In the dimly lit alley of a nondescript city, two figures approached each other from opposite directions, each stepping with practiced silence. The first was Agent Sarah “Shadow” Lennox, a veteran of countless covert operations, her reputation marred only by her notorious stubbornness and disdain for working with others. The second was Agent Mark “Ghost” Callahan, equally seasoned but known for his reckless, lone-wolf approach to missions. Both had been called in for a task that required their combined expertise, much to their mutual dismay.

“This must be some kind of joke,” Sarah muttered as she arrived at the rendezvous point, spotting Mark leaning against a wall, arms crossed.

“Believe me, the feeling’s mutual,” Mark shot back without missing a beat. He pushed off the wall, his eyes cold under the brim of his baseball cap. “I’m guessing command didn’t trust either of us alone with this one?”

“More like they didn’t trust you,” Sarah retorted. “This isn’t one of your solo suicide runs, Callahan. It requires precision, not brute force.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “Please. You overthink everything. Sometimes all you need is a straightforward approach.”

Their earpieces crackled, interrupting the brewing argument. “Shadow, Ghost, we have confirmation. The bomb is located in the abandoned warehouse two blocks south of your position. Time until detonation: twenty minutes. You need to work together on this—no exceptions.”

The line went dead, leaving the two spies in tense silence.

“Alright,” Sarah said, taking a deep breath to keep her temper in check. “Let’s just get this over with. We can hate each other later.”

“Fine by me,” Mark grunted, already moving toward the warehouse. “But try not to slow me down.”

They reached the warehouse in minutes, its rusted doors creaking as they pushed them open. Inside, the building was a maze of debris and shadows, lit only by a few flickering overhead lights. The bomb was easy enough to spot: a sleek, metallic device with a digital countdown, ticking away the seconds.

“Fifteen minutes,” Mark observed as they approached. “This is where I take over.”

“Like hell you will,” Sarah snapped, kneeling beside the bomb. “You handle the perimeter, make sure we’re not interrupted. I’ll diffuse this.”

Mark glared at her. “You don’t trust me?”

“Not as far as I can throw you,” she said without looking up, already examining the wires.

He cursed under his breath but complied, moving to cover the entrances while keeping one eye on Sarah’s progress. The seconds slipped away as she carefully cut the casing open, revealing a tangle of wires and circuits.

Mark paced, checking his watch. “We’re down to ten minutes, Lennox. You better be close.”

“Close isn’t good enough with these things,” she muttered, sweat beading on her forehead as she focused. “There’s a failsafe here—a secondary trigger.”

Mark groaned. “Let me guess. You have no idea how to bypass it.”

Sarah’s hands paused, hovering over the wires. “Actually… I think I do. But it’s risky.”

“What else is new?” Mark snapped. “Just do it.”

She shot him a glare. “If I cut the wrong wire, we’re both dead.”

“Then cut the right one.”

Sarah hesitated for a fraction of a second, then snipped a yellow wire. The countdown clock flickered, the numbers freezing for a moment before continuing.

Mark’s heart skipped a beat. “What did you just do?”

“I bought us time,” Sarah said, her voice tight. “But not much. We need to sever the power source without triggering the secondary charge.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” he asked, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“By trusting you,” Sarah replied, surprising them both. “There’s a battery pack on the other side of the bomb. I’ll guide you through cutting it out without setting off the backup detonator.”

Mark blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift. “Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” she said, her voice softening slightly. “We’re out of time. Just follow my lead.”

Mark nodded, moving around to the other side of the bomb, crouching down beside it. Sarah’s instructions came in short, precise bursts as they worked together, both of them hyper-aware of the ticking clock. The room was silent save for their breathing and the soft snip of wires being cut.

“Last one,” Sarah whispered. “On three.”

Mark gripped the wire cutters tightly. “One.”

“Two,” Sarah said, her voice steady.

“Three,” they both said in unison, cutting the final wires simultaneously.

The countdown clock blinked, then went dark. The bomb was defused.

They both exhaled, the tension slowly draining from their bodies as the reality of their success sank in. Mark stood up first, offering a hand to Sarah, who took it reluctantly.

“Guess you’re not completely useless,” he said with a smirk.

“Neither are you,” she replied, brushing off her pants. “But don’t get used to this.”

Mark chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As they walked out of the warehouse, the faintest hint of mutual respect hung in the air between them, though neither would ever admit it. They still didn’t like each other, but for now, that didn’t matter. The job was done, and for once, they had both lived to see the end of it.

Our lips kiss and soon we both open our mouths. I think passion, and love. I want to gag as he feels around my mouth.

"And cut! Next scene!"

The director comes over to me as Dominic (aka Rick) gets his hair fixed.

"Bring more love to it. I know you are trying, but bring on the passion. This is the love of your life. Got it?"

"Yup. Got it." I say and try and remember all the thoughts to think. Passion, love. Passion, love. Passion-

"Action!"

He kisses my neck softly, and I lean back my head. Passion, love. Passion, love. The kisses get deeper and I bite my lip. I tug on his pant waist belt. Passion, love. Passion love.

"Cut! One more take!"

The kissing starts again, I bite my lip and pull on his pants.

"Cut! Another take!"

Passion, love. Passion, love. The soft kisses feel like rain drops, then hail drops. Passion, love. He moves deeper around my neck and all of the sudden bites. So I bite my lip and tug like this is the only thing in the world that matters is to tug on his pants. Passion, love. Passion, love.

"Cut! Next scene!"

I keep my hand around his waist band, and he looks down at me with a smirk. So he tugs my shirt.

"You first," he whispers in my ear. His deep voice is so annoying. Passion, love. Passion, love.

"Cut! Another take!"

We must have done that scene 15 more times, and by that point it was lunch break.

"Finally," I mutter.

I love my part, I love my role. I'm a broken 25 year old who finds my true meaning after a horrible relationship. And this is the relationship. Later in the movie, I find that I don't need a man, just a good friend and some wine. These scenes are going to be the death of me because I'm not so good at intimate moments. The depressed part I can play. The discovering part I can play. The happiness and joy I can play. The romance, I can sort of play.

It doesn't help that I absolutely hate Dominic. Yeah, he's hot, but he can't act to save his life. The only way he got this role, is because he is really good at romantic scenes like this one. And the fact that he's also hot gets him the role immediately.

You know I don’t like you. Same here. Let’s just get this done. Nothing is fun.

“I don’t like you.”

“Feelings mutual, Sunny.”

Pippa visibly cringes at the nickname.

“It’s Beacon. I’m only doing this because of Cotton,” she corrects. It felt wrong. The only nickname she ever accepted (while in hero mode) is Tink. And that’s Cotton’s name for her.

“Yes I am aware. Somehow my brother found someone that actually likes him,” Whirlpool comments, looking at her nails, feigning disinterest. Pippa can tell that she is worried though. She wouldn’t be agreeing to work with her if she wasn’t.

“Well maybe if you didn’t create a crime scene everywhere you go, you might find someone,” she points out because she can’t help herself. Hey, she’s a hero, not a saint.

Whirlpool scoffs. “I wasn’t asking for dating advice. Even if I did want some, I wouldn’t go to the person that somehow fell for my brother. I never thought anyone would be stupid enough to like the infamous Water Craze.”

Shrugging, she says, “He can be charming. When he wants to be.”

“Nope, don’t want to hear it. We find him and save him. That is the extent of us working together.”

“Agreed.”

As much as Pippa would love to just find him by herself, or at least not with Cotton’s villain sister, she needs her.

“So Whirlpool, where would Flood take him?”

Pippa doesn’t know anything about Flood, except that she is an old-time villain, retiring before Beacon arose. Cotton never talked about his mother, or any of his family for that matter. For freaking sake, she doesn’t even know his sister’s real name! She has to call her by her villain alias!

She needs Whirlpool’s insight.

Her slightly disgruntled associate narrows her eyes, “I have a couple ideas, but she’ll see me coming. When we find him, you need to be the distraction, so I can sneak and free him.” It feels nice to know that Whirlpool despises someone else and not just her.

“But wouldn’t it be weird for me to just randomly find him? She’ll suspect that I’m working with you,” she points out, poking a hole in her plan.

Tipping her head back, Whirlpool bangs it against the wall behind her. “Shit. I didn’t think of that.”

“Ok. Switch. I’m going to be the distraction. It wouldn’t be out of character for me to do something crazy. Like defy her and get my brother back,” she adapts the plan to fit better.

Whirlpool grabs her cup and downs her beer. Pippa winces, almost feeling the burn in her own throat. “Ugh. What a prude. Here.”

She waves her hand and water splashes into Pippa’s empty cup. “Thanks.”

“Yeah. Whatever.”

They both just sit in silence. Pippa isn’t very good at small talk. If only that was part of her superpower.

“So where are some of the places that she might go? What are the extent of her abilities? I have to imagine she is insanely strong since Cotton won’t go without a fight,” Pippa rambles, asking the questions she has kept in her mind until this moment.

“Don’t get your light powers in a twist. We’re gonna go now.”

“Sorry, I just like to be prepared.”

Her eyes turn serious, a stormy look taking over, “My mother is dangerous. I’m not joking, Sunny. She’s called Flood because she drowns people with no remorse. She rushes in, destroys everything in her path, and then leaves.”

There is some bitterness in her tone at the end. Pippa has a feeling Whirlpool isn’t just talking about Flood’s power set.

“She has the biggest range of abilities I’ve ever seen. She can conjure and manipulate water, change state of water and control it no matter which state. She can turn herself into water which is how she’s eluded the police and other superheroes before. She can even control the water in a person’s body. That’s how she has Cotton.” Just her listing them off is giving Pippa anxiety. How do you beat all of this?

There’s just one question in her mind now. It may be the most important one. “Does she have any weaknesses?”

“One is that she’ll need about 50% of her concentration on Cotton to keep him controlled. Second is why I need you. Heat. Fire is obviously weak, but she draws water from the air. If you can make the area really dry, it will weaken her.”

Now her heart is pounding. It makes sense now, why Whirlpool was willing to work with her. She needs her. Just like Pippa needs her now.

“Your my ace, Sunny.”

“Ok. Where do we start?”

I did not just hear him right. This is my dehydration talking, this whole conversation is a figment of my imagination.

I stare at Tate, as my body catches up with my brain. A losing battle. My chest heaves as I struggle to keep my rising pulse steady as he had commanded.

“Thought you’d be an ass man” I attempt to sound mocking but instead my words come out breathy.

He swallows before considering his response, his eyes now heavy, the silver once there, now nowhere to be seen. He swipes his tongue across his lower lip, leaving them glistening. I should look away. I really should. “Exceptions”, he says in a deep tone that leaves me eager for him to expand on his meaning.

I pull my vest back over my breasts, mortification fills me as I peer down at them, my nipples pierce through my vest as though they could cut glass. Will he put two and two together? I shift uncomfortably, dragging my gaze back to his eyes to find them on me, burning me with their intensity. “Will you not be cooler in your shirt?” He grunts, sounding almost pained.

“It’s velvet, of course not,” I respond, as though it’s ovbious, because it is, he knew this.

“what did you first think of me, first impression?,” Tate asks after a short while. His head is slightly averted, he doesn’t fully meet my gaze. Is that? No it can’t be. He’s nervous.

My shock is clearly evident on my face as he says, ”I’m serious I wanna know, Alyssa.”

I snort laugh, failing to conceal my humour. “Since when do you care what anyone thinks of you Tate?” I state bluntly, he can be so confusing. I half missed his arrogance at least that was slightly easier to read. His eyes glint with amusement at my statement.

“Humour me,” he smirks, tugging on his lower lip.

I blow out a breath contemplating my answer, god what did I think? It was that long ago. But I can’t kid myself, i remembered every second of our first interaction. Pathetic I know. “Honestly? You were dismissive. I was new, you’d been at the hospital for 3 years before me. I would’ve appreciated a warmer welcome. But, as we got used to each other you improved I suppose.” I struggle to meet his eyes as I finish my sentence, but I have to see his reaction.

Confusion takes place on his face briefly, before he quickly replaces it with neutrality. “I can’t say I'm surprised, I was a dick. I shouldn’t have been so hostile , you’re right you were new you didn’t need me giving you shit. It really is just my humour though, I mean well. But I thought, maybe you received me better than just that though.” He admitted, a little too seriously for the already tense atmosphere.

“I’m not saying everything I thought, your ego is full to the brim. I just don’t understand why you insist on reminding me you’re not interested in me, what are you afraid is gonna happen? I’ll fall in love with you?” I laugh, trying to lighten the conversation.

He doesn’t share my humour, his face remains neutral, he assesses me. “Say everything, Alyssa. You have my word, I won’t make a remark.” He says , a little too stern for my liking. I hate that he did this to me, had this effect, I want to be the one flustering him. Have him stutter because of me. But I’ll have to keep dreaming until that moment.

I nod, accepting he won’t give in until I tell him. I think hard, I think back to that moment when we first met, I was a junior doctor, I’d been situated to shadow him for a short while. “You were..intense. You did everything, sort of stiff, how procedural you were about everything. But you were funny Tate, I don’t want to admit how much, but if we’re sharing truths here, you made a lot of hard days bareable. It could be a dark place sometimes, and you made it a little less.. well dark. I didn’t mind that you payed me no attention to be honest, I accepted it, but you unintentionally became my crutch. If I was anxious of a decision to be made, I’d imagine I were you. You had so many faults Tate my god, your arrogance, your stubbornness. But I could never fault you when it came to your ability to show up, you were a dick, but you never hesitated to help me. You flooded my mind much more than I’d like and care to admit but , what do I have to lose? You’ve said your worst I suppose. This isn’t a confession of love Tate, don’t worry. But I suppose what I’m saying is, thanks for being my crutch. Don’t get me wrong, I got where I am today because of me. But, it was nice having you there sometimes.” I breathe, half relieved I’d finally admitted that to Tate, to myself actually.

Shocked wasn’t the word I could use for the expression currently exhibiting on tates face, a meagre word in comparison. His eyebrows drew together, his lips parted a fraction. His eyes..well I’d be yet to successfully read them. “Ah fuck you're in love with me aren't you?” he posed as a question but his tone made it more of a statement.

“Tate.. What no? Of course I'm not. God you're an arrogant dick, I tell you all of those things and you focus on the part that strokes your ego.” I attempted to sound angry, when in reality all I felt was an intense hurt. I turned away from him, he cannot see me cry. I can’t believe I’d be so naive. ‘He wasn’t gonna console you Alyssa’, I told myself. This is who he is. Arrogance personified.

Shock filled me as I felt his fingers grip my chin, forcing me to meet his stare. It was so rapid I could barely process what was happening, but it was so..gentle. But before I could indulge in the heat of his touch it was gone quicker than it came. The cold absence of him chilled me.

“Alyssa I’m joking, look at me, stop this. Stop relying on me. You are who you are and have achieved what you have because of you. No one else, especially not me. But, and this will only be said once, so don’t go thinking I have a heart, hearing you say those things about my affect on you, mean alot. More than I can articulate, I don’t do emotional shit okay? But just know I appreciate it, I’m glad I did those things for you. Since you’ve been so truthful with me, it’s only fair I do the same. I know you think I’m arrogant, a dick. Okay I am, but I keep you at arms length for a reason. This job, it’s hardened me, I can’t be what you need Alyssa. And I’m not going to pretend, it’s not fair on either of us.” He huffs, stroking his chin, pacifying himself. Our eyes find each other, we stay silent for a long while as our truths hang in the air.

“Well I guess that’s that then.” I say, a half whisper, resigned from the conversation. I had no clue what to say, the last thing he would want is for me to console him.

“No go on, what are you thinking?” He says, intrigue and concern in his tone.

“ I don’t even know Tate, I just had this idea in my head of who you were, I was so wrong. Just strange to see this Side of you I guess, this open. I like it.” I admit, pulling my hair from my face, he watches my movement with precision.

“ Well don't get used to it, I can't be soft, or gentle, Alyssa.” he revealed, with a certitude. The cool coldness usually found in his silver hues held something else, scrutiny, as though he was trying to work me out.

“Who said I wanted you to be gentle?, and drop the act I don't need immature remarks, if you want me, be man enough to say it, don't run from it,” I stated, firmly.

Astonishment took over Tate's eyes, I didn't miss the admiration sweeping over his face. My belly swirled with a rush that I had incited this reaction within him. I internally did a happy dance, as he watched me.

“Such bold words for a virgin, hm? Fine no remarks, but I won’t hesitate to be truthful for your comfort.” He leaned forward a fraction, I couldn’t be certain if he had even meant to. Either way, I wanted to bathe in that cologne of his.

“Oh yeah how’d you figure that one out? Fine by me, I think it’s you who needs comfort, Tate. I’m managing just fine.” I fucking wasn’t, I prayed he couldn’t spot my heart racing, I don’t know why the virgin comments always got me flustered. I wasn’t embarrassed as such, but it was just such an intimate observation for him to make.

He shrugged a shoulder before continuing, ”call it intuition..” he leaned closer, leaving only inches between us. He surveyed my face closely, studying me. He bought his hand up towards me, with purpose, I didn’t stop the movement. Not even as it made contact with my skin, he traced my collarbone, a feather-like touch, and yet it still singed my skin. Keep your pulse steady for fucks sake.

As I inhaled deeply to slow my pulse, his eyes flicked to mine, either way it looked fucking bad for me. He knew. _“_Call it knowing _you. It was an observation I made long ago. On occasion our hands would skim the others fractionally, and do you think I missed the way you shivered? The way I bought heat to your cheeks if I stared at you a little too long, a little too intensely. _See, i have reason for my arrogance.” He leaned even closer to me, his mouth now at my neck, just above the skin, so close I wasn’t sure if his lips were on me or not. “It’s cos I’m fucking good at what I do,” he stated, with a hunger to his voice that had arousal stirring deep within my stomach. The intensity of his tone tripled by his nearness to my body. And then he fucking let go, my resolve snapped with it, he bought his lips to my neck with a passion my body craved.

No, not yet, I’m not losing my control before he does. He won’t get me this easily. “You were older and intimidating that's all, you’re confused tatey,” I stated, impressed with myself at how uninterested I had managed to make myself sound.

Tate paused his pleasurable assault on my neck, now meeting my gaze. Fuck. His eyes were nothing but hunger. I swallowed at the very sight of him, “That so?” he questioned, clearly not believing a word that had just come out of my mouth. He watched me as he neared my face again, before dipping back down to my neck. I needed to get a grip of myself, my neck was a weakness, and my arousal would soon be evident if he continued. He pressed his lips to my neck with slow hot kisses. I resisted squirming at the sensation. Fuck this feels too good. As if reading my mind, he did the unthinkable, blurring my thoughts into mush. Slowly but deliberately he included his tongue into his kisses, massaging it against my throat in mind numbing movements. My cheeks had to be scorched with fervour at this point, my pulse thumping so quickly I feared he could hear it. He stopped. He brought his gaze back to mine once again, not a flicker of colour left in his eyes. He wanted this too.

“This would never have happened if you had of just listened to me, your arrogance will get you killed one day.” I spat in his direction, not bothering to even look at him as I spoke.

“Killed? No, fucked? yes.” He retorted, his voice dripping with that, all too familiar, arrogance I had come to loathe.

“For once would you think about something other than sex? Do you realise the gravity of this situation?, or is lust clouding your judgement once again?” I pin him with my gaze, as I try to get him to focus.

His eyes dance with humour before he tips his head back cackling, a deep laugh from within his chest bellows out of him, “lust? You're beyond deluded. Do you think I could feel anything even remotely similar to that emotion in your presence?”, he spoke with a severity that made me flinch.

I ignored the twinge of hurt that came hearing his words, my god I detested him. “Get fucked tate”, I spat back, with as much malice as I could muster.

“That an offer?” he replied, amused that his words had got to me this time. “Becuase I wouldn't go near you if you were the last woman walking, you repulse me.” His eyes glazed with something I couldn’t read.

“You’ve made your fucking point, okay? I don’t need this from you, not now. Hold this while I try and jam this open, I know I can get it.” I said with force as I passed him my coffee cup.

His eyes sweeped my face as he took my words in. “I tried that, there’s no point. Just sit back down, someone will come.” He said with a cool assurance.

“I’m not just gonna sit here and sweat to death, no thanks. I told you it was out of order, why would you drag me in with you?, just when I thought you couldn’t have any less brain cells.” I huffed as rage began to boil within me, I never did well with heat. And forced proximity with this _idiot, _to put it kindly, did my patience no favours.

“Meh, felt like it, I knew there would be a chance it would breakdown. I'll take any opportunity to see you suffer. Quit whining aswell, I can’t stand the way your voice goes high pitched when you’re frustrated.” He muttered, sipping his water.

“Oh yeah? Seems like a little too much attention you’re paying to someone you’re supposed to hate, you dick. And you wouldn’t have to hear this voice if you hadn’t of dragged me in here, funny you hate my presence and yet you forced yourself into my company.” I triumphed.

Anger morphed across his features, I was surprised I didn’t hear his teeth crack with the force in which he tensed his jaw muscle. “Let’s get something straight Alyssa, I might tease you and I might be playful but don’t for a second think I could actually be interested in you. I’d much rather be buried in your bestie liv, that new hair too? Fuck my cock had never been so strained in my life.” He ended on a groan, his silver eyes swirled with amusement. I swallowed the pinch of hurt that ensued his words.

“Sounding very defensive there tatey. You’ve misread me horribly, that low IQ really does you no favours. You’d rather olivia? Fine. I’d rather a uti than to have that thing you call a dick anywhere near me.” I drawled, stabbing him with each syllable.

Something carnal flickered in his eyes, not anger as such, but an intensity. For such a dumb guy, I hated the way I couldn’t read him. After a few moments had passed he responded, annoyance in his tone, “Do not call me that Alyssa.”

After hours had passed I finally gave in and took my shirt off leaving me in my vest. Tate glanced in my direction, doing a double take on me, I didn’t miss the clench of his jaw. why are my breasts so sensitive right now it’s boiling? I glanced down at myself, seeing the sight i quickly fold my arms, knocking my coffee cup over causing a thrash to sound. Shit! I forgot to wear a bra today, I knew there was something I’d missed this morning.

Tate forced his gaze to me, “what’s up with you? You’re being more skittish than normal you freak.” He noted, dragging his gaze up the length of me in confusion.

“Nothing, thought I saw a spider,” I rushed, cursing myself for the way I pushed my cleavage together with my folded arms. Ugh I bet he thinks I’m trying to seduce him now, I need to unfold my arms. I gave in and lay down, I can worry about the bacteria ridden floor later.

“Give me some water please,” I asked Tate, forcing the nicest tone I could manage.

“Give? Quite a commanding word to ask for something, no? Ask nicely, Alyssa.” He mused, enjoying my blatant suffering as I lay with my cheek to the almost cold floor, attempting to escape the stifling heat.

“Please can I just have some of your water Tate, I’m begging.” I tried to hide the whine he so desperately hated from my voice.

“You call that begging? I’m sure you can do better than that, sounds to me like you don’t even want it.” He revelled as he watched my face screw up in frustration, enjoying every second of my suffering.

“Tate please, I’ll do anything at this point, please can I have a sip of water.” I said on a faint breath, feeling weaker by the minute. Fuck I don’t feel good.

“what’s up with you? Your skin is paler than usual, here just have some,” he said in a resigned tone, handing the bottle to me.

I tried to move my arm but no good came of it, “Tate I can’t move,” I said, worry evident in my tone.

“The fuck you mean you can’t move? God you’re melodramatic.” He huffed in annoyance, his eyes sweeping over me, something seemed to click in his mind that I wasn’t putting this on. “For fuck sake hold on, I’m just gonna feel your pulse.” The blazing heat of the elevator was miniscule in comparison to the heat of his two fingertips pressed firm against my throat. Shit he’ll feel my pulse increase because of him, he cannot know. I use all of my might to force his hand off of me, I manage to move my body away from him, why am I moving in slow motion right now? God if this is it, I’ll sob. “Alyssa I swear if you don’t stay put I’ll hold you down, let me check your pulse, I don’t need your death on my conscience.”

I managed to choke out the words, “Fuck off tate as if you care, I’m fine, just too hot,” I slur as I roll onto my back, ignoring his commands. I accept he’ll feel my pulse spike due to his touch, I feel too shit to care. I think I’m gonna spew though. Tate clears his throat, as he presses his fingers to my pulse point. “Fuck Alyssa this isn’t good, I need you to try and sit up,” he speaks in an authoritative tone, one that leaves me no room to argue. “Tate I seriously can’t move I’ll spew, pass me the coffee cup I’ll have nothing to wear if I ruin this vest,” He ignores my complaints as he moves my upper body with ease, setting me against the cool metal. “Where’s your shirt from earlier ?” He speaks, calm but disinterested. “It’s useless without my vest,” I rush out, praying he won’t probe further. “Why?,” He asks, I hate the curiosity rising in his tone. “It’ll rub on my fucking nipples otherwise, okay? And save the spew comments, I’m not in the mood,” I stated, feeling myself come back a little as the water seemed to hydrate me. I don’t miss the way his eyes darken at my words, ugh the last thing I need is his pissy moods. “I wasn’t even- , forget it.” He holds his fingers to my neck again, my eyes widen at the ease with which he touches me, “It’s rising, good, keep it steady. It’ll be dehydration, do you usually have fainting spells?” He asks in his professional voice, it unnerves me the way he switches from the tate I despise to.. something else. I hadn’t realised how close he was to me, until I’d become all too aware of his cologne, sandalwood and something else? “What are you wearing?” I ask coolly.

He blinks rapidly before answering, “what are you talking about you creep?”, he responds, searching my face for an answer.

“cologne, which one is it?,” I ask brazenly. Why the fuck am I asking this shit? A part of me questions myself, I feel, tipsy? Almost.

“Fucked if I know, what are you my girlfriend?” He throws out, done with the conversation.

“You fucking wish tatey.” I mutter under my breath on a giggle, far too amused with myself.

“Fuck you grind my gears, Alyssa.” He comments, slumping next to me when he’s satisfied my pulse is acceptable. Why hasn’t he moved from me yet?

“That the only thing?” I question, full of confidence from god knows where.

“Did you not hear me earlier? You repulse me, don’t even insinuate that I could feel anything other than disgust for you,” he says with a passion that burns me.

“Mmhmm so you keep saying, so it wasn’t the talk of my nipples rubbing against my shirt that got you hard a few minutes ago then?” I must be fully blown hallucinating to say these things. This is incredibly out of character for me and Tate knows it.

Tate’s full lips part, ever so slightly, as he processes my words. Unlucky for him I notice his every movement. I smirk at his shock, loving that for once I caught him off guard. “You’re dehydrated, you don’t know what you’re saying. Just Stop talking, save yourself the embarrassment for later on.” He says with finality, an unspoken warning to not push it. But, I’m bored and I have nothing to do other than push it.

“Olivia likes you by the way, thought you should know seeing as you feel the same. She didn’t know when to make a move. Busy man that you are,” I said, pretending to check my nail bed’s.

“Huh? When did I say I liked liv?” He turned to me, his gaze fleeting but intense.

“Oh yeah I’m the delusional one, earlier? You said your-“ I cough to try and overcome my discomfort. I didn’t need the world to know I hadn’t had sex, I did my best to come across as though I had done but right now I couldn’t be more obvious in my inexperience.

His eyes flit with amusement, he feigns confusion, forcing me to repeat his words from our earlier conversation, “My what, Alyssa?”

“Your cock had never been so strained in your life.” I forced the words out my mouth, my cheeks heating at the obscenity of the sentence, and from the fact I had actually just repeated it.

Tates eyes dance over my face, his expression an array of emotions. The only one I can decipher, one I never could have seen coming.

Lust.

“You say that word as though you never have before, Alyssa. Am I correct?” He questions, his body now towards me, I squirmed at the intimacy of his question.

I adjust my vest pulling it over my stomach, underestimating just how stretchy the material was. I glanced down at the result of my innocent action. My breasts spilt out my vest, undeniably now on show. “Fuck” I muttered under my breath.

“Alyssa I swear if you move an inch more I’ll have no hesitation in putting them in my fucking mouth.”

“Alright class I’m going to break you into pairs to work on this lab. I know you have partners but we are mixing it up just for today” groans immediately escaped the class. Mrs Felts immediately started back up while waving her hands for calm “relax it’s just for today since we have a few people missing and it’s good for you to work with others for a change”. Unfazed by the students protesting she started naming off pairs. Walking down the center isle she pointed to stations as she named off partners. “And here we will have Michael and Ryan” closing my eyes i breathed deeply. This was not what I needed today.

Ryan was a sworn enemy of House Tog but surprisingly Ryan and I have many things in common. For instance, we both like pizza and it just so happens that both our families are very old and mysterious. We both are in the same grade, and we both have weird powers that let us banish otherworldly beings from our plane of existence. The problem is, is that both our houses claim to have the better process and hate the other for their process. It’s honestly pretty funny if you think about it. We use techniques that channel through the tips of our fingers and they channel through their palms. But at the end of the day both techniques accomplish the same goal.

Thus we are sworn enemies and will make every effort to mark someone of the other house. Its a dated battle but when someone is coming at you to make you look stupid, you are going to defend yourself. It is a great shame to be marked by the opposing house. Honestly I probably wouldn’t bother with Ryan if he wasn’t the bane of my existence. Back in kindergarten he trapped a spirit in my backpack that scarred me to this day. I still have to double loop my straps to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with. Then in 3rd grade he chased me with his palm at recess everyday. I hadn’t yet manifested my marks so I had nothing to fight back with but times have changed. He’s getting marked today and I can see the resolve on his face to do the same to me.

A series of beakers and liquids are arrayed in font of us as Ms Felts describes the process. I can’t really pay attention with my heart pounding. Wriggling my fingers to keep them loose in anticipation. The first exchange tension is in the air. You would think fingers would trump palm, but your first line of defense is your hands regardless of fingers or palms. Pinpointing the side of the hands to deflect is this most important when combating either side. I can see him going through motions in preparation as his hands slide through simple techniques . Pulling his shirt down as far on his arms as possible to avoid skin contact. Cursing my luck for wearing a short sleeve shirt. I’m to exposed.

“Ok begin the assignment. I will be walking around to assist” the class springs into motion but we just sit there frozen in a deadlock. Neither wanting to put themselves out of position. My body feels like it’s vibrating and sound seems to be going out. Focusing my breathing and relaxing my body to flow through the motions. In and out. We are nearly in sync. “Were neither of you paying attention to my instructions?” Both of us having just noticed our teacher looming over us. Tension disappearing in an instant.

“I’m sorry Ms. Felts, I got distracted trying to find my instructions.” Quickly pulling my lab plan out and flipping to the first step. I start reaching for containers as she turns to help the class. In an instant Ryan’s palm flashes forward at my forearm. I windmill my arm upward and thrust my right hand under to retaliate. Flattening his arm to the top he slides under my hand and pops my arm up into the air. At the same time I thrust my left fingers, trying to grasp the back of his exposed neck. Not waisting a moment he sways backward while curling his arm to catch my extended hand. He’s faster and more lithe than I would have guessed. I reverse my arm and chop his bicep causing his arm to hit the table top loudly. We both immediately start working on our lab as if nothing had happened.

Trying to control my breathing I begin to work on the lab and collect myself. Our exchange only lasted the shortest of moments but no one seemed to have noticed minus the clang his arm made. An unspoken truce seems to have been made as we play catch up, and by we I mean me. Ryan stares at his instructions like he hasn’t been in the class all year.

“Grab the saline solution over there Tog” pointing to the small stopper.

“I know what to do and don’t talk to me Cof. Let’s just get through this lab and then I’ll stain your useless face” as he reaches for the stopper like he knew what to do. The rest of the assignment goes fine as we start to near the end. Other groups have already finished and begin to trickle out for an early lunch. With less people I feel my guard coming back up. I know the buffoon won’t miss a chance with less eyes on us.

“Hey Michael hurry up and finish so we can go eat!” My best friend Adrian calls out as he walks out of the class. Can’t believe even he’s finished since he usually has to rely on me to finish our labs.

“Wouldn’t want your boyfriend to worry Cof” Ryan snickered poking his lips out at me.

“I’ll give you a dollar if you can read the name of the solution we are making” snickering as I get ready to light the Bunsen burner for our final step. Squeezing the striker again and again to get the flame going distracted me from the attack. Just before he struck I squeeze the striker at his hand causing sparks to rain down his open palm. Clenching his teeth, Ryan quickly pulled back his hand shaking it out. Without thinking I dropped the striker and snapped my fingers at his knee. Reacting just as quickly he kicked against my chair to create space but my fingers scraped down his leg leaving red burns. Unfortunately not enough to deal a permanent mark.

“Ryan what are you doing now! Your group is one of the last remaining and it seems Michael has taken care of most of the lab. You will finish writing up the lab to turn it in!” Ms. Felts stalked down the aisle to continue scolding the boy. Ryan fumed as he stood up to move his chair back, ignoring the fresh burns running down his shin. Fortunately for him I had finished the lab and he only needed to write the summary to turn it in. I quickly got my things together to leave.

“Here is our lab Ms Felts” grumbled Ryan as he walked up to turn in the assignment.

“Just because you do not like Mr Cof does not give you reason to disrupt my class Mr Tog. If you are paired up again I expect better from you.” Thinking quickly I walked up and put my hand on his back with my thumb on his neck. Burning him with my family mark.

“Oh we worked great together didn’t we Ryan?” I said beaming at him. “Just a little horse play but nothing we couldn’t handle to get the assignment done.” Ryan could only grit his teeth to the pain while staring daggers at me.

“Well run along to lunch boys” without a moments notice I was out the door. Ecstatic from my first victory against House Tog.

Gray sniffed the dead leaves on the ground. There was a faint trace of another wolf on his territory, but the scent was unfamiliar. He came to a stop, unfamiliar smells lay beyond him. Did he dare to go? It was unsafe, and leaders from generations ago would be very unhappy that he had broken this rule of crossing. _They’re dead. What would they do? Send a lightning bolt from the moon? _Gray thought with a slight sliver of satisfaction. He pushed through the bracken, squinting his eyes. His mind whirled, what would Hawk do if he found out that Gray was going over the scent markers? Well, Hawk didnt have to know, did he? Gray let out a confident huff, the cold wind buffeting his fur. “ Perhaps you should use your nose.” A cold growl sounded from the shadows. A she wolf? Gray swung his head around, he stared at the shadows. A pair of eyes stared right back. “ Who are you?” Her eyes narrowed. Gray stuttered, catching his breath as his mind whirled. “ I should be asking you the same,” Gray snapped back, only to feel utterly embarrassed. The she wolf had every right to question him, Gray had trespassed, likely on her territory. He simply held back a groan of embarrassment, taking a step back. Suddenly, the she wolfs eyes lit up. “ Your one of those tribe wolves!” She gasped, disappearing from the shadows. Her sleek tail disappeared from the light, Gray suddenly jolted. “ Wait!” Without thinking, he launched himself into the shadows, scrambling after her. He dodged stones, desperate to keep up with the ominous she wolf. “ Leave me alone!” The wolf called over her shoulder, speeding up further ahead of him. Gray felt a rush of adrenaline as the wind swept his fur, his paws pounded faster, gaining on the she wolf. “ Please, wait!” He called after her, gasping as his lungs struggled for air. His eyes began to water, the cold wind was mercilessly blowing in his face. He glimpsed her sliding into a cave, as if an attempt to throw Gray off. He slowed down, his chest heaved with effort, _How could any wolf run so fast? _He thought with exasperation. He cautiously sniffed the sides of the ridged cave, curious, but determined to find the wolf. His steps were shaky from stones that cut his paws as he ran, but he continued on. A gust of wind flew from the cave, enough to make him wish he never crossed paths with this she wolf. He touched his nose to the ground, her scent was so strong, almost suffocating him. She was still in here. “ Go away.” Her cold voice sounded wary, as if she had done this more than once. “ Im not gonna hurt you, at all, for that matter,” he looked at her distrusting eyes, still curious to see what she looked like, “ im Gray, I come from ValorantTribe.” He told her slowly, his paws throbbed now. He was forced to look down, surprised to see that he had laid a trail of blood leading directly into this small cave, giving away where she lived. “ . . . Im really sorry about this, I— I’ll go.” He told her, attempting to turn around. He hit his head on the drooping ceiling, his heart began to pound as he realized the cave began to shake. Right before his very own eyes, the cave began collapsing above him. He was stunned, unable to move his paws. Then, he felt teeth hook hiim backwards. Rocks splattered the two of them, the entrance clearly had fallen, without any light at all seeping through. “ No, no, no!” The she wolf hurtled herself at the rock barrier, desperately trying to save what was left of her home. The two were stuck, Gray had began to realize the problem, fear struck him, but he simply got up. The she wolf was still smashing her body at the rocks, though Gray couldnt see her, he could hear her yelps of pain as she slammed her body into the barrier each time. He lunged at her scruff, hauling her backwards as she frantically kicked the air with her back paws. “ You’re just hurting yourself! Stop it! We’ll need a better plan.” He snapped, he could make out the distressed glint in her eyes, and she gave a slight nod. Gray inspected the barrier, nosing it with his cold nose. A few rocks fell out of place, creating a light source from the outside that seemed to light up the dark cave. He nosed the corner again, and few rocks fell, beginning to create a hole. The she wolf bounced onto her paws, as if she hadnt wounded herself. She took her paw and scrabbled at the sides, watching Gray work. Together, they began making a difference in the hole sizes, and bigger rocks began falling out of place. They matched eachothers pace evenly, matcbing blow for blow, soon, the barrier became nothing more than a small obstacle. The she wolf stopped, nodding her head to Gray. He understood, pushing against the loose rocks until they collapsed. Gray half- leaped into the fresh air, never feeling so grateful for fresh air. “ I think I may have taken this wonderful cold air for granted,” the she wolf joked. Gray turned to look at her. He was amazed at her slim frame, but she was stunning. Her coat was a light gray- brown, and her eyes were emerald, he was appalled. “ Thank you, Gray. I suppose you ought to know mine.” She dipped her head to him, her tonge slid out of her mouth, wrapping over her nose to lick little rain droplets off. “ My name is Rain, and I come from the woodlands, daughter of Horizon and Birch.” She told him, her eyes flowing with gratitude. For a moment, they stared at one another, and Grays heart began beating rapidly. He was short of breath, but he couldnt look away. Stop beating! He panicked, his eyes flitted around her slender nose. Her mouth slightly parted, as if to say more, but she looked away. “ If you need me, you can find me in the fields.” She used her slender nose to point in the direction. Gray dipped his head to her gratefully. He suddenly blurted, “ Perhaps you could join me for a hunt when the stars are brightest tonight?” He held his breath as Rain simply closed her eyes gently, trudging towards him. “ You know where to find me,” and with that, she gave him a playful shoulder nudge, and nimbly jogged away without a single falter. “ That was . . . Amazing.” Gray breathed, apalled by the encounter.

“I hate this.” Will said. He threw his bag against the wall. “Well what did you expect would happen?” I said ducktaping my shoe together, “We’re the two best students at the academy, of course they’re going to put us in the task.” “I know but I never expected you to get in.” Will said. “Thanks ever so much. That’s so kind of you.” I said sarcastically. “Shut up Evelyn.” Will said. I smiled sarcastically, “Anyway, what should we do first?” “No clue.” I said. “I thought you said you were one of the best students in the academy.” Will said. “Yeah well so are you. What should we do?” I said. Will looked around the room. His eyes rested on a box on the wall. He got up and went over to it. He tried opening it but it didn’t open. “Wow. Well done.” I said sarcastically. “Shut up.” He said. I looked around the room. How on earth were we going to get out of here?

Autumn clouds gently obscured the evening, creating a sense of solitude and chill. It was an unusual evening at the Niagara River Railway station, with only three passengers present. The first individual, a man with white hair, blue jeans, and a black jacket, appeared to be around 43 years old. He stood near a pole, his gaze empty and his hair unwashed, emitting a certain odor that hinted at his status as a vagrant. The second passenger was a teenage girl with blond hair, still wearing her school uniform despite the onset of winter. As she gazed out the window, she seemed lost in thought, contemplating the changing seasons and their impact on her life. Standing not too far from the vagrant, she couldn't help but remark on his appearance. "Look at your dirty sneakers, jeans with holes in them, and wrinkled jacket," she commented. "Hold on a minute, little girl," the vagrant responded. "You were born with advantages that I never had. Life must come easy for you, unlike for me - a bottom-tier character with little confidence. It's a tough game we call living, where hard work doesn't always lead to success. Maybe I shouldn't have been born at all!" The girl was speechless, and as the train pulled into the station, she rushed out, tears in her eyes.