Unknown

1.

 There were a few things in this world that have ever kept Averick's attention. Well, two things: blood and sex. Sometimes separate, most times together but nonetheless only those two. Granted when you've been around a few centuries; the mundane things do start dulling. So, why was he still there? Here he was sitting at Tabby's, a failing coffee shop; drinking bitter coffee that left a strange film on his tongue and pointing out missed mistakes in the newest US Weekly to himself. Which for the record, was slowly driving him insane.

Averick shifted in the lumpy recliner he had all but thrown his long body into when he arrived an hour ago and winced, his bones ached and protested the sudden position adjustment. As he glanced up at the giant coffee cup clock that was hanging above; he realized that the sun would be up soon and it was time to head home. He hated "home" more than he hated having to remove bullets from his skin and that was saying a lot. He'd never admit it but somewhere deep down he enjoyed people watching; which is why he came to the only 24-hour coffee shop in this small town. The tss sound of the espresso machine, the clink of the mismatched mugs, and the beeping of timers going off had become his thing.

"Sir?" a voice snapped him out of his usual coffee shop trance and his gaze lazily focused on the face that had been talking to him, apparently. Some shy girl with raccoon eyes going through the "it's-not-a-phase-mom" phase; stood in front of him with a canteen of dark liquid, and motioned towards his empty mug. A few words and a head shake later, he was alone once more which is why he preferred small towns to larger cities—no obsessive hovering. Another quick glance at the coffee clock jolted Averick into the realization that he had better leave now or risk being extra toasty.

He made quick work gathering his belongings and walking out of the front door of Tabby's; right into the compound's main lobby. Per usual; the lobby was dimly lit by the crystals that seemed to drip from the ceiling, and smelt of old leather and cigars. In retrospect, it might've actually been quite classy if it wasn't for the dated wallpaper that belonged back in the sixties and the many unidentifiable stains on the shag carpet. As he started towards the elevator across the room; the thudding of his boots on the black marble seemed deafening this time of night, and even the usual bile below the passed out rookies had been cleaned already.

Leaning his forehead against the solid, silver doors while he waited; he counted the dings of the elevator shaft falling floors towards him. Fuck, it had been a long night. A long, unproductive night and that pissed him off; mainly because he would have to hear about it when he got up. Nothing was more frustrating than being yelled at when your eyes haven't even opened. When the doors finally parted and he got settled in the four steel walls, Averick sighed loudly and resisted the urge to punch his fist through the metal—he wasn't alone.

"You'll never sneak up on anyone if you can't quiet those brain waves," he mumbled into the empty space, after a few moments a musical fit of giggles filled the cage. A grin played on Averick's mouth until the source of the giggles appeared in front of him; and he had to resist the urge to jump back...or hit her. "You really need to work on that too," he further commented. The beautiful creature stared at him with wide, childlike eyes and smiled slowly.

"Maybe, I wanted to get caught." She purred and shrugged. "You're the only one who can hear me."

"Perks of shacking up with a Witch for a few centuries, I suppose." Averick muttered and checked the lit up elevator buttons—only eight more floors. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall; hoping that that was enough to be left alone. It usually was; but not tonight. The steady stare he felt on his face made him twitchy and uncomfortable. "Is there something you want to ask, August? You're starting to become irritating," he sighed out and waited.

"Why are you so late? " August started in, her voice both worried and accusing. "We literally waited for you to get ho—"

"You forever warm my heart; but it's honestly none of your concern." Averick quickly cut her off. He hated being questioned. He hated a lot of things. "I got here before sunrise, that's all that matters." The air around him grew cold and thick. He opened his eyes to see a very pissed off August. He took in her blonde hair that she had been allowed to keep throughout training, and how it fell just above her triangle jaw; and her wide-set ocean eyes that seemed endless. The snarl beginning on her full mouth seemed out of place in contrast to her angelic face.