[Color=gray][center][h1][color=tan]Sean[/color] & [color=#D9A0B0]Elodie[/color][/h1]
[H3]Flashback: Late Friday Night[/h3][/center]

[B]Mentions:[/b] “Lucky Lu” Lucian, “Don't Call, Just Text” Vex, and “That Bitch” Sicily[hr]

Elodie poured a small amount of the liquor into her coffee before she pushed to her feet with a quiet groan, muttering something colorful under her breath as she shuffled back behind the counter. Moments later, she returned with a couple of little bottles in one hand and her coffee in the other. She slid the meds across the table toward Sean and sank carefully back into her seat. He eyed the meds before slipping his issued phone into his pocket and reaching for them.

[color=#D9A0B0]“Only the over-the-counter miracle drugs, aka ibuprofen and acetaminophen, sorry. But they do pair nicely with caffeine.”[/color] She took a sip and winced, though whether it was from the burn or her ribs was unclear.

[Color=tan]“It’ll do.”[/color] For Sean, it was far better than toughing through this. Besides, he was sure the pain would only get worse over the next few hours.

Elodie met his gaze, brow raised faintly. [color=#D9A0B0]“I’ll take your half-assed promise not to get more hurt tonight. And I promise not to fast. I want this arm healed as fast as possible. I kinda need both of them to make heart foam in lattes.”[/color]

There was a trace of a smile, but it faded quickly.

[color=#D9A0B0]“And no, I don’t want this to be normal either because getting punched SUCKS… but you’re not always going to be there to protect me, and I don’t expect you to be. What if a different warden walks in one day? One who doesn’t ask questions before drawing a weapon?”[/color]

Her voice dropped lower, steadier. [color=#D9A0B0]“So yes. I want to learn how to use a pistol. And if Sicily’s willing to teach me how to move like a vampire instead of some baby deer on black ice, I’ll take that too. I can pay her, or at the very least, she’ll have unlimited drinks and pastries. All I'm looking for is to buy myself time to try and get away if things go south.”[/color]

She took another sip of her spiked coffee, then gave Sean a sly look over the rim of her mug. [color=#D9A0B0]“Unless you’d prefer I stay helpless and clumsy and totally dependent on you for everything. I could faint dramatically next time if it helps.”[/color]

Her grin widened as she added, [color=#D9A0B0]“Maybe even throw in a damsel-in-distress gasp and call you ‘sir’.”[/color]

An amused smirk spread across Sean’s face as he blindly scrolled his contacts for “Blondie.” Even in this state, Elodie could still make things seem light, as if the two just had dinner, a movie, and were capping off the night with something easy. 

[Color=tan]“You’d like being that, wouldn't you?”[/color] He said with a gruff chuckle, throwing her words back at her.

After his little verbal counterattack, Sean’s eyes drifted down to his phone so he could work his magic in scheduling a meeting between irksome vampires in his life. [color=tan]“If Sicily declines, I'll at least cover a little self defense with you…”[/color] He sent the message to Sicily simply reading.

[Hider=Text][Img]https://i.imgur.com/b2KOJWK.png[/img][/hider]

Setting his phone down, he got to medicating himself and washing the pills down with his favorite caffeinated beverage brewed by his favorite barista.

Elodie’s grin had curved wider at his jab, and she tipped her mug toward him in mock surrender. [color=#D9A0B0]“Mm, maybe a little. But only because you wear the grumpy knight act so well. It’s very inspiring for a fainting damsel, you know.”[/color]

She took another sip, the rim of the mug hiding her smile for a heartbeat before she lowered it again. This time her eyes softened, hazel warm with something that lingered past the joke. [color=#D9A0B0]“But seriously… thank you. For not treating me like I’m fragile glass. For not… walking away after tonight.”[/color]

[Color=tan]“Hm?”[/color] He let out mid sip.

Her fingers traced the edge of the coffee cup, restless but steady. [color=#D9A0B0]“I don’t want to need anyone to save me. But if I’m going to have someone in my corner, I’m glad it’s you.”[/color] She fell silent for a few moments, glancing out the windows of the café to the street shrouded by the night. A few people were walking past, laughing and having a grand time. [color=#D9A0B0]“So, tell me, what is this Sicily woman like?”[/color] She asked as she turned back to look at Sean.

The low yet audible grumble from him was quite hard to ignore in response to her question. Add the shaking of his head as he set his coffee down, it was guaranteed nothing good would follow.

[Color=tan]“You ever had a dog that ate the food off the table the moment you walked out of the room? She's kinda like that.”[/color] He nodded to himself. [Color=tan]“To me, anyway. She might be nicer to you once she sniffs out you're too sweet of a person to mess with…”[/color] He took a deep breath as his conscience wouldn't allow him to say just that. [Color=tan]“High energy, good at killing vampires, poor music taste, picks fights, makes others foot the bill… as if I took her out on a date or something! She even used that as an excuse once! [B]I don't take people out on dates![/b] Plus she never fucking listens!”[/color] He had counted the first five things on his fingers but the last one sent him on a short rants.

[Color=tan]“But guess what?!”[/color] He shrugged dramatically. [Color=tan]“Shit! Fuck ..”[/color] He cursed as he moved a little too much for his body’s liking. Elodie’s grin faltered when he cursed, the sound cutting through his rant like a sharp note.

[color=#D9A0B0]“Hey, easy,”[/color] she murmured, setting her mug down as if she might actually lunge across the table and make him sit still.

[color=#D9A0B0]“You’re supposed to be drinking coffee, not auditioning for a pain tolerance competition.”[/color] Sean could only sigh in response, but Elodie’s tone softened with concern threading through the bit of teasing. [color=#D9A0B0]“Keep moving like that and I will make you sit still. Don’t tempt me to start handing out orders.”[/color]

[Color=tan][i]Make me? Orders?[/i][/color] He could have grumbled but he knew she was right, and the pain wasn't doing him any favors in being able to convincingly argue back. Once he was fully settled, Elodie leaned back again, studying him over the rim of her cup.

[Color=tan]“Anyway… Sicily. The reason why I can put up with all her bullshit is because she is really, [i]really[/i] good at killing vampires… and she has a good sense of humor but don't ever tell her I said that.”[/color]

[color=#D9A0B0]“So, Sicily sounds… intense,”[/color] she mused. [color=#D9A0B0]“And like someone who keeps you on your toes. Maybe even someone who makes sure you don’t get too comfortable.”[/color]

[Color=tan]“Something like that.”[/color] Sean muttered.

Her eyes glimmered with amusement. [color=#D9A0B0]“I can see why you’d both drive each other crazy.”[/color]

Then the grin returned, sly and warm all at once. [color=#D9A0B0]“However, you don’t take people out on dates?”[/color] she teased, tilting her head. [color=#D9A0B0]“Then what would you call tonight? A post-battle performance review? Because if so, I’m definitely charging for emotional labor and hazard pay.”[/color]

Then she hesitated a beat, debating on actually saying her next words. [color=#D9A0B0]“Unless, of course…”[/color] her voice dipped, lighter but laced with mischief and a hint of shyness all while being quite quiet, [color=#D9A0B0]“you’re making an exception.”[/color]

Sean briefly raised an eyebrow, not having put any thought into this being a date. His eyes peered upward as he played off trying to find a legitimate answer.

[Color=tan]“Hmmm… Not a date.”[/color] His eyes met hers accompanied with a slight smirk. [Color=tan]“It doesn't check all of the blocks. The coffee is on the house… at least, I believe it is… I'm in my work clothes… and the most egregious missing piece: No steak.”[/color] Sean sighed regrettably. [Color=tan]“But… I'll make an exception one of these days.”[/color] He shrugged, and then winced in pain. [Color=tan]“When I don't feel like I got hit by my own truck… It should be nice, y’know.”[/color] His expression became serious with the last part. As much as he thought the idea was nice and even cute, he was sure his life in Halcyon would do its damnedest to prevent it.

Elodie smiled softly even as she caught his serious expression. She watched him for a moment. [color=#D9A0B0]“Sounds like whoever earns that kind of night with you will be pretty lucky. I envy her…”[/color]

Her smile lingered for a beat too long before she caught herself and looked down, tucking a curl behind her ear as though that might hide the faint warmth blooming on her cheeks. [color=#D9A0B0]“I was only joking about this being a date, you know,”[/color] she said lightly, then added under her breath, [color=#D9A0B0]“Mostly.”[/color]

She tilted her head then, considering what her list would be as her thumb traced the curve of her mug. [color=#D9A0B0]“I suppose mine would be simpler,”[/color] she said at last, voice soft but thoughtful. [color=#D9A0B0]“Warm light, something sweet to drink, a little music playing too softly to drown out the conversation. Maybe a walk afterward, somewhere quiet. Or even getting caught in the rain and forcing a little adventure.”[/color]

Her smile lingered, faint and wistful. [color=#D9A0B0]“I think it’s less about where you go and more about who you’re with. Someone who notices the small things. Someone who asks if you’re cold, who listens even when you ramble, who makes you feel like you can breathe again.”[/color]

Her gaze drifted toward the window again, where the streetlamps blurred against the misty night. [color=#D9A0B0]“Maybe even someone who doesn’t mind getting a little lost with you. Finding a café that feels like it was waiting just for you. Laughing until the world feels a little lighter.”[/color]

She caught herself then, blinking as though surprised at her own words, and laughed quietly. [color=#D9A0B0]“Huh. Guess my list’s longer than I thought.”[/color] Her lips curved into a soft grin as she lifted her mug again. [color=#D9A0B0]“Maybe that’s why I never go on many dates.”[/color]

[Color=tan]“Really? I figured you would’ve had the chance to go on plenty.”[/color] Sean commented genuinely as he reached for his mug. [Color=tan]“No offense and I honestly don't even think this could ever be offensive but you're hot as fuck.”[/color] He whispered while leaning in as if what he said was some well kept secret. [Color=TAN]“Like… just hear me out. You got the looks, you're not a total bitch, got your own business, YOU- you bake. Do you know how many chicks can bake nowadays? Those cinnamon rolls are fucking godly. Then you throw in the vampire stuff and it just gives some extra sexy points just ‘cause…”[/color] He admitted openly but slowly the gears began to turn in his head.

[Color=tan]“I think I know what the problem is… You're one of those crazy clingy girls that likes to peg… jeez Elodie.”[/color] Sean shook his head and sipped his coffee but wound up breaking into a chuckle. [Color=tan]“On another note, we went on a date based on your standards at the Velvet Bite. It checked… most of your blocks I think.”[/color] He gave her a playful wink.

For a moment, Elodie forgot how to breathe. The words “hot as fuck” rolled off his tongue so easily she almost wondered if she’d imagined them, but then came the “you bake” and “the vampire stuff is sexy”, and her brain just… short-circuited. She could feel the heat bloom in her chest, crawling up her neck until she was certain she’d melt right into her chair. Her pulse shouldn’t even race anymore, but she certainly felt like it was. He leaned in, speaking so plainly, and her stomach did an undignified little flip. She had to look away for a second, teeth catching her lower lip to keep from smiling too wide.

[color=#D9A0B0]“Well,”[/color] she said at last, laughter soft and a little shaky, [color=#D9A0B0]“that’s one way to flatter a girl. You say things like that so easily, don’t you? I’m not used to hearing them without someone laughing after.”[/color]

She took a sip to buy herself a second of composure, then sighed, eyes dropping to the swirl of cream in her mug.
[color=#D9A0B0]“For the record, my last boyfriend was back in high school. Two years, and it ended... badly, to say the least. Since then?”[/color] She gave a small shrug. [color=#D9A0B0]“Most people either think I’m too quiet, too weird, or too... sweet. Like I’m made of sugar and might dissolve if they touch me.”[/color]

Her lips twitched then, and she peeked up at him through her lashes, that teasing spark returning. [color=#D9A0B0]“But maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s the pegging thing.”[/color] And Sean actually nodded along… seriously nodded along.

She tried, she really did, but she broke almost immediately and covered her face as laughter spilled out of her, low and melodic. [color=#D9A0B0]“Nope, nope, can’t even say that with a straight face. Sorry.”[/color]

Sean chuckled but some part of him was relieved. [I][color=tan]So the crazy clingy thing is probably what's true.[/color][/i]

Once she calmed enough to breathe again, her grin softened, a flicker of sincerity beneath the mirth. [color=#D9A0B0]“But hey... if the Velvet Bite could count as a date, guess that makes me one hell of a lucky girl. I bet Sicily would be jealous.”[/color]

[Color=tan]“You can do better than that. Tell her we're engaged and you're expecting. Then again, she'd probably feel bad for you and throw in your lessons for free… Hm, that might actually be a good idea.”[/color] A sly smile played on his face. [Color=tan]“We’d have to get you a ring to sell the whole thing but I think it'd work.”[/color]

Elodie blinked at him, her brain apparently deciding this was the perfect time to blue-screen. [color=#D9A0B0]“I– wait– you– engaged?”[/color] She stammered, words tripping over each other uselessly. [color=#D9A0B0]“You can’t j-just say things like that!”[/color] Her laugh broke through, light but unmistakably nervous as her hands flew up to cover her face, wincing as she forgot about her broken arm. Surely he wasn’t serious… or was he? No…no, of course not. This had to be him teasing. [color=#D9A0B0][I]I should tease back. Breathe, Elodie.[/I][/color]

[color=#D9A0B0]“Okay,”[/color] she finally managed, lowering her hands as a grin crept in despite the warmth flooding her cheeks. [color=#D9A0B0]“So a moody Lycan boy, a brawl, coffee, and I'm suddenly fake wife material? Careful, Sean. Keep talking like that and people will start to think you're catching feelings. Or is this your subtle way of asking for another date?”[/color]

She picked up her mug again, still grinning though her nerves hadn’t quite settled, evident in the tremble of her cup. [color=#D9A0B0]“Fine. You find the ring, I’ll draft the invitations…but I’m calling dibs on the cake design. If we’re faking this, it’s at least gonna be cute.”[/color]

[Color=tan]“Deal! Free combat training, here we come. I'll find something over the weekend.”[/color] Sean didn't even flinch before he downed the rest of his coffee. Perhaps Vex did more than a number on him.

For a moment, Elodie could only stare, the words settling in slower than they should have. He was… serious. Of course he was. That was Sean–decisive, straightforward, completely unaware of how his words made her stomach do somersaults.

She forced herself to smile, light and easy, even as something stupidly tender tugged at her chest. [color=#D9A0B0][I]It’s fake,[/I][/color] she reminded herself. [color=#D9A0B0][I]No real commitment, no meaning, just a cover story.[/I][/color] So why did the thought sting?

[color=#D9A0B0]“Guess that’s settled, then,”[/color] she said, lifting her mug in mock toast, her grin just a little too soft to sell the joke. [color=#D9A0B0]“To free combat lessons and totally fake engagements.”[/color]

And yet, as she watched him over the rim of her cup, she couldn’t shake the thought–fake or not, she was already in trouble.

[Center][i]Clink[/i][/center]

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