dark places

The familiar voice tore him from his concentrated yet frustrated thoughts about the situation. He knew who it was before he’d even gotten a look at her, the voice was what tipped him off. Julian couldn’t forget the sound for as much time he’s spent with her both not an din the past. There was no helping the small lift of the edges of his lips, he wasn’t sure if she could see it with how dimly lit the area they were in was. Before he could step in and say anything she was already on it, dropping down to the level of the locked door and jimmying it open with ease. Julian frowned, he’d have to called the place back and tell them it had been handled before they drove out to him. “Milena, you know there are people who get paid to do this sort of thing, right? You really didn’t need to do that.” He said, leaning against his own car as he looked down at her. 

Of course she’d want something out of this even though he hadn’t asked for the help. “What? You don’t enjoy those Friday nights where I’m hanging back in those clubs you visit?” He chuckled, turning so he could open the door to get the keys he had left. Once he was out of the car he turned to her again, “Get in. Let’s get some coffee and then we’ll discuss more about this.”

“And you look like you really needed the help since you were being such a damsel in distress on the phone.” The Bulgarian bit back at him with a sly of a smirk on her face. Milena tilted her head as Julian questioned her. “Hmm, someone is getting smarter finally.” She taunts. The investigator then rolled her eyes at his words about the clubs, a half way facade for the majority of the people: Milena Washington, a wayward orphan who enjoys table dancing every weekend. It was something she kept up with ever since what had happened to her, it was a perfect cover up for her darker intentions and Milena planned to keep it that way for as long as she could. 

She cocks an eyebrow at him. “Get in? Now how do I know when I get in you won’t take me somewhere and murder poor little defenseless me?” Milena tried her best to sound innocent but it didn’t last long as she found herself laughing at that even. Plus it was to tease Julian a little bit too. “Yes, sir.” She throws a subtle wink his way before walking around the car and getting into it. 

In truth, he hadn’t recognized her from the back nor her voice from when she was talking on the phone. It had been a while since they’d last seen each other, and he honestly wasn’t expecting to run into her like this. Chicago was a big city, and it was very plausible that they wouldn’t have run into each other any earlier than they have now. It was nice to see someone form the good parts of his past, even if their reunion wasn’t as well planned as he’d wanted. That was life for you, always expect the unexpected. He shifted in his seat, his head tilting as he saw who it was that he’d been speaking to. Forest wasn’t expecting to see that it was Maeve he was speaking to, that he was helping. His face broke out into a smile, standing up from where he was sitting to greet her. 

“Maeve, I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” He said, “It’s great to see you.” 

The last thing she expected was to run into someone else from her life prior to becoming a mother -- from a time where she wasn’t the not so kind hearted Maeve O’Connell. Bringing herself back to reality and pushing the memories of the war deep back down in her, the blonde cleared her throat and forces a small smile at the man. Her sapphire eyes watched as he rose from his seat and brought relief to the woman to see him healthy or as healthy as he could be. “Yeah...” the trauma Doctor grew silent as she took in his features. “it -- it’s good to see you too.” She found herself becoming at a lost for words and didn’t realize she began to shake ever so slightly. 

“I -... It’s good to see you not dead, Dun -- Forest.” Maeve quickly corrected herself. “Um, what are you doin’ here in the windy city?” 

Location: idk some random diner at like 2 am (i’m kidding. Anywhere you want.) @crimsonstarters​

Callie sighed as she leaned her head down on the table. The day had been long and though she wasn’t physically tired, she was mentally tired. She had reviewed about 1000 hours of footage at work and ended up diving deep into the history of the Walsh’s so they knew what they were talking about. The fact that the O’Sheas were basically absorbed by them and there was nothing that they could do kind of scared Callie. They already had enough shit to deal with…they didn’t need another family coming in and fucking everything up even more. 

Hearing someone scoot into the booth across from her, the brunette didn’t even look up. “My eyes are dead from staring at a computer screen all day. If you want me to look at you, don’t count on it.” She mumbled as she stayed in the position she was in.

“Awe, not even for little ole’ me, Officer?” The Bulgarian smirked at the exhausted woman. She took a seat across from the tired woman and kept her dark eyes on her. Milena knew how hard lately Callie had been working and could sympathize with her on it. Chicago Police Department had been working in a lot of overtime lately especially with certain new players coming to the board and taking over the previous Irish family. When learning of it Milena made a comment about how easy that was but now? They got a new player to go up against and there is no telling what they were thinking. 

Resting her head on her hand, Milena used her free hand to move some of the woman’s hair away from her face. “Apply a little concealer and maybe it can take care of those bags under your eyes.” She informed her. It was her way of caring for the woman across from her, well one of the ways to showed. 

“Oh, God. It’s you.” Nadia dramatically rolled her eyes when she saw the pretty brunette who, again, was no doubt pretty, but a Faust no doubt. “You should know me better by now, Foost, that I’m British and Russian – it’s very terrible to leave out the British. What Russian you know speaks like this?” Nadia rolled her eyes, but then watched as the girl brought out pizza. Oh, God. Food was like air to Nadia – she lived to eat, and so when she smelled the delicious sauce and cheese, it was game over, despite the fact that she was so angry she was saying red. A swig of the tequila though and grabbing the cardboard box of pizza, Nadia grabbed a slice, and began to eat some of it, refusing to get the box back. “This is mine now. Thank you, Foost.” 

Darren couldn’t believe seeing the Domino’s delivery guy make his way into the bar and place a box of pizza on the table. He watched as the woman dug into her food and casually began going through her phone. She was interesting, and honestly, he was amused. He reached for his pint of shitty Guinness, because Jaysus, Americans importing Irish beer was a tragedy. He hated the taste of Guinness in the states, but it would have to do. He approached the girl and casually looked over her shoulder to see her going through that app that was everywhere.

“Jaysus, is t’at really what TikTok is all about?” He asked. “Sorry, didn’t mean to get all up in your business. I just–okay, if we’re being honest, I can’t believe yous ordered a fucking pizza. I needed to praise yous an’ your boldness.” He said.

Suddenly hearing a strong Irish accent gave Alessia a little jump scare and almost choke on her small piece of pizza she had in her mouth. “Fucking hell, don’t go scaring someone like that.” She laughs. “I almost wanted to slap whoever you are with this.” The drunk Italian then motioned to her half eaten slice of pizza in hand. Placing it down she grabs a napkin to wipe away the grease as she listened to the stranger. A mischievous grin came across her face and looks up at him. “Hey, I was fucking hungry man and I just don’t trust my legs just yet.” 

“You can sit down if you like and have a slice?” Alessia motioned to the open booth in front of her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to finish this whole pizza by herself, not while intoxicated. 

There’s a pause as he takes when Italians are mentioned, a sidelong glance passed her way as he takes everything into consideration. Sure, there are plenty of fish in the sea— but damn, the Faust family has plenty of fucking reach. “Oh yea? Where’s the best pizza in town, then?”

“That is a stupid question to ask.” Alessia bluntly put it to him. Placing down the crust of what was left of her slice, the Italian wipes her hands with a napkin and looks to him. “Ollie’s is one of the best places if you want some damn good Italian food.” 

To be perfectly clear. He hadn’t been stalking the Dominos delivery driver. Oliver just so happened to enter in the Pint behind him with a disapproving glare. Tonight wasn’t the best of nights because he had to turn in his notice at the Fire Department, which would fuck with his pension. There’s no way he could work there and take care of the kids at night. One of his last outings he decided to hit the Pint up one more time. Curiosity got the best of him as he watched where the delivery driver went with the Pizza, and his eyes only narrowed more into tiny squints when he saw who had received it.

Oliver moved over to where his sister had perched herself. Arms folded across his chest as he lowered himself across from her - if looks could kill that Dominos box would be murdered ten times over. “Look at that, you’re home and a traitor. Questo non è Italiano.” He grumpily muttered and gestured with his hands towards the pizza. 

“Awe Ollie,” Alessia gave him a small pouty face at his look. “don’t be mad at me, it’s not my fault you guys don’t deliver as far as I can recall.” The younger Faust points out to him. Breaking her face a small smile came across her face and Alessia gets up from her booth to hug her older brother. It had been a while since she had seen him and it broke at her very core to hear what all he had gone through these last few months. A part of her blamed herself that he got hurt while she was back in Italy. If only she were here, Alessia would’ve been his shield and would lay down her young life for him. Without him the Faust family would be powerless without him on the Italian throne. 

“Woah, head spin.” Alessia laughed. She rose up too quickly from her seat to embrace him and it wasn’t helping with the alcohol in her system. Letting go of the man she sits back down in her booth, afraid her legs would’ve given out on her from her choice of drinks. That’s how it was with Alessia when she decided to drink, it was first her legs not wanting to work with her before her mind was in another place. Her doe eyes look back up to see him staring down at him with the same look he was giving the cardboard box. “Non puoi rimanere arrabbiato con questa faccia per sempre.” She adds some innocence to her tone as she spoke fluently. 

Scooting over on the booth the tipsy Faust pats the spot beside her. “Sit down with me, fratello.”