Quote:
New year, new month, new job. At least in this job they knew his name, and didn’t care. He was treated like every other associate; expected to be in a suit and tie at all times, the work was done on time and correctly, no nonsense or anything else that one would typically associate with a brat of the upper echelon of society. Quinn was expected to work just as hard as everyone else, no excuses given or accepted. So here he was, working in the tiny cubicle of an office, most of the associates at his level had a individual office, that was barely big enough for the desk and didn’t even have a door just a open space where a door would normally sit. His fingers flew across a keyboard as he entered line after line of data. How one company could compile so much was a mystery but apparently it did and it was his job to enter it all into the database. It was boring, time consuming work but it was what his job was. It might not have been mentally stimulating but that meant that he didn’t have to think about everything that was going on in his life.
He didn’t have to think about his final project and how far behind he felt it was even though he was pretty far into it, he didn’t have to think about the training that his teammates had concocted that Quinn had to somehow fit into his packed schedule, he didn’t have to think about how to find time to work at his other job, or even how the new semester would push him over the edge of ‘no sleep’. He wasn’t sleeping well now as it was, add more school work to the mix and there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day. If Quinn didn’t need to take Isis out for periodical walks he wouldn’t see the outside world except when he left for work and when he came home from work. It hadn’t always been this way but he was trying to be an adult, he was trying to be responsible and reliable.
With a sigh he hit enter and pushed away from the desk, running a hand through his hair as he took a quick breather. It would be nice to get rid of the tie but after so much time wearing it he had actually forgotten he had it on. Loosening it slightly the sandy haired young man reached for the cup of coffee he had on the desk only to find it empty, muttering all Quinn did was toss it away and inched back up to the computer. He still had two more books to get done and three meetings, he didn’t even have time to get more coffee.
He didn’t have to think about his final project and how far behind he felt it was even though he was pretty far into it, he didn’t have to think about the training that his teammates had concocted that Quinn had to somehow fit into his packed schedule, he didn’t have to think about how to find time to work at his other job, or even how the new semester would push him over the edge of ‘no sleep’. He wasn’t sleeping well now as it was, add more school work to the mix and there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day. If Quinn didn’t need to take Isis out for periodical walks he wouldn’t see the outside world except when he left for work and when he came home from work. It hadn’t always been this way but he was trying to be an adult, he was trying to be responsible and reliable.
With a sigh he hit enter and pushed away from the desk, running a hand through his hair as he took a quick breather. It would be nice to get rid of the tie but after so much time wearing it he had actually forgotten he had it on. Loosening it slightly the sandy haired young man reached for the cup of coffee he had on the desk only to find it empty, muttering all Quinn did was toss it away and inched back up to the computer. He still had two more books to get done and three meetings, he didn’t even have time to get more coffee.
Quote:
Ever since she had left Destiny City again, Rae had not been able to shake a gut feeling in her stomach. Something she had left behind was not sitting well with her. It was the reason she had picked up the phone and called then Quentons. It was the reason she had packed a bag and gotten on that plane. And it was the reason she clicked across the marble lobby on her direct path towards the office they had instructed her to.
She had to see Arthur again. That was the only way she could put this feeling of doom and gloom out of her mind and go on with her life. She had to know this was what he wanted and he could handle it. And frankly, she wanted him to be okay. It didn’t matter how long they had been apart. Some things never changed.
With some direction as to where to head down the hallway of associate offices, Rae did her best to lighten her steps. She was adorn in a red pencil skirt, white button down blouse and matching red jacket. The nude heels just made her look taller. Hair wrapped into a bun, she could have walked into any high end office and belonged.
Getting to the door...frame?...she had been directed to, Rae lifted a hand and knocked on the wood frame. “Artie?”
She had to see Arthur again. That was the only way she could put this feeling of doom and gloom out of her mind and go on with her life. She had to know this was what he wanted and he could handle it. And frankly, she wanted him to be okay. It didn’t matter how long they had been apart. Some things never changed.
With some direction as to where to head down the hallway of associate offices, Rae did her best to lighten her steps. She was adorn in a red pencil skirt, white button down blouse and matching red jacket. The nude heels just made her look taller. Hair wrapped into a bun, she could have walked into any high end office and belonged.
Getting to the door...frame?...she had been directed to, Rae lifted a hand and knocked on the wood frame. “Artie?”
Quote:
Quinn was more than halfway done the current book when someone knocked. That wasn't so unusual, the guys dropping off more work tended to do that, but the name… that was what had him look up. No one called him Artie except Rae and she was in New York, wasn't she? He looked over to stare in shock at the redhead standing in the doorway. “Rae? What are you doing here?”
With surprise he pushed away from the desk and stood suddenly. This was a really bad idea as his vision started to go black from the blood rush. His face paled and for a moment he wavered on his feet before he completely blacked out, his body crumpling to the carpet in a heap.
With surprise he pushed away from the desk and stood suddenly. This was a really bad idea as his vision started to go black from the blood rush. His face paled and for a moment he wavered on his feet before he completely blacked out, his body crumpling to the carpet in a heap.
Quote:
“I thought I would…” Rae never got to finish the sentence she was making out as she smiled at the messy haired blond. Even though the suit and tie was odd for him, she wanted to admit that he looked really good in it. Really really good in it.
As he began to rise, she saw the change in his face. It seemed suddenly he was fine and then, in the blink of an eye he paled and dropped.
“ARTHUR!” Rae screamed out, moving from the door frame to the form that pooled on the body. She could hear the sounds of chairs moving and people coming to see what had caused the scream. She watched as someone who said they had ER training checked him over. Rae couldn’t feel her breathe until they gave the all clear that he was alright. Well, would be alright after he got some rest.
It took some convenience but she managed to get him out of there. His phone, keys and calendar where now in her hands. One phone call to his parents to let them know and she had him out of there for some rest….even if he refused.
As he began to rise, she saw the change in his face. It seemed suddenly he was fine and then, in the blink of an eye he paled and dropped.
“ARTHUR!” Rae screamed out, moving from the door frame to the form that pooled on the body. She could hear the sounds of chairs moving and people coming to see what had caused the scream. She watched as someone who said they had ER training checked him over. Rae couldn’t feel her breathe until they gave the all clear that he was alright. Well, would be alright after he got some rest.
It took some convenience but she managed to get him out of there. His phone, keys and calendar where now in her hands. One phone call to his parents to let them know and she had him out of there for some rest….even if he refused.
Quote:
Soft. The bed was so very soft and warm and a bit bright. Quinn frowned in his sleep as he buried his head further under his pillow, snuggling into the blankets wrapped around him. It took a bit but he finally realized something was wrong, several something's actually. His eyes flashed open to take in the expanse of white bedding he was currently buried in. Sunlight filtered in through the gauzy curtains, bathing the well appointed room in light.
Confusion filled him as he sat up, realizing that at some point he had been stripped leaving him only in his boxers. “What?” Quinn had no idea where he was or why he was naked or next to it. He frowned slightly as he racked his brain, trying to remember what had happened. It was almost like the last few months of working were just a dream and he was once more waking up after a night of drinking himself into oblivion. Except he didn't have a hangover… and he didn't remember drinking at all. Just what the hell happened?
Confusion filled him as he sat up, realizing that at some point he had been stripped leaving him only in his boxers. “What?” Quinn had no idea where he was or why he was naked or next to it. He frowned slightly as he racked his brain, trying to remember what had happened. It was almost like the last few months of working were just a dream and he was once more waking up after a night of drinking himself into oblivion. Except he didn't have a hangover… and he didn't remember drinking at all. Just what the hell happened?
Quote:
Standing in the window, gazing out on the winter day of the city, Rae was contemplating her next cup of coffee. She had only dozed here and there since Arthur had collapsed fearing he would wake in a panic. The last thing she wanted was him wandering around the city in a stupor of not knowing where he was. So she had only walked the line of sleep and spent the hours reading, watching the news, working a bit, and downing pots of coffee.
That was when she heard the movement and turned. “Well.” She smiled, stepping out of the window frame and moving towards the chair setup beside the bed. “Look who finally decided to join the world of the living again.” Grabbing a bottle of water, she offered it to him as she took a seat. “How are you feeling? You gave everyone quite the scare. Though I must say, I’ve never seen a more graceful pile of dropping dead than you did.”
That was when she heard the movement and turned. “Well.” She smiled, stepping out of the window frame and moving towards the chair setup beside the bed. “Look who finally decided to join the world of the living again.” Grabbing a bottle of water, she offered it to him as she took a seat. “How are you feeling? You gave everyone quite the scare. Though I must say, I’ve never seen a more graceful pile of dropping dead than you did.”
Quote:
Quinn started slightly at the voice, he wasn’t exactly expecting anyone to be in the room with him, but he got a second surprise when he saw who the voice belonged too. “Rae?” What was she doing here? Wasn’t she in New York? No that's not right. He frowned in concentration, trying to remember what had happened because something was wrong… something was seriously wrong with this whole situation. He should not be mostly naked in a bed with Rae standing there bathed in sunlight. He absently took the offered bottle of water and twisted it open, his mouth felt like it was as dry as a desert but before he even brought it to his lips a much, much, more pressing matter came to the forefront of his mind. Quickly resealing the bottle he muttered out an apology and scrambled from the bed, racing towards the door that he could see tile behind. The bathroom. The blessed place where he could relieve the nearly painful pressure residing within. The door slammed behind him and it was a little bit before the sound of the sink running predicted his eventual return to the world at large.
Feeling much better Quinn let the warm water wash over his hands, he absently watched it swirl down the drain before shaking himself from the momentary lapse. Snatching up a washcloth, he knew he was in a hotel room now judging by the complimentary soap bottles… a really nice one too if they were any judge, he quickly washed his face surprised by his appearance in the mirror. His hair was longer than the last time he thought about it, his face worn and tired looking, he had bags under his eyes and if the tone of his skin was any indication he hadn’t been getting out enough. He had even lost weight. Not a lot it seemed but enough that he could tell when he finally noticed. When was the last time he ate? That morning? No… he was running for a meeting so didn't have have time to eat. Last night? Did cold pizza count? Losing weight wasn't the only thing, he also needed a shave and a haircut, scruffy wasn’t even a valid description at this point. He was just unkempt. Quinn absently wiped at the stubble and wondered just how long he was out since he knew he had shaved that morning… didn’t he?
Finally he exited the bathroom, his hair slicked back with water and his face at least scrubbed clean even if he needed to shave. “Rae, where are my pants? I’ve got to make some calls, figure out just where I am on various projects. Deadlines I can’t miss, you know.” The last thing he remembered was the young woman coming into his little closet of his office. Since it was still in the middle of the day he knew he still had more data to input and several meetings he was probably late for now. Damn. He hated being late and he really didn’t want to miss even one meeting, after all he was a responsible adult who needed to shoulder the difficulties of being a fully grown functioning member of society.
Feeling much better Quinn let the warm water wash over his hands, he absently watched it swirl down the drain before shaking himself from the momentary lapse. Snatching up a washcloth, he knew he was in a hotel room now judging by the complimentary soap bottles… a really nice one too if they were any judge, he quickly washed his face surprised by his appearance in the mirror. His hair was longer than the last time he thought about it, his face worn and tired looking, he had bags under his eyes and if the tone of his skin was any indication he hadn’t been getting out enough. He had even lost weight. Not a lot it seemed but enough that he could tell when he finally noticed. When was the last time he ate? That morning? No… he was running for a meeting so didn't have have time to eat. Last night? Did cold pizza count? Losing weight wasn't the only thing, he also needed a shave and a haircut, scruffy wasn’t even a valid description at this point. He was just unkempt. Quinn absently wiped at the stubble and wondered just how long he was out since he knew he had shaved that morning… didn’t he?
Finally he exited the bathroom, his hair slicked back with water and his face at least scrubbed clean even if he needed to shave. “Rae, where are my pants? I’ve got to make some calls, figure out just where I am on various projects. Deadlines I can’t miss, you know.” The last thing he remembered was the young woman coming into his little closet of his office. Since it was still in the middle of the day he knew he still had more data to input and several meetings he was probably late for now. Damn. He hated being late and he really didn’t want to miss even one meeting, after all he was a responsible adult who needed to shoulder the difficulties of being a fully grown functioning member of society.
Quote:
The chuckle she had to stifle was one of amusement as she watched his behind disappear behind a closed door. Even to this day his boxers still seemed a bit big on him. Though she had to give some points that these clearly were not bought for the sake of being silly. Looked good.
Settling into the chair, she pulled out her phone and began a simple game of Angry Birds while she waited for the shoe to fall. To be honest, she didn’t have a clue how he was going to take what she had to say but, if anyone was going to pin him down and make him take a day off, everyone put their faith in her. Rae wasn’t sure if that was foolish or genus. Hearing the door crack, she glanced up just in time for the questions to start flying. She was the foolish one alright.
“First off, there is a robe in the closet.” Rae glanced back down at her phone to close the game before motioning with her head to the closet on the other side of the room. “It’s white so don’t drop anything on it but good quality material. They splurged with it. I would recommend wearing it until your suit gets back up here.” Now her red eyes flashed back at him. “I had it sent to the cleaners when we got here. They have a good turn around so I expect it any minute.”
Now she leaned back, legs crossed taking on the appearance of a lady in power. “Second, you phone is on the night stand but it won’t do you any good. I have it locked. I have been given orders to keep you relaxed until you recover your strength. Though I may have to get them to send up a shaving kit unless there is a good barber around.” Smirking, she messed with the ends of her own hair as if telling him some of his was sticking up on the side. “Third, you have nothing on your schedule. Your boss has cancelled everything after you...collapsed.” Standing up, Rae walked gracefully towards the dresser and picked up a piece of paper. “Exhaustion with a case of malnutrition and dehydration.” Offering him the paper if he asked, she met his eye. “You have been out for the past 16 hours Artie. What have you been trying to prove since I left? Just how fast you can kill yourself!” The final words had her stepping up to him, now shoving the paper at his chest as a look of concern flashed over her face.
“Bottom line Artie, you aren’t going anywhere.”
Settling into the chair, she pulled out her phone and began a simple game of Angry Birds while she waited for the shoe to fall. To be honest, she didn’t have a clue how he was going to take what she had to say but, if anyone was going to pin him down and make him take a day off, everyone put their faith in her. Rae wasn’t sure if that was foolish or genus. Hearing the door crack, she glanced up just in time for the questions to start flying. She was the foolish one alright.
“First off, there is a robe in the closet.” Rae glanced back down at her phone to close the game before motioning with her head to the closet on the other side of the room. “It’s white so don’t drop anything on it but good quality material. They splurged with it. I would recommend wearing it until your suit gets back up here.” Now her red eyes flashed back at him. “I had it sent to the cleaners when we got here. They have a good turn around so I expect it any minute.”
Now she leaned back, legs crossed taking on the appearance of a lady in power. “Second, you phone is on the night stand but it won’t do you any good. I have it locked. I have been given orders to keep you relaxed until you recover your strength. Though I may have to get them to send up a shaving kit unless there is a good barber around.” Smirking, she messed with the ends of her own hair as if telling him some of his was sticking up on the side. “Third, you have nothing on your schedule. Your boss has cancelled everything after you...collapsed.” Standing up, Rae walked gracefully towards the dresser and picked up a piece of paper. “Exhaustion with a case of malnutrition and dehydration.” Offering him the paper if he asked, she met his eye. “You have been out for the past 16 hours Artie. What have you been trying to prove since I left? Just how fast you can kill yourself!” The final words had her stepping up to him, now shoving the paper at his chest as a look of concern flashed over her face.
“Bottom line Artie, you aren’t going anywhere.”
Quote:
Quinn quirked his brow when Rae started to talk, an amused smile playing on his lips as he waited to see if she would actually start to tick off her points only to feel a little disappointed when she just nodded towards the closet. It was tempting to crack a joke about her not wanting to see him in his skivvies but since that wasn’t very adult like he just nodded and quickly shrugged into the robe. As the fluffy white expanse of cloth enveloped him Quinn was tempted to dig his fingers into the 100% cotton like Isis kneading her claws into a blanket. It was so comfy and fluffy and warm, if he wasn’t a grown man he would want to just moan a little but he was. He was an adult who couldn’t crack inappropriate jokes or make disturbingly sexy sounds when molesting clothing due to their softness. It just wasn’t done so instead he focused back on Rae. This time both brows rose when she mentioned his suit, if it was expected any minute the cleaners had to be epic to done with it after such a short time. The shortest turn around time he had ever heard of was like a day, in in the morning and done by the end of the day, anything less then that was a damn miracle… and would cost something fierce. But since it was Rae, she could pull it off. She wasn’t exactly someone you would say no to easily.
He immediately focused though when she mentioned his phone. Already forgetting about the robe and the suite he started to stride towards the nightstand where his phone was only to stop as if he had been frozen. Locked? His phone was locked? He was locked out of it? He glanced over at her, a frown marring his brow as he tried to tell if she was joking. Even Rae wouldn’t be so heartless to deliberately access his phone to change the password… was she? He breathed a sigh of relief at her teasing tone and the smirk, completely misinterpreting it. Of course she wouldn’t do that Feeling much better he turned to go fetch his phone, after all he had to have been out for at least a half hour which meant he was running late. He had calls to make and texts to return, he was sure of it.
Again his forward momentum came to a stop with Rae’s words. His meetings canceled? His schedule empty? No work?.... COLLAPSE?!?!?!? Surprise, with more than a little fear, was etched onto his face when he turned to fully face Rae. What had happened? Was his whole day really wiped clean? He watched her grab a paper, apparently a doctor’s report, but it still wasn’t connecting. It was like he was hearing the diagnosis of some stranger. ‘Exhaustion with a case of malnutrition and dehydration,’ how ‘interesting.’ It had nothing to do with him. He hadn’t been tired and maybe he missed a meal every once in awhile and been drinking more coffee and soda than water but he hadn’t been that bad that he had collapsed… had he? He had been so focused on getting his work done, in understanding every little part of it and doing it to perfection, of being the perfect adult, he had missed something so important. His own health. His gray green eyes flashed up from the paper Rae had been holding out to her face and immediately blanched. 16 hours? s**t! No wonder he felt better than he had in awhile. Quinn stumbled back, sitting with a thunk when the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, from the force behind Rae’s shove even as he absently clutched the paper to his robe covered chest.
He stared up at her dumbfounded for a few moments before it was like a switch had been flipped and he stood with a purpose. He wasn’t some child to be ordered around. Quinn was an adult, damn it, and if he had a day off of work then he could at least work on other things. Things he had been neglecting like housework and homework, although that wasn’t being neglected really, and even knightwork. He really should go out and practice some, or even see if he could get to his wonder to find something for Xan. He didn’t have time to just sit here and whittle away the hours, even if it was Rae. “That’s good to know. I’ll have to make sure to put in a phone reminder about the water and snacks.” He nodded at her even as he let the unread note fall to the bed and strode over to his phone only to find that she really had locked it. She had even turned it off! He frowned at the device when it prompted him to input a password after he rebooted it. Muttering to himself he tried and failed to unlock it several times in quick succession triggering the phone’s anti-tampering and blocking any further attempts for a good 10 minutes. Annoyed he tossed the now useless piece of plastic, glass, and silicone on the bed and glared at his childhood friend. “Damn it Rae. That's not cool.”
He immediately focused though when she mentioned his phone. Already forgetting about the robe and the suite he started to stride towards the nightstand where his phone was only to stop as if he had been frozen. Locked? His phone was locked? He was locked out of it? He glanced over at her, a frown marring his brow as he tried to tell if she was joking. Even Rae wouldn’t be so heartless to deliberately access his phone to change the password… was she? He breathed a sigh of relief at her teasing tone and the smirk, completely misinterpreting it. Of course she wouldn’t do that Feeling much better he turned to go fetch his phone, after all he had to have been out for at least a half hour which meant he was running late. He had calls to make and texts to return, he was sure of it.
Again his forward momentum came to a stop with Rae’s words. His meetings canceled? His schedule empty? No work?.... COLLAPSE?!?!?!? Surprise, with more than a little fear, was etched onto his face when he turned to fully face Rae. What had happened? Was his whole day really wiped clean? He watched her grab a paper, apparently a doctor’s report, but it still wasn’t connecting. It was like he was hearing the diagnosis of some stranger. ‘Exhaustion with a case of malnutrition and dehydration,’ how ‘interesting.’ It had nothing to do with him. He hadn’t been tired and maybe he missed a meal every once in awhile and been drinking more coffee and soda than water but he hadn’t been that bad that he had collapsed… had he? He had been so focused on getting his work done, in understanding every little part of it and doing it to perfection, of being the perfect adult, he had missed something so important. His own health. His gray green eyes flashed up from the paper Rae had been holding out to her face and immediately blanched. 16 hours? s**t! No wonder he felt better than he had in awhile. Quinn stumbled back, sitting with a thunk when the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, from the force behind Rae’s shove even as he absently clutched the paper to his robe covered chest.
He stared up at her dumbfounded for a few moments before it was like a switch had been flipped and he stood with a purpose. He wasn’t some child to be ordered around. Quinn was an adult, damn it, and if he had a day off of work then he could at least work on other things. Things he had been neglecting like housework and homework, although that wasn’t being neglected really, and even knightwork. He really should go out and practice some, or even see if he could get to his wonder to find something for Xan. He didn’t have time to just sit here and whittle away the hours, even if it was Rae. “That’s good to know. I’ll have to make sure to put in a phone reminder about the water and snacks.” He nodded at her even as he let the unread note fall to the bed and strode over to his phone only to find that she really had locked it. She had even turned it off! He frowned at the device when it prompted him to input a password after he rebooted it. Muttering to himself he tried and failed to unlock it several times in quick succession triggering the phone’s anti-tampering and blocking any further attempts for a good 10 minutes. Annoyed he tossed the now useless piece of plastic, glass, and silicone on the bed and glared at his childhood friend. “Damn it Rae. That's not cool.”
Quote:
“No…” Rae spat out, nearly marching across the room, clearly now more annoyed than she had been a moment ago. “You know what’s not cool Artie? Come back to Destiny City to find you had nearly killed yourself becoming the one thing you swore up and down that you would never become.” Her finger jabbed into his chest quickly followed by a smack to his shoulder. “To find out you were working yourself to the bone even more than you had when I came by a month ago! What in the world are you trying to prove Artie? That you can out work your father?”
Throwing her hands up now, she moved away from him. “I came back because I sensed something was wrong. I’ve known you too long to walk away from you when you need help and Artie, you need it something bad. So much so your bosses have ordered you to take the next few days off! They have already removed you from the meetings and told me to pass along that until you passed a doctor’s exam, you weren’t to come back.”
Going back to the bed, Rae sat herself down on it and naturally crossed her legs. Silence feel over her for a long moment and she finally shook her head. “Stop acting like a little kid and realize you need to take care of yourself.”
Throwing her hands up now, she moved away from him. “I came back because I sensed something was wrong. I’ve known you too long to walk away from you when you need help and Artie, you need it something bad. So much so your bosses have ordered you to take the next few days off! They have already removed you from the meetings and told me to pass along that until you passed a doctor’s exam, you weren’t to come back.”
Going back to the bed, Rae sat herself down on it and naturally crossed her legs. Silence feel over her for a long moment and she finally shook her head. “Stop acting like a little kid and realize you need to take care of yourself.”
Quote:
Quinn nearly reached up and grabbed her wrist when Rae poked him, his eyes flashing in anger, but he stopped himself. He had never truly raised his hand in anger at a woman and he wasn’t about to start now… besides Rae could dish it out just as well as he could have, at least before the whole knight nightmare started, and she seemed to be done physically pushing him around as she continued her rant by throwing up her hands and stalking away. For some reason his gaze dropped to her hips and backside as she made her way towards the bed. He watched as she sat, a part of himself that he had thought he had buried peaked its head out before he mentally stomped it back down. It was Rae! This was a woman who wasn’t a female. She was an ‘untouchable’. It was just wrong to even briefly think those things about her, even in passing. Mentally shaking himself Quinn focused back on the topic at hand.
“First of all, you don’t understand. I’m not the same guy, damn it! I can’t just skate through life on luck, charm, and wits. I am Author James Quinton the ******** third, Rae. I have responsibilities now! I don’t have the luxury of not giving a damn any more. I’ve still got so much to learn and like hell am I giving up my degree, not when I’m so close.” He had started off calmly but as he progressed he became more agitated and started to pace, his stride eating up the space as the robe which had never really tied billowed out behind him like a cape. “Schoolwork. Work work. Homework,” He cut himself off before he added ‘Knightwork’ to the list. “So much stuff needs to get done that skipping a meal or two isn’t a big deal. So what if my sleep has been spotty. I have 20 some odd years to catch up on. Years that I focused on myself. My degree, my life, my happiness. Well Rae, it's time I focus on others!” Quinn had ended up in front of her during his rant, well within touching… or kicking distance, his arms crossed and his stance practically screaming for a fight even as the robe settled around him, framing his surprisingly muscular frame in white cotton. He had completely forgotten he was just in his boxers.
“Besides Rae,” He leaned down towards her, his mossy green eyes sparking in anger. “You aren't my mother so stop acting like it.” He was asking to get slapped, or kicked, or hit. Anything to make her angry enough to leave. To let him get back to working himself to death, or at least back to working. He really didn’t intend to repeat the same mistakes, he really would set some kind of alarm to force himself to eat and drink properly. The sleep would be the hardest part but he would deal with that as well.
“First of all, you don’t understand. I’m not the same guy, damn it! I can’t just skate through life on luck, charm, and wits. I am Author James Quinton the ******** third, Rae. I have responsibilities now! I don’t have the luxury of not giving a damn any more. I’ve still got so much to learn and like hell am I giving up my degree, not when I’m so close.” He had started off calmly but as he progressed he became more agitated and started to pace, his stride eating up the space as the robe which had never really tied billowed out behind him like a cape. “Schoolwork. Work work. Homework,” He cut himself off before he added ‘Knightwork’ to the list. “So much stuff needs to get done that skipping a meal or two isn’t a big deal. So what if my sleep has been spotty. I have 20 some odd years to catch up on. Years that I focused on myself. My degree, my life, my happiness. Well Rae, it's time I focus on others!” Quinn had ended up in front of her during his rant, well within touching… or kicking distance, his arms crossed and his stance practically screaming for a fight even as the robe settled around him, framing his surprisingly muscular frame in white cotton. He had completely forgotten he was just in his boxers.
“Besides Rae,” He leaned down towards her, his mossy green eyes sparking in anger. “You aren't my mother so stop acting like it.” He was asking to get slapped, or kicked, or hit. Anything to make her angry enough to leave. To let him get back to working himself to death, or at least back to working. He really didn’t intend to repeat the same mistakes, he really would set some kind of alarm to force himself to eat and drink properly. The sleep would be the hardest part but he would deal with that as well.
Quote:
The fire in Rae’s eyes was matched only by the fire in her voice. She didn’t move. She just sat there staring up at him as he stood before her, growling at her like some angry animal. “Are you finished?” Her legs uncrossed as she rose. He was taller than her but that never stopped her before and wasn’t going to stop her now. “Well not that it matters anyway because I’m telling you that you are.”
She was in his face, as much as she could be as she held his gaze. “You are done and now it’s time for you to shut up and listen before you kill yourself or I throw you out that window…” With a curt smile, she added. “We are 27 floors up. That fall wouldn’t be fun.”
Arms crossed now under her chest, showing off the cleavage a bit more. “Because you don’t have ‘20 some odd years’ to catch up on. You have ‘20 some odd years’ of life to fall back on. And I don’t give a damn if you are Arthur James Quinton III, Mickey Mouse, or Joe Blow from the hot dog joint down the street. I have never given a damn about your name or status which is why I’m standing here because what I do give a damn about is you! And clearly I give a bigger damn than I should because you clearly don’t care if other people are worried sick about you or not!”
Reaching both hands out, she grabbed the sides of the robe, yanked it shut and tied it. “And as much as I’m flattered you are happy to see me, this is not the time for that.” She added as the made sure the knot was tight.
“Part of begin and adult, as you said, being concerned about others. Well that includes realizing that others care and love you and want you to be happy. You mother is going gray because of you and your father is blaming himself. I know this because I called them when you collapsed.” She cut off any words he might have had to retort her. “Because none of us know where your idea of being an ‘adult’ has come from you dimwit! As your father said ‘this isn’t how I raised him.’”
She was in his face, as much as she could be as she held his gaze. “You are done and now it’s time for you to shut up and listen before you kill yourself or I throw you out that window…” With a curt smile, she added. “We are 27 floors up. That fall wouldn’t be fun.”
Arms crossed now under her chest, showing off the cleavage a bit more. “Because you don’t have ‘20 some odd years’ to catch up on. You have ‘20 some odd years’ of life to fall back on. And I don’t give a damn if you are Arthur James Quinton III, Mickey Mouse, or Joe Blow from the hot dog joint down the street. I have never given a damn about your name or status which is why I’m standing here because what I do give a damn about is you! And clearly I give a bigger damn than I should because you clearly don’t care if other people are worried sick about you or not!”
Reaching both hands out, she grabbed the sides of the robe, yanked it shut and tied it. “And as much as I’m flattered you are happy to see me, this is not the time for that.” She added as the made sure the knot was tight.
“Part of begin and adult, as you said, being concerned about others. Well that includes realizing that others care and love you and want you to be happy. You mother is going gray because of you and your father is blaming himself. I know this because I called them when you collapsed.” She cut off any words he might have had to retort her. “Because none of us know where your idea of being an ‘adult’ has come from you dimwit! As your father said ‘this isn’t how I raised him.’”
Quote:
Quinn was ready to retort, responding anger with anger, his faltering slightly when she tried to strangle him using the robe. At least it felt that way when she yanked the open sides closed, tieing so tight that for a moment Quinn wondered if he would have to cut it in order to get it off. He sure as s**t wasn’t going to apologize for the natural response his body had, at least not vocally. Logically he knew Rae was a beautiful woman, he also knew that she really was never to be touched… by anyone if he had anything to say about it. Least of all him. But his anger drained away like a bucket of water that had been shot full of holes when Rae mentioned his parents.
There were a few people he really truly cared about, his parents were at the top of that list. When it came to taking orders, theirs he swallows and does them… others not so much. So when Rae, who was also on the list, mentioned them it was like the winds were taken out of his sails and he just kind of sagged. His shoulders dropped as well as his eyes even as he stepped back, off the field of battle as it were. Rae wielded a mean saber of guilt and she knew just where to stab too. With a sigh he ran a hand absently through his hair, grimacing slightly at the still damp strands. “s**t,” it wasn’t said with venom but more with a defeated tone. “I was just… I wanted… I…” He faded off as he realized something. Something that he actually should have realized a long time ago. Everything he just said and thought begin with ‘I’. ‘I want to be stronger’, ‘I want to be better’, ‘I have responsibilities’, ‘I have to do this alone’, I, I, I, I. It was all about him and like hell it was.
With a weak laugh, one full of self derision, he backed up until he found one of the room chairs he had absently noted during his previous pacing of the room. Sitting absently Quinn just buried his face in his hands, breathing deeply for a moment before surfacing with an ‘Awww Hell’ and a sigh. Rae was right. He was a dimwit. Actually he was probably closer to being a dipshit and dumbass. “I’ve been an a** haven’t I?” He knew the answer, it was more a rhetorical question but it still needed to be said. That and a hell of a lot more.
There were a few people he really truly cared about, his parents were at the top of that list. When it came to taking orders, theirs he swallows and does them… others not so much. So when Rae, who was also on the list, mentioned them it was like the winds were taken out of his sails and he just kind of sagged. His shoulders dropped as well as his eyes even as he stepped back, off the field of battle as it were. Rae wielded a mean saber of guilt and she knew just where to stab too. With a sigh he ran a hand absently through his hair, grimacing slightly at the still damp strands. “s**t,” it wasn’t said with venom but more with a defeated tone. “I was just… I wanted… I…” He faded off as he realized something. Something that he actually should have realized a long time ago. Everything he just said and thought begin with ‘I’. ‘I want to be stronger’, ‘I want to be better’, ‘I have responsibilities’, ‘I have to do this alone’, I, I, I, I. It was all about him and like hell it was.
With a weak laugh, one full of self derision, he backed up until he found one of the room chairs he had absently noted during his previous pacing of the room. Sitting absently Quinn just buried his face in his hands, breathing deeply for a moment before surfacing with an ‘Awww Hell’ and a sigh. Rae was right. He was a dimwit. Actually he was probably closer to being a dipshit and dumbass. “I’ve been an a** haven’t I?” He knew the answer, it was more a rhetorical question but it still needed to be said. That and a hell of a lot more.
Quote:
The point came across like a canon. Rae had honestly not wanted to pull out the parent card for this very reason. The man in front of her suddenly went from standing tall to looking like a kicked puppy. But...sometimes...the trump card had to be played.
Watching him sit, Rae’s stern face didn’t soften. She still held onto the expression of her business self: powerful and controlled. She’d gone into battle before but this was something very different. This was a man who knew her both at her best and worst and a man who she had had to smack around before. Never to this degree.
“I think a** might be an understatement.” Rae finally sighed, her own shoulders relaxing as she dropped the battle armor and watched him fall into the chair. She was clearly debating on if now was time to be a comfort or if she still had a point to make. “But I’m just going off the things I have been told and the few conversations we have had.” She compromised as she sat down back on the bed and watched him. “Artie, what’s gotten into you? I’ve never in a million years expected to see you like this. You have always been a hard worker but this rate is almost suicidal. We are all worried you are trying to kill yourself in as slow a way as possible…” The pause was there as she took a deep breath.
“It’s one of the reasons I decided to move back into town.”
Watching him sit, Rae’s stern face didn’t soften. She still held onto the expression of her business self: powerful and controlled. She’d gone into battle before but this was something very different. This was a man who knew her both at her best and worst and a man who she had had to smack around before. Never to this degree.
“I think a** might be an understatement.” Rae finally sighed, her own shoulders relaxing as she dropped the battle armor and watched him fall into the chair. She was clearly debating on if now was time to be a comfort or if she still had a point to make. “But I’m just going off the things I have been told and the few conversations we have had.” She compromised as she sat down back on the bed and watched him. “Artie, what’s gotten into you? I’ve never in a million years expected to see you like this. You have always been a hard worker but this rate is almost suicidal. We are all worried you are trying to kill yourself in as slow a way as possible…” The pause was there as she took a deep breath.
“It’s one of the reasons I decided to move back into town.”
Quote:
What she heard probably wasn’t too inaccurate. They likely didn’t even scratch the surface since he did a lot of his work alone. Few would realize that he had built and redid his model for his project several times now, that the blueprints had been in an almost constant state of fluctuation. He had even gone so far to do individual models of the three different floor plans for the various apartments that made up his project. That didn’t even cover the small store model, the large store model, and even the ‘secret’ plans and that was only for his final project. He had also been swamped with work and school. But the part no one would have known about was the rare nights when he actually went out patrolling. Nights he needed to ‘air out’ his head and work any kinks out of his body from sitting so long. Still though, obviously someone had noticed that he was working too much or she never would have been told. He didn’t think he had given anything away when they had talked but Rae could always smell his bullshit. It was like she had superpowers or something when it came to calling him out on his lies.
That's why he just kept his trap shut when she asked what got into him. He didn’t know what to tell her. It wasn’t like he could say that he was trying to live up to the mental image he had built of a Knight. That he was trying to be someone his team could rely on and not fear for their asses if anything ever arose. That he was trying to be a success in business. Trying to understand every aspect of every part of the company he knew his father wanted to pass down to him, and then some. That he was trying to atleast make the little voice in his head, the one who called him a child and worthless and not worth anyone’s time, to shut the hell up. He wanted to prove so many people wrong. That he wasn’t just coasting on the family name. That he wasn’t some damn liability.
He couldn’t tell her that because then he would have to explain it. And if he started to explain it it would eventually lead to spots that he can’t tell her. Which would only lead to her asking about it. And it would just be a secular pattern of her asking and him lieing and her calling him out on it. It was just better for him to keep silent.
His silence was quickly filled with disbelief. She moved back in town?!?!? “But…” He never finished the ‘why?’ part of that aborted question since he immediately spit out, “you can't!” Unfortunately for Quinn it wasn’t until he vehemently denied her moving back into the city that he realized he had no logical reason she couldn’t. He tried anyway. “I mean. There is no reason for you to. Your life is in New York. I bet you could go to California or Paris or Rome even if you wanted to. There is no point in coming back here and dealing with all the family crap.” All valid points, just not his main one. If she came back… she would be a possible target. She was a target elsewhere but here, in this city, there was an active war going on. Here she would be in great danger. She couldn’t move back. Especially not because of him. s**t!
That's why he just kept his trap shut when she asked what got into him. He didn’t know what to tell her. It wasn’t like he could say that he was trying to live up to the mental image he had built of a Knight. That he was trying to be someone his team could rely on and not fear for their asses if anything ever arose. That he was trying to be a success in business. Trying to understand every aspect of every part of the company he knew his father wanted to pass down to him, and then some. That he was trying to atleast make the little voice in his head, the one who called him a child and worthless and not worth anyone’s time, to shut the hell up. He wanted to prove so many people wrong. That he wasn’t just coasting on the family name. That he wasn’t some damn liability.
He couldn’t tell her that because then he would have to explain it. And if he started to explain it it would eventually lead to spots that he can’t tell her. Which would only lead to her asking about it. And it would just be a secular pattern of her asking and him lieing and her calling him out on it. It was just better for him to keep silent.
His silence was quickly filled with disbelief. She moved back in town?!?!? “But…” He never finished the ‘why?’ part of that aborted question since he immediately spit out, “you can't!” Unfortunately for Quinn it wasn’t until he vehemently denied her moving back into the city that he realized he had no logical reason she couldn’t. He tried anyway. “I mean. There is no reason for you to. Your life is in New York. I bet you could go to California or Paris or Rome even if you wanted to. There is no point in coming back here and dealing with all the family crap.” All valid points, just not his main one. If she came back… she would be a possible target. She was a target elsewhere but here, in this city, there was an active war going on. Here she would be in great danger. She couldn’t move back. Especially not because of him. s**t!
Quote:
She didn’t need to say anything. Rae’s face clearly looked surprised at Quinn’s outcry to her returning to Destiny City. Well, surprised and almost insulted that he would so admittedly tell her that she couldn’t come back! Slowly her head turned to the side and she felt her voice rise to a crack as she chimed out ‘oh?’. It wasn’t so much of a question or even a statement. Just her initial reaction as she locked eyes on him.
“And way, praytell, can I not move back to the city I am from if I so desire?” Her voice was very razor sharp as she eyed the man. She was sitting there, her back very straight and rigid as she waited for this reasoning and outbreak.
“And way, praytell, can I not move back to the city I am from if I so desire?” Her voice was very razor sharp as she eyed the man. She was sitting there, her back very straight and rigid as she waited for this reasoning and outbreak.
Quote:
Quinn was in a minefield of his own making. Anything which way he turned it would blow up in his face. It would have been far safer if he had never opened his mouth at all but that option had already passed. “It's not that you can’t persay. I mean you totally have the resources it's just…” He paused and grimaced, knowing that what he is about to say might just set off a chain reaction. “You shouldn’t.” How much could he tell her? How much was safe to reveal? It would have to be a careful balance of mostly truth, something she could have found out on her own. It would be a logical reason to avoid moving into the city but for him, it wasn't the whole story.
“Any city has its issues but Rae, this one has its own special problems. Apparently we are plagued with terrorists. A bunch of people in some really outrageous outfits who get into fights with each other, and monsters. Nasty things. The list of missing in the city are astronomical and going to large gatherings run the risk of s**t happening.” All was true. Granted he didn't say that the ‘terrorists’ were actually seen as the good guys by the majority of the city, damn negaverse had some serious media manipulation game. He also couldn’t tell her that the monsters were youma and the missing were likely dead. The biggest piece of information he neglected to tell her was that he was one of those people in the ‘outrageous outfits’. That was a secret he was planning on taking to the grave, especially when it came to telling Rae. He wouldn’t want to put that kind of weight on her shoulders. He paused to take a deep breath, here was the kicker. The part that would clinch her decision to return or not. “Rae. I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt or worse because of me.” It would also mean that she wouldn’t be able to bug him about how he spent his time. He didn’t need a nanny to make sure he ate, he would figure something out.
“Any city has its issues but Rae, this one has its own special problems. Apparently we are plagued with terrorists. A bunch of people in some really outrageous outfits who get into fights with each other, and monsters. Nasty things. The list of missing in the city are astronomical and going to large gatherings run the risk of s**t happening.” All was true. Granted he didn't say that the ‘terrorists’ were actually seen as the good guys by the majority of the city, damn negaverse had some serious media manipulation game. He also couldn’t tell her that the monsters were youma and the missing were likely dead. The biggest piece of information he neglected to tell her was that he was one of those people in the ‘outrageous outfits’. That was a secret he was planning on taking to the grave, especially when it came to telling Rae. He wouldn’t want to put that kind of weight on her shoulders. He paused to take a deep breath, here was the kicker. The part that would clinch her decision to return or not. “Rae. I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt or worse because of me.” It would also mean that she wouldn’t be able to bug him about how he spent his time. He didn’t need a nanny to make sure he ate, he would figure something out.
Quote:
The hole he had been digging himself was getting deeper by the moment. She can’t because she shouldn’t and her lips became even more of a line. Was it getting colder in the room or was it her just glaring icy daggers into his soul? “Artie, do you think I haven’t heard about such things as the ‘terrorists’ and the ‘missing people’?” Her voice was curt and to the point. She may have been pissed at him before for his own health but NOW she was flat out annoyed at him. This might have been worse. “Or do you think I have lived under a rock for the past several years?”
And then he said it. Gray eyes flashed wide and her mouth slipped into an ‘o’ shape. “Oh really now? You couldn’t live with yourself if I got hurt...well isn’t that a novel idea. My hero…” And then Rae felt her eyes roll. “What in the world do you think I am? Some princess in need of saving? I have never been good at the entire damsel in distress roll and you know that. Nor am I good at sitting back while my oldest friend is an idiot.”
Standing up, Rae walked with an almost army march. She headed towards the large door that separated the master bedroom from the rest of the suite, opened it, and pointed into the main living area. “So get your behind out of that chair and eat something…” It wasn’t a statement. It was an order as she locked eyes with him.
Beyond her, the table had a small spread of covered dishes. “I’m moving back and that’s final. I’ve already rented a place until I find my own. Now...Move it!”
And then he said it. Gray eyes flashed wide and her mouth slipped into an ‘o’ shape. “Oh really now? You couldn’t live with yourself if I got hurt...well isn’t that a novel idea. My hero…” And then Rae felt her eyes roll. “What in the world do you think I am? Some princess in need of saving? I have never been good at the entire damsel in distress roll and you know that. Nor am I good at sitting back while my oldest friend is an idiot.”
Standing up, Rae walked with an almost army march. She headed towards the large door that separated the master bedroom from the rest of the suite, opened it, and pointed into the main living area. “So get your behind out of that chair and eat something…” It wasn’t a statement. It was an order as she locked eyes with him.
Beyond her, the table had a small spread of covered dishes. “I’m moving back and that’s final. I’ve already rented a place until I find my own. Now...Move it!”
Quote:
She wasn’t getting it! He would be responsible if she returned to the city because of him. He would be the one who would have to watch her back. The one to go to any major event she went to, the person who would have to shadow her moves at night, the guy who would end up putting his life on the line to keep her safe. And if he failed in that? It didn’t even bare contemplating it. Obviously she wasn’t listening to him so trying to continue to argue was pointless. He would just have to figure out how to work protecting her into his already crammed schedule. Was it possible to get a tracker in jewelry or something? At least that way he could track her remotely. Rather retorting he kept his mouth shut and did his best to keep his face blank. If she knew what he was thinking she would probably beat his a**. She was more independent than he was.
Quinn nearly opened his mouth to snark about her order but the growl of his stomach shut him up. Apparently 20 plus hours with no food was his limit and his body was demanding food, like, right now! No matter how much her orders irked him, he still wasn’t great at taking them, his hunger beat it out. With little more than a muttered, ‘yeah, yeah’ he made his way over to the spread of food, quickly filling a plate with various items. He only paused once before digging in and that was to point his fork at Rae while snarking, “Well then don't come crying to me if you scuff your shoes.” She wouldn’t have to worry about anything worse because he was going to protect her. Whether she liked it or not.
Quinn nearly opened his mouth to snark about her order but the growl of his stomach shut him up. Apparently 20 plus hours with no food was his limit and his body was demanding food, like, right now! No matter how much her orders irked him, he still wasn’t great at taking them, his hunger beat it out. With little more than a muttered, ‘yeah, yeah’ he made his way over to the spread of food, quickly filling a plate with various items. He only paused once before digging in and that was to point his fork at Rae while snarking, “Well then don't come crying to me if you scuff your shoes.” She wouldn’t have to worry about anything worse because he was going to protect her. Whether she liked it or not.
Quote:
“Don’t worry.” Rae’s eyes rolled as she walked behind him, making sure he headed straight for the food and not at all for the door. But there was still a smirk on her face as she watched him dive head first into the plate of food as if he hadn’t seen it in ages. His body didn’t lie...it was running on fumes and that needed to be solved.
“I have zero intention of coming to you for new shoes or anything of the sort. Heaven knows what you would provide.” She slipped over, taking a seat on the couch and gazing out the window into the city.
He was one of the only reasons she would come back here. Damn him and his stubborn ways.
“I have zero intention of coming to you for new shoes or anything of the sort. Heaven knows what you would provide.” She slipped over, taking a seat on the couch and gazing out the window into the city.
He was one of the only reasons she would come back here. Damn him and his stubborn ways.
