A Lack Of Color

It was her father’s idea to have a friend over, throwing out Hunter’s name. Brynn was a little less herself these days, and he knew a support would help bring that spark back in her. At Hunter’s name, she willingly agreed to the dinner. She needed him now more than ever, and in spite of everything, she needed to surround herself with people who gave her strength.

It came suddenly. The door opened and soon his arms were around her. It was almost instinctively. In that moment, it dawned on him things had gone better than expected. Something happened, between Brynn and her 'sunshine'. A pleasing sensation filled within him, causing a small warm smile to spread across his face. But when he felt the shedding of her tears, his stomach almost twisted. He couldn't afford to feel sympathetic. Not to Brynn, not to anyone.

   Yes, I see it. Hunter Lane. I’d read it,” she laughed, glancing back at him. Her face faltered a little when he spoke of Allister, but when he resisted the desire she knew he had to take a jab, her smile returned in gratitude. “He’ll come around,” Brynn murmured in hopeful agreement.

"Damn, I'd be that good too." His voice filled with laughter as he gently grabbed a hold of her hand, leading her towards the granite case of stairs. "A Holly tour is nothing compared to a Hunter tour. It's written in stone. I'm serious. I have a plaque." His words were playful as he led her up the large case of stairs. Odd paintings and photographs were hung from the wall upwards, but all of this was ignored by Hunter as he stopped when getting to the top step. "This is the very uninteresting staircase." Laughter tickled his throat, before he continued speaking, "It has been the base for homecoming and prom photographs. That's really all I can find significant about it." With a shrug of his shoulders he continued to move the tour upwards, turning to the left as his voice echoed throughout the quiet hallway.

   She nodded, her smile soft and patient. It would take a lot for Hunter to accept Allister in full, but Brynn appreciated his attempt for her sake. He wanted her to be happy, and that’s all she could ask for in a friend right now. “Exactly, we’ve made it a priority. Trust is shaking, but if anyone can rebuild something broken, it’s Allister and me.”

"What can I say? It just comes naturally. Maybe I'll start my own advice column." He teased, nudging his friend gently. "And, if he does not like it, then that's his fault. I'm sure he'll come around-- I mean, he may lack people sk--" He stopped as his eyes met Brynn's. Despite his hatred for the scum, he restrained himself.

   Laughter cut straight through her frazzled nerves, it was one of life’s great wonders. The ability to laugh cured a number of ailments, and as he teased about their friendship, it couldn’t help but escape from her. “Good, because I’m not sure what the going rate is anymore,” she replied with warmth remaining there. Shifting on her feet, she didn’t want to give any of Allister’s secrets away, so she had to phrase carefully. “We had a little argument about not being honest about everything. After last year, trust is fragile between us sometimes. Separate sides, doing that dance again. I forgot how hard it really was.” She shrugged it off, trying to smile but it faltered.

The phrase .. about not being honest about everything was like music to Hunter's ears. He wanted to pry, to ask what exactly happened, but that would be too suspicious. He had to remain cautious, acting clueless to the situation at hand. "Honesty is a priority. One that should be kept well in tact." Hypocritical of him, he spoke with great conviction. "If there isn't trust, then what is there?" He asked as he watched his fingers tap themselves against the fire place's mantle.

   ”Mr. Finn, always a pleasure,” she replied as she entered, her warm smile returning in full. Just being around him made everything seem a bit more manageable. She turned on her heels to face him, “can’t I just pop by for an unexpected visit without reason?” Teasing in her voice, she shook her head as some of her good humor faded. “I just needed a friend.”

Hunter’s eyebrow tugged upwards as he continued to question what really happened. I just need a friend. A phrase rarely directed to him, a small hit of warmth filled his heart. “I can show you where you can purchase those. Come with me.” He stood, walking towards the door frame before turning towards Brynn as a lively grin spread across his face. “Luckily, I come for free.” Laughter tinted his words before he continued to play the role as a caring companion. It came naturally when around Brynn, but put Allister into the picture and things seemed to grow cynical within the boy. “Your heart is a little broken? What happened?” He asked, his voice changing along with the look on his face. Whatever Charles was doing, it must have been going well. Obviously things haven’t been finished, Allister hadn’t completely failed, but he was on the brink. That’s all he needed before giving him that final push overboard.

At war with myself // Brynn & Hunter

Counting the money in his head, Hunter's eyes skimmed throughout the paper. "It's all about 'luck' they said." He laughed, shaking his head as he found today's stocks. "Fools. It's strategy." He added the percent he would earn today if he sold, a grin spread wickedly across his face. He was pleased with himself. This was his new side project while he waited for reports from Charles. He didn't care about the money. He cared about being the best.

{Edwin nodded, leaning back in his chair as Hunter spoke.} Ah, yes. She is desperate for a hobby, a cause. After his year-long stunt, she would, of course, feel obligated to right her perceived wrongs. It is my job as her father and yours as her leader to prevent her stupidity from tarnishing her future. I’m glad she told you. I figured she would boast about this success of hers, which is part of the point. As you well know, Mr. Finn, Greaser scum isn’t smart enough or skilled enough to handle a business like mine. He’ll be reminded of exactly how worthless he is, and how far below my daughter he truly is. Trash like him and precious ladies like my dear Brynn don’t last. She’ll realize she needs a man who is going to provide security to wake her up from this delusional love story. That is part 1, the second part is what I said earlier. This protects her from her own foolishness and womanly, swooning ways. When Dodger gets word that she is plotting to steal one of his worms, he will never take her from us even if that boy tries to manipulate her into that life. I’ll provide the doubt, you provide the means for him to falter and her to move on. I think as a team, we can definitely arrange this extermination of vermin invading our side of town.

[Hunter's smile remained subtle, but he could not have been more pleased by Edwin's plans. It was as if all was coming together, the way it really should be. With Brynn realizing just how hopeless Allister was, as well as how worthless, her love for him would soon diminish. She didn't deserve to be disappointed in life. With the work of Edwin and himself, together, they would make sure she would not only lose interest in the Greaser, but realize just how horrible that side was.] I can certainly agree to this plan. [He nodded as his thoughts continued to formulate.] Oh, I have ways in which I can make him fail. It really won't be hard, he's not one for trying in the past. I've heard he has a "new self image", but time will tell. I have people I can get in contact with as well as a few tricks of my own to get him back to his low, miserable, self. Surely, Brynn will see just how horrible and awful he really is and soon, he will be out of her life forever. Hopefully out of Tulsa, as well. I'm confident, Mr. Turner. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of this arrangement. Together, I know we can cause him to deteriorate far away from her life, as well as ours.

{When the Finn’s boy wanted a word with him, Edwin put together the pieces.This young leader was someone after his own heart, someone he respected.} You have my attention, Mr. Finn. I am aware of her situation but it’ll fade out in time. She has a bit of a rebellious streak like her mother did when she was her age. Ultimately, Sylvia found, as Brynn will, money and security is far better for her future happiness. {Taking a seat, he invited Hunter to make himself comfortable.} Please, speak freely, you are in friendly company.

[Feeling the welcoming vibe from Edwin, he relaxed, just in the slightest, as he took a seat across from him.] That's what I believe as well. She deserves the very best and, well, certainly a junkie.. a Greaser, like Allister Woods, is not the very best. [He nodded, agreeing with what Edwin had to say as well.] Brynn told me you've allowed him to apprentice you and I was wondering what exactly you're aiming to achieve from this? Because if you have a plan, I would be more than wiling to assist you.. If you need any assistance, that is. I want him gone. I don't care what we have to do, but I would like wiped from Tulsa. We don't need any more pollution than we already have.

I think it’s more the bite they wouldn’t try anything with. {She laughed as she nudged his shoulder, pausing for a moment to look at him. They had grown closer in this past year as she had earned a spot in his inner circle and something she treasured even more: his respect. He was her friend, and she saw things in him few saw. Leaving him would be impossible.}

Oh, the daddy's girl card. [He winked, laughter bubbling in his throat.] Yeah, well, he hasn't impressed me in the past. I heard he's good at stealing, though. That could be a valuable aspect. [His voice was playful, not intending to be harsh as his eyes lingered with hers.] I'll-- [He sighed, biting his lip as thoughts formulated in his head.] I'll try to try-- How's that? [Her soft hands scooped up the side of his face and as her words replayed in his head. His smile extended with a light he had never revealed before. Her words made him feel something more than just well, he felt warm, he felt almost whole. It was a captivating feeling. He internally shook his head as he nodded] I'll try.. for you.

It’ll deter any Greaser who wants to try something, I think. {She teased with a small laugh.} The lake was so beautiful, it would have won your heart too. Next time, you should come along…and there’s always the Soc annual trip. {She knew him well enough to know what he wasn’t saying, but the fact that he didn’t say those things did not go unappreciated. It was a subtle sign of her importance, whether genuine friendship or strategic move, it worked to warm her heart.} Thank you, {Brynn emphasized the two words, for both the spoken and the unspoken.} 

Definitely. They wouldn't try anything with that bark. [His laughter was quiet as his eyes found hers. She looked happy. That didn't play with his heart strings, though. She was his friend and his intentions on how he dealt with Allister would better her in the long run. Allister was good at laying low which Hunter had observed. Their night with the contract never managed to follow through, but that didn't mean he still had ideas to scare Allister off. He had them, more alive now than ever after hearing Brynn's words.]

Well, someone has to flatter me….if you won’t, I must do it myself. {She teased with laughter in her voice. It felt so good to be home.} I don’t know about that, I may have picked up a howl or two. {Mimicking the sound, Brynn howled more like a small dog than a vicious Greaser chick before a fit of giggles overtook her.}

[Hunter's voice filled with laughter as he heard Brynn's 'howl'] Nicely done, really. You sound like a natural. [He joked, a large smiled remained on his face as he felt Brynn's hand wrap around his.] You should have. I think you would have enjoyed the quiet. [His large smile shifted as his facial expression changed. His eyebrows furrowed together as he listened, unsure of what to make of what she was saying.] Uh, huh. [He mumbled out, thinking about this for a moment. He was certain, more certain than anything, Brynn would never become a Greaser. Saying anything negative about this would be displayed negatively in her eyes and he couldn't have that. So he had to approach this delicately. So, with a hard swallow and a moment of silence, Hunter finally nodded.] All right, then. Your views can't change mine, but-- [He exhaled deeply, saying the words he would only say once.] Good for you. I'm glad you had a good time.

Look who missed me so much that he almost sounded happy to see me. {Brynn’s retort held an air of playfulness and in it a truth of the happiness she felt upon seeing him.}

You flatter yourself. [His voice was playful as he gave Brynn a gentle nudge.] But I'm glad to see you're the same you that left here-- No tattoos or wild Greaser markings. [He winked, a smirk edging onto his face]