"Yeah, me too." Karkota chuckled, tough he was still tense, the ever growing sound of sirens really made it seem like things where gonna be okay.
(Whoop, tiny skip)
Of course he wasn't aloud to go with them in the ambulance. He wasn't family, just a friend. If even that. So instead Karkota watched as it speedily drove away.
Tessa didn't hear the EMTs as they reassured her that she would be okay. They inserted needles and asked for different medications. It was all too disorienting, and she simply gave up and blacked out.
(skip to when she wakes up after surgery?)
(Sure! You wanna start or do you want me to start?)
(Uhhh, I'll start with her waking up)
Tessa groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. Her leg and stomach hurt like a bitch, and she was really groggy, but she didn't feel like dying, so there was a slight plus. She cracked open an eye but immediately closed it as she was assaulted by bright fluorescent eyes.
Karkota had ended up walking all the way to the hospital, hating every second of it. And by the time he'd made it they'd told him Tessa was already out of surgery. So now he sat in the corner or her room, his head at an awkward angle, and very much so asleep.
She—probably stupidly—pushed herself to open her eyes and sit up straight. Her stomach protested greatly, but she didn't pay any attention to the pain. Instead, she spotted Karkota sleeping in the corner of her room. "Well then," she croaked to herself, falling back down because the pain had won this battle.
Karkota- being to light sleeper that he was- woke up to the sound of her voice. "Tessa?" He asked rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and wincing at the pain in his neck. "How you feeling?" He looked over at her, concern finding a way to his face.
She looked back over to him, a tiny smile blooming across her lips as she saw the concern. "Hurts like hell, but I'll survive. At least I had anesthesia this time."
"Well that's a relief." Karkota rolled his eyes. "You should really keep an eye out for snippers next time. Getting shot honestly isn't that fun, and I can't imagine you enjoying it." Of course he was joking, his attempt to keep her from ask questions.
"Oh, it's thrilling," she said sarcastically. "Life or death situations? Love 'em. Get your blood pumping." She carefully shifted so she was lying on her side and facing him, her head resting in her arms. "And the whole point of a sniper is to stay hidden. How was I supposed to know when I'd get nicked?"
Karkota shrugged, and laughed at her sarcastic remarks. "I don't know. Maybe wear a wig next time. Look different so you're not so easily picked out.
She scrunched up her nose. "I've been told that multiple times. It's hard to run around with a wig on. It falls off."
"Then do something different with your hair?" He didn't take any of what he was saying serious. Maybe because he'd been worrying untill they actually let him see her. Or even the fact that it was late and the day need up being stressful.
She shrugged, then eyed him closely. He didn't have to be here with her. He could've left her the moment the ambulance didn't let him in. But here he is, asking her if she was okay and suggesting ways to prevent another attack. Not that either of them was actually taking it seriously.
"On the bright side, you don't have to worry about people braking into your house to kill you. Now they'd have to brake into a hospital." Karkota chuckled at his own remark, and leaned back in his chair.
She rolled her eyes. "Ha, ha. You'd be surprised how persistent hitmen can be. I should know." She groaned and flopped back onto her back, closing her eyes to block out the fluorescent lights. "Thank you. You didn't have to do all that for me." She sighed and laid an arm over her eyes. "I don't deserve it."
"Yeah? Well I'm sure they can be. I've met a few crazy ones before." Karkota rubbed at his eyes. Tiredness begging to take him back under, he wondered what time it was. "You're welcome. And you do deserve it. You've been nothing but kind- sorta."
Tessa was about to open her mouth when a knock stole her attention. A dark olive-skinned girl with a mass of black curls invading her face stood in the doorway. Loose strands fell into her blue and green heterochromia eyes (her right is light blue and left is forest green) as she looked down at Tessa, arms crossed under her chest and leaning against the doorframe. She had on a dark tank top and black skinny jeans, as well as knee-high boots. Splotches of red peppered the right side (their left) of her face, then turned into a full-out burn that crept down her neck and right arm, completely covering the limb. They couldn't see it, but the burn continued down her side and tapered off at her mid-thigh.
Tessa visibly brightened as she perked her head up. "Cin!"
The girl narrowed her eyes slightly. "The hospital called me and your family. I already talked to Ben, so you don't have to worry about him." She flicked her eyes over to Karkota, giving him a slight nod in acknowledgment, then back to Tessa. "Two wounds, two men. Your leg was because of the Ragonese crime family. The stomach was a legit attempt at your life from one of your special friends." Tessa sighed and threw her head back against the pillow. The girl continued. "You're lucky Demitri was there to take them both out and make sure you were safe."
"You two are my guardian angels and I love you both to death," Tessa said by thanks.
Karkota was surprised at the sight of the stranger. In fact he'd been ready to stand and possibly fight. It hadn't helpped that they'd just been talking about hittmen. But when Tessa seemed delighted to see the stranger- Cin as she called her- Karkota settled. Relaxing a little, but still on edge. He had no reason to trust this person. Especially if they where in league with Tessa. He was still her prisoner, and any friend that looked dangerous, chances are they where.
Karkota sat quietly, listening to their conversation. Ragonese, no wonder. He thought for a moment, actually surprised at how many crime familys th air city had. Though it wasn't much, it was still funny to think about.
Cin rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, do your guardian angels a favor and try not to get killed a thousand times a day? It'd be greatly appreciated on our part."
Tessa grinned mischievously. "Then what good are you?"
The other girl sighed, rubbing at her forehead as if she were talking to a child. "Your place isn't safe, especially with you holding Karkota with you. I suggest lying low at the safehouse for a bit until I can sniff out more info and help you smooth things over." The way she said, 'smooth things over,' sounded more like 'make some threats and slit some throats,' and less like 'talk it through over a cup of coffee'.
Tessa nodded and sat back up, wincing at the movement. "Cinthia Gryffon, always thinking five steps ahead." She shook her head with a small smile. "Guess I'll be seeing more of you—as opposed to your shadow. Tell the gay boy I said hi."
"I CAN HEAR YOU!" came a male voice.
Tessa grinned and leaned over to yell, "Hi, Wolf!"
In Karkotas opinion, he wasn't being held anymore. He'd chosen to stay. Whether it was smart or not had yet to be proven. Though he did hope things would work out. Even if he was still goning to hold secrets, not really willing to give anything away. Though he wouldn't mind a safe house. Maybe it'd give him time to get their secrets. At least then his father wouldn't be completely disappointed in him for getting kidnapped.
'great. More people.' he thought sarcastically. The more people around the less he could chat with Tessa. He didn't know why that upseted him so much. But maybe it was the fact that he didn't know if they'd be as friendly.
Cinthia rolled her eyes, and a male version of her popped through the doorway. He was around 6'3 with eyes that were just like Cinthia's but reversed. His hair was also a little less curly and untamable, but it still was a fluffy mess. He grinned at Tessa and waved. "Hey, Hunt." He glanced over at Karkota and raised a brow, looking back at Tessa. "You chose a good one."
Cinthia sighed and rubbed at her forehead in the universal, 'You've got to be kidding me,' gesture.
Karkota raised an eyebrow back at the new stranger. Confused as to what he ment by chose. "I'm kinda not here of my own free will" though he was. He'd chosen to came, he'd chosen to stay. "Nice to meet you though." His tone sarcastic and dry. As if saying he really could have lived with out meeting this guy.
The guy was about to say something when Tessa interrupted. "As much as I love seeing my favorite set of twins, I think its time to wrap this up."
Cinthia nodded in agreement. "Wolf, no flirting." He seemed to deflate some. "You're only allowed to flirt with Tessa, remember."
"Except he shot me down," Tessa chimed in.
He winked at her with a grin. "I'd totally date you if you were a dude."
"So you have a crush on Ronan, is what you're saying?"
"Just a tad."
Cinthia actually shoved him out of the room. "Enough. We have work to do."
He rolled his eyes and backed further out. "Fiiiiine. See you guys later."