(Metal) Claws of Destiny

Chapter 4 - Reunion

You opened the door, at first not believing your eyes, the time itself seemed to stop for a second as you processed the person in front of you. Feeling the water drip down from your still wet hair down your shoulders however, knocked you back into reality and you decided to let yourself smile, and sigh in relief, for possibly the first time today. 

Before you stood Annelies, your old friend from the university that you studied at, one who you actually, genuinely felt sad about never seeing again. You met jer in your first ever class, she sat next to you, she was a great study partner, and was a very patient, open person to you after the two of you spent some time together outside of lectures, or at least that's what you remember the most about her. Her parents were very rich people, which enabled them to have their own, big company, which aided research of modern science, one she became a part of after your studies have ended. You've read about the new discovery made by their company about a month ago in the newspaper and were reminded of Annelies- what a coincidence, and the irony- you thought.
You wanted to write an email to her to check up on how she was, but her old email address seemed to be inactive and did not receive any of your messages. Finding it weird you decided to just leave the matter and focus on your own life.

You've noticed that her hair has changed since last you saw her, a sort of metallic black colour, reflecting the light of the setting sun, gently falling onto her head from a nearby window. It was all cut short apart from two long thick strands that framed her face and fell past her collarbones, like the pom-poms in one of those hats, attached to the very long ears.

She stood there patiently, letting a smile of her own break out on her face, making you realise that the two of you still stood awkwardly in the entrance to your apartament, without even saying a single word yet.

"Annelies- how good to see you- why are you here?"
It was apparent she came for a reason, still- you had so many questions swimming around your head, how did she even know where you live? You've not contacted her in a long while. 

She cocked her head to the side, her hair moving along with her head, in a fluid motion, like a wave.
Suddenly, as if a switch inside of her head has been flipped, she grabbed both your shoulders and stared at you with an incredulous expression, it seemed that she's just been reminded of why she actually came to you in yhe first place-
"WHY AM I HERE Y/N?! what kind of question is that??? My dad pointed out to me that he read in a newspaper the old man still reads those about how a LAB burnt down- now that wasn't that much of an issue until he mentioned that YOUR NAME IS IN THE ARTICLE!!! AND YOUR LAB PARTNER BECAME A CRAZY SUPERVILLAIN WHO NOW RIBS BANKS??? of course I had to come here immediately and see you and I have been thinking about you so much and I finally found out where you live and-"
You grabbed both her hands on your shoulders reassuringly and squeezed them, your eyes wide with the overwhelming amount of words being thrown your way.
"Woah Annelies calm down! I'm ok I am literally right in front of you, I am alive, now let's not stand out here like weirdos, come into my apartament and we can talk in there"
You lead her by the arm as she was trying to catch her breath from the long rant a couple seconds ago.

"Would you like a drink? Tea? Coffee? Whiskey?"

Annelies giggled at the last option, probably remembering how the two of you got drunk on whiskey that one time while trying to put together complicated chemistry equations, taking a shot everytime you did something incorrectly... Ah the nostalgia

"Coffee would be great thank you" 

She sat down on your sofa and looked around your small apartament taking it all in. You looked back at her while making the coffee, double-checking your suit is well hidden and out of sight. Thankfully it was, and knowing Annelies she wouldn't really go through your stuff- she's not that kind of person.
She was swinging her legs back and forth lazily, looking visibly relaxed.

You made the coffee and headed ovee to her, sitting beside her and passing her the cup. She received it gratefully and began taking small sips on the foam that formed from the milk. After a while she sighed, and placed the cup down.

Suddenly her eyes changed from bright and excited to more sympathetic, her gaze heavy upon you, you knew what was coming next-

"Y/N, I want to let you know that if you need any support I can always give you... money or anything you'd like- I'd even offer you a job, we're currently in Cincinnati-"

You decided to cut her off, not giving her any hope you'd leave New York to begin with.

"Ah, that's-that's awfully kind of you but I'm afraid I must remain in New York, I've got some unfinished business to do"

"Of what kind?"

I cannot leave, people need me here... Otto needs me, all of New York needs me...
Also Cincinnati? That's so so far away...

"I'm afraid I cannot say... but anyway don't worry about me- I'll find a way to pick myself up, I just need a little time. It was great for you to visit- are you staying in New York for a long time? "

You gave her a reassuring smile and tried to change the topic as quick as possible.

She grinned at you wolfishly,
"Oh Y/N- ever since I knew you you're always so independent, its.... inspiring... I'm getting back home whenever, but was planning to stay for a week, maybe two. I missed hanging out with you, like in the old days"

Yes... the old days, the days of discovery and freedom, staying up late and talking... You don't actually remember the last time you've held a long and meaningful conversation with a close friend.

"In that case you're welcome to visit anytime I'm home, Annelies. You know my address, we've definitely got to plan something together"

"actually-

She opened her little handbag and rummaged around for something inside of it.

-here's my phone number, just call me whenever you have the time if you want to meet up, I'll be staying in a hotel that's about 15 minutes drive from here by a taxi, let me know when you're free!"

Nodding eagerly, you took the little piece of paper and decided to stick it up onto the fridge with a magnet, mentally noting to yourself to insert it into your phone later.

"It was great seeing you again, Y/N but I've got to go- you see I only just got here and I promised my dad to call him in about an hour, we definitely need to go out for a coffee tomorrow, if you're free"

Looking at you expectantly, with her big green eyes, she began to get up to make her leave.

"I'll see what I can do"

You gave her a goodbye hug and closed the door behind her as she left.
You walked to the nearest window in your apartment, noticing how dark it had gotten already, the sun has set and all the windows in all the buildings in the city had a sort of dim light, flickering from time to time, like a million of tiny little stars in the sky.

Honestly? you felt quite uplifted after the events of today, at least there was a happy, unexpected reunion which made you smile. It was a good turn of events, which also gained you some confidence, making you think
Everything is going to work out afterall.

Still, you couldn't help but think about Otto...
Where is he? how is he doing?
He most likely didn't have a home at the moment, nowhere to stay.
You wondered if he was warm, wherever he was right now.
Wether you could perhaps give him... some of your own warmth...
A blush crept onto your face and you turned away from the window, downing the rest of your coffee and placing the two empty mugs in the sink.
You laid down on your bed and closed your eyes, thinking many things over in your head.

Hiiii I'm sorry I've not been posting, it was my birthday and then I got terribly ill for like a week 😭 had to do schoolwork while not being able to breathe/coughing my lungs up 😃
anyway hope you enjoy and I'll start writing the next chapter right after posting this one because I have a 2 week halfterm
and finally some time to myself.