Little soda pop

With a stumbling pace, making his way to the bathroom. Light blinded his vision for a moment. Blinking rapidly to adjust. Water running. Splashing his face to wake himself up. Slowly starting to feel the bits and pieces of muscle aches.

Perhaps he had underestimated his own body. With five years of rusting, his body needed to adjust back to old routines. Not that he felt like using him more regularly. It was more mandatory than anything else.  

Wiping his face dry, he gave himself a weary smile through the mirror. Young looks from before hidden with wrinkles. The showing of time. Returning to the small areas of his apartment, he got dressed. Pulling his tie up to his throat. Giving himself a comforting nod.

Grabbing his keys, he made way for the front door. Door handle in hand, he glanced over his shoulder. Flicking his wrist. Web catching on his briefcase, reeling it in. Chuckling amusingly, he closed the door whistfully. 

Nodding his hat to one of the lower neighbours who just came to collect her newspaper. The elderly woman smile, waving him goodbye. With a little skip, he went down the stairs. Surprised with himself how cheerful he had become.

There wasn’t any denying that yesterday’s encounter with Silvermane made him feel all those old emotions back. Haven forgotten how good it felt to have such power and authority over others. Who would listen to Ben Reilly? No, people listened to the Spider. 

Hummingly, he made his way up to his bureau. Greeted by a smile, he had seen it over a million times. “Morning Mr. Reilly.” You spoke, standing up from your desk.

“Morning Y/n.” Reilly answered, hanging his coat and hat away. He neared your desk. You handed him today’s newspaper. With a nod he accepted it, placing it under his armpit. Making his way to his desk. 

You swiped your hand smoothly over your skirt to sit comfortably down. Continue to classify older files by name. Upon the opening of the door, your attention got drawn up.

Gaze widening with a slight fear at Silvermane’s entrance. The same idiots that trashed the bureau with him. Instinctively you pulled open the drawer, hand on the gun. “Is the man here?” Silvermane asked with a polite voice. 

“I’m here.” Reilly answered, stepping up. Glancing to his side, he saw your hand near the gun. Looking for confirmation back at him. Reilly lightly shook his head, waving his hand. With an uneasy swallow, you placed the gun down. Closing the drawer.

“You’re not here to cause trouble, are you?” Reilly questioned, quirking his eyebrow up to the men behind Silvermane. “No…no they are not.” Silvermane answered in their place. “A mutual friend paid me a visit. You are good, Reilly.” 

Confused, you looked up to Reilly. Hoping he’d share more. “By now you must be aware of the infiltration of my booze shipment.” Silvermane explained. Reilly nodded. You glanced down at your desk, having seen something of it in the newspapers.

“I believe I have a rat. I need you to find him and deliver the rat to me.” Silvermane’s cane tapped loudly on the flooring. Reilly chuckled amusingly. “Of course.” He answered, bringing a surprise to you. Reilly placed his hand subtly on the edge of your desk. “I do believe first apologies towards my secretary are in order.” Perking his eyebrow up in a scowl. 

The two men behind Silvermane, muttered to themselves. “Come on, you heard the man.” Silvermane encouraged them. Curling up a smile to Reilly, you bathed in the wink he sent you. “I’ll take that apology now.” Clasping your hands together under your chin.

Smiling teasingly to have them on their knees. The two men shuffled closer. “We…we apologize, miss.” Mumbling out. “I’m sorry, what was that?” You spoke with furrowed brows. Reilly suppresses a smile. Both men gave each other a hard stare, before folding once more. “We apologize, miss!” Speaking in a louder tone. 

Satisfied, you felt pleased. “Right this way, gentlemen.” You gestured to Reilly’s office. Taking your notebook to follow them inside. Taking your usual place by the window. Writing down for Mr. Reilly. Task pretty simple. Find the rat and deliver him to Silvermane. 

Without you needing to intervene, Reilly asked for a hefty sum. After Silvermane’s visit, he returned to your desk. Asking for the envelope of cash from Silvermane once more. Obeying, you handed it over. He began counting, taking a stack of bills out. Taking your hand, he moved it forwards. Palm open, placing the money down. 

“I’ve been neglecting you for far too long, Y/n.” He spoke, closing your fingers on the cash. “But…but Reilly this…this is too much.” You protested at the amount. Reilly shook his head, not wanting to hear it. “I owe it to you.” His hand slipped from yours. 

Placing the cash down, you stood up from your desk. Moving your arms around him. Pulling him closer to your chest for a hug. “Thank you…” Whispering to him. Reilly’s hands hovered, uncertain what to do. Fingers opening and closing in hesitation. Wondering if he should return the embrace. 

Swallowing nervously when he started to hear his heartbeat. Hoping it wouldn’t be thunderously loud. Clearing his throat, he placed his hand briefly on your shoulder. Smiling, you stepped away from the hug. Sitting back down, taking the cash. “I’ll buy you a drink.” You stated, laying it in your purse. “Y/n…” Reilly chuckled out shyly. “It’s yours. You can do with it what you please. You don’t have to…” 

“And I wish to buy you a drink.” Making it clear to him. “Tonight. Pick me up at my apartment.” Blurting out without a proper thought. Not wanting to think much about it or you’d be too scared to ask him out. Sure it wasn’t a real date, but you couldn’t let the opportunity slip. Who knew what could happen over a drink? 

Flashing him a cheeky smile, hoping he wouldn't turn you down. “Sure…sure…” He replied, stroking the back of his hair. Reilly returned to his desk. Biting your underlip bashful, you couldn’t help yourself from drawing hearts in your notebook. Already wondering what you would wear on your date… uhm casual business drink. 

After Reilly left, you immediately phoned Robbie. Trying to put a thought between your rambling.Trying to shove in between some tips of advice. Needing to hang up for a story, you promised him to tell him all afterwards.  

Reilly was at the club. Sitting by Silvermane. Bathing in smoke and alcohol. Taking observing looks at his employment. Slowly getting distracted by Cat’s singing. Her voice melancholic over the soothing jazz music. Hands slipping up and down the microphone stand. 

Hips swaying, batting her gaze constantly his way. Perking up the tiniest smile in the corner of her lips. Drawn in by her voice. Waiting in her eyes, the signs of tomorrow. Silvermane’s voice barely reached him. Taking another good sip from his drink, little courage built up. Perking a smile up from inside his glass. 

Her eyes seducing him from afar. Fingers trailing the stander, taking the microphone delicately in her hands. Song reminding him of walks in the rain and moonlight. A bit bashful, he felt himself wetting his lips. Taking notice of her plump lips from afar. Rozy. Cheeky. Reilly’s glass got refilled. Scooping it back up, he laughed along Silvermane. Gaze not fleeting too far from Cat Hardy. 

With the radio playing in the background, you were preparing yourself. Putting on your best for Mr. Reilly. Humming along, while getting ready. Slipping into your favorite dress. Dolling yourself up for the man.

Hoping tonight you might walk under the moonlight with him. Arms locked, your head resting on his shoulder. Moonlight to show the way, you could follow. Eying the clock, you grabbed your purse. Making your way downstairs to wait for him. 

Sky slowly darkened with the evening. Standing on the steps, getting on the tips of your toes with every passing car or taxi. Feet set back down when they drove by. Each movement sparking your interest. Heels digging down once more. 

Apartment door opened. Blissfully drunk they entered. Cat clinging onto Reilly’s coat. Amusingly, he took his hat off. Her hands slipped off his coat. Biting her nail playfully, she ventured further into his apartment.

Reilly cleared his throat at the lack of glasses. Providing her with a fresh one, taking the used one for his own. Sharing a drink, laughably. Cat’s eyes batting at him. Nearing his window. Coming to sit on the edge. 

Cloudy above. Soft thundering rumbled the heavens. Moving your hand out, the first thick droplet of water fell down your palm. Leaving a little puddle in the midst. Slowly closing your hand, fingers stained with rain. Door opening behind you.

One of the elderly tenants, offering you an umbrella. Rain clattering onto the fabric, you watched the world around you wetten. Moving your head up, drops falling down on your cheeks. If you see my man, send him home to me. Tell him about my heart that is slowly dying. Say I can’t stop myself from crying. 

Cat let gravity’s hands carry her. Guiding her down till a firm stop made her gasp loud. Slowly lifting her head up to the web sticking onto her chest. Smiling upon Reilly, reeling her in. Hand placed at her lower back, pulling her back inside.

“I knew I would be right.” She whispered, hands placed on his shoulders. Basking in his breath on her lips. Her suspicion true after observing Reilly from closer up. Reilly batted his gaze down to her plump lips. Sucking in a breath, pressing his lips to hers. 

Lonely is a man without love. 

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