poetic justice

Aydin didn’t want her to have his back, if anything happens and he relapses he’ll just lock himself all over again, the last thing he wanted was to cause Nikki to relapse too but he didn’t say anything, he just nodded as if he agreed to her idea. “What? You think I’m doing it for a treat?” He cocked his head and then chuckled. “You caught me.” He was obviously joking, he truly cared for Nikki’s wellbeing. “Wait, wait, I’m not allowed to leave? Well, it better be some mighty good food,” He smiled, knowing very well that if Nikki wanted him to stay, he would. “You got all you needed?” He looked at the their or rather, her shopping cart.

“Well, yeah. It’s not because we’re friends or anything. It’s strictly for the treat.” She teased, giving him a wink and giggling after. “It’s gonna be delicious. Plus tell me right now when’s the last time you ate something not microwaved. Bonus points if you can tell me the last time you had a full meal period.” Nikki grilled him, eyebrow raised in a playful challenge even though she was completely serious. She worried about him not taking care of himself. “Umm...” She looked at the cart, running through the ingredients she needed in her head. “Yeah, I think that’s it. Tempted to grab a bottle of wine, but we’ll stick with soda.”

“I used to be a cop, Nikki, I lied for a living.” Catalina grinned and now that she’s a private investigator with fighting on the side, she just lies and breaks the law a little bit sometimes, but she won’t tell anyone. “But you know the difference between you and me? I never lied to the people I slept with or cared about, so don’t  forgive me if I don’t believe when you say you ever loved Sam.” Catalina was blinded by her friendship to Sam, when in reality she was with them, hung out with them when they were together, there was some love but everything exploded one day and Catalina will always pick her best friend. Catalina listened to Nikki’s story, she wasn’t expecting that, she honestly expected a favour or something to do with Sam or Raf  but here Nikki was, talking about her parents. “Yeah, don’t worry, I might even change my prices to be a little higher just for you.” She smiled and took out her notepad. “Alright, tell me about them. Names, when’s the last time you saw them, a picture if you have any, their travel history if you have it.”

“Yep. It makes total sense why you and Samantha are best friends.” There was no use in her arguing with Catalina. She believed she knew the truth because Samantha believed she knew everything. Until the time that the actual truth came out, Nikki would continue to be the one in the wrong. It was frustrating, but also not the most pressing matter in her life. “Oh the ‘i dont like you’ upcharge? Sounds about right.” She opened the purse that was in her lap and pulled out a small folder. "I really don’t have much on them. A couple pictures from when I was younger, their names, and some stories my Grams would tell me. My mother’s name is Katherine Stevens and my father’s name is Frank Jackson. No, I don't know why I don't have his last name.” She placed the folder on the table and slid it over to the other woman. “They were always in and out. I think the last memory I have of seeing them was my 4th or 5th birthday. Grams always said they just weren’t equipped to be parents. She’d didn’t have the highest regard for them. The last known location I have for them is Vegas.”

“Oh don’t think I haven’t considered it.” Catalina put her phone in her pocket. “Imagine my surprise when you called me, you must have been desperate to call your ex’s best friend.” Was she going to drag Nikki down with everything in her? Oh hell yes, did she care if it might hurt Nikki’s feelings? Oh hell no. “You do know that she knows I’m here, right? I mean, unlike you I don’t keep secrets from the people I care about, then again whatever you ever cared about Sam is still a mystery.” She wouldn’t keep something like that away from Sam and she had her friend’s back until the very end. “But I’m super intrigued by what you have to say and what you need for me so god, I hope it’s fucking good.” 

“Of course she does. I’d expect nothing less.” Nikki knew it would be an uphill battle but she didn’t have a lot of options. It was clear Catalina wanted to hurt her and she had to remind herself she needed something from the other woman. So she bit her tongue and swallowed the harsh remark she was ready to let loose. “So you’ve never lied to protect someone you’ve cared about? Ever?” She asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “I loved her wholeheartedly our entire relationship. I’m not perfect but I fucking loved her. Now that is the truth.” Hitting sore spots right out of the gate...perhaps she shouldn’t have called her but they’re in it now. Might as well see it through. “I want, no I need to find my parents. I don’t know where they are or even really who they are. I have names and like a couple old photos but that’s it. I’m not asking for a favor or anything. I’m fully prepared to pay your usual retainer for these services.”

“Yes but I didn’t do it in the most healthy way, did I? And did you forget what I deal with everyday? Drug deals, I think it’s only a matter of time before I relapse and I’m not looking forward to that day.” It was a reality that was always in the back of his mind, yes the Wolves saved him from death but the drugs are still there, every day to tease him and so far he’s not taking the bait. “If anything happens to you-” Aydin started saying but stopped when she wrapped her arms around him and he kissed her cheek. “If you get hurt, I’m gonna hurt someone else, you get that?” 

“That’s always a possibility yeah, but if you do I’ll have your back and we’ll start the process over again.” It’s the unfortunate truth of being addicts. Almost no one gets off drugs and never relapses. Relapses come with the territory, but as long as you pull yourself back together after you can keep going. “Yes, yes I get that. But it won’t be necessary, you’ll see.” She nodded, before linking her arm with his. “You’re definitely getting your treat now. I’m gonna make some yummy food and we’re gonna chill at my place. And you can’t leave unless it’s an emergency. I know you haven’t been resting so I’m taking matters into my own hands.”

azra knew that nikki was the perfect person to vent to. it was something the both of them had started doing since they had met working together. she was making a face and shaking her head,” see i could buy that if it wasn’t because of the fact that he literally approached it as my ex boyfriend and not a member of the wolves, acting like i betrayed him by going home with someone!” she was laughing a little as she shook her head,” i’m avoiding relationships at all costs, just fun and if he doesn’t get over it then he’s in a for surprise.” she was laughed as she decided she was done and went to hold her hands out to nikki to have her take the gloves off,” pretty sure i’m going to end up going to see him again,” she said with a grin,” fucking amazing if i’m being honest.” 

She winced hearing how Dom approached the situation with Azra. “Oh no. Not the jealous ex boyfriend shtick! He should have known that wasn’t going to go over well.” Nikki shook her head in disappointment. “Just fun huh? Well we certainly need to have a night out on the town. Be wing women for each other. But I must admit I would love front row seats to the two of you going back and forth. I’d be the only one entertained but you could think of it as an early birthday present.” She joked, laughing as she helped Azra get the boxing gloves off her hands. “Ooh that good huh? You definitely better go back for more. We only got one life to live. Gotta get all the amazing sex you can.”

SEND ‘❤️’ FOR MY MUSE TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT YOURS.

“Yes, she’s gorgeous and all that but I think people underestimate just how hilarious Samantha is. She’s incredibly funny and has the most wonderful laugh.”

SEND ‘🖤’ FOR MY MUSE TO SAY SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT YOURS.

dahlia almost wondered if she shouldn’t have asked for a real drink. only because she knew that nikki was staying sober. a laugh came from her and she was shrugging,” that’s probably true.” she knew a lot of people thought that she was chained to the place. a lot of people didn’t realize that she liked her job. though she knew that nikki’s job was a whole lot different. especially since it meant a lot of hard work and very interesting outfits. she was nodding as she glanced around again,” they did probably numb you and you did probably help yourself being a dancer.” she knew that you had to have a certain skill set to be on the stage. she was laughing a little as she watched the woman twirl around,” oh i bet!” she was going to take the drink when it was slid across and took a sip,” a mental game? like dealing with the customers? and it’s good that you love it.” 

“Yeah, dealing with some customers can be difficult. I mean you get jerks at La Luna all the time so I’m sure you already know.” Drunk men were drunk men no matter where you were. They were quick to act like assholes. “But that’s also why we have security. They take care of things rather quickly here. They’ve helped me out plenty of times.” Nikki made sure she was always good to security. Her mouth would run off before she could stop herself, but the security always kept things from getting physical. “It also can affect your self esteem if you’re not as popular as the other girls. You gotta have thick skin around here.” She added, before taking a sip of her drink as she watched one of the other girls perform her dance. “Now where are your ones ma’am? It is bad strip club etiquette to be entertained but not tipping.” She teased with a smile.

“I understand that but what if she isn’t wrong? And let’s be honest she was kind of right about me, the two of us were a mess together before we got sober.” Aydin pointed out, now that he was sober and understand how much he cares about Nikki, if he could go back in time, he would tell her to run as far away from him as possible. “Nikki, I-…” He didn’t know what to say to her, does he support her in her quest to find her parents or does he fight her about this? He cared about her far to much to fight, he knew that much. “Listen, if that’s what you want, I’ll support you but I still think this is a bad idea and I’m worried that you’ll get hurt in the process.”

Nikki knew he had a point. She didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. They were a mess, but she’d never regret that time with him. It still meant a lot to her. “Okay, fine. But you found the strength to make that change first and I think that says something.” She just watched him, waiting for him to decide what he really thought about it.  The biggest smile spread on her face at him admitting he’d support her through it. That’s all she wanted. “Your displeasure and concern about my decision has been noted and taken into account.” She couldn’t contain herself and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in for a big hug. “Thank you Aydin.” She whispered near his ear, giving him an extra squeeze.

Send “📂“ for a random yet completely useless headcanon I have

Nikki Stevens

Bian Flynn

Aydin was taken aback by her words, he never really went to a meeting, he had to do everything with a bang and that meant doing everything himself without anyone’s help. He was more shocked about her wanting to meet her parents than anything else. “Why? I mean, what if your Grams is right, what if they are terrible?” He didn’t want to see her get hurt by expecting something and than be disappointed. “Nikki, I really don’t think this a good idea, what will you gain from this?”

His words were all things she was worried about deep inside, but it still stung to hear them aloud. It was when someone tried to get past her to reach an item on the shelf that she realize she probably should have told him this in a more private place, but she couldn’t contain herself anymore. Nikki just grabbed his arm and pulled him with her to a corner of the store. “Okay, she could be right but she could also be wrong. She thought a lot of things were terrible. She thought you were terrible at one point in time and look at you now.” Grams had never been a fan of the friendships she’d developed with Aydin or even Dominic. She only ever saw the trouble side, but she never understand how loyal and caring they could be. Maybe she was wrong again. “What will I gain? I’m hoping for some better understanding. Love would be nice. Maybe they need help. I could help them. And even if I can’t at least I’ll know. I’ll know it was the drugs and not...not me that kept them away.”

“thanks,” said dahlia with a small laugh, allowing her friend to pull her towards the bar. she shrugged as she glanced down at herself,” i’m not overly attached to this shirt.” she couldn’t help but take another look around,” jack and coke.” it was simple and it was just enough to get her slightly buzzed. she still liked to keep her wits about her, especially in an unfamiliar place,” something to consider,” she admitted,” but i do love la luna.” plus it was quieter and the drunk assholes usually kept their hands to themselves. she was biting down on her lip and shaking her head in disbelief,” how long did it take for you to get comfortable with it?” she motioned towards one of the dancers,” though bending in that way could be something that comes in handy.” 

She ordered the drink for Dahlia and a club soda for herself. Ah, the joys of sober living. “To  be honest, that place might fall apart with you so it’s probably best you stay there.” It was probably tainted with bias, but she thought her friend was the bartender there. “Eh...”, she rocked her hand back and forth, “I can’t give you an exact timeline. Lots of drugs and alcohol back then. Now that I think about it that probably numbed me to just how hard it was. I think being a dancer growing up also helped immensely. Gave me a strong core.” Nikki looked watched her coworker perform and nodded. “The bending certainly makes doing other things more fun.” She winked at Dahlia before returning to the original point. “There’s a mental game too that you gotta deal with. It really toughens you up. I’ve come to love it here.”