InsaneJournal

A knock came to her door. The tattooed young man stood outside it. It was early, she’d been off work the previous week- having been locked up for part of it. He was told that she’d be back to work that day, so he decided to show up and escort her. “Hey, I thought you might like some company.” He told her as she looked at him with surprise at his presence. “I heard what happened and wanted you to feel safe on your first day back at work.” He smiled softly in a supportive way.

On the outside Jake appeared to be selfless and protective of the young woman. Someone shocked and outraged over what had happened to her. A man who wanted to keep her safe and someone who she could feel safe around. He was a friend. Someone she could confide in.

In reality, Jake was pleased she’d been taken in. It made her vulnerable. Prior to it, he’d inserted himself in her life as a protector. Helping her with the guard that harassed her (an unexpected boon in his plan to get close to the waitress). After discussing things with his handler, they decided to expedite things a little. Kyrie was guarded and reserved a lot. But seemed to have a need of someone to take care of her. What he was told of the history they’d had on her, she’d had a very sheltered childhood. So a reminder that the outside world was a scary place and that there was someone who could shield her from that was the decided course of action. So, she’d been taken, for seemingly no reason. And after she had some time to feel exposed and vulnerable to the world and force to go back into it- there he was.

“I can even make the trip quick for you, so you can get there quicker and don’t have to worry about… running into anyone.” Jake offered.

--

There were few people on the island who truly mattered to her - the very small few individuals she held dear to her heart - and while she had known Jakob only a short while she had begun to like him immensely. He was easy on the eyes, observant, and she felt safe around him. Doing things with him was nice mostly because she had no one really to do much of anything with. Fitz would always mean the most to her, would always matter the most to her.

So when Jake appeared at the door just as she was beginning to head out she was pleasantly surprised.

“Oh, hello,” Kyrie breathed, her lips twisting into a smile. “Thank you.” At hearing he had heard about what had happened her stomach dropped and her smile waned. She made herself hold the expression though in spite of the light filtering out of it. “That’s kind of you. I’d like that, please.”

Behind her the door would be closed as she stepped out toward Jake. Keys would lock the door and then the shapes of metal would find a place in the bottom of her small handbag.

Biting her lip, Kyrie stepped close to Jake. Her arms would wind carefully around him as if they might be embracing, preparing herself for the way he could transport them from one place to another so quickly.

—

“And, since we’ll be getting you to work a little early. Maybe you’ll join me for a coffee before your shift starts.” Jake smirked. “Remember to exhale.” He warned as he mentally pictured an open space he’d jumped to a few times in the market. Hopefully there would not no people there.

One minute they were outside her door. The next, they were standing in the marketplace, about twenty feet from the diner. Fortunately there were no people within his radius- would have been bad timing to propel a guard away with his displacement wave. Still, upon ‘landing’ the rush of air pushing away from them could be felt.

Jakob, his hand still around her back, looked to Kyrie. “Tada.”

--
Kyrie nodded.

She would have coffee with Jakob before her shift. It was something small to look forward to. And before he did what he could do she exhaled as reminded. That sensation in her ears was never pleasant but her feet felt as if they’d reached solid ground and her frame began to relax as the familiar sounds of the Marketplace filled her ears.

Her clothes and hair rustled with the wave of air but everything settled. A breath and she was pulling back slightly, looking up at him. “That’s so convenient.” Nearly laughing, Kyrie bit at her bottom lip and then turned, motioning for him to follow to a booth nearby.

A moment was taken to go behind the diner counter. She dropped her purse into its usual spot, grabbed two coffees and brought them back to the little area she had claimed.

—

He laughed. That shy way she chewed her lip when she was embarrassed was actually pretty cute.

Jakob slid into the booth after entering the diner and waited for her patiently. So far things seemed to be going well. As she passed him the coffee he smiled. “You know, for a long time I hated coffee.” He chuckled. “Always reminded me of this one home.” Jake didn’t often share his life story, there was a large hole when he’d been at Rikken, but that was accounted for by a cover story. Talking about himself was something he made seem like a hard thing. Most people, a history like his would be. So, he kept it to himself until it was time to really pull an asset in. Be vulnerable, let them think you’re the one opening up to them and they’ll be more inclined to reciprocate.

He shook his head slightly. “Um, yea… now though. I don’t mind it. Probably because the options here are limited.”

--

Listening to his story, her light eyes fell upon him. Fingers wrapped carefully around the ceramic mug letting the heat warm her skin. “Really?” She didn’t know why she felt surprised but she did. There wasn’t much of Jakob’s past that she was privy to but she kept her mouth closed and heard the words he spoke when he offered those gleans of insight. “My mother, she — I never got to have caffeine. When I came to the island...that was the first time I’d ever had a soda.” She could recall the crisp, bubbly taste, the way the bubbles tickled into your nose.

Her smile for him grew.

Kyrie lifted her hand up from the mug and began to reach out before her hand snapped backward as if she had been shocked. Biting at her lip, she looked down at her coffee, watching the way it rippled, the dark distortion of her reflection.

—

Jake tilted his head to her. “You okay?” He asked, placing his hand on the table between them.

--

Eyes lifted at his question. She breathed and nodded, fighting another look away. Her mother had done this to her - rendered her socially inept, afraid of being herself around anyone else - and even now she was still bowing to those rules. She hadn’t been on that leash in years but then she had never had a real reason to disobey. To challenge her mother.

Hand reached out. She set her palm over the back of his hand, holding his gaze. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

The intent in the reach at first had been comforting but then not everyone wanted to be touched or comforted, but the motive now she wasn’t sure about.

—

Jake smiled, turning his hand on the table to hold hers. “You know, it’s okay to not be perfect.” He said. Reading in her body language how she always tried to stand up straight, never got an order wrong. One hair out of place never seemed to happen. The only exception was when a guard was involved. She seemed to have zero skills with dealing with authority. Always giving in to them, cowering around them. Whoever was her authority figure off the island really did a number on her.

He got an idea. “Let’s ditch today.” He grinned. “Play hookie. Have an adventure.”

--

His words hovered over her like a stormcloud. Being perfect was all she had ever been. No less than that, never a loser. She had always been someone else, and if you asked her who she was she wouldn’t be able to give a good answer. Even after all of this time without her family.

Kyrie just made herself smile and nod in reply to the comment. Her hand settled into his, skin warm.

And then her eyebrows arched. “What?” Her shoulders rolled backward and her frame drew up in posture. Kyrie looked unsure. She had missed a lot of work already. But then what was another day? “What would we do?”

—

“Whatever we want.” He chuckled and took a drink from his coffee before getting up out of his seat. Jakob held a hand out for her. “Come on, gorgeous. Let’s be daring.” As he took her hand he pulled her close, slipping a hand around her. He held her close and brushed a hand over her cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you… just hold on.”

Okay, so it may have been a bit cliche or something out of a movie. But something told him that’s what she wanted. Some grand gesture to break her out of her shell. To be the star of her own romantic comedy. Jake could play that role for her. After all, he was the charming bad boy with a heart of gold- right?

“Close your eyes and exhale.” He said before teleporting them once again.

Once landed, he placed a hand over her eyes and moved around behind her. A hand remained at her side, holding her steady on the metal grating their feet found themselves. “Okay, stand right there.” He said, moving her just a few feet. “It’s time to look at the world from a new perspective.” Jake whispered in her ear as he pulled his hand from her eyes. “Go ahead, you can open them now.”

Before her sat the island, over the trees the buildings of the facility and government housing. The marketplace and the resident homes. The recreation area and garden, everything. Some easier to make out than others of course. All existing in their own world below them as they stood at the top of the lighthouse.

--

The compliment had her cheeks red. Her lashes fluttered and a small smile twisted at the corners of her lips. She knew she was beautiful but hearing it from Jakob was different. As her gaze lifted her hand extended out and Kyrie stood up out of the booth. Her things could stay at the diner, that was the last thing on her mind.

Their frames stood close with naught much space between them. Arms wound around him as they usually did when he teleported them. As commanded she exhaled and waited for the destination to change.

She could feel the warm breeze even before his hand settled over still closed eyes. The taste of the water, the cry of the gull.

With trust she moved some with Jake leading her blindly.

And then her eyes opened as his hand fell away and she inhaled sharply at the view. It was lovely from that height, pristine canopy of trees seeming to guard a sleepy town. Each building she recognized. Eyes would touch each destination equally as she studied the land laid out before them.

“Wow. It’s so beautiful from up here.” Her words danced softly into the wind.

—

He kept his hand on her waist. “It’s peaceful up here. Closed to people of course- unless you’re willing to break the rules and can teleport.” He winked.

Slowly he stepped back, letting her loose. “Makes things not seem so scary right?” Unless you were afraid of heights of course. “Like everything is part of the same puzzle, or painting. A guard, a resident. They’re just a small part of the big picture.” He was completely talking out of his ass, but it was that inspirational shit people liked. Especially those who were scared a lot.

He leaned against the wall and watched her. “I’m glad I could share this with you.” He said softly. “I’ve never brought anyone else up here before.” Oh, he had. Just no one she’d talk to.

—

That hand on her waist was grounding. She wasn’t afraid of heights. Often she would pray to turn into an angel, a bird, so she could fly away from home. After her brother died the feeling only grew and then she ended up here with her friend. Her gaze had found Jakob and she smiled at that wink. He was charming, but he probably knew that already.

Turning back to the view she let him pull away. His words resonated into her core and Kyrie nodded. Dark hair was tousled by the wind as if the breeze was running its fingers through the waves. “What is the big picture?” The question had fallen from her lips before she realized it had come, and she expected no answer.

A glance over her shoulder, “Me too. Thank you for bringing me here. It’s beautiful.”

—

“That’s for you to figure out.” He said with a smile.

Jakob let her enjoy the view for a while in silence before he spoke again. “So, what is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?” He asked

—

Her question had been rhetorical in the first place so the response she received was no surprise. Of course it was her own to figure out, but such was life. Only she could find the small solutions to the bigger problems.

“This,” she admitted with a laugh. Her gaze went back to the view below. She studied it again trying to commit it to her memory. This wouldn’t come again for some time, she knew it.

—

“Standing on top a lighthouse? Or being alone with me?” He asked with a playful smirk.

—

“Both,” she admitted. Her cheeks colored appropriately, thank goodness he couldn’t see her face.

Her mother had warded her away from men with claims that they wanted nothing good. They wanted what she had on the outside, not the inside, and she never developed the ability to talk to a man. Not until meeting Fitz and moving to the island. Those came naturally after that though she didn’t realize it.

—

Jake smiled and pushed off the wall, approaching her again. His arms wrapped around her from behind, holding her in a firm- but not aggressive- embrace. “Well, it’s good to know I’ve reached the level of exciting.” He said softly, in her ear.

--

Her heart began to race. It fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird, a pulsing blur, as his arms wound around her. Kyrie chewed at her lip. She didn’t get so close to people, especially not young men, but this was a nice feeling. It was different.

Palms would lift and slide over his at her waist, Kyrie leaned backward into the embrace. “Have you not always been exciting?” She inquired playfully, turning to glance over her shoulder at him.

—

Jake chuckled. “Have I?” He looked down at her, keeping his face a calculated distance from her. Close enough to feel intimate and disarming. But not so close that she feel as if he were going to try anything and scare her off. If played right, she’d act first but think he was the one who’d swept her off her feet.

In the time he’d watched Kyrie, it had become obvious that the best way to earn her trust was to fill a fantasy for her. She was reserved and walled off, while trying to be perfect. Talking with his handler and watching her for months they determined she had few friends and those she did have she rarely socialized with regularly. They wagered she’d never had a real boyfriend- or if she had it hadn’t been long. His intel said she arrived on the island about as young as he was when he was recruited, so she’d been alone a long time- and from a young age. So, they’d decided that romance was the best way to gain her trust and cultivate an asset.

It was all good practice for when he- hopefully one day- got an assignment off the island.

—

Her cheeks flushed as he grew close. Slowly she turned herself around, staying in his embrace. Palms would find his shoulders, fingers pressing lightly into the fabric of his shirt. “Probably so.” She couldn’t say for sure but as far as she knew he was more exciting than she ever imagined herself to be.

They’d known each other only a short time but she couldn’t help feel connected to him. There was an energy there, something electric, she could feel it in her bones.

Biting at her bottom lip Kyrie looked up at him. Her stomach was twisting into knots, heart fluttering. Leaning up on her toes to adjust to some of the height difference between them her mouth met the side of his where the seam began.

—

There it was. Jake turned his head and met her lips. Soft, gentle, brief. His hand raised to brush some hair from her face.

He smiled gently. “Okay, time for some real excitement.” Jakob said with a grin, backing up a step. Reaching into his pocket, he took out his keys and phone and started to pull off his shirt. “Nothing- like that.” He laughed, assuring her. “Anything you don’t want to be ruined-“ he gestured to an area on the ground. “Put there.” He deposited his shirt and phone and started to take off his shoes.

Thankfully he wore boxers, so he wasn’t overly exposed. “I promise, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” He was good at that tone. That voice that said ‘it’s going to be okay, I’m trustworthy.’

—

Her eyes closed as their mouths met. An exhale from her nose. It was a first for her - there were still plenty of first times she would experience in her lifetime - and she was glad it was with Jakob. When the kiss ended her eyes fluttered open and she pulled backward with delight.

And then her head tilted at his next words. She watched with surprise and interest as he pulled back and began to empty his pockets. Seeing his bare torso her cheeks flushed with color and words began to flee from her lips. It took a second for Kyrie to regain herself. Nothing of any importance was in her possession - she’d given up important things a long time ago knowing they could be taken on a whim - but she nodded anyway and followed suit.

Shoes came off, her shirt. More blushing and her jeans came next leaving her clad only in lingerie - thank goodness it was tame albeit lacy - and she folded her things, piling them where he had instructed.

She did trust him. Probably a lot more than anyone.

—

Jakob was careful not to stare of leer. Act as if it was no big deal that she was standing there in her underwear- it was still covering everything.

He pulled her close and told her to hold on. He blinked them twice in succession. First over the water- far enough out to ‘dive’ but not too far that it would be dangerous. About ten feet above the water, he held her close as they started to fall. But before they fell for too long the second jump happened, landing them at the water level. The displacement wave pushed the water away from them, causing it to rush back in a splash as the dropped in.

Not sure her level of ability to swim, he made sure to keep a hand on her as his legs kicked to keep him afloat.

—

Being out in front of judges, other people in a bathing suit was uncomfortable. Over and over she had done it and it had gotten no easier but she never complained. She found that being nearly in such a state in front of Jakob was easier somehow. He wasn’t judging her, telling her she needed to lose weight.

Kyrie wrapped her arms around his frame and held on. Eyes closed, bracing herself for the move. Her eyes remained closed, squeezed tight when they began to descend, until they hit the water. Her eyes flew open and she clung to Jakob, frightened at first, before she realized they were safe and in the water.

A breath. She relinquished the hold she had on him sheepishly and began to tread water. “This is nice!” The water was warm and the day was bright.

—

Jake laughed at her reaction. It was cute. “It’s the middle of the week, the middle of the day. Most everyone else on the Island is at work. So, I figured we’d have the ocean to ourselves.” When she seemed to be able to keep aloft herself, he let her go and moved his arms to put a little distance between them. “I don’t normally like the water- not the best swimmer.” He understood the basics enough to know how to float, but diving under or legit swimming was a bit beyond him. “But I thought this would be nice.”

--

Listening, she nodded in agreement. It was nice to spend the day treading water in the ocean when everyone else on the island was going about their regular day. Playing hookie seemed to have a certain appeal that she was growing used to.

“I hope you don’t get too tired,” she offered. Carrying him to shore would be no burden as she could lift a lot of weight easily but she wanted to spare his pride if she could. She was curious as to why he’d brought them to the middle of the ocean if he couldn’t swim that well.

Jakob was silly.

—

“Can always jump back if I need to.” He chuckled as he kicked up slightly to float on his back a little. “But I thought you’d enjoy the peace.” The phrasing was specific. Letting her know he’d done it for her.

Jake glanced over at her. He had to admit she was hot. Had a nice personality too- if a little ‘damsel in distress’ at times. Which conflicted with her powers. It was an odd thing to him. Being so fragile but so strong. Why did she let herself get pushed around? Sure, it made his job easier. But he just didn’t get it.

--

The thought that he had done this for her was welcomed. She smiled at him, grateful. Rarely did she do anything for herself or allow others to burden themselves on her behalf but once in a while the surprise was nice. It sent warmth into her bones, like magma settling in the core of the earth.

A hand would rise from beneath the water, fingers pushing away dark hair from her face where it clung to pale, perfect skin.

Light eyes watched him enjoy the water. She was glad he was enjoying himself too. “Thank you. Peace is rare in a place like this.”

—