assembly line

Joint gatherings weren’t really Kat’s thing. The over abundance of people, the excessive decorations and party favors, all coming together under false pretenses and hidden agendas. The gleaming white smiles were about as fake as the faux wrapped around their slim little bodies. She had eyed the tables filled with catering’s that went untouched and a sense of hatred flowed through her body. The girl remembered all too well what it was like to starve, it even showed in her mechanisms today and how she rationed in proportional ways that weren’t necessary for someone in her current position. It was something that’d forever haunt her.

This gala was something she’d never be caught dead at, yet here she was. It was the only place she felt safe in order to meet with him. Sending the encrypted message over ICHOR’s private line was hard to enough to do while in Olympus, so meeting in some place as basic as Starbucks didn’t feel right to her. She didn’t want to get caught for one, and she knew if it was worst case scenario, a gala would be the last place they’d look for her.

As the days crept forward to the meet up date, her nerves became more rattling and noticeable. It was so bad when she woke up this morning, Kat just escaped to the place she had in London so she could be by herself. So she wouldn’t be suspicious. Concealing her emotions had become an art by now…but the way she went about things were different when it came to him. Adonis. Even how she went about this whole day was different. Sure, the location she chose was a little ostentatious, and she did her best to try to convince herself that it was ultimately the best idea at the time. But standing there, overlooking the crowd and dressed for the occasion, she couldn’t help but feel like maybe it was something more. Just maybe.

Hours. That’s how long she spent getting ready. The hair that was usually held up by two chopsticks, flowed down her back in waves. The dress she borrowed, fit like a glove. The painful hell traps, aka heels, made her feel powerful in her element. She had to do this to fit in. That’s what she kept telling herself. The absurd other reason…was just that, absurd. Every feminist bone in her body told her that dressing up only for a man was completely ridiculous and against everything she believed.

But sighing, while twiddling her thumbs, she had to admit that when things came to Shakir, morals became blurred. Like today for example. After years of training, it wasn’t hard for Kat to become well equipped in following her instincts. And yet today, every fiber in her being told her she was being w a t c h e d. As she walked the streets, stopped for food, even in her apartment while she was showering in a disclosed location. Part of her felt like if she were smart, she would face this unknown watcher, but she knew better. Only one person could evade yet still seem so present. And she was meeting with him now.

Leaning against a pillar, she waited. And waited. And waited. Overlooking the obnoxious party going on just a level bellow her became even duller with time. She never even thought that as possible. As time ticked by, Kat began to worry. Did he get the message? Although he was a trained spy, indulging in technology wasn’t really his area of expertise. Maybe it slipped by him, she thought. A singe of disappointment stung her heart as she took a sip of the overly priced champagne and mused about the fact that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t coming. Would he stand her up, she wouldn’t know. Cruelty wasn’t really his thing, now manipulation on the other hand screamed Shakir. But still, the faith she had held strong…right? Just as she was about to step away, she felt it. That chill on the back of her neck that felt all to familiar. And then it was there, a presence, right behind her. Only an agent could’ve snuck up on her like that. Wait…scratch that, only one agent could sneak up on her like that.. “Adonis,” she breathed quietly. There was a pregnant pause, a sense of silent recognition as her eyes kept trained to floor. Looking him in the eyes was too nerve racking, too scary for someone like her. “Y’know, we never got to finish our game. You never got to ask me…truth or dare.”

 He cradled her hand into his own, allowing their fingers to become a mess within each other. “We didn’t get to finish that kiss either.” He whispered, intent on her reaction to his words. She was far too good at poker face. He stepped closer, about a foot or so, keeping his intent gaze on her. “But we didn’t,” He eyed where the fabric was absent on her chest, smiling purposefully, “you’re right.” His lips pursed together. “Then again, you played that game with Adonis ... and he’s no longer present.” He again focussed his thinking on his lips, that time as he grazed his teeth against his lower. 

“Truth.” He smiled.

Her forehead rested against his own as they dwelled in silence. Her thumb stroking the back of his hand nonchalantly in a calming gesture. She didn’t know the moment the mood changed exactly or how she ended up tending to him. All she knew was that Adonis was good, really good. He knew how to work her and she didn’t know if that excited or terrified her. Art knew his next move even before he did it. It wasn’t a surprise, there was always a secret want for one another bubbling beneath the surface. His breath fanned her face as his lips descended upon hers, shaping them in a plea of desperation. So much emotion filled that kiss. Anger, confusion, passion, fear. She molded her lips to his feverishly, with a deep longing to express just exactly how she felt about all of this since words weren’t enough. She released one of her hands to trail up his chest and cup his jaw to draw him closer, but no matter how hard she tried he just wasn’t close enough. Not close enough for her.

His voice invaded her thoughts tauntingly. It killed her how much it frustrated her. The way she was trained went against everything she was thinking and feeling. And looking at him now, she didn’t know how to go about the situation. She could suck it up, cut off all feelings for him, and do her job as an ICHOR agent. Or she could buy it. She could believe what he was getting at despite the fact that every fiber in her being was telling her otherwise. “What happened between me and him, or any other agent wasn’t intentional. I didn’t know they were ICHOR, just like I didn’t know you were.” She explained. “Guess we’re not all as observant as you are Adonis.” 

She scoffed, stepping back once more. As his hand brushed hers, it was almost like it was an unconscious reaction to intertwine their fingers together. A silent gesture that he had her hooked even though she didn’t want to be. “You were never alone. You always had me.” Her throat tightened and she licked her lips. “How can I believe you? After everything, how do I know this is the truth?”

Her reassurance wasn’t enough for Adonis to be sure of her loyalty to him. She too was affiliated with ICHOR-- a traitor. There was no such thing as being too sure. Darting eyes mimicked the panic that was going on inside his mind, the sweat produced by his palms coating her hands in his desperation. There was a silence - nothing new to the conversation - and Adonis arched his body forwards. His lips crashed against hers, the soft touch of her skin pushing him closer towards her, but his hands remaining locked below.