The Reckoning.

It took Rocky a moment to process Aiden’s words. It took even longer to convince herself not to read too far into those words, to not allow her mind to wander into a reality where those words held a far different meaning. And in those several moments, she blinked back at her boss, soundlessly and somewhat mindlessly just staring at him. Because how crazy would it be for that context to fit something beyond a boss-employee dynamic? That this wasn't just her boss telling her that he would do anything to ensure she was comfortable in her professional environment. That this was a lot more than him being supportive of the tech department as he'd been since she arrived.

*Really fucking crazy,* Rocky thought to herself as she finally shifted, breaking her gaze on Aiden and turning back to her computer screen. How did she even respond with her brain too focused on the “do anything for you” part.

And of course he’d thrown in the darling part at the very end of it, something she found him doing quite frequently with her. Before her brain could zero in on that part too, she silenced it with the thought that he probably did this to a lot of people. He’s British, right?

By the time she came to, the kitsune was already shutting down her computer and gathering her belongings to pack up her work station. And without her brain really having to be cognizant of the following actions, she looked back to Aiden with a delicate smile.

“I sleep plenty,” the raven-haired woman defended as she stared at the small progress bar on the installation of the new software update to a computer in the lab. She mumbled the last part, the part that wasn’t really all that important. “I just sleep in my office a bit more than usual.”

She wasn’t really sure why she mumbled that last part. It’s not like Aiden wouldn’t be able to hear with his vampire ears what she said. Inwardly she let out a groan that fully expressed just how dumb she felt about it.

Looking over her shoulder at the tall vampire, she pressed her lips together before refocusing her attention to her phone. It was almost dinner time. She promised herself she would go home tonight. She wouldn’t stay in her office for a third night to work on anything. She promised. Though her mind was still on a couple of tasks she still had yet to do.

As she set the phone down beside the keyboard, the progress bar lurching forward just a tiny bit, she swiveled around completely in her seat. Now, facing Aiden head on, she crossed her legs as she perched herself more comfortably atop the metal stool. 

“I’ll work on it,” she mumbled before she heard the computer give a melodic ding to let her know the update was finished.

I typically go to some quiet spot in the city, usually high up on a rooftop where I can see the city skyline and I draw/sketch. It’s honestly soothing. I don’t have to think too deeply, I just let my hand copy down whatever I see and by the time I turn my brain back on, my page is filled.

🌌: how do you feel about god?

That’s a hard question. It’s not that I don’t think he exists, because...well, angels and demons exist, so I guess some white-bearded dude in the sky exists as well. However, I’m not a fan, nor do I really care to learn more than what I’ve heard in passing. Not that he’s a bad guy or anything. I just don’t care?

🌠: if you were allowed three wishes, what would they be?

The words settled heavy like weight atop her chest. For a moment, Rocky believed she wasn’t capable of inhaling at all, though she could feel the air feeling her lungs slowly. It was the very thing the kitsune knew she wanted but couldn’t find it within herself to admit.

Her eyes wandered to Yunho, swallowing the swelling lump in her throat and gave him a weak smile. “Is that so?” she replied, glancing back down at her cup of black coffee. She began to trace the lip of the mug with the tip of her index finger as she pondered what that would mean. Being a part of a family. “Have I unlocked a new level here?”

If Rocky was being honest with herself, she knew things in Veritas were different from anywhere she’d found herself settling temporarily. For starters, nothing felt temporary here, which was already unusual for someone who was always prepared to leave if the situation was no longer conducive to her well being. And connections? She made many in the short time she was a part of the team. Connections that were both healthy and strong to the point that she could consider her team members to be actual friends.

A family. Veritas. The drug cartel she worked her way into. There was no way should would’ve predicted this. 

instead of saying the words that made the most sense, something along the lines of thanking him, admitting that she was searching for something permanent and found it here, or how she’d never been a part of a family and this was all new to her--Rocky sighed deeply as she looked over to Yunho and smiled cheekily.

“Since we’re family, I guess you’ll be writing me into your will to get your Disney+ account?”

As Rocky searched for her phone Rigs whispered Dangerzone, the act bringing a small smile to his lips. Even when the only person he amused was himself he’d make the joke and feel no shame in doing so. He accepted the small device when it was handed to him, reading through the message thread as he listened to the fox.

The Naga laughed at her last words, handing back the phone with a wide grin as he practically yelled, “Dangerzone!!” Things like this were why he liked Rocky: she played along even when she knew what was going to happen. 

“Sounds good to me, you just need me to stand there and make my enforcer face while you destroy him emotionally or? I mean if you want on the way over I can memorize the text thread and every time he starts to argue I can just recite him agreeing to your price over and over.”

Her laughter only seemed to grow into a harder belly laugh as she reached over for a pen to throw in his general direction. “If you say that word again, I’m banning you from my office except on the basis of updating your phone or other tech,” she feebly warned, although the threat was completely empty judging by the laughs that followed her statement.

“God, I hate you,” she mumbled as she screenshot the text thread between her and the buyer, quickly sending it to Rigs before setting her phone down and sighing deeply. As she lazily slouched in her wheeled office chair, Rocky looked over to her colleague before playing with the rings on her fingers.