Why? Is there... something wrong with it?”

“No!” Gavin finally looked over to me, “This is amazing! You’ve really got a talent!” I felt my cheeks burn slightly. 

“I’d call it more of a skill.” I said as I hid my face back in the folder, “Besides, Bart’s soup is so much better than this.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Gavin said this with a mouth full of soup.

“I’ll have to prove it to you next time he makes it.” I rolled my eyes and suppressed a smile, “Anyway, did you hear what I said?”

“Yes, those are all warehouses that belong to Gregory Hill.”

“Well, you’ve got the wrong places.” I threw the folder onto the bar.

“What makes you say that?”

“What you are looking for is a bar on Hills street. It’s inside an old warehouse. They call the bar ‘The Wall.’”

“Hills, Warehouse, Wall…” Gavin murmured to himself in thought, “But how are you so certain that that is the place?”

“That bar is a dedicated place for people in hiding. Criminals, hitmen, etc. I found a lot of the people I was after there. The bar has a passcode to get in.”

“How do you have this passcode if you go in to arrest people?”

“...I’m a regular.”

“...excuse me?”

“I told them I hate cops. They saw it as relatable. Some of them actually came willingly if it meant I made you look like a fool. And given my arrest rate compared to yours, I’d say it worked.” Gavin glared at me.

“Fine.” Gavin sighed, “Are you sure about this?”

“Positive.”

“Alright. I’ll go undercover and scope the place out. What’s the passcode?”

“You don’t need it.” I said this casually but I prepared for an argument, “I’m coming too.”

“Ike.” Gavin’s tone showed that he was prepared for this too, “The man we are looking for knows who you are. He also paid to have you shot. I can’t-”

“The guy we are looking for isn’t man enough to do it himself.” I deadpanned, “Listen, if you want intel from that place you need to know the right people. I just so happen to be tight with the owner. You need me. Besides,” I stood up from the bar, “I have my Evol to protect me. I’ll be just fine.”

“... And if not?”

I looked over to Gavin. He held a poker face but his eyes showed concern. 

“Aw, do you care about me?” I teased.

“I am a police officer.” Gavin’s tone was resolute, “It’s my job to be concerned about the citizens of Loveland.” I hummed as I took up our empty bowls. 

“You don’t need to worry.” I said, “I’m bulletproof, remember? I’ll be ok… speaking of which. There is something I’d like to talk to you about.”

“What is it?” Gavin sounded hesitant. I walked into the kitchen and put the bowls in the full sink. 

“Well, remember when I told you how I knew that Hickman was lying due to his eyes?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, when I told you that I was an Evolver, you weren’t very surprised. I mean, you looked surprised but not for the right reason. It was almost like you knew what the term ‘Evolver’ was.” I leaned on the sink and locked eyes with Gavin, “Care to explain?” 

Gavin’s eyes flashed uncertainty and surprise, further confirming my accusation. He searched my eyes for a way out of answering. I arched my eyebrow. Gavin sighed and stood up.

“Come with me.” He said, extending his hand.

“Where are we going?” I asked, moving to take his hand.

“To the window.”

I instantly retracted my hand. “Excuse me?”

“Oh come on. I thought we were bonding!”

“And by bonding you mean insulting and fighting with each other?”

Gavin rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen, “I thought you said you’d trust me!”

“Yeah sure, with a few files. Not through a window that you are definitely going to push me out of!”

“I promise I won’t push you.” Gavin rolled his eyes and held out his hand again. I hesitated. How could I trust Gavin? Heck, how could I trust a cop?! I opened my mouth to refuse him but a voice echoed in my mind

“... how long are you going to use it as an excuse?”

...Dang it, Sam.

“Alright.” I sighed, taking Gavin’s hand, “But if you push me out that window-”

“I won’t push you out the window!” Gavin’s tone was playfully exasperated as he took me to the back of the room. He pulled open the window and stepped out of it and onto the fire escape, tugging me along as he did so. He helped me up the stairs and to the roof where he walked to the edge. I hesitated slightly but still joined his side. He let go of my hand and held my shoulders.

“Isn’t the view beautiful?” He whispered in my ear. He was right. From there you could see the whole city. The shining lights, the glistening river, the beautiful view of the hills, it was all so-

Gavin pushed me. I struggled to maintain my hold to the ground but it was useless. I tumbled off the roof. I watched as the lights I had gloried over streamed past me in a blur. I tried screaming but the wind flying past me caught every sound in my throat. The lights disappeared as the buildings flew in front of me. The pavement in the alley way below me grew closer and closer. 

The wind around my body suddenly felt stronger than it ever had before. I felt as if I were in a tight hold by it, secured by an invisible force. Before I knew it, I was no longer falling down but, rather, falling up! The pavement started pulling away from me as I was launched back up into the sky. The city lights came back into view as well as the roof to my apartment complex. I moved to look at Gavin but he wasn’t there. I searched for him frantically but was stopped by the sound of laughter. I quickly looked behind me. I was mere inches from the roof pushing maniac. He reached out and held on to my waist, pulling me close to him, all while laughing hardily. His hold on me was tight, allowing the wind around me to calm down. His grip around my waist was the only thing keeping me up.

“You-!” I finally caught my breath as I slapped his chest.

“Hey!” Gavin chuckled and held on to my wrist, “Do you want me to drop you?” I slapped him with my free hand.

“You promised you wouldn’t push me!!” Each syllable ended with a thud to his chest. 

“I promised not to push you out the window.” Gavin pulled me closer so I wouldn’t have a good angle to hit him again, “I didn’t say anything about the roof.” I glared at him menacingly. “Alright! Alright!” Gavin chuckled, “I shouldn’t have scared you like that. I’m sorry.” I huffed. This man. He does this on purpose. I loosened my glare and tightened my grip on his body as I looked down. The view was astonishing. I had never seen the city this high up.

“So,” I called through the wind, looking around us as we continued to fly through the clouds, “You’re an Evolver. That makes sense… My Birdcop nickname really clicks now.” I felt Gavin’s laugh vibrate through his chest. My heart started melting again. I stiffened slightly and tightened my grip to Gavin’s clothes as I struggled to freeze it again.

“Scared?” Gavin’s voice was soft as he whispered into my ear. I felt my ears burn slightly as I moved away from his head.

“Not in the slightest.” I said defiantly, locking eyes with him. What I said was meant to be a challenge but, after meeting his eyes, it meant something else entirely. I pulled my eyes from his and back to the world underneath us. “Do you fly often?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah. Everyday”

“You get to see the world like this everyday?” My voice slowly became a little softer, “I would kill for a view like this.”

“You don’t have to.” Gavin twisted me so my body was facing the world instead of him, “All you have to do is knock on my door.” I turned and looked at him. His attention was directed at the world below us but expression was earnest. What happened to the cop that would drive me nuts? The cop who would scoff and roll his eyes every time he saw me come into the station? Who would call me names and wish me away from him? Who would groan at the very sound of my voice? Where did he go? and what happened to me to actually miss that? Gavin’s gaze flickered for a second onto me then stayed when he realized I was staring.

“What?” Gavin chuckled, “Would you rather kill someone?”

“What did Sam tell you?” I finally asked the question I had on my mind for a while now, “When you took him home, what did Sam say to you to make you act differently?”

“How did you know he talked to me?”

“You just told me.” My tone had become tactless again. Sometimes Sam did things that he thought was helping but it never really was. Sam is a sweet kid but what relationship Gavin and I had was just fine. I didn’t need Gavin to be as close to me as he was that night. In fact, I’d prefer what we had before. No one would get hurt that way… still though, being that close to him had made that night one of the most memorable nights in my life. Not to mention, that view was breathtaking. “Spill.”

Gavin sighed. He supported my body with one hand and pulled my chin away from him and to the city with the other.

“He told me,” Gavin held me closer, “That despite your hard exterior, you’ve got a soft side. And that it would be worth my time to break through to find it.” My heart stopped. Why would Sam say that? And to a person I visibly distained? What is it with my family and not leaving me alone?! Why do they think I’m unhappy when I’m on my own? How could Sam stab me in the back like this?

“It really isn’t.” I mumbled slightly shifting my head away from him.

“I’d beg to differ.” Gavin rested his head on my shoulder with the space I gave him. My shoulder tensed at the new weight and warmth that he gave me, “We spent the night together and I only wanted to leave twice.”

“It was the soup, wasn’t it?” I asked, suppressing the nervous cracks I had in my throat.

“Well, yeah. But so did hearing about your past and just talking to you in general. You’re a lot less awful then I remember.”

“Wish I could say the same to you.” I flicked Gavin’s forehead.

“My point is,” Gavin pulled my hand down and held it, restraining it from anymore attacks, “we only spent one night together but… I am… grateful to be partnered with you.”

I felt my shoulders relax slightly. “Really?”

“Really. Normally, I would be against having a partner. I… they would just hold me down.” Gavin’s voice sounded like it was holding something back. His grip slightly tightened around me.

“Well,” I said breaking the small silence, “I can’t wait to be the one to hold you down.” Gavin chuckled slightly and playfully pinched my side. We used the rest of our time to float in silence as we admired the city together. Holding on tightly to each other, scared to lose what we had.

(Next)

[ikenbar]

Loved the new chapter! I'm so excited for the next one ❤

As am I, beloved reader... as am I...

(Thank you for your kind words!! I'm so glad you like my story :33)