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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 6, 2018 18:05:19 GMT
240 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Once they moved onto combative attacks, she could feel her nerves picking up. She knew this was all for her own good, but she was having a hard time focusing. As he spoke, it just made her think back to when she was attacked, the way that she was lunged at and tossed around. She didn't think she would be able to think fast enough to fight back.
His hands went around her neck and her eyes widened briefly, although she didn't feel the pressure that she'd expected. Charlotte felt guilty for thinking that Hunter would actually do something that wasn't purely for teaching purposes, but it felt too familiar and it was all really soon. She could feel her breathing picking up, like she was about to hyperventilate or descend into some kind of panic attack, but she tried to shake it off and focus.
Hunter explained what she should do with someone in this position, with their hands around her neck and she couldn't hear him over her own heart beating in her chest. Instead of doing as he said, she shook her head, "No...no. I can't...Let go...I can't breathe." She started pulling at his hands to let her go, her breathing coming faster and more erratic. "I can't do this."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 6, 2018 18:23:30 GMT
105 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
He felt her pulse quickening before she said anything and when she did and started to pull at his hands, he let go immediately and stepped back.
Hunter cursed internally and wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hand up and down her back in a soothing manner. "Alright, okay. We'll stop. It's too soon, I'm sorry." Hunter said in a calming tone as he pulled both of them down to a sitting position.
"It's alright, we've stopped."
Guilt coursed through him as he continued to calm her down, still running his hand up and down her back, telling her that it was okay repeatedly.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 6, 2018 18:34:14 GMT
233 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte was happy when he let go, he didn't even hesitate. When he wrapped his arms around her, she couldn't even feel surprised. She just felt relieved. It was easier to associate his arms around her with comfort rather than something triggering, mostly because she was hit with the smell of him. It made her think back to him letting her sleep in his bed, when she'd passed out to the scent that was surrounding her now. She closed her eyes and nodded against his chest, her fingers curling into his t-shirt.
When he helped her sit down, she focused on breathing normally for a few minutes. Once she had it under control, her head fell into her hands and she groaned in frustration. Her fingers raked through her hair and she shook her head, "I hate this. I hate feeling..." She trailed off and sighed, not even sure what word she could use to describe the way she felt. Broken? Shattered? Weak? There were a countless number of words she could use, but none of them covered all of it.
Charlotte frowned, "I don't think I'm ever going to be okay again. I was living in such small bubble and now it's been popped and nothing is the same."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 6, 2018 19:09:15 GMT
310 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
They stayed in their position until she finally breathed normally. Hunter let her go and pulled one knee up to his chin as he looked at her. She looked even more fragile than the first time he saw her and he just felt even more protective of her.
When she spoke, he sighed. It reminded him of his first tour. He was caught with his proverbial pants down during a nightwatch. His continuous use of his ability had run him ragged and he slept on the job. It hadn't been a long sleep but it was long enough for the enemy to cross their line without him knowing. He was shot and almost didn't get back to base to warn them if not for his partner sounding the alarm at the last minute.
It had been a miracle that nobody else in his troupe got hurt except him and again, if it wasn't for his partner, he would've been discharged from the military. That feeling of helplessness while he crawled in the dirt to get to his partner still haunted him to this day.
He enlisted knowing that things weren't going to be sunshine and daisies but that incident was a wake up call on how his life was at stake every day. For his ward to feel that way made him feel even guiltier because it had been under his watch that she got attacked.
"I understand, Charlotte." He responded after a while, stroking her hair gently. "That's why learning to defend yourself is so important. So that you don't feel...helpless." He still didn't know whether that was the right word to describe how Charlotte must be feeling then. "I can't tell you a lot because there are so many things I still don't know but it's vital that we get you prepared. For whatever that might come."
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 6, 2018 19:31:03 GMT
309 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
She wiped at her face when tears starting falling down her face. If there was anything that she hated, it was crying. The fact that she couldn't stop no matter how much she cried drove her crazy, it was never-ending. It was sickening and annoying and only made her want to scream.
What surprised her was that he was comforting in his own way. Despite all that they'd gone through, the arguing on her end, the frustration between them, she felt better having him there than she would being alone. Her eyes closed and she nodded with his words. She needed to learn to defend herself, she knew that. It was just getting past the initial shock of it all. The shock that she had to worry about defending herself now. Sure, she had a protector, but he was only human. He could get as hurt as she could and if he did, she had to be able to get away.
Charlotte sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "Do you think I can though? I mean, I just had a panic attack because you had your hands around my neck, Hunter. You didn't even add any pressure, they were just there and I freaked out. How can I be sure that the same thing won't happen in a real life scenario? Where the attacker won't listen to me when I ask them to let me go." She turned to look at him and her lips tilted up in a sad smile, "You may be good at what you do, but your efforts might be wasted on someone like me. I'm just a snobby, rich brat after all."
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 6, 2018 19:44:36 GMT
104 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Charlotte's fears brought a frown to Hunter's face before he looked at her, hooking a lock of hair behind her ear and smiling lightly. "You need to cut yourself some slack, Charlotte. It's only been a few weeks since you got physically assaulted." He said.
"You think I became this badass overnight?" He tilted his head with a small teasing grin. "I've been in the military for ten years and I'm still learning to defend myself."
He sighed softly. "I won't push you today. We're done. But I'm here every day, Charlotte. If you think you're ready to try again, just say the word."
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 6, 2018 20:00:19 GMT
200 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte laughed lightly at his question and rolled her eyes, "I never said you were a badass." She grinned at him and shook her head. It was safe to say that he was starting to grow on her. Whether it was because he'd saved her life or because he was constantly around or even if it was because he'd comforted her when she was down on herself, he was growing on her.
She took a deep breath and nodded. Eventually she was going to have to try again. She couldn't wait around until the next attack came.
Charlotte glanced at him once before dropping her eyes, "So, I know you have to be professional and all. I get it, but you're kind of the only friend I have. I'm asking because I know your job description, I'm just hoping you'll bend the rules just this once. C-can I hug you? Or is that too weird?" She looked back up at him and couldn't help the smile that was tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Please?"
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 6, 2018 20:15:05 GMT
162 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
"You didn't have to say it." He smirked playfully, relieved that she was in a lighter mood now. He found himself liking it less and less when she was in a sour mood, especially if he was the one causing it.
He was doubly relieved when she agreed to his request. He ran his fingers through his hair and released a breath he didn't realise he was holding.
Venturing a glance towards her when she began speaking again, his jaw tightened at her request. The look on her face softened him considerably and he wanted to comply but they weren't the only ones in the house. He was still so wary of his superior catching wind of their fraternisation but that look on her face was his undoing.
He turned around to check for onlookers, surprised he wasn't seeing any. And dare he say it, relieved.
"Yeah, come here." He scooted closer to her and adjusted his sitting position to accommodate her.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 2:36:13 GMT
221 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte couldn't keep the smile from her face as she watched him look around like they were about to do something super controversial. Obviously it wasn't exactly normal for them to be close, she was his employer and he was supposed to be protecting her. But their circumstances were different, she didn't have very many people that she was around and he had proved that he cared enough about her to comfort her when she needed it.
All she wanted was a friend that she could go to about something like her attack. It wasn't as though she could talk to anybody else about it. She didn't even think that she wanted to.
Hunter scooted closer to her and she wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressed against his chest. She gave him a squeeze and smiled to herself. Charlotte was smart enough to keep it short. When she released him she ducked her head and tried to think of something witty. Her eyes lifted and she had a small smirk on her lips, "Who'd have thought I'd have any kind of affect on such a stick in the mud?" She nudged him and laughed.
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 2:44:03 GMT
75 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Hunter was relieved that Charlotte kept the hug short. Not because he didn't like it but he could pass it off as something casual should anyone comment on it. He was already treading on thin ice just being this close to Charlotte.
When she pulled away, Hunter chuckled at her remark before standing up and ruffling her hair. "Is that what I am to you?" He asked, holding a hand out for her to take.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Mar 7, 2018 3:01:05 GMT
206 Words
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Waiting Game
I wish I was in love
Charlotte swatted at his hand when he ruffled her hair and she smiled up at him. His question made her snort, "Uh, yes. Huge stick in the mud. Mega uptight." She took his hand and stood up, not lingering too long on the fact that she didn't mind the physical contact from him in any way she got it. He was just a comforting person to be around, even as short and uptight as she made him out to be.
"I'm just happy to know that I'm working my way in there and making you semi cool to spend time with. It almost brings a tear to my eye," She placed a hand dramatically on her chest and grinned wider at him. Charlotte pursed her lips and looked down, she wasn't ready to go back inside and back up to her bed. She didn't want to be holed up in her room anymore, but she knew that she wasn't ready to go back to learning pressure points either. "How long do you think it'll be until I feel normal again?" She lifted her eyes up to him.
But I don't wanna cause any pain
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Mar 7, 2018 3:09:44 GMT
186 Words
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so here i go
Bid farewell to yesterday
Hunter chuckled lightly, shaking his head at her response. She could hardly blame him for his behaviour. Loathe as she probably was to be viewed as just a job, she undoubtedly was. Him being this familiar with her was going to get him in trouble, like it or not. There was nothing neither of them could do about it.
But at least she felt better now. Hopefully it will tide her over for a while.
He pocketed his hands in his sweatpants and rolled his eyes at her cheekiness, a hint of a smile ghosting his lips. He was ready to go back in but there was hesitance in Charlotte that he couldn't quite ignore. Her comment after had him sighing inaudibly. He wished he had an answer she would like to hear.
"Everyone deals at different rates but it will get better." He said finally, though it was still too soon to tell whether he felt better about what had transpired eight years ago.
He bent down to pick up the mats, hitting her playfully at the back with it before heading into the house.
Oh sweet ignition be my fuse
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