OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
At the warehouse party, the halloween one that he really didn't want to go to. The one that he told Ezra to stick close to him and not wonder off. He managed to lose her. Of course, she left where he told her to stay put. No, instead, he spent a good portion of his night looking for her. And the fact that he couldn't find her easily was shocking. He stood a head taller than pretty much everyone else. He should have been able to spot her blonde hair and rocker costume but instead he found himself growing more and more frustrated as time went by.
And then came the whispers that the police were on their way. Which meant it was time to go. He scanned the room again, he wouldn't leave without her. He had to make sure she was safe. That primal man in him said that he couldn't just abandon her there. Hell, he should have been back at his shop anyway. Ready to take in rebels who ran from the party anyway. Not chasing down a little blonde who thought the next big story was going to come out of this. Even though she was probably one hundred percent right in thinking that.
He swore he caught a flash of something from the corner of his eyes. And as he turned, there she was. Still stunning, but acting a bit unusual. Which made him move a bit quicker towards her. "Ez, it's time to go." He said to her as he got within ear shot over the thumping music of the party.
Jasper always knew she was a little tease. That she liked to make him squirm, even if he didn’t always outwardly show it. And part of him loved it. He lived for it. Thrived on it even. He couldn’t help but smile back at her as she gave him that grin and buckled up. Good, at least she had learned her lesson the first time. And as she thanked him, his shoulders shrugged lightly. “Thanks for kidnapping me. And showing me your secret spot.” He told her, nodding his head towards the lake that they had been swimming in minutes before.
He made sure that the AC was kicking with heat to warm her up before he placed a hand on her knee and got them back on the road again. Maybe he was making moves a little stronger now towards her. He couldn’t help himself. She was like a magnet and she pulled him to her. Without even trying. Jasper drove her back to her bike, and followed her home to make sure she got inside safely before he headed back to his little apartment above the garage.
He didn’t miss her flirtation. Not one bit. He had even caught himself smirking a little to himself as he walked around to the drivers side of his car. “Careful, little one.” He warned her. The same warning he had said to her when they had first met. And he had a feeling she was going to remember that as well. By the time he reached his side of that car and reached in, she had her back to him and he caught the movement she made to reach behind her. He went to stand up quick, to turn around to give her privacy. And all that did was cause him to thump his head into the roof of his car. He reached up and rubbed the back of his head as he grabbed his pants and quickly got out of the car and turned his back to her.
Jasper did not turn around. He removed his undergarment and quickly redressed, jumping a little since the denim didn’t want to easily go on his damp body. But once he was good to go, he took a deep breath. Hearing her ask if he was decent, he took a chance to peek over his shoulder. When he noticed she was redressed, he smile and slid into the drivers seat, starting up the car so it purred to life. Let that be the answer for her. “Come on, Ezra. Let’s get you home.”
Jasper felt bad for a moment. Watching the cool breeze cause a shiver to ripple over them both. But it was expected. The cooler months were starting to roll in. He gave her a small smile, rubbing his hands up and down her arms to try and warm her up before he released her so she could wring out her hair. He reached up and did the same to his, feeling the goosebumps take over his own body as the chill ran through him.
“What about the seat getting wet?”
He shrugged his shoulders lightly as she spoke. “Take your wet stuff off, put your dry stuff on. “ He offered, nudging her towards the car and continuing trying to warm her up. “I’ll look away so you can redress. No big deal.” He said as he reached out and opened his passenger side door for her and then tossed his own clothes over to the drivers side. “And no peeking at me either.”
Jasper groaned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling them closer together as they kissed one another. He planned on letting her go quickly after. Knowing that it would be nothing but trouble if they continued. Yet as her legs wrapped around his waist, one arm around the small of her back held her in place as the other tangled into her wet blonde hair. He liked this. And he also knew that he could stay there all night with her if she wanted that. If she asked him, they would have stayed in the water until they were blue from the cool water and air. Till their skin was like prunes and hair tangled into wet messes.
So he moved his way towards the shore. Kissing her, holding her to him as he got them out of the water and back onto shore. He shivered at the cold air, but it was a nice cool down for him as he parted from her. "How about we get you warmed up in the car huh?" He offered, slowly leaning down so she could place her feet on the ground as he did. He was trying his best to be a gentleman. To keep control on himself, but he was going to need her help as well in this situation.
He gave her a mock offended face, just a small one. It was mainly in his eyes more than the rest of is face, as he wasn't even sure if he knew how to twist it up to give a really good Jim Carrey sort of facial expression. "I blame you. I had to act first, I could see it in your eyes that if I didn't toss you first, you were going to try and toss me." Was that likely to have happened? No way in this world would she be able to do it. She'd have a better chance of dunking him, even with his feet planted solidly on the lake ground.
He stared at her as she seemed to suddenly turn her face to him with a look that just screamed 'trouble' to him. The way those eyes of her looked up at him and she just felt like she could flirt her little way out of this. That she could bat those eyelashes up to him and make him do whatever she wanted. And dear lord help the man, but she probably could ask him to do anything and he would. For her. But she didn't need to know that yet. So instead, his hands moved fast as he grabbed her, dragged her through the water to his chest and kissed her right on the mouth.
She was the perfect little tease. At least for him. She met him head on every single time. She had no problem putting him in his place. Or maybe just the place that she thought he should be at. He wanted her, in more sense than one. It was super clear to him in that moment, when she pretended to not remember kissing him first. And from what he could tell, she wanted him too. He did worry that it was in two different ways though. As she always seemed to try and keep distance between them. Like when they were texting before, he seemed more engaged in some ways.
Deep down, it scared him a little bit. To think that he was very interested in her. That he was slowly spiraling down a path and to think that she might not be traveling the parallel one. That her path would take a sudden sharp turn away from him and leave him stranded in the middle of it. Looking for her. And with a broken heart. But he also knew that if he didn't do anything, if he backed down without even try, he would be even more mad at himself. "I would never complain about you kissing me. Actually, I encourage you to. Whenever you want. For how ever long you want." He told her seriously. His eyes flashing to her mouth as he said it.
And then the battle began. She was up in the air and back down, splashing him and then steadying herself on his shoulders. He laughed as her hands curled into his hair to try and balance herself. His hands sliding up to grip her right above the knee. To try and keep her in place as she was now up in the air. He felt the goosebumps that raised on her skin, and he gently ran a thumb over her skin for a moment. Her scoff made him grin from below her, but next thing he knew, he felt her thighs tighten on him and then he was pulled backwards. And to save either of them from injury, he went with her. Splashing into the water, releasing his grip on her legs before he resurfaced. His hair in his face, so he had to reach up and push it back. "Well, that was quite rude." He told her after spitting out some of the water that got into his mouth.
"Well, what does that say about you, that you’re swimming in nothing but underwear with a scandalous woman?"
He let an innocent look take over his features, or at least, the best one that he could manage. "I am just a simple minded man who was lead into temptation by a wily little minx." He stated, his eyes growing wide with fake innocence and yet, after only a few moments, the grin grew back on his features. Jasper had been more focused on the family, his almost adoptive family, during the past few years. He hadn't really taken the time to date or do much of anything. Sure he had random occurrences here and there. A few months of dating for it to fizz out or they just realize that there wasn't too much there to continue on.
It was odd how quickly she grabbed hold of his attention and how she had, with seemingly little effort, kept his attention. Even with the madness of the world, it was like she was a little light at the end of the tunnel for him. Something he got to look forward to during his day. Her little texts here and there. Anything.
"First of all, you... kissed me first."
"The first ever between us, yes. But you started the kissing today. Back at the bar. You do remember that don't you?" He said, lifting a hand to pretend to try and take her temperature to make sure she was feeling okay. Surely that fact hadn't slipped from her mind already. She was the one who grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and brought him down for a kiss. Not that he protested in any way. "And in the car, you kissed me back. Every single time." He grinned further. "Are you complaining?"
And then he had her up in the air and crashing back down into the water. He laughed at the look on her face when she resurfaced and then a wave of water was sent his way. He closed his eyes and turned away, chuckling lightly at the attack that soaked his hair further, letting the long locks stick to his skin and drape into the water. And then he was under the water, disappearing from sight. If Ezra didn't fight him, she'd find herself being lifted from the water, sitting on his shoulders as he stood up and lifted her out. "There, problem solved. For me that is."
Jasper felt a smirk slide over his features as she used the word 'scandalous'. "Oh, good. So you were able to pick up on that hint then." He teased her. Watching the way that she slowly pulled herself towards him in the water. His feet finding just enough traction to hold himself steadily above the water as she got closer to him. "I mean, you are the only who got undressed after kissing me the way you did in my car. And by the way," As she got a bit closer, his arm that was out for her to pull herself into him was wrapping around her, pulling her closer to him without squishing her to his front side. "I like your little tattoo. Is it a flower? I was a little distracted while you were running down the dock." He grinned. Watching her face closely for any changes in her smile.
"Honestly? I didn’t think that far ahead. But I’m sure we can come up with something."
Of course they could come up with something. The two clearly had some sort of attraction between them. And beneath that, there was something a little deeper that had started to bloom the moment she showed up on his shop step, the bruises fresh from the raids that had happened. Possibly even before that considering she thought enough to show up on his doorstep instead of going anywhere else really. The way she even trusted him to take care of her, was enough to have him start tripping over his own feet clearly.
"Hm, I am sure we could." He answered her. Leaning back just enough that he could get a good look at her face while she was wrapped up against him. His hands traveling to her waist and gripping her lightly there. And then with a playful smirk and a quick moment, he would go to toss Ezra up and out of the water.
"To have my way with you, of course. I thought we already covered that."
He found a small chuckle leaving him at her statement. It made him feel like he was a teenager again. Sneaking out to the middle of nowhere and making out in the backseat of the car with a girl he liked. "Well I do apologize for being so daft." He said, running a hand down her back as she sat back and turned the car off. He held himself back from grabbing her and holding her in the car with him. He wasn't going to take that next step. The gentleman in him said no, that if they were going to go beyond kissing, they'd not be doing that in a car. Not yet. He wanted to make sure she knew that this, whatever it was, wasn't just a physical attraction. It felt like more than that to him. So as she leaned over him and opened his door, like he had done to her a few weeks back, he felt a small smile grow.
"You must be familiar with night swimming, right?"
And then she was over him, his hand sneaking a small touch against her back as she got out and started... well that answered his question on how she expected them to go swimming without bathing suits. His smile fell, but not because he was disappointed or upset by her actions. But because he was suddenly very focused on her. He stood up outside of his car but didn't make it further than that. She knew what she was doing. Teasing him, tempting him. He took a deep breath as the dress was left behind and sent up a silent 'thank you' to the fact that she at least kept her undergarments on. He might not have been able to handle much more of it. Could have just wound up with him sitting back in his car for the rest of her night, leaving her disappointed in him.
Jasper then caught a little something that he hadn't expected to see. A little tattoo on her shoulder blade. She was far enough away, and the light of the day gone, that he couldn't exactly see what it was, but from the general shape of it and the burst of color he had a feeling it was a small flower. And then she was down the dock and out of sight. He stood for a moment, his gaze shifting from where she leapt into the water then to look down at himself. She clearly wanted to bring him here for a reason. And not just to hang out in his car. So he reached down and removed his boots, then his shirt, and pants. Tossing them into the passenger side of his car, leaving him in his boxer briefs. He went forward and collected her things as well, getting them into his car before he rolled down the window and shut the door.
And then, like a giant child, he took off running down the dock. Keeping in mind where she was and jumping off the edge and into the water. It was a little bit of a shock, the water cold enough to give a little kick of energy to him. But nothing that made him want to get out immediately. He found that he could touch the bottom of the lake, just enough to keep his head above the water, which didn't really shock him. And the moment he surfaced and found Ezra, he was grinning at her. Reaching up and pulling his hair out of the messy bun it had been in before. Letting the long hair down and settle over his shoulders and into the water. "So, your plan for the day was to show up at a sketchy bar. Have an even more sketchy man buy you drinks, allow a bigger man to come and defend you. And then take his car out to the middle of nowhere to take advantage of him and go for a night time swim? I mean, that's quite an eventful day. " He joked.
He reached out a hand towards her, offering to hold onto her so she didn't have to wade in the water the whole time. "And after our nighttime swim, then what is your plan?"
The flirtatious dance they were doing back and forth in the car seemed to charge the air. A crackling happening between them each time a small tease or taunt was tossed "at one another. It was fueling a fire in him to touch her and kiss her. One that caused a small battle in him, knowing he couldn't do much while she was driving. But also knowing that really he should keep his hands to himself. That he should have a better self control than to just snag her from across the seat the moment the car was in park. He made it a few moments, so that was good enough right?
And when he actually got hold of her, he was careful for any sign of her not liking what he was doing. When she twisted in his grip to get closer to him, that was all he needed. He kissed her, and when she made a move to smother him in passion, he met her. His mouth moving against hers and his grip on her tight to show that he didn't want her moving away from him. But nothing that would actually hurt her. Her small hand wrapping around the back of his neck made his heart pick up its pace once more. And when she leaned back, he almost followed her, a soft groan of complaint leaving him. Though he realized then that she was taking large drags of air into her lungs. Maybe he shouldn't complain, he thought to himself as he let out a shaky breath of his own.
Before a tease could leave him, something along the lines of her not being able to keep up with him, her lips were back on his. The tease was easily forgotten about. His arm wrapped around the small of her waist and pulled her closer. Holding her to him and shifting so she could rest comfortably against him. He found his heart starting to beat out of control. And as a hand of his slipped to caress her side, he realized he needed to pull back. So he did just that, leaning back and taking a deep breath. His wide chest expanding rapidly as he tried to get a hold back on himself. "So," he said, his voice low and a little airy. "Why did you bring me here?"
Jasper didn't want to stop. Hell, he was pretty sure that he could recline his seat and they could just lay there in the passenger seat, making out until they both had swollen lips and they couldn't breath right. Until a basic human need made them break apart. But it wasn't fair to expect that. Not when they had no idea what was going on between them. Part of him said to just shut up and enjoy the ride. Enjoy what she was giving him. But the other part wanted to do right by her. He wanted her to know that she was safe with him and secure. That he was not going to do anything to hurt her.
"A list of demands, huh? I don’t see how you’re in any position to demand anything from me, if I’m kidnapping you."
And that's where she would be wrong. "Just because you are doing the kidnapping doesn't mean that I am going to go quietly and without requests." He easily tossed back at her. Rolling his head towards her with a 'duh' expression across his bearded face. "I think you will be surprised at how loud I can be if you ignore me." He further teased. As quiet as he could be, his voice deep and low, it really just meant that he could really project his voice well when forced to. And besides, if she really was just going to leave him trapped somewhere, he'd hope the past few times of being together would have earned him some brownie points of some kind.
"Besides," He shifted a little closer to her in the seat without straining the seat belt. "What are you going to do to keep me quiet?" If she wanted to be a little tease, he was going to encourage it. And flirt back when he felt it was appropriate. Ezra was lucky that she was driving or else he would have pulled the car to the side of the road so he could pull her to him and kiss her. At her question on being less shaky, he lifted a large hand and shook it back and forth in a 'so so' fashion. Because now he was shaking for a little bit of other reasons.
"Don’t tell me you don’t like surprises?"
Jasper thought about that for a moment. Thinking on how many times he had surprises in his life. In the military, definitely didn't like those surprises. Those were normally not a good thing. "Guess it depends on who's giving out the surprise." He retorted. Cause to be completely blunt, he was pretty sure he'd like most of the surprises that she would dish out for him. At least when she had that wicked look in her eye and that impish smile on her face. Yeah, he'd get in trouble for her, in a heart beat. Just like he did back at the bar. He didn't even have to think about it before he was charging head first into the situation.
"I have to admit this isn’t really doing the kidnapping theory many favors."
He had to agree with her. She was driving fast, but that was quite alright. He really expected her to break one hundred. Even after he told her not to. The engine could handle it, it was rebuilt and would easily be able to handle the power behind it. But she was dragging him deeper and deeper into the forest that surrounded Lethford. "I'm starting to think you are dragging me out here to get rid of my body once you are done with me." A wicked grin on his face, though he kept his eyes trained on the winding road that she was bringing them down.
As they settled in to a parking lot, he took a moment to look around. It was quite a beautiful spot really. The dock that extended into the water was inviting while the water itself looked like glass it was so calm.
"I think it used to be a camping spot. But no one ever comes here."
Her voice brought him back to reality. And as she unbuckled her seat belt, he did the same to his. "It's really a nice spot." He said calmly, though his hands reached out to her and with a graceful, yet gentle pull, made the move to pull her to him. He waited patiently, had even been a gentleman up until that moment. She had kissed him before. But now it was his turn. One hand settled against her cheek and brought her lips to his. Kissing her tenderly but with enough passion to make her toes curl if it was wanted on her end.
"The whole ‘knight in shining armor’ trope makes a lot more sense now."
Jasper normally wasn't that guy. Well, that was a lie. He was. He was the big man who protected those around him. He was the intimidating one that the girls flocked to when they were together because most people would think twice when they saw him. He wasn't under the impression that he had to save everyone though. He just happened to be a good scapegoat, if one could look at it like that. So in a way, she was extremely right. He was the knight in shining armor. He just didn't know what to say except, "I don't think you could find armor to fit me." He grinned over at her. "So perhaps just the scary mountain."
"Just food and water?"
And that grin remained in place as she tried her best to look as innocent as possible. Oh she wasn't that innocent. And his mind immediately started listing off all the things he could ask in return for being kept in a secret lair. "I have a whole list, now that you mention it. A mixture of basic needs and some wants and desires as well." While she played the innocent card, he would flat out just tell her. He wanted more of her lips on his. The two times they had actually kissed made him crave more. But both times had been after some traumatic and exhausting events. Which made him hesitate. Did she really only kiss him because in those moments she was overwhelmed and had the urge to do something? Though he did remind himself that the first time, he was the one to kiss her first.
He felt a smug look come over him as she dropped the 'sir' and then actually listened to him. Well look at that. Things could change and in good ways. She seemed to at least get the car out of the spot and safely through the parking lot. Which gave him a little relief in the fact that his baby was about to be taken out on the open road. He shifted in his seat, and then let out a breath. It was just a car. It was replaceable. No matter how much time he spent working on it or money that he dumped into he car. Those were the thoughts running through his mind until he looked over at Ezra and quickly, all that mattered was that smile on her face.
"Your turn to play music."
Jasper wasn't interested in the music option at that point. And instead, found himself wanting to take a picture of her to save this memory for him. He fumbled for a moment, getting his mind into gear as he connected the cord to his phone and went through his playlists. Settling on some random playlist of 'top favorites' to start rolling through the stereo. And then he leaned back, trying to relax the best he could while reminding himself to keep his hand on his side of the car. Because he really wanted to reach over and capture her hand with his. "Do I at least get a hint as to where you are taking me? So I can make sure they find my body?" He joked.
"You’d be surprised how well it works, usually. Everyone buys the ‘dumb blonde’ routine."
Oh he was sure she was right. He knew the moment he saw her that he would have been one of those suckers that was sucked into her gravitational pull. Though he would have found himself wanting to protect her, keep her safe from outsiders who wanted to do her harm... That's what he did anyway. Even though he knew her well enough to know that she could take care of herself. Though part of him pictured the girl that showed up on his door step a few weeks ago. The way that she tried to walk away and when he didn't let her, she opened up to him and showed him what happened to her during the raids. He still could remember the bruises around her throat and the cut on her palm.
"I'm not surprised. But that's a shame on them if they think you are some dumb blonde. At least I know the truth." he tried to give her the compliment. Hopefully she understood what he was getting at without him spelling it out for her. Or maybe she would just ask him to anyway, just to torture him a little while she was able to.
"He told me he was involved in the riots at the hospital. I got spooked."
Blue eyes instantly flashed down to her hand and then around the parking lot. He knew that the guy who did those awful things to her was dead. But to know that the man who was trying to play tough guy to him and trying to get handsy with her was one of those who did what they did to the hospital made him want to finish what he started inside the bar. This guy could have easily been the one who hurt her before. "Just helping prove my point on why that was a bad idea here, little one." The anger was clear in his voice. His mind flashed the image of the way Charles had grabbed her and was almost holding her captive. He had to shake his head to clear the thoughts. Glad when she spoke up and gave him the distraction he needed.
"And you think me driving your baby will make the shakes go away? And did you really have to ask?"
He really was a little shaky now. After learning about where Charles had been. Though he found himself chuckling at her reaction. Watching the way her eyes ran between the keys in her hand to the beauty of the impala. "Better you than me right now. I have the urge to go track down Charles and give him a beat down." He freely offered that information. He wanted to protect her. Call it stupidity or just male instinct, but he wanted to do something about what had just happened. And her driving would at least keep him from circling the place and looking for Charles return. If he dared one.
As she got to the drivers side, he made sure he was right on her heels but to the passenger side door. So she was going to be picking their destination? A brow lifted as she smirked and slid into the car. He paused only a moment before he joined her. His hands securing the seat belt around him because lets be honest, he hasn't seen her drive yet and she had already forgotten to buckle herself in the last time they were in a car together. This car to be exact. Except he had sat in the drivers seat. "Are you going to take me to your secret lair and hide me there forever?" He jokingly threw out. Though it didn't sound like a bad deal if that was what was happening. "If you are, just make sure to feed and water me regularly. This big body needs a lot of fuel." He said, patting his stomach as he did so.
"So. What are the rules?"
"Dear lord, I am already worried if that's what you are asking me," He said, turning to stare at her in the drivers seat. She was picture perfect in his mind. Blonde hair down and curled, a dress that flashed just enough thigh to stir his mind, all while smiling at him from the drivers seat of his favorite car. He ran a hand over his bearded face, scratching lightly at his chin as he gave it a good thought on what he was about to let her do. "Don't break her. don't flip her, and please don't wrap us around a tree. Don't break 100." He felt like the first three were no brainers, but she did ask what the rules were. Those were his rules... "And put your seat belt on." A grin tossed her way.
Jasper could still feel his heart hammering away in his chest. His blue eyes locked onto Charles as he was removed from the building. If it wasn't for everyone stepping in, he was pretty sure that there would have been a nasty beat down in the middle of the bar room floor. The pool table or the floor or the wall, it didn't matter to him. He let out a slow breath as he looked Ezra over, trying to let that anger go away. Though as he saw how she was cradling her hand, it only made it worse. His blue eyes looking down at her hand then to her face. If he had hurt her, Jasper was going to be quick out that door.
The bar could stop them from fighting inside, but outside? Charles was going to be free game if he hadn't already left. Her small nod wasn't really reassuring that she was okay. Not with the way she was holding her hand. His expression was grim and full of worry, even as she only gave him a small nod to letting him take her away from the place. He watched her face start to pull herself together, and he knew that this was not the time to tell her how she should not be in a place like this. That men who came here typically were not going there because they wanted to learn her life story and marry her one day. Though, Jasper was there, and he was at least somewhat a gentleman. He definitely wasn't going to pull the crap Charles would, even if he was there to only pick up a girl.
"Yes. I want to go."
He gave her a small nod, liking that her voice got stronger on each word. That was his girl, that was the one that he knew. Not going to let anything stop her from doing what she wants or needs. He opened his mouth to say something to her, but he was cut off by her stepping up, and yanking him by his shirt down to her. He had a foot on her, but he easily swooped down to allow her to kiss him. His hand instinctively buried itself into her wild mane and held her to him while they kissed. Something that should have knocked him on his ass, but thankfully she gave him a small break by leaning away. He stared down at her with curious eyes, only to smile briefly as she thanked him.
It was over too quick, and had he thought more on it, he would have pulled her back in. But she moved quickly and was out of his grasp sooner than the gears in his head started working once more. So he followed her, giving his buddy a wave over the shoulder with a backwards glance. The buddy gave an understanding nod and shouted a quick 'text me later'. Which was not fallen on deaf ears. He was sure that he'd have to explain all of this later. And before he knew it, he was out the door, hot on her heels in case Charles laid in wait. But as he scanned the area, his previous military self suddenly very noticeable, he didn't see him.
"I'm sorry. For that. I was fishing for information. For work."
Part of him was relieved to her hear say that. That she really wasn't here to pick up a man, a man like Charles. But the other part of him was unsure. She could be just lying to make him feel better about it, especially since he had to go in and play hero. He looked her over once more. His head still reeling from her kissing him in there and the rush he had of anger. "You don't have to explain yourself to me Ezra." He wanted to point out that they were not together. But he couldn't find those words in him. "Though I could have told you that it was a bad idea." Her coming in, trying to play up the innocent blonde who seemed interested in what some scumbag had to say? Yeah, not the brightest idea.
He dug the keys out of his pocket as he stared at her bike for a moment. She'd have to come back to get it. Or they could take it now. Which meant driving separately. That didn't feel like the option he wanted to go with. He glanced between the keys in his hand and Ezra in that moment, before he tossed the keys to her. "You up for driving? I think I'm still a little shaky." It was a lie. She could look at him and tell he was not shaken. He was solid, the unmoving mountain. But he had a feeling that she'd want that power right now. And he had a feeling that the smile that would be on her face would be worth him handing it over to her.
