---
“Door’s open Con.” Jay’s voice called back as she rolled her eyes. The time he spent with her was becoming more and more frequent. Even as she needed help less and less, he still seemed to force his way into her space.
It wasn't that she minded so much. He was a breath of fresh air to their wardens...when he showered. “Don't sit on anything unless you are clean.” she added as she clicked a bag back under her bed. Honestly she hadn't changed her mind about leaving. Some days she had a second thought but then someone would say something about this second life bullshit and she was back to planning. Even now she still refused to ‘power up’ as they called it.
They couldn't make her. And now that she was getting back to herself, she wouldn't let them make her for long.
“How was torture today?”
---
“I’m good, no mud today,” Conor said with a chuckle as he slipped into the room. He was in his work out gear, but he’d toweled down so he wasn’t actively sweating. Still he didn’t immediately move to plop down on her bed like he normally would. He looked around the room for a moment, before un bunching said towel that he’d brought with him, exposing a small baggie of crushed green.
“I brought you some candy, you know, for when you’re better…” He smirked. “Figured it’d make a proper get well gift.”
And a going away gift. He was well aware of her plan to leave, didn’t know exactly when she planned to fly the coup and figured it’d be better if he didn’t. The more obviously surprised and disappointed he pulled off when she slipped away the better to sell that he honestly knew nothing of her plan.
“Figured it helps make up for what you lost, you know…”
---
“I figured they would have the mud with the cold again.” Jay smirked as she curled her legs around her on the bed before he unfolded his towel. That was when she saw it.
“s**t Con…” She hissed out, reaching to grab the bag and shove it under her pillow mountain behind her. “If they caught you with that...damn. They would skin you.” glancing around, she finally met his face and shook her head.
“Seriously? When the hell did you have time to get it anyway? I thought Mars kept you on a leash.” She jerked a hand pretending to yank a fake leash around her neck.
“But thank you...I think...what's the catch?” cocking her head now, she smirked waiting for the shoe to drop.
---
Conor just smirked and rolled his shoulders. “Oh I know they would have, but it’s cool… I might have waited until they got extra noisy the other night and made a break for it… Managed to find a guy who was selling and I dropped a bit of the pocket money my mum lent me to score it for you.”
He shrugged at her question of a no catch. “No catch, just a favor from one friend to another. You were bereft and I was able to obtain.” He grinned at her. “A girl should not be without her candy after all.”
He made a low bow at that statement, before rising up and finally sitting down on the bed next to her. “But otherwise, you’re right. Imara keeps me on a tight leash, but I think she’s loosening it the closer and closer we get to you healing up full.” He said, looking down at his lap. “Not sure if it's out of trust or wanting to make sure we’ll be on a somewhat equal level.”
He very much doubted it was trust.
---
Jay snorted but had to smile. “Either they forget they aren't alone in the house or there is a game of how loud they came be. Either way, good headphones are a must.”
“But Mars isn't horrible. She may work you to death but once she sees you as family, well…” Jay shrugged watching him. “You are in. Those closest to her she will kill to protect. Hell, as a kid she took the blame on some s**t to protect me. I broke my arm once because my mom said “Don't climb the tree.”” The smile on her face said the tree got climbed. “Mars covered my a** saying she got me on a 4 wheeler and flipped us.”
“Now, piss her off or break her trust and you will pay for it. That's why I'm surprised Meat head is still here. The fact he hasn't ******** up...or ******** the wrong person.”
---
“He’s a giant puppy, you can tell by the way he looks at her, if she says sit he’d sit,” Conor snorted. “She probably neutered him, but yeah, I’ll get some good headphones, thanks for the tip.”
“She’s definitely a strong one, that’s for sure. I’ll do my best not to get flayed alive.” Conor added with a small grin.
He watched her for a long moment. “It’s gonna be weird when you ship out, Jay-bird, if you’ll allow me the moment of sentimentality.” Conor said with a small sigh. “But I got your back, so… I guess keep in touch if you ever need a good time and in town.”
---
Jay rolled her eyes as one leg extended put and she kicked him in the side. “You keep saying that s**t Con. But you have to realize I know I already owe you for the candy because you work in favors. So getting my back? Irish man, I know it comes at a cost and let's just say I'm not in any position to be paying up favors anytime soon.”
Red eyes locked on his face and she hook out her hair. “Thanks but no thanks. You have your own problems now Soldier boy. And school starting soon so worry about yourself and your own connections. Once I'm gone, forget about me. Be easier on your mind and working the ranks. If we ever see each other again, i expect to see you running the place.”
---
“Well that goes without saying, Jay-bird, but sadly I will remember you and I’m sure I’ll fret from time to time,” Conor said as he reached out and rubbed the knee of the leg that kicked his side. “You’re my friend and I look out for what’s mine.”
He paused for a moment. “But, you are right, I’ve got a very tall ladder to climb and the less weight I have, debts or no, the easier the climb will be. I’ll take a raincheck for the candy, but the watching your back while you are around is free.”
With that, he pulled his hand back. “So, enjoy the candy when you can.” He said with a winning smile. “But, figured you deserved something good before you go.”
---
“Yea yea.” Jay rolled her eyes but she was smiling. “Come on boy scout. It sounds like Mathias has finished whatever potion we are having for dinner.” Unwrapping herself, she snaked her feet onto the floor and walked past him making sure to pass close enough that she could steal a quick seat in his lap.
“Go find yourself some arm candy. May help making your new home better.” She smirked, wiggled her behind on him and then stood up heading for the kitchen. She knew her game plan. This was her last dinner here.
---
Conor hissed a bit as she worked her body against his lap, and he nipped at her ear playfully with a low growl. “Now, now, I might just have to after that.” He said with a throaty laugh. “But we’ll see if Imara gives me time to even try and find any.”
Getting up after Jay, he followed her out of the room, heading to go to the kitchen after her. He didn’t know her plans for the night, but he knew he was going to probably have to crash early if he hoped to survive the next day of Imara’s training.
He was gonna miss that fire-cracker when she left.
---
Torvil
