Day 19: Wolf
31 days of Wayhaven
pairing: Kira x Adam
words: ~900
When the news dropped, Adam could be heard breaking several surely important things. Nate ran after him, trying to limit the destruction, but he wasn't very successful.
The Agency had concluded that for her next longterm mission, she was better accompanied by Unit Alpha than Unit Bravo, despite her pretty much being a member of the latter. Kira herself found it insanely funny, but the crashes coming from the living room made her wince. Nate was a chill guy, and it was unnecessary of Adam to take out his frustrations this way.
It was hilarious, though. He would say stuff like "yes, colleague, that's what you are, Detective, nothing except the job matters" and all that jazz, and then he turned around and threw a fit as soon as she got paired with his rivals. Subtle.
Felix was torn between laughing with her and moping about the fact that he wouldn't see her for a month. Mason didn't voice any such feelings, but she liked to think that he would miss her too.
The day that she would leave approached, and soon she was packing her things in her room. She had just zipped up her suitcase when Adam walked in through the door, giving her a stiff nod. "Detective."
She rolled her eyes. "Commanding Agent. Adam. There's no need to be so formal."
He frowned. "It's better that way. Easier." Somehow, she didn't think he'd meant for her to hear the words, mumbled under his breath.
"Right. Anyway... I'm kinda trying to get ready here."
"Yes." He hesitated, not meeting her eyes. "I just wanted to say...." he trailed off and she suppressed a frustrated sigh.
"Yeah?" Please, tell me what I hope you will. Her hopes were, predictably, crushed.
"I... take care of yourself, Kira." It wasn't exactly what she was looking for, but her name in his voice made her smile. Maybe they were finally getting somewhere. Probably not. Getting all excited over him using your literal name? That's just pathetic.
Her smile disappeared, and she tried to seem more indifferent than she felt. "I can't promise anything. But I'll try." He nodded, and then left as if nothing happened.
He'll come around someday. Right? She straightened and headed out towards the entrance to the warehouse, suitcase rolling behind her.
Somehow, Unit Alpha had gotten a car with an extra high roof and lots of leg room that Tane leaned against the side of. "Hey, Kira. Looking forward to hanging out with us?" His tone made it clear what he was talking about, and though she wasn't really interested in him (how could she, when--) she decided to play along.
"I'm sure we'll get to know each other... intimately." The words were almost lazy, casual. But Tane frowned slightly and looked over her shoulder. She didn't bother checking; it had to be Adam. Well, guess what? You can't both deny your feelings and keep me to yourself.
She inched closer to Tane, reaching out a hand to rest it on the car door just an inch from his body, and murmured, "He doesn't have any claim on me. Ignore him." Low enough for Adam not to hear, but Tane could pick it up.
He raised an eyebrow, but smirked. "If you say so. Then he won't mind if I do this, right?" He slung an arm around her shoulders, and though Adam's glare burned into the back of their heads when they got into the car's backseat together, she smiled.
Maybe it's time to get over Adam and find someone who will accept loving you. You've pined over him for long enough.
---
Over the weeks, she and Tane hung out almost every day, and the feelings growing in her chest had to be something more than friendship. She certainly caught him looking at her more than a few times.
One evening, they were sitting on a cliff's edge side by side when Tane suddenly spoke, making her turn towards him. "What have you thought about this mission? It must have been rather different from hanging out with the vampires."
"Yeah, it was. But I've enjoyed it. You are nice company."
His large hand moved to cover hers. "All of us... or just me?" He leaned closer to her and she drew in a breath from surprise. But with a few inches between them, he stopped and gazed into her eyes. "Do you still yearn for him? Do you wish it was him in this moment?"
"What?" Why did he bring that up now?
He frowned. "Just answer the question, please. Do you still think about Adam, right now?"
Her heart sank. "I'm sorry, I just--"
He pressed a finger to her lips. "It's fine. I knew from the start I could never compete with the man you love, however stubborn and idiotic he might be." She giggled, the tense moment lightening.
She wasn't particularly disappointed that he didn't kiss her; it was almost a relief. Try as she might, Tane was more like a good friend to her at this point. But still... "I wish you were the one I loved, though. You wouldn't push me away so much."
He laughed. "Tell me if he hurts you again, and I'll beat him up for you."
"Violence is bad."
"You literally shot him the first time you met."
"He deserved it."
"I'm sure he did." The grin he gave her was wholly friendly, without awkwardness.