If you'll be my boat, I'll be your sea

his lips curve in a pursed frown in place of a shrug. “ ‘put up with’ isn’t really how i think of it.” accepting, compromising, a slew of other descriptors could be used that felt more giving. elias took mickey for who she was and in return treated her with every ounce of patience he held. he tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, a small smile ghosting his features. “maybe i think you’re worth whatever you dish out.” 

it was a mistake...but one that he stands by. as much as he hates to see the look in her eyes. even if this hadn’t happened now it was inevitable. better for her to know what she would be dealing with sooner rather than later, he reasoned. better for her to realize the consequences of being his mate as he’d earlier referred to. still, there’s regret beneath it all as his gaze tears away from hers and he has no words of comfort to spare. “maybe you understand now why this shouldn’t have happened.” the man murmured. “...go home, quinn. i’ll see what i can do to fix this. you deserve a lot better than what you’ll get from me.”

nostrils flair as he leans towards her with an intense stare, peridot eyes practically glowing. she’d made another mistake in saying she wasn’t afraid. bishop’s very being was to insight fear. perhaps she had an idea of what kind of creature he was, but she never experienced it nor would she ever know to the extent of the cruelty he was capable of...but a small taste, quinn would receive as he allowed himself for a moment to give in to the dark whisper of challenge. “you. don’t. know me.” his voice a low growl as he oozes a sensation of malice that would only intensify due to their bond. which had been the exact kind of experience he wanted to avoid if possible that he was now causing intentionally out of misplaced spite. 

he’s a bit surprised by the boldness of her remark though he really shouldn’t be considering how much she’d spoken her mind unfiltered when they met. “thanks” he almost snorts with a slight shake of his head as he takes a swig of beer before continuing, “noah is just an ass. he likes to do things to bother me; it’s what little brothers do... and i do fine, but since he doesn’t really see that most of the time he thinks im some kind of prude.” nathan doesn’t scold her for helping herself, instead he merely plucks the spoon from her fingers and takes a bite himself. “i’m just a private person, i guess.” the man shares to the woman he hardly knows....how ironic. though it was true that he was usually more reserved like his mother. “i think you could do well enough on your own too.” he adds, implying her situation.

          “a couple of hours?” his brows raise, who knew what kind of debauchery noah had planned for him with that kind of time frame and he’s honestly surprised his brother shelled out the cash for that long as well. which only solidified in his mind that this was surely a prank he was not keen on the outcome from. though even if it hadn’t been nathan was in no mood for the entertainment provided. “that’s fine, you can keep it just for showing up. he deserves to lose his money, but like i said, i’m good.” he reiterated, both now having clarified the situation. 

         he definitely hadn’t been expecting anyone at his door, but the woman appeared non-threatening enough for him to see what it is she wanted. maybe she just had the wrong room. there’s a squint to his eyes, head cocking minutely at her words with lips twitching in a way that said he was less than interested by the prospect. of course noah, would have something to do with this. a deep breath leaves him as he shook his head, raking fingers through his hair with free hand while the other remained on the doorknob. “i’m sure he did, but i’m good, thanks.”

there’s a small chuckle though adam would likely be hoping for a different answer. it just was a strange thought to her of don taking to anyone because she had never really witnessed. nor considered herself as an example. “probably not and if there’s a slim chance he did it’s not like you’d be able to tell anyway so I wouldn’t worry about it.” jinx is pretty nonchalant about it despite don’s opinion concerning her connections with people, but that just went to show how little it meant. she saw herself as a good enough judge of character and if don truly didn’t like someone then she’d know better. “huck likes you if that helps and i guess i think you’re alright or whatever” she teased.

he’d throw something at her if he could for having the audacity to provoke him. his hand balls in to a fist, but his lips up turn in a wicked smile. more than evident that he had less than an ounce of patience. “you know what, lorraine, i’m much better at killing than i am at being kind and i wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over slowly burning you alive; so go ahead and keep fucking with me because i’m getting real tired of trying to do things right by you.” emiliano nodded, more in confirmation to himself that if further pushed he’d ride himself of this nuisance. she was proving to be a reminder of why he shouldn’t fight his own nature. as he headed back up the stairs his palate was dying for a drink. barely sparing his wife a glance while he made his way toward a cabinet to retrieve a bottle of brandy. “you’re not allowed in that damned basement. i won’t repeat myself again.” his voice is monotone, pouring himself a much needed glass.

her words go completely ignored as he moved forward, grabbing firm hold of her shoulders and pulled her away from where she’d been standing. his brows were furrowed and he’d been suddenly so full of anger in that moment he could shake her... practically did with the force of his actions. “have you lost your mind, what the hell is wrong with you?! you think you can just stick your hand in there as if she doesn’t have the ability to rip off your fucking arm?!” his nostrils flared as he berated her. it’s the first time in a long while he’s ever directed such scolding towards her. “i know you’re not stupid. she doesn’t trust us. you don’t go anywhere near her. i never want to see you down here again, do you understand me? or you’ll stay with my mother from now.” when he finally releases her, his gaze wildly falls upon lorraine. stepping back towards her with finger raised. “i want to help you and i know that’s hard for you to believe, but here’s something you should remember... even though i said i won’t hurt you; that promise stops with her. if you ever think of touching my wife i will rip your fucking head off; vampire or not.” emiliano warned, the hard edge in his tone shook with severity that it wasn’t merely just a threat before re-addressing his wife with a barked “go upstairs!”

         it wasn’t a thought that she could deny or felt the need to either because don would never be a man easily won over. so instead of offering faux reassurance the teal haired girl shrugged a shoulder in response. “he doesn’t, but he doesn’t like anyone very much. don isn’t a people person. what matters is if he can tolerate you or not and you’re harmless. him not liking you isn’t a big deal in that case.” 

         his jaw ticks, shaking his head with his back towards her. if only avoiding her was easier said than done. unfortunately, they were bound together now for the rest of her life and she was a regular at his bar. he could only let savannah take care of things upfront for so long. “i’m not ignoring you, maybe i just need some space right now.” he grumbled, stocking bottles of liquor on the shelves. “well neither does saying sorry.” bishop states, finally facing her, “ you ‘ve been mated before, but don’t have a clue the consequences that come with this.”