You're in my blood, you're in my veins, you're in my head.

@risingrileydavis

Sleep was becoming harder and harder to come by. As if everything Mac had suddenly been forced to deal with lately wasn’t enough- Codex, his newly-discovered aunt trying to set forth a path that would see a quarter of civilization wiped out, his father sacrificing himself- there was a new face haunting him in his dreams now too. A good man named Lasky, gone far too soon and all thank to the latest mission… a mission he hadn’t been on his game enough for. It was his fault Lasky had died that day, even though he’d tried to go in his place the man had been insistent. One more added to the body count that was already starting to add up, and Mac was starting to feel like it was a number that nobody was going to be able to stop.

Rising out of bed because sleep was next to impossible now, Mac threw on a t-shirt and padded out of his room towards the kitchen in the dark. If he couldn’t find a way to sleep, maybe at least he could clear his head and take care of some of those leftovers in the fridge. It was a real comfort knowing that with somebody else in the house now, the odds were better that he’d find more than just a box of baking soda and half an apple left in there. He’d gotten way too dependent on Bozer’s cooking and stocking of the refridgerator, but now that Riley had been staying there it was far more likely to find some kind of takeout just waiting to be discovered.

He aimed to be quiet, the floor plan of the house memorized long ago to not wake his roommate, but when Mac approached the kitchen he could see light coming from the already opened fridge door. Angus squinted as he drew closer, spying the silhouette of someone else standing and taking stock of the inventory inside the fridge. Just a few steps behind her, Mac spoke up in a half-whisper: “Dibs on the Moo Shu Pork, Riles.”

Everything was spinning out of control, and Riley wasn’t sure how to fix it. Strong-willed and determined, there wasn’t much that dragged her down. Today had been different. She’d spiraled. It was the first time Riley had any sort of panic attack-- no matter how short-lived it had been. Russ was to thank for that, with his silly shanty distraction. It had worked. He also had been there for Mac that evening, and had really begun to earn Riley’s respect. After arriving home from her visit with Kai and a quick run to sneak her in some of her favorite pork buns, Russ had filled her in. No details of his conversation with Mac, but she was aware of enough. Including the life that had been lost. Riley was certain Mac was blaming himself, even if the blood wasn’t on his hands. It was on hers, from years ago. 

The door to Mac’s bedroom was closed, but as quickly as her fist rose to knock on it, Riley lowered her hand. She wanted him to know that he had her. He was never alone. That was a genuine promise. However, she knew he craved space. At least living in the same quarters allowed her to keep close eye on Mac, while giving him distance. Her room - formerly Bozer’s - was just down the hall whenever he was ready. After trying every regimen to get some rest, Riley gave up and decided to raid the refrigerator. That was at least one thing she could do to show gratitude to Mac for letting her stay here. The fridge was full of leftovers and groceries. Riley wasn’t much of a chef, but she could make a few staples. Dreary hazel eyes lingered on the options lit by the fluorescent glow of the fridge light. She wasn’t even that hungry, but opted for some comfort.

Lips twitched into a small smile as she felt footsteps trek behind her-- the weight and sound of them familiarly Mac’s. It was funny how only a couple of weeks at his place and it already felt much more like home than any other place. Of course, Riley was very much aware that was due to the company rather than the house itself. “You should really learn not to sneak up on people like that,” Riley chided gently as she reached for the container he 'dibbed’ and passed it to him. Her gaze met Mac’s blue; their vibrancy was faded, and encased in red. He’d been crying today too. Riley’s heart ached at that thought; all she really wanted to do was engulf him in one of their bear hugs. But it wasn’t the right time. “You’re lucky I was more in the mood for kung pao,” she added playfully, pulling out another take-out container with a lackluster smile, along with two bottles of beer. “You know, Mac--” Riley continued, sliding one of the bottles toward Mac. “That offer about talking to me about anything? That was an indefinite thing. No pressure or anything... but I’m here.”

“Hey Riles, good morning.” When Mac entered the war room, he wasn’t at all surprised to find Riley as the first member of the team there waiting for the briefing. After all, he’d barely had time to get the words out before she’d leapt over the counter to rejoin the Phoenix in her eagerness. And the truth really was, without her as a part of the team there’d have been a huge gap to be filled. It’s why he’d gone to her first; before Bozer, before Desi, Riley brought a lot to the group and it went beyond her immeasurable hacking skills. Returning the smile that came with her greeting, “A little bit, nothing as special as disarming artillery from World War Two though.” Offering Riley a quick wink as he crossed the room and took a seat in the chair next to hers, then reached out to pick up a paper clip out of the bowl set on the small table between them.

“How about you? Get to enjoy some quiet time decompressing?” He’d picked up right away on the fatigue in her voice, as well as the coffee cup in Riley’s hand. It was understandable given the high stakes they had faced in Germany just a few days earlier; life and death circumstances were a lot more usual in their line of work but it took just as heavy a toll on the psyche even when it was becoming more of a status quo. “How’s Aubrey?” Mac posed the question about Riley’s secret boyfriend, only doing so while they were alone. Just because she’d revealed the truth to him it didn’t mean she’d told anybody else about him. And he still felt a little guilty for reacting so poorly at first upon learning that she had been keeping the secret of a live-in boyfriend for half a year, so Mac wanted to make sure they were still cool about things.

Besides, this latest mission could have gone sideways in so many different ways and he was grateful that they’d all made it out alive and in one piece. Before any of the others could show up, Mac turned towards Riley who was already working away on her trusty laptop and caught her gaze. “If nothing else, I guess a couple of close calls like Germany really makes you appreciate what you have, right?” After most of the Phoenix’s missions there was a flood of relief that carried him for the next few days but something about this one, something was different for him. He’d spent a quiet weekend just working around the house, tinkering with a few projects that could charitably be called in-progress, but in the really quiet moments Mac kept going back to the moments right after the two of them had just narrowly avoided disaster when the bomb had started to careen down the stairs and he’d managed to pull Riley out of harm’s way. How they’d just clung to one another and then slowly realized their lives hadn’t ended, and the bomb hadn’t gone off. That latest flood of relief hadn’t seem to go away, at least not while he was in Riley’s presence.

No matter how tired she was, there was an obvious lift in her expression at Mac’s greeting. Riley’s smile grew in reflection of his own, only to falter a little when he winked her way. Mac didn’t mean anything by that, she was sure of it. But if she thought too hard on every little gesture and reaction between them, her head might explode. That didn’t keep the faintest warmth from spreading through her cheeks though. “That’s good. I don’t think there’s much that could knock that off the list. Not for a long time anyway, I’m hoping.” Every mission had its difficult moments, but this had been one of the few that really made Riley reevaluate things. She still loved her job; being on the good side was where she belonged. And her team was like her family. Still, it was hard to shake the what-if factor. Had Mac not saved her, she wouldn’t be here. Riley trusted him with every piece of her heart to always pull through, but she hated that he was under so much pressure to do so.

A subtle smirk toyed at her mouth as she watched him dip into the bowl of paperclips. Good old, Mac. She could remember at first meet she thought he was a little crazy, but also had an inkling just how special he was. That instinct had been spot on. “Yeah, it was definitely a quiet weekend.” Maybe even a little too quiet, though she kept that thought buried. It was just that distractions were helpful in keeping her from spiraling. Without them, every single scenario played out in her head until, well, now. “But after Germany, I’m not complaining.” Riley bit the inside of her cheek when he asked about Aubrey. Did he genuinely want to know, or was he just humoring her? For the briefest moment on their mission Riley had thought that maybe she wasn’t the only one that had noticed the spark between her and Mac seemed to ignite. Such a question though once again left her whirring with confusion. “He’s good. Reheated that dinner for me that I missed,” she chuckled, trying to mostly keep her gaze on the computer screen so that she could play it cool. “Thanks for not saying anything to the others, by the way,” she added, finally settling hazel hues across onto him. “Matty knows, but besides that, it’s only you. Maybe it should stay that way.” Maybe because she wasn’t sure how much longer things would last now.

She needed to stop analyzing everything. Mac was being normal, and friendly, so why should she act any differently? “That’s the understatement of the century,” she agreed, lips twitching in bemuse. There was no one else she could have successfully gotten through that mission with. They worked well as a team; balancing the other’s strengths and weaknesses. “Like, being thankful that I have someone like you to save my life?” Riley attempted to chirp playfully, though her gratitude was genuine. “I meant to say it before, but you know… I was still kind of in a haze for a while after that.” No longer was she paying attention to the laptop, but instead she focused on the blue eyes that peered from afar. “I wouldn’t have made it out of there without you. So, thanks, Mac.” The urge to reach over and squeeze his hand - or to hug him - was intense. Partly to test the waters and see if that light of fire was still there. But that might be too much. “So, what do you think this next mission’s gonna be about? I’d really love to go to Greece, myself.”

For a rare day off, Mac really had shockingly little to do today. Simple tasks around the house like washing the dishes was kind of it, but having Riley stop by was a great sense of relief for him. Happy that she wasn’t just looking for Bozer and had sought him out instead, he shared her grin and laugh over Jack; it definitely made it easier to have somebody else so close to him to share in the unique nuggets of wisdom. And the shared worry that never seemed to fully go away, and wouldn’t until he was finally back home with them again. “Yeah, that’s part of his charm though.” As usual Jack’s plan did sound like fun, a day at the arcade sounded like a great way to spend all this free time. And some one on one time with Riley was just as welcome, with the way they’d been getting closer as of late too. He grinned and expressed his excitement for it, furiously scrubbing at the final couple of dishes that stood in their way while asking her how Jack seemed to be on their call. Nodding as he took in her response to it, Jack being homesick wasn’t that much of a surprise but it was matched by their desire to have him back as well. “Okay good, I’ll be waiting for that call then. And no news is still good news, we gotta remember that when it comes to his mission.”

Mac grinned as he set down the last plate, “Too late. You should’ve been here five minutes ago, or I would’ve left them for him.” Pulling the plug on the sink to let it drain, Riley pounced and grabbed him by the still soapy hand and started to yank him right out the door to the car. “Whoa, when you mean business you’re not going to stop for anything are you?” Soon he was in the passenger seat as Riley drove towards the arcade, and suggested they up the stakes with a wager as her eyebrows arched at him with a smirk. It was that kind of look that Mac had come to recognize and enjoy from her, because it usually meant she was up to something. “You know me Riles, I’m not one to turn down a bet. You’re on. Skee-ball settles all!”

Riley always held admiration for Mac; ever since the moment they met and he busted her out of prison. Well, he and Jack, of course. That respect and devotion had only grown through the few years spent together, but with Jack out of the picture and the whole drama with Billy, the two had become closer. It was something she hadn’t realized she wanted so badly until it happened. Half of the time in the past she’d found herself searching out Bozer-- Mac, sometimes too. Now it was more the reverse and she wasn’t mad about it. There was this kindness and light that teemed from her friend that put Riley at ease. When she really needed someone to make her smile and relax, Mac was her go-to. Especially as of late. “Don’t tell him that, or his head might explode,” Riley teased, her perfectly manicured nails drumming eagerly across the surface of the kitchen island. “That’s true, I just... I miss him. And I know you do too. I mean, Desi’s cool. But it’s not the same.” Jack was such a father figure to her that Riley hadn’t been sure who to look to when she needed someone. Until Mac offered himself.

“Please tell me those were at least your dishes to do. Otherwise I may judge you a little.” Riley was eager to get the day rolling; she was in need of fresh air, and she hadn’t eaten yet. Mac’s reaction to her tugging him along drew a light laugh from the hacker as she piled into the car, remnants of soap now on her hand too. “Okay, maybe I didn’t think this through,” she teased, wiggling her fingers threateningly in his direction before she wiped them dry on her pants. “But I’m starving! And I know it’ll taste even better when it’s free. For me, anyways.” She gifted him a mischievous smirk as they veered off in the direction of their beloved arcade. “So what else have you been up to besides cleaning? Please don’t tell that was all you had in the works for your day off, Mac.” He was a catch - Riley wasn’t blind to that. He should be out having fun and meeting people rather than doing chores. “I think I may need to get you out more often if that’s your default kind of fun.”

A pretty rare thing to have an off-day from the Foundation, but Maddie made it clear that for once she was the one who didn’t want to hear from the team for a minimum of 24 hours. And with that in mind, Bozer had left to go and meet Leanna which meant Mac was on his own. Or so he’d thought. Hearing Riley’s greeting as she walked into the house, Mac turned towards her and grinned at his friend. “Hey! Welcome, you kinda missed Boze though.” His eyebrow raised at Riley’s mention of Jack, especially in reference to their MIA friend actually having a brilliant idea. “You’re kidding. Jack… Jack Dalton Jack?” Mac laughed; he could still have fun teasing Jack even though he wasn’t there with them in Los Angeles right now. Hopefully it wouldn’t be much longer before he was back home, but they had absolutely no way of knowing when it would be. At least he tended to call or skype every now and then when he could, reassuring Mac and also definitely Riley that he was still okay and handling himself well out there… wherever he was.

“Now this I’ve got to hear.” Mac put away the last of the dishes and pulled the stopper out of the sink as he turned to face Riley fully. Her gaze met his, those deeply mischevious hazel seemed to twinkle as she held back on exactly what Jack’s idea was at first. Mac knew Riley had been going through a lot lately, first having Jack leave without warning and then the end of her relationship with Billy. But he’d done whatever he could to try and help her cope, she’d confided in him and he wanted to be there for Riley. She’d done the same for him in the past too, dealing with his father and other things… they just had a connection that was different from the others. His face lit up at her suggestion, or rather Jack’s. “Yes! I’m so down for an arcade day, he really did have a great idea! How’s he doing?” Mac nodded in agreement with her. “Skee-ball and greasy pizza, how could a day get any better than that? I’m in if you are!”

Riley would never complain about a day off from work. As much as she loved working for The Phoenix, she also desired a little downtime. After speaking to Jack, she was on a mission to find Mac and make sure they had a nice day out. Funny how even on her day off she found herself unable to keep away from her found family. “Who says I came by to see Boze? I was actually looking for you, Mac.” The grin she shone his way parted, a peal of laughter escaping at the crack. She and Mac both loved Jack to pieces, but he was so much fun to give hell. Although, it wasn’t quite the same when he couldn’t riff back with them. “Not kidding, actually. You know how he is-- throws wisdom at you when you least expect it.” Revealing the plan, Riley felt an odd wave of excitement rip through her; she couldn’t remember the last time she saw Mac so enthusiastic about something that didn’t involve science. Or paperclips. Her heart felt all warm and fluttery, but she brushed it off right away.

Hazel eyes settled on the blonde, watching as he cleaned away at the kitchen dishes. There was always something so mesmerizing about Mac’s hands. Even when he was doing something so simple as a household chore. Or saving lives. He had been such a good friend to her - always - but especially as of late. He kept her relationship qualms quiet and comforted Riley when she needed it most. A soft smile lingered on her lips, even as he asked more about Jack. “He seems alright. I think a little homesick. He misses us a lot. Just like we miss him. I still don’t know where he is, but he said he’s gonna call you tomorrow, so you better pick up.” Another smirk took over Riley’s expression as she jiggled her car keys in hand. “I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want to, Blondie,” she chuckled, using Matty’s nickname for him. “Now c’mon! Those dishes can wait until later. Or even better, save them for Boze.” Before Mac could further distract himself, Riley took hold of his hand and pulled him out the door toward her car. Once they were buckled in and out on the road, she stole a glance his way, eyebrows waggling playfully. “Should we make a bet now? Loser buys pizza?”