The Negotiator

The Revolution: Part I

Draven awakes from a good night's slumber and looks to his left. Hope's not in the bed but her clothes are still scattered along the floor. Draven gets up and walks into the restroom. He uses the bathroom, washes his hands, brushes his teeth, and goes downstairs. Hope is making pancakes in the kitchen, naked.

"Well, good morning." Draven says in his underwear.

"Good morning to you, sir." She jokes. "I hope you like chocolate pancakes cause that's what I'm makin'."

"I do indeed." Draven says sitting on a stool at the kitchen island.

"Last night was-" she pauses, "fun." She finishes.

"Yes it-" Draven pauses and mocks her, "was."

"Oh god, I take it back." Hope laughs.

Draven laughs and stands. "I'm gonna feed Moonpie."

"Okay." Hope cheerfully replies.

Draven walks to the dog food and picks it up. He pours it into the bowl and puts it back in the pantry.

"Moonpie, eat." Draven says kindly.

Moonpie lays down in front of the bowl with her but wagging and starts to eat.

"Good girl." Draven says as her tail wags in happiness.

"Moonpie is actually the cutest thing ever." Hope says looking back to her pancakes.

"I got a text." Draven says.

"From who?" Hope asks.

"917-848-9999." Draven replies. "Oh wait." Draven laughs at himself. "It deadass says Chris above it."

"What'd he have to say?" Hope says annoyed as she finishes the food.

"When you're done with your android saving crusade, get back to work so we can kill these things. With a wink emoji at the end." Draven reads as Hope places the plates on the island.

"What an asshole." She says grabbing forks and butter knives.

"I want to fight him." Draven says as he locks his watch.

Hope sits beside him.

"Yeah me too." She says taking a bite of the pancakes.

"Fuck this is good." Draven says with a full mouth. "I don't eat often but damn this is next level."

"You don't eat breakfast often?" Hope laughs. "Okay bud." She sarcastically says whilst poking his abs.

"Hey, hey. Not while I eat." He jokes.

"Oh my." She laughs.

"What time is it?" Draven asks.

"Like, one." Hope replies.

"Fuck, really?"

"We had a long night." Hope says patting his back.

"Yeah, true." Draven agrees

They spend their day together at the apartment playing various games, messing with each other, watching movies and munching snacks.

As the night comes and the rain gets heavier, the ring of Draven's watch sends a shiver down his spine and he doesn't know why.

He answers.

"Jameson?" Draven asks answering.

"Draven please get here quick!" He yells over the sounds of gunfire and cries.

"The hell is happening?!" Draven says shooting up from the couch. He signals for Hope to stand and get dressed.

"The president is in the building! The androids are killing us! They're fucking killing us!"