Learning the Ropes Part 1
Zeke: I rolled out of bed and scrubbed my balled fists across my eyes. I really wasn’t feeling like I’d slept, though I knew I had. I’d passed out hard, which I hadn’t expected. With Venn sleeping in just the next room, I had really expected my sleep to be light in case he tried to escape. I knew I’d be notified if that happened, and I’d probably hear the door go. If he even tried through the door, he was just as likely to try and scale the building. Pull a prison escape with his sheets. I snorted at the image and made my way through the bathroom quickly, and as quietly as I could. I stopped outside his door on the way past, listening for a minute to see if I could hear him moving around. When I didn’t get any indication that he was up I moved through into the living room. I logged into my laptop and checked the pinprick on the screen to show that Venn was still where he should be. That eased my worry slightly, though I still wasn’t sure about the ball of butterflies that had taken up residence in my gut. That I could have done without. I focused myself on sending an email to my boss explaining what I had planned for the day and otherwise giving no more information. I didn’t wait on a reply before clicking my laptop shut again and moving into the kitchen. I was only in my boxers, but I normally didn’t bother with clothes to sleep, since I was always on my own in my own place. I was often with people on assignments, or stuffed in a van when we were on longer missions where I basically worked 24/7, so to just relax in my own place was a treat in itself. Venn was lucky he got me covered this much, though if he was going to be staying longer I’d probably grab something I could wear in bed that was a little more modest to wear. The more I thought on it the more I thought I’d probably grab my sweats and wear them, since they would do what I needed, despite the fact it was warm in the apartment as soon as the sun came up. I clicked the button to open the blinds and then pulled eggs and bacon from the fridge to get started on breakfast. I whisked together the eggs, and pulled out the pans I needed. Bread was next, pulling it from the freezer before sliding it into the toaster. I started humming to myself quietly as I checked the huge black watch on my wrist, I’d need to wake Venn up soon anyway if he didn’t naturally wake up. I figured I might get a better reception if I had food with me. I nodded to myself as I planned in my head. Cook, sweats, wake up Venn. Easy!
Venn: {I could hear the detective banging around in the kitchen but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face him just yet. Not that I really had a choice. Not in anything anymore. This fucking sucked. I scrubbed my hand over my face and gave a low groan as I stretched out on the mattress before I untangled myself from the sheets. I slept for shit, despite the pain killers I’d taken the night before. Not because they didn’t work, but it was a strange place and I was still nervous as fuck to let my guard down. I turned my head and saw the barricade I put in front of the door looked like it was still in place, which was nice. At least I knew he hadn’t tried to poke in to check on me. I rolled from the bed and groaned again as the ribs pulled, not as bad as the day before, thankfully, but still not one hundred percent, which sucked ass. Then hobbled to the small bag I had and tugged a pair of track pants on, avoiding jeans for the moment so I wouldn’t have to fight them over the fucking ankle monitor I was stuck with. I didn’t bother with underwear since I seldom wore any. Then I grabbed a tee that was slightly faded, soft and fit to me like a second skin. Obviously whoever packed for me dug deep into my drawers for these things, but I wasn’t going to complain, the shit was comfortable and I needed that right now. I ran my fingers through my hair and then slowly moved the bags and small shelf from in front of the doorway before I walked out. First stopping in the bathroom to take a leak, brush my teeth and wash my hands, I rounded the corner to the kitchen and came to a dead stop at the sight before me. This man was seriously testing my patience in every single damn way. I closed my eyes and the words left my lips before I could stop them} You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
Zeke: I got busy cracking the eggs into the jug, adding in the various spices and tastes that I liked. I had to hope that Venn didn’t hate it. The bacon went on next as the eggs slowly started to cook. I stirred them gently between flipping the bacon and popping the toast in the toaster. Part way through I clicked on my phone and scrolled to a playlist I had that relaxed me when I was home. I enjoyed the various songs on there as they were upbeat and reminded me of various things in my past. Some were relationships or situations, good and bad. There was a little bit of everything. I hummed along to them and tapped my foot, to the best of one particularly nostalgic song. I listened and heard nothing to suggest that Venn had woken yet, so I started singing along. I knew my voice was certainly nothing special, but it wasn’t about to bring the cats running from all around either. I chuckled to myself and then kept on singing, the eggs slowly coming together with each stir from the wooden spatula. I wasn’t the worlds best cook, but I could do quick and easy stuff without much fuss. I grabbed a couple of glasses and the orange juice out the fridge while I was there. The counter didn’t take long to add a couple of plates to along with cutlery and a couple of glasses. I clicked on the coffee machine and then went back to the eggs. Happy to see the bacon was almost ready. I already had paper towels ready to slop up the grease and placed each piece on there before putting that on the table. I snagged a piece of bacon as I turned, biting of a piece before I choked. The voice had me swallowing before I was ready and I could feel the lump of bacon sticking. I turned, wide eyed to face Venn. My throat worked hard to swallow down the food, eventually giving up so I could fill a glass haphazardly to chug the whole thing. I let out a sigh of relief and then looked down at myself and back to the eggs, “Um……….morning. Did you sleep well? I know you probably didn’t, I’m the same in new places. Can’t sleep for shit. So I made breakfast, but the eggs aren’t quite done yet, almost. Sit. I’ll finish this and then I’ll grab some pants.” I turned back to the eggs and rolled my eyes at myself. That was smooth. Yup, why not just go ahead and cry too like a proper little flustered teenager. He was wearing sweats and nothing else by the looks of it. If I hadn’t have just swallowed my breakfast whole I’d have probably choked on my tongue anyway. I had to take a minute to will myself back under control, which wasn’t something I was used to. And not something I was willing to examine right now. It was probably stress, tiredness and downright idiocy. I never did shit easily. I plated the eggs as soon as they were done and then turned to place then down with the bacon. “Back in a minute.” I nodded as I kept my eyes down on the floor while brushing past the male who was going to be sharing my space for the foreseeable future.
Venn: {I counted to ten before I opened my eyes, not that it mattered as the sight was burned into my brain. Was he trying to drive me insane? First with his little display with the delivery guy last night then this whole miles of flesh on display cooking show. My patience was already stretched thin as it was and this was sure as fuck not helping. I pinched the bridge of my nose and that flash of pain from the bruising brought my mind away from the half naked man damn quick, which was good for the growing problem I was having. It also brought me out of my brain enough to hear the detective rambling…Rambling? I raised a brow and looked at him, lip quirking up at the corner as he floundered his words. Oh, this could be fun. Something in his expression it wasn’t my sudden appearance that caused the reaction. There was more to it than that. Maybe he wasn’t as unaffected as he let on. I took another step into the kitchen just to see if I could fluster him more} Morning, Detective. You’re right, I slept for shit. Not that I expected any better. Tell me, do you always cook with so little on? I would think you’d be worried about burning yourself. Though based on all those tats, I’m guessing you don’t mind a little pain.
{I dropped my voice and grinned wider} Is that it, Detective, you like your mornings with a little extra pain to them to get you up and moving?
{I didn’t move an inch when he turned to move past me, making sure that his body pressed firmly against as much of me as he possibly could before I reached out to stop him, my hand falling on his hip, trying desperately not to think of how little kept me from reaching out to touch the bare skin just above those boxers he was sporting} Since I’ve already seen what you’ve got to offer, you might as well sit down and eat.
Zeke: Pain? I stuttered in my steps and then shivered when I felt his body come into contact with mine. The gentle touch causing a war in my brain that probably showed on my face. I was in charge of him, I had to ensure he did his job, that he didn’t get me killed. I was a professional, and he was basically a criminal. So why the fuck was my skin feeling like it was on fire under the material of my boxers. And why was my traitorous body reacting to that touch like I’d suddenly reverted back to puberty when the barest of things would have me tenting my pants. I shouldn’t be surprised, I’d stayed up many a night over the years I’d been chasing the man standing barely half a foot from me as I watched him on various security cameras. From a distance mostly, but the way he moved, and held himself, it was fucking hot. I should have give up the case to others, but I got lucky and hit breaks any time they were close to closing it down. I took it as a sign, but now that he was here, in my kitchen it would seem that the reactions to him from the screen were front and centre, and ten times more powerful.
I kept my side to him, hoping that he couldn’t see anything was wrong as I shifted lightly. The tight material really didn’t leave much to the imagination, and if I turned at all, he was going to see exactly what I had to fucking offer. And that was basically as unprofessional as I could get. Asking him to sleep and be comfortable in my house when the slightest touch from him would cause this kind of reaction probably wasn’t the way to go. It’d likely lead to a black eye, broken nose and disciplinary from my boss. None of which I wanted. I tipped my chin up instead and pressed my lips together, tongue sliding over them to ease some of the tension, though my pulse still hammered which did nothing to stop my voice dropping when I spoke, “I’m sure we’ll both be more comfortable if I have pants on. Right?” Why the hell was I asking a question? There was nothing he needed to answer. I couldn’t turn around and I had no ability to go anywhere else without looking suspect. I could keep walking around to the other side of the island and stand pressed up against it until I got my body back under control, but I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t notice before that. I exhaled slowly, hoping he didn’t notice the slight shudder to it as I continued to speak, “Eat while I’m doing that though, keep up your strength. You’ll need it today…..um I mean…….when we train. Yeah, training.” I closed my eyes briefly and shook my head at myself. What a fucking idiot!!!
Venn: {I watched that tongue trail over his lips and felt my own quirk up at the corners, my hand staying firmly against his hip as I held him in place. Oh this was definitely going to make my stay here much more interesting. I let my eyes rake slowly from his face and down his chest, dropping slightly lower and then right back up until my eyes locked on his} I don’t know, I think I’m perfectly comfortable right now. You worked so hard on this breakfast, Sit. Eat. I insist.
{I used my hold on his hip to slightly turn him towards the seat where the plates were. I made sure to press close as I did, allowing my own tented track pants to brush against the fabric of his boxers as I moved. My thumb brushed just over the band, skimming his heated skin and damn did I want to push his buttons further. I didn’t even care about the fact he could likely kick my ass ten ways from Sunday for this. It would either get the case thrown out or we could have a little fun in the meantime. Or I got my ass kicked, I had to deal with it and it’d me just as miserable as it was last night.} Since you’ll be doing all over the hard work today, and I just have to give you direction, I’m pretty certain you’ll be the one needing your strength. Besides, I’m good at squeezing into tight spaces, Detective, can you say the same?
Zeke: I exhaled a large breath when I felt the man turn me, this was not going to be good. I jerked in place when I felt his own reaction, and I chased for a breath as I willed my body to calm the fuck down. It was like I’d never been around someone I found attractive before. Which certainly wasn’t the case. Men or women were of interest to me, though I wasn’t really one for fucking around, if the job required it then I was up for the challenge. I had to be, sometimes the best information could be gathered from someone who trusted you enough to allow you in their bed. Though that wasn’t what was happening here, I wasn’t getting information from him without him knowing who I was. I shivered at the first contact of his fingers sliding over my skin, my hand snapped out without thought so I could wrap my fingers around his wrist. Instantly I felt the contact hit me, it sizzled through me and I had to swallow hard to hide the groan that tried to escape. This was not good at all. There was one thing to fuck someone on the job, but to be working with them day in and day out and still have this kind of unprofessional behaviour, that just wasn’t something I did. I’d hooked up with the odd colleague in the past, and it never worked out the way it was meant to. Everything always went to shit, and we always ended up having to work awkwardly around each other after. That didn’t help build trust or allow me to do my job. At no point had my entire body fired at a mere touch, and I’d always been able to keep myself under control, or control the out of control. I could feel the knot starting in my stomach, the knowledge that I’d probably let him push me far further than I should let him, at least when I was in my own home. Once we were through that door he was back to being my charge and my problem. I dragged my tongue over my lips again and then took another calming breath, my chin tipping slightly as I tried to step up to the table, though that meant I have no choice but to step closer to Venn, causing his grip on my hip to press further into my skin. I tightened my hold on his wrist and then flicked my gaze up to meet his, “I can’t say I’ve ever tried. Today we’re going to find, and it’s your job to guide me and make me better. You think you can do that?” I held his gaze a minute longer before turning my head towards the food, “Breakfast is getting cold, you hungry?”
Venn: {When his fingers curled around my wrist, I waited to see if he was going to punch me or at the least push me away, but neither happened, instead it was like fucking fireworks shot through me. And based on the groan he tried to hide, along with the hardness I was feeling, told me that was mutual. Yeah, this was such a bad idea, but I was known for all kinds of bad ideas. Though I was usually far more cautious when it came to watching my ass. That’s how I survived as long as I had. There was just something about him that apparently had me letting my guard down. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing or not though. I mean, hell, I should have pegged the set up the moment I saw him. Yet here I was. I watched that tongue once more and barely, and I mean barely, fought the urge to chase it with my own. I held myself steady, even though I felt like my heart was going to race out of my chest with each moment we stood there. I felt like the challenge had been laid down and it went far beyond the job we had before us and I knew damn well I wasn’t backing down from either.} I don’t think I’ll have any troubles giving you direction, Detective. It’s just a matter of seeing how well you can listen. I do believe I already told you to eat once.
{I grinned and flashed a teasing wink before my fingers slid over his skin just above the waistband of his boxers as I turned him towards the table, skimming his lower back. My cock throbbed but I tried to remember I was the master at perfecting the long game. Besides, I still wanted to make sure he wasn’t fucking with me since I cockblocked him the night before with his little delivery boy, even though I still believed that the detective hadn’t a clue what he truly craved.} As you just said, breakfast is getting cold. So let’s eat. Then we can take care of business.
Zeke: I stood there and exhaled slowly, my brain trying to keep me focused. In and out, in and out. It’s all I had to do. I didn’t feel like I was in control of myself, but for some reason that didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It send a zip of uncertainty shooting through me, but the heat and pull to breaking that rule was stronger. I wasn’t exactly one for sticking to the rule book, but I hadn’t ever really taken it and broken it in two. Bend yes, annihilate, nope. And here I was thinking of doing just that. The fact I could feel that Venn was as affected as I was did nothing to help my self control. I managed though, I flicked my gaze to the seat and then I nodded, “You did, I’m on it.” I cleared my throat and shivered before I could stop it. The slide of his fingers against my skin was enough to have my entire body reacting, goosebumps on my skin and a heat rushing through me that I could say without doubt I’d never felt before. It was unsteadying, and I had to hope he wasn’t fucking with me. I tried to think of anything that he might get out of fucking with me like this. He was still stuck working alongside me, and with me gone he’d either go to prison or be forced to work with Aiden. I knew his reactions to my partner weren’t faked, not with how he’d been attacked. Aiden’s issues were clear as day too. Instead I focused on what else he could get out of it, my word against his wouldn’t go in his favour. Not that I’d lie if I was asked. But again, I’d likely either lose my job, or get a slap on the wrist and thrown back undercover. That all depended on what kind of day everyone was having when it was reported, either way it would land Venn back in prison. There wasn’t anything that would be a good angle that wasn’t pointing at all of this being honest. And I wanted it to be, I found that I really, really wanted it to be an honest reaction. One that he couldn’t hide, and one that was in reaction to me as me, not me in any number of my various roles. Shit. He wasn’t speaking to a character, he’d been talking to me. This was his reaction to me. I huffed out a breath as I realised that, the cold dread being chased away by the heat of his continued touch. I swallowed hard and glanced over at him, knowing I couldn’t hide the want in them even if I’d have wanted to. I didn’t hold his gaze though, instead dropping mine back to the table as I went to sit down on the stool. I knew the business he meant was squeezing me into small space to check my agility, but it still made my heart jump at the implication that it could be something else. I tried to ignore that thought, willing my body back to normal so I didn’t make a fool of myself or undermine my promise that he wasn’t going to be harassed while under my roof. I grabbed up the syrup and tried to not spill it everywhere, my entire brain choosing to focus on the warmth radiating from Venn instead of what I was doing.
Venn: {When he took his seat and started to eat, I couldn’t help the smile from forming on my face. Especially at the acknowledgment that it was on my direction he was doing so. The slight aversion of his gaze also had me wanting to change the scope of today’s lessons to a whole different sort of instructional lesson, but that would have to wait. For now, this would have to do. I gave him a slight nod as I took my own seat, discretely adjusting my erection as I did so I didn’t hurt myself in the process} See, listening to me isn’t so bad, now is it? I promise to keep it gentle at first. If you’re good, maybe we’ll have time for a few lessons today.
{I picked up my fork and started in on my breakfast, not that I could taste any of it as I was clearing my plate. My brain was in overdrive of what other lessons I could have for the good detective. Especially as I caught sight of a drop of that syrup lingering on the corner of his lips. Before I could stop myself, I reached out and wiped it up with my thumb, then brought it to my lips, licking it clean with a low hum as I watched the detective.} Damn, now that was delicious
{I was ninety percent certain it was evident in my voice I wasn’t talking about the breakfast, but if I got up at the moment, it would be even more evident since there was no hiding the tent I was now sporting. Until this stuff was sorted, going commando was no longer going to be an option. Not if I wanted to play it calm and cool. Which I did. I wanted the Detective wanting. I wanted him to understand what he was wanting. I turned away and picked up my plate, going the long way around to the kitchen so I could start to clean up for him while calling over my shoulder} Finish eating, every bite too, Detective. Then go get dressed so we can get started, I plan on working you hard today.
Zeke: I swallowed my mouthful of food before I spat it across the table. I realised I had done exactly what he’d asked. And while it had been what I planned to do anyway, it still stung that I’d done it basically to command. I took another bite of my food as I refused to answer him at first, focusing in on eating what I needed to get me through the day. Though I knew we’d stop for lunch at some point, I didn’t want to ruin the day with loud stomachs. I was about to speak when I felt Venn’s thumb run across my lips. The way his voice rolled through me had my muscles freezing, the beat of my heart stuttered and I was sure my breathing ceased as well. Holy shit. He did not just say that to me. I slowly turned my head to face him, my tongue coming out to trace along the line his thumb had taken. I barely managed to choke out a “I’m glad to hear it.” before my brain shut down again. I’d only just managed to calm my body down, and now it was raring to go again. I needed to get myself under some kind of control. I took a slow breath and added some more bacon and eggs to my plate. I nodded at his words and then found my brain, “There’s an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. It was bought up by the force a few years ago. It’s a maze of rooms and there’s various ways to move through them. Heating and air ducts as well as a whole host of other things. We use it for training on occasion. I figured we can go there, you can get used to the tech we’ll be using. Teach me what you know, or at least start. Then in the evening there’s a bar now far away, we can test out you being in the same room as me, but watching out for me through the earpieces and camera. Should give you lots of hands on experience.” I nodded and then had images of just how hands on he could be, and I was back to square one. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from muttering under my breath before finishing off the bacon and eggs I’d put on my plate. “I’ll go now and get changed. Shouldn’t take me long, then we can get out to the warehouse.” I pushed to my feet, unable to do much to hide anything considering I had to wash up my plate and then walk to my room. I kept my gaze on the floor and dropped my plate in the sink before walking past Venn and making tracks to my room, “I’ll finish cleaning up and loading the dishwasher once I’m dressed, save the shower being affected by the loss of pressure.” I knew he didn’t need the information, but my mouth tended to run when I was uncertain. Though it wasn’t a feeling I was used to, I felt itchy, like I needed something but it was too far out of my reach to grasp at it.
Venn: {I washed my plate and the pans while he was eating, nodding as he spoke of the plans. It was a damn good thing my back was to him for the moment so he couldn’t see the reaction his words had on me. I gave a non committal hum before answering} That sounds like a good place to start. If you can work through vents, you’ll find you can get in a lot more places without detection. Add that in to the scaling of the buildings and it adds credibility to your story. The less you’re seen in a heist, the better your chances of making it out unharmed. Saves you having to draw weapons or anything like that. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I prefer sticking to the shadows and taking the path that is going to be the most effective with the least amount of bodily harm. It’s how I’ve managed to stay ahead of the game as long as I have. Some go loud and fast, but I find the slow and careful method tends to work for me.
{I nodded again as I put the last of the pans in the drying rack and then groaned quietly or maybe not so quietly at the hands on comment. It didn’t matter he was talking cameras and technological equipment, my brain took the beeline to the gutter and it was happily staying there apparently.} I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in how good I am with my hands on skills, Detective, I have loads of experience.
{This time I did turn to give him a wink as I took his plate when he dropped it in the sink, my eyes taking that slow rake over his body very carefully.} You go get dressed and I’ll finish cleaning up. After the warehouse we can come back for showers and change into some appropriate bar outfits so we don’t stand out like sore thumbs. For now I’m going for comfort since there’s a good chance we’ll be getting down and dirty in those vents.
Zeke: I tripped. Straight up stumbled like a fucking idiot. I’d managed sit and keep my body under control when he’s told me I’d chosen well for our first lessons. Though he was right about coming home to get changed. I’d assumed, idiotically, that we’d be able to walk from one to the other. But of course that wouldn’t be the case, because we’d be covered in dust, and probably sweaty beyond belief after being in a place without air conditioning while squeezing in and out of small spaces. I logically knew that. So I nodded along, humming in parts to show I was listening. His touch though, that small swipe at the corner of my mouth, taking and then tasting the syrup that may or may not have been there. I instantly flicked my tongue out to taste without thinking. Wondering if I would be able to get a hint of him still on my skin. I flicked my gaze to this lips and shivered all over with the intention behind the words. I was fucked. This was not professional, not a single thought in my head was professional right in that moment. But whereas I’d have thought I’d have wanted to bend him over the nearest surface, all I really wanted was for him to grab me and make me do exactly what it is he wanted. I could feel each nerve in my body begging for it. And yet I still kept quiet, unable to voice that without turning this into a clusterfuck. I’d moved suddenly, having plucked the last bit of bacon off the plate to eat with a dry mouth, then downed a glass of orange juice. I needed to get dressed anyway, there was no way the flush to my skin was because I enjoyed his instructions. I felt my eyes go wide though when I noticed his more than obvious reaction to our conversation, was he feeling this shit as well? I ran my tongue over my lips and then started walking again. My mind picturing what would happen today if we were both stuck in a enclosed space. I wasn’t paying attention, so when my brain got to the bit where he got all commanding, I tripped straight over my own two feet. I cursed loudly as I landed against the wall with a slap of both palms, the thunk from my head hitting a moment later did nothing to make this any less embarrassing. I cursed again and turned to face Venn over my shoulder “I didn’t just do that.” I shook my head and then turned again, “Um, back in a minute, a bit. I…um…fuck. See you soon.” I exhaled hard and ducked into the bathroom, my groan low as I scrubbed a hand over my face and lifted my eyes to the ceiling, “What is even wrong with me?” I kept my voice low before reaching to flip on the shower, remembering only after I’d pulled off my boxers and stepped under the spray that I’d forgotten my towel. I slammed a fist against the wall in frustration before I leaned out and called loudly enough I hoped he heard me, “Um, Venn? If you can hear me, could you grab my towel from the radiator in my room and leave it outside the door? Thank you.”
Venn: {I raised a brow, lips quirking at the corners as I watched the ever smooth detective stumbling in his kitchen. Damn, if I thought he was hot before, getting him flustered raised that about tenfold. I turned fully at the sound of his hands and head slapping the wall and there was no hiding the grin on my face as he stuttered his words out. He looked good enough to eat and I wanted nothing more than to devour him whole. If the anticipation didn’t kill me first. I waved and snickered, my voice dropping low} See you soon, Detective.
{It didn’t take me long to finish up the few dishes that were left and I was pulling the drain just as I heard him turn on the shower. I let out a slow, shaky breath as I started to wipe down the counter. Desperately trying to distract myself that there was now a very wet, very naked detective only a few doorways away from me. I opened the freezer and shook my head at the bareness of it, but let out a sigh of relief when I found a few stray icecubes lingering around. I just pulled one when I heard a muffled voice. I pulled my head back and caught the tail end of ‘grab my towel and leave it by the door’. Ohh…temptation, they name was Zeke. I ran the ice cube over the back of my neck and then dropped it in the sink, taking my time to finish cleaning up while he showered. It wasn’t like he was going to be going anywhere. I had to get myself back under control before I couldn’t. I tossed the sponge back on the back of the sink and then went off in search of the elusive towel that the detective ‘forgot’ to grab before he climbed into the shower. Once I found it, I debated leaving it at the door as he said, but then thought where would the fun be in that? I tested the handle and after finding it locked, gave it a quick once over. Freaking piece of cake. I went to the living room and grabbed the small tool kit he used to put my ankle monitor on and pulled out the slim screwdriver he used to fit the monitor and walked back. I slid it in the hole for the lock and gave a slight twist, the lock popped open silently while I held the towel in place, before I twisted the handle and pushed the door open, only to be met with a billow of steam. I leaned against the door jam, dangling the towel on my fingertips, humor evident in my voice} Forget something, Detective?
Zeke: I didn’t wait to see if he’d heard me before I leaned back under the spray and exhaled. The hot water started to ease the muscle that were pulled tight from making a complete ass of myself. I was good at what I did, I was confident and a more than capable adult. And yet, something about the man sharing my apartment with me had me babbling like a nutter. Not that I minded it in others, I’d met my share of males and females who would jumble words when they were flustered. Many of them had suited the blush that came to their cheeks, and way their eyes lowered with uncertainty. I was pretty sure the look didn’t suit me, not with the way I looked. I did this day in and day out. I flirted or got mean or whatever was needed in order for me to get the information that was needed. I drew the line at killing innocent people. But I had been instructed to kill or been left with no choice before. It had been a clusterfuck of a mission when I’d been forced into it. The kill or be killed moments hadn’t ever bothered me though. I liked my job and I enjoyed the freedom it gave me to explore parts of my life I’d probably never have even looked into before if it wasn’t for this. I needed to find that confidence around Venn, who was more than comfortable in his own skin. I frowned and ran my fingers through my hair, lathering it up and using the suds, along with some body wash to clean over the rest of my body. I wasn’t a blabbering idiot, I wasn’t lacking in confidence. But for some reason Venn knocked me off centre, and that caused me to do dumb shit. It was like there was string connecting us, and I was aware of him even when he wasn’t even in the fucking room. I found myself trying to listen for him even as the water continued to run and my blood roared in my ears from the embarrassment that continued to thread through me. I rolled my shoulders and rinsed off before shutting off the water. At just that moment I heard the very voice I had been listening so hard for. I inhaled and took a drop of water from my lip straight into a lung. I managed to get out the shower and continued to cough hard as I snatched at the towel, croaking out the words. “Yes, forgot, towel, thanks.” I hacked another cough out of my chest and curled up over the sink to try and get the moisture out of my lungs. I balled up the towel and stuffed it against my face in an attempt to quieten the coughs until they slowed and I could take in a deep breath. One after another, face pressed into the towel, though I’d managed to straighten and turn to lean my butt against the sink rather than staying hunched over it. Drink, that’s what I needed. A drink of water to stop my idiot throat, and then I needed to get a hustle on to get dressed so I could go and get squished into some small spaces.
Venn: {I let my eyes roam freely over the detective when my eyes adjusted to the steam filled bathroom, taking in the tanned and tattooed skin as the water and suds flowed down unrestricted. My lips curled up when my voice caught him by surprise and he choked himself on the water, confirming he never heard me coming in until I gave myself away by speaking. Damn. I should have kept quiet a moment longer so I could further appreciate the view. I gave up the towel, but I still didn’t budge from the doorway as he used it to wipe up his face and quiet the cough he was fighting. I raised a brow as I continued to watch him. And since he had his face covered, I took the opportunity to reach down and attempt to adjust myself so my erection wasn’t quite as obvious, though my hand may have lingered amount longer than necessary, may have given a firmer squeeze than meant as my gaze followed a particular drop of water as it traveled down his chest and caught along one of his hard lines to trail along his hip and along the curve of his ass. I took one step towards him when the monitor on my ankle twisted, bringing me back to reality. I snapped from the lustfilled fog my brain was under and narrowed my eyes as I remembered my place.} You’re welcome. I’ll go finish getting ready and meet you in the living room in a few minutes, Detective.
{I turned on my heels and stormed to my room, my cock deflating and balls aching as I reminded myself I was nothing more than a piece of shit thief in his eyes. Proximity and desperation to get laid didn’t make it right to take advantage of the situation. Just because I could give him what he doesn’t know he needs….what he doesn’t know he wants…I shook my head and grabbed a pair of socks, tugging them on far harder than necessary before I shoved my shoes on, that didn’t mean shit. Even if I wanted him. If he wanted me. No. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t look twice at me in the outside world. After…after he’d hate me and I’d likely get my ass kicked again, or worse. I’d get thrown back in jail. Nope. I couldn’t risk it. No matter how fucking tempting he was. I went to the other bathroom and splashed some water over my face, brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my hair before I went and sat on the couch, schooling my features the best I could before the detective came out. I’m sure my little 180 likely threw him for a loop, so now I’d have to do my best to prove myself all over again…fanfuckingtastic. I settled my elbows on my knees and rested my face in my hands with a groan, lets see how many ways I can keep screwing up because the asshole twists my brain up.}
Zeke: I pulled the towel from my face just in time to see Venn step forward, eyes widen and then disappear. I frowned and took a step forward to follow. The cold air from the open door hit me square in the chest, reminding me that I was balls ass naked and in no shape to be running around the apartment. I went to speak and found myself coughing again. Fuck! I wrapped my towel around my waist haphazardly before dashing for the kitchen. I grabbed a glass and filled it quickly so I could drain it before my throat had other ideas about me coughing again. The minute it was empty I refilled it and stood with my forehead pressed against the cool wood of the cupboard. I was a mess. I honestly almost ran after Venn when he darted off. I had seen something in his gaze, but I wasn’t sure how much of that was manipulation and how much of that was just that I was naked and easy to take advantage of. Or try to take advantage of at any rate. He wasn’t a fighter, that much had been clear from the videos. Though I was sure he could look after himself against your bog standard Joe Villain. I needed to get a hold of myself, how I was in the apartment was one thing, but I needed to get back into the game when it came to my professional side. I didn’t mind easing off a bit when we were stuck together here, but once we weren’t behind the safety of my security system, I needed to be 100% focused. I straightened and drained the glass again before placing it in the sink and making my way back towards my bedroom. I checked the bathroom on my was past, I ducked in to grab my abandoned boxers before closing the door to my bedroom. I exhaled, feeling calmer the minute I stepped into my space. It had photos on the wall, things I loved on shelves against the wall and the bed had cost half my yearly salary. Though it was the most comfortable thing in the world. Just hard enough to mean I didn’t wake up feeling like a mushy mess, but soft enough that I could imagine I was lying in a world with no evil. Whatever the magic involved in the thing, it worked for me. I grabbed a well worn pair of jeans and a dark form fitted tee. I figured I needed clothing I could move in, but if I was climbing through air conditioning tubes, I didn’t want anything flapping around. I slid into my holster and then pulled a jacket over the top, since it was still a little cool in the mornings and moved to the safe where I kept my gun. I didn’t really want to take it with me, but I had to learn to do all this shit with that on me, as it was unlikely I’d be without it at the times when I needed to prove my skills. Once I checked it over, I slid it home and then turned to the mirror. I really needed to get a haircut at some point, one of the numerous things that was on my to do list, it hung in my eyes now it was starting to dry after the shower. It was a pain in the ass sometimes, but it was apparently a good look, and allowed me to do parts of my job I might not be able to do otherwise. Some just got off on the way I looked, and I wasn’t about to apologise for that. I ran some wax through it and pushed it off my face before pulling my door open and making my way back to the front door, “Ready to go and teach me how to squeeze into small spaces without panicking or getting stuck? Lets go.”
Venn: {I lifted my head and watched as he walked out, it was sinful how good he made a pair of jeans look. And I’m sure he knew it too. I wondered, briefly, if I’d be able to slip off to the bathroom at the bar tonight. Even for just a five minute quickie. Just enough to get the detective off my mind. I was sure that was all I would need. Maybe if I played my cards right. I blew out a low breath and pushed myself up from the couch, my eyes avoiding his as I crossed the room to the door.I tried to keep my expression neutral as I scrubbed my hand through my hair again and nodded slowly.} You’re the boss, so lead the way.
{I refused to allow my brain to remember the way he looked underneath those clothes, the way the water dripped down his tight…nope. And I damn sure didn’t want to think about squeezing and tight spaces when it came to him. I would just treat this like any other job. I knew how to be professional. I never got close to a client and as long as I treated him like one I would be fine. Essentially he was, even if he did hold the key to my freedom, literally. Just because he was the first guy in however long to grab my attention didn’t mean I had to act on it. I could do this…now all I had to do was make sure my dick cooperated} Hopefully you’ve got some good rope in your car, otherwise we might need to stop to pick up some climbing gear. Maybe some masks. Don’t wanna blow your cover by sneezing because you breathed in some dust or something like that.
Zeke: I was almost out the the door when I slowed to listen to what Venn had to say. I felt my eyes widen as I remembered something, “I might have some rope. I’ve been climbing a few times, so I might have some things from then. As well as a few other uses that are less savory.” I spun on my heels and pulled the door to the cupboard that sat behind the front door when it was open. There was all sorts of shit in there, the hoover was at the front as I used it more often than anything else. The rest of the stuff was various bits and bobs from jobs or the odd time I’d decided I needed a hobby to balance out my life and then never gone back to it. Amongst the random things, I was pretty sure I had ropes left over from that random stage in my life. I didn’t know why I kept trying. Between work on the job and paperwork after the job, I never had time for anything else. Not when I wasn’t crawling across the floor trying to keep my eyes open long enough to make it to bed. I shoved a few coats out the way and grabbed a huge bag at the back, “I think this should be it.” I nodded and crouched down with the bag at my feet, unzipping it to have a look inside, “Bingo! This is what I wanted. I’ll take it down to the car and you can have a look through it while we’re driving. If you think we need other thing, we’ll pass a store on the way anyway.” I stood and swung the bag over my head so the strap sat across my chest, I closed up the closet of horrors, but not before grabbing a warm coat. I figured I wouldn’t need it while I was moving around, but once I stopped, I didn’t want to get too cold. I turned to face Venn and cleared my throat before speaking, “I have face guards, like the ones you wear on bikes. I have no clue if they are good enough for what you want, but they’re in the pockets of this bag. Climbing had its uses for them as well. I’ve got more than one, if you don’t mind that instead of a white clinical type of mask?” I didn’t wait on his reply, moving to open the door then move towards the lift. I knew he’s answer me while we walked, no point waiting in the hall when the faster we got to where we were going, the faster we got started with my training. The lift right down would be enclosed enough with the bag and coat I had as well as any other residents. Most of those who lived in the building left around this time for work. I was normally the one who kept to myself and went out when they were all coming home. Which was why I was expecting a full lift, but groaned softly anyway. I smiled at the various men and women in the small space and then stepped in, my bag fitting back against the wall just inside the door of the lift. There was just enough room for Venn to step in right against me and the man standing with his fingers hovering over the button to take us to the parking garage. I watched Venn, hoping he didn’t decide to wait on the next one, that would probably give me a heart attack, though there was a limit to where he could go, especially as he was still wearing his monitor. Though having him that close to me while we slowly made our way down the building might test me far more than waiting at the bottom to see if he appeared would.
Venn: {I barely restrained the snort when the detective announced he had a bag of climbing gear. I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was likely a Boy Scout too. Always prepared and all that was likely his motto in everything he did. Well, almost. Because he certainly hadn’t seemed all that prepared for me to be in his life. Or at least in his apartment. This time I did let out a snort at that though and I quickly covered it with a cough as I watched him dig out the bag he had stashed in his closet. I gave a slight nod as I thought about what he was saying and cleared my throat} Yeah, those masks will be fine. Just something to keep the dust to a minimum when you’re going through the vents. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
{I followed him to the elevator and then I felt my insides clench at the amount of people climbing inside the tight confines. Sure I could handle tight spaces like vents and shit like that, but tight spaces with loads of people made me want to claw my skin off. It’s why the thought of prison set my teeth on edge. I watched the detective squeeze into the small space and while technically there was just enough room for me, I couldn’t force my feet to make that move onto the elevator. I lifted my gaze to his and shook my head. He knew I couldn’t get far. I had the fucking monitor on me no matter what.} I’ll meet you down there.
{I didn’t even wait for the doors to close before stepping back and turning towards the staircase. The idea hit me before I could stop myself and even though I knew it would be short-lived, it gave me a sense of freedom that I wanted to grab on to. I pushed open the door and started down the stairs, taking them two at a time before I grabbed the rail and bounded over, using it to launch me to the landing below. It had been a while but not long enough that I’d forgotten how to scale a staircase quickly. By the time I reached the ground floor, I was breathless, sweaty, and in pain from my ribs, but I had a smile on my face a mile wide as I pushed through the staircase doors to wait for that ding of the elevator, seeing it was only one floor above me since it apparently had made a few more stops along the way….}
Zeke: I stepped forward as I saw Venn turn away from the lift, but one of the ladies in the lift reached over me to press the button on the wall and the doors closed in my face. I growled in frustration until I heard a gasp from beside me. I turned to see a lady behind the small woman who had barred my exit, her eyes were wide and she was looking at me with horror. I shifted the bag from my back and settled it between my feet as I moved back a little, giving the woman some room. She spoke anyway, despite my eyes lowering to the floor in the universal language of ‘fuck off’. “You should try to keep your emotions to yourself. You could scare the children.” She nodded and looked around the lift to see if anyone else was backing her up. A few of the faces nodded to her, others cast their eyes to any far wall they could manage. I cleared my throat and pressed my lips together for a minute before speaking. “I’m sorry about that, ma’am. It’s been a long morning and I really would have preferred my colleague to be in the lift with me rather than making his way downstairs alone.” Also, there was no fucking children in the place, and his growling in frustration was likely not going to scar them for life. Though I left that part out so I didn’t get knifed with her healed shoe. I tried for a smile and shuffled further back, trying to hide in plain sight. I didn’t appear to manage it. The ping signaled we’d stopped and I tipped my head to see that we’d only gone two floors. The lady was whispering to others around her and pointing at me between heated words. I sighed and silently cursed Venn and his fucking stupid inability to warm me. I was trying really hard to not assume he’d run to run away, but instead he’s chosen to take the stairs because he wasn’t a fan of small spaces. Which wasn’t fucking stupid, becuase he wasn’t someone to earned a living squeezing into small fucking spaces. I realised I was growling again when I focused back on the small crowd in the lift and found every face watching me. I shook my head and exhaled. Making a move to step out the doors as they closed in my face, again. I shuffled backwards and waited for the doors to open again. I stood and gestured for those in the lift getting off to do so, then went to step out. Only to be faced by a family of 4 of a baby in a pushchair, the chair was already partly over the lip of the lift, but the lady and 3 other kids seemed to be struggling. I slung the bag over my shoulder and checked to see if anyone was planning on helping her. Of course I found no one, so I bent and picked the front wheel up so I could help pull it into the lift. Pushing myself into the furthest corner as I did so. This time I was careful not to verbally show my distaste, instead smiling at the lady as I thumped my head back against the metal wall.
Thankfully the lift made no more stops before it pinged once more to signal that we’d reached the ground floor. I gritted my teeth around a smile as I waited for everyone to get off, wishing a good day to the lady with the pushchair, as well as the woman who apparently wanted my head on a platter if the way she was looking at me was any indication. I looked around the place as soon as I could and breathed a sigh of relief when I spotted Venn. I marched over and grabbed the front of his jacket, pulling him until we were nose to nose, “You do that again and I’m not waiting until I get down here to check you’re still with me. I’ll call it in and watch you get picked up by someone else. Use your fucking words next time so I don’t scare a lift full of people in frustration. Lets move.” I knew I was being unfair, but I needed to vent, and he was the only person around who didn’t appear to be scared of a little bark with his bite. #LearningtheRopes
Venn: {I could hear the detective banging around in the kitchen but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face him just yet. Not that I really had a choice. Not in anything anymore. This fucking sucked. I scrubbed my hand over my face and gave a low groan as I stretched out on the mattress before I untangled myself from the sheets. I slept for shit, despite the pain killers I’d taken the night before. Not because they didn’t work, but it was a strange place and I was still nervous as fuck to let my guard down. I turned my head and saw the barricade I put in front of the door looked like it was still in place, which was nice. At least I knew he hadn’t tried to poke in to check on me. I rolled from the bed and groaned again as the ribs pulled, not as bad as the day before, thankfully, but still not one hundred percent, which sucked ass. Then hobbled to the small bag I had and tugged a pair of track pants on, avoiding jeans for the moment so I wouldn’t have to fight them over the fucking ankle monitor I was stuck with. I didn’t bother with underwear since I seldom wore any. Then I grabbed a tee that was slightly faded, soft and fit to me like a second skin. Obviously whoever packed for me dug deep into my drawers for these things, but I wasn’t going to complain, the shit was comfortable and I needed that right now. I ran my fingers through my hair and then slowly moved the bags and small shelf from in front of the doorway before I walked out. First stopping in the bathroom to take a leak, brush my teeth and wash my hands, I rounded the corner to the kitchen and came to a dead stop at the sight before me. This man was seriously testing my patience in every single damn way. I closed my eyes and the words left my lips before I could stop them} You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
Zeke: I got busy cracking the eggs into the jug, adding in the various spices and tastes that I liked. I had to hope that Venn didn’t hate it. The bacon went on next as the eggs slowly started to cook. I stirred them gently between flipping the bacon and popping the toast in the toaster. Part way through I clicked on my phone and scrolled to a playlist I had that relaxed me when I was home. I enjoyed the various songs on there as they were upbeat and reminded me of various things in my past. Some were relationships or situations, good and bad. There was a little bit of everything. I hummed along to them and tapped my foot, to the best of one particularly nostalgic song. I listened and heard nothing to suggest that Venn had woken yet, so I started singing along. I knew my voice was certainly nothing special, but it wasn’t about to bring the cats running from all around either. I chuckled to myself and then kept on singing, the eggs slowly coming together with each stir from the wooden spatula. I wasn’t the worlds best cook, but I could do quick and easy stuff without much fuss. I grabbed a couple of glasses and the orange juice out the fridge while I was there. The counter didn’t take long to add a couple of plates to along with cutlery and a couple of glasses. I clicked on the coffee machine and then went back to the eggs. Happy to see the bacon was almost ready. I already had paper towels ready to slop up the grease and placed each piece on there before putting that on the table. I snagged a piece of bacon as I turned, biting of a piece before I choked. The voice had me swallowing before I was ready and I could feel the lump of bacon sticking. I turned, wide eyed to face Venn. My throat worked hard to swallow down the food, eventually giving up so I could fill a glass haphazardly to chug the whole thing. I let out a sigh of relief and then looked down at myself and back to the eggs, “Um……….morning. Did you sleep well? I know you probably didn’t, I’m the same in new places. Can’t sleep for shit. So I made breakfast, but the eggs aren’t quite done yet, almost. Sit. I’ll finish this and then I’ll grab some pants.” I turned back to the eggs and rolled my eyes at myself. That was smooth. Yup, why not just go ahead and cry too like a proper little flustered teenager. He was wearing sweats and nothing else by the looks of it. If I hadn’t have just swallowed my breakfast whole I’d have probably choked on my tongue anyway. I had to take a minute to will myself back under control, which wasn’t something I was used to. And not something I was willing to examine right now. It was probably stress, tiredness and downright idiocy. I never did shit easily. I plated the eggs as soon as they were done and then turned to place then down with the bacon. “Back in a minute.” I nodded as I kept my eyes down on the floor while brushing past the male who was going to be sharing my space for the foreseeable future.
Venn: {I counted to ten before I opened my eyes, not that it mattered as the sight was burned into my brain. Was he trying to drive me insane? First with his little display with the delivery guy last night then this whole miles of flesh on display cooking show. My patience was already stretched thin as it was and this was sure as fuck not helping. I pinched the bridge of my nose and that flash of pain from the bruising brought my mind away from the half naked man damn quick, which was good for the growing problem I was having. It also brought me out of my brain enough to hear the detective rambling…Rambling? I raised a brow and looked at him, lip quirking up at the corner as he floundered his words. Oh, this could be fun. Something in his expression it wasn’t my sudden appearance that caused the reaction. There was more to it than that. Maybe he wasn’t as unaffected as he let on. I took another step into the kitchen just to see if I could fluster him more} Morning, Detective. You’re right, I slept for shit. Not that I expected any better. Tell me, do you always cook with so little on? I would think you’d be worried about burning yourself. Though based on all those tats, I’m guessing you don’t mind a little pain.
{I dropped my voice and grinned wider} Is that it, Detective, you like your mornings with a little extra pain to them to get you up and moving?
{I didn’t move an inch when he turned to move past me, making sure that his body pressed firmly against as much of me as he possibly could before I reached out to stop him, my hand falling on his hip, trying desperately not to think of how little kept me from reaching out to touch the bare skin just above those boxers he was sporting} Since I’ve already seen what you’ve got to offer, you might as well sit down and eat.
Zeke: Pain? I stuttered in my steps and then shivered when I felt his body come into contact with mine. The gentle touch causing a war in my brain that probably showed on my face. I was in charge of him, I had to ensure he did his job, that he didn’t get me killed. I was a professional, and he was basically a criminal. So why the fuck was my skin feeling like it was on fire under the material of my boxers. And why was my traitorous body reacting to that touch like I’d suddenly reverted back to puberty when the barest of things would have me tenting my pants. I shouldn’t be surprised, I’d stayed up many a night over the years I’d been chasing the man standing barely half a foot from me as I watched him on various security cameras. From a distance mostly, but the way he moved, and held himself, it was fucking hot. I should have give up the case to others, but I got lucky and hit breaks any time they were close to closing it down. I took it as a sign, but now that he was here, in my kitchen it would seem that the reactions to him from the screen were front and centre, and ten times more powerful.
I kept my side to him, hoping that he couldn’t see anything was wrong as I shifted lightly. The tight material really didn’t leave much to the imagination, and if I turned at all, he was going to see exactly what I had to fucking offer. And that was basically as unprofessional as I could get. Asking him to sleep and be comfortable in my house when the slightest touch from him would cause this kind of reaction probably wasn’t the way to go. It’d likely lead to a black eye, broken nose and disciplinary from my boss. None of which I wanted. I tipped my chin up instead and pressed my lips together, tongue sliding over them to ease some of the tension, though my pulse still hammered which did nothing to stop my voice dropping when I spoke, “I’m sure we’ll both be more comfortable if I have pants on. Right?” Why the hell was I asking a question? There was nothing he needed to answer. I couldn’t turn around and I had no ability to go anywhere else without looking suspect. I could keep walking around to the other side of the island and stand pressed up against it until I got my body back under control, but I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t notice before that. I exhaled slowly, hoping he didn’t notice the slight shudder to it as I continued to speak, “Eat while I’m doing that though, keep up your strength. You’ll need it today…..um I mean…….when we train. Yeah, training.” I closed my eyes briefly and shook my head at myself. What a fucking idiot!!!
Venn: {I watched that tongue trail over his lips and felt my own quirk up at the corners, my hand staying firmly against his hip as I held him in place. Oh this was definitely going to make my stay here much more interesting. I let my eyes rake slowly from his face and down his chest, dropping slightly lower and then right back up until my eyes locked on his} I don’t know, I think I’m perfectly comfortable right now. You worked so hard on this breakfast, Sit. Eat. I insist.
{I used my hold on his hip to slightly turn him towards the seat where the plates were. I made sure to press close as I did, allowing my own tented track pants to brush against the fabric of his boxers as I moved. My thumb brushed just over the band, skimming his heated skin and damn did I want to push his buttons further. I didn’t even care about the fact he could likely kick my ass ten ways from Sunday for this. It would either get the case thrown out or we could have a little fun in the meantime. Or I got my ass kicked, I had to deal with it and it’d me just as miserable as it was last night.} Since you’ll be doing all over the hard work today, and I just have to give you direction, I’m pretty certain you’ll be the one needing your strength. Besides, I’m good at squeezing into tight spaces, Detective, can you say the same?
Zeke: I exhaled a large breath when I felt the man turn me, this was not going to be good. I jerked in place when I felt his own reaction, and I chased for a breath as I willed my body to calm the fuck down. It was like I’d never been around someone I found attractive before. Which certainly wasn’t the case. Men or women were of interest to me, though I wasn’t really one for fucking around, if the job required it then I was up for the challenge. I had to be, sometimes the best information could be gathered from someone who trusted you enough to allow you in their bed. Though that wasn’t what was happening here, I wasn’t getting information from him without him knowing who I was. I shivered at the first contact of his fingers sliding over my skin, my hand snapped out without thought so I could wrap my fingers around his wrist. Instantly I felt the contact hit me, it sizzled through me and I had to swallow hard to hide the groan that tried to escape. This was not good at all. There was one thing to fuck someone on the job, but to be working with them day in and day out and still have this kind of unprofessional behaviour, that just wasn’t something I did. I’d hooked up with the odd colleague in the past, and it never worked out the way it was meant to. Everything always went to shit, and we always ended up having to work awkwardly around each other after. That didn’t help build trust or allow me to do my job. At no point had my entire body fired at a mere touch, and I’d always been able to keep myself under control, or control the out of control. I could feel the knot starting in my stomach, the knowledge that I’d probably let him push me far further than I should let him, at least when I was in my own home. Once we were through that door he was back to being my charge and my problem. I dragged my tongue over my lips again and then took another calming breath, my chin tipping slightly as I tried to step up to the table, though that meant I have no choice but to step closer to Venn, causing his grip on my hip to press further into my skin. I tightened my hold on his wrist and then flicked my gaze up to meet his, “I can’t say I’ve ever tried. Today we’re going to find, and it’s your job to guide me and make me better. You think you can do that?” I held his gaze a minute longer before turning my head towards the food, “Breakfast is getting cold, you hungry?”
Venn: {When his fingers curled around my wrist, I waited to see if he was going to punch me or at the least push me away, but neither happened, instead it was like fucking fireworks shot through me. And based on the groan he tried to hide, along with the hardness I was feeling, told me that was mutual. Yeah, this was such a bad idea, but I was known for all kinds of bad ideas. Though I was usually far more cautious when it came to watching my ass. That’s how I survived as long as I had. There was just something about him that apparently had me letting my guard down. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing or not though. I mean, hell, I should have pegged the set up the moment I saw him. Yet here I was. I watched that tongue once more and barely, and I mean barely, fought the urge to chase it with my own. I held myself steady, even though I felt like my heart was going to race out of my chest with each moment we stood there. I felt like the challenge had been laid down and it went far beyond the job we had before us and I knew damn well I wasn’t backing down from either.} I don’t think I’ll have any troubles giving you direction, Detective. It’s just a matter of seeing how well you can listen. I do believe I already told you to eat once.
{I grinned and flashed a teasing wink before my fingers slid over his skin just above the waistband of his boxers as I turned him towards the table, skimming his lower back. My cock throbbed but I tried to remember I was the master at perfecting the long game. Besides, I still wanted to make sure he wasn’t fucking with me since I cockblocked him the night before with his little delivery boy, even though I still believed that the detective hadn’t a clue what he truly craved.} As you just said, breakfast is getting cold. So let’s eat. Then we can take care of business.
Zeke: I stood there and exhaled slowly, my brain trying to keep me focused. In and out, in and out. It’s all I had to do. I didn’t feel like I was in control of myself, but for some reason that didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It send a zip of uncertainty shooting through me, but the heat and pull to breaking that rule was stronger. I wasn’t exactly one for sticking to the rule book, but I hadn’t ever really taken it and broken it in two. Bend yes, annihilate, nope. And here I was thinking of doing just that. The fact I could feel that Venn was as affected as I was did nothing to help my self control. I managed though, I flicked my gaze to the seat and then I nodded, “You did, I’m on it.” I cleared my throat and shivered before I could stop it. The slide of his fingers against my skin was enough to have my entire body reacting, goosebumps on my skin and a heat rushing through me that I could say without doubt I’d never felt before. It was unsteadying, and I had to hope he wasn’t fucking with me. I tried to think of anything that he might get out of fucking with me like this. He was still stuck working alongside me, and with me gone he’d either go to prison or be forced to work with Aiden. I knew his reactions to my partner weren’t faked, not with how he’d been attacked. Aiden’s issues were clear as day too. Instead I focused on what else he could get out of it, my word against his wouldn’t go in his favour. Not that I’d lie if I was asked. But again, I’d likely either lose my job, or get a slap on the wrist and thrown back undercover. That all depended on what kind of day everyone was having when it was reported, either way it would land Venn back in prison. There wasn’t anything that would be a good angle that wasn’t pointing at all of this being honest. And I wanted it to be, I found that I really, really wanted it to be an honest reaction. One that he couldn’t hide, and one that was in reaction to me as me, not me in any number of my various roles. Shit. He wasn’t speaking to a character, he’d been talking to me. This was his reaction to me. I huffed out a breath as I realised that, the cold dread being chased away by the heat of his continued touch. I swallowed hard and glanced over at him, knowing I couldn’t hide the want in them even if I’d have wanted to. I didn’t hold his gaze though, instead dropping mine back to the table as I went to sit down on the stool. I knew the business he meant was squeezing me into small space to check my agility, but it still made my heart jump at the implication that it could be something else. I tried to ignore that thought, willing my body back to normal so I didn’t make a fool of myself or undermine my promise that he wasn’t going to be harassed while under my roof. I grabbed up the syrup and tried to not spill it everywhere, my entire brain choosing to focus on the warmth radiating from Venn instead of what I was doing.
Venn: {When he took his seat and started to eat, I couldn’t help the smile from forming on my face. Especially at the acknowledgment that it was on my direction he was doing so. The slight aversion of his gaze also had me wanting to change the scope of today’s lessons to a whole different sort of instructional lesson, but that would have to wait. For now, this would have to do. I gave him a slight nod as I took my own seat, discretely adjusting my erection as I did so I didn’t hurt myself in the process} See, listening to me isn’t so bad, now is it? I promise to keep it gentle at first. If you’re good, maybe we’ll have time for a few lessons today.
{I picked up my fork and started in on my breakfast, not that I could taste any of it as I was clearing my plate. My brain was in overdrive of what other lessons I could have for the good detective. Especially as I caught sight of a drop of that syrup lingering on the corner of his lips. Before I could stop myself, I reached out and wiped it up with my thumb, then brought it to my lips, licking it clean with a low hum as I watched the detective.} Damn, now that was delicious
{I was ninety percent certain it was evident in my voice I wasn’t talking about the breakfast, but if I got up at the moment, it would be even more evident since there was no hiding the tent I was now sporting. Until this stuff was sorted, going commando was no longer going to be an option. Not if I wanted to play it calm and cool. Which I did. I wanted the Detective wanting. I wanted him to understand what he was wanting. I turned away and picked up my plate, going the long way around to the kitchen so I could start to clean up for him while calling over my shoulder} Finish eating, every bite too, Detective. Then go get dressed so we can get started, I plan on working you hard today.
Zeke: I swallowed my mouthful of food before I spat it across the table. I realised I had done exactly what he’d asked. And while it had been what I planned to do anyway, it still stung that I’d done it basically to command. I took another bite of my food as I refused to answer him at first, focusing in on eating what I needed to get me through the day. Though I knew we’d stop for lunch at some point, I didn’t want to ruin the day with loud stomachs. I was about to speak when I felt Venn’s thumb run across my lips. The way his voice rolled through me had my muscles freezing, the beat of my heart stuttered and I was sure my breathing ceased as well. Holy shit. He did not just say that to me. I slowly turned my head to face him, my tongue coming out to trace along the line his thumb had taken. I barely managed to choke out a “I’m glad to hear it.” before my brain shut down again. I’d only just managed to calm my body down, and now it was raring to go again. I needed to get myself under some kind of control. I took a slow breath and added some more bacon and eggs to my plate. I nodded at his words and then found my brain, “There’s an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. It was bought up by the force a few years ago. It’s a maze of rooms and there’s various ways to move through them. Heating and air ducts as well as a whole host of other things. We use it for training on occasion. I figured we can go there, you can get used to the tech we’ll be using. Teach me what you know, or at least start. Then in the evening there’s a bar now far away, we can test out you being in the same room as me, but watching out for me through the earpieces and camera. Should give you lots of hands on experience.” I nodded and then had images of just how hands on he could be, and I was back to square one. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from muttering under my breath before finishing off the bacon and eggs I’d put on my plate. “I’ll go now and get changed. Shouldn’t take me long, then we can get out to the warehouse.” I pushed to my feet, unable to do much to hide anything considering I had to wash up my plate and then walk to my room. I kept my gaze on the floor and dropped my plate in the sink before walking past Venn and making tracks to my room, “I’ll finish cleaning up and loading the dishwasher once I’m dressed, save the shower being affected by the loss of pressure.” I knew he didn’t need the information, but my mouth tended to run when I was uncertain. Though it wasn’t a feeling I was used to, I felt itchy, like I needed something but it was too far out of my reach to grasp at it.
Venn: {I washed my plate and the pans while he was eating, nodding as he spoke of the plans. It was a damn good thing my back was to him for the moment so he couldn’t see the reaction his words had on me. I gave a non committal hum before answering} That sounds like a good place to start. If you can work through vents, you’ll find you can get in a lot more places without detection. Add that in to the scaling of the buildings and it adds credibility to your story. The less you’re seen in a heist, the better your chances of making it out unharmed. Saves you having to draw weapons or anything like that. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I prefer sticking to the shadows and taking the path that is going to be the most effective with the least amount of bodily harm. It’s how I’ve managed to stay ahead of the game as long as I have. Some go loud and fast, but I find the slow and careful method tends to work for me.
{I nodded again as I put the last of the pans in the drying rack and then groaned quietly or maybe not so quietly at the hands on comment. It didn’t matter he was talking cameras and technological equipment, my brain took the beeline to the gutter and it was happily staying there apparently.} I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in how good I am with my hands on skills, Detective, I have loads of experience.
{This time I did turn to give him a wink as I took his plate when he dropped it in the sink, my eyes taking that slow rake over his body very carefully.} You go get dressed and I’ll finish cleaning up. After the warehouse we can come back for showers and change into some appropriate bar outfits so we don’t stand out like sore thumbs. For now I’m going for comfort since there’s a good chance we’ll be getting down and dirty in those vents.
Zeke: I tripped. Straight up stumbled like a fucking idiot. I’d managed sit and keep my body under control when he’s told me I’d chosen well for our first lessons. Though he was right about coming home to get changed. I’d assumed, idiotically, that we’d be able to walk from one to the other. But of course that wouldn’t be the case, because we’d be covered in dust, and probably sweaty beyond belief after being in a place without air conditioning while squeezing in and out of small spaces. I logically knew that. So I nodded along, humming in parts to show I was listening. His touch though, that small swipe at the corner of my mouth, taking and then tasting the syrup that may or may not have been there. I instantly flicked my tongue out to taste without thinking. Wondering if I would be able to get a hint of him still on my skin. I flicked my gaze to this lips and shivered all over with the intention behind the words. I was fucked. This was not professional, not a single thought in my head was professional right in that moment. But whereas I’d have thought I’d have wanted to bend him over the nearest surface, all I really wanted was for him to grab me and make me do exactly what it is he wanted. I could feel each nerve in my body begging for it. And yet I still kept quiet, unable to voice that without turning this into a clusterfuck. I’d moved suddenly, having plucked the last bit of bacon off the plate to eat with a dry mouth, then downed a glass of orange juice. I needed to get dressed anyway, there was no way the flush to my skin was because I enjoyed his instructions. I felt my eyes go wide though when I noticed his more than obvious reaction to our conversation, was he feeling this shit as well? I ran my tongue over my lips and then started walking again. My mind picturing what would happen today if we were both stuck in a enclosed space. I wasn’t paying attention, so when my brain got to the bit where he got all commanding, I tripped straight over my own two feet. I cursed loudly as I landed against the wall with a slap of both palms, the thunk from my head hitting a moment later did nothing to make this any less embarrassing. I cursed again and turned to face Venn over my shoulder “I didn’t just do that.” I shook my head and then turned again, “Um, back in a minute, a bit. I…um…fuck. See you soon.” I exhaled hard and ducked into the bathroom, my groan low as I scrubbed a hand over my face and lifted my eyes to the ceiling, “What is even wrong with me?” I kept my voice low before reaching to flip on the shower, remembering only after I’d pulled off my boxers and stepped under the spray that I’d forgotten my towel. I slammed a fist against the wall in frustration before I leaned out and called loudly enough I hoped he heard me, “Um, Venn? If you can hear me, could you grab my towel from the radiator in my room and leave it outside the door? Thank you.”
Venn: {I raised a brow, lips quirking at the corners as I watched the ever smooth detective stumbling in his kitchen. Damn, if I thought he was hot before, getting him flustered raised that about tenfold. I turned fully at the sound of his hands and head slapping the wall and there was no hiding the grin on my face as he stuttered his words out. He looked good enough to eat and I wanted nothing more than to devour him whole. If the anticipation didn’t kill me first. I waved and snickered, my voice dropping low} See you soon, Detective.
{It didn’t take me long to finish up the few dishes that were left and I was pulling the drain just as I heard him turn on the shower. I let out a slow, shaky breath as I started to wipe down the counter. Desperately trying to distract myself that there was now a very wet, very naked detective only a few doorways away from me. I opened the freezer and shook my head at the bareness of it, but let out a sigh of relief when I found a few stray icecubes lingering around. I just pulled one when I heard a muffled voice. I pulled my head back and caught the tail end of ‘grab my towel and leave it by the door’. Ohh…temptation, they name was Zeke. I ran the ice cube over the back of my neck and then dropped it in the sink, taking my time to finish cleaning up while he showered. It wasn’t like he was going to be going anywhere. I had to get myself back under control before I couldn’t. I tossed the sponge back on the back of the sink and then went off in search of the elusive towel that the detective ‘forgot’ to grab before he climbed into the shower. Once I found it, I debated leaving it at the door as he said, but then thought where would the fun be in that? I tested the handle and after finding it locked, gave it a quick once over. Freaking piece of cake. I went to the living room and grabbed the small tool kit he used to put my ankle monitor on and pulled out the slim screwdriver he used to fit the monitor and walked back. I slid it in the hole for the lock and gave a slight twist, the lock popped open silently while I held the towel in place, before I twisted the handle and pushed the door open, only to be met with a billow of steam. I leaned against the door jam, dangling the towel on my fingertips, humor evident in my voice} Forget something, Detective?
Zeke: I didn’t wait to see if he’d heard me before I leaned back under the spray and exhaled. The hot water started to ease the muscle that were pulled tight from making a complete ass of myself. I was good at what I did, I was confident and a more than capable adult. And yet, something about the man sharing my apartment with me had me babbling like a nutter. Not that I minded it in others, I’d met my share of males and females who would jumble words when they were flustered. Many of them had suited the blush that came to their cheeks, and way their eyes lowered with uncertainty. I was pretty sure the look didn’t suit me, not with the way I looked. I did this day in and day out. I flirted or got mean or whatever was needed in order for me to get the information that was needed. I drew the line at killing innocent people. But I had been instructed to kill or been left with no choice before. It had been a clusterfuck of a mission when I’d been forced into it. The kill or be killed moments hadn’t ever bothered me though. I liked my job and I enjoyed the freedom it gave me to explore parts of my life I’d probably never have even looked into before if it wasn’t for this. I needed to find that confidence around Venn, who was more than comfortable in his own skin. I frowned and ran my fingers through my hair, lathering it up and using the suds, along with some body wash to clean over the rest of my body. I wasn’t a blabbering idiot, I wasn’t lacking in confidence. But for some reason Venn knocked me off centre, and that caused me to do dumb shit. It was like there was string connecting us, and I was aware of him even when he wasn’t even in the fucking room. I found myself trying to listen for him even as the water continued to run and my blood roared in my ears from the embarrassment that continued to thread through me. I rolled my shoulders and rinsed off before shutting off the water. At just that moment I heard the very voice I had been listening so hard for. I inhaled and took a drop of water from my lip straight into a lung. I managed to get out the shower and continued to cough hard as I snatched at the towel, croaking out the words. “Yes, forgot, towel, thanks.” I hacked another cough out of my chest and curled up over the sink to try and get the moisture out of my lungs. I balled up the towel and stuffed it against my face in an attempt to quieten the coughs until they slowed and I could take in a deep breath. One after another, face pressed into the towel, though I’d managed to straighten and turn to lean my butt against the sink rather than staying hunched over it. Drink, that’s what I needed. A drink of water to stop my idiot throat, and then I needed to get a hustle on to get dressed so I could go and get squished into some small spaces.
Venn: {I let my eyes roam freely over the detective when my eyes adjusted to the steam filled bathroom, taking in the tanned and tattooed skin as the water and suds flowed down unrestricted. My lips curled up when my voice caught him by surprise and he choked himself on the water, confirming he never heard me coming in until I gave myself away by speaking. Damn. I should have kept quiet a moment longer so I could further appreciate the view. I gave up the towel, but I still didn’t budge from the doorway as he used it to wipe up his face and quiet the cough he was fighting. I raised a brow as I continued to watch him. And since he had his face covered, I took the opportunity to reach down and attempt to adjust myself so my erection wasn’t quite as obvious, though my hand may have lingered amount longer than necessary, may have given a firmer squeeze than meant as my gaze followed a particular drop of water as it traveled down his chest and caught along one of his hard lines to trail along his hip and along the curve of his ass. I took one step towards him when the monitor on my ankle twisted, bringing me back to reality. I snapped from the lustfilled fog my brain was under and narrowed my eyes as I remembered my place.} You’re welcome. I’ll go finish getting ready and meet you in the living room in a few minutes, Detective.
{I turned on my heels and stormed to my room, my cock deflating and balls aching as I reminded myself I was nothing more than a piece of shit thief in his eyes. Proximity and desperation to get laid didn’t make it right to take advantage of the situation. Just because I could give him what he doesn’t know he needs….what he doesn’t know he wants…I shook my head and grabbed a pair of socks, tugging them on far harder than necessary before I shoved my shoes on, that didn’t mean shit. Even if I wanted him. If he wanted me. No. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t look twice at me in the outside world. After…after he’d hate me and I’d likely get my ass kicked again, or worse. I’d get thrown back in jail. Nope. I couldn’t risk it. No matter how fucking tempting he was. I went to the other bathroom and splashed some water over my face, brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my hair before I went and sat on the couch, schooling my features the best I could before the detective came out. I’m sure my little 180 likely threw him for a loop, so now I’d have to do my best to prove myself all over again…fanfuckingtastic. I settled my elbows on my knees and rested my face in my hands with a groan, lets see how many ways I can keep screwing up because the asshole twists my brain up.}
Zeke: I pulled the towel from my face just in time to see Venn step forward, eyes widen and then disappear. I frowned and took a step forward to follow. The cold air from the open door hit me square in the chest, reminding me that I was balls ass naked and in no shape to be running around the apartment. I went to speak and found myself coughing again. Fuck! I wrapped my towel around my waist haphazardly before dashing for the kitchen. I grabbed a glass and filled it quickly so I could drain it before my throat had other ideas about me coughing again. The minute it was empty I refilled it and stood with my forehead pressed against the cool wood of the cupboard. I was a mess. I honestly almost ran after Venn when he darted off. I had seen something in his gaze, but I wasn’t sure how much of that was manipulation and how much of that was just that I was naked and easy to take advantage of. Or try to take advantage of at any rate. He wasn’t a fighter, that much had been clear from the videos. Though I was sure he could look after himself against your bog standard Joe Villain. I needed to get a hold of myself, how I was in the apartment was one thing, but I needed to get back into the game when it came to my professional side. I didn’t mind easing off a bit when we were stuck together here, but once we weren’t behind the safety of my security system, I needed to be 100% focused. I straightened and drained the glass again before placing it in the sink and making my way back towards my bedroom. I checked the bathroom on my was past, I ducked in to grab my abandoned boxers before closing the door to my bedroom. I exhaled, feeling calmer the minute I stepped into my space. It had photos on the wall, things I loved on shelves against the wall and the bed had cost half my yearly salary. Though it was the most comfortable thing in the world. Just hard enough to mean I didn’t wake up feeling like a mushy mess, but soft enough that I could imagine I was lying in a world with no evil. Whatever the magic involved in the thing, it worked for me. I grabbed a well worn pair of jeans and a dark form fitted tee. I figured I needed clothing I could move in, but if I was climbing through air conditioning tubes, I didn’t want anything flapping around. I slid into my holster and then pulled a jacket over the top, since it was still a little cool in the mornings and moved to the safe where I kept my gun. I didn’t really want to take it with me, but I had to learn to do all this shit with that on me, as it was unlikely I’d be without it at the times when I needed to prove my skills. Once I checked it over, I slid it home and then turned to the mirror. I really needed to get a haircut at some point, one of the numerous things that was on my to do list, it hung in my eyes now it was starting to dry after the shower. It was a pain in the ass sometimes, but it was apparently a good look, and allowed me to do parts of my job I might not be able to do otherwise. Some just got off on the way I looked, and I wasn’t about to apologise for that. I ran some wax through it and pushed it off my face before pulling my door open and making my way back to the front door, “Ready to go and teach me how to squeeze into small spaces without panicking or getting stuck? Lets go.”
Venn: {I lifted my head and watched as he walked out, it was sinful how good he made a pair of jeans look. And I’m sure he knew it too. I wondered, briefly, if I’d be able to slip off to the bathroom at the bar tonight. Even for just a five minute quickie. Just enough to get the detective off my mind. I was sure that was all I would need. Maybe if I played my cards right. I blew out a low breath and pushed myself up from the couch, my eyes avoiding his as I crossed the room to the door.I tried to keep my expression neutral as I scrubbed my hand through my hair again and nodded slowly.} You’re the boss, so lead the way.
{I refused to allow my brain to remember the way he looked underneath those clothes, the way the water dripped down his tight…nope. And I damn sure didn’t want to think about squeezing and tight spaces when it came to him. I would just treat this like any other job. I knew how to be professional. I never got close to a client and as long as I treated him like one I would be fine. Essentially he was, even if he did hold the key to my freedom, literally. Just because he was the first guy in however long to grab my attention didn’t mean I had to act on it. I could do this…now all I had to do was make sure my dick cooperated} Hopefully you’ve got some good rope in your car, otherwise we might need to stop to pick up some climbing gear. Maybe some masks. Don’t wanna blow your cover by sneezing because you breathed in some dust or something like that.
Zeke: I was almost out the the door when I slowed to listen to what Venn had to say. I felt my eyes widen as I remembered something, “I might have some rope. I’ve been climbing a few times, so I might have some things from then. As well as a few other uses that are less savory.” I spun on my heels and pulled the door to the cupboard that sat behind the front door when it was open. There was all sorts of shit in there, the hoover was at the front as I used it more often than anything else. The rest of the stuff was various bits and bobs from jobs or the odd time I’d decided I needed a hobby to balance out my life and then never gone back to it. Amongst the random things, I was pretty sure I had ropes left over from that random stage in my life. I didn’t know why I kept trying. Between work on the job and paperwork after the job, I never had time for anything else. Not when I wasn’t crawling across the floor trying to keep my eyes open long enough to make it to bed. I shoved a few coats out the way and grabbed a huge bag at the back, “I think this should be it.” I nodded and crouched down with the bag at my feet, unzipping it to have a look inside, “Bingo! This is what I wanted. I’ll take it down to the car and you can have a look through it while we’re driving. If you think we need other thing, we’ll pass a store on the way anyway.” I stood and swung the bag over my head so the strap sat across my chest, I closed up the closet of horrors, but not before grabbing a warm coat. I figured I wouldn’t need it while I was moving around, but once I stopped, I didn’t want to get too cold. I turned to face Venn and cleared my throat before speaking, “I have face guards, like the ones you wear on bikes. I have no clue if they are good enough for what you want, but they’re in the pockets of this bag. Climbing had its uses for them as well. I’ve got more than one, if you don’t mind that instead of a white clinical type of mask?” I didn’t wait on his reply, moving to open the door then move towards the lift. I knew he’s answer me while we walked, no point waiting in the hall when the faster we got to where we were going, the faster we got started with my training. The lift right down would be enclosed enough with the bag and coat I had as well as any other residents. Most of those who lived in the building left around this time for work. I was normally the one who kept to myself and went out when they were all coming home. Which was why I was expecting a full lift, but groaned softly anyway. I smiled at the various men and women in the small space and then stepped in, my bag fitting back against the wall just inside the door of the lift. There was just enough room for Venn to step in right against me and the man standing with his fingers hovering over the button to take us to the parking garage. I watched Venn, hoping he didn’t decide to wait on the next one, that would probably give me a heart attack, though there was a limit to where he could go, especially as he was still wearing his monitor. Though having him that close to me while we slowly made our way down the building might test me far more than waiting at the bottom to see if he appeared would.
Venn: {I barely restrained the snort when the detective announced he had a bag of climbing gear. I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was likely a Boy Scout too. Always prepared and all that was likely his motto in everything he did. Well, almost. Because he certainly hadn’t seemed all that prepared for me to be in his life. Or at least in his apartment. This time I did let out a snort at that though and I quickly covered it with a cough as I watched him dig out the bag he had stashed in his closet. I gave a slight nod as I thought about what he was saying and cleared my throat} Yeah, those masks will be fine. Just something to keep the dust to a minimum when you’re going through the vents. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
{I followed him to the elevator and then I felt my insides clench at the amount of people climbing inside the tight confines. Sure I could handle tight spaces like vents and shit like that, but tight spaces with loads of people made me want to claw my skin off. It’s why the thought of prison set my teeth on edge. I watched the detective squeeze into the small space and while technically there was just enough room for me, I couldn’t force my feet to make that move onto the elevator. I lifted my gaze to his and shook my head. He knew I couldn’t get far. I had the fucking monitor on me no matter what.} I’ll meet you down there.
{I didn’t even wait for the doors to close before stepping back and turning towards the staircase. The idea hit me before I could stop myself and even though I knew it would be short-lived, it gave me a sense of freedom that I wanted to grab on to. I pushed open the door and started down the stairs, taking them two at a time before I grabbed the rail and bounded over, using it to launch me to the landing below. It had been a while but not long enough that I’d forgotten how to scale a staircase quickly. By the time I reached the ground floor, I was breathless, sweaty, and in pain from my ribs, but I had a smile on my face a mile wide as I pushed through the staircase doors to wait for that ding of the elevator, seeing it was only one floor above me since it apparently had made a few more stops along the way….}
Zeke: I stepped forward as I saw Venn turn away from the lift, but one of the ladies in the lift reached over me to press the button on the wall and the doors closed in my face. I growled in frustration until I heard a gasp from beside me. I turned to see a lady behind the small woman who had barred my exit, her eyes were wide and she was looking at me with horror. I shifted the bag from my back and settled it between my feet as I moved back a little, giving the woman some room. She spoke anyway, despite my eyes lowering to the floor in the universal language of ‘fuck off’. “You should try to keep your emotions to yourself. You could scare the children.” She nodded and looked around the lift to see if anyone else was backing her up. A few of the faces nodded to her, others cast their eyes to any far wall they could manage. I cleared my throat and pressed my lips together for a minute before speaking. “I’m sorry about that, ma’am. It’s been a long morning and I really would have preferred my colleague to be in the lift with me rather than making his way downstairs alone.” Also, there was no fucking children in the place, and his growling in frustration was likely not going to scar them for life. Though I left that part out so I didn’t get knifed with her healed shoe. I tried for a smile and shuffled further back, trying to hide in plain sight. I didn’t appear to manage it. The ping signaled we’d stopped and I tipped my head to see that we’d only gone two floors. The lady was whispering to others around her and pointing at me between heated words. I sighed and silently cursed Venn and his fucking stupid inability to warm me. I was trying really hard to not assume he’d run to run away, but instead he’s chosen to take the stairs because he wasn’t a fan of small spaces. Which wasn’t fucking stupid, becuase he wasn’t someone to earned a living squeezing into small fucking spaces. I realised I was growling again when I focused back on the small crowd in the lift and found every face watching me. I shook my head and exhaled. Making a move to step out the doors as they closed in my face, again. I shuffled backwards and waited for the doors to open again. I stood and gestured for those in the lift getting off to do so, then went to step out. Only to be faced by a family of 4 of a baby in a pushchair, the chair was already partly over the lip of the lift, but the lady and 3 other kids seemed to be struggling. I slung the bag over my shoulder and checked to see if anyone was planning on helping her. Of course I found no one, so I bent and picked the front wheel up so I could help pull it into the lift. Pushing myself into the furthest corner as I did so. This time I was careful not to verbally show my distaste, instead smiling at the lady as I thumped my head back against the metal wall.
Thankfully the lift made no more stops before it pinged once more to signal that we’d reached the ground floor. I gritted my teeth around a smile as I waited for everyone to get off, wishing a good day to the lady with the pushchair, as well as the woman who apparently wanted my head on a platter if the way she was looking at me was any indication. I looked around the place as soon as I could and breathed a sigh of relief when I spotted Venn. I marched over and grabbed the front of his jacket, pulling him until we were nose to nose, “You do that again and I’m not waiting until I get down here to check you’re still with me. I’ll call it in and watch you get picked up by someone else. Use your fucking words next time so I don’t scare a lift full of people in frustration. Lets move.” I knew I was being unfair, but I needed to vent, and he was the only person around who didn’t appear to be scared of a little bark with his bite. #LearningtheRopes