The Gloves are Off

Untitled Part 10

Lunch is delicious, you'll definitely have to bring V back to this spot sometime, she'd love it – the atmosphere, the food, the friendly staff, place is honestly a hidden gem.

"Thanks for the chat, Misty," you smile over at her, having moved to seating on the balcony to get some fresh air and visit a bit more while your food settles, "really needed it today."

"Any time," she grins back and glances around before casually checking her watch, "I might need to head out soon, Jackie wanted to go see that new movie he's been ranting about."

"Ah," you roll your eyes, knowing exactly which one, having heard him on about it for the last few weeks, "good luck with that, he's the worst at pickin' films, always walk out with more questions than anything."

"I know," she laughs softly, eyes landing on you with her warm smile as she squeezes your hand, "glad we can be like this, I don't get to chat much with anyone other than Jackie or Vik, and they're great but definitely not the same as this."

"I hear that," you nod along, enjoying the low smog concentration for once, actually making for a beautiful day, "having some calm female company is a good change, V's great for a lot, like a sister of course, but she's constantly on about some new gig. Go, go, go with her," you snap your fingers in a rolling motion to emphasize each word 'go', almost feeling your head shake in a mix of annoyance and love.

"I'd peg you the wild one if I didn't know any better," she chuckles, nudging you lightly, "good to know someone's smart enough outta the 3 of you to wanna calm down, might rub off on them eventually. Can only hope."

"Yeah," you let out a sigh, sitting up straighter and leaning back against the support of your chair, "each gig feels like one step closer to being out, settling down in some quiet corner, maybe opening a gym of my own."

"Why don't you get out now?"

You meet her eyes, seeing she already knows the answer, but asked anyway, as if she feels the need to make you say it aloud, "can't just watch V and Jackie run in without me, wouldn't forgive myself if somethin' happened when I wasn't there."

She smiles soft, hair brushing over her eyes as she tilts her head a bit, "I do appreciate you keepin' Jackie in line out there, makes me feel good that you got an eye on him. He's too reckless sometimes, can only imagine how he is on a job..."

She trails off a bit, eyes glancing past you briefly with a twitch of her lips as she clearly tries to hide a smirk behind raising her glass for a drink.

You quirk a brow when her gaze returns to yours, just about to turn in your chair when Vik walks up beside you, shoving his hands in his pockets as he hesitantly glances between the two of you.

"Hey Vik," she beams up at him, mischievous look in her eyes tellin' all before you even gotta ask.

He clears his throat, jaw flexing a bit as he runs a hand back through his hair, finally opening his mouth to speak but getting cut off instantly.

"Well," she stands, hastily hugging Vik and waving at you before either can grab her, "I'll leave you two to chat, Jackie should be home by now, byeee."

And she's gone.

Leaving Vik to slowly lower into the chair across from you now that it's been vacated, your eyes cast over the side of the balcony at the passersby below.

"Sorry," he clears his throat again, seeing him shift uncomfortably from your peripheral, "said she wanted me to come have lunch to talk about somethin' important, didn't know I was uh..."

He trails off, rubbing his hand along his jaw in thought.

You can feel his eyes on you, but are reluctant to return his gaze, still feeling awkward and confused.