Take a shot

Elias listened to her patiently and nodded. “It’s important to be able to protect yourself, nobody is gonna do it for you.” Yes, there were eyes on him at all times at this gym so someone was always watching his back in public places but at the end of the day he’s at home with his partner and Elias needed to know how to protect himself and it’s why he keeps himself fit. “Alright, let’s go to the punching bag.” He walked towards it. “You know, it’s easy to want to be able to protect yourself but are you willing to be able to physically hurt someone in order to save yourself? Sometimes protecting yourself means running away and not fighting head to head.” He tried to explain, meanwhile the MC had their guns and their abilities to protect themselves without fear. “Hit the punching bag, let’s see what you got, cariño.”

“Exactly. I knew you’d understand.” She had had self defense lessons before, but most of her lessons focused on just that- defense; not offense. Which was something she wanted to change. It was time she took matters into her own hands. Emily grinned as they made their way to the punching bag, ready to learn and let go of some of the frustration she had been feeling. “If that’s what it takes, yeah. I can’t count on Liam watching my back anymore. I have to watch my own back. No. I don’t want to run away, I’m not scared.” It was her stubborn need to prove herself. Nodding once at him she did as she was told, hitting the punching bag with as much force as she could, several times. 

where: underground fighting arena

After working out more the last week and talking to Sam, she decided her best course of action would be to just watch the fighting on her first night there, to see the opponents she could have next week. It was better to go into this prepared and after arriving she was surprised spotting some familiar faces. It didn’t take long for her to spot Gunner. What the hell was he doing here? Who told him about where this was? Wasn’t it supposed to be secret? Emily was wearing Jeans and heeled boots, obviously not dressed for a fight inside of the ring, but she couldn’t stop herself from walking over to him to find out what he was doing here. They hadn’t talked since he basically threw it into her face that he didn’t think she was capable of this. “And here I thought you didn’t approve of this.” She scoffed, shaking her head before looking at him again. “Or maybe you don’t have a problem with the fighting at all, but you just have a problem with me.”

Rosalie had no intention in stopping for conversation, she only wanted her usual order but it was hard to ignore with the person in front of her loudly explaining her experience in the local supermarket. She supposed it was typical no matter where someone was, that there would always be some horrendous, vile males within it. “Ah, negging. Abominable behavior if you ask me. I sure hope you didn’t give him your mobile number?” she queried, raising a manicured brow. If she had to wait, she might as well pass the time and it was better speaking with her then just having to stand there and listen to her rant to everyone. 

The accent was what threw her for a loop a she looked up, eyes narrowing as she looked at the redhead. She had seen her around town before, but it was obvious that she wasn’t originally from here, the accent being an unfamiliar sound to Emily. She never understood the fascination people had with British accents, they always thought they were better than. Just because their speech sounded more refined or whatever. People coming from outside of Charming always had a harder time earning her trust. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t like his attitude.”

“Wait, okay, refresh my memory here but does he think of you as a little sister and that’s why he’s so protective of you or it’s a ‘I don’t want you to get hurt and also I kinda wanna get in your pants’ kind of protectiveness?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. After all, she had never really been one to hide both what she was thinking and what she was feeling. “An even $100 but you can win up to a couple hundred, even reach more than a thousand in a night, if you got a lot of people betting on you and you win,” Sam murmured before taking out a ledger from her desk. “Next ‘gathering’, as I like to call them, will happen next weekend. We don’t have an admission fee, so you’re more than welcome to just drop by whenever you like to. First fight starts at 9,” Sam said, showing Emily a large smile. “I’m actually getting pretty excited now.”

“Pretty sure it’s the first one. I thought we could’ve had something after my senior prom because we went together, but timing wasn’t right and we both dated other people since. Maybe he just asked because my boyfriend and I broke up a couple of weeks before and I would’ve had to go alone.” Growing up he had always been Liam’s best friend first, but she had thought they were friends as well, if only because she hung around him and Liam so much. Perhaps he never cared at all and what he was doing now was just him trying to do what her brother would’ve done if he was still alive. “Every time we talked in the last few months has led to a fight, so I think it’s safe to say that he’s not interested.” She was too angry at him to evaluate her own emotions and if she was interested. What she needed to focus on was the fighting and how it was going to go down. Emily made mental notes, nodding along to show she was listening.“I like the sound of that.” It should be good money, in theory. “You can expect to see me there. I’m excited too.”

dahlia had been minding her own business while sitting at the counter. she had been dipping a fry into her milkshake until she realized someone was ranting. her head tilted and she couldn’t help but laugh,” it’s kind of the oldest trick in the book,” she said after a second,” guys think that if they insult you it’ll lower your self esteem or whatever bullshit and that means your more likely to want to prove something and you’ll take their number.” she popped her fry into her mouth,” which is what the guy was doing.”  

“That’s a pick up line?” She hit her hand against her forehead. Of course it was, that made sense with dumb men logic, but that didn’t mean it was any less annoying. Emily was definitely the type to want to prove people wrong and do things out of spite, so thinking back she had to admit that it had worked on her in the past. “A man with the confidence to just go for it is way more attractive though, don’t you think?” 

“I’ll hold you onto that, then.” Elias smiled and grabbed the towel that was sitting on the treadmill in order to wipe his sweat. “Sure,” He said immediately, Emily was apart of the family and if that’s what she needed, he’ll help her out. “But I have to ask, why?” Elias titled his head. “Are you okay? I mean, there has to be a reason why you feel like you need to improve your fighting skills now all of the sudden.” If she was in trouble, he would help out and even if she wanted to do it just cause, but he was still a little concern. “I’m your only godfather and it’s more than enough.” 

Emily smiled. “You know I’m good on my word.” If she promised something she kept it, otherwise she would not say those things. Even if it was a silly little thing like oatmeal cookies, her word was her word. “Oh, I’m okay. I’m not in trouble or anything. There’s no one threatening me.” That bit was true at least. “It’s just something I want to be able to prove to myself. That I’m strong enough. That I could protect myself if I needed to.” She didn’t like lying to him so she chose to compromise and word it in a way she wasn’t technically lying. “

It was the alcohol, Kimberly knew that’s what made her talk again. Ever since that night, the only way for her to talk about Liam was with booze and her anger about what happened could no longer be hidden. “We do and we are, every fucking day, but I am so angry.” She wiped her tears away from her face. “I’m angry at the fuckers that did this, I’m angry at him for leaving because he didn’t deserve it, I’m angry at the universe for not only taking my parents but now Liam,” Kimberly shook her head, the words cursed was loaming over her but she couldn’t say it. “I’m angry at the asshole that won’t talk to us,” She didn’t even want to say Gunner’s name anymore. Kimberly would like to think that she’s acting strong everyday, getting up in the morning and going to work, to save lives and then sometimes working at the place that reminded her of Liam. “I’m glad that you’re fighting, you know? Even though you might get hurt, you don’t let that stop you and I’m going to be there to make sure that’ll never stop you.” It’s like Emily knows exactly what she wants and yet Kimberly feels so lost.

Talking about this stuff sober wasn’t something they did often, or really at all if she was being honest. It was too difficult and the emotions were too raw still. While they lost Liam three months ago it didn’t feel like that much time had passed. “I’m angry too.” That was the most prevalent of the emotions she had been feeling recently. It was just anger, anger, anger. A constant burning inside of her. She knew that it was just as hard on Kim as it was on her since she had lost her family before. “You know you’re family for me, right?” Hopefully she did know that. Kim was like a sister to her, even before she had begun dating Liam. “Oh, I am too. But he’ll regret it.” If he actually would was another question, but she wanted him to feel bad for how he had been acting. Emily didn’t expect an apology and she didn’t see one in the future either, she’d be content with him not acting like a douchebag whenever they talked. “I just want to show people I’m strong.” 

Elias turned to look at Emily and raised an eyebrow, “Can you remember the last time you’ve seen me in a bad mood that didn’t involve a member of the Devil’s? Point is, I’m okay,” He said calmly with a smile on face and slowly stopped the treadmill. “What can I do for you, cariño?”  Emily was his favourite goddaughter and no, he didn’t have many but whatever the woman needed he always tried to provide if he could. “My heart is too pure for you and I let you abuse this whole godfather thing a little too much.” Elias teased.

“My neighbor bakes these really good cookies, I’ll bring some around when I visit next time. It’ll make you forget even the most annoying ones.” She promised, letting out a small laugh as she leaned against the empty treadmill next to him. “I need you to give me some pointers and help me improve my technique when it comes to boxing.” If he asked her why she had an excuse ready, but she just hoped he’d help her without asking. “You are my favorite godfather, if that helps?” He was also her only godfather, but she figured trying to butter him up would help her get what she wanted. 

Location: Renegade Gym Who: anyone! @charmingstarters​

Whenever Elias had some free time, he either spends it at home or goes to Renegade to himself fit, it was a good way to relief some tension he always felt in his shoulders, but at this very moment he started slow to get his blood pumping and ran the treadmill. Usually nobody dares approach him unless they needed something and people stopped and looked at him in weirder places than today as he saw in the corner of his eye someone standing to the left of the treadmill. “Are you looking for an open invitation?” Elias didn’t bother to stop the treadmill or look at who was next to him, he just kept running.

Emily had taken Sam’s words to heart and had begun spending more of her day at the gym to prepare for the fights she would soon get in. Preperation was key after all and she wanted to make good on her word and try her goddamned hardest to win and prove to everyone that she was a force to be reckoned with. For that she needed a good sparring partner and who was a better choice than her godfather? Spotting Elias by the treadmills she walked over to him, waiting for him to acknowledge her before she said anything. “I was actually gonna ask you for something, but I’m gonna wait until you’re in a better mood.” She made no move, staying in the same place as she waited for him to turn off the treadmill. The reason why she would be asking for his help wasn’t something she’d tell him, she was supposed to keep the fighting thing a secret after all. She would tell him she wanted to learn to protect herself better.

status: open for anyone

“I was at the supermarket today, just minding my own business buying groceries and shit and this old man had to stop me to tell me that I’d regret my tattoos when I got older and how ugly and unladylike thought they were, how disappointed my parents had to be and so on and so forth. I literally don’t remember asking, but that’s not the point. I was walking away instead of picking a fight, but then he asked for my number? In what world does that make sense?” 

That night kept replaying in Kimberly’s mind, she almost wishes that when she got there Liam was still alive, so at least she could’ve said goodbye properly. She remembers that that morning Liam made her laugh so hard before she had to go to work and he reminded her that he’ll be late getting home because of the meeting, who knew that he’ll forever be late. “I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to act like that.” Kimberly and Emily knew each other since childhood, best of friends and yet when they grew older it became Kimberly, Emily, Gunner and Liam. “It was the four of us against the world, Em.” Kimberly shook her head, her throat becoming tight as she was fighting the urge to start crying. “If Gunner wants to make himself miserable that’s his own fucking problem.” If he didn’t want them in their lives, Kimberly was okay with that, at least she still had Emily in her life and honestly that’s all she needed, her best friend by her side. “As it used to be, just you and I.” It was still hard not to think of Liam whenever she was around the woman, it was her brother after all and Kimberly never meant to fell in love with him but that’s what happened. “I miss him.” 

The night they had lost Liam she had been at home, the call from Kim replayed in her mind often. She had been scared to pick up her phone for weeks after that, it was silly she knew that even then, but it took her some time to get over the shock and trauma of the loss. The funeral had been a lot, she had tried to pull herself together and stop crying when everyone was starting to arrive, trying to hide how red and swollen her eyes were under her black sunglasses. Liam always told her to be strong so that’s what she was trying, but it was easier said than done. She had spent all her childhood looking up to him and now there was no one to pick up the phone.  “I don’t think so either, but that’s how it is.” It didn’t feel like the four of them against the world for a long time now and she knew that they needed to accept it, but the stubborn part of her didn’t want to give up on Gunner. “We don’t need him, or anyone else.”  Emily replied resolutedly, her shoulders sinking when she saw Kim beginning to cry. “I miss him too, but we have to be strong for Liam.”

Location: Riz’s apartment 

With: Emiliana Dupont & Seth 

@emilianadupont​

“I’d say I’m sorry for asking you to come over, but he practically begged me to. He said he wanted you guys to color together before he went to bed,” Riz said, showing Emily a sheepish smile before walking towards the kitchen to prepare them some snacks. “You want anything? Got a lot of juice in here, water, lemonade, iced tea, beer? Got some oatmeal cookies from the bakery too before I picked him up,” Riz said, holding the paper bag up with the cookies inside, a victorious smile on his lips. “So we can have that, or if you’re hungry, I can whip something up? Have you had dinner yet?”

“Finally someone that appreciates m.” She joked, “We are pretty good at coloring together, if I do say so myself...” Emily chuckled, waving off his concerns. She honestly didn’t mind coming over and playing with Seth, they lived a few doors down in the same building so it’s not like she had a long way home. “I’ll take a beer please.” Her eyes lit up when she saw the cookies, nodding. They were amazing.  “I’m a simple girl, I’m good with beer and cookies.” 

“Holy shit, Em. Glad you finally came around,” Sam said, feeling a surge of pride not only because of the fact that she got someone to join, but because it was someone she knew and was definitely rooting for. “He knows you’ll get hurt and lose? Fuck Gunner, he’s not some fucking oracle,” Sam said, waving away their mutual friend’s concern with her hand. “And I’m eager to see you prove that,” she added, with a small smirk. “I’ll text you the next location and when it is, but you gotta train, okay? Gunner’s right about one thing. You will get hurt in that ring, but I highly doubt you’ll lose. We don’t separate by gender, but we try to be as fair as possible when it comes to pairing you up with someone of the same height and same weight, unless you specifically choose someone to fight yourself. There’s a registration fee, but you’ll get it back the more you win, since you can opt to have more than just one match a night, especially because other fighters can choose you to fight against too. You got more questions for me?”

“It’s about time.” She agreed with a grin, looking forward to it. Sam had mentioned it to her a few times but Emily had never agreed to getting into the ring herself despite the years of boxing experience she had. Something was always holding her back, but she had been curious about it for a while. It looked like a good way to make some cash. Now it was spite that was pushing her to bite the bullet and try. “I know right? I’m still fucking furious at him for that, like who does he think he is?” She scoffed, shaking her head. “I’ll train my ass of, I want to win.” Of course she’d get hurt, that was a given, but she would improve with time. “How much is the registration fee and when’s the earliest I can start? Maybe I can come take. a look once before I get in myself, to check out the competition.”

rafael had no idea why she was so damn attached to such a piece of junk. then again he wasn’t one to question things. at least things that were not his business. it was impossible to miss the expression on her face and how happy she practically seemed. he was shrugging as  he glanced towards the car and then looked back towards her,” literally the last time i am fixing her,” he stressed,” one more incident and she’s destined for the junk yard.” 

“Didn’t you say that the last three times as well?” She waved his comment off, not putting much weight to it, despite her knowing just how bad the shape of her car actually was. It was a miracle he got it working again. “She’s on her last leg but I think she’ll stick around for a bit longer.”

But it hurts, the history of the four of them hanging out and now because they lost someone they all loved Gunner decides that he’s gonna make them suffer by losing another one? “I hope they get them and make them pay for what they did.” Kimberly wasn’t a person that will wish anyone ill, she’s a paramedic, she saves lives on a daily basis and yet here she was, hoping for revenge on the people that changed her life forever. Kimberly poured another another shot and drowned it, they didn’t have anything to eat yet so the alcohol should hit her faster and lord knows she needs it. “You found it in yourself to talk to me again, why can’t he?“ Kimberly shook her head with sadness, damn Liam for dying on them. “Fuck it, we don’t need him. You and I, right? We got this.” She poured herself and Emily another drink and raised it for a toast. Kimberly didn’t need Gunner, if he didn’t want to talk to them, that’s fine, Emily’s all the friendship she needed anyway, they were best friends for a reason.

“They should suffer.” Emily wished she knew who pulled the trigger and who was behind the death of her older brother. She wanted them to pay for what they have done, for who they have taken from them. It wasn’t fair. Liam didn’t deserve to lose his life like that. He was only.a couple years older than her, he never got to get married or have kids and she knew he wanted to have all that down the line. Like their parents. “Well we were friends first, that’s different, I guess.” Emily trailed off before taking another shot.  “Scratch that, why am I making excuses for him?” With the way he was acting he didn’t deserve that. “We got this.” She did miss him, but her head was clouded with the anger of him not believing in her. “It’s you and me against the world. Or whatever those cheesy sayings go like.”

“I felt like I needed to, even though he’s a stubborn asshole.” Kimberly grabbed the glasses and took the bottle away from Emily in order to pour for them both, they’re gonna need a lot of it today. “We both know when he started acting like this.” She drowned the first shot with one full swing and poured herself another, if they’re going to talk about that this soon then she didn’t want to be sober. “Maybe that’s what’s wrong, it was what was wrong with all of us, but at least you and I could move past that, as much as we could.” Kimberly knew she was dancing around not saying Liam’s name or saying exactly what she thinks is going on but…she wasn’t drunk yet. “He already lost something, I don’t know why he’s going down a road that will make him lose two more somethings.” Kimberly drowned another shot as she flashed back of the scene at the shooting, doing CPR on Liam, Gunner telling her that he’s gone. “Maybe I’m wrong, maybe Gunner never gave a shit about either of us in the first place.” She mumbled, “When does the food get here, you said?” Kimberly cleared her throat, trying to think about something else.

“It’s sweet that you tried. I appreciate it.” She pressed her lips together to a small smile, taking a shot herself and downing it swiftly, holding out her glass so Kim could pour another one for her as well. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.” Emily understood him, she’d lost her brother and he lost his best friend, but with losing Liam, she lost Gunner as well. Or at least that’s how she felt. Saying his name still wasn’t easy, not sober. She downed another shot. “You’re right. Maybe he hates us and  just had enough of us in general. So he’s pretending we don’t exist.” Not that Emily was letting him do that anymore, she gave him his time but enough was enough. Emily was refusing to lose another person, so she wasn’t going to give up. Even if she had to annoy him into being her friend again. “About 15 more minutes i think.”

erick’s  a  lot  of  things  ;  stubborn,  detached,  guarded  …  but  his  habits  ?  predictable  in  that  they  tend  to  stay  the  same.  in  fact,  he’s  always  sort  of  been  allergic  to  change.  he  fears  it,  in  a  way.  “  you’re  still  sarcastic  …  ”  erick  comments,  his  head  tilting  to  the  side,  though  his  gaze  stays  on  her.  his  better  judgement  tells  him  he  should  probably  refrain  from  making  any  sort  of  remarks  about  the  brunette  …  only  it’s  hard  not  to.  he’s  trying  to  act  normal.  “  you  should’ve  had  a  booth  for  it.  that  could’ve  been  fun.  ”

Emily rolled her eyes, shaking her head lightly. “Sorry. Can’t really change my personality.” She figured that that probably wasn’t what he meant, but she was used to go into defense mode to protect herself. They hadn’t talked in a while, so she wondered if this was as strange for him as it was for her. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”