╰ anything to get the shot || video 003 || ☭

[lastyears_model]

Well, that was… interesting.

I find myself sort of foggy on all the details of what the hell has been going on. Last thing I remember about being here, I was… [ there’s a bit of an awkward pause, a shift sound and then she continues: ] well anyway.

That what normally happens? [ she frowns, getting lost in her thoughts for a moment. If dying

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[action]

[lastyears_model]

[ Elena didn't even hear him coming into their apartment, having the bedroom door shut while she was exploring their room and trying to recall if she'd hidden any film for her camera somewhere other than her dresser. she was assuming he was out somewhere, god only knew where, doing something - something she was also assuming she didn't want to know about just in case it revealed itself to be something alarming.

rummaging through her old nightwear and undergarments within the confinements of her dresser, she raised a brow as the door flung opened and startled at the gruffness of the familiar sounding voice that was thrown in her direction. Lifting herself to stand up properly, she glanced over her shoulder to the treasure hunter and for a moment, shared in his inability to move from being frozen in place.

that was a gun. and he was aiming it at her. and she really wasn't comfortable with that, considering everything that had just taken place in her life ]

Nate -

[ a lump formed in her throat and suddenly, she almost felt like she might be needing to defend herself from a wreck of a man who might be thinking he's losing his mind here ]

Nate, it's me, okay? [ swallowing the lump, she gently raised her hands from the dresser drawer so that he could see them and slowly turned to look at him ] - don't freak out, either, because something tells me that things loaded and I really don't want to go back to that place again, alright?

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[And she would be right in her assumption as Drake makes no move to lower his gun. Instead he attempts to steady his aim, his voice a mixture of pain and anger.]

Don't... don't screw with me. What are you?

[Because as far as he knew he was losing his mind. It was possible. Drake was still having trouble sleeping, nightmares interrupted the precious couple of hours he managed to get when he did sleep.

But on the other hand Flynn was alive. Then again he hadn't died here. Drake knew people died here- the ones he knew about had never come back.

He truly didn't know what to do. If he lowered his gun, if he believed she was alive and that turned out to be wrong, he would be losing her again. He still hadn't gotten over her death- it just wasn't something he could do a second time.]

[action]

[lastyears_model]

Don't shoot me -

[ - perhaps not the best of things to start with, but she'd be damned if she was going to go through the pain of death again and so soon after having come back, too ]

I'm not screwing with you, I wouldn't do that to you, not after everything you've been through.

I saw you in that alley, so many times and I couldn't say anything to you even though... [ even though she had wanted to, time and time again.

she frowned. there wouldn't really be a way to explain this to him because as far as Elena was concerned, she didn't understand shit about the situation she was in herself ]

I don't know what I can tell you, Nate... All I know is I really don't want to be shot or die again, so please don't make me have to go through it again - [ her voice cracked with her words, hands shaking where she was holding them in the air. swallowing yet another lump, she felt tears stinging her eyes - much more than normally having been unable to produce them for some time ] - and I could never shoot you so I can't defend myself against you either.

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[Deep down he could never shoot anyone or anything that looked like Elena. And it hurt to hear her beg like that, the words sat within the pit of his stomach; twisted, knotted up inside of him.

Slowly his gun seemed to lower a bit.

What the hell was he doing, even? Pointing a gun at her, threatening her? He was angry and knowing this might be something just to screw with his head really pissed him off-- but if it wasn't?

Slowly he placed the gun on the dresser that she was standing beside, his fingers still resting upon it. He decided to test her, or it. Drake slid the gun closer to her, but remained where he was. If whatever she was intended to grab it, hurt him, she could do so easily.

He's survived worse. Drake trusted that he would be able to wrestle the gun out of her hands if necessary.

His gaze never left her, though. And his expression became more panged than angry.]

What... do you mean you saw me in the alley? You were dead-- no. You are dead.

[Then in a pleading voice--]

I, I need something to start making sense...

[action]

[lastyears_model]

[ her eyes didn't even bother to follow the gun as it was placed on the dresser, she didn't want to look at the trinket; she wanted to look at him. truth be told, the journalist wanted to move toward him and throw her arms around him, but there was no way she was inching anywhere closer to him until she knew that he was calmer than he appeared to be in the passing moments ]

I saw you because I was dead. I couldn't go anywhere but that alley, I think I was - [ and she hesitates because she's been having the hardest time coming to terms with it herself ] - a ghost. I saw you there all the time, I saw the flower, I saw you fighting with Flynn...

I kept trying to talk to you, or touch you, but I... Couldn't.

[ she would have liked to move her hands to brush at her eyes, but hesitated in moving them for the moment still. she didn't want to give him any reason to think she was going to hurt him since everything that was happening was really messed up right now.

hearing his plea, though, caused her heart to break ]

Nate - [ she had no idea what to say to him, how did one explain coming back from the dead? so she went with the next best thing, because well, she would be damned if she ended time with him again before she had the chance to tell him ] I'm... I'm so sorry about everything, I don't really know how to explain anything to you right now. I don't really understand it myself.

[ lowering her head, she bit her lip ] All I know is, I love you... And you can hear me say it, this time.

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[Admitting to being a ghost, having seen all of those things, should have bothered him more. But right now he was tired and more than anything he wanted to believe she was actually standing in front of him.

However, he was also being cautious, guarded. He didn't want to be hurt again- to have her torn from him. Something had to give. Hearing those words, her own pleas and that... confession. That confession--

Drake had no words, none at all. All of this was overwhelming. If she was alive, if that was Elena, if what she just said was true- then he had nothing to say. It was a lot to handle.

One thing at a time.

So he closed the gap between them, his movements slow and uncertain. He wasn't sure what he was hoping to discover by moving closer to her, but he just let his feet do the work. And his hands. Because when he got close to her, standing right in front of her, his hands were suddenly grasping her shoulders- almost like a reflex.

She felt real. Felt just like Elena. And before he could stop himself to rationalize what might be going on here his arms wrapped around her slender shoulders and pulled her against his broad chest. Head lowering, Drake pressed his cheek against the side of her head. He took in everything- the way she felt beneath his touch, her sweet scent, the warm breath against his neck- yes, her warm breath. Then again her whole body was warm, it was making him warm.

And before he knew what was happening so that he could stop it, his eyes were becoming moist with tears that he was desperately trying to blink away. All he could do was squeeze her, hold her tightly- his way of telling her not to look simply because he could not explain his reaction.

Drake knew how he felt about Elena. It just wasn't something he could come to terms with at this time. Hopefully she understood that much. After what seemed like forever in silence he cleared his throat--]

You... smell pretty good for a ghost.

[It came out a bit gruff sounding, his voice obviously strained. And while the situation was anything but a joke to him, he needed something to distract from the tears threatening to fall. He didn't want her to see them.]

[action]

[lastyears_model]

[ as he was approaching, she felt her body tense slightly. while she trusted him completely, she couldn't help but have a small twinge of worry that he was going to lose it - if only because of how ridiculous this was of a situation to be in and if she was guessing right based on everything she'd seen from him in that alleyway, she could only assume that he wasn't sleeping.

his hands came to rest on her frame and instantly she felt her whole self relax under his touch. her eyes remained focused onto his up until the point in which they no longer could once she was tugged against him. closing her dark gaze, pressing her forehead to nuzzle against the place she'd found the most comfort in another person, the female lifted her arms to almost timidly wrap them around his torso and let him take everything in.

the moment his comment left his lips, though, her grip on him tightened and fingers clenching the fabric of his shirt at his back, Elena let a strained laugh leave her lips, followed shortly by a whimper and a gentle sob. it wasn't as though she was unhappy, she was relieved that he believed her because there simply weren't any other words for her to use in order to explain everything to him and she really hoped that he would understand that. the blond hadn't been looking for him to tell her how he felt in return, she just needed to let him know for herself.

burying her face in the man's chest, shoulders jerking with her soft sobs, she just nodded against him before taking a breath to stop herself from getting any further into crying against him ]

Thanks... [ the word was quiet, but her tone was amused ] ...you smell like a vat of beer, though.

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[Feeling like he had better control over those damn tears, Drake pulled away- though his eyes were a bit red; the tears were no longer trying to fall. She was right and he couldn't argue with her. He looked her over, noting the wetness in her eyes, and moved one hand to cup her cheek, his thumb wiping just below her eye.

Meanwhile his other hand was situated on her shoulder as he studied her before chuckling dryly at her comment. Then he shrugged.]

I didn't realize I would be having company else I would've freshened up.

[And that was all the warning she got before he pressed his lips to hers, tilting her head back, and kissed her deeply. After a moment that innocent kiss turned into something more passionate. His fingers slipped into her hair, entangled themselves in the few strands that fell free. The side of his nose was mashed against hers, making breathing through them difficult.

Drake only let this carry on for another minute or two before pulling away, dizziness claiming his senses momentarily. Though that was also partially due to lack of sleep.]

Now you're secondhand drunk.

[action]

[lastyears_model]

[ the feel of his calloused fingers could not have been any more welcomed against her skin than in that particular moment. smiling through her tears up at the man, she gave a light shake of her head ]

I'll call, next time.

[ and then she was lost in the kiss he was pushing on her. closing her eyes in the surprise of it, her hands immediately went up into his hair, tangling and tousling the mess it was in already somewhat worse. honestly, the feel of his hair running through her fingers had been something she had missed and worried she'd never feel again. after having spent so many nights with him in her bed she had caressed the man there a number of times whilst dozing off, it was something she rather enjoyed, really.

inhaling a deep breath through her nose before he pressed against it to cut her off from being able to do so, she lifted her chin to meet with him more properly and kissed with the same depth and passion that he was. curling her fingers against him somewhat tightly, she took a breath and felt her chest heaving slightly once she was able to inhale air again, lips having parted ]

Better than being a secondhand smoker.

[ she offered him a small, timid but somehow coy, smile ]

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[And he missed that- all of her gentle touches, but especially when she ran her fingers through his hair. It was soothing and on nights where he wasn't tired they could easily help him doze off. Drake was torn between what he wanted more now- touching her, kissing, or falling asleep beside her and finally catching up on much needed rest.

The latter seemed like the obvious choice, in fact he assumed she might insist on doing so, but the truth was he missed her and there was this small, nagging fear that if he closed his eyes she would disappear.

Though he was reluctant to admit that fear to her. Drake stared at her for a moment longer deciding that he simply was not ready to leave her side.]

So... how long have you been back? How do you feel?

[His hands remained on her shoulders, gently sliding down her arms and back up again.]

[action]

[lastyears_model]

Not that long, really. [ not that the woman had a proper frame of time of her return, the last thing she had been thinking about when she found herself back in Somarium was to check the time, to be rather honest ]

I feel... [ for a moment she trailed off, simply taking in the sensation of his hands moving along her own, enjoying that she was able to feel his touch again and feel comfort in the fact that she now knew he could feel her presence as well. there was a slight chuckle in her voice as she replied to him, brought on mostly from the actual lack of humor in the situation. to be frank, she didn't really know how to describe how she felt as of that moment ] ...yeah.

Just glad to be back, I suppose. Better than being back home right now.

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[He was smiling while she was smiling, his hands lingering a bit longer on her shoulders, thumbs massaging the skin there. Drake wasn't about to cease touching her, not until everything fully sank in. But he was significantly calmer, his resolve coming through as it always had and because he didn't want to cause her anymore stress.

His mouth opened, about to respond with something else entirely, when he shut it. 'Better than being back home?' Drake raised an eyebrow.]

What do you mean?

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[lastyears_model]

[ she arched a brow and was about to ask him what he was going to say when he posed the question. a gentle shrug followed and taking his lead on wanting to touch the other, Elena moved to press her palms against his chest. for a moment, she didn't bother to answer. she just wanted to feel the warmth of him against her palms, take in the sensation of being able to feel his chest rising and falling with his breaths and simply be able to tell herself that - yes - she was actually able to touch the man again ]

I'm pretty screwed if I go back. I mean, from Somarium. I guess I'll have to see if I can just... Live here from now on, or something. [ she frowned, but shook it off and lifting her chin, gazed up at him once more ] I think I'm going to die back home.

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[assworthsaving]

[There is a silent, contented sigh felt only by the movement of his chest followed by a small smile. His hands trailed down her arms and covered her own that were currently occupying his chest. Small, soft, warm hands that he could feel through his shirt; just another testament to the fact that she was alive.

But her words were causing a slight distress to swell within him. Why all this talk about being dead back home? Immediately Drake recalled the grenade blast and... Flynn. Had that asshole said something to her?

Drake gritted his teeth together. If he found out that Flynn was trying to scare her he would not hesitate for a second to beat the shit out of him again.

But right now he wanted a straight, clear answer. None of these riddles.]

Wh, What? Elena, what are you talking about? You're just fine back home, okay? Trust me.

[action]

[lastyears_model]

[ uh oh. there was that stiffened jaw she was familiar with seeing from him. just who was he thinking about having to beat up, now? giving a soft frown, she tried to coax his sudden bitterness away by squeezing the fabric of his shirt gently in her hands. now was not the time for anger, after all - they were just talking hypothetically here ]

I don't know. All I know is I can remember seeing the tree and then, Flynn - and I'm pretty sure if I go back, that's it.

[ a beat ]

I mean, that was a freaking grenade - what are the chances...?

[action]

[assworthsaving]

[Her grasping at his shirt did something, but what had the most effect was that it didn't sound like this had anything to do with Flynn. Well. As far as him telling her.

But she only last recalled them being in Nepal- now suddenly this? His jaw loosened a bit as he looked at her, still mildly confused.]

How do you know all that?

[Maybe it was like... Chloe. Chloe had come and gone from here a few times and the two times he was aware of she recalled different things. Had Elena's death stirred something similar?

Bottom line is that it wasn't really important. What mattered was convincing her. He was calm, collected.]

Look, Elena... You get a little banged up, but you survive and, and you're fine. You hear me? [then his expression softened, eyes practically pleading] I wouldn't lie to you and I wouldn't be looking for a way out of here if you couldn't come with me.

[He squeezed her hands gently, his eyes remaining fixed on hers.]

Haven't I made it clear that I don't want to lose you? Not again.