Grim Echoes

Chapter 68 - Will

Will signed the motel receipt and shook his head. He didn't bother to get a room with a couch since he knew Maeve insisted on sleeping with one or the other of them. Adaptation was one of his strengths, but her in his bed caused conflict and made the voice in his head louder than usual. He strolled back to the SUV and watched Ander smile at something Maeve said. Part of why he accepted the bizarre sleeping arrangements since she'd been in their lives, Ander stabilized with no more episodes.

Paranoid whispers in his head reminded him she might be using an ability to keep Ander mentally stable. On the flip side, he wasn't worried about leaving Ander alone or concerned what might happen on a mission. It was like old times before medical school and the sorcerer. Even though he still didn't trust her, he couldn't help but appreciate the benefit of having her around.

Will noted as they carried their bags into the room how serene and focused Ander was. Already talked about the mission and wanted to go out to scout out locations. Ander hadn't been excited about a mission in a long time. Will weighed the options in his head. Andy would be alone for hours. Ander used to do most the re-con because he was so fucking quiet. Was he ready to be by himself? Needed to trust Ander again.

"Is it a good idea to be lurking at dusk taking pictures?" Maeve asked.

Ander picked up the keys and chuckled at her question. "I am fairly good at hiding in shadows. I do this, a lot,"

"Oh, ok." she responded, but her face was lined with worry.

"I will be fine. I have done it more times that I can recall and I am prepared." He showed her the plethora of weapons they always carried. "Alright?"

Maeve let out a breath and nodded before she smiled. Ander briefly touched her shoulder, glanced at him, and left the room. 

**********************************

Will opened the two weapon duffel bags and laid out cleaning supplies. He'd always been a bit of a fanatic about keeping their weapons clean, but after his short time in the military, he was even more so. Unless it was an emergency, he wouldn't use a dirty firearm. Too many things could go wrong, and he'd end up dead or wish he was. He took out his Djarum Black cigarettes.

It relaxed him to clean and organize the weapons. The redundant actions lulled him into a state of peace he rarely experienced. He lit his cigarette and took a long drag, enjoying the spicy flavor. He'd tried to quit at least three times, but the best he managed was not smoking in the SUV or the room when Ander was there. Will pulled out the firearms and breathed in his beloved poison. He chuckled, already hearing Ander's complaints when he returned.

The clove scent filled the room and created a haze around him. Maeve came closer to peer at the supplies. He continued to disassemble the various weapons, but glanced at her, watching him work.

"Can I help?" she asked.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You want to help me clean weapons?"

"I should - well, if we're going to travel together for a while I should learn what all of those are and how to clean them. Since I doubt I'll be any good at using them."

He inhaled. Mischief made his eyes crinkle. Maeve touched her hair, pulling it over her shoulder, and ran her fingers through it. Will stood and moved the other chair beside him before he patted it. She sat. Her hands moved to her necklace and twisted it.

"Always start by cleaning before moving to the lube," he said with a wink. Will disassembled a different gun and told her the names of each piece. He finished his cigarette and answered her questions about the parts before he handed her the barrel and a cleaning rod already covered with the cotton patch. Will took her hands in his and explained how to clean it. Oddly at ease, he enjoyed teaching her about their tools for survival. After they cleaned several weapons, he told her it was time to learn to assemble one.

"Why do I need to know how to put your gun back together?" she asked, confused.

"If you own a firearm, you need to know how to clean it, take it apart, assemble it and use it right." he reached for another cigarette.

"But I don't own a gun,"

"If you stay with us, you will. Never too early to learn." He inhaled and handed her the disassembled firearm. He reminded her how they went together as he led her through the process. After, he dismantled it and motioned for her to do it on her own. She struggled, but eventually got it together. He checked it and took it apart again.

"Again." he pointed to the gun.

"Again?" Maeve picked up the pieces and repeated the process, avoided pinching her skin this time. She picked up speed and finished faster.

He checked it, dissembled it, and then motioned for her to repeat the process. She pinched her lips together and glared at him. He took a long drag and flicked his eyes to the gun. Maeve scowled but did it again, only occasionally glancing at her hands.

Good girl. He smiled at his thought. Most people didn't have a natural knack for it, but she did. Wouldn't have guessed her to be the type. "Better." he put the assembled gun to the side.

Stiffly, she stood and washed her hands. Will continued cleaning the weapons content. She turned around, her eyes narrowed and face tight. He kept his features an impassive mask. The only emotion he struggled to hide was anger. He'd told Ander before, his voice and expressions revealed too much. It'd always been that way, sometimes caused problems, but it also made him the better liar. Maybe because Ander understood more emotions than Will did.

For Will, things were mostly black and white. There was wrong and there was right. There were monsters and there were people. It was their job as Soldiers of Night to protect people from the creatures that preyed on them. Sometimes the line between wrong and right got blurry when they destroyed a monster, but as long as they prevailed, didn't really matter.

Then she'd come into their lives. Will's simple world view struggled to decide what to do with her. He'd met creatures in the past that'd been helpful. Hell, he knew an angel, but mostly even the "good" ones weren't really good. They were just as self absorbed and ruthless as their evil counterparts they just happened to be less destructive, at least to humans.

Wyatt, Will's father, equally hated all creatures and taught Will not to trust any of 'em. He'd told Will eventually creatures and humans alike would betray him. So the best choice was to be self reliant and not trust anyone but himself. Over the years Will found his father was right, even when it pained him to admit it. The only person Will made an exception for was Ander.

Ander had abandoned him to run off to medical school and lied to him about his addiction, but Will knew Ander always had his back. They'd been through multiple levels of hell together, starting with their childhood. Regardless of the situation or issues with one another, they always got over it and supported each other. No human or creature understood and accepted Will except Ander.

"You wanna go out when Ander gets back?" Will struggled to keep the mirth out of his voice.

Maeve had her arms crossed and leaned on the counter. Spots of color brightened her cheeks. "What?"

"I need a drink. You want to come?"

"But you, I mean," she stumbled.

Will took advantage of her discomfort and sauntered to her, let his mouth to break into a smile. Out of character, he put his hands on her crossed arms. A contrite expression passed over his features. "Hey, I wasn't screwing with you, well not exactly." he uncrossed her arms. She didn't fight him. "Ok, maybe I was, but that's a necessary skill," Will's father's voice echoed in his head. "And by the third time you were decent, you barely looked at your hands. You were too pissed at me," he finished with a smirk.

She bit her lip. Will eyes flicked to her pink lips. Wanted them against his.

"Are you always such a bastard when you teach someone?"

Her words told him she was annoyed, but her tone said she'd come to O' Malley's. The lock on the door clicked and opened.

"Yes, he is," Ander taunted.

Will let go of her hands and moved to the sink. What the hell had he been thinking?