Moves Made #2
I glance over at him and nod as I drop to the ground, groaning. My body is aching from training. It was intense but fucking good.
“It sure does,” I agree.
“This is just like old times, huh?” Ares mutters, glancing at the sky as he takes a bite of his slice.
“It is,” Renji says, his eyes softening, clearly reminiscing as he thinks about the past.
“And maybe not here, but we’ll always have our little rendezvous,” Jayce adds.
“I’m going to hold you all to that,” Carter says firmly.
“Yeah, me too,” I agree, as I crack open a can of beer. It’s nice and cold. “Damn Jaycey boy, when did you learn to be such a good host?”
“Shut it, dickhead,” Jayce throws back as the others snicker.
“So, what is your plan, now that you’re leaving?” Ares asks Jayce.
“I’ll be joining the fight, and I think I can definitely do more out there than here,” Jayce says quietly.
“Think that really we all need to be out there…” Renji adds grimly.
Jayce nods. “The Indomitable’s attacks are getting more frequent.
Leo’s already talked to the MI6 and the CIA, we’re being given further clearance, and there’ll be connections to work with to make sure the humans are also protected.
Without having to worry too much about being caught, it’ll make things a lot easier.
With their help and getting to them before the Indomitable, it’s definitely a win.
Leo getting there first and building trust really has helped. ”
“Yeah, that’s for sure,” I agree, taking a bite of pizza. “I know each squadron will have a human agent they work with, init?”
“Yeah,” Jayce confirms.
“And with the wraiths taking on identities, it’s getting hard to figure out who is a wraith and who isn’t, and humans are also targeted. What we do know is there’s far more wraiths than initially thought, and the Indomitable are using this,” Jayce adds.
“And we’re just sitting here, training… but yeah, it’s like we’re closed off from it.” Carter sighs.
“If the need arises, the 6th years will be called to arms. But if it comes to that, it means the war’s getting worse, so let’s hope it doesn’t,” Jayce murmurs.
“Yeah, I can’t wait for us to move to offence rather than staying in defence,” Carter says, gulping down some beer.
“One thing that worries me… about going on the offence, it means there are chances – high chances that we will end up killing children and those who are not warriors… and taking prisoners,” Renji says quietly as he stares at his barely eaten pizza slice.
I eat mine, remaining silent. From all of us, he is the most kind-hearted, and war will leave its mark on him. Heck, it’ll leave its mark on all of us.
But his nature is the reason why I don’t know what to think about him not appearing on camera. I’m putting it down to his girl having some trick up her sleeve.
Can one of my brothers really turn on us? Our bond is more than that. Right?
“That’s why war is better avoided,” Carter says. “What happens will always stay with you.”
We’re going to witness a lot, lose friends…
“That’s war, and war isn’t pretty,” Ares says grimly.
“It isn’t, but we go in with as much compassion as is possible,” Jayce agrees as he opens a can of Coca-Cola.
I can’t say shit. I’ve taken kids’ lives… Leave them alive, and you breed hate.
“I know this topic has been broached before, but what about Sienna’s heat?” Carter asks quietly. “She is your woman regardless. You’ve marked her, knowing your mark can never be replaced by another.”
I lean back and look at Jayce. He’s insane to leave her in a school full of hormonal bastards. The picture of Heaven in her outfit today returns, and I internally groan, pushing it away.
“She said she’s fine and she’ll deal with it. I’m not running away from her heat if that’s what you all are thinking,” Jayce replies curtly, his eyes flashing.
“No, not at all!” Renji says quickly, as both Ares and I shake our heads in denial.
“Well, I did,” Carter, ever the blunt bastard, says.
“So, that means you spoke to her about it?” I ask, cocking a brow.
He simply looks at me, meaning he doesn’t want to discuss it further, but I still push it.
I sigh. “I don’t know, man, if I were you, even if she’s being a brat and saying she doesn’t need you around, I would still stay. Girls are divas, and they never mean what they say.”
“You seem to have become knowledgeable on girls,” Ares remarks.
“Shut it. I’m serious, though. She may say she doesn’t need you, but does need you,” I point out.
“Well, I’ve done enough pleading for a lifetime; let’s end this discussion,” Jayce says curtly.
“Alright, let’s do that. It is Jayce’s night, let’s drop it,” Renji says with a smile.
“I’ll be going to Russia with Uncle Alejandro first, not sure how long, but at least a month or two,” Jayce says, changing the subject.
Alright, he definitely ain’t running if he’s agreeing to be stuck with Uncle Al.
“Damn…” I murmur.
“Mhmm…” Jayce muses before glancing at Renji. “You and Shahira, what’s that about?”
Renji looks like a deer caught in headlights. “Hey, we’re keeping it on the low for now, but I really like her… I’m serious about her, and we do want to see if we’re mates, though, before we decide our next step.”
“She’s a smart and strong witch,” Carter says with approval. “I’ve seen her in action.”
“She’s pretty, too,” I add. “Both are, Sienna and Shahira. Wait, does this mean we all have to go for mates whose names start with S?”
“Na, bro, that won’t work, will it, especially since you’re interested in an H?” Renji says slyly.
All eyes turn on me, and he chuckles. “H?” Jayce asks, his eyes sharp, but it’s almost as if he knows who he’s implying.
“No fucking way, Heaven?” Ares asks in disbelief. “She’s so… well, let’s say the opposite of you.”
“Hey, first of all, he’s chatting shit. Secondly, there is nothing between us. Heaven and I are just friends.”
This time, I could sense if you were lying or telling the truth… and you definitely lied, Jayce’s voice echoes in my mind.
Fuck.
I look at my brothers who are staring at me expectantly. “Wait, is Renji telling the truth?” Carter asks as he helps himself to a third slice.
“No.” I frown.
Ares cocks a brow. “Wait, it makes sense now. There was a rumour I heard floating about earlier that everyone was to lay off her, or they’re in deep shit with someone. Makes sense that would be you,” he remarks.
I scoff. “Bullshit.”
“You’re bullshitting,” Jayce points out.
“She’s such a princess, though. How did that even happen?” Carter asks.
“She might be a princess, but she’s way more than that-”
“Ooo, he’s got it hard!” Ares snickers.
“Hey, I’m just fucking saying-”
“So, since when?” Jayce asks, cutting me off.
I shove Ares to shut his damn mouth before glaring at Jayce.
“Hey, she’s Heaven Somers, that ship ain’t going nowhere.
Besides, we’re at war, man, I’m not going to waste time on love and shit.
And I’m not hooking up with a Rossi for fun either.
I mean, let’s learn from Jayce how awkward that shit becomes. ” I snicker.
He throws a can at me, and I catch it before it connects with my face.
“Dickhead,” he mutters.
“Besides, I’m going to go out there and fight until I fucking die,” I remind them.
“We ain’t talking dying, alright. Come on, man. All of you,” Carter says, frowning. “We aim to survive this.”
We all nod. “Yeah,” we say in unison.
“Alright then, let’s drink to that, to doing everything in our power to survive,” Carter says.
He is the first to hold out his drink. Renji is second, then Ares. Jayce and I look at one another before we simultaneously hold our drinks out, clinking them with the others, before we drink to that.
To survive.
“Because we all deserve to live,” Renji murmurs with a determined nod.
“Yeah… guess so,” Ares says as he looks at me. I smile faintly before we all fall silent for a bit as we dig into the third pizza box.
“So, let’s play a game. Each of us has got to answer one question truthfully. No matter what, you’ve got to answer it,” Renji suggests, his eyes sparkling. “Shall we?”
“I hate this game already,” Ares grumbles.
“Fine, let’s do it,” Carter agrees. “Asking the person on our right works?”
“Yeah, that works,” Renji says, and I look at Carter. I’m unlucky enough to be on his right.
“I’ll start then. You got the hots for Heaven?” Carter asks.
“I thought we already went over this.” I frown.
“Na, you avoided it,” Renji reminds us. “So, answer truthfully. A Westwood keeps his word.”
I sigh heavily. What does it matter if they know? “Fine, yeah, she’s fit.”
They all break into catcalls and whistles, and I punch Carter in the arm, making him groan as he massages his arm, but it doesn’t wipe that smug smirk off his face.
“Alright, my turn. Ares, I ain’t going easy on you,” I warn, but have no idea what to ask him. “You like or love anyone?” I ask, knowing I’ve wasted it the moment he stares at me with a bored expression.
“No. I don’t,” he replies, flipping me off. “Renji, you and Shahira, how far have you gone?”
Renji frowns at him as I snicker. “I like this. Tell me, Ren, you don’t get scared around her, right? And can’t get it up or some shit?” I mock.
“We’ve kissed, and, like I said, we’re taking it slow. My turn.” He almost pouts as Carter snickers.
“I’m shocked they got that far,” he remarks, and I chuckle.
“Agreed, Renji being a good boy.”
“Hey, be nice, man,” Renji whines as Ares snickers. Jayce simply smiles, amused as he watches us. “Jayce, do you still love Sienna?”
Renji’s question takes us all by surprise. It’s not like him to broach difficult topics.
We’re silent as Jayce helps himself to another slice, his face emotionless as he doesn’t look at any of us.
“Yes. Obviously. That kind of love doesn’t just fade, even if it feels like it’s shattered you and ground you to dust… It still fucking remains…” he says quietly, his eyes darken and appear almost haunted.
None of us speaks, not knowing what to say to that, and he looks at Carter.
“My question… Did you and Asher ever hook up?” Jayce asks, and I smirk.
Asher’s bi, we’ve known that for a while, but I never ever thought to put him and Carter together. But there’s got to be a reason Jayce asked that, right?
Carter stares at him before narrowing his eyes. “No, we haven’t,” he replies icily.
Jayce smirks. “Alright, just asking. I don’t think any of us have enjoyed this dumb game and its questions.”
Carter simply scoffs as we open the fourth box and help ourselves to more pizza. But he’s tense for sure.
“But why did that offend you?” Renji asks curiously. “I mean… have you ever had a crush on him?”
“Shut it,” Carter growls, and Renji raises his hands in surrender.
I lean back and stretch my legs out, staring at the sky, a small smile on my face.
Moments like this sure are fun. We continue chatting, teasing and laughing for a while.
But she never leaves my mind entirely.
Why man…
Heaven… I just need to make sure I avoid you, Blondie… because my self-control is fucking waning.