warmth.

     A contrived image is what Flynn had predicted would be projected  if choosing to adopt the badass biker lifestyle. His gangly limbs were barely graceful climbing on  and off his bicycle, let alone on a motorcycle that would surely result in an early death. “I’m afraid there was already an attempt at it. Freshman year, back to school ready to knock the ladies dead, only to find out soul patches are the best my body is capable of growing.”  he found himself admitting, wincing at the memory.  a hot look if you’re in a rising boyband circa 1999, a not so hot look if you’re a socially inept teenager desperately trying to impress.. well, anyone who will notice. The young man was used to his solitude. Often by choice, other times by default for  failing to keep up communication. Tonight was no different, but he enjoyed the company for once,  as it had always eased him. “Nice to meet you, Luna. I’m Flynn.” Sheepishly, he smiled his crooked smile at her introduction, accept the handshake before awkwardly adding himself,  “Yes, like the lead character in that Disney movie Tangled, which I get often.” 

      They all had their momentary phases, she was sure of it. Hearing about his soul patch only brought her back to her high school days. Strange to think that someone like Luna, a presence like a summer’s day and honey, spent her youth tied up in dark red doc martens boots, beanie pulled down over her blonde locks, all the while music from The Cranberries played in the background. Ah, yes, she was that girl. They called her Loner Luna at the time, which was never a nickname she took any offense to. It’s not like they’re wrong. “I bet you still knocked those ladies dead with a soul patch,” she snickered. Whenever he introduces himself, she found herself smiling all too wide. She suppose she could have lied and stated she had never seen the animated flick, due to the lack of children in her life, but she was never too good at lying, anyways. “Flynn,” she echoed, “you should get a business card that says that. ‘Like the lead character from Tangled’. No one will forget your name.” She laughed lightly. “But, don’t worry. I can’t tell you how many moon jokes I get thrown my way due to my name.”

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      ”What?” the woman asked before she could even make sense of the stranger’s words. Then, in the matter of a second, she snapped. A small gasp slipped her lips as she searched her purse – no wallet. Looking up slowly, she noted the suspect and felt herself shrink in size. What the hell was she supposed to do? Kindly ask for it back? She glanced at the helpful stranger and raised a brow. “You saw him take it? I.. I don’t want to falsely accuse.”

        Flynn had mentally noted how incredibly infectious the woman’s smile and attitude was with little to no effort at all. The city was a vast place featuring a multitude of individuals who rarely look at you twice. It was pleasant to interact with a stranger who did not scold, who actually did smile back and showed genuine interest in engaging. “I just didn’t know I looked like someone who owned a Harley and listened to ZZ Top, but I have accepted it by now.” he clarified on a brief chuckle, exhaling through the nostrils as he scrambled to move his belongings from the nearby empty seat. “You can, uh, sit here. I’m not expecting anybody.. u-unless you are?”

      A sudden image of the boy in a ZZ Top beard whilst on a Harley was magnificent and disturbing just the same. Yes, she knew he didn’t even mention anything about their iconic beards, but she always imagined all fans of the band simply had the same look.  “You might as well get working on that beard,” she decided to comment, cracking a playful smile. The girl watched him move his things about to clear a space for her and it was then she realized that maybe she wouldn’t be spending this evening drinking alone like she planned. The girl didn’t do much of these things anyways – she just hadn’t had a day off in what felt like decades, so she was going to treat herself to a drink. But, lucky for her, he was treating her instead. “I’m not expecting anyone, no. Just me,” she told him and tried to ignore the loneliness of that statement. Taking a seat next to him, she offered a smile and a hand before awkwardly adding, “Luna, by the way. My name’s Luna.”

@oregonmoon liked for a starter!!

      Breathe. It was the first time all day she got a moment to do just that. And although most nurses took the edge off with a cigarette every break, Luna found herself drinking one too many cups of coffee and sitting by the garden in the back where elderly patients often walked about. Except now it was late, the only light a small splash of color coming down from a flickering lamppost. That was okay though – at least she could see the stars and the moon. Gave her a minute to recollect herself before wandering back into the building to get to work all over again.

He smiled and nodded. “I’m aware of that. But I want to, I believe people look better with a smile, definitely right about you. Now lets get those sweets then the wine.”

     His generosity caused her smile to widened. She had no more room to protest, and frankly didn’t want to. “Sounds like you gotta point. Okay, let’s get the goods.” She chuckled. 

        It always seemed as if this awkward phase of his was never ending, even at the age of twenty-five. it had to have expiration date, right? he didn’t know, he didn’t want to know at this point. Still, he was thankful that she was not offended and the warm, welcoming nature she possessed had gradually eased Flynn. “W-well people always think I’m  a biker because I wear leather jackets a lot.” he admitted, sheepishly smiling up at the stranger. “That was a terrible attempt to make you feel better. Uh, c-can I buy you a drink or something? As a way to further apologize?” 

      Luna couldn’t help but smile, the boy’s reasoning and reaction making up for the mix up all together. In reality, it wasn’t necessarily anything to fuss over – besides, the girl embarrassed easily. These were the things she was used to and has come to accept. Yet, here he was, talking nervously just as she would if she was in his place. Somehow, that was refreshing. “Well, a biker is a pretty cool thing to be confused for,” she teased. And though she would be quick to decline such a generous offer, she knew a drink would ease them out of the awkwardness. “Although an apology is not needed, I wouldn’t mind having a drink.”

“That is a very good point.” He let out another chuckle. “Sweet, shall we then?”

      She smiles faintly and shakes her head, “you really don’t have to do this for me - going out of your way to cheer me up.”

       Loosing his train of thought on what he wanted to order next, Flynn looked up at the woman in front of him slightly bewildered. Embarrassed and flustered hardly covered the range of emotions running through his anxious body. It was a minor mistake, and she seemed to be just as embarrassed as him, yet he still felt awful about the mix up. “N-no, I’m so, so sorry. Shit I didn’t even think and just started talking.” As his head shook mid sentence, he tried to slow down the rushed apologies that were wafting out. “It’s not the clothes. Blame my stupid brain, not your choices, you look great.”

      Now, she couldn’t help but to laugh off the embarrassment. Besides, this wasn’t the worst look she ever had and she managed to embarrass the boy himself in the long run. At least she felt her cheeks turn a rosy pink at his compliment, not sure if it was something she deemed nice or still felt embarrassment over. Either way, he was nice enough about it. “Thank you,” she chuckled, “honest mistake, though. I would have done the same thing. I’ve just never been here… didn’t know my wardrobe fit the uniform.”

Lee’s bright smile remained on his features towards her. “Wine’s my favorite drink.” He chuckled. “How about we get you wine and maybe some sweets, unless you feel you’re too old for those.” 

      “You’re never too old for sweets,” she told him with a gentle smile. “Y’know, I’d like that. I could use a break.”

She winced a bit as her head turned. When Luna questioned who was responsible, Farah waited for what seemed to be a while before answering when it was probably only several seconds. “The wall I ran into.” It was a pathetic lie, but the absence of her energy caused the absence of motivation to come up with a good lie.

      A heavy sigh slipped her as she tilted her head and gave the girl a stern look. “I don’t think anyone has ever believed that lie.” Luna had always been great at reading people, figuring out the way other’s minds work. But, whenever she feels herself running into a dead end, she grows frustrated – she wants to know too much. “You don’t have to tell me,” she told the girl with a sigh, “but it’d make my job a whole lot easier so I can know the extent of the injury and you’d be able to go home quicker.”

He smiled at the woman’s chuckles. Then he nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Well then, what cheers you up?”

     She paused, a kind smile pulling gently on her lips. Luna couldn’t explain it – she just found the question sweet. “Um, wine,” she chuckled, “or something sweet to eat. That usually does the trick.”

Lee noticed the tear, concern automatically took over him.  “Sure about that?”

      A small laugh slips, it’s forced more than anything. “Yeah, I just,” she sighs, “long day, y’know?”

       “Yeah,” he agrees, nodding, eyes glazing over to the dance floor once again before they fall back on her. “How often does everybody get down like this? I don’t remember the whole town bein’ at one place altogether since… well, a decade ago.” And there he goes, sounding old, but it’s all different for him. He’s not used to being home, not used to having a war to fight. So it’s strange and jarring to not have to wake up with a gun in your hand these days.   

       Her mind thinks back to those days – she remembers small events, things kids their age wouldn’t be caught dead at. It was then she began to realize that… well, they were getting old. She surveys the room, smiling warmly at the couples on the dance floor and the older man handing out plates of food. She offers Beckett a shrug and a simple smile before saying, “I think it’s always been this way. We just had to get older to… I don’t know, appreciate it, I guess.”