Author Note: Jeez, that first draft was a shitshow. Again all mistakes on me.
Remember vote, comment, parkour <3
*
Archer remembered how this felt; to be on a wave of obsession and he was not happy about it. He had meant to stop outside of Kora's door. He had grown accustomed to visiting her because she was always happy to see him.
Instead, he found himself walking down the hallway that used to send him into a rage, knowing that the body he wanted to wrap himself around, had left him. He couldn't help it, he was pulled toward Mina's direction. It had always been that way and a two-year absence had made him forget what it felt like.
How could he forget the feeling of wondering where she was? What was going through her infuriating mind? If she missed him... even if he was away for merely hours? Did her chest get tight with anticipation? Did she run through scenarios of their conversations, words intermingling like sex?
It had been like a cold draft sneaking up on his skin. He had not expected with Mina's absence that he'd revert into the "Archer" that had existed before he had hunted, separated, and cornered the only girl who had ever tempted him. Mina had been the only soul that he'd wanted to chain to him as a slave. God, it wasn't like he hadn't been made offers from clients vying for his favor. There had also been slaves, both men, and women, who had broken protocol to beg for his favor.
He turned them all down. It hadn't even taken a single thought.
To him Mina was beautiful. Though, if compared to Sati or Kora anyone would find her the less beautiful of the two.
It was as if his land had built her out of the mud and cool water then breathed power into her to act as a constant torment for him. He would not forget the singsong voice of his grandmother warning him that he would ignore the land to his foolhardiness.
Sometimes, she said it over and over in his nightmares.
He didn't have to put in the six numbered code to Mina's door. He had an emergency thumbprint scanner put below the keypad so he could get to her more quickly when necessary.
She had gone out of her way to make necessary more often than naught at the beginning of their...what? Relationship?
Pressing his thumb into the pad, the door quietly slid open. Mina slept like the dead and would be hard-pressed to get out of bed. He didn't mind because Mina was adorable when she was unconscious and couldn't mouth off.
He often wonders if this is what Ranger felt like when dealing with Sati? Like they were so entwined that it was difficult to be apart? He had long ago stopped being annoyed with Ranger's attention toward Sati. To begin with, he adored Sati and with Mina in his possession, he couldn't help but understand.
*********
A body slammed into the mat and made me jerk out of my drowsiness. It was too early for this mess. I guess when you have a criminal empire to lead it was important to keep everyone in top form.
"What the fuck ever Kaz!! You fucking griefer!" I glanced around from my seat to see Tiller and Kaz in a knock-out, drag-out brawl in a caged mat that was used for a sparring area. They broke apart for a moment both breathing hard.
Tiller was watchful and Kaz was crouched in a sleek position. I had to admit they both looked...very nice. While their faces were screwed into harsh concentration, ready to read the weakness of the other, their shirtless...ahem...built bodies were worth keeping my eyes open for.
Then, with a simple blink, they launched at one another; Tiller powerful and focused, where Kaz was fast and precise. Their clashing attacks ended up in a stalemate of sorts with them both hitting the mat with a loud boom.
What the hell were they arguing about at 5 a.m.?
"You fucking dick! This is why I don't play with you!" Another dull clash of bodies.
For fuck sake.
I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to fight off the wave of sleepiness that had been in the wings since Archer had woken me up. I had been pulled out of bed and into his arms, my body still slack from sleep. The line between sleep and consciousness was always a vulnerable time for me.
Mostly, because I woke up...ready for anything. I had a theory that it was seeded in my body's reaction to all the times I'd been woken up to Archer sliding easily into my morning wetness.
He had always been amused at that as if he hadn't been the bastard who conditioned me that way.
And right now? Even though he had forced me into leggings and a hoodie just to sit here and do nothing, I could not not admire how just gorgeous he was. It was so stupid that I could look at him in sleek, black joggers and a fucking white T-shirt and want to climb all over him.
I might as well take a black sharpie and write, "Forever Archer's" all over my forehead.
I wondered when I would get sick of waiting for him. My life was constantly a cycle that revolved around him and his feelings. How long would it take for me to get so exhausted from being tied to him? Thinking about him? Even in the two-year break I had, he clung to me. His ghostly presence mattered more than Alma or Ben or even Ricci.
"Enough!" A sharp command broke through the air and froze everyone. It would almost be comical if I hadn't shivered at the sharp tone because I'd heard it enough times.
And of course, because it was Archer, no one moved a muscle. Except for Kaz and Tiller who were locked into a battle of chokeholds.
"NO! NOT UNTIL KAZ ADMITS THAT HE WAS GRIEFING." Tiller's rant got cut off because Archer, who I could tell was annoyed by the way he hurriedly ripped his shirt off, tackled them both to the ground.
Nice to see they still acted like complete idiots when the mood struck. I'd seen some all-out brawls because of a damn PlayStation.
I knew that this little spat wasn't going to work itself out until they had beaten the hell out of one another. Archer also wouldn't have engaged if the training wasn't over, which meant I could get back to my fluffy white duvet as soon as he stopped fucking around.
The only thing Archer had let me keep in my now barren ass room. Bastard.
The other soldiers in the room abandoned what they were doing to watch a LAD battle royale. The excitement made me curious. It was nothing two years ago for any of the LADS to try and bullshit one another. They would roughhouse over...dumb shit. I'd seen black eyes and busted lips over the rules of UNO. It had seemed so juvenile and I had secretly felt that this childlike behavior was endearing. I didn't know everyone's past but it seemed like a wholesome thing and a reprieve from their roles as being killers.
A crowd formed around them and I couldn't see anything. I could hear their punches and just closed my eyes. They'd sort it out like children.
**************
When I opened my eyes it was to see his highness standing in front of me. His bare chest had red splotches and handprints
"Ar-" I started when he reached down and fisted the front of my sweatshirt. He easily pulled me to my feet.
He smiled at me, blood between his teeth.
"Let's go." He ordered half pulling half dragging me behind him.
"Hey, Mina? Don't let Archer be a bitch! He was trying to show off for you, baby girl, and you fell asleep." Tiller yelled across the room, his kilowatt smile large.
My face heated slightly and I glanced at Archer who threw a dirty look at Tiller.
His hold tightened on me but he lifted his other hand and flipped Tiller off. When he pushed me through the metal door of the locker room I could still hear Tiller laughing loudly.
The way Archer was maneuvering me was becoming annoying. I wasn't a god-forsaken doll. I was fully capable of walking myself.
"I can do it!" I snapped taking a chance of pulling away from his body.
Archer's eyebrow lifted slightly and he waved me on ironically.
"Okay." He teased. His arms slid from my body but his hand maneuvered around to rest on my hip in a very intimate 'we're a couple' gesture.
Me and my big ass mouth.
Walking into the locker room, the main corridor branched into several areas. One was for general soldiers and one for higher-ranking individuals. Which in this part of the Community belonged to the LADS and personal teams.
I started toward the LAD wing but felt a pinch in the middle of my back.
"We're going this way." He said shaking his head in amusement.
"Since when do you go to general?" I questioned not liking how easily I let him know that I knew his habits.
"I'm glad you remember Mina. But today, it's general." He pulled on my sweatshirt again and smiled, charming and playful. Archer had an alluring look on his face and I fought off the warm feeling that wanted to spread through my chest. Memories of being...happy.
Mina, you are not a teenager, get it together.
Opening the door, the steam and sounds were like an intense pulsing that overwhelmed me for a second. The air kind of tensed when they noticed it was Archer who had walked into the room but it quickly turned back into a well-meaning atmosphere when we disappeared into the stall.
For being general population the setup was mighty nice. The long stall was luxurious with slated metal. I could almost stretch my arms out to touch the walls but not quite. On one side was a bench made from bamboo that was hip level. On the opposite was a bamboo counter with a large bowl basin that had a modern shiny faucet. There were amber bottles of soap and an impressive aloe plant.
Behind Archer, the shower area was dark with a thick shower curtain tied to the side. He plopped his bag down on the counter beside the sink and started to rifle through it.
"Sit." He said without looking at me.
Happily, I wanted to snip but he seemed like he was in a good mood despite what Tiller teased earlier. I really didn't want to do anything to provoke him today, I decided.
Maybe tomorrow. Knowing me probably in about fifteen minutes.
I sat on the bench and pulled my knees to my chest. I stretched out the sweatshirt and put it over my knees. When I was settled I pulled the hood over my head. Even though it was kind of humid from the ongoing showers I was kind of chilly.
Also, considering the fuck fest Archer put me through yesterday I didn't want to give him ideas. Though, I couldn't help but glance at the muscle moving in his back and the large colorful back tattoo. And I might have had a quick flash of getting wet but all that was interrupted when Archer turned on me suddenly.
He raised an eyebrow at my position. "Mina, when are you going to grow up?"
"Possibly next week. I'll keep you posted." I mumbled, hoping he didn't catch me staring at him.
Archer made an unimpressed grunt and began to unwrap the black strips tied on his hands.
