bad company

“You could’ve said no but you’d have missed out on ice cream,” Yael smirked playfully, taking a bit of her own, a few sprinkles falling off her cone. “Well, you’re not wrong but…I like helping people, you know? And I think that makes it easier. You can’t save or help everyone but those you do….it sticks with you.”

“Well clearly you’ve taken one too many hits to the head if that’s how you’re remembering things,” Matthias replied cheekily. “That’s okay, I can slow things down for you if need be.”

“You’re so full of yourself, Matthias.” It was clear he was just joking with his younger brother. “You have to be crazy if you actually thought you could beat me.” 

“With you I never know, my boy. Most people aren’t worth your time,” he chuckled, giving the younger man a light. “So, how’d you meet? She must be something special if you’re bringing her to your sister’s wedding.”

He smiled, hearing the truth in Emilio’s words. “Fair point. Most people aren’t. Our meeting wasn’t anything special. She was in my way at convenience store and we argued, but we kept seeing each other around. I never expected us to get along.” 

“I know what you are.” It was a blunt statement, but her voice was soft, sweet almost. It was hard not to be around him sometimes, like that. Sweetness hadn’t ever really been something she attributed to herself as a child or even a teenager. But Jonah made her want to be just a little kinder, a little softer. Hell, just looking at him, the brightness in those steel blues just ignited something in her. Something she had long ago thought died with her human self. It was with hesitance that she slid her hand across the table and rested her palm in his. “But I think you know what I am too, don’t you?” The smile that spread across her lips, the expression that she shot him, could only be melancholic. His hand was warm underneath hers and she thought on that for a moment, tried to savor the feeling for what she was certain was the last time.

On any other day, her statement would’ve given him immense satisfaction. It always boosted his ego when someone recognized him for being a Rhodes hunter. He believed he deserved the recognition. Yet Jonah couldn’t explain the sinking sensation in his stomach. They’d never talked about anything like this before. He had always pushed away the possibility that she could be some sort of supernatural creature. He liked her so much that he couldn’t bear the thought of something ruining their relationship. Subconsciously, he realized he was going to have to face the truth, face the truth that she was something other than human. “I...I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He was frantic and he squeezed her hand. He didn’t want to hear the end of this conversation. “No. This can’t be true. Tell me it’s not true, Gwen.” Desperation was creeping into his voice. They could still go back; it wasn’t too late. Gwen hadn’t said it yet, and he wanted to pretend there was still a chance it wasn’t true. 

“The day you have a cooking show is the day I’m mayor of fucking New York City. It’s never gonna happen.” Teddy rolled his eyes, “okay, Master Chef Rhodes–– what’s the most impressive dish you can cook. And it can’t be mac and cheese from the box.”

“Are you telling me that you didn’t bring a date to your sister’s wedding? That’s blasphemous, meu garoto,” Emilio shook his head, teasing as her unbuttoning his vest. “Unless, you’re looking to find someone here. Then please don’t let me stand in your way.” @jonahrhodes

“Of course I brought a date. Did you really think I wouldn’t?” There was laughter on his lips. “Her name is Gwen. We’ve been seeing each other for a while. I think she went to go get us drinks.” 

“Sounds like that advice would be just a bunch of mansplainng, but go on” Jay replied rolling her eyes. She knew plenty of mean that talked to her like that growing up. One of them she had been married too and she didn’t like it then either“ Just because you have an opinion doesn’t make it a fact. “

“Can I ask you about something?” It was one of the few times she’d actually felt meek around him. Jonah had barely situated himself across from her, but she didn’t feel like wasting any time. If this went poorly, he’d probably wind up leaving anyways. That had been something she’d tried to prepare herself for before she reached out for the date. This, whatever it was between them, could very well be over. But Gwen told herself that she’d rather rip the bandaid off now instead of playing around any longer. Their game was great, this mysterious back and forth had become something else, something serious, but she needed facts now. Elbows on the table and hands folded together, she tried her best to appear collected. @jonahrhodes

“Yeah, but there is no guarantee I’ll answer it.” There was a teasing tone to his words. This was how their relationship worked. It made getting to know each other fun and entertaining. He could be elusive and abrupt and it was okay. Gwen understood him and accepted him for who he was without trying to change him. He loved spending time with her, loved how clever she was. Immediately after he spoke, Jonah realized something was different. He wasn’t sure what it could be but concern overcame him. He reached for her hand across the table. “What is it?” 

@jonahrhodes, @cj-rhodes

“I didn’t think I’d be this nervous.” Calypso spoke aloud, confiding in the oldest of her siblings. She’d gotten ready with Chrisjen’s help, only seeing her mother again at the front of the aisle. It was up to CJ and Jonah for the last give away, for them to place the red veil atop her head before she’d walk out with Jonah. After all, they’d always been the two people she looked up to growing up in this family. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of the dress’ skirt, eyes gazing out the car window where the botanic gardens slowly came into view. The closer she got, the more nervous she got. Was she at all ready for this? Change her name, her location, her priorities? But she loved him, wasn’t that enough? Air sucked into her lungs as the car stopped, seeing the bridesmaids gathered down the path. As she opened the door, inhaling deeply, she waited, looking over to where the guests were seated and she saw a glimpse of her soon-to-be husband. 

“We’ll have to hit the gym together again,” Matthias said. It wasn’t unusual for any of the Rhodes’ to train together. They all had different strengths and weaknesses, and testing their limitations against each other was fun and more challenging than other partners. Matthias never liked to back down or hold back anyway, lest his siblings treat him any differently because of his missing appendage. “It’s been too long since I punched that sweet face of yours,” he said, knocking Jonah’s jaw lightly with his knuckles. 

“Obviously we will.” That was one of his favorite things to do with his siblings. It was enjoyable and Jonah’s competitive nature always made an appearance. He wanted to be the best hunter possible, and he always liked the chance to one up one of his brothers or sisters. He rolled his eyes. “As if you could actually land a punch on me. I recall beating you pretty badly last time.” There was laughter in his voice. 

“Well, the sky today really does beg for contemplation,” she commented, dryly, in response to his remark with just the ghost of a smile. The hunter’s relief was apparent and Priscilla was glad that their mutual assessment of the situation allowed the senseless tension between them to cease. “Not desperate for anything other than… this,” she shrugged, glancing thoughtlessly to her side at the empty rooftop, speaking with no particular purpose in mind. “But now that you mentioned it, I wouldn’t mind listening to anything you have to say,” she added, turning her attention back to him, her frame likewise, relaxed.

“Most of them are pretty bad, aren’t they.” She replied in candid agreement, some faded derision in her tone. “Trying to find some space down there was atrocious. So many gentlemen have approached me even the comically nihilistic children cheering for the collapse of civilisation became more bearable than those who think that a drink could ease my woes.” She told him, feeling somewhat prompted by his words. “Asinine opportunists is what they are.” She remarked, her tone even, mixed with an apathetic sigh.

“Doesn’t it always?” He gazed at the sky as if he was very concerned with the weather. There was no way people actually enjoyed talking about it. He wasn’t going to listen to someone talk about it for the sake of politeness; he had much better ways to spend his time. In a moment of kindness, he said, “are you sure? I can leave you alone if you want some space.” Before he’d been hospitalized, Jonah had taken for granted having his own space, having alone time. While at the hospital, he felt like he could never escape the people. If Pris wanted alone time, he didn’t want to be the one to take it from her. 

“Like you’d ever say no to ice cream, Jonah. C’mon, let’s not keep up the act,” Yael teased as she took a spoonful of her own, snorting a bit, “well, to be fair, working there is definitely different than being a patient, but you’re not the only one who shares that feeling, believe me.”

“I’m all right,” Matthias said with the half shrug of one shoulder. “Just been healing up.” New Years had taken its toll on the Rhodes family. No one wanted to look weak in front of their siblings, and in any case it wasn’t as if they were in any shape to be the shoulder for the other to lean on–physically. “Getting back to the gym now. You?”