[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pkeSHOb.jpeg[/img] [sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img] [color=808080][color=796e9c][b]#796e9c[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]alloy[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/8A5RSDl][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [color=bdddff][b]#bdddff[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]polar[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/TgvoXYF][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]descendant tower[/b][/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9qIY4OK.jpeg[/img][/sup][/center] [indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]The collar was cold and tight, pressing uncomfortably against the back of his neck. Invisible tendrils stretched out in every direction, reaching out for metal but failing like trying to grasp water with his bare hand. The powers burned in his veins but no matter how much he focused or pushed, nothing happened. A heavy hand pressed his face into a warm sticky liquid that slowly sunk into the fibers of the carpet. He sputtered at the metallic taste, teasing him with the power that tingled at his fingertips but he couldn’t use. They forced him to watch as they dragged her out of the door. There were tears in her eyes and a haunting scream should have fallen from her parted lips but only the echoes of sinister laughs filled the small dark room. He shouted as the blood strung between his lips. The sound ripped through his nightmare, melting away the image like burnt film and slamming him back into his body feeling the noise vibrating in his chest. Tobias bolted up in the foreign bed, a weight that was on his chest slipping off to the side as a small ball of fur tumbled from his shoulder that he barely managed to catch in his shaky palms. A cold sweat clung to the back of his neck, tears stung his eyes and his throat was hoarse. As he looked around, breathing heavily, he noticed every piece of metal in Bellamy’s room shifted toward him. Every drawer opened a few inches from the screws in the resin knobs, table lamps resting precariously on the edge of the nightstands, even the bracelet that hung on Bell’s wrist pulled her hand into his lap. Tobias set the confused kitten down on the bed beside him then buried his face into his trembling hands. It was always the same dream, every time he slept. No matter how much alcohol he drank or sleeping aid he took, it never changed. There was a small piece of hope, a faint light hidden in the shadows cast over his soul that thought [i]maybe[/i] saving Bell would alleviate the crushing burden of guilt but the nightmares still persisted. He ran his hands back through his hair, lacing his fingers together at the base of his skull as he doubled over, resting his elbows on his thighs. Soft fingers curled around his wrist, a gentle tug as the weight on her side of the bed shifted. [color=bdddff]"Toby,"[/color] Bella’s voice was hoarse and thick with sleep, eyes half open, and she tugged on his arm until he relented, moving until she was sitting up, closer to his side than when she’d fallen asleep. Her mind felt slow and muddled with sleep still, each blink sluggish, but her arms were steady as she curled them around him, her left hand gentle as it pressed the back of his neck, pulling him toward her until his face was pressed into her shoulder. She wasn’t sure why she did it, maybe it was because she’d caught a glimpse of the tears catching on his lashes, or the anguished cry that had jolted her awake, but she didn’t want him to feel alone, didn’t want him to suffer through whatever nightmare he’d had thinking he had to face it alone. It was irrational, and probably stupid, but he’d helped her and Bell wanted to help him. [color=bdddff]"It’s okay."[/color] It was little more than a whisper, fingers brushing through the hair at the back of his neck. Loki struggled between the two of them, plopping out between them on the bed ass over head, throwing an incredulous look back at them as he relocated a few feet across the duvet. Bellamy didn’t know what else she could do, so she just held him, feeling the tremble in his hands. Unlike how open and understanding he was with helping others through their struggles, Tobias was significantly more guarded and closed off when it came to himself. He didn’t follow her gentle guidance easily like he had the night before when she cleaned the mud from his face and hair. His body was rigid and tense. He only conceded to give Bellamy a brief moment where she could feel a bit less indebted to him. Once he felt her fingers run through his hair, the jolt of electricity from the intimate touch quickly brought him to his senses. He sat back upright and cleared his throat. [color=796e9c]"I’m fine,"[/color] he muttered under his breath while swiping his thumb under his eyes to wipe away any tears. Tobias took a second to let his heart rate and breathing settle before waving two fingers slightly, closing every drawer and shifting the table lamps back to their original resting place. He let the silence linger heavily for a minute or two before sparing a glance over at her, noting how her movements no longer seemed pained. [color=796e9c]"You healed yourself?"[/color] he asked quietly before shifting his attention forward, fixing his gaze on the opposite window. [color=796e9c]"Sorry I fell asleep."[/color] Bella let go like she’d been burned, cheeks flushing in embarrassment, and she quickly and clumsily pulled away from Tobias, making sure there was more than enough space between them as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. What had she been thinking? That had been stupid, and the shame of it all swelled back up within her with a vengeance. [color=bdddff]"Sorry,"[/color] she whispered, staring down at the duvet rather than at him. Sunlight spilled in through the window, shadows dragging up the wall caused by the curtains that were only half drawn. Bell sat with her back to the pillows, legs tucked up beneath the sheets, feet pressed to the mattress, and she tilted her head so her hair formed a barrier between her and Tobias as it fell over her shoulder. She took a moment before answering, reminding herself of the things that felt more important and prevalent in the light of day. She was alive, her mom was… not, her dad was likely taken alive, they’d wanted to kill her, Tobias had saved her. She was, ultimately, alone now. Bellamy flexed the muscles in her shoulder, feeling sick when no pain swelled up in greeting. [color=bdddff]"Yes."[/color] Her eyes caught on a point across the room, where sunlight reflected off the smooth surface of a crystal vase. There were no flowers in it, it was empty, but… it looked like it ought to be holding flowers. [color=bdddff]"Sorry I made you stay the night."[/color] She returned his apology with her own, forcing her gaze away from the vase. There was something tragically poetic about the sight of it, so empty and yet yawning as if needing more, it reminded her too much of how she felt right now. Loki peaked up from his spot at the foot of the bed at her, looking slowly from Tobias to Bellamy, the kitten stood up, stretching so his back arched and his butthole was pointed toward Tobias. Then it jumped off the bed and sauntered out of the bedroom through the door that had been left open, tail high in the air. The sound of his little paw steps faded the further he went, but she didn’t get up yet to follow him. The warmth of the bed felt as if she’d leached it away, leaving her cold and even more tired than when she’d fallen asleep. The air in the room grew tense and shifted, but it wasn’t because of Bellamy and her powers. Tobias noticed the way she pulled away from his coldness and hid herself behind her hair. His head fell and turned away as he tucked his mouth and chin into the palm of his hand. He had felt lonely for years before going to Europe with Helena and since her disappearance that familiar void began to creep back up on him again. Although it wasn’t until that moment that he fully realized why. He could be strong for others, fight their battles, shoulder their burdens, and take a bullet for them without a moment’s hesitation. But there was some sort of mental block that prevented him from allowing himself to be weak in front of others. He could be understanding and kind, but the vulnerability that ate away at him remained locked away behind his pensive eyes and sullen presence. [color=796e9c]"I’m sorry,"[/color] he mumbled into the calloused skin of his palm. Tobias slid one leg off of the bed as his instinctual reaction was to walk away without another word and hide away in his apartment. But there was still another part of him he was trying to understand that felt responsible for Bellamy. [i]He[/i] saved her. [i]He[/i] brought her to the tower. [i]He[/i] was the one she called on in the middle of the night. How was he supposed to handle that? He was just one person. He’d feel guilty leaving her alone in her grief and even [i]more[/i] guilty knowing he left her despondent because of something he did or didn’t do. The conflicting thoughts and emotions left him restless. Tobias had the sudden urge to pace as it all bounced around his head. He climbed off her bed and stood up. But without the adrenalin from the night before or the extreme exhaustion that seemed to dull his senses, the pain in the soles of his feet stung at the pressure. He sucked in sharp breath and winced, before turning toward the bed and placing his hands on the mattress for support. His head fell, sagging between his shoulders, unable to meet Bell’s gaze. He felt ashamed for how he pulled away, for his coldness, for how he was acting like a hypocrite for letting her open up to him but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her halfway. It would have been better if someone like Imogen saved her. She was better at this sort of thing. All he was good at was killing and pushing people away. The silence had stretched, long enough for her to begin considering her options. Bellamy couldn't stay here, it was the sort of realization that only came with the clarity of morning but it left her feeling cold and empty. She wasn’t a fighter, she was no good to the team Tobias had mentioned, if she stayed she’d only continue to be a burden on him and everyone else. But where could she go? The people that had attacked her family didn’t care that she wasn’t a hero, they wanted to kill her all the same. There was nowhere for her to go, nowhere she belonged, and everything she’d had before was [i]gone.[/i] Her eyes slipped shut as hopelessness closed in around her throat like the jaws of a predator, and Bell wanted so desperately to pick up her phone and call her mom but she knew that she’d never be able to do that again. That realization almost broke her, but the sound of Tobias’s voice drew her out of that dark place, helped her refocus on the present. The bed shifted as he slipped up and away, the blanket she’d laid over him last night discarded, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at him as he left, it wasn’t fair for her to want him to stay, and—the sound of his breathing changing instinctively turned her head, eyes opening just in time to catch the look of pain on his face as he bowed his head. Bella moved reflexively, sitting up on her knees, one hand braced on the bed as she looked him up and down, trying to find the source of his pain. Had he pulled his stitches? She caught sight of the bandages on his feet, and froze. The night replayed in her head as her lungs stalled, how he’d found her, the ice crawling up the walls, the sound of glass falling and shattering. Bellamy flinched back as if he’d hit her, face paling, hands clenching the duvet beneath her. [color=bdddff]"I hurt you last night."[/color] Her voice was little more than a whisper, muffled by the hand she raised to press over her mouth. He’d stepped on the glass to get to her, the glass had broken because she didn’t have better control, she’d called out for [i]him.[/i] [color=bdddff]"I’m so sorry."[/color] Tobias felt the bed move beneath his hands but it was the way he caught her flinch out of the corner of his eyes that finally pulled him out of his own head and drew his gaze toward her. Whatever stoicism he had been holding onto slipped through his fingers like smoke. Instinctively, his hand slid across the comforter, stopping halfway between them both before he curled his fingers into a loose fist, not knowing what to do. [color=796e9c]"It was an accident. You didn’t know."[/color] His voice was quiet and calm the way it had been the night before, like he had shut the door on his own feelings and rooted himself in focusing on her. That was easier for him. He could be a caregiver and protector. He could be strong for her in the way she needed… Just not weak. [color=796e9c]"I was… trying to hide it from you so you didn’t worry,"[/color] he confessed under his breath, averting his gaze to the floral pattern of the blankets. Tobias didn’t know why he admitted that, but it was true. He never once limped or grimaced at the pain while the pieces of glass were still stuck in his skin as he carried her. He made sure to clean every drop of blood from her bathroom. All for what? To carry one burden for her in secret? Bella sank slowly back onto the bed from her knees, gaze set on his face. Her eyes burned, shame and guilt swelling up within the cavity of her chest and making it hard to breathe. She blinked a few times, quickly averting her eyes so he didn’t see the tears welling up. She was disgusted with herself, for the weakness, the lack of control, for making herself [i]his[/i] problem. Her thoughts spiraled for a moment, but it was the feeling of ice spreading between her fingers that gave her enough control back to smother it against the sheets. [color=bdddff][i]"I’m so sorry."[/i][/color] Her lips trembled, and she couldn’t—wouldn’t—look at him. There wasn’t anything she could do to make it better, she couldn’t heal Tobias, she couldn’t make it any better. [color=bdddff]"I-I shouldn’t be [i]here,[/i] I’m not like you or any of the other people here. I barely have any training, I can’t control it like I should. I [i]hurt[/i] you."[/color] And he was going to hide it. Knowing that made it so much worse, the fact that he planned to hide the fact that he’d stepped in [i]glass[/i] for her was absurd. He was just… too good, too nice. Tobias took a deep breath before pushing off the mattress and slowly, painfully, making his way around to the other side where she sat. His hands rested on the edge of the bed and leaned forward so that he was closer, standing at eye level. His gaze was direct and intent as he looked into her eyes, even if she wouldn’t look back. [color=796e9c]"I told you,"[/color] he started, quiet and calm but with a strong conviction in every word. [color=796e9c]"Stop apologizing."[/color] He sighed, eyes falling to stare at the blankets bunched beneath his hands. [color=796e9c]"And if you want to get technical, [i]I[/i] hurt myself. [i]I[/i] broke the door opening it and [i]I[/i] made the decision to step on the glass rather than look for a broom or something."[/color] Panic rose up in her when he started to walk away, and for just a second she was certain that he finally understood that she wasn’t [i]good[/i] like him, but the resignation turned to confusion as he came around to her side of the bed, body automatically turning so she could face him, head tilting back a little, but her eyes darted down to the bed as his hands rested atop it. Small divots forming from the pressure, Bella swallowed hard before glancing back up at Tobias, breath catching in her throat just a little at his words and their proximity. [color=bdddff]"We’re a lot alike, aren’t we?"[/color] Her eyes turned toward the duvet and where it was bunched around her thighs, hiding her bare skin from view. Thank [i]God,[/i] the mortification of him feeling her like that right now might actually be enough to send her over the edge… though, she didn’t actually have any clean clothes. [i]Fuck.[/i] She needed to do laundry, but that felt like… too much, right now. [color=bdddff]"I feel awful,"[/color] Bella admitted this after a moment of chewing on her bottom lip, not quite looking at Tobias, her eyes set on his hands instead. [color=bdddff]"You… I know how I would feel, if our roles were reversed."[/color] She lifted her hands slowly, frowning at the dusting of frost that was left in her wake. She [i]hated[/i] it, hated how little control she actually had when her emotions were a mess like this. [color=bdddff]"You don’t have to feel like you’re… responsible for me, that isn’t fair on you."[/color] Bellamy turned her hands over in her lap so her palms were facing upwards, and she kept her gaze diligently on them instead of looking at him. [color=bdddff]"Am I really not allowed to apologize at all?"[/color] She peaked up at him through her lashes, a small and tentative smile tugging at her lips. Tobias remained silent and patient, letting her say whatever she needed to get off her chest with the clarity of a rested mind. He looked between her eyes and mouth as she spoke with a gaze that was both intense but attentive. The corner of his mouth threatened to tug into a lopsided grin at the sight of her own sheepish smile. [color=796e9c]"You called for me,"[/color] he replied to all of her concerns and doubts with one single sentence, like it answered everything. Bell called for him in the middle of the night and he answered. He never once complained about it nor did he regret it. [color=796e9c]"[i]Maybe,[/i]"[/color] he added while letting his gaze fall to the floral duvet beneath his hands. [color=796e9c]"I need someone to look after as much as you need someone to look after you."[/color] It was an admission he hadn’t quite come to terms with until that moment. But so much of his time over the past handful of years has revolved around protecting and looking after Helena… And he failed. He had been stumbling through the motions since then but struggled to find a purpose again until he fixated on finding the lost Drake girl… until he did. And now she was there at the tower because of him. Maybe he did feel responsible for her, but what Tobias failed to see was how that was a problem. He had been doing alright with it so far. But, if Bell really wanted him to back off, he would. He stayed the night because she asked, he’d leave if she asked too. With a sigh, Tobias pushed off the bed and slowly stood up right, letting his hands fall to his side as he looked down at her. [color=796e9c]"You can have a max of three ‘sorries’ a day before I cut you off. But that’s my final offer,"[/color] He teased, trying to lighten the heaviness of their conversation with a poor joke and subtle smile. [i]Oh.[/i] She hadn’t thought of it like that, not really. She wanted to tell him that taking care of her was rotten work, that it wasn’t fair to him at all, but there was something in Bell that wanted to be selfish with this one thing. It wasn’t like she had anything else, [i]anyone[/i] else. [color=bdddff]"Okay,"[/color] her shoulders slumped some, but the relief was clear in her voice. [color=bdddff]"As long as it isn’t a burden on you,"[/color] she watched his hands slip off the bed, stomach fluttering as the distance between them grew. He’d been so close, but she only really just registered it fully. [color=bdddff]"Three a day?"[/color] Bella looked up at him, face scrunched up a little at the idea. That was an awfully low number, she’d have to get creative if she wanted to exceed it. [color=bdddff]"Fine, but…"[/color] she looked back down at the subtle indents in the duvet from where he’d been leaning onto the bed, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. [color=bdddff]"When you’re healed, can you teach me how to fight?"[/color] She slipped out of the bed after a moment of hesitation, tugging the hoodie to make sure it covered her lower half still. Standing in front of him, without him sitting, their difference in height was apparent and Bell had to tip her head back to look at his face properly. [color=bdddff]"It’s been a long time."[/color] [color=796e9c]"I’m… not sure I’d be the best teacher,"[/color] he confessed with a weak laugh. [color=796e9c]"My dad was more of a trial by fire type of guy. I just got my ass kicked until I figured it out."[/color] Tobias couldn’t imagine trying to teach someone how to defend themselves like that. It was a long, arduous process that created more pain and resentment than actual results. He never knew what [i]real[/i] training was like until he came to the academy and it took even longer for him to unlearn some of the bullshit Magneto taught him. [color=796e9c]"There are better combatants to learn from here than me… June, Myla, Jules, Lu—"[/color] He caught himself before saying Luke’s name as a knot twisted in his stomach at the thought of him being uncomfortably forward with Bell like had been with half of the people in the tower already. Tobias cleared his throat. [color=796e9c]"I can try though."[/color] Bell’s nose wrinkled delicately at the explanation of how Tobias was taught, brows furrowing just a little. She didn’t want to judge Magneto based on his whole… super villain thing, but… he sounded awful. It made sense, villain’s didn’t make the best parents she imagined, but still it was sad for Tobias. She caught his pause on one of the names listed, and tried not to deflate too much. The idea of having someone else train her, and very likely judge her for her inexperience, made her feel sick to her stomach with anxiety. [color=bdddff]"We’ll try, and if it doesn’t work out I can… um, ask one of those other people."[/color] She shrugged, shifting a little awkwardly in place as she realized she’d have to meet the team. The anxiety in her stomach swelled up further, and she was embarrassed to realize how daunting the idea seemed. [color=bdddff]"I have to meet them all today,"[/color] the words were whispered and shaky, Bellamy found herself looking at the center of his chest instead of his face, color flooding her cheeks as her shame made her burn from the inside out. [color=bdddff]"If I don’t, I’ll just dwell on it until I do."[/color] A fact she knew to be true about herself, as much as she’d be happy to hide away in her apartment in the tower, Bella couldn’t justify being a recluse and using up their resources. She [i]had[/i] to be useful to the team, otherwise she couldn’t justify staying here. [color=bdddff]"Are you okay to walk?"[/color] Her eyes bounced back up to his face, concern flickering in her gaze. [color=796e9c]"Yeah, probably,"[/color] he replied with a soft laugh. [color=796e9c]"I don’t own the tower. It’s probably bad manners to hide you from our hosts and keep you as a stow away."[/color] His gaze fell for a moment only to notice her bare legs. Tobias cleared his throat and took a step back while his eyes focused on a small knot in her brown hair rather than anything below the hem of the hoodie she wore. [color=796e9c]"Alfred probably told some of them anyway. At least June."[/color] He turned slightly toward Bell’s closet, remembering his promise to help her with laundry. [color=796e9c]"We should probably get you some clothes first."[/color] The first couple steps he took into the closet stung but he paced himself, forcing himself to put his entire weight down on the soles of his feet and get used to the sensation. Tobias glanced over his shoulder toward her, giving his best attempt at a reassuring smile. [color=796e9c]"Just have to get used to it. I’ll be fine."[/color] He reached down and picked up her bag from where he discarded it the night before. It was no longer dripping, but it was still damp and smelled faintly of mildew. He put the strap over his shoulder and returned to her, getting slightly more confident with each step. [color=796e9c]"You can borrow something of mine. I’d give you these sweatpants back but…"[/color] His voice trailed off and he didn’t finish his thought. He didn’t think much about the fact he wasn’t wearing boxers under his pants last night, but he also wasn’t expecting to jump in a bathtub with them on or end up in half of the predicaments he had gotten into. Her eyes trailed down for a moment at the mention of his sweatpants, but they quickly bounced back up toward his face, where it was safer, her cheeks flushed. Bella was ready to have her own clothes back, she felt like she was swimming in everything he gave her to wear, but also… Tobias turned toward the door, and she tucked her head down some, catching the faintest whiff of what was more certainly his cologne. She’d fallen asleep to it, and for some reason that she didn’t dare explore, it made her feel a little calmer. They were… friends, she supposed, and friends didn’t hold hoodies for ransom because they liked how their friend smelled. She was being weird, Christ had she hit her head at some point in her sleep? Bell lifted her head, pointedly looking anywhere but at Tobias as she tried to calm the flutter of her heart. Tobias nodded his head toward her bedroom door before heading out. The stairs were a little more complicated, but by the time he reached the bottom he walked like there was nothing wrong. It was always easier for him to ignore pain when he knew what to expect with each movement. As they approached the elevator, his gaze drifted over to Bell. His apartment was only five floors away, which in a nearly empty tower should be easy to reach without running into others. But he didn’t want her first introductions to be like that either. After he pressed the button to call the elevator, Tobias’s hand lightly pressed against her stomach and gently guided her to the side until her back was pressed against the wall beside him, out of view of the lift if there was anyone inside when the doors opened. While he might have seen more of her than intended, that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to protect her modesty. Bella followed him quietly, watching him wearily, worried that walking too much would hurt him worse, but Tobias seemed to have a good poker face. [color=bdddff]"I can carry the bag."[/color] She muttered, chewing on her bottom lip as she went in mental circles about how to help him, always arriving back to the conclusion that she couldn’t actually do anything to help. If only she could heal other people, the frustration at feeling so powerless was eating her from the inside out. Her thoughts stalled as his hand slid and pressed against her stomach, but she followed his direction without argument, head tilted ever so slightly as her back pressed to the wall so she could look at his face. Her heart was beating erratically in her chest, face warm as heat collected in her core. [i]What is[/i] wrong [i]with me?[/i] Bellamy felt like she was in a daze, and it took every ounce of self control to look away from Tobias until the ding of the elevator sounded. The door slid open, and there stood Luke. He was shirtless, the smooth muscles across his chest and abdomen on clear display in the fluorescent light of the elevator. Genuine surprise flickered across the man's face at the sight of Tobias, and he glanced at the panel on the wall as if to reconfirm what he already knew. [color=995749]"Are you lost?"[/color] He laughed, tone laced with confusion. [color=995749]"Aren’t you on 35? What are you doing in Aoife’s old penthouse?"[/color] She leaned forward just a little, trying to peek around the edge of the elevator, but was stopped by the pressure of Tobias’s hand against her stomach. Bell glanced up at him, head tilting in a way that was birdlike in nature as she remained quiet. The absolute [i]last[/i] thing Tobias wanted was waiting for him on the other side of the metal door. He focused on keeping his face blank and stoic, masking the slight elevation in his pulse at the sight of Luke staring back at him. There was a brief moment he felt Bell stir against his hand, but his hold tightened, fingers pressing against her abdomen with a bit more force to keep her in place. He studied the blonde’s face for a moment before a faint, casual smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. [color=796e9c]"Alfred caught me running up the drive yesterday. Him and Phil are really enforcing that ‘don’t leave the tower’ rule… I’m getting my cardio on the stairs instead."[/color] His free hand rubbed the back of his neck. [color=796e9c]"Still pretty tired from training yesterday, so I was cheating the last couple of floors,"[/color] he added while pointing to the elevator. Tobias took a small step back like he intended on heading back to the stairs. [color=796e9c]"And caught red handed."[/color] He laughed awkwardly. [color=796e9c]"What are five more flights anyway?"[/color] His hand on Bellamy gently grabbed a handful of the hoodie using it to guide her silently to the side and further into the room. Tobias’s hand pressed harder to her stomach, and she bit her bottom lip, trying to distract herself from the puzzle of confusing emotions that rose up at something as simple as his touch on her body. She didn’t try to glance around the edge of the wall again, staying pressed there with her eyes set on his face. She was confused for a moment, not understanding why he needed to lie to someone who was on the same team with him, and then she reanalyzed the situation. She was only wearing [i]his[/i] hoodie, hair still mussed from sleep, face flushed, it would be easy to draw the wrong conclusions if someone stumbled upon them like this. The realization only made her blush harder, and she followed his silent guidance, still watching his face as his fingers curled into the fabric of the hoodie. [color=995749]"Barefoot?"[/color] Luke’s eyes slid down Tobias’s body, appreciating the view, but ultimately still confused. He glanced back up at the other man's face, lips tugging into a small, bewildered smile. [color=995749]"What happened to your feet, anyways? Are you sure you should be working out like that?"[/color] The doors automatically started to close, and Luke raised a hand to keep them open, moving to step out of the elevator so he could talk to Tobias without being hindered. He considered this nothing but pure luck, because he hadn’t gotten a chance to more… thoroughly reconnect with his old friend. Bell’s eyes widened, she could hear the other man moving, likely stepping off of the elevator, and one of her hands automatically caught the fabric of Tobais’s sleeve where his hand pressed to her abdomen. Muscles jumping and tensing in anxiety beneath where his knuckles still pressed from the grip of her shirt, fingers fluttering against his wrist with insistent panic. Tobias wasn't able to think up a lie fast enough before the doors started closing. As Luke took a step forward out of the elevator, he instinctively took a step backwards toward Bellamy. He gently pulled her closer so that he stood as a barricade between her and the new arrival, letting his body and her bag act as some sort of shield for her modesty. His jaw tensed as he glanced back over his shoulder toward her and sighed knowing he wasn't able to avoid the one situation and person he had wanted to. [color=796e9c]"Bellamy,"[/color] his voice was soft as he directed his attention toward her while his hand flexed defensively against her stomach. [color=796e9c]"This is Luke Rogers."[/color] Tobias then slowly turned his head to meet Luke's curious and expectant gaze. [color=796e9c]"And this is Bobby Drake's daughter…"[/color] He didn't step aside but made a curt nod over his shoulder to the petite brunette hidden behind him. Luke rounded the corner and caught a glimpse of Bellamy before Tobias shifted, cutting off his hungry view of her very bare legs and making his eyes flit back up to Tobias’s. He took in how tense the other man was, the way his jaw flexed, how he shifted to stand in front of the Drake girl, how close they were… his small smile turned into a curling smirk. [color=995749]"Well, hello there."[/color] He purred, taking a half step closer, but keeping his eyes at a respectful height as he tried to peek around Tobias, catching a glimpse of wide blue eyes… that were only looking at Tobias. Luke’s smirk flattered just a little, but he took it in stride, looking back at the other man. [color=995749]"Look’s like you had a… busy night."[/color] He let the innuendo hang in the air, lips twitching as the urge to grin at the other man was almost too strong to resist. She wasn’t sure what it was, maybe the pervasive and intruding gaze of the new man, or his tone, or simply the fact that Toby seemed so weary of him, but she felt just as uncomfortable with the newcomer. She felt his hand flex against her stomach, and she instinctively stepped closer, tucking herself behind his frame, the hand that had been holding at his wrist moved to curl into the back of his hoodie. The innuendo was not lost on her, and a mix of shame and embarrassment made Bell retreat in on herself some, ducking her head when she caught a glimpse of Luke’s eyes. [color=bdddff]"Hello,"[/color] her voice was very soft, but there was an edge to it. [color=796e9c]"Yeah, well…"[/color] Tobias cleared his throat, adjusting the way he stood to mirror every micromovement Luke made, making sure to always keep himself firmly in between him and Bell. [color=796e9c]"Killing twelve mercenaries in a monsoon and getting cornered by Alfred in the infirmary will do that,"[/color] he tried to skirt around the innuendo or other salacious insinuations the man was trying to make. [color=796e9c]"There was a sniper that got away. Didn’t have an ounce of metal on them. Found that to be… [i]odd.[/i]"[/color] Tobias did his best to steer the conversation toward the more pressing matter of the Drakes’ attack, sharing more prudent information with a teammate rather than focusing on whatever ideas were stirring in Luke’s head. [color=995749]"Huh,"[/color] Luke seemed to refocus, sounding stumped as he turned to face Tobias fully instead of leering at Bellamy. His eyes narrowed some in consideration, the silence stretching for a moment as he mulled over his words. [color=995749]"You mentioned the weapons they used when you were attacked before were what, plastic?"[/color] Luke ran a hand through his hair before dropping it back down to his side, eyes slipping back toward what he could see of Bell… which wasn’t much. He followed the trail of her ankles up, view cutting off before he could even get to her thighs because Tobias kept shifting in front of her. [i]Spoil sport,[/i] he mentally sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets. [color=995749]"My best guess is, since they don’t likely know about the team, that you’re considered an unknown variable. If you’ve dealt with them before, it could be that they changed [i]all[/i] their weapons to account for you."[/color] He shifted a little to the left, trying to make eye contact with Bellamy again, smiling in a way that ought to be welcoming and enticing but seemed to elicit no response from her. [color=995749]"Do you remember anything that could be helpful from your attack?"[/color] Her hand trembled against Tobias’s back, clenching the fabric tighter. That wasn’t a question she’d been prepared for, but it made sense. They’d want to know as much as they could, they were preparing for whatever… this was. Bell hesitated, trying to pull up anything of substance from her memory, but it all felt like a blur. Focusing on it, even just for a moment, made a cold sweat break out across her forehead, and she took in a deep breath to try and unclench her muscles. Letting her emotions get out of control wouldn’t do any good, or help them at all. She’d be more likely to freeze Tobias’s ass than anything, and that wasn’t an ass that needed to be on ice—[i]Christ.[/i] Bella cleared her throat, trying to relax her hold on his hoodie a little. [color=bdddff]"I don’t think I have any useful information… I jumped out of the second story window to get away. They–"[/color] her breath hitched, but Bellamy used the warmth of Toby’s body to center her. [color=bdddff]"They had guns, that’s all I know."[/color] Tobias turned his head slightly to look back at Bellamy, feeling her heavy breaths on the back of his neck and hearing the anxiety in her voice. [color=796e9c]"Breathe,"[/color] he whispered before looking back at Luke. [color=796e9c]"Sounds a bit paranoid, don’t you think?"[/color] he spoke up, turning the conversation back to him again. [color=796e9c]"I’m just one person."[/color] Maybe if these [i]attackers[/i] were preparing to face Magneto or something it’d make some sense. But he had killed [i]maybe[/i] twenty five of them? He was too late to do anything aside from saving Bellamy. There was no [i]possible[/i] way they [i]all[/i] stopped using metal weapons because of him plus—[color=796e9c]"No. That’s not it. The lackeys had metal, it was just the sniper who didn’t."[/color] Lucian watched with rapt fascination at how gentle Tobias was with Bellamy, how he could see her visibly relax at the other man’s whisper, and his eyebrows rose just a little as a new wave of confusion overtook him. [color=995749]"It seems paranoid,"[/color] he admitted, trying to puzzle out how long the two of them have known each other for. They seemed closer than what a single night could make a pair, especially someone as reserved as Tobias. Maybe they fucked, that would do it. Wouldn’t stop Luke from trying his luck, not until it was clear they were established, at least. Life was short, the women in the tower were hot, and he was finally free for the first time in years. [color=995749]"I don’t know man, you should talk to June, Imogen, or Jim, they’re the smart ones."[/color] He gave a soft laugh at the admission, if anyone was going to puzzle out what the hell was going on it would be one of the three of them. [color=995749]"Though maybe the sniper wasn’t there for our pretty friend,"[/color] Luke smirked at how Bell tucked herself just a little bit closer to Tobias, she’d be fun to fluster if he could get her away from her bodyguard. [color=995749]"If they were the only one without metal on them, maybe they were there for [i]you.[/i]"[/color] He grimaced at the idea though, the thought that any of them could be targeted by a sniper was surely unpleasant. There was something about Luke that Bella decided, with a smidge of guilt, she did not like. Perhaps it was his arrogance, or how his eyes eagerly took in every bit of exposed skin, or how casually he came to the conclusion that the sniper would have been there for Toby. The idea made a new sort of dread expand in her stomach, and the realization that she could lose him too made her anxiety sky rocket. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was so warm, so clearly alive and well right in front of her, she could have started to frost over. She breathed careful, even breaths, well aware that the temperature around them was dropping by a few degrees and each breath she exhaled was visible in the air. Despite it all, Bellamy remained calm. It was a little too much all at once, everything was too fresh, and the idea that Tobias was someone she could rely on and lose for the same reason she’d lost her parents set her on an entirely new edge that she hadn’t known was an option until this very moment. [color=796e9c]"I doubt that,"[/color] Tobias scoffed at the idea. A slight chill emitted from behind him, making the hair on the back of his neck stand up. There was a fleeting moment where he peeked out of the corner of his eyes, trying to look back at Bell without showing himself more wrapped up in her than he already appeared. [color=796e9c]"They’re scared of my dad. They’ve gone [i]out[/i] of their way not to kill me or capture me. Plus…"[/color] His brows furrowed, adjusting Bellamy’s bag on his shoulder as the weight was starting to anger some of his injuries. [color=796e9c]"I steer clear of X-men. I never even met any of the Drakes until last night. Assuming I’d even be there is… [i]weird.[/i]"[/color] He cleared his throat as he tried to find some way to remove themselves from this situation. [color=796e9c]"I planned on calling a meeting in a couple hours. Save myself the burden of going over it all more than once."[/color] Luke shrugged again, letting out a soft sigh. [color=995749]"I don’t know man, hopefully the rest of the team has better ideas. I’m the one that does the punching, the three brains do the thinking."[/color] He chuckled at his half-assed joke, gaze turning speculative at the mention of a meeting. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, mulling something over, before he waved a hand at the pair. [color=995749]"Don’t let me stop you from whatever the two of you had planned,"[/color] he grinned at Tobias, raising a single eyebrow. [color=995749]"Unless you need help with anything, of course."[/color] The idea of getting Tobias and Bell together like that was tempting, especially with how protective the other man seemed to be, but… no, it was a useless thought. It was about as likely to happen as Luke was to shave his own head bald. He turned, moving back toward the elevator, posture relaxed, but he threw a wayward glance at Bell just as the doors slid open, his grin turning into something disarmingly soft and unusual for his usual attitude. [color=995749]"I’m sorry for your loss."[/color] She understood the intention, an extension of kindness, but… something about bringing it up again choked her, made Bellamy feel as if Luke’s presence was a blanket and he was smothering her. She could feel his gaze still lingering on her even once the elevator doors slid shut, and she shifted just a little behind Tobias, hand still clenched in the fabric of his hoodie. [color=bdddff]"I… don’t think I like him very much."[/color] She admitted, voice soft and trembling. Rather than prolonging the conversation, Tobias nodded his head in silent acknowledgement. He remained firmly in place until the doors closed and he heard the elevator continue its ascent. It was only then that some of the tension slipped from his shoulders with a sigh. His free hand pinched the bridge of his nose while he slowly released his hold on her sweatshirt. [color=796e9c]"Yeah,"[/color] he exhaled deeply and pressed the button to call the lift a second time. [color=796e9c]"I guess ten years is a long time and changes people. In Luke’s case, he became…"[/color] His brows furrowed as he tried to think of a more delicate way to word it. [color=796e9c]"[i]Horny.[/i]"[/color] It had been a long time since they were all at the academy together, but he couldn’t remember Luke ever being as relentless in his pursuits. Maybe it was because he was with Imogen? He couldn’t recall what the man was like before they started dating or if he treated her similarly. At the end of the day, he was free to be as sexually liberal as he pleased. Luke just needed to understand social cues and when to back off. Her lips pressed together, smothering the snort of amusement that threatened to crawl up her throat at his explanation. It seemed like the best way to explain what she’d just experienced, pricks of discomfort still gnawing at her from how his gaze had been hungry and searching whilst it explored what he could see. Bell was overwhelmingly thankful of Tobias, and she wasn’t sure how she could ever return the kindness and protection he’d given her. He’s said that he felt as if he needed someone to look after, though, and if that was what he needed and it wasn’t a burden on him… then she’d lean on him. When the doors opened, Tobias poked his head in making sure no one was inside or lingering out of sight. Once in the clear, he waved her in with a subtle wave of his fingers and a nod. He pressed the button for level 35 then positioned himself in front of her a second time. There weren’t any occupied floors between Luke’s and his penthouses but there was a strange nagging in his stomach that told him to stand there… just in case. As the lift started carrying them higher in the tower, he ran a hand back through his hair. [color=796e9c]"It’s not just you. He tried coming onto me the other night. Luke doesn’t seem to understand when people aren’t interested and he’s very persistent. So just…"[/color] his voice trailed off as the doors slid open to his own apartment. [i]What?[/i] Tell her to stick near him and only him? That was ridiculous and paranoid. He doubted Bell wanted to spend every waking moment hanging off his side. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he set her bag down on the ground. Tobias didn’t know if he had the right answer. [color=bdddff]"Stay away from him, and stick close to you."[/color] Bellamy finished his thought for him, voice soft and searching, eyes tracing the curve of his jaw as he stepped off the elevator, and she trailed after him. [color=bdddff]"That was sort of already the plan."[/color] She admitted quietly, gaze moving to look around the apartment instead of remaining fixated on Tobias. Her gaze kept tracing back toward him, like she was made of metal and he was the magnetic pull, ironic in all of the worst ways. [color=bdddff]"I…"[/color] She glanced toward the couch instead of looking directly at him, taking a few steps further in. His apartment was exactly what she’d thought it would be like, boarding on minimalist. [color=bdddff]"Thank you, for… everything."[/color] His head slowly turned to look down at her. [color=796e9c]"If that’s what would make you comfortable,"[/color] Tobias replied quietly. There was still a part of him that felt—he didn’t know if guilty was the right word—[i]bad[/i] for letting her feel like the only place that was safe was around him. Of course, he’d never try to hurt her, but everyone in the tower was supposed to be dependable and worthy of her trust. [color=796e9c]"There [i]are[/i] good people here who [i]won’t[/i] try sleeping with you,"[/color] he attempted to reassure her with a sheepish smile. [color=796e9c]"Imogen for one, and Magni. In the past he would have tried, but he seems pretty wrapped up in Imogen now."[/color] He shrugged his shoulders slightly. [color=796e9c]"I don’t know the others very well, but most of them seem reliable."[/color] Tobias kept his gaze on her while she looked away. [color=796e9c]"You’re welcome,"[/color] he replied quietly before slowly walking further into his apartment. [color=796e9c]"My room’s this way,"[/color] he added while pointing toward a hallway nestled between the kitchen and a den that looked over the ocean and housed his grand piano. While he knew the Wayne’s and Stark’s were wealthy, even a decade later it felt a bit excessive that they got him a Steinway. He would have been fine with a cheap keyboard, but his hosts didn’t seem the type to do anything half-assed. [color=bdddff]"That’s a relief,"[/color] there was an edge of humor in her tone as she caught his smile from the corner of her eye, gaze sliding back toward Tobias. His smile made her soften some, tension slipping from her posture as her stomach flipped irrationally. [color=bdddff]"I’d only feel comfortable sleeping with you, anyways."[/color] The words slipped from her mouth before she’d even fully thought through how it sounded, but the second that it did register heat filled her face, choking Bella for a few precious seconds before she hastened to explain herself. [color=bdddff]"I-–I mean, like, sleep beside. Not—I’m not trying to—to… I mean, like, last night. Before you came, I had a nightmare, but when you were there I was—"[/color] She coughed, wheezed really, as the explanation lodged itself in her throat and refused to budge. Nothing but pure embarrassment coursed through her veins, and Bell tried desperately to think of a way to redirect this line of conversation as she followed him toward his room. [color=bdddff]"I slept better."[/color] She finally managed, voice more like a hoarse squeak than anything. There was a second where Tobias paused midstep, cheeks growing warm as Bell continued to stumble through her words. He swallowed, sparring a quick glance over his shoulder toward her before looking straight ahead. [color=796e9c]"I uh…"[/color] He cleared his throat. [color=796e9c]"I knew what you meant. It’s ok,"[/color] he tried his best to be calm and reassuring, but couldn’t bring himself to look back at her a second time or meet her gaze. [color=bdddff]"Good,"[/color] she let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to her chest over her heart and trying to will it to slow the rapid tempo it was beating. [color=bdddff]"That’s good."[/color] She seemed to be developing a fantastic ability of shoving her foot in her mouth. As he led the way down the dark hallway, dim lights illuminated from the motion guiding their path toward his bedroom. Like the rest of Tobias’s apartment, his bedroom lived in a balance of industrial modern minimalism. Everything was gray and sleek, lacking much character or uniqueness. Other than a bed and two end tables, the room was quite simple with access to his balcony, his bathroom, and a closet built in that was far too large for any man’s wardrobe. He made his way to the farthest cabinet doors and opened them. Inside this end were mostly clothes from when he first attended, while they were almost certainly too small considering how skinny he was back then, they should be perfect for Bell. He pulled open a drawer and grabbed an old track suit that was probably the smallest thing he owned. Then he grabbed a t-shirt, a pair of socks and… his hand hovered over the drawer that held his boxers. He didn’t want to make it weird, but he wanted her to be more comfortable and he imagined an extra layer of clothing would help. Tobias vaguely remembered his ex mentioning how comfortable men’s boxers were. [i]Whatever.[/i] He sighed, grabbing a pair and adding it to the pile. He slowly turned toward Bell, holding the stack of clothing out for her. [color=796e9c]"Wasn’t sure what you’d want so I grabbed a bit of everything."[/color] He nodded his head toward a door behind her. [color=796e9c]"Whatever you don’t want you can leave on the counter."[/color] [color=bdddff]"Thank you,"[/color] she took the clothing with a small smile, retreating into the bathroom to change. She was unbelievably grateful that she wouldn’t have to wait for her clothes to be cleaned before she got pants back, even more so that she wouldn’t have to meet anyone else in just a hoodie. Bella stripped before making quick work of getting dressed, hesitating only for a second with her hand hovering over the boxers, but… she tugged them on, face warm, understanding why he’d told her she could leave anything on the counter that she didn’t want. The extra layers of clothing gave her a sense of control, even if the pants and sleeves were still too long, Bellamy put on everything, slipping on the socks last and leaving the jacket unzipped. It took her less than a minute to wiggle into all of the loose fitting clothes, and she didn’t want to make Toby wait on her too long, so she hurried back out of the bathroom. Once the door shut to the bathroom, Tobias wandered back over to his closet and pulled out fresh clothes for himself, including boxers, which he had felt naked without since the night before. It wasn’t until he had entirely stripped down that he had the realization that she could open that door at any moment. With a bit more panic and a lot less leisure, he quickly pulled on his boxers and then worked on pulling on a fresh pair of track pants so a majority of him was covered if nothing else. The door slid open soundlessly, and she stepped through the threshold looking down at where the fabric of the track pants bunched around her ankles, looking up just in time to catch Tobias pulling his own boxers on. The muscles in his arms flexed with the movement, and the smooth, unblemished skin of his ass disappearing beneath the soft fabric drew a surprised gasp from her. In the light of day, unhindered by a sedative, seeing him shirtless felt different, but seeing him nearly [i]naked[/i] was a step further than she’d ever expected to go. Bell’s face [i]burned[/i] as her entire body flashed hot, then cold, and she clumsily spun around, hip knocking against the frame of the door. [color=bdddff]"I’m so sorry!"[/color] Her voice was louder than usual, flustered and embarrassed. Her eyes were squeezed shut, but the sight of him half naked, how fit his body was, was seared into the back of her eyelids, and she couldn’t deny now that Toby was, quite possibly, the most attractive person she’d ever met. She hadn’t even blinked twice at Luke and his abs, but the sight of Tobias’s toned body made heat sear in her core, and she was so thankful, and oddly disappointed, that he’d been facing away from her. [color=bdddff]"I wasn’t thinking."[/color] Tobias froze then immediately dressed faster than he thought possible, or his healing injuries would have liked. Once his lower half was properly covered he slowed to a normal pace, although his cheeks remained a bright shade of pink and his hands fumbled while trying to get his shirt oriented the right way so he could put it on. [color=796e9c]"I should have said something."[/color] His voice was quiet, almost sheepish. He was never someone overly bashful when it came to his own body, but there was a difference between knowing you’ll be seen and caught off guard. It was an honest mistake, yet [i]he[/i] felt more guilty that she found him that way rather than embarrassed being caught half naked. Tobias kept his back to her, the long scratches across his tattooed skin red and irritated at his disregard for gentle patience for the sake of getting out of the awkward circumstance as fast as possible. It was only after he pulled on his t-shirt that he found the courage to face her, although he couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes. [color=796e9c]"Everything fit… ok?"[/color] [color=bdddff]"Yes,"[/color] Bell cleared her throat, because the single word came out more like a squeak. She ran a hand through her hair, working out the few knots that had formed with sleep and trying to smooth it down. [color=bdddff]"Everything fits… I mean, it’s a little—"[/color] she lifted her hands, the sleeves long enough that only the tips of her fingers stuck out of the fabric, but the sight of it drew a small smile from her, face brightening ever so slightly. [color=bdddff]"Still a little long, but not awful… thank you, again."[/color] Bellamy glanced at Tobias’s face, feeling even more shy now that she’d seen… yeah. [color=bdddff]"Are you going to limit my daily thank you’s, as well?"[/color] Her lips twitched, fighting the growing smile as she tried, a little desperately, to move the topic and her mind away from how nice his ass had looked. He sat down on the side of his bed as he started putting on socks. Tobias looked over at her from the corner of his eyes, watching how she inspected the largeness of his clothes on her. [color=796e9c]"You can keep them,"[/color] he offered with a small shrug. [color=796e9c]"They don’t fit me anyway. A decade’s done more than just make Luke horny,"[/color] he added with an awkward laugh, trying to find a way to ease the tension in the room. The corners of his mouth tugged upwards slightly as grabbed a pair of sneakers and began loosening the laces as much as possible. Even with the additional space, he still grimaced as he slowly pulled the shoes on over his injured feet. Once they were on, he sighed, sitting upright so he didn’t strain the cuts on his back for a second, trying to find the energy to lace them. [color=796e9c]"I might have to,"[/color] he teased her quietly with a brief glance and small smile. She caught the grimace and moved before the thought even solidified, closing the distance between them and sliding down to her knees in front of Tobias. Her eyes were set on the laces even as her cheeks flooded with color, fingers steady when she caught the strings between them and started to carefully tie them. [color=bdddff]"You’ll pull at your stitches,"[/color] her voice was gentle, and Bell glanced up toward him through her lashes only once, registering the position of how her kneeling in front of him like this could be portrayed, and shoving away any thoughts that may have made her blush harder. Diligently, she moved on to the next sneaker, trying to tie the laces so they were neither too loose nor tight, hopefully a decent inbetween that wouldn’t strain his feet too badly. She wouldn’t be able to borrow any shoes from him, that was for sure, and hers were still soaked and mud caked. She’d just wear the socks for now, and figure out how to order new ones later. [color=bdddff]"There we go."[/color] She patted the tops of his feet very gently before pushing back to her feet. Tobias went to argue, but conceded with a sigh knowing it wasn’t fair for him to refuse the help after how many times he’d aided her, even when she argued. He swallowed and rested his hands on the edge of the bed as watched her fingers tighten the laces. [color=796e9c]"My stitches are fine. The cuts in my back are just… [i]angry[/i] and it tugs at the scabs,"[/color] he spoke quietly, filling the silence as she worked. Once she was finished, he slowly stood up. [color=796e9c]"So… Laundry and meet everyone,"[/color] Tobias reminded himself as he looked down at her. His brows furrowed slightly as a loud growl rumbled in the pit of his stomach. An awkward laugh escaped his lips as he rubbed his abdomen. [color=796e9c]"And… maybe some food."[/color] The idea of food right now made her feel sick… but she hadn’t really eaten anything in what, two days? She needed to, at the very least, drink some water so another IV wouldn’t be necessary. [color=bdddff]"That sounds like a plan,"[/color] Bell smiled up at him, soft and sweet, eyes soft at his laugh. There was a private part of her that was thankful he’d allow her to keep the clothes, though it was a confusing thought so she pushed it aside. [color=bdddff]"Lead the way, Toby."[/color] Meeting the others felt a little less daunting, knowing that he would be there with her. 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