* 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 .

a soft chuckle escaped his lips before he spoke, looking over to cherry as she walked along beside him "infected bait -- now that's an idea i can get behind." it wasn't that kane ever felt like he had something to prove, but just hated assholes like the kind cherry had been referring to. it was his mom, instilling in him the hardcore values of to properly treat not just women, but anyone, no matter who they were. though, the flirtation that came her was something he hoped he wasn't reading into.

❛ really ? ❜ a genuine smile appears on her rosy lips , followed by a nonchalant shrug and a click of the tongue . ❛ well i'm full of great ideas , you know . ❜ yet it was mainly her bravado speaking , trying not to show how refreshing it was to have one of her thoughts , no matter how silly , validated . and by flesh & blood , too , rather than one of the old plushies in her room . it was nice to know someone was listening because they wanted to .

the redhead shoots a glare towards the other woman , as soul - piercing as she can muster . of course summer had hit a nerve , was it so difficult to believe that cherry was a person with emotions , feelings ? and yet , why did she always feel like less then ? not human , yet definitely not an infected . her anger wasn't mindless , but neither was it calculated . so of course , she resorts to her regular way of coping ; it's better than spiraling before summer . ❛ if you think anything that could be done with someone else can be done better by yourself , you're way more naïve than i imagined , sum-sum . ❜ a devilish grin creeps onto her lips , soon to give room to a resounding laugh . ❛ you're so funny sometimes , can't believe i get to be stuck in this hell hole with you for free ! but don't worry , i'll make sure i become the best mourner you've ever seen . who knows , i might even show up to your deathbed someday . ❜ not a chance . no point in making such a grand gesture for someone who wouldn't do the same for her . arms fold across her arm , she gives a shrug to the question , raising her eyebrows expectantly . ❛ you tell me , summertime . what is it about tormenting me that keeps you coming back ? ❜

as he opened the door, he saw her standing there. a smile washed over his face at the sight of her, and he couldn't help but make a mental note of her waiting for him in in his apartment. the thought of that being an everyday occurance did cross his mind, but he didn't let it linger too long before the commitment issues came flooding back. so beautiful, he thought to himself as he shut the door behind him. his eyebrow raised in a curious manner as he noticed the obvious sword hidden behind her, causing a laugh to abrupt from him. "oh no? you're no training to be the next knight?" he teased as he met her halfway, slowly pulling the sword from behind her back as he planted a kiss to her forehead. "it's always okay." he spoke as he walked to set his sword back. "i'm glad i came in when i did— or else my couch would've turned into fuzz." he chuckled as he looked at her, still thinking about how beautiful she looked.

❛ yes i am , sire ! it was actually one of my new years resolutions . think i have a chance ? ❜ a giggle erupts from her lips , all too happy to play along and endeared by how easy it was to loosen up with theo . how effortlessly he made her laugh and forget about her fears for a while , forget the reality they lived in . the kiss he planted on her forehead drew a smile from love's lips , something akin to adoration gleaming in her eyes . she did adore him , no questions asked .

the comment about how she would've destroyed his couch makes love gasp in mock offense , arms folding across her chest stubbornly . how dare he ! ❛ i'll have you know the dragon i was fighting didn't stand a chance ! the couch would've been fine , on my honor as your knight . ❜ a promise made as she calmly made her way towards him , slowly allowing her arms to find their way around theo's neck . the tip of her nose brushed against his just briefly , then she pulled back a bit . ❛ you wanted to see me , hm ? did something happen , or ... did you just miss me ? ❜ another giggle , and she allows herself to plant a tiny kiss on theo's lips . a little one , just enough to ease the part of her that had desperately missed him . ❛ i know i've missed you lots , more than you can imagine . ❜ love murmured , allowing her fingers to carefully start playing with theo's hair , ❛ but i could show you . ❜

❛ i don't have anything to say to you , might as well say whatever ! a curse upon you , to hear my babbling forevermore ! ❜  a giggle follows her bizarre ramble , feeling absolutely no need to make sense to leon . it was easier not to , especially when most things made little sense to cherry herself . he probably knew that , too . nodding affirmatively , she clasped both hands behind her back and stared up at the guy as he stood before her . ❛ yup , and make sure you put the time down as well , just in case . ❜  cherry played along , though his question drew a sigh from her . ❛ why is it that i always have to be doing something ? i'm just- why can't i just be out here , just for the sake of it ? ❜  pausing , she let her expression shift into a more serious one . the redhead would often use humor to mask what she wanted to say , how she really felt . but she didn't feel like doing so right now . ❛ please don't make me go home . if i keep staring at my wallpaper , i'm gonna lose it . ❜ 

❛ it's fine , it's fine ... just stop blaming yourself , okay ? it's not like i'm gonna die or something , ❜  brows furrow together , as it is upsetting to see the other be mean to her own self . a bit hypocritical of cherry considering she was in no way kinder to her reflection , but still . ❛ ... am i gonna have to pay for it ? ❜ the redhead asked , a little embarrassed by her own inquiry , ❛ it's fine , really . i just wish you'd tell me what's bugging you . makes me feel left out , ❜  a pretty common feeling for the redhead .

a tiny smile graces love's features , then a chukle . a tired one , somewhat lifeless . summer's attitude was always so bold , so fierce — she could never measure up to that . ❛ we can't all be strong , summer ... i don't feel much like a big girl at all right now . ❜ if anything , she felt incredibly small . the four year old thrust into a new home only to hear a gunshot moments later , never to see her mommy again . a little girl lost . she rejects the cigarette with a small shake of her head , ❛ thanks , i don't need it ... ❜  a heavy sigh escapes love as she closes her little notebook , setting it down on her lap . ❛ did- ... were you close with them , with any of them ? ❜ 

❛ — a little pathetic , maybe ? ❜ love chuckled , tiredly so . she probably did look the part , with her puffy cheeks and silly writings . none of it would bring them back ; she'd never see her friends again . not even chase . nevertheless , she can appreciate razor's effort , the manner in which he's willing to share his own experience with her . sometimes it could be hard to recall that officers were people , too , even though love always made a conscious effort to be kind to them . to be gentle . ❛ when you cry , does it help ? i ... i know it doesn't change things , but i often feel better afterwards . it feels like ... like letting go , ❜ it felt like renewal . like a farewell of sorts . nodding her head at the offer , a tiny smily appeared on love's lips . ❛ only if you're not busy , razor . i don't want you in trouble with your higher ups . not because of me . ❜

the pit in her stomach grew, because of course this was happening to her now. ria knew she was pregnant, she just didn't want to admit it. in some strange way, she felt like now she'd be weaker -- or at least perceived that way. and of course this baby was theo's, it literally couldn't be anyone else's. ria knew love and theo were somewhat involved, to what extent she wasn't so sure but it was just complexity after complexity. her head was spinning, which didn't help her nausea -- and not that there was anything left for her to vomit up but what she really wanted was a bucket.

the feeling of powerlessness that washed over love was , at the very least , an uncomfortable one . she wasn't used to emotions like hatred , anger , but the knowledge that she was hardly capable of helping ria in a meaningful way was stirring something of the like in her chest . towards her own self , that is . she should be able to do more , she had to be ; otherwise why would anyone want her around ?

Location: armory

"shh... do you hear that?" beck asked the person behind her. "get out of here." she demanded to the person.

❛ — for real ? ❜ a dismissive yet quiet chuckle escapes her , ❛ and miss out on the fun ? no way ... ❜ she wasn't carrying a gun for no reason . letting out a deep breath , anna julia let her gaze wander for a moment , checking the surroundings . ❛ i thought they'd cleaned up this area a long time ago . stay sharp . ❜