The Sandman - BOOK ONE

-25-liquid confidence

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(Grayson above)
Song: Talk Too Much- COIN
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-Evangeline's POV-

My heart was beating loudly as Payne left. I could hear my breathing throughout the quiet room.

That man was going to be the end of me.

Payne was such a mysterious figure, hardly expressing any emotion. So for him to show his feelings for me and not try to hide anything is something new.

And I love it.

I feel as though I can finally know him even though he hasn't showed much, just how much we both can't keep our hands off each other.

But he is closed off and almost skittish when it comes to saying more than just a 'fuck off'.

I walked down stairs and saw him standing outside on the deck, looking out at the water. My instincts made me want to go to him but at the same time I waited.

I didn't want to rush things because I knew he was scared. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he was scared of any sort of commitment.

Sandy said last night that he new at all of this and the last thing I want to do is scare him into never doing it again.

But it's not like I'm super experienced either. My ex was different when it came to expressing love, which happened very rarely. He was either super forward or extremely held back.

My thoughts jumbled around hoping Payne would never be like that, but I knew he wouldn't. He just has a little bit of a different aura he lets off.

"Evangeline? Are you okay?" Max asked. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I was just thinking." I said throwing on a smile to deceive what I was thinking.

"Okay. Well the boys are going to go swimming in the ocean if you want to come." He said smiling at me.

Oh, Max. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. His persona when I first met him was completely different than this one now.

"I think I'm just going to sit on the deck, if that's okay?" I said. He continued to smile and nodded.

"Yeah, of course." He said and walked away, chasing after the boys who were already in their trunks except Payne. He followed after them though all the way into the sand.

They immediately jumped in and splashed around like little boys.

I couldn't help but think that most likely all of them have never had a proper childhood. Especially the twins. They were born into their powers so I'm sure they were sheltered or thrown out into the world too quickly.

As I looked up I noticed something.

Payne...Payne was smiling and swimming with the boys.

My eyes bulged out a little at the gleaming smile on his face. Even Grayson was smiling and splashing water at his brother.

They were all smiling which made me smile.

•••

Later on in the night the boys ordered pizza for all and were just sitting around chilling. There were no worries from anyone. Not even Payne.

No one mentioned a mission. No one said anything about The Rebels. No thoughts were shared just the sound of the calm ocean.

I dismissed myself up to my room as I got ready for bed but thoughts popped up in my head about Payne.