Post by Sofie T on Jun 8, 2017 13:15:56 GMT
The gym was filled with people, the main floor flowing with easy movements as everyone seems to understand each other's space. The music playing through the speakers is the same 'Beast mode' type stuff playing every day. Sixx sits at the desk, her bump rather prominent now, smiling and greeting the regulars as they pass by her. Occasionally stopping to chat with one or two she considers friends.
Past the main floor where rings are set up, a few students are trying out some grappling techniques on each other, being watched by more experienced students. All of the side doors are closed as it's too late for classes now, Josh's office door is propped open with he and Zooey inside who are discussing something or other between themselves.
Off towards the very back of the main room, in an almost alcove like space, a small figure, dressed entirely in black, long black leggings and a long sleeved black shirt, despite the hot day and hotter gym. Her feet seem to bounce around almost as though she's floating as she goes through the same triple combo over and over, not once actually hitting the bag in front of her, more dancing around it.
Her long black hair hangs over the side of her face, so no one can really see her features and something about the way she moves is almost a graceful sadness, earbuds sit in her ears as she clearly drowns out the rest of the world, submersing herself in her own, private one.
There is then a slight commotion as a figure walks into the gym. Some of the younger trainees come up to shake the man's hand, while Josh walks up to offer to show him around. It's multiple time world champion and hall of fame member Drew McGatha. He follows Josh around the gym as he shows him the in and outs. But the small figure in black, rapidly firing against the bag keeps a piece of his attention.
Josh finishes the tour as Drew then makes his way to watch the small dark figure work the bag, alone in her own world.
She doesn't notice the change in atmosphere in the gym, still moving around the bad with a quiet yet quick precision that betrays an obvious amount of training she would likely be quick to deny. Nor does she notice when he moves about the gym, an eye on her. Whilst most would feel watched, she has become all but too accustomed to the feeling as of late, his eye bearing no different from the several others already on her.
As he finally stands to watch her, she still doesn't look up, her movements do not change, around and around the bag she almost dances with her own shadow, her fists never actually touching the surface of the bag as she loses herself in the movement.
Drew starts to circle behind her now as he stands closer to watch her form and strikes. He crosses his arms over his chest as he watches, waiting for what she will do next. There was something about her that he just couldn't draw himself from .
After a moment or two she feels a presence behind her and falls back, pulling an earbud free she drops her hands to the side and turns to face him now, her expression behind the curtain of hair is almost annoyance as she looks him up and down, huffing out slightly she runs a hand over her forehead as she speaks.
"I'm fine."
The words are a half growled whispers, not an invitation for conversation, she turns away from him again and walks around the bag, grabbing her water from the floor she takes a mouthful before tossing it back down into her bag with a light grunt, her irritation at the interruption obvious.
Her movements are fluid and quick, seamless she moves almost as though there were no resistance around her body at all, when she turns back to the bag, she leaves the stray earbud hanging to her shoulder, marking up she begins kicking with her right foot at all three levels, still never once actually touching the bag.
He doesn't move even after her brush off. Drew notices the dangling earbud and says in his soft but deep tone.
"Why aren't you making contact?"
He keeps studying her, still unable to figure out the small angry person's allure.
She drops her foot with a sigh, stepping back she falls out of position easily and turns to address him, with a sidestep of the bag so she can look up into his face. Her brows draw together as she studies him, wrapping her arms around herself her eyes move up and down his form as though ascertaining what level of interest to give the stranger.
"Because..."
She walks around the bag now, her feet picking their way across the floor, almost catlike in the sway her body seems to take on. Her long black hair falls back from her face a little and wide, pain filled eyes stare up into his, no bravado in her tiny form.
"Control, is often more important than power and I am exercising it."
"Control huh?"
He rubs at his chin for an moment. His eyes still locked on her.
"Can you show me more of that?"
He chuckles mmm softly.
"Control hasn't really been my best point and you seem to have it down"
She arches a brow at him, stepping back a half step she shakes her head slowly.
"I'm sorry, I can't."
She turns her back to him now and slowly walks around the bag, her eyes trained on it to avoid his glance, as the bag sways she seems to move with it.
"You probably shouldn't waste your time with me."
Her words are crisp and clear, she sounds neither aggressive nor interested. She runs her hand smoothly down the edge of the bag, seeming to find a perfect spot she presses her finger into it before spinning on her heel, her foot hits the bag dead center but the bag barely moves as on impact she pulls up and just places her heel dead center in the bag, holding the position for a moment she falls back into a normal stance.
Her eyes move towards the stranger once more, assessing his reaction as she lets out a single breath, her hand rubbing at the right side of her abdomen on a subconscious level.
"Who's wasting their time?"
The way he said it, it wasn't a question but more a comment. He keeps his eyes trained on her as he rubs at her abdomen, making a mental note but saying nothing on it.
"Why train here?"
She stops and regards him slowly, drinking him in for the first time a small note of recognition for his face goes off in the back of her mind. She studies his face for a moment and nods once.
"Because I'm left alone, an arrangement was made... Josh at least trusts the word of my cousin, not many places are willing to take in... someone like me."
She shrugs, feeling she's explained herself enough she turns away from him, her hand clutching at her abdomen now, almost scratching it with the way her hand moves as she stops to grab her water with her spare hand.
"Someone like you..."
His eyes remain fixed on her face, but his eyes can still catch her clutch her abdomen more.
"Why are you to be left alone?"
Drew takes a few steps toward her until she looks to him and he stands still, eyes still fixed on her face.
"Because I want to be."
Her tone is cold, factual, she looks at his eyes but something in her glance doesn't quite meet them, after a moment recognition finally hits and she sighs softly, almost laughing to herself.
"Do you recognize me at all? Is that why you're here?"
She takes a step back, wary of his response as she tilts her head awaiting his response.
"Should I recognize you? I'll be honest, I don't know exactly what drew me over here to watch your display of control. But I'm here is the thing."
He bites at his lower lip for a moment. Examining the situation and her carefully.
"I have an eye for things that fall through. You don't want to be seen, noticed or anything of the like. That draws me in, makes me wonder and taps into my well of curiosity that seems endless."
He rubs at his chin for a moment, still taking her in.
"Taylor."
She says the name sternly, but without any real emotion, turning her back to the wall she slides down it and sips her water, shaking her head she keeps her eyes trained ahead, not looking at him, curious if the name will drag up any memories from his well.
She plays with her water bottle back and forth in her hands, trying to keep them busy, the sleeve on her shirt rides up just enough to reveal crisp white bandages secured to her wrist beneath it.
He notices the bandage against her wrists but doesn't acknowledge that he does. Instead he finishes closing the gap between them and rests against the wall, sitting near, but not next to her on the floor.
"Taylor family wrestling huh? You're one of those Taylors?"
He extends his legs for a moment as he keeps his eyes ahead.
"You don't come off as a Taylor."
"Good."
It's the first things she has said with any emotion, almost a sense of pride behind it, quickly masked with a light scoff as she pushes up, moving away from the wall and walking across the room, she begins to circle the bag as she talks.
"And how do I come off Mr. McGatha?"
He smirks at her knowing his name and chuckles at the mister with it.
"I'm Drew, not Mr. McGatha. And how you come off is someone that has a lot on her mind and can't turn it off."
He arches his eyebrow, watching her reaction to his words closely.
She snaps her head to look at him, her air changes to one of near aggression. She almost growls, pacing up and down behind the bag now, her movements frantic and charged.
"You don't know anything of it..."
Her hand moves to scratch at her abdomen again.
"I don't?"
He stays seated but his eyes never leave their lock on her.
"I've been around a long time... Seen a lot of shit..."
He chuckles and looks down. For the first time since noticing Sofie, his eyes aren't on her.
"But that look you have is one I saw in the mirror for months on end..."
She turns and punches the bag hard with a loud grunt, an explosion of emotion shoots through her whole body, shoving the bag to the side, her voice raised she stands in front of him.
"Did your body fail you McGatha? Huh? Did you lie in some cold, clinical room completely alone?! Feel that life slowly drift away until your very insides were dead?!"
She drops down in front of him, panting slightly as she al,it's screens in his face.
"TELL ME YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL."
He reaches his hand out and places it softly against her cheek, his eyes locked with hers in a battle of rage and calm.
"I spent months watching my wife deteriorate and die before my eyes as the cancer slowly killed her. Time and time again I felt like running, hiding or even ending myself because of how powerless and empty I felt without her."
He lowers his hand but keeps his voice soft and calm, much like his eyes.
"She was umm, close to full term when we found out the cancer was so bad and our child.. My son... was still born. My late wife she used to claw and mess with her abdomen like you have been... After."
She pulls back, literally falling over herself and onto her ass, shaking her head, losing all control left in herself she scrambles back to her feet and moves away from him, turning away she bends over, pulling at her stomach as she heaves slightly, her body wracked with grief, rage, fury and confusion.
She drops to her knees, still pulling at her stomach as large, fat, silent tears roll down her cheeks, her tiny, lithe frame wracked with sobs that almost look painful, a curtain of pitch black hair hiding her features.
"I just want to be left to suffer in peace... leave me to my circle of hell... there's nothing worth saving here."
Drew doesn't move, his eyes still on hers.
"And what if I have a difference of opinion? What if I look at you and see something that you've hidden away and I want it to shine?"
"Then you're delusional, Drew."
She finally stems the flow of tears, but still doesn't look to meet his eyes.
He reaches out and softly wipes at her tears.
"I've been called worse..."
His tone is cleverly cheerful.
His touch to her cheek causes her to freeze, as she hasn't allowed anyone to physically touch her since the night Lucas saved her life, her body feels almost foreign when his fingers brush her skin. Unable to say anything in response she barely manages to breathe before pulling back and wrapping her arms around herself.
"Why..?"
He lowers his hand back to his side but keeps his eyes trained on hers.
"That's something you need to stop asking yourself."
His words are stern, but calm at the same time.
She looks up and meets his eyes, her soul almost pouring through them as she's lost all bravado now.
"I was asking you, why... why waste your time on something broken and empty? I can't.. be anything, to anyone. I'm useless... a failure."
He shakes his head.
"No you not."
His words drip with confidence, not in what he was saying but in her.
"Sure you might be banged up, emotionally bruised... But nothing is broken, nothing is useless... And the only failure is if you give up."
She slowly pulls up her sleeves, the action is deliberate, she holds her arms out in his direction, not saying anything as she exposes the bandages around his wrists.
"Look..."
He places his hand over the bandages and shakes his head.
"The only thing I need to see, I am already looking at."
His eyes remain locked on hers.
"Those tell me more than anything else."
A breath catches in her throats as he touches the bandages, her eyes locked on his begin to tear up a little, her fingers and hands trembling as she stares back at him.
"Don't... don't do that..."
He reaches up with his free hand and wipes at her falling tears.
"I'm not going to stop."
She leans in closer to him, dropping her voice to a whisper she sighs softly, shaking her head, she crawls over to him, sitting right in front of him now she places her hand on his.
"Please.. I don't..."
She sighs, exhaling slowly.
"I hurt everything I touch."
His eyes have a quiet intensity to them as he keeps them locked on hers. His grip on her bandaged wrist is firm, but gentle.
"I don't believe that."
His tone never changes
"You don't either... Not really."
"I do..."
She bites her bottom lip, a little humanity returning to her movements as for some reason, she finally opens up some, comfortable in his presence, perhaps the lack of familiarity aiding that, but she feels a pull to him she can't ignore.
"My daughter, my son, my husband... They're all better off without me... better off gone... I can't, be any good... I feel so... cold."
"Bullshit."
His tone is more forceful but doesn't change in volume.
"You might have yourself convinced on that but it's bullshit."
She leans in closer to him and sighs, shaking her head.
"You don't know me, to know that... I can't, feel anything but hurt and pain and...."
She looks down at his hands on her wrists and bites her bottom lip.
"Bullshit"
His tone stays the same as does his demeanor. His gaze never wavering from hers.
She looks into his eyes, trying to understand him a little more, feeling herself drawn to him all the more.
"You continue to say that yet I feel no different..."
He arches his brow.
"Bullshit."
He whispers it this time, allowing the words to linger in the silence they have within the busy gym.
"Bullshit."
He mouths the word this time, no audible noise coming from off his lips.
She moves closer to him still, sitting between his legs with a slight smile pulling at her lips, she shakes her head, looking up into his eyes with her wide dark eyes pouring into his....
"Are you stuck?"
He lightly shakes his head.
"No... I have a feeling I'm exactly where I was meant to be."
She stares quietly at him, shaking her head slowly.
"And why is that?”
He smiles, his gaze still powering into hers.
"Because you need someone that knows... cares about what you have going on."
He smirks.
"And someone that can call you on the bullshit."
She presses her face up close to his now so their noses touch, turning her wrists over in his grasp she flinches slightly.
"Does this feel like bullshit..?"
"Your eyes tell me it is. You might have that hurt, that sadness and that sorrow very very prominent in your eyes but..."
His words trail a bit even though they are still just a hushed whisper.
"I still see hints of joy in there, happiness and hope too. It's faint, it's small... but even the smallest candle clears the room of darkness."
She stays that close to him still, her eyes searching his as she slides her wrists free from his hands, a small shrug of her shoulders.
"I don't feel it.. I can't feel it..."
She sighs.
"I just want to feel something."
He places his hand on the side of her cheek and lightly rubs his thumb against it. Her skin is cool to his touch. He then takes her hand and places it against his chest.
"Do you feel that?"
She stares at her hand on his heart.
"Hollow motion, meaningless, actions just to love, to keep moving... it exists, but I don't feel it."
He smiles, a genuine smile that almost gives off warmth.
"Not now... But you will. Give it some time."
She doesn't move her hand but sighs, looking back up into his eyes.
"That's all everyone keeps saying, give it time... that's what I was trying to do, time to heal, alone... but you came over and spoiled that, so now, you tell me..."
She finally pulls her hand away and places it over her own heart.
"How do I fix this?"
"You don't."
He rubs his thumb against her cheek again.
She shakes her head, pushing forward she kisses him, her lips are urgent, pressing as her hands wrap up in his shirt at his shoulders, yanking herself closer to him, she all but jolts her body against his, the desperately confused kiss lingering on as she relaxes into it a little despite her wild emotions.
Drew lets her push him against the wall as she wildly kisses him. He holds her against his chest
Slowly her kiss becomes softer, more tender. Sliding her hands down his chest she smiles against his lips before she can stop herself, then pulls back, throwing her hand over her mouth wide eyed.
"Sorry"
His eyes lock onto hers as he smirks.
"Bullshit."
She laughs despite herself and looks back up at him again.
"I'm not going to be any good for you..."
He keeps an easy, Low tone to his voice.
"Bullshit."
She leans back against him again, her eyes welling up a little as she gets serious, her hands wrapping up in his shirt again as she all but sits on his lap.
"No, .Drew... right now, how I am... I can't promise to be any good for you..."
Her voice drops to barely a whisper.
"But I want to try..."
He reaches his hand up and takes her by the chin.
"Good."
She stares into his eyes, her lip trembles slightly as she pours her entire soul out through her eyes, all of her hurt beginning to spill out and run down her cheeks, utterly speechless as she just leans into him, her head falling to his shoulder. He embraces her, rubs along her back and makes a comforting sound as he rests his head against hers.
Past the main floor where rings are set up, a few students are trying out some grappling techniques on each other, being watched by more experienced students. All of the side doors are closed as it's too late for classes now, Josh's office door is propped open with he and Zooey inside who are discussing something or other between themselves.
Off towards the very back of the main room, in an almost alcove like space, a small figure, dressed entirely in black, long black leggings and a long sleeved black shirt, despite the hot day and hotter gym. Her feet seem to bounce around almost as though she's floating as she goes through the same triple combo over and over, not once actually hitting the bag in front of her, more dancing around it.
Her long black hair hangs over the side of her face, so no one can really see her features and something about the way she moves is almost a graceful sadness, earbuds sit in her ears as she clearly drowns out the rest of the world, submersing herself in her own, private one.
There is then a slight commotion as a figure walks into the gym. Some of the younger trainees come up to shake the man's hand, while Josh walks up to offer to show him around. It's multiple time world champion and hall of fame member Drew McGatha. He follows Josh around the gym as he shows him the in and outs. But the small figure in black, rapidly firing against the bag keeps a piece of his attention.
Josh finishes the tour as Drew then makes his way to watch the small dark figure work the bag, alone in her own world.
She doesn't notice the change in atmosphere in the gym, still moving around the bad with a quiet yet quick precision that betrays an obvious amount of training she would likely be quick to deny. Nor does she notice when he moves about the gym, an eye on her. Whilst most would feel watched, she has become all but too accustomed to the feeling as of late, his eye bearing no different from the several others already on her.
As he finally stands to watch her, she still doesn't look up, her movements do not change, around and around the bag she almost dances with her own shadow, her fists never actually touching the surface of the bag as she loses herself in the movement.
Drew starts to circle behind her now as he stands closer to watch her form and strikes. He crosses his arms over his chest as he watches, waiting for what she will do next. There was something about her that he just couldn't draw himself from .
After a moment or two she feels a presence behind her and falls back, pulling an earbud free she drops her hands to the side and turns to face him now, her expression behind the curtain of hair is almost annoyance as she looks him up and down, huffing out slightly she runs a hand over her forehead as she speaks.
"I'm fine."
The words are a half growled whispers, not an invitation for conversation, she turns away from him again and walks around the bag, grabbing her water from the floor she takes a mouthful before tossing it back down into her bag with a light grunt, her irritation at the interruption obvious.
Her movements are fluid and quick, seamless she moves almost as though there were no resistance around her body at all, when she turns back to the bag, she leaves the stray earbud hanging to her shoulder, marking up she begins kicking with her right foot at all three levels, still never once actually touching the bag.
He doesn't move even after her brush off. Drew notices the dangling earbud and says in his soft but deep tone.
"Why aren't you making contact?"
He keeps studying her, still unable to figure out the small angry person's allure.
She drops her foot with a sigh, stepping back she falls out of position easily and turns to address him, with a sidestep of the bag so she can look up into his face. Her brows draw together as she studies him, wrapping her arms around herself her eyes move up and down his form as though ascertaining what level of interest to give the stranger.
"Because..."
She walks around the bag now, her feet picking their way across the floor, almost catlike in the sway her body seems to take on. Her long black hair falls back from her face a little and wide, pain filled eyes stare up into his, no bravado in her tiny form.
"Control, is often more important than power and I am exercising it."
"Control huh?"
He rubs at his chin for an moment. His eyes still locked on her.
"Can you show me more of that?"
He chuckles mmm softly.
"Control hasn't really been my best point and you seem to have it down"
She arches a brow at him, stepping back a half step she shakes her head slowly.
"I'm sorry, I can't."
She turns her back to him now and slowly walks around the bag, her eyes trained on it to avoid his glance, as the bag sways she seems to move with it.
"You probably shouldn't waste your time with me."
Her words are crisp and clear, she sounds neither aggressive nor interested. She runs her hand smoothly down the edge of the bag, seeming to find a perfect spot she presses her finger into it before spinning on her heel, her foot hits the bag dead center but the bag barely moves as on impact she pulls up and just places her heel dead center in the bag, holding the position for a moment she falls back into a normal stance.
Her eyes move towards the stranger once more, assessing his reaction as she lets out a single breath, her hand rubbing at the right side of her abdomen on a subconscious level.
"Who's wasting their time?"
The way he said it, it wasn't a question but more a comment. He keeps his eyes trained on her as he rubs at her abdomen, making a mental note but saying nothing on it.
"Why train here?"
She stops and regards him slowly, drinking him in for the first time a small note of recognition for his face goes off in the back of her mind. She studies his face for a moment and nods once.
"Because I'm left alone, an arrangement was made... Josh at least trusts the word of my cousin, not many places are willing to take in... someone like me."
She shrugs, feeling she's explained herself enough she turns away from him, her hand clutching at her abdomen now, almost scratching it with the way her hand moves as she stops to grab her water with her spare hand.
"Someone like you..."
His eyes remain fixed on her face, but his eyes can still catch her clutch her abdomen more.
"Why are you to be left alone?"
Drew takes a few steps toward her until she looks to him and he stands still, eyes still fixed on her face.
"Because I want to be."
Her tone is cold, factual, she looks at his eyes but something in her glance doesn't quite meet them, after a moment recognition finally hits and she sighs softly, almost laughing to herself.
"Do you recognize me at all? Is that why you're here?"
She takes a step back, wary of his response as she tilts her head awaiting his response.
"Should I recognize you? I'll be honest, I don't know exactly what drew me over here to watch your display of control. But I'm here is the thing."
He bites at his lower lip for a moment. Examining the situation and her carefully.
"I have an eye for things that fall through. You don't want to be seen, noticed or anything of the like. That draws me in, makes me wonder and taps into my well of curiosity that seems endless."
He rubs at his chin for a moment, still taking her in.
"Taylor."
She says the name sternly, but without any real emotion, turning her back to the wall she slides down it and sips her water, shaking her head she keeps her eyes trained ahead, not looking at him, curious if the name will drag up any memories from his well.
She plays with her water bottle back and forth in her hands, trying to keep them busy, the sleeve on her shirt rides up just enough to reveal crisp white bandages secured to her wrist beneath it.
He notices the bandage against her wrists but doesn't acknowledge that he does. Instead he finishes closing the gap between them and rests against the wall, sitting near, but not next to her on the floor.
"Taylor family wrestling huh? You're one of those Taylors?"
He extends his legs for a moment as he keeps his eyes ahead.
"You don't come off as a Taylor."
"Good."
It's the first things she has said with any emotion, almost a sense of pride behind it, quickly masked with a light scoff as she pushes up, moving away from the wall and walking across the room, she begins to circle the bag as she talks.
"And how do I come off Mr. McGatha?"
He smirks at her knowing his name and chuckles at the mister with it.
"I'm Drew, not Mr. McGatha. And how you come off is someone that has a lot on her mind and can't turn it off."
He arches his eyebrow, watching her reaction to his words closely.
She snaps her head to look at him, her air changes to one of near aggression. She almost growls, pacing up and down behind the bag now, her movements frantic and charged.
"You don't know anything of it..."
Her hand moves to scratch at her abdomen again.
"I don't?"
He stays seated but his eyes never leave their lock on her.
"I've been around a long time... Seen a lot of shit..."
He chuckles and looks down. For the first time since noticing Sofie, his eyes aren't on her.
"But that look you have is one I saw in the mirror for months on end..."
She turns and punches the bag hard with a loud grunt, an explosion of emotion shoots through her whole body, shoving the bag to the side, her voice raised she stands in front of him.
"Did your body fail you McGatha? Huh? Did you lie in some cold, clinical room completely alone?! Feel that life slowly drift away until your very insides were dead?!"
She drops down in front of him, panting slightly as she al,it's screens in his face.
"TELL ME YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL."
He reaches his hand out and places it softly against her cheek, his eyes locked with hers in a battle of rage and calm.
"I spent months watching my wife deteriorate and die before my eyes as the cancer slowly killed her. Time and time again I felt like running, hiding or even ending myself because of how powerless and empty I felt without her."
He lowers his hand but keeps his voice soft and calm, much like his eyes.
"She was umm, close to full term when we found out the cancer was so bad and our child.. My son... was still born. My late wife she used to claw and mess with her abdomen like you have been... After."
She pulls back, literally falling over herself and onto her ass, shaking her head, losing all control left in herself she scrambles back to her feet and moves away from him, turning away she bends over, pulling at her stomach as she heaves slightly, her body wracked with grief, rage, fury and confusion.
She drops to her knees, still pulling at her stomach as large, fat, silent tears roll down her cheeks, her tiny, lithe frame wracked with sobs that almost look painful, a curtain of pitch black hair hiding her features.
"I just want to be left to suffer in peace... leave me to my circle of hell... there's nothing worth saving here."
Drew doesn't move, his eyes still on hers.
"And what if I have a difference of opinion? What if I look at you and see something that you've hidden away and I want it to shine?"
"Then you're delusional, Drew."
She finally stems the flow of tears, but still doesn't look to meet his eyes.
He reaches out and softly wipes at her tears.
"I've been called worse..."
His tone is cleverly cheerful.
His touch to her cheek causes her to freeze, as she hasn't allowed anyone to physically touch her since the night Lucas saved her life, her body feels almost foreign when his fingers brush her skin. Unable to say anything in response she barely manages to breathe before pulling back and wrapping her arms around herself.
"Why..?"
He lowers his hand back to his side but keeps his eyes trained on hers.
"That's something you need to stop asking yourself."
His words are stern, but calm at the same time.
She looks up and meets his eyes, her soul almost pouring through them as she's lost all bravado now.
"I was asking you, why... why waste your time on something broken and empty? I can't.. be anything, to anyone. I'm useless... a failure."
He shakes his head.
"No you not."
His words drip with confidence, not in what he was saying but in her.
"Sure you might be banged up, emotionally bruised... But nothing is broken, nothing is useless... And the only failure is if you give up."
She slowly pulls up her sleeves, the action is deliberate, she holds her arms out in his direction, not saying anything as she exposes the bandages around his wrists.
"Look..."
He places his hand over the bandages and shakes his head.
"The only thing I need to see, I am already looking at."
His eyes remain locked on hers.
"Those tell me more than anything else."
A breath catches in her throats as he touches the bandages, her eyes locked on his begin to tear up a little, her fingers and hands trembling as she stares back at him.
"Don't... don't do that..."
He reaches up with his free hand and wipes at her falling tears.
"I'm not going to stop."
She leans in closer to him, dropping her voice to a whisper she sighs softly, shaking her head, she crawls over to him, sitting right in front of him now she places her hand on his.
"Please.. I don't..."
She sighs, exhaling slowly.
"I hurt everything I touch."
His eyes have a quiet intensity to them as he keeps them locked on hers. His grip on her bandaged wrist is firm, but gentle.
"I don't believe that."
His tone never changes
"You don't either... Not really."
"I do..."
She bites her bottom lip, a little humanity returning to her movements as for some reason, she finally opens up some, comfortable in his presence, perhaps the lack of familiarity aiding that, but she feels a pull to him she can't ignore.
"My daughter, my son, my husband... They're all better off without me... better off gone... I can't, be any good... I feel so... cold."
"Bullshit."
His tone is more forceful but doesn't change in volume.
"You might have yourself convinced on that but it's bullshit."
She leans in closer to him and sighs, shaking her head.
"You don't know me, to know that... I can't, feel anything but hurt and pain and...."
She looks down at his hands on her wrists and bites her bottom lip.
"Bullshit"
His tone stays the same as does his demeanor. His gaze never wavering from hers.
She looks into his eyes, trying to understand him a little more, feeling herself drawn to him all the more.
"You continue to say that yet I feel no different..."
He arches his brow.
"Bullshit."
He whispers it this time, allowing the words to linger in the silence they have within the busy gym.
"Bullshit."
He mouths the word this time, no audible noise coming from off his lips.
She moves closer to him still, sitting between his legs with a slight smile pulling at her lips, she shakes her head, looking up into his eyes with her wide dark eyes pouring into his....
"Are you stuck?"
He lightly shakes his head.
"No... I have a feeling I'm exactly where I was meant to be."
She stares quietly at him, shaking her head slowly.
"And why is that?”
He smiles, his gaze still powering into hers.
"Because you need someone that knows... cares about what you have going on."
He smirks.
"And someone that can call you on the bullshit."
She presses her face up close to his now so their noses touch, turning her wrists over in his grasp she flinches slightly.
"Does this feel like bullshit..?"
"Your eyes tell me it is. You might have that hurt, that sadness and that sorrow very very prominent in your eyes but..."
His words trail a bit even though they are still just a hushed whisper.
"I still see hints of joy in there, happiness and hope too. It's faint, it's small... but even the smallest candle clears the room of darkness."
She stays that close to him still, her eyes searching his as she slides her wrists free from his hands, a small shrug of her shoulders.
"I don't feel it.. I can't feel it..."
She sighs.
"I just want to feel something."
He places his hand on the side of her cheek and lightly rubs his thumb against it. Her skin is cool to his touch. He then takes her hand and places it against his chest.
"Do you feel that?"
She stares at her hand on his heart.
"Hollow motion, meaningless, actions just to love, to keep moving... it exists, but I don't feel it."
He smiles, a genuine smile that almost gives off warmth.
"Not now... But you will. Give it some time."
She doesn't move her hand but sighs, looking back up into his eyes.
"That's all everyone keeps saying, give it time... that's what I was trying to do, time to heal, alone... but you came over and spoiled that, so now, you tell me..."
She finally pulls her hand away and places it over her own heart.
"How do I fix this?"
"You don't."
He rubs his thumb against her cheek again.
She shakes her head, pushing forward she kisses him, her lips are urgent, pressing as her hands wrap up in his shirt at his shoulders, yanking herself closer to him, she all but jolts her body against his, the desperately confused kiss lingering on as she relaxes into it a little despite her wild emotions.
Drew lets her push him against the wall as she wildly kisses him. He holds her against his chest
Slowly her kiss becomes softer, more tender. Sliding her hands down his chest she smiles against his lips before she can stop herself, then pulls back, throwing her hand over her mouth wide eyed.
"Sorry"
His eyes lock onto hers as he smirks.
"Bullshit."
She laughs despite herself and looks back up at him again.
"I'm not going to be any good for you..."
He keeps an easy, Low tone to his voice.
"Bullshit."
She leans back against him again, her eyes welling up a little as she gets serious, her hands wrapping up in his shirt again as she all but sits on his lap.
"No, .Drew... right now, how I am... I can't promise to be any good for you..."
Her voice drops to barely a whisper.
"But I want to try..."
He reaches his hand up and takes her by the chin.
"Good."
She stares into his eyes, her lip trembles slightly as she pours her entire soul out through her eyes, all of her hurt beginning to spill out and run down her cheeks, utterly speechless as she just leans into him, her head falling to his shoulder. He embraces her, rubs along her back and makes a comforting sound as he rests his head against hers.