Finessed by the Tiger // Lemon//

Chapter 2 ( Tora's POV)

I froze, hearing how upset she was with me. It was like all the words I was going to say were suddenly stuck in my throat. Man, I fucked up, I started running my hand through my hair while I tried to figure out what to say to her. I stopped when my fingers schemed across the strawberry hair bow that she had lent to me. Just holding it sent my anxiety running, but what do I say to her? What can I say to her without leading her on or straight into danger, after all the life I live is not a suitable life for her. I should warn her again.

Tora: "Fine, but the box that ya are tryin to continue fitting me in, isn't me.

// Silence//

The other end of the phone was still silent. I could hear her breathing softly into the speaker, and it sounded like she was holding back tears. Shit man, you almost made her cry again, what are you doing? Closing my eyes, I said "night Bobby...", not wanting to say goodbye to her again. I just can't seem to say goodbye, maybe it's a sign.

Poppy: "Night Tora" she whispered.

I waited on the phone, frozen, not willing to move a muscle or end the call. She let out a sigh and hung up.

I was already sitting on the floor for most of the conversation, with Quincy staring wide eyed at me has if he had seen a ghost.

Tora: "What ya lookin at"

Quincy: "Big Bro, you got it bad. I have never seen you cling to a phone so tightly, like it was your lifeline."

Tora: "Mabey it was, and maybe she is"

Quincy: "You know you can talk to me right; we made a vow to always have each other's back. Business is business, and yes you might work for my father and the organization, but when it comes to life outside of the clan, I gotcha."

Tora: "I know man, I just...."

I don't even know what I am trying to do right now, let alone try to describe it to someone else. I dropped my head into my hands. Gyu was different, he understood me on a different level, a level derived from experience. Something good comes into your life and then out of nowhere it gets taken away. It always gets taken away, that's how it has always been. First it was my mom, then most of my friends, then my dreams.

Vincent made me into a fighter, one that was shown no mercy, and no love. Whereas Quincy, although he joined in on the training, his was never at the same level of depravity has mine. I had no power, no freedom, and no personality. I did what I was told, or I SUFFERED the consequences. I shuddered and took a deep breath before answering Quincy.

Tora: "I dunno, I just don't want her to be taken away too. She has so much life and freedom, all the things that I can not offer her. I just can't watch her get hurt and loose the same things I lost a long time ago."

Gritting my teeth, I looked up at Quincy. He was staring at me with regret clearly written all over his face. He put his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes.

Quincy: "I know big bro, I know. I wish things were different, but I don't think she cares what you have to offer her, but rather what she can offer you. Try looking at it in a different light. Any who, she told you to go to bed. Soo to bed you shall go, hence Poppy's orders."

Pointing a finger Quincy gestured at my spot on the floor.

Quincy: I'll go find you a pillow, if there even is one in this so-called man cave."

Tora: "Who am I to disobey the cute little hamsters orders..."

With that I smiled to myself, and layed down. Maybe she is my lifeline, one I never knew I needed. I put my hands behind my head and stared at the ceiling, resisting the urge to sneeze, I looked over to my left and here comes Quincy bounding down the hall with my t-rex pillow. He stopped and looked at me. Then with a smirk he threw the pillow down at my face.

Quincy: "Here you go boo boo, now you get that beauty sleep. Is it okay if I crash here? I'll take the bed; someone has to get your moneys worth out of it."

Tora: "s'fine now get lost"

Quincy: "Okay, okay, let me just go and move your car first. Wouldn't want it to get towed again."

I rolled over, tucked myself in, and tried to get her out of my mind. Within minutes, I found myself slowly slipping into unconsciousness, fueled by the rain rhythmically beating on the window. Her night might have ended in tears, but I will do my best to make sure that that never ever happens again.