𝖇 𝖆 𝖘 𝖍 𝖋 𝖚 𝖑

―

          “Well you did manage to bring all of them to his place for weeks at a time. I heard a saying that fish and houseguests start to stink after three days, imagine the smell with every single one of you there,” she teased lightly with a bit of hesitation in her voice. Dani didn’t know what to make of yet another civil conversation with the other, when they often led two separate ways and this wasn’t one of them. Still, she wasn’t about to point it out to either one of them as she gazed back at the other in hopes that she didn’t at least seem like there was something missing in her life and she could see it standing a few feet away. That wouldn’t have been fair to either one of them, which she knew, but it didn’t make it any easier when they weren’t fighting as she pressed her lips together with a slim smile. “It’s better than the alternative where I’m either crashing on a couch or hoping that my welcome doesn’t run out at the hotel because I could not afford even a night there.” But home was better, even if she didn’t know how to go back to being so alone all the time even as she preferred it to the overflow of people back at the hotel ― though she had felt closer to her brothers them. Dani paused for a moment, the other’s words that stalled her thoughts in their tracks as she ran over what he said again in her mind as if trying to find the catch in there, but couldn’t find one. “I― not so sure that I would be welcome there, you know. Maybe after hours when it’s closed and only Jesus around to give me lessons but I don’t know if anyone else would like seeing me there after.. us.” But fuck how she wanted that not to be true, that she could be there and see him again without feeling the resentment that she was the cause of so many times over.

***

“Wow, you’re calling me stinky, now? I don’t remember you complaining about my smell before.” In the eagerness of continuing the joke and the teasing tone of the conversation, Javi didn’t quite notice his words choice, until a few seconds later they were already out of his mouth. He only hoped Dani wouldn’t take it the wrong way, or just simply not think too much into it and ignore he even said that. “Being on your own bed is always nice, no matter how comfortable the alternative places were. I mean, at least I missed my old rugged mattress,” he commented in a lighthearted tone. There was a small smile on his features that slowly turned into a line once she spoke again. The mention of an us that used to be between them was like rubbing salt in the wound, but what really threw him off was the fact she said she wouldn’t be welcomed, and he wasn’t sure what she meant with that. “Why wouldn’t you be welcome?” He asked, raising a brow. “You think the guys are gonna be the problem or you’re... talking about something else?” Well, he had the question in mind, wondering if she was referring to him not wanting her around, but he didn’t find the guts to ask her. “You shouldn’t worry about them if that’s the case ─they like you. Besides, it’s my club and they don’t get a saying about who’s there or not.”

―

Danielle opened and shut her mouth, choosing to nod instead of comment on how odd things had been for the past few weeks and were slowly going back to normal. Mostly because she wasn’t sure if she wanted it to be normal when it meant things going to the way they once were where neither one of them talked. Then again, she knew that it was what she earned after everything that she put them both through as she put on a smile instead. “Who knows, maybe you’ll end up there again and that shirt will make people believe that you belong there,” she replied back with a slight tease before feeling it might be something that neither one of them were ready for as she glanced away. “I’m… it’s been weird actually,” she admitted when she glanced back towards Javi. “Like everyone wants it to go back to normal but it’s hard to forget how not normal everything has been and with Sammy on the loose, it’s quiet at home again.” And lonely. “So I guess that’s good in a way.”

***

A chuckle and a shake of his head were the response to her comment. He enjoyed the little moments of happiness and pretended opulence, but Javier was realistic that wasn’t his life, and he had to live with what he had. “Nana loves us, so I guess she wouldn’t mind, not sure if Alex thinks the same. Pretty sure he doesn’t want to see our faces any longer.” For what was worth, despite the crazy of the situation, it helped for some kind of re-connection between them. He honestly didn’t remember the last time they had had a civil conversation. When Dani spoke again, his lips pursed slightly. “Sorry about that... It’ll be hard going back to normal, or something close to that.” A beat. “You know, um.. You could come hang at the Cage, if you ever need to —with Jesus and me.”

Their last conversation had an awful habit of replaying in her mind, reminding her at the worst moments that she hadn’t been absolutely terrible to him the entire time that they were together. Or even in the spaces when they found each other only for her to run off again. It was a nice thought, but it was just that ― a thought. But the funny thing with thoughts, is that they have a second life all their own that made them into reality when she saw Javier out of the corner of her eye. Things had settled, everyone was back home again in their old neighborhood and the fog was nothing but a distant memory. But there was the thought. She smiled, polite out of a fear maybe that she had imagined it all up and there was nothing but sadness and destruction in their wake. “You know, I thought you might stay in that big fancy mansion forever. It kind of looked good on you, if you had a nicer shirt,” she spoke, half calling out in the direction that she’d seen @jcvimoreno​ before realizing that he might not want to see her.

***

Returning to their normal life was strange; the fog had changed a lot of things around, and most importantly, he needed to get The Cage back up on its feet after not having activity for a while. That, and one particular conversation he had with Dani that still lingered there, and he wasn’t sure if everything that was said that day was only due to the momentarily situation or were actually real. Not that he had a chance to talk to her again after her visit, anyways, until now at least. He offered a small smile and a nod in return when he saw her, shaking his head slightly. “I was really getting used to the fancy life, but all good things must come to an end.” He enjoyed a glimpse of the good life he never had while growing up, nor he never would for that matter. “You brought me my one good shirt, so that was my cocktail outfit over there,” he said in a light joke, not getting in too deep on the mention of her visit. “How have you been? With the return home and all that.”

***

“Well I don’t need him to care, so he can take his care and shove it right up his – “He was getting worked up and it wouldn’t do either of them any good. Javier wasn’t the one who Chad had issues with. He had already gotten a chance to have it out with that person and that person had won. Jesus had won because Chad hadn’t been strong enough – something he would fix by working with Javier. The offer was tempting. He could come here, work on his fighting skills, get stronger. It could finally be a place where he let his anger seep out. That’s what people did in fighting rings, right? They let their anger fuel them and push them forward towards victory. He could do the same.

“I guess that depends on what you want. I’m sure I have a remarkable skill set that could be of value, but if you’re looking for a steady paycheck to keep this place going, I’m more than good for that as well.” Whatever fee Javier was looking for in order to get lessons, Chad could pay it. If it meant that he got to keep coming back and getting stronger, he would pay whatever fee Javier put in front of him. It was that simple.

“I want lessons. I want to get stronger. I want to be able to move as quickly and land punches as hard as I saw the other fighters do. Whatever I have to do to get there, I’ll do it.”

***

A small smirk graced his lips at Chad’s outburst, he couldn’t say he hadn’t felt that frustration towards his own cousin at one point. “You know, all that,” he waved his fingers pointing at the younger man, clearly referring to his temper, “could be really useful if you knew how to use it. I think we can work with that.”

Chad’s offer was interesting, and Javi paid special attention to it. After their accidental encounter where he got badly injured in a fight, he couldn’t deny he considered the other’s skills beneficial in the long-term, though the latino wouldn’t have straight asked him to be the Seven go to person when they got injured, but now he was offering...  “So, you’re saying you’ll be fine with doing some patching up work for us?” He questioned, wondering if he really was someone to trust. Chad still wasn’t aware of what they did off the record, even when he could have his theories. “It’s not just me and Jesus, nor taking care after a rough fight. Our crew could need someone with your abilities.”

-

Carrie couldn’t help the billow of laughter that parted from her lips when the male continued and echoed his assumptions about her family. Her head shook as she looked him over. “I was the apple of my family’s eye.” A lie and she didn’t care and truth. Her family or upbringing hadn’t made her the person she was today. She’d worked tooth and nail for everything she had. No one had held her hand when she shoved her late husband down those stairs. No one had reassured her when she stood over him and watched him take his last breath. Nor was she coached when she screamed into that phone to tell the police officers that her elderly husband had tripped over his feet down the stairs. It was all her. Not anyone else. “The reason I’m all on my own is because I don’t trust people like you working beneath me.” The brunette hissed as she moved closer. “Little want to be’s who go rogue and try to be big boy. Those little shits who bark up the wrong tree only to realize their mistake when it’s too late.” A grin escaped then, watching as he pulled her arm away from him. “Is that what you thought this was? That I’d seduce you? Darling, I wouldn’t even bend a pinky for you. Especially not get on my knees. I only do that for a real man who has power. Not one with the face only a mother could love.” 

***

"Oh, a bitchy spoiled brat, who would have guessed?" He rolled his eyes at her reaction, specially her words. It wasn't a surprise she would have turned out the way she did, and he actually didn't care about her sad life, she decided to be this way so it was her own problem. No matter what she said, it wouldn't change his perspective of her nor what he thought, in fact, the more she talked, the more she enraged him. Needless to say, Carrie wouldn't get anything from him even if she eventually got away with it and snatched a meeting with Wesley. “Oh, you think I’m barking at the wrong tree here? You’re definitely not Mother Teresa, and I don’t want to do anything with you, so yeah, I guess I’m being pretty rational here.”  Her words only cause a snort from him, as if whatever she said about him could hurt him. “Ouch, you think I’m ugly, I won’t be able to sleep tonight,” he replied sarcastically, offering a small smirk. “One thing we can actually agree on, I’d rather be run over by a truck than fucking you.”

***

It was funny to stand there and talk about the past, a moment that felt like all the rest until it wasn’t anymore as the fences grew higher and the security tighter that she and the other girls couldn’t slip into the pool unnoticed anymore. Or how it felt like his words could have been about anything good in her life, a moment that was long gone and she missed how good it was then. Now she couldn’t help but feel the way her lips twisted upwards, rueful and heavy with the memories of the good times that were easily overlooked when compared to the rest of them that were nothing but ways for her to destroy the good. "Yeah, it was good while it lasted,” she agreed, her eyes lost in another moment and time even when the conversation touched on easier subjects than the one standing there with the two of them.

         "The last thing he wants to do is stay tangled up in the same old messes like the rest of us and maybe, he’ll be the one that manages to get out of them for good too.“ Danielle didn’t see herself as clearing any of them off her plate, not enough where she could breathe freely and believe that happiness was easy to obtain then. It wasn’t the choices or the fights, the thefts or the lies that kept her down but the way her mind twisted and warped everything to become a struggle that exhausted her to the point of ruination; if left alone for too long. So the small handouts became too hard to bear and the favors stacked up higher than she could see over them as she felt liked she owed people to at least keep trying – but for what? "Maybe, though I have a feeling that he’s had the same thought as you one too many times, wondering if I’m worth the trouble that I bring around with me,” she admitted with a slight shrug as she breathed out and glanced back at him.

That hint of a smile was enough to tighten the knot in her stomach, the one that told her to walk away and leave him alone because he didn’t deserve her kind of trouble anymore when it had been a flimsy excuse at best to be there at all. And she felt her nerves shake even more as he spoke afterwards, cutting through her when he didn’t even look away from her once. It reminded her of moments long ago, seeing him gaze at her and never wanted him to stop but that wasn’t fair to think or want anymore. “The only person alive that could have had more patience than you, with me, would have to be a saint,” she countered his words softly, meaning them with her whole heart as she pressed her lips together so that they didn’t shake either. “And you don’t see me hanging around a church these days. We’ve both got our issues but you, you tried and I… I wish I had seen that sooner, you know?” Maybe things would have been different if she had. 

          “I think I have definitely overstayed my welcome so I’m gonna leave now before I say anything..,” like how she didn’t want to leave yet, even as she took a half step back towards the door. “Just um, be safe. You never know just who is roaming the streets,” she told him with a crooked smirk that fell after a beat.

***

It was good while it lasted. Those words didn't resonate the same when he had said them, now leaving her lips it all came crashing as if it could have a different meaning. As if subconsciously, they didn't refer to Dani's adventures breaking into people's backyards to use their pools, but more like they could invoke events way back in the past. A time where the two of them shared something that they later lost in the way. And the mess they made was what led them to where they were standing now, or at least where Javi was standing: not wanting to get close to avoid falling into old patterns and repeat their destructive behavior of push and pull, but also not being able to stay completely away from her when he knew he should. He tried to shake that thought off of his head, as he focused his attention back at what she was saying. Yes, Luke. They were talking about him. "It's good for him, getting out without complications. He's smarter than us, that's for sure." And for a moment, even if he wanted out, he realized he probably wouldn't be fit to work regular jobs, and the fighting right as his sole income? It wasn't that profitable, unless they made some changes.

Denying those thoughts hadn't crossed his mind would be a lie, yet, even knowing the kind of trouble she brought, somehow Javi always found a way back into her life, whether it was just casualty, or because any of them looked for it, they moved on similar circles, it was inevitable not to cross paths. Maybe she was worth the trouble after all. "I'm not on his head, but if he really thought like that, I'm pretty sure he woulda kicked you to the curb already." He wasn't willing to feed her self loathe, though he didn't think telling his truth would make any good. It would just complicate things more. Even when they had been honest, there were things that were better left in secret, and he was sticking to that premise... The only problem was Danielle opening up, saying things he didn't imagine she would say, and that brought a whirlwind of feelings, mostly confusion.

Was it possible she meant she regretted it now because she didn't think she had a chance? Or was it because it was too late and she had already moved on? There were so many questions, and Javi could feel his heart skipping a beat, standing there speechless and looking at her puzzled for several seconds. Her mentioning she was leaving brought him back to reality, clearing his throat and he shook his head. "No... I mean, Grams wouldn't mind if you stayed." And him, he wanted her to stay but he just couldn't say that. At least he wanted his chance to say something before she did leave. "I'm far from being a saint, y'know? I just did what I did because I cared."  And I still do. A beat. "That —that thing you said, you think it'd have changed anything?"

———

“Trust me, this town was cursed long before you guys got here,” she said sardonically, tossing him a look. After all, it’s what’d brought her here in the first place, the mysterious death of her own sister in the town’s borders. The rest of this chaos? Maybe the town itself was just… cursed. “I’m so sorry about your club, though,” Ida murmured, dejected at the very idea that his livelihood was suffering. “That has to be…I can’t even imagine.” She was lucky, all things considered, and she knew as much. “I actually haven’t been affected, yet,” she said with a wary glance upward. “I rent a house up in Neverland with my roommate, so we’re safe for now.”

"It's somewhat relieving, but maybe we just added up to all the shit it already had," he joked, shooting a small smile at the woman. Javi couldn't say he wouldn't have come here if he had known about the mystery surrounding the city, giving that his main motive was to join Wesley's team, but the town had some pretty fucked up things going and Underland wasn't that different from the hood he grew up in. If it wasn't for the brotherhood linking him with the Churchs and other people he had met here, he would have probably left. "It is what it is. We just need to wait for the fog to leave and see what we'll do. Thanks for the sentiment though." He didn't know much about Ida, other than she was the manager of probably his favorite bar in town, where one of his friends worked, so it's needless to say he was glad nothing happened to the business nor her. "The perks of living in a nice neighborhood, huh? It's great you're all safe. You think it’ll spread all over the city?"

In the entire time Paul had spent in Grimmbrook, he’d been within the vicinity of Carrie Pope maybe a handful of times. He’d never spoken to the woman directly, had only heard stories about her second. Was he afraid of her? No. Should he have been afraid of her? Possibly. It depended on what side of the story he chose to believe. But now that Javi was regaling him with this story and a warning, to boot, Paul was starting to think he’d need to exercise caution. “She’s got a guy to put in a ring? What is he, her sugar baby?” Each detail seemed stranger and stranger. Paul rubbed a hand across his jaw absently, and then shoved both hands in his pockets. “You? A puppy?” He tilted his head and squinted. “I mean, I kind of see it,” he joked, but then shook his head after. “Maybe it’s a good thing she thinks you’re a puppy. It means she underestimates you.” A long pause hung in the air and Paul scuffed his toe of his shoe against the floor. “What kind of threat are we talking, here? You think there’s any real weight behind it?” He didn’t relish the idea of going head to head with a notable town figure, but if Javi was in trouble .. he’d step up to the plate.

***

"That's exactly what I thought, no matter how hot she is, no one's that stupid to blindly follow her demands if there's not a good sum of money involved." He could think it was merely coincidental that she particularly picked this guy, being someone Jesus had been trying to recruit for a while, but on this town and how rules went by in his world, he could only think this was all planned out. Even when Kai looked as if he was her bodyguard. "Shut up," he chuckled lightly, giving the older man a playful nudge. When he mentioned Paul the nickname Carrie gave him, he should have known teasing would be involved, he got it coming after bringing up Paul's 'kid' way too many times. Now his friend's perspective about it opened his eyes; he hadn't considered that angle, and to be honest, it totally worked on his favor, making things more interesting. “Paul, my friend, I like how you think ─y’know, makes me feel less shitty about being looked down on.” Not that he cared what people think but he had his share of pride too and no one liked being treated like shit. "I don't know if she's all bark and no bite, but I sure as hell won't stay arm crossed waiting for her to strike. I got Simon on my side if it goes down to a showdown of who's crazier." He wouldn't run straight into her trap either, but he was ready if she came after him. "She just said she'd kill me if I touched her again ─thing is, if I do, I don't think I'll be only grabbing her arm."

liam was tempted to add ‘or under her’ but hey, even his crassness had limits - though it drew a smile at the thought.

“well, if i’m going down then - i’m going down swinging.”

a nod - but a slightly more sober and sincere comment to follow -

“thanks, man.  i appreciate the confidence.”

and while he hadn’t given javier much reason to doubt his ability, there were still a few occasions when he hadn’t come out the victor.  and paid with it in more ways than a simple loss of winnings.  broken bones, bruised and blooded - but they were par for the course.  if you were prepared to take the risk, then you had to be prepared for the consequences too.  and in this case, he’d rather those consequences didn’t ricochet back on javier.  because while he has no idea about the deal made with carrie - he can’t imagine a loss will go easy on either of them.

“nah - it’s all good.  i’ll be there and we’ll just have to see if her big-guy has more than just size on his side.”

there’s a brief moment when the glass in front of him is tipped - letting the rest of his drink slip easily down his throat.  finger tapping the counter as it’s returned to it’s former resting place.

“should make that the last of those for a bit though - so i guess i’ll see you at the fight…”

a nod and he’s slipping off the stool.  no point making his body pay for overindulgence before a bout.

“…and – in the meantime – watch your back man,”

"See? That's why we get along, brother. Go big or go home, right?"

Not only did he find in Liam a great fighter, one of the best on the ring if he was being specific, but they also had the same mindset on this area. It applied to a fight or any other situation, if you were between rock and a hard place, you had to give your all and do whatever it takes to make things lean in your favor.

"For everyone's sake we can just hope he falls on that stereotype of big muscles, small brain."

Everyone fighting on The Cage was used to violent no rules matches, but all things considered and what was in stake here, he could only think of an easy fight for Liam where he wouldn't get severely injured, or more than a regular fight encompassed.

Javi offered the other an understanding nod. He admired the blond's self control and responsibility knowing he needed to be sharp for the fight; he wasn't sure if he would be doing the same or just getting completely wasted, as he was planning that night.

"Yeah, sure. Won't keep you here longer, so go rest if you need to. Thanks, man. For everything."

He tossed Liam a small smile, bringing the glass back to his lips.

Fuck them. He wasn’t upset. He just…didn’t feel like sticking around and dealing with shit that he didn’t want to deal with. Simple as that. So, still pissed at the fight, pissed at everything really, Chad huffed and stomped away. Blood was on his lip from the cut he had endured and he knew there were at least a dozen places on his body that would have nasty bruises come morning, but none of that really mattered. Nothing on his body would be greater than the pain in his head or the pain in his chest. Spotting Javier, he groaned softly. It wasn’t his fault that Jesus was there, nor was it his fault that Chad hadn’t known how to really resolve his feelings. At least it felt good to throw a few punches the guy’s way, as wrong as that was.

“You know, when you mentioned this place, there are some things I wasn’t exacting to happen. First, I wasn’t expecting to see him here. Second, I wasn’t expecting to fight him and third, I wasn’t expecting to be even more annoyed afterwards than I was when I first got here. Pretty sure that’s not the cathartic release I was promised here, man.” @jcvimoreno​

***

When Chad stepped into the Cage, he was planning to go greet him, show him around maybe, but as soon as he sensed the tension between the guy and his cousin, Javi made the smart decision to stay away. Whatever those two had going, the ring could solve it, even when that wasn’t the way he operated with new clients comings. He didn’t look as someone who knew how to fight, Javier could even bet he probably couldn’t throw a hook, but he was curious of what could come out of it. 

“Mmhmm, those are a lot of complaints,” he mentioned, amusement could be noticed on his tone as he searched for a towel behind the counter, handing it over to the other. “I didn’t know you knew my cousin, and that you two had a beef. I’d have mentioned we worked together if I had.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest while considering the last bit of Chad’s rant. “If you could connect a few more punches rather than hitting air, then maybe, just maybe you’ll find that inner peace fighting offers.” Oh yeah, he was definitely mocking him. “If you thought I’d let you get up there against any of the other fighters, you’re crazy. I tell you what, I can offer you some lessons, we spar together and I teach you some moves.”

“Do nights at your club have a happy ending like in the movies too?” Edith had an inkling of what was coming but she asked nonetheless. Naturally she had many questions in addition to the one asked, especially regarding Elias Church but those would have to wait. Until she figured out if she even wanted to know. Or if she could trust Javier Moreno. A smirk appeared on her lips at what he said next. “You forget I don’t work on commission Moreno, so the idea of new patients doesn’t make me happy.” An eyebrow rose at his question before a laugh escaped her. “Not exactly dressed for a date but our next stop could be a flower shop, if you insist.” She gave him a look before turning on her heel. “Let’s go grab a drink, we could play ten questions or whatever kids do on dates nowadays.” Edith jested.

*** "Depends on your definition of happy ending." Something told him she was probably referring to the kind of ending romcoms or chick flicks had, the happily ever after that for him was just too good to be true and somewhat pathetic. Either ways, he'd give her an answer to consider, even if it wasn't the one she was looking for. "What I do know is that the guy winning, and everyone who bet on him would definitely have one," he added with a sly smirk, shrugging lightly. "Isn't it all about helping people, Doctor Kennedy? Passion for the job and all that, surprises me you're thinking about money here." Her response brought a laugh and a shake of his head. Javi meant his question as a joke, teasing Edith for throwing that comment so casually."I'm too old to follow what's trendy, but pretty sure that's ancient --like, from my teen years probably," he quipped back. “I know a place. A sorta obscure bar if you’re into that kind of places.”

***

“You wouldn’t be out here long, looking like that if you would just listen to me and allow me to take you to the hospital!” Though Chad knew that fight was in vain. There was no way Javi was going to suddenly give in and allow Chad to get him proper help. So, he would have to make due with what he had and consider that as good as it was getting. Luckily, as he looked at the wound, his initial assessment was that it didn’t seem like an open stab so much as a cut. Plus, unless he was misjudging how much was blood and how much was the actual injury itself, it might not have even needed stiches. Though he would have to clean it up to really make that determination.

“Yes, it does matter, actually, but obviously you’re not going to tell me because you would rather be the annoying stubborn type that doesn’t need help from anyone. Which, not cool dude. And that’s coming from me, so you know it’s bad.” He could acknowledge that he was a bit impossible to help, never really accepting it. But fuck, even Chad would have accepted help after a knife was involved. “I’m going to need to clean up your wound and get a better look at it. Let’s just hope I don’t have to stich you up, because I’m not exactly known for my handy needle work.”

***

“Sure, ‘cause doctors wouldn’t be asking me the same stupid fucking questions you’re doing right now. Open your goddamn eyes, Chad!” They would try to help him, clean and stitch him up like good professionals they were, but who said they wouldn’t be calling the police as he lay there because he looked sketchy? He had been involved in a fight that was dissolved by the sirens, but clearly he left some DNA behind on the scene. “I don’t know what else you want me to tell you, the color of the guy’s eyes? He had a knife, tried to stab me but I was faster. End of story.” The younger man was becoming more infuriating by the seconds with the questions and his intensity, he needed to lower that shit down before Javi snap. “I really hope you don’t ‘cause I’ll end up sticking you with the needles.” He wasn’t handling this in the correct way, he should be thankful Chad was willing to help his stubborn ass when he could barely walk, but he was way too angry about how things ended to think clearly. “Where’s your stuff, doc? You gonna patch me up telepathically?”

           "You an’ most of the neighborhood if they got themselves a free peep show, but there was still some murmur of complaints that we haven’t been back since,“ she admitted with a small shrug, even as her arms slowly wrapped themselves around her waist to keep standing up straight despite wanting to disappear completely. It wasn’t his fault she felt that way, but it was far easier to push the blame or fight against anyone else’s beliefs in her when she knew at the core of her that she was nothing but rotten. It started when she was a kid, festering over the years to where she only poisoned everything that she touched; including the way they felt about each other. That was on her. So was her current predicament, despite the money that kept everything afloat – there was always a cost, because nothing came free. And nothing stayed forever. "He found a way out ‘cause he’s better than the rest of us, stronger too.” Her eyes were still on him, faded slightly as the weight of her decisions to accept Simon’s help two years prior was still something that she couldn’t walk away from. “Simon a main reason that I didn’t end up back in jail the moment I got released,” she admitted, a half truth when the full truth was that she hadn’t wanted to do anything without her brothers and if it weren’t for Lily then she wouldn’t have. But her secret was kept, lips shut tight, and she held onto that along with everything else that felt too sharp and rotten to share with anyone else. They wouldn’t look at her the same, when it seemed that he could barely stand to look at her at all. “Maybe, maybe not,” she murmured under her breath as she swallowed thickly and pressed on until she could find a way out. “Though knowing my luck, I’d throw it out and some one would find it and give it back, thinking that it was a mistake.” And at the time, Danielle would have agreed. “Plus, I’ve only ever been the problem. Not the other way around.” She shot him a tight lipped smile that might have been shaky at best, but it was an attempt made which should have counted for something except she didn’t know what. “I should go, 'cause I don’t want to keep you from them any longer,” she hesitated before she nodded, as if trying to decide the right thing to say before she pressed her lips back together again.

***

He would keep his thoughts to himself this time, there was no need to expose himself about the mental image of her in work attire inside a pool. "At least it was good for you while it lasted, right?" Said simply, not wanting to complicate things even more. Specially now that for the first time in months, they were having a decent and peaceful conversation; no quips, no shouting, just talking and surprisingly being honest, which was a rare occurrence in both of them. At least for Javi, it was hard to open up and tell someone how he really felt, even more with how confusing things with Dani were. No crying, no showing vulnerability, those were Wesley lessons he took to heart as a kid, and being overly emotional made him vulnerable, he wouldn't embarrass himself when she seemed to not want him on her life. Although, her sudden appearance at Alex's house made him think otherwise. That's why talking about anything else, like Luke and his new job were a good excuse. "I'm glad he did, not everyone can find a way out of this life." And he was talking about himself, though him wanting to get out wasn't something he had told someone, not even Jesus. It was a desire that lay whithin him, which probably would never fulfill. This was his life, he didn't know anything other than this, so advising Danielle to find another job sounded like hypocrisy at its finest (just like talking to Jesus and Tyler about their relationship). Javi understood why she would think she owed Simon for that, he'd just prefer her doing something else, something that wouldn't involved disgusting men touching her. "Oh, did he? He can be an ass sometimes, but he's a good guy, and knows what he's doing. If he kept you around is for a reason." He shrugged lightly, trying to not give too much thought into it. "Karma coming back to bite your ass, doesn't sound far-fetched," the man joked, letting the corners of his lips curled into a lopsided smile. One that faltered as she spoke again. "No, that's not true... we both played our part. I should have been more patient, more understanding of what you were going through and not lash it all out on you. I got my issues." You deserve someone better, he added to himself, swallowing hard as he never shifted his gaze from her. "Right, yeah... I'm sure they're not missing me, but you probably have things to do so..." He said with slight hesitation, clicking his tongue at the roof of his mouth. "Thanks again, for bringing my shirt."

He nodded his head, never one to be modest. He had managed to get a good deal, especially considering everything that was going on in town. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.” He wasn’t going to let anything stop him from doing business. He would certainly be very bored if he didn’t have work to go to. “Will do, Javi. I’ll try to set it up within the next week or two.” The quicker the better, but that was hard to do these days. There seemed to be more and more cops out patrolling the streets. Joseph raised his eyebrows at that proposition. “That sounds good. I don’t have much to do now.” Well, nothing that was pressing anyway. He grabbed his wallet from his desk and stuffed it in his pocket as he and Javier headed out. 

***

"Always, man. All my votes for my favorite mechanic," he jested. Joseph was his only one, if he went for technicality, here in Grimmbrook at least. And of course, he was really glad about that, because not many would be willing to work for outlaws, even when they didn't directly participated on their illicit acts. Trust should go both ways, like in a real relationship. "Thanks, dude. Who knows? Maybe this guy is interested in other stuff, or knows someone. This could be the start of a new business venture, selling things in here s'getting harder now." Having contacts outside of town was always beneficial, and it was less risky for them if they could sell quickly whatever they stole. Once they arrived to the bar, he ordered his regular beer, taking a sip as he turned to the other. "I know we don't get to talk much aside from work stuff, but how's life?"