Quiet is Violent

James wasn’t how Brie had pictured him, in appearance sure he matched up but he wasn’t as shy or as anti-social as she’d expected, though clearly if he was having a picnic with a baby and dog in the park on a sunny afternoon, all her assumptions were wrong. Given that he was a friend from Rhys’ past, she’d figured certain things about James, especially since the few other people she’d met who knew Rhys way back when had hardly been good people. But James seemed like a softy. 

“You’re the godfather?” She repeated excitedly, officially moving optimistic skepticism to straight up trust. It worked for Cheddar after all. “I’m the godmother, well, unofficial, and I’m hoping Thea will still change her mind. I think they’re waiting until after the wedding anyways, which who knows if they’ll actually manage to stick to a date.” She chuckled, “I’m Brie, it’s nice to finally meet you James.” 

This was Brie Harlow, from what he gathered (solely based of the words of Rhys) the girl had trouble following where ever she went. One had to wonder if it was just poor luck, or her fantastic taste in men, as the current one was nothing but an overzealous child, playing a dark,twisted game. James said nothing about it, he was sure the girl had no doubt heard it all before. It was ultimately, her decision to leave. 

“Thea is a smart woman, she chose you for a reason. Rhys on the other hand, not so much, but he means well.” He’d be lying, if he didn’t think that Rhys’ decision in naming him the Godfather of Alice was a plot to keep James around. It certainly worked in making his traveling shorter and his visits more frequent.  He’ll never admit it out loud, mostly to keep from enlarging Rhys’ ego even more, or worst, but he gave the man credit in James demeanor. He was still the same anti-social orphan, but he was more now. Reminded there was more to life than to wallow in guilt over a past love. “I haven’t a real clue as to why they, or he rather, chose me. Though my protests usually fall on deaf ears. Rhys is rather persistent when it comes to certain things, most things, so there’s no worry on them not sticking to the date, just that the man doesn’t faint on the poor girl, yeah?” James slide Alice to the side, making room for his new acquaintance, while also taking small bits of grass that she managed to tear out. “I’d say it’s more of a pleasure to meet you, than for you me. I’m rather terrible company.”

Cheddar had gained weight and Brie blamed Cal. Sure she’d been gone… much, much longer than intended, and Cal had kept the dog alive and taken care of him very well, but no things would be getting back to normal, which meant no more human food for her puppy and walks in the park twice a day. Cheddar certainly had seemed to miss her, but didn’t yet seemed thrilled about all the walking. When he saw a nice looking pit bull on a comfy blanket, he bolted over and padded around, sniffing everything, before lying down next to the pup, falling asleep almost instantly, or perhaps playing dead to avoid walking. 

“Sorry about him, I-” She looked down at the man, and the baby who she knew very well, “Alice?” She asked, knowing the little girl wouldn’t respond. She smiled, “How do you know Rhys and Thea?” She was momentarily concerned about the stranger carrying around her goddaughter, but he looked kind, and Cheddar, who had a good sense about people, didn’t seem disturbed by the stranger. 

James was quick to guard Alice from the intruding dog. Though it appeared friendly, there was no way of really telling, but that wasn’t the main reason. He hadn’t wanted Alice to fall over from the dog’s exploration of their picnic. Aslan, the guard dog (or lack of), had only lifted his head from to check on the slightly commotion, only to return it back to its resting position as there was seemingly no threat around. 

“No, It’s okay.” There was no annoyance in James’ tone, as he felt none. Sides’, he was a bit more concerned with the sudden change in demeanor from the girl. She knew Alice, lessened the threat she posed, yet it didn’t out right rule it out. It was her was the girl’s accusing, yet concerned tone in her question that sealed the deal. “I’m a friend of their’s, his really, and against his better judgement, her god-father.” He left out the fact that he had felt unworthy of a position. “I am to assume you are a friend, probably of Thea’s, as I’m sure Rhys has mentioned me at least more than once at social gathering. Regardless, I’m James.” 

Course, upon his arrival, James was quick to notice the slight bags under his friends’ eyes, and decided to give the tired parents a break (and spend time with his god-daughter). Now the pair (or trio, if one would consider the sleeping Aslan nearby) , sat quietly on a plaid red blanket, having what some would call a picnic. James watched the one-year old intently, slowly eating his own fruits they had picked out at the store, in case she choked.  

Despite living in absolute bliss, Thea felt herself already in overdrive since getting engaged again. There was no need to rush, she knew that, but Thea found she had missed planning for her wedding. This was her wedding with Rhys, too. Everything needed to be perfect. Whenever she thought about it, a huge smile found itself on her face. She could elope with him right now wearing rags and she’d be happy, but planning was the fun part. Deciding to get out of the house, she decided her and Alice would take a trip to get some coffee. The staff there knew all about Alice thanks to Rhys, so she thought it would be nice for them to actually see her, and Thea can tell them the news of them being engaged.

After a nice chat with the barista, Thea turned to leave. However, before she got to the door, she noticed James sitting down. “James,” She spoke in order to get his attention. “I didn’t know you were in town, does Rhys know?” Taking a seat, she placed the pushchair between her and James, hoping he wouldn’t mind. She probably wasn’t going to stay long anyway. “How are you? How have you been?”

Engrossed in his own thoughts, it took a full minute for James to comprehend that someone was talking and sitting in front of him. That someone being Thea Karlsson, or was it McArthur? No, they haven’t married yet. Still Karlsson. “No,” he said simply, his eyes wondering over to the pushchair. Alice. He had yet to meet the child, which was one of the reasons why he came back. “I’m doing well, thank you.” 

Silence. 

Clearing his throat, James shifted in his seat. So much for improving on his social skills. “Is this Alice? Rhys, blew up my phone the day she was born.” Pause. “I’m not complaining, rather, congrats. She looks like you.”

Ophelia startled at the sight of the stranger, her mouth opening and closing in the most ridiculous way, her brain slowly processing how handsome he was. That hardly mattered now, though. And, anyways, she wasn’t a creep who could just throw herself at a stranger. What if he didn’t even like, say, pancakes? Absurd — she would never surround herself with people who brought that kind of negativity to her life. 

“I always feel guilty when I use my firm voice,” she admitted rather sheepishly. “I guess I’m a slave to his whims  though he usually listens, I promise. He’s just all excited after the plane trip and what not.” Gus Gus had begun sniffing the man, his tail wagging as he inched closer. She feared he’d begin jumping on him anytime now. Her eyes fell down to the box she still had a hold of, “Could you watch him for a moment? Just so I can throw this box inside, then I can deal with him before the moving van guys get sick of waiting for me.” 

James was oblivious to the inner turmoil of the other, his focus was more on the dog. Not because he was afraid of him, but for the sole fact that it was a dog. He didn’t know why, but dogs were a weakness. He loved them, more than people at times. Well, all the time. It was easier to communicate with them, while humans tended to be more of a challenge. at least to someone who lacks such skills.

“Think of him as a child. You got to stand your ground, otherwise they’ll grow up to be an arsehole, yeah?” he hummed, bending slightly to offer Gus Gus his hand to smell. When he saw he was ‘accepted’, James began petting the animal. He hummed a response, not exactly hearing what the woman was asking. “Yeah, I got ‘im,” he said, crouching down to the dogs level. Dogs were better than people. 

She scanned the room, her coffee in one hand and her phone in the other, eyes weary from another late night at the bar. Okay, so she hadn’t slept yet — but who needed sleep? She got through law school without it plenty of times. All she needed was caffine and… well, a handsome man, it seemed.

A catlike grin appeared on her face as her eyes fell on the stranger sitting. It wasn’t long before her legs, clad in leather, led her to him, slipping into the seat opposite him without a word. In short, Rosita wanted attention. Attention that wasn’t exploitative, like the men at the club, and something that didn’t mess with her head, like Anthony. And well… Kori wasn’t a one night stand. Kori was a girl you married (yes, Rosita had thought about this thoroughly). This man? He could do while she filled herself with coffee and compliments. 

“The seat didn’t look taken,” she began, placing her coffee cup down and leaning forward on her elbows. Her top — if it could even be called that — exposed plenty of her skin, and she was sure with the leather pants and sky high boots that concluded the ensemble she was a…. sight. “But if your girlfriend is just in the bathroom, I’ll leave you alone.”

James could do nothing but stare at the woman before him. He didn’t know how to feel. Pleased that he no longer radiated danger? Annoyed that someone had invade his space without real cause. Though, if he were to be honest, he somewhere felt she had cause, or at least a reason. If he were to judge her based on appearances, then he would say she was a lady of the night. Yet, he kept the opinion to the side, knowing full well what it was like to be judge based on appearance. Though, those assumptions on him were mostly right.

He hummed a response, leaning back in his seat, pushing down the slight pain that was trigger by the mention of a girlfriend. It had be years, yet still fresh in his mind. He doubted he would ever truly recover. She was in all sense of the word, the love of his love, and those close to him knew not to mention. But this woman didn’t know, and so he kept his stance neutral. 

“No, go ahead,” he said lowly, tearing his eyes away from the woman. His mind drifting, making a small mental list of things he would need to get. He had original planned to stay for a few days, yet with how his friend is he doubted it. 

Rhys was out of the house for his thrice daily coffee run, it was the only time of day lately that he even left the penthouse. The baristas knew his order, and Thea’s, they saw new pictures of Alice everyday and eagerly awaited when she was able to come down and visit, and he found himself surprisingly happy with his little life. He missed his girls by the time he got down to get his coffee and got excited to see them as he headed back up. He did a bit of work from home, and kept up with family affairs from there as well. His life was great, there was just one thing missing… 

“JAMES???” He shouted, too loudly, but he was still quite sleep deprived. He charged over to his friend, eyes wide and mouth agape. “You don’t call, you don’t write!! Are you here to see Alice?” 

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, much to the dismay of the speak. Tough it did save him from having to look. Not that it would have been hard to do. Rhys was an easy man to find, course he wouldn’t divulge on why that was. 

James greeted the man with a hum, all to aware of the sudden eyes that were upon them. Honestly this man. To think he was once a gangster stalking in the shadows. “Ah, your mum showed me the photos,” James said, putting focus on Alice than his lack on communication  with the man. Best to avoid that subject for now. “Congrats. Let’s hope she turns out like her mother.”

Rhys: I can multitask.

James: ...

Rhys: and yet, here I am, worrying.

The dog nearly knocked Cordelia over as it ran to it’s master. She managed to jump out of it’s way just in time, clinging to the frame of the door as she watched the two reunite. Perhaps she should get a dog? Or some kind of pet, at least then she’d have someone to come home to. “No, sorry, I don’t have your key. Wouldn’t you find it a bit odd and well… stalkery if I did?” 

“I’d find it more of a relief. Someone changed my locks and never sent me a new key,” he answered, picking up Aslan. “It’d save me a phone call.”

“This morning.” She replied succinctly, still trying to figure out where she knew him from. 

“Then I guess, it is I that should welcome you to the building.So, welcome.”

Rhys: I guess you haven't changed at all.

Rhys: Don't do what you usually do, if one thing here has come closed to changing, it's you. Don't go back to the old ways.

Rhys: Perhaps the changes are just a bit further below the surface than you can see?

Rhys: I'm not thinking of doing anything. I'm a fucking foot soldier, I'll do what I'm told.

Rhys: I am considering my family, and how much I don't want Ramsay anywhere near them, dead or alive.

James: If you would like to believe that. Go right ahead.

James: And has that stopped you before?

James: Ramsay won't get near your family again.