Tandy Bowen
21 years old
Undecided at NYU
She/They ❝ There is a c r a c k in everything. That’s how the l i g h t gets in. ❞ RP account associated with afterxavierrp
“Sorry. This is why I usually stick to online shopping,” Cole muttered to himself, tightening his grip on a handful of shopping bags. It wasn’t his intent, of course, to bump into anybody on his walk back toward his car, but annoyance was still lingering in him from his most recent gift-gathering excursion.
“No worries, I’ve come to expect it by now,” Tandy shrugged and shouldered their backpack further on again, before realizing who it was. “Oh, hey, Cole,” they greeted with a smile. They realized he didn’t look to be in the best mood. “Is something wrong? I mean, holiday shopping is stressful as shit, so I don’t blame you.”
Cessily’s silver lips curled up on one side and she tried really hard to resist the sexual inuendo but she just couldn’t do it. “Sounds like she knows just what to do with those fingers to have you so wrapped up,” she purred and then chuckled as she flung herself onto her bed. Cessily released a snort of her own. “Oh yeah, I forgot you can’t get into trouble coz you are just sooooo sweet and innocent,” she teased. “Guess I haven’t fully corrupted you yet.” The silver girl felt her stomach twist and she suddenly wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Tandy and provide some sort of support, but she couldn’t and she wasn’t great at being supportive anyway. “Want me to blow them up for you? See if that gets you an extension and a new group?” She was joking of course, she didn’t have the authority to order a strike like that but it was a fun thought. She sighed heavily and with an even heavier heart she spoke again. “Pretty much everything I’ve done can be summed up as ‘classified’ but we’ve been over a part of the world that doesn’t seem to want to be saved so… yeah, fun. But. I have had a word with the captain and she’s doing a test flight for a new ‘carrier at some point with just a skeleton crew and she said you can come along so she can scrutinise you… I mean meet you, yeah, that’s what she said.” She chuckled playfully. “If you want to that is?”
Tandy’s face turned a bright red at what Cessily purred, voice failing them for a few seconds. That was totally unfair. “Can’t say you’re wrong about that,” they finally get out, ducking their head down as if the redhead was actually there. “Hey, I am! I mean, you can’t prove I’m not, so there,” they teased back, laughing at how she hadn’t fully corrupted them yet. The idea of Cess debasing them shouldn’t excite them so much, but there they were, grinning at the thought. When she offered to blow up their group, a surge of affection hit their chest. “That’d be a hell of a Christmas gift.” That did remind them of something they’d been meaning to ask. “What do you want for Christmas, by the way? It’s coming up, and all.” Their attempt to sound casual about it wasn’t working out. They gave her a dramatic groan as they heard they couldn’t hear what she was doing. “You can’t see it, but I’m pouting right now.” It was probably better they didn’t know, since they’d just end up worrying more about her. Their eyebrows rose as they heard about meeting Cessily’s captain. The fact she wanted them to meet someone important in her life warmed them. “Yeah...Yeah, I’d want to do that.” They smiled at the thought. “I’m nervous now, though, you’ve probably given her an expectation of me I’m so not gonna live up to.”
Eva’s first attempt at sitting up failed as her weak arms weren’t able to support her weight. Her second attempt worked, though she groaned with the effort and then smiled as Tandy expressed her relief. “It’s nice to be awake,” she said in a soft croaky voice. “After what happened I wasn’t sure if…” she stopped short as a shiver ran down her spine at the memory of Mastermind’s attack. “I’m just glad to be here.” She smiled warmly at the question. Of course everyone asked it and there wasn’t really an honest answer she could give. “I’m good. Tired and achy and bored but things could be worse. How have you been?”
Tandy watched as Eva tried to sit up, beginning to rise from her chair. “Do you want any help? I can help move the pillows, so you’re sitting up,” she offered. Her chest tightened somewhat at the sentence her friend didn’t finish. She wanted to ask what had happened, but she didn’t want to force Eva to talk about it. “I’m glad you’re here, too.” Nodding at her response, she wondered how sugarcoated that was, so she wouldn’t worry. “I’ve been fine, getting back to normal. Trying not to let...what happened effect me too much.” She bit her lip. “I was so surprised to hear you weren’t awake like the rest of us. Cause, I just assumed you’d be up once this was fixed, cause you accidentally caused it.”
The sound of Tandy’s voice made Cessily’s heart skip and the feeling of strangeness she had been plagued with seemed to lessen. She couldn’t explain it until she heard the blonde’s words. Was the strange feeling what missing someone felt like? She had never experienced it before, definitely not to this extent anyway. “There’s a beautiful woman who you’ve been missing? Who is she? I’ll have to go round and tell her to keep away from my girl.” It was an attempt at being her usual sassy self but it didn’t feel right and she sighed heavily before speaking again softly and with far more sincerity. “I miss you too beautiful.” The confession made her strange feeling ease even more. When she spoke again she was back to her playful self, “what trouble have you been causing in my absence?”
A snort came from Tandy at Cess’ response to her remark. “Mm, you probably should. I gotta say, though, I’m already wrapped around her finger,” she joked back. She had missed the playful quips, despite only being deprived of them for a few days. It was a bit clingy of her, wasn’t it? Her worry was appearing clingy to Cess, which was why she hadn’t wanted to be the one to call first. She smiled softly at hearing the other had missed her, too. “Me? Causing trouble? You sure you got your facts straight, Kincaid?” she asked with a grin. “I’m just working with the most frustrating group ever from film class. Gotta make a short movie with them,” she groaned. “But what about you? What activities have you gotten up to in the sky and saving the world?”
Title: Water Under the Bridge
Tagging: Cessily Kincaid & Tandy Bowen
Location: NYU Dorms, Baxter Building, New York
Time Frame: September 19th, 2016
General Notes: Aftermath prompt response.
Nerves were building in Tandy as they waited for Cessily to show up to their dorm room. They had texted her asking to come over. Tyrone was in class right then for the next couple hours, which would give them time alone to talk. They had already given him more specifics regarding the future, even crying on his shoulder at one point. Their hope was they wouldn’t ending up crying with the other woman. While they didn’t plan on telling her details about their father, they worried about their reaction to who they had been with in the future. They couldn’t keep it to themselves, though. There was a knock on the door, and they jumped from their place on their bed. Rushing to the door, they opened it with a tense smile. “Hey there,” they greeted, before stepping out of the way. “Welcome to my tiny home. Feel free to ignore the mess.”
Cessily couldn’t deny she was nervous about seeing Tandy for the first time since their little excursion into the future but that was no reason to not make an effort. Her future self had been far too modest in her clothing selection for her liking so she was making the most of the revealing and tight fitting items she found in her closet. She had already added a subtle wave to her vivid red hair - which was the only thing she could really change about her appearance as her silver complexion made wearing makeup impossible. A pair of ripped denim shorts and a plain cream top which showed off her midriff were hastily thrown on and she grabbed a jacket on the way out so the outfit didn’t quite scream ‘bed me’. Arriving at Tandy’s address she steadied her nerve and knocked on the door, flashing a huge silver smile as it swung open to reveal the blonde. “Hey gorgeous,” she purred as her silver eyes did their customary roam up and down Tandy’s figure. “Mess? Why would I be looking at the mess when I can look at you instead?” She teased though it was just a tiny bit forced. Her gaze did take in the surroundings and she smirked as she saw the mess that had been mentioned. Cessily wasn’t normally one for sentiment but as her silver eyes met Tandy’s she found herself saying, “it’s really good to see you.”
Any doubt that Tandy wasn’t in the present faded with the sight of Cessily. She truly hadn’t realized how different her style was in the future, until she was reminded of how she dressed now. The sight of her midriff alone caused her stomach to do backflips. Her breath caught in her throat, and her face warmed, wondering for probably the dozenth time how the gorgeous woman could be interested in her. She blinked out of her daze at Cess greeting her, and her body heated as her eyes glanced down at her. She was in shorts and a tank top, along with gray knee high socks, with a sloppy ponytail on top. “You’re the gorgeous one by the looks of it,” she replied with a bite of her lip. Her smile became less anxiety filled, and more genuine at her next remark. She closed the door as she came inside. A skip in her heartbeat arose at Cess’ words, while it also filled her with worry. What if this was how she ended up losing her? “It’s really good to see you, too.” She stepped forward, taking her hand and squeezing it. After a moment, though, she decided that wasn’t enough for her, and moved closer and wrapped her arms around her. She buried her face in her neck and held on tight. “I missed you. This.”
”Not from where I'm standing,” the silver girl purred in reply. Tansy’s outfit caused her to take a second long look and Cessily’s imagination began to run wild with images of knee high socks and Tandy in a full schoolgirl outfit. She forced the image to the back of her mind, thinking such things would do her no good if she was about to get dumped. Her worrying increased as her shiny hand was squeezed, was that all she was going to get? Relief filled her soon after as Tandy pressed their bodies together and Cessily allowed herself a sigh of relief - she wasn't getting dumped. Her arm snaked around the blonde’s waist and she held her tightly, pulling them even closer together. “I missed you too beautiful. I missed us.” She let out a nervous chuckle, “I thought I'd be leaving here single.” It felt strange using the word single but it felt good to have aired her fear. Her shimmering silver hand rose to the back of Tandy’s head and she slowly removed the tie holding their hair in a ponytail. Once their hair fell she ran her silver fingers through it, remembering how much Tandy liked that. She leaned down and kissed the top of Tandy’s head and asked softly “are you ok?”
The familiarity of Cessily’s flirting and endless charm comforted and eased Tandy more, at least. Their blush was there to stay from the moment the silver woman stepped into the room. They relaxed into her body more as her arms came around them, breathing in her scent and holding on even tighter. When they heard what her worry had been, they drew their face back to meet her eyes. “You won’t be, Cess.” They hoped she wouldn’t be, but it depended on how she felt about what they told them. Their head arched back as her ponytail was freed, before pressing their body further against Cess’. They shut their eyes from the kiss to their forehead, and released a shuddery sigh at the question. “A lot of the future...bothered me,” they admitted quietly, slowly opening their eyes to look at her again. “It’s stressing me out. Especially this one thing I want to tell you cause I want to be honest. And it might not even matter to you or it will, but I don’t want to keep it to myself.” Their fingers brushed through the red hair while they paused. “I...wasn’t exactly single in the future. Apparently, I was dating someone for a long time. It became on and off, but...I know this person already.”
Cessily couldn't stop her hand sliding under Tandy’s top to rest on her back, craving the feeling of her warm skin on her fingers. Her silver features turned into a big smile when she had confirmation she wouldn't be leaving single but she could tell there was more to come so she continued her soothing strokes through blonde hair. Despite seeing Tandy struggle to talk about her concerns she couldn't help her silver lip curling into a lop sided smirk. “The green haired girl? Apparently I have rather unkind names for her.” She pulled Tandy in closer, squeezing her tight. “I dunno if you cheated or if I was dumped but I didn't take it well. I rebounded so hard I got knocked up by Eva’s brother who I haven't even met yet. Apparently we were happy… until he died. My rather eagle eyed daughter told me how you'd turn up upset sometimes and I'd cheer you up by watching horror films all night.” She grinned cheekily, “I guess that means we did a lot of screaming.” She sighed. “So yeah, I know I was second best but I also know a rather smart Aussie chick once told me the future is never set. Nothing we saw or had is set in stone.” She gulped and blinked rapidly, suddenly feeling a rush of emotion that she hadn't expected. “If you… y’know… wanna go after her or whatever… I get it, I won't get in the way or anything if that's what you want. I just… well let's just say I'm not done with you yet if you wanna stick with me.” She tried to smile confidently but her worry was still present behind her silver eyes.
Tandy shivered at Cessily’s fingers against her bare back. It was a welcome distraction from the serious discussion they were having; it reminded her they were still together. Her body tensed up a bit at the mention of Lorna. “Yeah. Lorna Dane. Also known as Polaris.” Also known as ‘my grinch’ in the future. She bit down on her lower lip as she listened to Cess talked about what happened to them. Her chest grew tighter the more she heard, unable to stop the guilt that built up in her. “That’s something Lorna told me, too. That it’s only a future.” It didn’t lessen her stress that it was the future that would happen. She blinked in confusion at what the silver woman last spoke. “Cess...No. Never,” she promised with wide eyes. “She’s a friend. That’s it. I don’t want her like that.” She never could, not when she knew what it led to. “It destroyed me to know we weren’t together. It hurts to know...that me in the future hurts you so badly. I’m sorry.” She wasn’t sure why she was apologizing for something she hadn’t done yet or ever, but it came out anyway. “I’m...I’m falling for you, Cessily. I was expecting you to want to be done with me after finding out how everything turns out.” A lump formed in her throat, before a thought crossed her mind. “Your daughter...You could never have her, if we stayed together,” she murmured. “Being with me and not rebounding...means you won’t have her.” She glanced away for a few moments. “That’s like asking you to choose between me and your future daughter.”
Cessily noticed Tandy tense up and tried her best to keep her features soft and impassive but she couldn't keep the contempt from her voice as she spoke. Any mention of the Brotherhood made her instantly think of Eva laying lifeless in hospital. “Yeah I know her. Future queen bitch of the Brotherhood.” Wanting to lighten the mood after her outburst she smirked at the stunning blonde before her. “Guess bad girls are your type, gorgeous,” she purred. Cessily had seen enough films to know dwelling on a future that was never guaranteed was a bad thing. “We get to write a whole new future now. Just know what could happen makes our decisions different, which makes that future gone already. Even if it's just a minor change.” She raised a shimmering silver hand and caressed Tandy’s cheek softly with her finger. “How about we focus on the here and now and let whatever's to come sort itself out?” The silver girl felt her heart skip as Tandy confessed to falling for her, she wanted to say the same thing as she felt the same way but expressing her emotions was one of her biggest downfalls. “I'll never be done with you beautiful. Even after you hurt me I wasn't done in the future.” Her silver lips opened and closed several times but words refused to come out. “This is all new to me, I gotta say I like this falling thing. It feels… special.” She knew it was lame but it was the best she could manage. She hoped Tandy understood she was trying. Hearing Tandy talk about her having to choose actually made her smile, probably not the reaction Tandy was expecting. “Not necessarily.” Placing a finger under Tandy’s chin she lifted her head so their gaze met once more. “The future taught me this perfect specimen of a body can carry a child and still be hot as hell after, but I also found out Dee and Eva were having a baby, that was theirs. If our mothering instinct takes over we could always do the same.”
The name Cessily used on Lorna didn’t sit particularly right with Tandy. They didn’t exactly want to defend the Brotherhood, but they also didn’t want to ignore the insult thrown at their friend. “She’s...She’s just doing what she thinks is right. I can respect that,” they replied with a sheepish shrug. Her next remark did tug a smile onto their lips. “I suppose they are, never thought they’d be my type.” They listened to her talk about how they could create a whole new future, and tried to believe her, that nothing was set in place. “You’re right,” they murmured, leaning into the touch and closing their eyes. Her reassurance calmed them, even if it was only slightly. They needed that right then. Their eyes opened again at her speaking again, chest tightening up again at the idea of hurting the silver woman. “And I obviously wasn’t done with you either. You always had me coming back.” They couldn’t imagine their life without Cessily in it now, which, at least, in the future, she had still been apart of it. Somewhat. They watched her try to get something out, before they smiled softly. “It does. It really does.” The way they felt around her was almost indescribable. Her smile in response to their worries about her having to make a choice confounded the blonde. Why wasn’t she as worried about this as Tandy was? They let their head be tilted up, and let her words sink in. “We could...We could have kids of our own,” they mumbled. Their face heated up after they spoke. “I’d probably be a horrible mother,” they mused, half joking and half serious as they thought of their own mother. They feared repeating history. “You...You’d be amazing. And totally dotting, I bet, but act like you’re not,” they teased, leaning over and kissing the corner of her mouth. Letting their foreheads touch, they stayed quiet for a few moments. “You know how to make me feel better, Cess. Like, not, fake better, but genuinely feel better. You--You don’t judge me for how I feel. Or play them off.” They bit down on their lip. “I’m still new to someone being like that with me. Caring and shit. Which sounds pathetic. I just want you to know it makes me feel safe with you.”
"I get that," Cessily replied solemnly, "it's nothing personal. I just can't agree with an organisation that hurts innocent individuals to further their goals. It just rubs me up the wrong way, y'know?" Eva's story of being attacked by Mastermind was still vivid in her mind and she felt a flare of anger every time she thought of it but that wasn't what this meeting was about and Cessily was keen to change the subject. She wiggled her eyebrows flirtatiously, "I'll have to be a bad girl for you more often, see how crazy I can drive you." Cessily couldn't resist a gentle chuckle and flashed a silvery smile. "Then we'll never be done with each other. No matter what gets thrown at us." She leaned forward and kissed Tandy's forehead, really wanting to kiss the blonde properly but not feeling like it was a good time to stop the serious conversation. The future was never something she dwelled on, always one to live in the moment, sometimes to her own expense. "Yeah, we could," she cooed softly, "and hush, you'd be amazing. The caring, listening one to contrast my doting tough love. But... let's not get ahead of ourselves." She smiled supportively and nodded as she listened and her eyes were locked into Tandy's as she spoke, her silver fingers gliding through the sweet spot of Tandy's hair. "I'll do everything I can to make you feel good, beautiful. I might need a nudge in the right direction every now and then but how you feel is important to me. I care about you, and how you feel, a lot. And that definitely doesn't sound pathetic. I get it, I really do. I'll keep you as safe as I can. I promise." She simply couldn't resist any longer and whispered a soft "c'mere," as she leaned in close, pressing her lips onto Tandy's gently at first but increasing the pressure and passion behind it. She released a soft pleasure filled sigh but didn't break the kiss.
There was no denying what Cessily had said about the Brotherhood. Tandy wasn’t naive to various acts the organization had done that she didn’t approve of at all, especially after being on the receiving end of one of those unjustified attacks. But she believed Lorna wouldn’t let Mastermind continue being apart of the Brotherhood once that happened. “Gonna get my heart racing, then, Cess? Get my body hot all over?” she half teased, half challenged. “No matter what gets thrown at us,” she repeated in a promise, releasing a breath of relief as her forehead was kissed, with a surge of affection rushing into her chest. It was nice to slow down for a few minutes, and talk out what she was feeling. It was also incredibly terrifying for the blonde to be vulnerable like this. “You give me way too much credit, I would probably be too freaked out to even pick up a baby, let alone raise one. And right, just kinda cute to think about.” Would Cessily still believe she’d be a good parent, if she knew the parenting Tandy had grown up with, the habits she developed? She couldn’t dwell on the idea because soon the other’s chilled silver fingers were brushing through her hair, bring her mind back to reality. “I trust you, Cess. And I feel comfortable enough to tell you, y’know, if something’s wrong. I just...I want to make you feel good, too, be as good of a girlfriend as you are to me.” Her face froze in shock at her own word. “I--We hadn’t discussed it yet, but...That’s what we are, right? Girlfriends?” It sounded accurate, but more than that it felt right. Her heart missed a beat as the silver woman began to lean in close, and she closed her eyes before the cool lips even touched hers. A gasp came from her, forgetting how good her mouth felt, moving hers back eagerly. She threaded her fingers through her red hair, keeping up with the uptick in pace.
Cessily couldn't stop her excited grin spreading even further at Tandy’s teasing challenge. A challenge she most definitely accepted. “Oh gorgeous,” she purred, “my goal is always to get your heart racing and get your body as hot all over as I can.” To prove her point she lowered her arm and caressed her perfectly smooth silver fingers over the gap of bare skin showing between Tandy’s sexy socks and shorts. Her hand rose slightly to tuck her fingers under the hem of the shorts as she leaned in close to whisper in Tandy’s ear. “How am I doing so far?” With an encouraging smile Cessily repeated again “no matter what” as proof she meant it. Her free hand found its way to Tandy’s cheek, her silver thumb rubbing across it gently, supportively. “I'd trust you to pick up my baby. And I'd count on you to raise it. I don't exactly have the best role models so I'll need all the help I can get.” She chuckled softly. “Our kids would be criminally cute so it's probably good it's just an idea.” Had her silver complexion allowed it she would have been blushing furiously and for once in her life she would have made no effort to hide it. “You make me feel amazing, every time I see you it’s… Exhilarating. I've… I've never felt like this with anyone before.” Her smile slipped into her lop sided smirk at Tandy’s slip but she was thrilled it had happened, it meant she wouldn't have to awkwardly raise the subject as she thought she might. She grinned brightly. “Girlfriends. Yeah, we're definitely girlfriends.” Her silver eyes returned to Tandy’s wanting her sincerity to be perfectly clear with what she said next. “Secret girlfriends. For as long as you need us to be. Who gets told and when is up to you, I don't want you to feel rushed or pressured and I promise to be on my best behaviour in public with you.” She laughed, “yeah I know that doesn't mean much but still…” Feeling their fingers in her hair caused her to release another gentle moan and she lifted Tandy’s top enough for the bare skin on their midriffs were touching. She broke the kiss just long enough to purr. “I can't wait to see you in only those socks.” Her lips locked back onto Tandy’s as she kissed her girlfriend deeply - making sure their first kiss as officially girlfriends would be one they both would remember.
Her smile sent tingles down Tandy’s back, and they only grew at Cessily’s purrs. They couldn’t even form a response, before their skin was being touched by the impossibly smooth fingers. Goosebumps rose wherever her hand went, gasping as she went underneath the fabric of their shorts. “You really go all out to achieve those goals.” Their eyes fluttered at her whispering. “I think you’re doing really, really well,” they whispered back. As they went back to affectionate for a few moments, they nuzzled into her hand. “I don’t have the best role models, either.” They didn’t want to delve into the details, yet. There would be time for that another time, if they ever let themselves open up that much. “Oh, they totally would be. Cause they’d get all the cute genes from you.” A grin curled up their lips after telling her that. Their heart was back to pounding in their ears, once they heard Cessily describe how she felt around them. “You make me feel that way, too, all of those ways.” They were unable to hide their blush at her smirk, but their eyes widened and grin returned soon as she confirmed they were girlfriends. “I’m the luckiest person in the world, then. Even if that does sound cheesy.” When she added on how she’d be alright with hiding it for as long as Tandy needed them to be, they didn’t think the moment could get any better. “It means everything to me. It really does,” they spoke sincerely, voice breaking over the last word. They never thought they’d find something like this, someone like this. Someone like Cessily. They inhaled sharply as their top was lifted, and their midriffs were pressed together. Their body shuddered, while their skin warmed all over. They almost didn’t catch the words Cess murmured between kisses, only to have them sink in as their lips met again. Their face was flush, and they kissed back harder, wanting the redhead to know they were definitely on board with that plan.
“You are a decent friend. Sass, snark, and all, Tink.” Pietro reassured with a smile. His expression wavered at their words–not necessarily because he was upset, but because part of him knew Tandy might be right. “That’s a had decision for me to make.” He responded, voice a quiet mutter as he seemed to look anywhere but at his friend.
“Among other things. SHIELD has always been a problem when it comes to my personal life. Namely their apparent—” He hummed, trying to find the right word. “–disregard for it. I can–I see where Cole is coming from and I understand his concern but—I just wish we could see eye to eye on this.”
“You’re a decent friend, too. Gotta say, you’re melting my heart here, old man,” Tandy jokingly added the last part. “It is hard, I can imagine.” They took in the fact he wouldn’t look at them. “I wouldn’t judge you, for any decision you do make. Or shame you. Or anything like that.”
“They don’t sound like fun employers, from how you describe it.” Her experience with them didn’t give them much time to form an opinion, but she was wary of the organization. "He wishes the same thing, I think.” She stayed silent for a minute. “I’ve never really been in either of your positions, but...Okay, in the future I sorta was. I was in like, your position, about choosing, y’know, cause SHIELD kinda forced me to. Also, I’m sorta dating someone in SHIELD? So I’ve been in Cole’s position...But, um, am I making any sense?”
Alma: It's nice that you want to. I'm glad you're happier. Do you miss her?
Alma: Yes, but it happened.
Alma: The thing with my dad is really complicated and I don't know how to talk about it.
Alma: I was too much for them to handle. I was breaking rules even though I knew it was bad, and I was making Nadia angry, and then they moved me. I'm trying harder this time.
Alma: I don't understand why, but thank you.
Tandy: I do. And I don't. It changes everyday, y'know? It wasn't all bad, and I miss her for those good times.
Tandy: You can try, even if you don't know how to talk about it. If you want to, of course.
Tandy: No, that's not why at all. I think they just wanted you to be safer. And have a more stable place to live. You don't need to try harder. Why do you think Dee was angry with you?
Tandy: Because you're a sweet, creative and cool kid. You were thrown into things out of your control, and you think you have to please everyone. Which I get. I want you to have someone to vent to, who you know will be there for you.
Cessily normally enjoyed her hellicarrier postings. They were a chance to get away from the bustle of the city and throw herself into a new challenge but this time was different - she felt strange, in a way she couldn’t describe. After her shift was over the silver girl headed straight to her room - pleased to see her bunk mate was out. She pushed her headphones into her ears and used the voice command of her phone to call Tandy, tapping her foot impatiently as it rang though it wasn’t long before she heard the beautiful blonde’s voice. “Hey gorgeous, guess who?”
It was a late, stressful night of studying with a group that Tandy didn’t like in the slightest. They had added a new class to their schedule this year, a film class. There was already a project they needed to do by the end of the semester, and had to do in groups because there were only so many school cameras to go around. They couldn’t decide on a genre, and kept arguing back and forth in the common room of Tandy’s dorm hall. One guy was putting up a shaky case for horror, when the blonde felt their phone buzz. “Sorry, guys, gotta take this.” Any reason to get away from them was a good one. Leaving the room to the hallway, they answered it without glancing at who it was. “Hello?” They were soon greeted with the sound of a certain someone’s voice. “Mm, is it an incredibly beautiful woman who I’ve been missing like crazy?”
Alma: It wasn't my fault but I did it. He didn't want to make another Dee. He started caring about me but first he didn't want to have to make me like her. They may love me but they still sent me away because of my badness.
Alma: You can't and if you could I'd hate it because I hate being taken care of by people who don't want me I hate it.
Tandy: I'll try to. I want to protect you.
Tandy: It is. But I'm happier now. And this way, I got to meet you, which is always a plus.
Tandy: It still wasn't your fault, though. And it shows how much he cares that he didn't want you going through what Dee did. What do you mean they sent you away? Do you think you're staying with Jubilee because you did something wrong?
Tandy: I do want you. I promise, I want to protect you and take care of you because I want you to stay where you are, and be happy. I can't think of one person who wouldn't want you.
Alma: I can't know what they think because I barely see them. Eva can't agree because she's in a coma.
Alma: Why was it bad?
Alma: I killed them. Now you know. Jacen took me in because he felt conflicted about what he was doing and wanted to see if he could fix my brain. He probably cared about me but that's not why he stole me from there.
Alma: Don't lie to me, please. You can't make Jubilee keep me or Dee or Jacen take me back or keep me from getting in trouble.
Tandy: Well, whoever makes it your problem will then make it my problem, and I'll deal with them.
Tandy: I know them both, and they wouldn't want this for you.
Tandy: She didn't care about me. I was a burden to her, and I spent my whole life trying to get her love and care. Until I realized I was drained and had to get away.
Tandy: Oh, Alma, I'm so sorry. Your powers aren't in your control; it wasn't your fault. He wanted to protect you because he cared about you. And now you have Dee and Eva Jubilee and me, we all care about you and want you to feel safe. None of our love is conditional, Alma.
Tandy: I'm not lying to you, I swear. And I can and will stop them, if it comes to it. But I believe they wouldn't take you or send you anywhere.
I did not! I mean, I kinda did, but just to get back at your neighbor, not like, y’know. Okay, maybe, a tiny bit, when we were first met, but y’know what, I hate you sometimes.
Alma: I don't know. People like being right and they don't like being contradicted. Even if YOU don't get angry or annoyed it's a bad habit because other people do and I don't like it when they do and it can be very bad.
Alma: I don't think anyone told me that exactly, except I was warned about a few people. I learned it the hard way mostly.
Alma: Not very good doesn't mean BAD though?
Alma: Of course it's my fault. I was born this way. What do you think happened to her? And my father? I got lucky Jacen pitied me and became my dad but I don't even have him anymore so I'm not going to get my hopes up for a mom.
Alma: Bad things like not getting to do things or getting things taken away or people leaving or sending me away again.
Tandy: Life is about disagreeing with people. If people get mad at you because you have a different opinion, then it's their problem, not yours.
Tandy: The hard way. I think Dee and Eva would agree with me about expressing your own opinion. That those people who taught you it was wrong were the wrong ones.
Tandy: Sometimes it does. It was bad.
Tandy: I don't know what happened to your parents. It couldn't have been your fault, though. Jacen took you in because he loved and cared about you, not out of pity. He's the lucky one to have you. You deserve a mom as much as anyone else.
Tandy: That won't happen. None of those things will happen, I promise. I give you my word I'd never let you be sent away again, okay?
Too late, you’ve already encouraged me. And oh, yeah, she’s an example. I don’t really cross paths with her anymore. You shouldn’t bother yourself by thinking about someone like that, though.
Ugh, the worst. I know I shouldn’t, but it just really bugged me. And that was, like, the first time I saw you upset, so I took it personally that she said that shit. If I had been comfortable with being out, I probably would have like, acted more like your girlfriend or kissed you or something just to show her I didn’t believe her bullshit.
The doctors and nurses had finally stopped buzzing around her like locusts and Eva was enjoying a moment of quiet. She lay with her eyes closed, thinking back on the night she had just spent with Nadia - she had refused to cooperate with anyone unless her girlfriend could stay with her all night and had eventually gotten her way. Smiling at one particular memory she rolled onto her side and opened her eyes, surprised to see someone else with her. “Hey,” her voice was hoarse and strained with lack of use. “Have you been there long?”
Tandy sat near Eva’s hospital bed with their phone on one knee, and their notebook on the other. They were copying down a classmate’s notes they had helpfully sent them, since they hadn’t been paying much attention in that class. It was something to keep them busy, while they waited for Eva to wake. They heard her shifting in bed, and glanced up with a smile. “Hey there.” They closed their notebook, storing that and their phone in their bag again. “I haven’t. But, God, it’s a relief to see you awake,” they admitted without thinking. “How are you feeling?”
Don’t worry, you were. You had nothing to fear from me. i would never have said something to anyone about it. And yeah, it was pretty bad not having you to bug for a while. We’ll be fine though. Dating? Not really. Sleeping with and thinking I owe them something afterwards, yes. I don’t blame them, insecurity is a hard hole to get out of, but insecurity can get ugly really quickly.
No, I knew I didn’t, I guess I just got scared. I’m not good at trusting people. I did miss your teasing. Actually, never mind, let me not encourage you. Ah, kinda like that girl you switched pants with that one time? I mean, she acted like she was better than you and was a total bitch, but she was just jealous. And insecure. And she wanted to make you feel that way. It still makes me mad thinking about her.
