fanficWorld| JayBird -- Romance -- Posted: 25/09/2013 -- Updated: 25/09/2013 |
That wasn't what you expected to hear. It was, after all, the largest city in the world at the time – the centre of empire, the heart of Europe, a bustling hive of a million people from all walks of life. But in the midst of all that life, Acacia Byrd was lonely.
It wasn't so bad during the day, when her bizarrely generous PPC pension (the Clover had told her firmly that her retirement would actually lower wages in the rest of HQ by a noticeable amount, so that was a good thing to feel guilty about) and her fledgling jewellery stall meant she could mingle with the crowds, eat at the finest inns (up to a point), and even occasionally be invited to banquets. But when the night fell, and she returned to her apartment in the insula… then it was lonely.
It was funny, in a way. She'd only lived in PPC HQ for a couple of years, but in that time she'd gotten used to always having another person around. She woke up in the night expecting to hear soft snores, to see another bedroll spread out beside hers, and it took a few moments before she remembered that she didn't even have a bedroll any more, let alone a partner.
And she missed it. Oh, not the butchering of canon, the horror of seeing her favourite characters turned into pod people – that, she was glad to give up. But she missed the excitement of missions, the thrill of the chase, the challenge of outwitting the latest Sue – and most of all she missed Jay.
She tried not to think about it, tried to settle into her new life, but every day she found herself thinking about what she would say if Jay were there. All the little comments, the sly reflections on everyday life, which she no longer had anyone to share with. And all the things she never had said…
Sighing, Acacia doused her oil lamp and climbed into her bed. Yet again, she was having to get used to pillows – and she wasn't at all sure she wanted to. What use was a comfortable bed if there was no-one to—
A noise startled Acacia awake, though she hadn't been aware she'd fallen asleep. In the dim light seeping through the shutters, she saw a figure by the window. Then, just as she was tensing up, ready to lunge for her dagger, a familiar voice spoke:
"You," it growled, "never said goodbye."
Acacia's mouth worked silently for several seconds before she was able to squeak out a response. "Jay?"
"That was very rude," Jay went on, not moving from the window. "I could have been very upset. In fact, I was."
"The SO – he said they were finding you a new partner. One who was better suited to you, he told me. Said you and I had just worked each other up."
Acacia couldn't see anything, but she could picture Jay's eyebrow rising, a studied imitation of Lord Elrond. "He persuaded you to leave?" she asked dangerously.
"No," Acacia admitted, "I'd already decided. I think he was trying to make me feel better…" She paused, swallowed, and went on. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just… needed to get out."
There was a sigh, and for the first time Jay's voice returned to its normal register. "I understand," she said. "I'm wearing pretty thin myself. I don't think I'll leave quite yet, but… it's only a matter of time." There was the distinct sound of her drumming her fingers on the windowsill. "Can we talk?"
"We are talking," Acacia pointed out.
"Oh, very me, well done." Jay shook her head in the darkness. "I meant properly. There are… some things I never said. I think we should sit down over a cup of coffee, or whatever you drink here."
"Wine, mostly," Acacia supplied, sitting up slightly. Then a thought crossed her mind, and she clutched the blanket to her chest. "Slight problem – I'm not exactly dressed."
"Ah." There was a pause, and then Jay asked, "Do you want me to wait outside?"
Acacia felt her heart beating faster, a warm flush rising on her face. "Well," she said, before she could lose the confidence to do so, "if you'd rather stay-"
There was a soft sound from Jay's direction that could have been a gasp, a whimper, or just a sandal scraping on the floor. "I think," Jay said at last, in a voice so tense Acacia thought she could have walked on it (if she'd been able to tightrope walk, which was one of the many talents she didn't possess), "I think I might do." She paused for a moment. "Where did you say that wine was? I rather suspect we're going to need it…"
| Androiaavata |
| Sob. How dare you make me cry! I’m a warrior-sorrier-ah-sorcerer-whatever girl and need to be strong.
I love it. Androia |
| DazzlingStarryBrightness |
| That was sooo goood!!!! I luved it sooo much! Jay and Acacia r soooo cute together!!!!
Bye bye, Dazz |
| HrnmsGrbrd |
| This is not nice. Your friend stole my idea to insert good stuff into TOS. I feel offended. |
| Lilith Wydenbrooke |
| das weird. it wuz good sotry i guess but kinda eh and not really connected |