"yeah."
after rose had arrived, taking a look at both of their injuries and sufficiently disinfecting nik and diagnosing all of tessa's chest trauma, and advising she come in for surgery but if not she could care for it these ways. nik gave tessa a slightly awkward pat on the shoulder before she left, not deeming it safe to kiss or hug her.
as soon as she left, he slumped against the wall. he knew this would happen, he wasn't surprised. but it still stung.
The trip back to her place was a blur, but as soon as Tessa made it back, she broke down.
She leaned against a random wall and slid down, ignoring the pain as she felt silent tears streak down her face. She had done the right thing, hadn't she? This was for the best.
She got up, wiped away her tears and shut off all emotions as she called Savannah to tell her about her injuries.
No more. She'd get close to someone no more.
(Timeskip?)
(yeah who's starting)
(I can start. Are we doing the roommate thing?)
(maybe neighbors! you good with that?)
(I'm good with that! Unfortunately, I won't be on much today. There's a dysfunctional wedding I must attend down the street in my grandparents' backyard.)
(ah damn, good luck with that)
(Thanks. But I shall post the time skip starter in a minute)
Two Years Later
Finally, the weight holding down her down was lifted. She no longer needed to kill. She no longer worked for the Mafia. She was no longer being hunted.
She was free at last.
Tessa hummed happily, music blasting her ears through the earbuds, as she walked to her new apartment. The family had taken away her access to their money, so now she was living off of her job as a dance and singing instructor. She didn't mind one bit. If anything, she much preferred the cozy and simple life as opposed to her previous lifestyle.
She walked through the hallway until she found her apartment number. She smiled happily and brought out her keys. A new life. She was getting a new life. Her smile grew as she thought of all the possibilities that awaited her.
two years later, nik lay in his new apartment in the district of lights. that's what he called it, at least. the building was only a block away from his parents, and he had just finished moving in and could not be happier. not even the lingering memories of taking neon's greatest assassin out on a date here could puncture his happy mood.
his parents had supported him a bit while he bought the apartment, but he was completely on his own now. he worked as a journalist, and a part-time gymnastics instructor (surprisingly, leaping around a city for 10 years will get you some expertise in some places.)
the sound of footsteps and an opening door caught his attention. huh, maybe someone moved into the next apartment over. it was empty before, after all.
Tessa left her door open, thanks to her lingering fear of being locked up, as she headed into her new home. Her baggage was dropped to the wooden floor, and she sighed in immense relief.
Her attire was her usual somewhat revealing outfit. A light, long sleeved, off the shoulder crop top, bleached high waisted jean shorts, and simple sandals. The look was topped off with her hair pulled up in a thick high ponytail, a bandana headband, and some hoop earrings.
She sighed again and looked around from where she stood in the doorway. A new life. The statement repeated itself over and over again.
he might as well go greet them, it's not like he had anything else to do today. nik rolled off of his couch, pulling open his door and knocking on the frame of the other apartment to get her attention.
Tessa spun around, mouth open to say hello, but she went completely still. Her mind went blank, and her eyes were wide.
nik raised his eyebrows, 'hey there' sticking in his throat. after a few seconds, he coughed (still a death rattle, even after two years) and straightened himself out.
"hey there. you, uh- i thought i'd say hi to my new neighbor?"
(now you've thrown him off his rhythm lmaoo)
"Uh–um… Hello there." Tessa didn't know what to do. Two years since she basically abandoned him. Two years, and he was virtually unchanged.
his clothing had changed, his hair was less scraggly, and he had seemingly abandoned the "sultry-and-mysterious" expression he wore in neon, but he was ultimately the same person. and he looked at her, and she seemed relaxed. happy. god, was that a sight for sore eyes.
he shook off the uneasiness. they're just two people who have met before. no biggie.
"i believe we've met before, miss hunt. how are you doing?"
She unruffled her figurative feathers and smiled slightly. "Amory. Fancy seeing you here. I've actually done quite well, thanks. How about you?" Simple and casual. Just two old buddies bumping into each other.
"things are going nicely. what brings you around here?" he leaned his shoulder on the doorway, a painfully familiar habit.
She hooked a finger behind her towards her apartment. "Moving. Quit my night job and got kicked out, so I'm living a surprisingly honest and simple life. Wanted to find a new life here."
"i'm assuming you took a certain someone's suggestion." he teased lightly, briefly checking out the apartment behind her.
"I may have taken up a suggestion, yes." She smiled at him. "This place is too nice to pass up." Her apartment was simple and still relatively empty. She had plans to spruce it up a bit, though. Once she had the money.
he smiled right back. "indeed it is. well i'll see you around, hopefully. we are neighbors." he left with a wink, heading to exit the building. he had a good while to get to work, but didn't really know how to continue that conversation.
She offered a small wave as he left, a little disappointed the conversation had ended. But it was awkward, and she knew it. No point in making it worse.
She checked her phone and cursed. She was late for an interview.
he arrived early to the studio, getting changed and waiting for the kids to show up. teaching kids to fling themselves into the air while distracted, always a good combo. damn.
after the shift was over, he emerged from the building, still in the tight clothes. they needed to be washed anyway, might as well just wear them home.
Tessa waited as patiently as she could for the guy to call her name. She was at a local dance studio that she had heard was a big deal 'round here. Sure, she had experience. A lot, actually. But she didn't exactly look like a typical dancer. Maybe that is what was taking him so damn long. She might as well book it before being humiliated in front of a ton of other more mature and slim women. Damn, they all looked like models.
he flopped down on his bed, pretty much exhausted. hard work, that is. nik vaguely remembered one day where he had picked up some sort of oil for tessa after a dance thing. was she still doing dance?
i really need to stop thinking of her. it's been two years, stop being a hooked baby.
After an agonizing wait, the guy had shooed away the women and demanded that Tessa stay. Apparently, he had been on the phone with her previous employer/teacher. Discussing her. He said that he was a fan of her style and looked forward to seeing her more often.
She came back home with a bounce in her step, completely overjoyed. Now she had a fulltime job at a bigtime dance studio, a new home, and no mental baggage. Life was great so far.
But once she saw the door on the other side of the hall, her smile and preppy walk faltered. Nik…
he heard footsteps, mind immediately wandering from the twitter post he was reading and back onto tessa. fuck, she's home, isn't she? did she change her number? he could send her a text, a… neighborly move, just for if she needs anything.
Tessa forced herself to fish out her keys and unlock her apartment, the back of her mind nagging at her to see if Nik was home. It wanted to pick up what she had thrown away. Wanted to ask him if he was up for a cup of coffee or something. She shook her head and pushed her door open, flicking the light switch on and heading inside. Out of habit once again, her door was slightly ajar.
well okay dumbass, here goes. at least be casual about it
nik figured he'd go get dinner, not having energy to cook. but on his way out, he left a sticky note on tessa's door.
you're going to get robbed one day, keeping your door open like this. stay safe!
- your favorite