Roman Turin (lovemenot) wrote in schisms, @ 2019-03-23 20:39:00 |
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If Laura knew one thing, it was why people drank. In her years bartending, she’d heard every sob story, every regret, every interaction gone wrong that led people to the bottom of a glass, or sometimes, the bottom of the bottle. She typically stayed away from alcohol herself, the few, reckless times in her youth that she had experimented with drinking had always ended terribly. Drinking made her lose control, and it had always been so important to keep a white knuckle grip on herself or else things could go very, very wrong. But where had that really gotten her in life? Day and night, she worked so damn hard to make things right, to be good. And for what? None of the good deeds, none of the good intentions, none of the risks had been beneficial to her. Putting the good out into the world never seemed to bring it back to her. Nothing had prevented things from going to shit. What was the point? Laura finally realized that nothing was going to change who she was inside, no matter how hard she tried, nothing was going to make her good enough to have the things she wanted most. So it was time to unlock the shackles. If she was going to be forced to live in hell, why not dance in the flames? When she left her apartment that night, Laura already decided she wasn’t going into the coffee shop in the morning. Fuck work. Fuck everything. If they wanted to fire her, they could go right ahead. She didn’t care anymore. She stopped at one... two.. maybe three bars before she stepped into The Electric Room. She wasn’t counting the number of drinks, or the amount of money left behind on counter tops. Dressed in a short, low cut, body hugging red dress and matching stiletto heels, Laura didn’t care that she was showing more skin than most people in the room. If people wanted to look, let them. If people wanted to touch, she wouldn’t stop it. Approaching the bar, she leaned over it to help herself to the first random bottle she could reach, not bothering to see who was on duty. --- To say that Laura stood out amongst the crowd would have been an understatement. A girl wound up so tight had to explode at some point. When she walked in, though, Roman’s eyes darkened. He did not make a lot of promises in his life, and probably would not have kept half of them had he had a normal childhood, but the one he made to Caspian was fresh enough to stick out in his mind. Dark gaze ran down her as she moved on the dance floor, stayed on her while he played with the customers. Most did not care nor notice that his attention was elsewhere because most of them were under his spell to begin with. Hand coming out, he stopped her from grabbing the bottle. “Now now, Laura, I’ll serve you anything you want, but I can’t have customers thinking this is okay.” Roman winked at her, taking the bottle and pouring a double for her. “Ready for a little bit of fun?” He asked, charming smile and innuendo in his voice- as per usual. --- When the hand shot out to stop her, Laura was about to protest. But when she realized who it was, she just looked to Roman with a slow smile. “Anything I want? Really.” She definitely was not herself at the moment, but she didn’t seem to mind that either. A man at the bar beside her helped her back down, grabbing her ass in the process. Instead of getting angry or upset, Laura just gave him a wink and looked back to Roman. “Seems like your customers think this is very okay.” She took the drink without a word of thanks, taking a big sip from the glass. “Are you?” -- “Anything,” he repeated, with a sly smile, leaning over the bar to make sure she got down okay. A glance was given to the man who grabbed her ass. Fear pheromones tightly surrounding his nose. Even drunk, his eyes grew wide. Roman nodded toward the door and the man ran off. She was allowed to do whatever she wanted with her body, but when she was this drunk he was not about to let customers grope her. “I can’t say you I’m against their opinions. Red is a good colour for you.” Roman smirked, lights twinkling in dark brown eyes. “I’m always ready.” He would not ask her what was wrong while they were in public. It could cause more issues than he needed while he was on shift. --- Over the rim of her glass, Laura watched the man run off. Something dark flickered in her eyes as she turned back to Roman and finished the drink in one gulp. “I know.” She watched him intently for a moment before turning her back to him and surveying the crowd. “I didn’t know you were working tonight.” She probably would have gone somewhere else. She was considering it already, but she figured she’d at least have another drink or two before going so that the trip wasn’t wasted. -- A third bartender showed up, rushing to get behind the bar from the staff entrance and taking Roman’s space while Laura’s back was turned. Exiting from behind the bar, he moved close enough to whisper in her ear. “I wasn’t supposed to be here. Jerry needed someone to fill in because he was going to be late.” Circling around in front of her, his eyes moved down her. Whoever she was to Caspian, she knew how to attention seek well enough. Even if she typically was an introvert. “If you are looking to get into trouble tonight, I will offer my services. You can’t really get any better than the trouble I cause.” His voice dark. Roman merely said he would keep her safe, not that he would not have fun while doing it. -- When Roman moved to her side, Laura arched a brow slowly and looked him over again. She couldn’t help but laugh at his offer, though. “Do you really think I need any help with that? You’re working, go back to your customers.” She slipped past him, moving back into the crowd and for the door. Laura wasn’t looking for company, at least not that of someone she knew. She could hardly call Roman a friend yet, she didn’t have those anyway, but he did know too much about her to be any good for her in the moment. She didn’t want a talking down from him, or anyone else. And she was sure that once she was out of his sight, she would be forgotten. Almost near the door, a clumsy frat boy bumped her, nearly knocking her down. Steadying herself, Laura intentionally elbowed him back, which was not received. “Bitch!” was shouted in her direction, called out by the lanky blonde at the man’s side. Turning to the woman, Laura glared at her in challenge. “You have no idea.” -- Amusement was all Roman had when the girl with her head in the clouds thought she knew what it was to be trouble. She was mistaken if she thought he was going to talk her down. Though, he supposed normal people might have. He slid himself up onto the counter with a glance toward the other bartenders. Dark gaze watching the interaction between her and the frat boy and his arm candy. Safety meant life, but fights, right? Picking up a shot, he slugged it back, waiting. --- Rising to the challenge, the girl came at Laura, shoving her hard with both hands and knocking her down. The boyfriend laughed, calling Laura an ugly old slut and tossing his drink at her for good measure. The bouncer was already moving in to stop the conflict when Laura rose slowly, unsteady due to the alcohol in her system. Both of her hands shot out quickly, with a sudden strange flash of red, and in reaction there were pained screams and the unmistakable sickly sweet smell of burning flesh. The blonde and her man stumbled back, shaking and staring at the blistering burned skin on their hands and arms. It all caused quite the commotion, and while people ran to their aid in confusion, Laura weaved through the gathering and walked out the door as though nothing had happened. — A grin spread across his face, eyes brightening. The flash of red catching in the voids of his eyes. Now that was not something his buddy had not told him about. She could take care of herself with that fire. As people tried to stop her, get in her way to stop her from leaving, figure out in their drunk confusion what the fuck just happened, Roman dropped them to the ground in a puddle of tired bodies with too much alcohol in their system. Furthermore, he released pheromones turning the entire space into a cult of ecstasy, feel good pheromones stopping the chatter and phones out to call the police forgotten in the haze. Jumped down from the counter and headed out of the door. A sweep of cold wind through the long tunnel down to the Electric Room blew the door shut behind Roman as he stepped over bodies to head outside. Dark eyes focused on the red dress that was stumbling away. “Stop, Laura.” Roman called out, his pheromones wrapping around her forcing her to do as he said. When not on a mission he allowed people to follow whatever feelings he placed around them with his pheromones and hormones, but with a drunk firestarter, he did not need her even trying to walk away. --- Laura paid no mind to the change in the crowd around her as she exited the building. She was sick and tired of people and if everyone in that club just happened to drop dead she wouldn’t give it a second thought. Heading for another bar, with less annoying customers hopefully, Laura ignored the familiar voice behind her. She had nothing against Roman, but she was in no mood for any further chit chat at the moment. Suddenly, her legs slowed to a stop and her body was no longer moving in the direction she wanted it to. Looking back to him over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed and a small spark flickered in her right palm. She said nothing, just waiting for his next move. — “You can’t hurt me, Laura.” His voice casual in its command. Closing the distance between them, he had no fear of her flame. Not when he had her in his grasps. Roman had to have a lack of what humans would consider self-preservation in situations like this. He was one of the most fear mutants hidden in plain sight, why would he need to worry about her hurting him? Increasing her bonding hormones so she would practically imprint on him like a cub to its mother. He was their safety and the only person they could trust when he played this hand. Attraction pheromones surrounded them. Roman, the dark angel with his boyish face. “If you need some release, there are better targets.” Roman glanced over to the wall. “The wall needs a good searing.” Another command hidden in casual conversation. --- As he approached her, her muscles gradually relaxed and her stance became less defensive. But the flame still crackled at her fingers, not growing but also not fading away. She was trained well, just because she was not in complete control of herself, she still had a solid grip on her fire. And she was clearly not done with it yet. Arching a brow at him, she turned her focus to the wall and with a flick of her wrist it was engulfed in blinding hot flame. It reached from one end of the tunnel to another easily but remained there, held by her force, contained for now. When she spoke, her voice was barely audible over the roar of the fire. “Let me go. I don’t want to hurt you.” It wasn’t a threat, it was a request, a warning. She’d already hurt people unintentionally, she didn’t want to add him to the growing list. — Stepping back at the pure amount of flames, Roman was impressed. Impressed over her control and the volume she could cause. “I told you. You won't hurt me.” He stepped forward, closing in beside her. With the control she dissipated, he knew that she would keep the flames away from him. He had already given her the suggestion of not hurting him. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he whispered into her ear. “You can stop now.” When the flames died down he would move in front of her. The mischief fading behind his eyes, he looked up and down the empty tunnel. He face softened for a second and then the twinkle came back. “How about we find some place we don't work to release some of this stress?” He offered his arm for her to take, only if the fire was completely gone. --- This was just a small outlet of rage, contained and controlled despite Roman and the alcohol’s influence. On her own, with true focus and intent and when sober, her power was much stronger. And in turn, much more dangerous. She was a force to be reckoned with, but lucky for most, that side of her rarely made an appearance. Despite being given the permission to do so, the flames only grew, reaching dangerously close to them, licking at her hair and skin yet causing minor damage, if any. She closed her eyes, enjoying the heat instead of turning away from it. And then, just as suddenly as it began, the fire extinguished itself, leaving behind smoke and sizzling ash. Laura stared at Roman for a moment before taking his arm, her skin scalding hot to the touch. “Where do you have in mind?” — Roman could use power like hers. Massacre would have fun with such fire at her disposal. With the woman as neatly packaged recruit, Caspian would have little to worry his pretty little head over. Chrysalis would protect her by having her help eliminate human issues. The feel of her skin on his sent a shiver through him. The pain it caused further wrapping them with his pheromones. Attraction and arousal flowing through the nasal passages into her system. “You have two options, we can take out an anti-mutant building- I’m sure you could burn it right to the ground- Or, if you’d like some stress relief… we could go someplace more private.” He whispered in her ear. With the flames gone from the area, Roman knew people out in the street might coming looking for what was going on. They would find the murals on the tunnel walls scorched and in need of repair, but inside the club everyone would be in too much of a daze to fully remember what happened that night. Most would get a good lay out of it, though. --- Walking away with him, still influenced by his abilities, Laura considered the options before giving a little pout. “Do I have to choose just one? Why not both?” When she spoke now, after the use of her power, her voice was deeper, raspy like the crackling of logs on a fire. And with the close distance he could smell the faint scent or burning lavender and rose coming off of her skin. — Winking at her, Roman laughed. “We could do both, if you want.” Breaking out from the tunnel area, he looked back at the Dream Hotel. The neon purple sign stating ‘It was all a Dream’ seemed incredibly appropriate for how they had left the club underneath. Their own club had a neon sign that said ‘all the evil things’ in the corner, which was what had interested Roman to begin with. “You shouldn’t have to hide your abilities like you do. Flames look good on you.” The scent was not overlooked, though he did not know if it was lotion she used, heated, or her skin itself. Walking them away as if nothing had happened, he lead them toward the pier. The thing about not being at a club in the Bronx meant that there was more opportunity to find anti-mutant strongholds. Their ‘Humans before all others’ attitudes had been something he was looking to cause trouble with. He already pulled money from their pockets. Got them all hot and bothered and left them to fuck each other and live with the strange shame they felt when they gave into their primal urges. But his latest --- Walking along with Roman, Laura didn’t look back to what they left in their wake. She considered the option of doing both things, both seemed like a bad decision. But it seemed to be the night for such things, so she quickly made her choice. “Both, it is. But I’d like another drink first.” At his comment, she just rolled her eyes. “A lot of things should be different. But they’re not.” If Laura had everything her way, she wouldn’t have to hide who she was, and she wouldn’t want to. She’d have who and what she wanted. She would be happy again. But she’d been so programmed, so controlled, that she knew little flickers of freedom would only last so long before she fell back in line again. --- “Luckily the Tippler is on the way there.” A block south and west got them to the next bar quickly enough. Sirens wailing past them as the deep dark scent of burnt paint started to leave the tunnel they had been in and every drunk started reporting it. Roman had no thought toward him leaving the Electric Room with no mention toward the other coworkers. They could not help but give him what he wanted whenever he appeared. Ever relaxed, he walked arm and arm with Laura as if they were out on a date. “Not yet. But we’re getting there.” Roman pulled the pluto pendant out from underneath his shirt, letting the silver chain hang in full view. It did not take long to get to the other bar. The bulbed Open sign signaling it’s entrance underneath the Chelsea Market. Old brick gave it a speakeasy feel. The group around them was smaller than the Electric Room. A wink toward the doorman and not a single soul stopped them from walking straight up to the bar. The two men at the end, looked them up and down. “Those are our seats.” He smirked and the guys got up. “Order whatever you want. I’ll match it.” --- Letting Roman lead the way, Laura paid little attention to their surroundings. She had no specific plans for the evening, and while there was a nagging sense inside of her about what she was doing, it wasn’t enough to stop her in her tracks or change her mind. Something else was in control, and she didn’t seem to mind it one bit. It was kind of nice not to have to make choices or decision, to not have to worry so much about everything. When Roman tugged the necklace free, she peered at it, then lifted it for a better look. “I’ve seen this before…” While she immediately knew where, she said nothing about it, eyeing Roman a bit more closely for a moment. Stepping into the hipster bar, Laura glanced around, taking in the atmosphere so different from where they’d just been. When the men at the bar gave up their seats, she watched them go. Once again, her attentions returned to her companion, studying him. “And have someone else pay for it? You really do get whatever you want, don’t you?” Not waiting for a response, she ordered a double shot of Hellfire, expecting him to do the same. -- “I’m sure you have, it’s a very popular symbol.” He smiled easily, not giving mention to his organization. Unlike lower level trainees, Roman did not go around spewing information about his real work. He did not have to. If he did choose to roll Laura into the initiates, then she’d find out more on her own. A mischievous grin spread over his features at her comment. His hand resting easily on her bare knee, attraction pheromones swirled around them. Keeping his word, he signaled to make it two. Alcohol did not have as strong of an effect on him, his control of hormones gave him partial control of his metabolizing process. There were a great many things he had control over just by the ability to manipulate hormones. “I help others get what they want too,” he responded after their shots started to be made. “Since our little talk haven’t you noticed your tips got consistently better?” The shots were set out in front of them. Roman picked his up and held it toward her. “To a fun night?” --- Laura wasn’t quite as naive as people took her to be. She knew where she’d seen the symbol before, and she knew that it had appeared suddenly back when Caspian’s dealings began to get a bit darker. She watched Roman a moment more before turning her attention to the drink at the bar. She was out tonight to forget about things, not think about them more than usual. She made a face at the mention of her tips. “I noticed. I was just hoping it was luck. I don’t want your charity. I probably don’t need it anymore anyway.’ Dark eyes looked to the toast, but all she did was nod once and toss back her own shot. She made a face as the liquor slid down her throat, but it didn’t burn the way she wanted it to. “Right.” -- “It’s not charity,” he waved off the suggestion. Roman did not do it because he felt pity for her. He did it because he saw a little bit of himself, newly out of the blacksite, in her. No mentions would ever come from him about that reasoning, but it was still there. “You still need money to live, no matter the reason you’re trying to burn through it.” The pun had not been attended. Taking the shot back easily, Roman’s expression did not change or react. The burn smooth down his throat, hitting his stomach with an easy warmth. Roman ordered two more, each, before the glass was set down. Roman laughed, rolling his eyes. “You need to relax, let me show you how easy life can be for our kind.” He commanded, changing the hormone levels in her to cause the reaction he spoke of. --- Although she saw the act of kindness in it, a part of her still resented the ‘help’ Roman had given without her permission. “I’ve been taking care of myself for this long, I think I know how to manage without a couple dollars here and there.” Despite the words, her tone wasn’t as harsh as she wanted it to be. And that had nothing to do with his current influence over her. For some reason, she had a really difficult time completely writing him off. Maybe this was what a friend was, someone helping her, being nice to her just because they felt like it. Given her track record, Laura was convinced she’d never find out for sure. Shaking her head to clear the muddled thoughts, she took the next two shots in rapid succession. This time, she barely tasted it at all in her attempt to pump herself so full of chemicals she couldn’t feel anymore. Why wasn’t it working yet? Laura’s eyes dropped closed for a moment as a wave rushed over her body, easing the eternally tensed muscles. It felt strange and both comforting and disconcerting, but she couldn’t fight it. A voice far in the back of her mind was screaming for her to leave, to run, to get as far away from Roman as possible, but her body didn’t respond to it. Instead, she turned on the stool to face him. “I’ve never known an easy life. Show me.” -- Watching her pick up her next two shots, Roman matched her speed in gulping them down. The warmth spreading through him. Just because he metabolized the alcohol quickly did not mean it did not get brief pleasing effects from drinking. As soon as the glasses hit he counter, he ordered two more. The shots would be the last before he got to his target. It was unfortunate that they were a day off from the “holiday” where drunks could be easier to blame for the incidents, but then, sometimes one should not pass up a good opportunity to use someone else’s abilities against hate groups. With her face him, his dark gaze looked her over. Leaning in, hand grazing her jawline, he kissed her. “I would love to,” he whispered against her lips, moving her hair away from her neck. Not even a beat passed before their new shots were set down in front of them. The man beside them suddenly paying attention to the two, he moved closer to Roman. ‘Hey,’ the man said simply, his hand slipping over Roman’s free hand that had been resting on the bar. ‘You two swingers?’ Roman turned to him, that mischievous smirk on his lips that he typically wore. “Depends…” Roman took his two new shots, passing one to the new man. The man smiled, taking the shot. ‘Bartender… put their drinks on my tab.’ --- Laura hadn’t been kissed, or touched, in years. Caspian had been her first, and she assumed, last. In the time since they’d parted, she had no interest in anyone else, and if anyone had truly been interested in her they hadn’t made a move. Feeling Roman’s lips on hers now was strange, but it awakened a need deep inside of her that she’d denied for too long. The kiss was returned hungrily, then broken as he pulled away to speak to the other man. Taking a deep breath, she watched the two intently, ignoring the new drinks set in the bar. Had she been sober, she would have been fascinated by the way Roman worked. But for now, her mind was in an entirely different place. — Focus back on Laura, Roman licked his lips. Her hungry kiss had been satisfyingly open, instead of the closed off girl he worked with. A part of Roman was aware that Caspian might be none too please with Roman’s plan for ‘keeping her safe.’ That part did not interfere with many of the actions Roman executed when on his own time. “See how easy that was,” he winked at her. Roman could have paid for the drinks easily, but she had mentioned getting someone else to pay and well, she wanted to see what the easy life was like. Choices came easy enough for him. His lack of an upbringing and over a decade in a blacksite during the time he should have been developing advanced social skills made him the type of person he was with little conscious toward the use of his powers. --- Laura smirked at his comment. It was easy, surprisingly so. But she was also aware that she didn’t feel like herself. It was likely a combination of the alcohol and the company, but there was also that aching hole in her chest that impacted it all too. She didn’t care anymore, truly, and that scared her a bit. Grabbing another shot of liquid courage, she rose the little glass to Roman and the stranger in cheers before swallowing it down whole. “I thought you wanted to go do… something else. Or did you change your mind?” A brief glance was given to the other man, not necessarily in protest of disappointment. But she certainly didn’t think it was wise for him to tag along. -- Following her lead, Roman took down the last shot. A mess of dark hair fell to the side, head tilting, eyes impish. The shot glass made a light clunk hitting the bartop. Turning once more to face the other man, Roman ran his fingers down the man’s neck. He did not need to touch anyone to use his abilities, but it allowed a more accurate control when it came to hormones opposed to filling the air with pheromones. “Thank you for the drinks. After you pay for them, I’m sure you will find yourself a good time.” Sliding off of his barstool, Roman held out his hand for Laura to take. “Let’s go do other things.” The man at the bar was left in a haze, but his money was good enough for the bartender and the drinks had already been moved over to the man’s tab. --- Following suit, Laura moved off of the stool, a bit wobbly for a second as the alcohol really hit her. Taking Roman’s hand, she nodded, flashing a quick smile to the poor man who’d had high hopes and poor luck. Logically, Laura knew that setting fire to any sort of structure was a bad idea. But the release in the tunnel had felt so good, even hurting those people in the club, which would haunt her later, felt invigorating. She was tired of hurting, tired of holding everything inside. Another release was what she needed, even if it meant a little structural damage on the side. “Where are we off to?” -- “To the pier,” Roman answered easily as they walked out of the club. Warmth filling the veins. It was not much more than another block away. The night air was quieter than the day but still loud as a city was at all times. In midtown, there were clubs and bars and entertainment all over keeping people out and about. As they approached the pier the air became quieter, less full of life. The hum of electricity loud as they walked under a streetlight, approaching a shitty little building with Anti-Mutant propaganda plastered all over it. “And here is our target,” he whispered against her ear from behind her. Lips trailing over the lobe and down her neck. His abilities barely in use unless she needed a little push, but the way things were going he wondered if she was not already mentally there. “The easy life starts with you allowing yourself to let go sometimes. Being who we are without fear of ourselves. It’s what I’ve always fought for with my friends.” He continued to whisper against her skin, fingers trailing down her waist. “They’ve hurt us enough, haven’t they?” --- Walking with him, Laura kept her eyes ahead. She always spent too much time thinking, too much time hoping and waiting for the good deeds to pay off. She spent entirely too much time trying to put positive things out in the world, trying to make amends. And for what? What was the point? She couldn’t change who and what she was, no matter how hard she tried, everything was always going to end up in ashes at her feet. Maybe it was time to just do it on purpose and save everyone a little time and energy. While she felt Roman’s touch, his words barely registered. She heard them, but she wasn’t sure if she’d been listening from moment he started speaking again. But she did respond quietly. “It’s not just them. At least they’re honest in their hatred. They don’t disguise it with love and then revel in watching us fall. I never feared myself. Just what I could do to others. But no one has ever worried about what they’ve done to me.” She turned to look him in the eye, tilting her head to the side. Maybe she was testing him, maybe she wasn’t. But she wouldn’t give it away. “I don’t know what friends are. Where are your friends now? Why aren’t they here to help you?” She stepped closer to him, her body temperature rising quickly as she prepared to let the fire go. “I think it would be best if I went inside, and you left.” -- “Are they? They pretend to love their children until they hit puberty and show their true nature.” A pause. “Fearing what you could do to others is a form of fearing yourself.” He knew the feeling. His first several lovers after he was released from the blacksite died at his hands because of nightmares. He did not start off as heartless as so many saw him now that he was a Horseman. Roman matched her gaze. “You're my friend. And they're not here, because I'm focusing on getting one friend release. Nothing they need to help with.” He eyes twinkled. “Unless you want me to get someone like that man at the bar and we can have a real wild night.” Test or not, Roman would always respond in a Roman way. This was not a mission. He was Roman right now, not Stasis. “I just want you to feel as good as possible.” His eyes closed, letting the heat seep through his skin for a moment. Not moving unless she moved away herself. “How about I stay right here?” His eyes opened again, looking deep into her eyes. Fingers gingerly grazing her chin to raise it to him, lips catching lips even as he felt her starting to burn. “I'm not ready for the night to end here.” --- Laura was tired of people telling her why she felt the way she did. Even Cas, who know her better than anyone, didn’t know all of her secrets and how she’d come to be the way she was. Staring deep into Roman’s eyes, Laura quirked a brow. “Do you manipulate all of your friends?” She saw the way he was with the others, and knew that explained why she was more pliable than usual. Still, she knew she wouldn’t fight it if she could. “What do you gain from me feeling anything?” Despite her words, when his lips found hers she did not pull away. Kissing him back deeply, she bit his bottom lip lightly before breaking away. “Suit yourself.” Turning back to the building in question, Laura scanned the area carefully. She didn’t see or hear anyone nearby, but someone was watching. Narrowing her eyes, Laura lifted a hand to shoot a series of fireballs into the distance, knocking out multiple security cameras in the area. She did one final scan before approaching the building swiftly. Shooting another fireball toward the entrance, she walked through her own flames and disappeared inside the structure. — Brows raised, his head tilted. “In all honesty… yes.” He offered back quietly, darkly. “You are making your own choices now. I’m offering a place to release that fire inside of you on, not forcing your hand… this time.” The tunnel was obviously him. “You don’t have to feel if you don’t want to. Feeling good is not necessarily feeling at all.” He was a master at chemical feelings over mental ones. Every emotion he stirred, did not last like true feelings did. Hormones changed and created a lasting effect, but still they were not true feelings. The people he manipulated did not know it, but Roman was entirely aware. True feelings were what Delia caused. A soft groan escaped his lips at her nip. There was nothing wrong with a little biting. Licking his lips, he watched her from the shadow they had been standing in. The best thing he ever experienced was watching those he affected drop all their self-doubt and self-control to just release their inner nature without doubts or worries. That was when mutants were at their best. Pulling out a cellphone, he sent an encrypted text to a trainee to come pick him and a guest up. Roman would be ready with an escape plan while he waited for the girl to become the phoenix she was. --- It was several minutes before anything else more seemed to be happening inside the building. Then suddenly, thick dark smoke began billowing out of the windows, followed by the emergence of flames beginning at the ground floor and spreading upward to the higher floors. It was yet another five minutes before Laura emerged, covered in soot, patches of her dress burned through with holes. As she walked back out toward Roman, flames lay in her wake, illuminating her footprints before extinguishing themselves. This time, she stayed several steps away from Roman as she cooled off. “Now what.” — The lights of her fires glowed in the voids of his eyes. Fire was such a beautiful power to have. Impressive in its manner. Destroying everything, giving room to create anew. With all the abilities out there in the world, every last human and mutant knew the danger of firestarters. Destruction was not everything that made up the power of a mutant though. None of the Horseman had such a power yet they were amongst the most feared. Stasis could see, though, that it was a good tool to have at hand if he should need it. Like Impenetrability. Like Telepathy and Memory manipulation. Like the dozens of mutants he had under his thumb as tools for his missions. Stasis saw that in Laura. Roman, however, smirked at the way flames came from her, the holes in her dresses, he was less focused on her uses for the moment and instead the fun they could have. “How about drinks in a more private environment?” A black car with tinted window pulled up beside Roman. “Our chariot to wherever that might be.” Roman stepped over to the car and opened the door. A little burning inside the vehicle could be replaced. --- Looking to the car, Laura arched a brow slowly. She looked to Roman like he was insane, then motioned to the inferno she’d caused. “Alcohol is one thing, but gasoline is quite another. Are you sure you want me to get in there with you?” --- “Unless you have a place close by, I’d suggest you not explode the transportation.” Roman chuckled. “I’d suggest a swim off the pier if we had time. But the police at the Electric Room will quickly notice this.” A car more suited to her style was not available in the short amount of time they had. If the police did show up, he would easily take care of them, but Chrysalis might get angry over the off-mission fireworks he just participated in. --- Reluctantly, Laura climbed into the back of the vehicle. The heat radiating off of her body was sure to leave at the very least scorch marks in her place. At his suggestion, she bristled. “No swimming.” Inside the car, she eyed the driver closely but said nothing. Roman had taken control of the evening, one way or another, she had no energy or reason to stop him now. — “Give the man an address,” Roman asked of Laura as he climbed in behind her. The heat like laying out in sun beams, he partially enjoyed the way she scorched the earth behind her. A tiny voice in the back of his mind reminded him of reports about an Eleos member with such fire, but that would be thought about at a later time. Waiting for her to cool a little further, he smirked and ran his fingers over the peaking flesh of her leg. The soot a good touch he would not mind washing off her body if given a chance. --- After a moment of thought, she gave her address. She really had nowhere else to send them, and at least there was no one else there for her to hurt or Roman to manipulate. She wasn’t exactly comfortable with the idea of taking a man home with her, but very little of this evening sat well with her. When his fingers found her skin again, she ignored her thoughts and shifted her body closer to his. She was not used to this sort of attention. People were supposed to be repelled by her heat and her fire, but he wasn’t backing off. Lifting her hand, fingertips ran down his cheek, scratching lightly. Her lips met his once again, the heat of her body still enough to cause a sting. — It could be a drunken nightmare, if that was what she wished it to be, but Roman found her intriguing. Enthralling. This side of her intrigued him on many levels, both personal and scientific. Dark eyes looked up from her leg as her fingers find his face. She could find herself unattractive all she wanted, but it just wasn't true. Roman's manipulation did not keep him from being a mouth to a flame. A hum of pleasure turned to a groan from the sting. There was something about pain that had become a turn on. The chemicals it caused so similar to that of pleasure that Roman's body after far too long in just pain started to give him a better chemical makeup for it. The driver would get a little show, but would make no comment or sound while he drove them to their destination. Hand coming up into her hair, Roman licked at her lips seeking permission to deepen the kiss. --- Laura found Roman equally intriguing. His personality and his power, but also his ease with seemingly everything. That was what Laura wanted to understand most, she wanted to know what it felt like to be not only at ease with herself, but with the world and everyone in it. The groan was unexpected and spurned her on as her fingers moved down his neck and landed on his chest. All she had known of pain was the fear and resentment that came with it. Knowing there could be pleasure in it was a new experience and she wanted to see more. She wanted to know how far she could go before he pushed her away. Lips parted, welcoming his tongue into her mouth. In a slow, languid movement, she climbed over him to straddle his lap, never breaking contact. — She might have been severely disappointed in his answers to her internal questions. His existence upon those answers could be viewed as lonely. On the surface his life was exactly what everyone would want. His way of life, his ease of life, came at the price of trust and real friendships. Tongue exploring, massaging. Roman adjusted back into the seat to give her room on his lap. The car was not as spacious as the SUV he had with Caspian. Hands moved over bare legs, fingers tracing lines up her thighs, under the hem of her short dress that crawled up her legs in the movement. The remnants of her fire heated his entire body with her on his lap. Desire stirred in his veins. Dark eyes studied her face as he pulled back from the kiss to breathe. He never asked why she was throwing her careful control out the window. He did not care so much about the why, only helping her make the most of it. Fingertips traveled between them where there was no space to be. --- Disappointed, perhaps. But she would understand, more than the average mutant. Her tongue dancing with his, Laura’s hands had difficulty staying still. Some things didn’t change. Fingers moved up the back of his neck and into his hair, she pressed her body to his eagerly. When he broke the kiss, she sat back as well, eyes searching for signs of what she’d done wrong. She let his fingers continue to wander, still eyeing him curiously. “Change your mind?” — A brow quirked at her question. Teeth pulling over his bottom lip, sucking at the reddened area from the burn of her lips. His breathing shallow, heavy with desire. Without answering, his fingers brushed over her underwear, teasing. Roman was of the opinion that women should always have the higher position, it allowed everyone the freedom of movement. Freedom of hands and fingers to tease and run over bundles of nerves. Kissing her again, he nipped at her lip. “Wishing we had more space,” he laughed. Part of his amusement came from not needing to continue to release pheromones, she obviously needed this release more than she might have thought- and the alcohol in their veins did not hurt. The driver was making good time, midtown to Brooklyn. His eyes always forward, ignoring everything happening in the back of the car. There were perks of his position with Chrysalis, even without Caspian's SUV team. --- Her eyes dropped closed at the teasing hand between then and her breath caught in her throat. It had been too long since she’d been touched, there was no way she was turning back now. Any inhibitions that might have been left were drowned in alcohol. “You don’t like tight spaces?” She bowed her head in embarrassment at her words, but only pressed her hips forward, inviting more. She leaned toward him once again, her mouth finding the tender skin of his neck. — “Depends on the space,” he smirked, fabric pulled to the side so fingers could explore further without obstruction. A hum vibrated through his throat as her lips found his neck. A night with her without her usual inhibitions likely meant he'd have to buy burn cream and bandages for his apartment. He already had a mark on his arm that he was ignoring from the tunnel. He would take the damage just for the experience. The fact that he was supposed to be keeping her safe far from his mind at the point they were at. The usual hour drive from their portion midtown to her apartment in Brooklyn was cut down to twenty minutes at the wee hours of the morning. Had it taken any longer, Roman would be sure that the driver would have gotten more of a show than he was already getting. Roman wanted to get all obstructions out of the way, to freely explore one another and let their primal urges take complete control. --- A soft moan was whispered into his ear as she felt his touch moved further inside. She was already smoldering at his touch, the heat was sure to intensify the more he toyed with her. She hadn’t ever gotten this hot before, the combination of fire and alcohol sure to cause damage to his skin. At the moment, she didn’t care. Given her level of arousal, it was a wonder she was able to hold back until they arrived at her place. Arriving shortly, the car pulled to a stop outside of a once well maintained brownstone that clearly had been neglected in the passing years. Stepping out, Laura fumbled for her keys as she led him inside through the lobby and to a small elevator. Up to the third floor, and out to the end of the quiet hall, Laura led him into the tiny but immaculate one bedroom apartment. It was exceedingly clean, the nonstop movement he’d witnessed at the bar obviously continued on at home with perpetual cleaning. Despite not having much in the way of luxury, the place had a surprisingly warm feel with little touches like freshly baked muffins left wrapped on the kitchen counter, and a soft blanket folded over her arm of the small rickety couch. To the left of the entrance was a little reading nook, filled with a surprisingly large collection of books stacked beside two comfortable looking worn arm chairs. Left abandoned on the coffee table was a stuffed penguin, the only reminder visible of what had occurred hours earlier. — From car to apartment, Roman had not let go of Laura completely. His hands moving around her, kisses to her neck, the momentum that had started in the car would not be lost. He had no shame, but they had been blessed that no neighbours had been around to interfere or gossip. Once inside the apartment, Roman’s dark gaze took in all the little things. Part of him was surprised she had given her personal apartment address. How one occupied their space spoke of their lives and deeper personality traits than they displayed in public. His own was sparsely decorated, not because of it being a cover, but because his life had been a cell and the several years since he left the blacksite had not given him anything to hold onto in any way. Licking his lips, a grin pulled at the corner of his lips. “Let’s see how deep that fire goes,” he whispered against her neck, brushing her hair aside and pulling her toward the couch. --- Laura had lived in the same place for almost a decade now and had never met her neighbors. She was sure they’d talked over the years about the strange young woman with the little girl, but none had ever approached her in person. So now, she gave little thought to what people might think. Caught in the swirl of hormones and drink, still coming down from the high of the fire, she wouldn’t have cared about much of anything other than getting Roman into her bed. That bed, unfortunately, was more like a couch. But as he led her to it, no explanation seemed necessary. Door kicked closed behind them, she bent her neck to his lips and her hands worked on removing his clothes. — Humming, hands slid up under her dress removing it over her head with efficiency. Vest dropped to the floor, then black shirt, his chest bare except for the long silver chain with the pluto pendant that hung down to the middle of his torso. The button of his pants undone, he pressed his body against her, hunger dripping in his kiss. Back to couch, he dropped down onto the cushion, kissing down her bare skin. Fingers curled around her underwear pulling it off with as much ease and finesse as his experience allowed. --- Moving with him eagerly, the charred dress was shed easily. Her hands slid down his sides to his hips, helping to remove his pants with her mouth was busy at his collarbone. Stepping out of the last of her clothing, she paused a moment to look at him. Normally, she was so ashamed of her body, her chest and torso and lower body covered in scars of varying age, shape, and size, discolored puckered skin snaking around the front and back of her midsection. Maybe this was the real reason why she tended to hide in her clothes and behind counters and bars. Not allowing him much time to dwell on it, she lips found his again with renewed hunger as she pushed him back against the couch. — Roman's dark gaze trailed down her body, taking in every inch of her without judgment. His own scars lay hidden under long strands of hair at the base of his skull and at the small of his back. It took years for the scars on his arms from ivs to fade. Nothing he saw on her form brought pity or disgust to his features. There was only arousal in the air and in his eyes. Her on top of him once more, hands returned to their exploration, lips returned the hunger in her kiss. Even if she had had a bed for them to fall into, that would have been far too many steps for them to go. Roman was not in control of this like he usually was, letting the natural pheromones do as they willed, letting the alcohol and need for release drive them instead. He groaned at her hunger; adrenaline, heat and need pulsing through his veins and pooling at his base. --- Climbing ontop of him, her hands held down his shoulders willing him to stay even though he showed no sign of wanting to leave. She bit his lip again in the kiss, harder this time as she let her body take control and her mind have a rest for once. Her hips ground against his, begging for more. — A sharp breath in, a low groan followed the bite. A stinging as his lip threatened to split and still tender from her burning. The feel of her arousal against him, the pressure of her hips as their bodies decided the night, drove him on. His length hard with desire, he adjusted her in his lap, pushing into her depths with another low moan and sharp breath. His head spun with sensation; the real reason he tempted so many. The usual figurative heat between two people was very real coming from her. Still, Roman rolled his hips against hers, burying deeper into her. Hands moved over scarred skin without hesitation, grasping out of need. --- Her body temperature continued to rise as his body moved inside of her own. Despite her desire, she now had to focus somewhat to prevent from seriously injuring him. Closing her eyes, she gasped in pleasure, fingertips pressing into his skin. It took only a moment to fall into sync with his movement, her hips rocking with his. Biting her lower lip, she barely contained a moan. — Containing one’s sounds had never been something Roman did. It was the sound of a partner that spurred on the arousal. Their pants, sighs, gasps, and moans created music to dance by. Touch grazing up her back, he held her shoulders, kissing the curve of her neck this time. Soft groans and gasps of desire falling from his lips with every hit. The hotter she got the louder he became. Blisters on his arms and chest would not stop the situation. The longer they went the harder it was to hold off, to make her release around him, and when they hit their peaks, it would not take very long for him to go again. --- As Roman expressed his pleasure, louder with each building push, Laura gradually let go of her muffled sounds. Leaning her head back, she granted him access to her neck. Her cries of pleasure grew louder as he brought her closer to the edge, wordlessly pleading for more. Hand reached out to grip the fabric on the couch, her body shaking when she screamed out in orgasm. — Eyes clenched shut, brows furrowed as the motions became unbearable. Fingers dug into her hips forcing them quicker with every cry of pleasure. Her peak crashed around him, muscles tightening their grip, and ensuring his release. Molten liquid surrendered from the pit, bursting forward, filling the space it occupied. Roman too cried out a deep sound in his own orgasm. Heavy, shallow breaths. To open his eyes would have made the world spin faster. Dopamine and serotonin flooded their systems. Humming, Roman tried to breath from his nose. He took in a few shaky breaths before he opened his eyes to look at the woman on his lap. Licking his lips, he smirked at her. “You should wear that dress more often,” he teased- also completely aware it was partially charred, but then again, so was he. --- Sated, Laura collapsed against Roman, breathing heavily as she basked in the afterglow. Brushing sweaty locks back out of her face, she sat back to look at him with a slow smile. “I don’t think it was the dress. And I think that needs to go in the trash now, it’s beyond repair.” She slowly moved off of his lap to collapse onto the couch beside him. Pulling the blanket around her body quickly, she suddenly felt self conscious. — Brows quirked in a shrug, a laugh following it. His arms had wrapped around her when she was laying on him and let go when she slid off of his lap. Fingers trailed lightly over her skin even as she pulled a blanket over herself. Dark eyes studying her in the aftermath of release. Sweat glistening over their skin. As the euphoria settled, hormones settling back to normal levels- as they always did and unfortunately quicker than most- pain started to flare at the sites of the burns that scattered his skin. Sliding his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her body closer to him. Kissing her gently. “Did you get the release you needed or should we go again?” --- Laura was surprised when Roman still seemed into her after his release. A chill ran over her skin as his fingers danced lightly across her skin. Reluctantly, she leaned toward him as he pulled her closer. But she didn’t return the kiss, her usual reserved nature slowly creeping back. Looking over his skin, eyes fell on the red welts. “I think if we went again, you might need some medical attention. I’m sorry about that. It’s been so long I didn’t even consider…” — There was a time to fuck and run, and a time to linger. He would still have to work with her after, still keep an eye on her for Caspian, and maybe even recruit her to Chrysalis, so throwing back on his clothes and leaving would not have been the good decision. The fact that they ended up here might have been a typical thing for Roman, but his interest was also came from the other side of him; the one that saw a bit of him in her reserve. Roman shrugged. “I’ve experienced far worse. Trust me, this is nothing.” Pulling his lip through his teeth, he took her hand, waiting to see if she would let him move it. Dark eyes searching hers. “My scars are hidden better.” --- She allowed him to take her hand, a brow arching at his comment. She was glad that her unintentional damage hadn’t turned him against her, but she wasn’t sure what to do with the rest of this. She’d only been with Cas, the complications of sleeping with a coworker were now just coming to mind. “Scars from what?” He hadn’t asked about the source of hers, so if he refused to answer she would not be surprised. — Pulling her hand to the back of his neck, up under his hair were deep, puckered scars or various sizes but all circular in nature. He watched her face, not expecting any particular reaction. Silence came in the wake of her question, a beat of nothingness before he decided to answer. “The Essential Spider program,” he offered. Letting her hand go, he shrugged again. “Your fire is far more pleasing than you give yourself credit for,” he laughed, turning away from any seriousness that dripped from the name. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.” --- A visceral reaction ran across her body at his response. She felt the scars, but withdrew her hand quickly to hide her shiver. “You were there too…?” Laura knew little about the program’s depth and breadth but she hoped he had not been at the same site. She’d endured far too much emotional and physical damage there to want to rehash it all again. Still so shocked at the mention of ES, she couldn’t respond to his other comments. —- Roman looked away, regathering his thoughts. He had expected too much to casually mention the program only to attempt to change the subject. Dark gaze turned back. Licking his lips, the smirk he normally wore still played there, but did not reach his eyes. How much could he really say without bringing too much to the surface. It did not surprise him in the least that Laura had been amongst the program. A lot of people responded by closing themselves off. “Most of my life,” he answered. Again he went to change the subject. He could see it in her face that she would not want to revisit the memories either. It was his luck that his own haunted him, affected everything he did. No one would know it. They would see him as a free and sexual spirit taking what he wanted from the world. But they had forced that in him. They had created him. “You have anything to drink? Or I could make you some food before you fall asleep.” --- When he looked away, her fingers moved to his jaw, turning his face back to her. Leaning in, she kissed him gently. He didn’t need to say more and it was probably better if neither of them did. Her eyes searched his face intently, without a word. Moving away, she stood and pulled on the remnants of her dress. She headed into the kitchen to rummage around. “I don’t drink. Usually. It tends to cause problems. Different from tonight. I get a little more… volatile.” — Intimacy, in the real, understanding manner, felt uncomfortable. He swallowed in a strange uncertainty he rarely displayed as she searched his face after the kiss. Roman should not have said anything, but the scars all over her body and how she hid them after had spurred the show-n-tell. The space left by her movement brought Roman back to his confident, flirtatious self. Head tilting to the side in appreciation as she started toward the kitchen. “I'd say you were volatile tonight, but I'm always willing to help you with that,” he laughed. Pulling his boxers back on, his movements languid, fingers moved over the shelves and items around the space from the couch to the kitchen. “I don’t drink much either, but that’s because it’s not incredibly effective on me.” Leaning on the counter, with his back away from her, he honestly wasn’t used to casual conversations after a hot night. --- Finding a bottle of bourbon, unopened and hidden on a top shelf, she reached up on her tip toes and pulled it down. She smirked at his comment and looked back at him over her shoulder. “I didn’t blow anything up, so it’s not as bad as you think. I try to stay away from gas stations too.” She poured them each a drink and brought one to him, her fingers brushing his lightly as she handed over the glass. “Because of your ability?” If felt a little easier to talk now that the acknowledgment of their shared trauma was set aside, and they weren’t caught up in lust. She watched him trail about her place but said nothing. She didn’t think anything about her place was special or notable. — “But you set a building on fire, that deserved to burn, so maybe you’re just getting better.” Any apartment or house of a person who had lived even a brief life at a blacksite and managed to create more of home than he could have imagined was notable enough to him. Taking the drink, his dark gaze caught a mischievous light again. “Because of one of them.” He sipped the whiskey, placing it on the counter beside him. “The one you experienced is far more fun.” --- Laura smirked but didn’t argue. Roman had only seen a glimpse of what she could do, the controlled damage she inflicted on the building and on his body. If he knew her true limits, it might not be so casually commented on. “What did you do to me?” The tone was curious, not accusatory. Laura already knew she’d lost control around him, she accepted and surrendered to it. Stepping closer to him, she tilted her head at his mischievous look. “Was any of that real?” — “After the tunnel… yes.” Roman answered the second question first. His hand came up to run fingers over her shoulder. “It’s all real in the end, at least. You should have seen what I did to the club after you walked out.” He smirked. For those less scientifically inclined, his abilities were hard for him to explain to others. Pheromones in humans were barely acknowledged or understood by science, and hormones were complicated. Fingers snaked up to her hair, pushing it behind her ear. “I didn’t want you to leave in that state, so I made sure you wouldn’t.” Roman was not one to readily spill his secrets and abilities to others. No matter how he connected with them. --- She wasn’t convinced that it was all the same, but she said nothing in response. When his hands moved across her skin, her eyes closed slowly with a soft sigh. “Why did you care if I left that way?” Laura thought that she may not have done much else after leaving, but who knew. She’d never done any of this before. — “It’s hard to find a good bartender,” he laughed. Touch trailing down her chin, Roman's dark gaze continued to study her features. “I'm all for having your drunken night, but it's better to have a friend to watch your back.” Taking another sip of his drink, it clinked against the counter as he sucked a dab of whiskey from his lip. Roman rarely took such complete control over someone who was not on a list or in a mission file. He had done it for his amusement, yes; for Caspian, of course; but also because she seemed to need it- all that fire boiling inside. --- Her eyes opened slowly, gaze meeting his. He used that word again, friend. She wanted to believe it, but something still made her hold back. Granted, he had seen her in a way that few others have, and even fewer tolerated. “I’m sure I’m easy enough to replace.” When he sucked at his lip, she leaned in as if to do the same but stopped herself. Instead, she turned to her previously untouched glass and drained it in one gulp. — Whether Roman knew the definition of the word as it should be was up for negotiation. He would not mention his reasonings otherwise, and as long as she worked with him in that bar, he would act as a friend would. If she decided to join Chrysalis, it would be a far better friendship. But the mood from their scars and shared experience would not bring the organization to the conversation again that night. “I wouldn’t want you to be replaced.” There were several bartenders that worked the room, Roman seemingly got along with them all, but Laura had been the only one he attempted any real conversation with. He assumed most everyone that worked the Dream Hotel club were human anyway, and they were rarely worth more than his amusement. He had not initially known she were a mutant, but it made more sense that she was. A spark of desire hit his darkness as she leaned toward him, only to turn to her own glass. Roman moved to in front of her, hand coming to the charred fabric at her waste, playing amongst the bare skin beyond the holes. --- Laura wasn’t completely convinced of that, but over the last few hours she’d realized that Roman saw her in an entirely different way than Laura saw herself. Then again few people knew her beyond the plain, uninteresting person she presented herself to be. When he moved in front of her and his fingers found her skin again, she didn’t withdraw. Laura wasn’t sure if the desire she felt was real or his influence, but she didn’t question it. Leaning in, her lips found his in a heated kiss, asking for more despite the knowledge that she might injure him further in the process. — If he were worried about the injuries she caused, he would not have started what he started. Roman did not have any particular type when it came to his sexual interests, but her being a mutant definitely made him have more interest. So many people hid their interesting side from the world, Roman sought out the fun in everyone. Each hidden nook and cranny. Touch traveled down her waist. Kiss returned in depth. Roman enjoyed how real her heat was. “I told you this dress was dangerous,” he smirked against her lips. Kisses trailed down to her neck as his hands moved under the shell of a dress, ready to start her fires again. |