there's a place for you

“What’s airplane mode?” Cal’s brow furrowed as he looked back up at Sia. Maybe he shouldn’t have opted for the smartphone. Flip phones were just so much easier. With a final sigh, he shoved the phone into his pocket. “Alcohol it is then. What’s better than a mid-afternoon pick me up, am I right?”

Sia stepped in closer to Cal after looking to him to check his comfort. Gently she tapped the screen of his device. “On, off...see -- My niece taught me. Don’t ask me to get into it much deeper than that.” She chuckled. Technology wasn’t her area of comfort either, the professional in her simply tolerated it. 

“Right!” It wasn’t her usual habit to day drink but she knew they were both stressed out of their minds knowing what was on their heads -- fear only one thing running rampant in the winter air of Stonecoast. 

“Ugh, what good are these things if they don’t at least have a take back button?” he groaned, pulling the phone close to his face. He squinted, trying to see if there were any small buttons or fine print anywhere in his settings that could undo the text he’d just sent. “Depends on the type of drink. Alcoholic, yes. Caffeinated? Maybe. Drug-free? No thanks.” 

“If you put it in a airplane mode, sometimes that works,” her brows were lightly furrowed. “But it’s too late for that. -- What did ya do?” She watched him, able to feel the concern in his energy. 

alexia mattox | task 2 | color quiz

you are violet #EE82EE

F: Zia. However and whenever she wants. She has my number.

M: Levi. Seeing him looking wedding-day-sharp is the only reason I have and the only reason I need, at this point. Right? – Doubt I would ever actually get married again, though. 

K: Tyler, since I haven’t met him yet. Is he cute? Good with his hands?

“He was so attractive though, you know what my taste in men was like back then. In fact, I’m almost positive that it’s gotten worse the older I’ve gotten. Which is very different than my taste in women.” Zia grinned, her travels with Alexia had been some of her favorites. “I did stop having sex in gross bar bathrooms though, so there’s that. I believe I traded up for having sex on the bar.” When she’d had her vampire abilities Zia got away with whatever terrible behavior suited her at the time.

“Since everything– I’ve found myself wishing that we could return to those days, which is a very new feeling for me. I’ve never once wished to return to the past, and I’m not sure if I want to go back because I want to be a vampire again or if I want to go back because I don’t want to be angry at you anymore.” She couldn’t help but laugh, the human emotions seemed to be seeping into her system like a disease.

“He was but — worse how?” Sia asked, really wanting clarity on what she meant, really wanting know any little detail.  In her own mind, the blonde really had no opinion on anyone else’s taste beyond that everyone should take one.  “Well, women…are just different.” She needed more shots before she got preachy, so she left it there.

“Zia…” Sia breathed her name at her honesty in such an emotional matter, at first. She had been ready to sit there for a few more hours and pry it out of her if that was what seemed necessary. “See, Zee.. You love me,” the blonde bumped her and then turned her shoulder away cutely to break any minimal tension left in the situation. If anything, they had to be one another’s reprieve in a town where the wind could change at any given moment.  “Can I get us some more drinks?”

Inauthenticity. A partner spitting in my mouth or face – anywhere else is cool, though. Animals (pets) in the room when dirty stuff is going down. N O P E. 

It was true, if she had to choose between burning in the sunlight or having the worlds worst sex well, sign her up for the roast. “Do you remember that time we ended up in London at that punk bar, I still firmly stand by the fact that that was the worst sex I’ve ever had in my entire existence.” The corners of her lips lifted in probably what was the most genuine expression she’d used since her sentencing.

“And like I said, I’m not interested at the moment. Maybe some other time when I’m not melting on the inside from my own anger.” She brushed her hair back off of her shoulder with a smile, it was almost painful to continuously turn down the advances from her former lover but if Zia knew how to do anything, it was sticking to her guns.

“No,” Sia corrected in the kind and open tone she had so mastered, specializing in group therapy for a living. “ -- I’m not here for any of that.” Even if it would have been nice. And yes, she always liked Ferzia’s attentions. 

“I’m here to apologize, well,” she sighed heavily. That was definitely the wrong word.  “Not apologize. But I just.. you know, care. And hate that this had to happen. That this was the route we had to go.” Just because it wasn’t forever didn’t stop her from feeling a tinge of guilt - if only out of dedication and loyalty - here or there. 

“And yes, of course I remember London. -- And that’s when I told you to stop doing it in nasty-ass bar bathrooms. That guy smoked so much he probably didn’t have the lung capacity to handle you.” Sia smiled at Zia.

“I could wait on your hair. It’s definitely time well spent. A very solid ten out of ten. Well done to you.”

Levi gave her and her hair a small golf clap. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would look like wrapped around his fist. The thought caused an impish smirk to form across his face.

“You’re right; Sia’s Stone Coast Rainy Parade does have a certain ring to it. Is that what you prefer to be called? Sia?”

It didn’t take long for the bartender to pour their drinks out in front of them. Two whiskey sours; as requested. It was more for him; less to have a reason to chat. To help ease those nerves. Levi gave him an appreciative nod and smile as he took both in hand, sliding one in front of Alexia while removing his from the counter altogether. He always preferred to hold drinks in hand. Kept him from fidgeting – which he was prone to do.

“Drink up. Or we could cut the drinks short.”

Just an idea.

Sia laughed, all too pleased with the compliment and Levi’s antics. “I know, right?” Her free hand reached  back to fluff her locks in turn, playing along. She wasn’t too shy to say it to him. She knew she looked good. “So then just don’t judge me by how fast I can finish this? And then we’ll really be off to a good start, I think.” The therapist in her was checking in with him in her subtle way, hopeful her new partner would give her a sign.

“Sia, yeah. Did I not say that?” she was honestly surprised to just be bringing it up now. She had been Sia first for as long as she could remember, to everyone from family and friends to fellow council members. 

His nerves were far from obvious. He was smooth as hell; and Sia hadn’t known someone like him in a long time. That, she could feel. In time she would learn Levi’s physical cues if he gave her the time of day after Friday. 

For now, it didn’t matter. The shifter was insistent on living in the present.