I N P U L S A (Loba/You)

•C H A P T E R E I G H T•

The faint mumbles of French was one of the first things I heard once I I felt myself come around. It wasn't the only sound that accompanied me but so was a pounding headache that came along with it. A small groan left my lips and I left my hand raise itself to my forehead. As I opened my eyes, I tried my best to sit up in the bed I was in but found it difficult, taking notice of how weak my muscles felt. The bright lights had filled my vision, only making the pain in my head worsen.

"Mon amie! You're finally awake; trés beaucoup!" The bubbly French scientist had a wide smile planted on her lips. It wasn't only her who was in the room though. My eyes slowly drifted to a sleeping Portuguese woman, sat in a chair beside the bed. I'd be honest, I felt flattered to see the thief by my side. It in fact made my heart flatter. God, this woman will be the death of me. 

"If you don't mind telling me, how long have I been out?" By the look on Natalie's face, it didn't look good.

"Well, maybe you were out for 4 days." I certainly wasn't expecting that. At least it wasn't a week, I'd give her that.

"4 days? Surely the people would have known; the games-" 

"Don't worry about it (Y/N). The games said that you had to take some personal leave to the people. They didn't want to say that their champion was injured from something they didn't even know when you'd recover from." The French woman did have a point. My gaze once again shifted to the thief, who seemed absolutely flawless. 

"How many nights has Loba been here?" I took notice of Loba's hand resting on my bed sheet's, just a small grasp away. 

"She hasn't left your side. She does care for you..." The last part, Natalie whispered to herself but it didn't go unnoticed by me. 'She stayed here? For me?' My hand finally reached out to hers and gently held her. I did appreciate the kindness this woman had shown me and I'd make sure she knew once she woke up. However, seeing as she had stayed by my side all the time, I thought it was best to let her sleep. I can't imagine she would have gotten much anyway. 

As I looked around the room, my eyes drifted towards the paper that was laid out beside me on the dresser. Reaching out for it, I noticed that it was my victory at Sorting Factory on the front page. A wild look in my eye and the electricity fluttering around me. My eyes couldn't help but widen. 'It never did that before...' The power was charged within the jacket, taking advantage of my sweat and kinetic energy in order to generate that power...but why did it look like my eyes look like they were electrified? 

In my confusion, I hadn't realised the thief beside me begin to stir and once she looked towards me, her gob smacked expression was a picture in itself. 

"How long have you been awake?" She lifted her head from the bed, sitting up in her chair. That didn't stop me from noticing the slight blush that dusted her cheeks. 

"Only a little while. Sorry. I just thought you may of wanted to sleep for a little longer." I smiled warmly towards Loba, which she seemed to appreciate as her own smile took over her. I couldn't help but find myself admiring the thief in front of me, my own smile making it's way to my lips. My heart was touched at the fact that she maybe worried about me. 

"You made the headlines that day. Just like everyone said you would." Loba turned her attention to the paper that now laid out in front of me. As I looked down at the image, I couldn't help but feel my grip tighten around the pages, the realisation of the electricity that flowed around me that day becoming more apparent to me. "You look like there was a fire burning inside you. Something fierce that you were trying to prove." Loba's random mumblings to herself caused me to gulp, the memories prior to the event arising. The conflict with Alexander. 

If what I assumed about the doctor was true, I needed to nip this in the bud. If he was to spread random rumours about me, god knows what it would mean for my relationship with the other legends. Especially Loba's who I had became so tender towards. She just knew how to pull every string of mine. 

"I wanted to win. Simple as that." I could feel the glint in my eye as I turned to look back to the thief, her own taken aback look clouding her features. 

Little did she know was that burning fire was all of my lost comrades' spirit awakening in me, pushing me to fight on. 

-------

"(Y/N)! God it's great to have you back!" Ramya was the first to say something, bounding up with so much energy. She seemed to be covered in dirt, grease and grime. It was obvious that she had just finished in her workshop, ready to wind down for the evening. Returning her bubbly smile, I chuckled lightly, straightening my posture. 

"I couldn't let you take all the glory for that win could I?" I joked. The legends seemed to appreciate the upbeat persona that lingered on me, them seeming to relax starting to realise that I was indeed fine. Loba's never left my side, even now she stood beside me seeming to inch closer to me like I would fall at any moment. In a way, I found it endearing; cute in fact. As I turned to look towards the Portuguese woman, a small smile rose to my lips, which she could only return with her own, a slight blush coating her cheeks. The timid look she had in her eyes was something that I wanted to see all the time. She had never been nervous around me so why now? 

"We're glad you're ok (Y/N)." I wished that I could of stayed a little bit longer with Loba but that sickening voice pulled me out of it. There he stood, a twisted glint in his eye as his arms were crossed in front of him, leaning against the wall. I think the other legends were surprised at his show of relief but I could tell that it was nothing of the sort. Just something to get under my skin. "Didn't want anything too drastic to happen...nothing with too much boom..." How? It was blatantly obvious to me that the scientist had found out about my past. This would mean that the two of us would need a little...chat.

"Well I'm fine now. Thanks for the concern, Doc." The tension that was starting to flow through the room was beginning to become uncomfortable, even the other legends were starting to notice the obvious conflict between the two of us. Loba beside me held onto my arm, her soft and simple contact pulling me back, calming me down. 

"Let (Y/N) rest. After all, she has to be ready to fight in the arena soon." I was thankful once Anita spoke up, sending a reassuring glance towards me, asking me if I was alright. I simply nodded, which she happily accepted.

"What's going on between you and the doctor?" Loba whispered, her breath tickling my ear slightly as it sent a slight shudder down my spine. It would of been better if her question hadn't evolved around a certain gas enthusiast. 

"Nothing of importance. He's just been doing some digging and well, he's getting on my nerves." Loba was quiet once I responded, seemingly trying to digest what I said. She hadn't said anything after the question as we made our way to the table, newspapers and dishes scatted across the surface. My frown once again returned to my features as I focused on the front page once again, my war-like state being blown up into proportion. 

Loba's attention went to the paper, her fingers gliding along the paper as she studied the image. When I turned to look at her, there was a flirtatious glint in her eyes as she looked up at me, lust radiating off her. A lump began to form in my throat as her eyes glided around my features. In an instant, her worry about my well being was gone and now a lustful Portuguese woman was in her place. 

"I won't lie, the match was a spectacular sight to see beautiful." That smirk of hers only widened as her eyes travelled down to my lips and I was starting to feel myself burn up, sweating from my nerves around her. I knew she was flirtatious but this was overwhelming. 

What was she up to?