DEAN KNOWS THAT LOOK. Familiar in an intimate way, the same one worn by those cornered or cowed into a place of discomfort, desperate ( and failing ) to hide whatever it is they’re fearful of exposing. He knows it better as the face he used to wear when someone asked where his black eye’d come from and why he was looking so thin. The connection prompts his sudden survey, careless for recognition when hands press and poke and prod a tiny frame daring to double in with her declaration. “ Y’ think I ain’t gonna find somethin’ else t’ distract me if y’er gone? ” Not someone. And wasn’t that the kicker. Finally holding the brand of notoriety that’d reel in almost anyone desired, and, in that moment, it was failing to tether the one he’d chosen. “ This about y’er hours? Could pro’lly talk t’ the boss and land y’ somethin’ better. ” Get her a break that makes running off to Florida look like a waste of time and money. “ Y’ got some tanned up hunk down in all’a that sunshine you ain’t wantin’ t’ tell me about? ” Jealousy. Paranoia. Pretending to be a better person would never cover everything and his transparency is clear in a stare that lingers.
it isn’t until he speaks that melody realizes how selfish she’s being —- emotions permitted, of course, valid in how fed up she is, but dean’s own feelings hadn’t been on her mind. it isn’t often that she allows her feelings to come before those she cares for, and there’s a mental curse given at how easily she’s allowed randy and THE AUTHORITY to get to her. ( weak, you’re weak, you’re so fucking weak. ) swallowing thickly, melody takes the few steps necessary to close the distance between them, still-trembling fingers reaching for dean’s —- rough and calloused and everything she’d fallen so quickly in love with. ‘ course not, dean, ’ comes the reply, mere seconds after the substance of his gaze shifts, and there isn’t an ounce of hesitation in her display, ‘ don’t want anyone but you, you know that, and it’s not the hours, either, it’s just … ’ no secrets. there’s no need for them, and melody knows it, steels herself with a deep breath before meeting his gaze. ‘ ever since this whole —- this thing, between you guys and the authority, they’ve been, like … going after me. orton, more than anyone, but i know he’s just hunter’s loyal dog. he keeps making all these, these fucking demands, and i come out my face because it’s all i know how to do, and he threatens my job. ’ teeth digging in harsh against the inner skin of her lower lip, melody shakes her head a time or two, chuckling dryly. ‘ i’ve been dreading work every day for the past week, and i know he’s just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get me fired.
—- and what’ll i do, then ? i’d barely be able to see you if i lost this gig, and besides that, i love this job. i’ve never been happier, and they’re just willing to take all that away. they don’t even care. i’m just … trying to avoid that happening. ’
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