Post by The Antagonist on Jun 28, 2017 0:23:56 GMT -5
Growing problems.
Lyric walked over to the small line of uniform chairs, the same grey and steel that every airport has in neat little lines to create 'rest' areas as people awaiting boarding. The late hour meant few people were in the gate area where they were seated. Dressed comfortably in a pair of shorts and a fairly fitted tank, her long hair swept off her neck into a messy bun at the very base of her hairline, she smiled slightly and dropped into the seat beside him. Letting out a slight sigh she pulled her legs up to beside her and leaned into him just the smallest amount, to rest her chin on his shoulder and study the lines of his face for a moment that almost lingered on forever before she finally spoke.
"I know you keep telling me not to worry."
Her tone is soft but clear, licking her bottom lip slowly she pauses at the sentence break, reforming her words in her head before finishing her though.
"But it does occur to me that there's in fact more than nothing to worry about at the moment..."
Gabriel's attention shifted towards her as he felt her chin resting against his shoulder. Looking to her, a soft smile growing across his face as he spoke, each of those words radiating that reassuring feel to them.
"You might be right, my love.”
His eyes drifted away for a moment as he thought to be able to compose the proper wording in his head. A slight laugh slipping free, he returned that focus upon Lyric.
"I wasn't quite ready to return to that environment..teaming with Xavier again. But, he said he had some business to handle so he would talk to me after the show. It seems as if he wants to talk things through.."
His head tilting to the side, he kept his eyes locked upon hers, his body unable to resist relaxing a bit at the sight.
"Unless you mean Cass.."
Her hand drifted up to that same shoulder, her fingertips just gently pressing against his jaw as her eyes poured into his.
"Your brother, Cass... Spirit and Pride..."
Her nose wrinkles with a slight upturn as she says the name of their intended destination for the weekend.
"You can't be surprised that after last time, I feel more than a little dubious about anyone's safety where they're involved too..."
Her lips just gently brush his cheek before she settled back to his shoulder again.
"Just because I CAN patch you up really doesn't mean I enjoy it and as much as I hate to admit it, a stacked deck stands right in front of you and whilst I don't doubt your ability or talent..."
Her eyes moved away from his as a small, worried sigh escaped her lips.
"I can't shake this awful feeling in my bones and my only concern, my only focus is you..."
Her eyes came back to his as she lifted her brows just a little, love and worry pouring from her eyes into his as her voice dropped to barely a whisper.
"I hate seeing you hurt."
His head lowered just a bit, memories of his last show in Spirit and Pride flashing into his head. That expression tightening up, he shook his head slowly.
"I..let my guard down last time. It won't happen like that again, I know what they're capable of now and I know what to look for. They're not my biggest concern right now. I need to beat Samuels.."
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against hers lovingly, letting the kiss linger for a few moments before pulling back enough to look at her.
"As for Xavier..he's more focused on The Callaghans, he knows why I did what I did and after the show, we'll hash everything out together and that will be fine.."
The thought of Cass caused a slight grin to grow across his face, shaking his head back and forth with a soft sigh.
"Cass wants to avenge Xavier. She's not going to be thinking straight and I fully intend on taking advantage of that."
A frown creases across her brow and she lets out a small sigh, touching her finger to his cheek as her eyes find his again.
"You're emotional too, as much as you try to hide it you know there's nothing you can hide from me and your... desire to exact your own revenge can't be something you allow to cloud your judgment."
Her finger traces down and over his jaw as she presses her head back against his shoulder, turning her head out to look across the all but empty gate area.
"Cass is... childish and misguided and emotional. She is going to be easily bent and twisted to anyone's purpose. But you, know better; you understand that there isn't any place for emotion in these things."
She glances at him out of the corner of her eye with another small sigh.
"Xavier is far closer to Cass' mindset than yours, look how easily he is allowing himself to be manipulated by absolutely anyone with a hand in his life right now, you may have faith that he's going to do the right thing but the only thing I have learned from watching the two of you is that..."
She turns her head to look full at him now.
"His only loyalty is to himself and the only person you truly protect is me; not that I'm unthankful for that... believe me I'm not."
Those eyes of his slowly closed shut as he listened intently to her words. He knew she was right, but even still he couldn't help but to sigh softly.
"The difference is..I have mine in check. I'm not ruled by mine, I know what has to be done and I know that I have to be the one to do it. Xavier's ego is going to be the driving force in our rematch. He's not going to risk another loss to The Callaghans just to settle a grudge that may or may not even be there. And Cass.."
A slight grin toyed with the corner of his mouth as he slowly brought his hand up, letting his opened palm rest against the soft flesh of her face.
"I'm going to use her instability against her. What physical strength she has is greatly overshadowed by her lack of mental strength. That's why she can't win this match. I'm going to twist her mentally and physically."
She leans her head into his hand, turning it slightly to kiss his palm before lifting it again to look into his face with a slight smile.
"Well, I propose a compromise... I'll continue to worry about it all, you continue to be confident about it all, I'll have faith in you and be right here no matter what happens."
Her smile grows to more of a smirk as she lifts a brow.
"Okay, so it's not really much of a compromise since it's how things are anyway... And I could lie to you and say that I feel comforted or more assured of your safety but I think too highly of you to pander in such a way."
Sitting up in the chair now she finds his lips with hers once more, her hand settling on the side of his neck as she leans into him a little more.
"But I do trust you and I will support you, in all and any endeavors... Nothing ever changes that."
Returning that kiss, he leaned into her, a soft smile on his face, enjoying the feeling of her soft hand against the side of his neck.
"And that's all that matters. That's what keeps me going, knowing I have someone as..otherworldly as you no matter what happens. That is the source of my confidence.."
Leaning forward, towards her, he allowed his forehead to rest against hers as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"Anything can happen out there, there's nothing I can say or do that will reassure you of this, I know. But I give you my word that I will be careful to the best of my ability."
A light kiss pressed against her lips as he pulled his head back just enough to look back into her eyes.
"I will be okay, I promise."
Her eyes locked on his, taking a moment of silence to inhale his scent, the feel of him close to her relaxing her body into his as she nodded her head just a little.
"I believe you..."
Dropping her head back to that spot on his shoulder and sliding her hand down to wrap around his arm, holding herself close to him and half closing her eyes.
"Because I know, that no matter what... You're always going to come back to me."
The feeling of her body close against him had any sense of tension about him completely washed away, relaxation quickly taking its place. Sighing contently, he wrapped his arms around her.
"You're entirely right. I will always be right here, by your side. I'm not going anywhere..ever."
His words were soft as he found himself growing more and more disconnected from the outside world, his focus locked onto the feeling of her in his arms.
"You're my happy ending."
Sliding her head from his shoulder to his chest, resting her ear over his heart to listen to the sound of it thumping in his chest. Sliding her hand up to rest beside her head she smiles, closing her eyes with a content sigh.
"I love you, more than I ever knew it would be possible to love."
Her words are almost a whisper as she relaxes against him entirely now.
Happy ending.... I really do love the sound of that."
Her head against his chest, he moved his down to press his lips against the top of her head, not moving them for a few moments. Finally, he brought his head back up, that soft smile nearly plastered to his face.
"As do I. It has never sounded any sweeter than when it's paired with the thought of you. You're like..air. I have to breathe you in."
Even as he had said those words, he felt just how true they really are. A slow nod of his head as he took in a breath of air.
"You're my one, a thought I had never considered before but I truly do believe you are the one for me."
She smiles at his words, leaning her head back against him even more, sighing happily.
"And you are my one, despite the insurmountable odds, despite knowing how almost entirely unbelievable the fact is... I know that you are the one person on this earth meant for me."
Wrapping both her arms around him now she laughs softly and kisses against his chest.
"And now that I've found you, there is nothing on this earth that can tear me away."
Children playing childish games.
It was shortly after Xavier had made his debut, Gabriel stood within that locker room, a highly aggravated look on his face as he moved around the room, pacing almost.
"He's a child."
Opened hands would soon be clenched to close into tightly held fists.
"The most irritating, self centered, egotistical child I've ever seen."
Reaching up with the both of his hands, he ran them across the top of his head, trying to keep his composure about him.
Lyric sits quietly on the bench, watching him pace up and down for a moment or two before she parts her lips with a small sigh.
"Take a breath."
Pressing her lips together slightly she continues to watch him, folding her hands in her lap, her eyes don't leave him as he moves up and down the room.
"That whole bravado was to elicit a reaction, it's what he feeds off of; you're better than that."
Stopping in his tracks, he let his eyes close slowly before taking in a deep breath before sighing out in frustration.
"I'm losing my patience with him. He says he wants everything worked out before the rematch and then he goes and pulls this."
Another deep breath was taken in before breathing out through his nostrils.
"I can't.."
A third breath as he made his way over to that bench, sitting down next to Lyric.
She turns slightly, running her fingers slowly down his arm she nods a little and lets out a sigh, her shoulders tensing slightly.
"The whole thing is... Messy. I've told you before that the.."
She hesitates slightly and bites her bottom lip.
"This isn't the time, for any of it, you need to focus on your goal tonight and not let his childish actions affect the outcome of your match. Xavier is always going to do exactly what he does...."
Her hand squeezes his arm gently and she sighs again, sliding her hand up to touch at his cheek.
"But now, that's directly affecting what you do and you're going to have to decide how much you're willing to give up."
The feeling of her touch was one that always managed to relax him and it was no different this time as he nodded his head in agreement.
"I can't help but to think that messy is a slight understatement at this point."
His head leaning into her touch, listening to her every word with the utmost intent. A bit of an inquisitive look on his face as he tilted his head to the side.
"Very few things I'm going to willingly give up. Very few. And some..I'll fight to keep."
She half smiled and tilted her own head as her fingers danced down over his jaw now, soft but firm touch as she pressed the back of her hand to his cheek her smile forming into a frown.
"Well, that's a discussion for another time I have.. a few concerns that can join that discussion. What's important now, is that you don't allow this to distract you from your goal here tonight."
She turns to face him fully, placing both of her hands against his chest now she leaned in to brush her lips against his, half closing her eyes with an upwards tilt to her head as she met his gaze.
"Regardless of what may need to happen in the future, you know that immediate focus is more important right now. Your brother is a reactionary, immature man who is ruled by his emotions... You are better than that."
"You're absolutely right. As hard as it is, I have to push it out of my head. I have to focus on my match. I can't let this distract me."
Between her touch and another deep breath, Gabriel managed to calm himself nearly entirely as compared to beforehand.
"This is too important of a match to let him throw me off of my game."
Nodding his head slowly, he lowered his head to press his lips against hers briefly. Tilting his head, he developed that inquisitive look upon his features, his eyes locked onto her.
"Though I cannot help but to wonder what your concerns are."
She flicked her brows up slightly and half shrugged, dragging her teeth across her bottom lip she looked away from him for the first time.
"Is that a conversation you want to have now, or at home?"
She tilts her head again with a small smile, looking back to him intentionally diverting the subject she lets out a small breath.
"Since I'm all but living there now..."
A soft smile broke out across his face as he heard her put it like that. Nodding his head slowly, he let that smile linger.
"Home..I love to hear you call it that. And we could remove the 'all but' part..if you wanted to."
Bringing his hand up, he let it rest against the side of her face, his thumb lightly stroking her skin.
"And then maybe I could learn your distraction and subject changing ways."
He winked following that last part, a slight teasing to his smile.
She smiles and leans into his touch much as he did hers, placing her hand on his her smile grows wider.
"I'd like to remove that part... maybe then you won't be able to complain when I move things around."
A small smirk takes the place of her smile as she leans up a little to meet his eyes.
"And I am absolutely sure that I have no idea what you're talking about..."
He scoffed, looking almost taken aback. Shaking his head slowly, he couldn't help but to let that laugh roll free.
"Everything has a place. Sometimes I think you do it just to throw me off."
After that playful accusation, he laughed out once more, nodding his head in feigned agreement.
"Oh yeah, you don't have an idea at all about that. I think you're trying to trick me.."
She turns slightly and wraps her arms around the back of his neck. Leaning up she kisses him softly and feigns an innocent expression, batting her eyelashes at him hiding a smirk from her lips.
"Or, I'm trying to keep you focused on the task at hand and not on my concerns and questions... Besides if they were anything to truly worry about..."
Her lips curve into another smile against his lips as she kisses him again.
"I wouldn't have just agreed to officially move in with you, now would I?"
He thought about it for a moment before looking down at her with a light smile as he slowly nodded his head.
"When you put it like that, I have to believe you."
Laughing, he leaned forward, resting against her slightly as he pressed his lips against the top of her head.
"But I want you to know that your concerns or questions are never not important to me no matter what's going on.”
She smiles and leans into him in response, resting her head to his shoulder now she takes in a breath, inhaling his scent with a soft smile.
"I'm aware of precisely how important I am to you. But I also know that these questions... concerns... they can wait until we get home. They don't affect anything tonight."
Turning her head slightly she plants a light kiss under his jaw and laughs softly.
"And yes, occasionally I move things just to watch you look for them..."
His eyes widened a bit as he looked at her, almost gasping in shock and realization.
"I knew it. You devious, sneaky..beautiful woman."
Laughing a bit, he shook his head before pulling her close, adjusting his legs to make it easier.
"But when we get home, I fully expect to hear each and every one of them. Deal?"
He tilted his head, that inquisitive expression returning mixed with a bit of a playfulness.
She grins and rests her hands to his shoulders again, leaning her head up to steal a small kiss before nodding her head in agreement.
"Well firstly, in my defense... watching you look for things is not only fun, but you're usually shirtless and the view is quite intoxicating..."
She laughs and leans her head up again to hover her lips over his.
"All of them, I promise."
Her eyes look a little more serious as she nods again, stealing another kiss before she leans back a little, her body still pressed close to his.
"As soon as we get home."
"I guess you can get away with that..just because you put it like that. And if you hide something too well, you better tell me where before I spend too long looking for it."
He smiled softly, letting his lips brush against hers, enjoying the closeness between the two of them.
"I suppose I can wait until then. But only because of it being you. And because I'm incredibly nice like that."
A playful wink given after those words rolled off of his tongue.
"Only to you though, most everyone else doesn't deserve it."
She smirks and looks up to him with raised brows.
"Well, don't I feel all kinds of special now.."
Her tone is soft and playful as she runs her hands over his chest now and shakes her head a little.
"It's nothing that can't wait love, I promise."
Boiling over.
Lyric frowns as she folds her arms over her chest, for the first time since he's known her, when her eyes fall on Gabriel, her gaze is almost cold ash her tongue along her bottom teeth, irritation is clear in her gaze but she des her best to place a small smile on her lips, not wanting to betray the full extend of her emotions immediately.
"You were right, messy is an understatement."
She reaffirms what he said to her the day before, her eyes lingering on him from her seat on the couch, her feet tucked up under her she almost leans over the arm of the couch as she tilts her head to look up at him as she addresses him.
"I would almost verge on foolish at this point.”
He lowered his head just barely, taking in a deep breath before sighing out softly. Bringing his head back up to look at her, he nodded his head.
"It is a problem. I can't deny that. But it's not as bad as it seems on the surface. It's one that can be handled readily."
Moving to stand in front of her, he looked down at her, a soft smile growing across his features, hints of reassuring about it.
"He's..taunting me. It won't get physical unless I make that move. He doesn't want to lose to The Callaghans again so he's taking this seriously. This is just his way of doing things. He's a child, you have to expect him to do childish things."
She scoffs lightly and shakes her head, looking past him now as she rolls her eyes slightly before looking back at him with another shake of her head.
"I do, I don't however expect you to so willingly follow along like you wish to be led..."
Her tone has a slight edge to it as she leans her head to the side and sighs.
"You're not an idiot and you know I'm hardly one myself, so please; explain to me how you expect to you yourself believe that this is even remotely a good idea, that maintains a business relationship with someone who so off-handedly played you..."
She raises her brows with a slight widening of her eyes now.
"Or better still explain to me why I should sit here quietly and watch as you go off to take a meeting with them both as though it's anything but a childish and idiotic decision made out of emotional reaction because he's taking something you want."
A shake of her head again as her eyes look back into his.
"Has taken, not taking... she's already his, something you seem to refuse to notice."
"Two entirely different things. My relationship with her is purely business. That's not what he is there for, not at all and that's the clear as day part."
He kept his eyes locked upon her, being careful with his choice of words to avoid further issue.
"I'm fully aware of the problems that could arise from this but I know what I'm doing. I have moments of outbursts but this is not that."
Shaking his head, he reached up to run his hand over top of his head.
"I'm not getting caught up in whatever it is that he's planning. I can still clearly see what's in front of me and am prepared to protect myself from such an incident."
Shaking her head she pulls her gaze away from his and turns her head slightly to rest her cheek against her shoulder, no longer looking directly at him as her shoulders pull back in annoyance.
"Of all the people to treat me like I'm naive because of what I choose to believe, this is the most offensive of them."
Shaking her head slightly she keeps her eyes purposefully diverted from him as a slight sigh escapes her.
"You think because YOU want to keep the things separate that they will be, that two people so very obviously incapable of so much as keeping themselves controlled will give any care or notice to your wants?"
Shrugging slightly as she bites down on her bottom lip she half closes her eyes.
"You're not going to listen to anything I have to say on it regardless, you're going to do precisely what you want to do about it, even if that action is reckless and based on your own desires."
"I'm not treating you like you're naive, not in the slightest amount, Lyric. He doesn't want anybody handling his business affairs, he's doing this to be closer to her."
His tongue running back and forth across the backs of his teeth before slowly nodding his head.
"I'll deal with this issue when it needs to be dealt with. For now, I have to focus on Cass. Her distorted vision is getting worse and worse."
Bringing his arms up, he crossed them at his chest as he stood completely still.
"Alaina told me she went to Phe and nearly demanded that she choose sides which is why the meeting wasn't last night."
She rolls her eyes again, dropping her feet to the floor she looks up at him again.
"And you're surprised by this?"
Sighing she looks away again with another shake of her head and runs a hand through her hair, biting back on her teeth to grit her jaw.
"This is the difference, you have split priorities, different things that require your focus at any given moment and the part you seem to be so easily forgetting is my only priority and my only focus is you."
Glancing back at him she slowly looks him up and down, biting down on her jaw a second time obviously holding back some.
"Cass is a delusional idiot who is trying to grab a hold of anything substantial because all she has done is push people away - she's come to realize the only dog left in her fight is Xavier and so she is trying to get on side of those she perceives to be in his corner... like Phe."
She raises her brows at him and inclines her head.
"Funny how even Cass can see something so glaringly obvious that you continue to deny, isn't it?”
"I haven't forgotten that..at all. I know where your priorities..your loyalties lie. I have never questioned that. Because I know with someone as wise and clear sighted as you watching for me, I'll be prepared for anything."
A soft smile flashed across his features as he slowly nodded his head.
"In the long run, Cass is..inconsequential. She's trying to rally people into this nonexistent war. From what I was told, Xavier jumped down her throat because of the things she said to Phe. She's alone in this fight against me and it terrifies her. She wants that life preserver but I know how to snatch it away from her."
"And your readiness to blindly walk into that meeting last night terrified me..."
Her eyes meet his and soften for the first time as her gaze meets his and she shakes her head.
"You have nothing to prove to anyone yet you continue to act as though you need to show everyone that you're superior, that he can't take anything from you - instead of creating separation to let things breathe you add pressure..."
She widens her eyes again and lets out a sigh, but this time it's softer, her tone more laced with concern than annoyance.
"You slipped, easily at the smallest provocation.... In this instance, if you had gone - my calm head does nothing from here and I know he's still the one thing that gets under your skin whether you admit it or not."
She locks her eyes on his and bites down against her jaw again.
"If it were me blindly walking into a dangerous situation, you would feel the same way... Like if I had refused to come here when you asked, flaunted the danger, left myself open to worse than what happened... but I listened, because I know that even if I don't understand all of it, what you do it to protect me."
She shakes her head slowly.
"And whilst I may not be a fighter, you should know that there is all of nothing I wouldn't do, to do the same for you."
Lowering himself down to sit next to her, his eyes never once leaving hers.
"I can understand that and I'm sorry for that. But it's not as blindly as you'd think. I'm perfectly aware of what could have happened and I was fully prepared to defend against that if need be."
He brought his hand up, resting his palm against the side of her face, lightly stroking her skin with the point of his thumb.
"And you're right, I wouldn't have been okay with you going into a similar situation. I don't mean to worry you, really I don't. But I know how he works, especially now. He's not going to fight me.."
His expression grew a bit serious at this point.
"He's going to play his stupid games, try to make everything about him and get all eyes on him. That's what he does."
"Then let him."
She turns her head to his hand and kisses his thumb before taking his hand in both of hers and returning her gaze to his with a slight frown.
"What does it matter if he garners some attention from acting like a spoiled little brat? All that will happen is the same mindless idiots who have always followed him will continue to do so."
She lets go of his hand to gently touch at his temple with her left index finger.
"The second you let him up here, you've already lost... and one thing you're right about is that your focus needs to be on Cass right now..."
She swallows hard and drops her hand away.
"And, by some small stretch, The Grounds as well, with your sister working there and Lennox making sure her presence is known... my working there giving you backstage access feels almost like a necessity at this point."
She bites at her bottom lip quickly and shakes her head.
"I'm over thinking again."
He shook his head, his eyes fixated onto her with a reassuring smile to follow.
"You're not over thinking anything. Your concern isn't unfounded..not at all. You have no idea how happy I am to have someone who is so out for my best interest..someone who is so concerned about me. It's refreshing. But you're right. I need to focus on Cass until I have eliminated the problem and then I can fully focus on making sure nothing happens to you or Alaina."
Slight frustration showing, he let his eyes close momentarily.
"Another problem that if he would just handle, I wouldn't have to divide my focus as much as I need to.."
Leaning in close, she gently brushes her cheek against his before planting her lips along his jaw, her breath align against his neck.
"I don't foresee any issues tonight and, at the very least, there's only Alaina who comparatively is pleasant and easy to deal with."
She smiles against his neck as she leans in a little closer still.
"And, even when I think you're acting like an idiot, I'm still right here... something you will eventually become accustomed to, is my absolute certainty in that nothing is going to pull us apart, not even for a moment."
She kisses just below his ear before leaning back to lock her eyes on his with a small nod.
"And old now.. I will accept your feeling about the Phe situation, if only because I know where your focus needs to be and intend to drive you towards it."
"She's probably the most well rounded out of the three of us to be honest. I have faith enough in her but even still, I won't let things get too out of hand with her. But I'll be at the show for sure. Things have quieted down on that front but that usually implies the calm before the storm so vigilance is a must."
Allowing himself to relax against her touch, he smiled softly, his gaze lingering on her.
"That's what I need. Someone who is still going to stand beside me despite..questionable decisions."
She smiles and leans in to kiss him again, shaking her head just a little before the smile on her lips grows.
"Well I don't have work for a few more hours so, maybe you should spend a little time reminding me of your good qualities that greatly outweigh said terrible decision making skills?"
Lyric walked over to the small line of uniform chairs, the same grey and steel that every airport has in neat little lines to create 'rest' areas as people awaiting boarding. The late hour meant few people were in the gate area where they were seated. Dressed comfortably in a pair of shorts and a fairly fitted tank, her long hair swept off her neck into a messy bun at the very base of her hairline, she smiled slightly and dropped into the seat beside him. Letting out a slight sigh she pulled her legs up to beside her and leaned into him just the smallest amount, to rest her chin on his shoulder and study the lines of his face for a moment that almost lingered on forever before she finally spoke.
"I know you keep telling me not to worry."
Her tone is soft but clear, licking her bottom lip slowly she pauses at the sentence break, reforming her words in her head before finishing her though.
"But it does occur to me that there's in fact more than nothing to worry about at the moment..."
Gabriel's attention shifted towards her as he felt her chin resting against his shoulder. Looking to her, a soft smile growing across his face as he spoke, each of those words radiating that reassuring feel to them.
"You might be right, my love.”
His eyes drifted away for a moment as he thought to be able to compose the proper wording in his head. A slight laugh slipping free, he returned that focus upon Lyric.
"I wasn't quite ready to return to that environment..teaming with Xavier again. But, he said he had some business to handle so he would talk to me after the show. It seems as if he wants to talk things through.."
His head tilting to the side, he kept his eyes locked upon hers, his body unable to resist relaxing a bit at the sight.
"Unless you mean Cass.."
Her hand drifted up to that same shoulder, her fingertips just gently pressing against his jaw as her eyes poured into his.
"Your brother, Cass... Spirit and Pride..."
Her nose wrinkles with a slight upturn as she says the name of their intended destination for the weekend.
"You can't be surprised that after last time, I feel more than a little dubious about anyone's safety where they're involved too..."
Her lips just gently brush his cheek before she settled back to his shoulder again.
"Just because I CAN patch you up really doesn't mean I enjoy it and as much as I hate to admit it, a stacked deck stands right in front of you and whilst I don't doubt your ability or talent..."
Her eyes moved away from his as a small, worried sigh escaped her lips.
"I can't shake this awful feeling in my bones and my only concern, my only focus is you..."
Her eyes came back to his as she lifted her brows just a little, love and worry pouring from her eyes into his as her voice dropped to barely a whisper.
"I hate seeing you hurt."
His head lowered just a bit, memories of his last show in Spirit and Pride flashing into his head. That expression tightening up, he shook his head slowly.
"I..let my guard down last time. It won't happen like that again, I know what they're capable of now and I know what to look for. They're not my biggest concern right now. I need to beat Samuels.."
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against hers lovingly, letting the kiss linger for a few moments before pulling back enough to look at her.
"As for Xavier..he's more focused on The Callaghans, he knows why I did what I did and after the show, we'll hash everything out together and that will be fine.."
The thought of Cass caused a slight grin to grow across his face, shaking his head back and forth with a soft sigh.
"Cass wants to avenge Xavier. She's not going to be thinking straight and I fully intend on taking advantage of that."
A frown creases across her brow and she lets out a small sigh, touching her finger to his cheek as her eyes find his again.
"You're emotional too, as much as you try to hide it you know there's nothing you can hide from me and your... desire to exact your own revenge can't be something you allow to cloud your judgment."
Her finger traces down and over his jaw as she presses her head back against his shoulder, turning her head out to look across the all but empty gate area.
"Cass is... childish and misguided and emotional. She is going to be easily bent and twisted to anyone's purpose. But you, know better; you understand that there isn't any place for emotion in these things."
She glances at him out of the corner of her eye with another small sigh.
"Xavier is far closer to Cass' mindset than yours, look how easily he is allowing himself to be manipulated by absolutely anyone with a hand in his life right now, you may have faith that he's going to do the right thing but the only thing I have learned from watching the two of you is that..."
She turns her head to look full at him now.
"His only loyalty is to himself and the only person you truly protect is me; not that I'm unthankful for that... believe me I'm not."
Those eyes of his slowly closed shut as he listened intently to her words. He knew she was right, but even still he couldn't help but to sigh softly.
"The difference is..I have mine in check. I'm not ruled by mine, I know what has to be done and I know that I have to be the one to do it. Xavier's ego is going to be the driving force in our rematch. He's not going to risk another loss to The Callaghans just to settle a grudge that may or may not even be there. And Cass.."
A slight grin toyed with the corner of his mouth as he slowly brought his hand up, letting his opened palm rest against the soft flesh of her face.
"I'm going to use her instability against her. What physical strength she has is greatly overshadowed by her lack of mental strength. That's why she can't win this match. I'm going to twist her mentally and physically."
She leans her head into his hand, turning it slightly to kiss his palm before lifting it again to look into his face with a slight smile.
"Well, I propose a compromise... I'll continue to worry about it all, you continue to be confident about it all, I'll have faith in you and be right here no matter what happens."
Her smile grows to more of a smirk as she lifts a brow.
"Okay, so it's not really much of a compromise since it's how things are anyway... And I could lie to you and say that I feel comforted or more assured of your safety but I think too highly of you to pander in such a way."
Sitting up in the chair now she finds his lips with hers once more, her hand settling on the side of his neck as she leans into him a little more.
"But I do trust you and I will support you, in all and any endeavors... Nothing ever changes that."
Returning that kiss, he leaned into her, a soft smile on his face, enjoying the feeling of her soft hand against the side of his neck.
"And that's all that matters. That's what keeps me going, knowing I have someone as..otherworldly as you no matter what happens. That is the source of my confidence.."
Leaning forward, towards her, he allowed his forehead to rest against hers as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"Anything can happen out there, there's nothing I can say or do that will reassure you of this, I know. But I give you my word that I will be careful to the best of my ability."
A light kiss pressed against her lips as he pulled his head back just enough to look back into her eyes.
"I will be okay, I promise."
Her eyes locked on his, taking a moment of silence to inhale his scent, the feel of him close to her relaxing her body into his as she nodded her head just a little.
"I believe you..."
Dropping her head back to that spot on his shoulder and sliding her hand down to wrap around his arm, holding herself close to him and half closing her eyes.
"Because I know, that no matter what... You're always going to come back to me."
The feeling of her body close against him had any sense of tension about him completely washed away, relaxation quickly taking its place. Sighing contently, he wrapped his arms around her.
"You're entirely right. I will always be right here, by your side. I'm not going anywhere..ever."
His words were soft as he found himself growing more and more disconnected from the outside world, his focus locked onto the feeling of her in his arms.
"You're my happy ending."
Sliding her head from his shoulder to his chest, resting her ear over his heart to listen to the sound of it thumping in his chest. Sliding her hand up to rest beside her head she smiles, closing her eyes with a content sigh.
"I love you, more than I ever knew it would be possible to love."
Her words are almost a whisper as she relaxes against him entirely now.
Happy ending.... I really do love the sound of that."
Her head against his chest, he moved his down to press his lips against the top of her head, not moving them for a few moments. Finally, he brought his head back up, that soft smile nearly plastered to his face.
"As do I. It has never sounded any sweeter than when it's paired with the thought of you. You're like..air. I have to breathe you in."
Even as he had said those words, he felt just how true they really are. A slow nod of his head as he took in a breath of air.
"You're my one, a thought I had never considered before but I truly do believe you are the one for me."
She smiles at his words, leaning her head back against him even more, sighing happily.
"And you are my one, despite the insurmountable odds, despite knowing how almost entirely unbelievable the fact is... I know that you are the one person on this earth meant for me."
Wrapping both her arms around him now she laughs softly and kisses against his chest.
"And now that I've found you, there is nothing on this earth that can tear me away."
Children playing childish games.
It was shortly after Xavier had made his debut, Gabriel stood within that locker room, a highly aggravated look on his face as he moved around the room, pacing almost.
"He's a child."
Opened hands would soon be clenched to close into tightly held fists.
"The most irritating, self centered, egotistical child I've ever seen."
Reaching up with the both of his hands, he ran them across the top of his head, trying to keep his composure about him.
Lyric sits quietly on the bench, watching him pace up and down for a moment or two before she parts her lips with a small sigh.
"Take a breath."
Pressing her lips together slightly she continues to watch him, folding her hands in her lap, her eyes don't leave him as he moves up and down the room.
"That whole bravado was to elicit a reaction, it's what he feeds off of; you're better than that."
Stopping in his tracks, he let his eyes close slowly before taking in a deep breath before sighing out in frustration.
"I'm losing my patience with him. He says he wants everything worked out before the rematch and then he goes and pulls this."
Another deep breath was taken in before breathing out through his nostrils.
"I can't.."
A third breath as he made his way over to that bench, sitting down next to Lyric.
She turns slightly, running her fingers slowly down his arm she nods a little and lets out a sigh, her shoulders tensing slightly.
"The whole thing is... Messy. I've told you before that the.."
She hesitates slightly and bites her bottom lip.
"This isn't the time, for any of it, you need to focus on your goal tonight and not let his childish actions affect the outcome of your match. Xavier is always going to do exactly what he does...."
Her hand squeezes his arm gently and she sighs again, sliding her hand up to touch at his cheek.
"But now, that's directly affecting what you do and you're going to have to decide how much you're willing to give up."
The feeling of her touch was one that always managed to relax him and it was no different this time as he nodded his head in agreement.
"I can't help but to think that messy is a slight understatement at this point."
His head leaning into her touch, listening to her every word with the utmost intent. A bit of an inquisitive look on his face as he tilted his head to the side.
"Very few things I'm going to willingly give up. Very few. And some..I'll fight to keep."
She half smiled and tilted her own head as her fingers danced down over his jaw now, soft but firm touch as she pressed the back of her hand to his cheek her smile forming into a frown.
"Well, that's a discussion for another time I have.. a few concerns that can join that discussion. What's important now, is that you don't allow this to distract you from your goal here tonight."
She turns to face him fully, placing both of her hands against his chest now she leaned in to brush her lips against his, half closing her eyes with an upwards tilt to her head as she met his gaze.
"Regardless of what may need to happen in the future, you know that immediate focus is more important right now. Your brother is a reactionary, immature man who is ruled by his emotions... You are better than that."
"You're absolutely right. As hard as it is, I have to push it out of my head. I have to focus on my match. I can't let this distract me."
Between her touch and another deep breath, Gabriel managed to calm himself nearly entirely as compared to beforehand.
"This is too important of a match to let him throw me off of my game."
Nodding his head slowly, he lowered his head to press his lips against hers briefly. Tilting his head, he developed that inquisitive look upon his features, his eyes locked onto her.
"Though I cannot help but to wonder what your concerns are."
She flicked her brows up slightly and half shrugged, dragging her teeth across her bottom lip she looked away from him for the first time.
"Is that a conversation you want to have now, or at home?"
She tilts her head again with a small smile, looking back to him intentionally diverting the subject she lets out a small breath.
"Since I'm all but living there now..."
A soft smile broke out across his face as he heard her put it like that. Nodding his head slowly, he let that smile linger.
"Home..I love to hear you call it that. And we could remove the 'all but' part..if you wanted to."
Bringing his hand up, he let it rest against the side of her face, his thumb lightly stroking her skin.
"And then maybe I could learn your distraction and subject changing ways."
He winked following that last part, a slight teasing to his smile.
She smiles and leans into his touch much as he did hers, placing her hand on his her smile grows wider.
"I'd like to remove that part... maybe then you won't be able to complain when I move things around."
A small smirk takes the place of her smile as she leans up a little to meet his eyes.
"And I am absolutely sure that I have no idea what you're talking about..."
He scoffed, looking almost taken aback. Shaking his head slowly, he couldn't help but to let that laugh roll free.
"Everything has a place. Sometimes I think you do it just to throw me off."
After that playful accusation, he laughed out once more, nodding his head in feigned agreement.
"Oh yeah, you don't have an idea at all about that. I think you're trying to trick me.."
She turns slightly and wraps her arms around the back of his neck. Leaning up she kisses him softly and feigns an innocent expression, batting her eyelashes at him hiding a smirk from her lips.
"Or, I'm trying to keep you focused on the task at hand and not on my concerns and questions... Besides if they were anything to truly worry about..."
Her lips curve into another smile against his lips as she kisses him again.
"I wouldn't have just agreed to officially move in with you, now would I?"
He thought about it for a moment before looking down at her with a light smile as he slowly nodded his head.
"When you put it like that, I have to believe you."
Laughing, he leaned forward, resting against her slightly as he pressed his lips against the top of her head.
"But I want you to know that your concerns or questions are never not important to me no matter what's going on.”
She smiles and leans into him in response, resting her head to his shoulder now she takes in a breath, inhaling his scent with a soft smile.
"I'm aware of precisely how important I am to you. But I also know that these questions... concerns... they can wait until we get home. They don't affect anything tonight."
Turning her head slightly she plants a light kiss under his jaw and laughs softly.
"And yes, occasionally I move things just to watch you look for them..."
His eyes widened a bit as he looked at her, almost gasping in shock and realization.
"I knew it. You devious, sneaky..beautiful woman."
Laughing a bit, he shook his head before pulling her close, adjusting his legs to make it easier.
"But when we get home, I fully expect to hear each and every one of them. Deal?"
He tilted his head, that inquisitive expression returning mixed with a bit of a playfulness.
She grins and rests her hands to his shoulders again, leaning her head up to steal a small kiss before nodding her head in agreement.
"Well firstly, in my defense... watching you look for things is not only fun, but you're usually shirtless and the view is quite intoxicating..."
She laughs and leans her head up again to hover her lips over his.
"All of them, I promise."
Her eyes look a little more serious as she nods again, stealing another kiss before she leans back a little, her body still pressed close to his.
"As soon as we get home."
"I guess you can get away with that..just because you put it like that. And if you hide something too well, you better tell me where before I spend too long looking for it."
He smiled softly, letting his lips brush against hers, enjoying the closeness between the two of them.
"I suppose I can wait until then. But only because of it being you. And because I'm incredibly nice like that."
A playful wink given after those words rolled off of his tongue.
"Only to you though, most everyone else doesn't deserve it."
She smirks and looks up to him with raised brows.
"Well, don't I feel all kinds of special now.."
Her tone is soft and playful as she runs her hands over his chest now and shakes her head a little.
"It's nothing that can't wait love, I promise."
Boiling over.
Lyric frowns as she folds her arms over her chest, for the first time since he's known her, when her eyes fall on Gabriel, her gaze is almost cold ash her tongue along her bottom teeth, irritation is clear in her gaze but she des her best to place a small smile on her lips, not wanting to betray the full extend of her emotions immediately.
"You were right, messy is an understatement."
She reaffirms what he said to her the day before, her eyes lingering on him from her seat on the couch, her feet tucked up under her she almost leans over the arm of the couch as she tilts her head to look up at him as she addresses him.
"I would almost verge on foolish at this point.”
He lowered his head just barely, taking in a deep breath before sighing out softly. Bringing his head back up to look at her, he nodded his head.
"It is a problem. I can't deny that. But it's not as bad as it seems on the surface. It's one that can be handled readily."
Moving to stand in front of her, he looked down at her, a soft smile growing across his features, hints of reassuring about it.
"He's..taunting me. It won't get physical unless I make that move. He doesn't want to lose to The Callaghans again so he's taking this seriously. This is just his way of doing things. He's a child, you have to expect him to do childish things."
She scoffs lightly and shakes her head, looking past him now as she rolls her eyes slightly before looking back at him with another shake of her head.
"I do, I don't however expect you to so willingly follow along like you wish to be led..."
Her tone has a slight edge to it as she leans her head to the side and sighs.
"You're not an idiot and you know I'm hardly one myself, so please; explain to me how you expect to you yourself believe that this is even remotely a good idea, that maintains a business relationship with someone who so off-handedly played you..."
She raises her brows with a slight widening of her eyes now.
"Or better still explain to me why I should sit here quietly and watch as you go off to take a meeting with them both as though it's anything but a childish and idiotic decision made out of emotional reaction because he's taking something you want."
A shake of her head again as her eyes look back into his.
"Has taken, not taking... she's already his, something you seem to refuse to notice."
"Two entirely different things. My relationship with her is purely business. That's not what he is there for, not at all and that's the clear as day part."
He kept his eyes locked upon her, being careful with his choice of words to avoid further issue.
"I'm fully aware of the problems that could arise from this but I know what I'm doing. I have moments of outbursts but this is not that."
Shaking his head, he reached up to run his hand over top of his head.
"I'm not getting caught up in whatever it is that he's planning. I can still clearly see what's in front of me and am prepared to protect myself from such an incident."
Shaking her head she pulls her gaze away from his and turns her head slightly to rest her cheek against her shoulder, no longer looking directly at him as her shoulders pull back in annoyance.
"Of all the people to treat me like I'm naive because of what I choose to believe, this is the most offensive of them."
Shaking her head slightly she keeps her eyes purposefully diverted from him as a slight sigh escapes her.
"You think because YOU want to keep the things separate that they will be, that two people so very obviously incapable of so much as keeping themselves controlled will give any care or notice to your wants?"
Shrugging slightly as she bites down on her bottom lip she half closes her eyes.
"You're not going to listen to anything I have to say on it regardless, you're going to do precisely what you want to do about it, even if that action is reckless and based on your own desires."
"I'm not treating you like you're naive, not in the slightest amount, Lyric. He doesn't want anybody handling his business affairs, he's doing this to be closer to her."
His tongue running back and forth across the backs of his teeth before slowly nodding his head.
"I'll deal with this issue when it needs to be dealt with. For now, I have to focus on Cass. Her distorted vision is getting worse and worse."
Bringing his arms up, he crossed them at his chest as he stood completely still.
"Alaina told me she went to Phe and nearly demanded that she choose sides which is why the meeting wasn't last night."
She rolls her eyes again, dropping her feet to the floor she looks up at him again.
"And you're surprised by this?"
Sighing she looks away again with another shake of her head and runs a hand through her hair, biting back on her teeth to grit her jaw.
"This is the difference, you have split priorities, different things that require your focus at any given moment and the part you seem to be so easily forgetting is my only priority and my only focus is you."
Glancing back at him she slowly looks him up and down, biting down on her jaw a second time obviously holding back some.
"Cass is a delusional idiot who is trying to grab a hold of anything substantial because all she has done is push people away - she's come to realize the only dog left in her fight is Xavier and so she is trying to get on side of those she perceives to be in his corner... like Phe."
She raises her brows at him and inclines her head.
"Funny how even Cass can see something so glaringly obvious that you continue to deny, isn't it?”
"I haven't forgotten that..at all. I know where your priorities..your loyalties lie. I have never questioned that. Because I know with someone as wise and clear sighted as you watching for me, I'll be prepared for anything."
A soft smile flashed across his features as he slowly nodded his head.
"In the long run, Cass is..inconsequential. She's trying to rally people into this nonexistent war. From what I was told, Xavier jumped down her throat because of the things she said to Phe. She's alone in this fight against me and it terrifies her. She wants that life preserver but I know how to snatch it away from her."
"And your readiness to blindly walk into that meeting last night terrified me..."
Her eyes meet his and soften for the first time as her gaze meets his and she shakes her head.
"You have nothing to prove to anyone yet you continue to act as though you need to show everyone that you're superior, that he can't take anything from you - instead of creating separation to let things breathe you add pressure..."
She widens her eyes again and lets out a sigh, but this time it's softer, her tone more laced with concern than annoyance.
"You slipped, easily at the smallest provocation.... In this instance, if you had gone - my calm head does nothing from here and I know he's still the one thing that gets under your skin whether you admit it or not."
She locks her eyes on his and bites down against her jaw again.
"If it were me blindly walking into a dangerous situation, you would feel the same way... Like if I had refused to come here when you asked, flaunted the danger, left myself open to worse than what happened... but I listened, because I know that even if I don't understand all of it, what you do it to protect me."
She shakes her head slowly.
"And whilst I may not be a fighter, you should know that there is all of nothing I wouldn't do, to do the same for you."
Lowering himself down to sit next to her, his eyes never once leaving hers.
"I can understand that and I'm sorry for that. But it's not as blindly as you'd think. I'm perfectly aware of what could have happened and I was fully prepared to defend against that if need be."
He brought his hand up, resting his palm against the side of her face, lightly stroking her skin with the point of his thumb.
"And you're right, I wouldn't have been okay with you going into a similar situation. I don't mean to worry you, really I don't. But I know how he works, especially now. He's not going to fight me.."
His expression grew a bit serious at this point.
"He's going to play his stupid games, try to make everything about him and get all eyes on him. That's what he does."
"Then let him."
She turns her head to his hand and kisses his thumb before taking his hand in both of hers and returning her gaze to his with a slight frown.
"What does it matter if he garners some attention from acting like a spoiled little brat? All that will happen is the same mindless idiots who have always followed him will continue to do so."
She lets go of his hand to gently touch at his temple with her left index finger.
"The second you let him up here, you've already lost... and one thing you're right about is that your focus needs to be on Cass right now..."
She swallows hard and drops her hand away.
"And, by some small stretch, The Grounds as well, with your sister working there and Lennox making sure her presence is known... my working there giving you backstage access feels almost like a necessity at this point."
She bites at her bottom lip quickly and shakes her head.
"I'm over thinking again."
He shook his head, his eyes fixated onto her with a reassuring smile to follow.
"You're not over thinking anything. Your concern isn't unfounded..not at all. You have no idea how happy I am to have someone who is so out for my best interest..someone who is so concerned about me. It's refreshing. But you're right. I need to focus on Cass until I have eliminated the problem and then I can fully focus on making sure nothing happens to you or Alaina."
Slight frustration showing, he let his eyes close momentarily.
"Another problem that if he would just handle, I wouldn't have to divide my focus as much as I need to.."
Leaning in close, she gently brushes her cheek against his before planting her lips along his jaw, her breath align against his neck.
"I don't foresee any issues tonight and, at the very least, there's only Alaina who comparatively is pleasant and easy to deal with."
She smiles against his neck as she leans in a little closer still.
"And, even when I think you're acting like an idiot, I'm still right here... something you will eventually become accustomed to, is my absolute certainty in that nothing is going to pull us apart, not even for a moment."
She kisses just below his ear before leaning back to lock her eyes on his with a small nod.
"And old now.. I will accept your feeling about the Phe situation, if only because I know where your focus needs to be and intend to drive you towards it."
"She's probably the most well rounded out of the three of us to be honest. I have faith enough in her but even still, I won't let things get too out of hand with her. But I'll be at the show for sure. Things have quieted down on that front but that usually implies the calm before the storm so vigilance is a must."
Allowing himself to relax against her touch, he smiled softly, his gaze lingering on her.
"That's what I need. Someone who is still going to stand beside me despite..questionable decisions."
She smiles and leans in to kiss him again, shaking her head just a little before the smile on her lips grows.
"Well I don't have work for a few more hours so, maybe you should spend a little time reminding me of your good qualities that greatly outweigh said terrible decision making skills?"