12-05-2014, 11:21 AM
The last few weeks had settled down into strained domesticity with Ayden. The Atharim were still always in the back of his mind. But nothing jumped out at him.
They both went about daily routine- now that Ayden had cut her hours and moved, their schedules coincided much better and they were able to spend the evenings and weekends together, mostly except for the occasional crap shift.
It bothered Connor, though, because she didn't seem content with that part of her life. He could understand that. Back in college he'd been a server and it sucked. He tried to think of things she could do that she might enjoy, careers to learn about, hobbies to try. She needed a life she was passionate about.
But she had to be the one to find it. He'd hoped a job associated with the military might give her a sense of purpose, but that meeting with Vellas had been a waste of time. She had real skill, what with her Ranger training and all, her knowledge of guns. She lived in a world of life and death. He'd accepted that. That little brush with the Atharim in the park made it clear that he did too. That and back at that godforsaken house, he amended. Being a waitress after that just wasn't going to cut it. Working with the military had made so much sense. Too bad. He'd have to keep thinking.
She'd made a friend the other day, Emily. Another American. Rich too, but down to earth, for all that. He was glad for her. She needed her life to be bigger than him. They were out for a girl's shopping day.
He should probably buy Emily flowers in gratitude. God, but shopping was boring. You'd be in the store and just standing there. Other husbands or boyfriends would be there too, that far off glazed look in their eyes as they waited and waited- 'Just one more thing to try on.'- always wondering why these stores only put out one chair. The guy in it now had his head back with his eyes closed. Lucky bastard, he thought laughing to himself. Only time he enjoyed it was when she took him with her when buying lingerie or something sexy. The only time. Other than that, it'd be just standing their waiting, until finally- FINALLY- you had paid and with bags in hand were on your way out to freedom, yes, sweet glorious freedom and there's the door and suddenly it's like a hook around your neck jerking you back as they see something they hadn't noticed before.
Yeah, flowers would do nice. And something for Ayden too. He loved her dearly. She had brought him to life. Had given him hope when he had none.
He'd gone back to Gracie's and Charlie was cool about how things had went down with them. He'd never gone to the fight club again, but he had enjoyed the regular sparring and so became a regular. The Atharim were around, after all. Probably a good idea to get a gun. Ayden would be willing to teach him, he was sure. More than the casual stuff he already knew anyway.
He walked into the gym and greeted a few of the trainers and regulars before going to his locker and getting changed. Charlie wasn't there yet and he wanted to warm up anyway- get the blood flowing. He worked out for about 20 minutes- legs mostly- and when he was done, he saw that Charlie had arrived and was putting on his gear. After a greeting and talking for a bit, they jumped into the ring and for the next hour, Charlie proceeded to kick his ass up one side and down the other. But he could see he was improving- that's what he told himself anyway- even getting in a few shots. He did enjoy it.
He needed a break, though. He was covered in sweat. He toweled off and sat down, drinking his water carefully. He felt good. That post-workout endorphin rush was kicking in. He was hungry too.
Idly he just sat there, letting his heart rate slow.
They both went about daily routine- now that Ayden had cut her hours and moved, their schedules coincided much better and they were able to spend the evenings and weekends together, mostly except for the occasional crap shift.
It bothered Connor, though, because she didn't seem content with that part of her life. He could understand that. Back in college he'd been a server and it sucked. He tried to think of things she could do that she might enjoy, careers to learn about, hobbies to try. She needed a life she was passionate about.
But she had to be the one to find it. He'd hoped a job associated with the military might give her a sense of purpose, but that meeting with Vellas had been a waste of time. She had real skill, what with her Ranger training and all, her knowledge of guns. She lived in a world of life and death. He'd accepted that. That little brush with the Atharim in the park made it clear that he did too. That and back at that godforsaken house, he amended. Being a waitress after that just wasn't going to cut it. Working with the military had made so much sense. Too bad. He'd have to keep thinking.
She'd made a friend the other day, Emily. Another American. Rich too, but down to earth, for all that. He was glad for her. She needed her life to be bigger than him. They were out for a girl's shopping day.
He should probably buy Emily flowers in gratitude. God, but shopping was boring. You'd be in the store and just standing there. Other husbands or boyfriends would be there too, that far off glazed look in their eyes as they waited and waited- 'Just one more thing to try on.'- always wondering why these stores only put out one chair. The guy in it now had his head back with his eyes closed. Lucky bastard, he thought laughing to himself. Only time he enjoyed it was when she took him with her when buying lingerie or something sexy. The only time. Other than that, it'd be just standing their waiting, until finally- FINALLY- you had paid and with bags in hand were on your way out to freedom, yes, sweet glorious freedom and there's the door and suddenly it's like a hook around your neck jerking you back as they see something they hadn't noticed before.
Yeah, flowers would do nice. And something for Ayden too. He loved her dearly. She had brought him to life. Had given him hope when he had none.
He'd gone back to Gracie's and Charlie was cool about how things had went down with them. He'd never gone to the fight club again, but he had enjoyed the regular sparring and so became a regular. The Atharim were around, after all. Probably a good idea to get a gun. Ayden would be willing to teach him, he was sure. More than the casual stuff he already knew anyway.
He walked into the gym and greeted a few of the trainers and regulars before going to his locker and getting changed. Charlie wasn't there yet and he wanted to warm up anyway- get the blood flowing. He worked out for about 20 minutes- legs mostly- and when he was done, he saw that Charlie had arrived and was putting on his gear. After a greeting and talking for a bit, they jumped into the ring and for the next hour, Charlie proceeded to kick his ass up one side and down the other. But he could see he was improving- that's what he told himself anyway- even getting in a few shots. He did enjoy it.
He needed a break, though. He was covered in sweat. He toweled off and sat down, drinking his water carefully. He felt good. That post-workout endorphin rush was kicking in. He was hungry too.
Idly he just sat there, letting his heart rate slow.