Sabretooth and Birdy belong to Marvel, all others are of my own creation.
Reviews and constructive criticism welcome.
"You got some nerve callin' me up in the middle of a kill." Victor's eyes shone in the moon light as he crept in through the sliding doors of the back, into the kitchen. His wife didn't respond. A beer was fetched from the fridge before he cracked it open with his hand and sat heavily across from her at the kitchen island.
"It's not easy being married to you." She admitted around her tea cup, she had yet to look him in the eye.
Creed nodded in agreement. "But you are, and I expect a lot outta you. What am I not givin' you that you gotta run to some other guy for? A man o' th' cloth no less." He left his drink untouched and watched her little movements, trying to ferret out truths.
"When did I lose your trust?" Finally she raised her green eyes to his.
"You never had it." They stared at each other for a heartbeat.
"I didn't realise you thought so little of me. I don't want to be in a marriage like that." She pushed her mug away from her and went to stand, but he caught her wrist and made her stop and look at him.
"You askin' for a divorce?"
"I'm asking you to smarten the hell up, or get out of my life." Emma reclaimed her wrist and left the kitchen.
oooo
Creed had flown down to Washington on business the week before and it was raining there as much as it was raining at home. The hunt kept his mind occupied enough during the night, but by day he was beginning to see what a mess he would become if his wife left him. His appetite was sparse and he hadn't managed a stretch of sleep in days. If it weren't for his healing factor, he would have been hallucinating by now - thankfully though, Victor was keeping his shit together.
Birdy had called him depressed last night while they were perched on rooftop overlooking the downtown streets trying to catch a break. Creed had called her a cow.
She was knocking on his door now. "I know you're awake in there. Let's grab a bite before we head out tonight." His assistant kept the knocking up until he was forced to rip open his hotel door in irritation just to get her to stop.
They didn't talk over dinner. For once, Birdy was minding her own business. She had cleared her throat a few times, but if she was going to say anything, she didn't. Creed pushed his vegetables around on his plate with a claw in between bites of steak. The family restaurant was over crowded and loud, but his target was sitting two tables over and it just made his life easier eating in that dump.
"How ya'll doin'?" The waitress came over.
"Is that a real Texas accent?" He sneered at her.
"No, management makes us fake it, something about it sounding friendlier." Her accent dropped as did her smile and you could tell she was exhausted.
Creed shrugged and replied that everything was fine, permitting her to paste the smile back on her face and attend to other patrons.
"You're fun tonight."
"We're here to work, not sightsee, Birdy." He growled.
"Well, speaking of work - he's leaving." She wiped her mouth on her napkin and watched their target get up from his table and escort his wife and two young children to the counter to settle the bill.
"Finish your dinner."
"Yes, dad." Birdy replied sarcastically and picked up her fork again.
oooo
"Didja have to kill the dog too?" Birdy complained as they exited the residence and made their way back to the hotel.
"Bastard bit me."
It was only a few blocks to the main street and after ten minutes of waiting in silence, a cab appeared and Creed was able to flag it down. It smelled in the back but the cabbie was silent until it was time to pay the fair. Birdy opened the door to the hotel for her boss then called the elevator.
A young couple boarded the carriage with them and Creed wondered what they were doing together. She was neat and pleasant looking while he was dressed like a slob with his baggy jeans around his ass, chains hanging all over him and his hair dyed black and brushed over his face. His mouth hung open slightly like a neanderthal. No one seemed to notice the blood stains all over Victor's pants and coat. Birdy was humming to herself, adjusting her hair in the mirrored walls of the elevator.
Their floor arrived and Creed pushed rudely through the kids, making sure to elbow the punk in the chest, making him shout and wheeze. Birdy tried to suppress a giggle.
They both stood outside their respective hotel doors, Creed gripped his key card in one hand but hovered in front of the lock. Birdy watched him.
"You're not gonna say anything about this whole mess?" He breathed.
"You made it clear that your marriage was none of my business." She shrugged while pulling out her key card. His face contorted into an emotion she couldn't identify but his thoughts begged for words of reassurance. However this time, Birdy was all out of advice to dispense and she unlocked her door and slid inside, leaving him in the hall.
Shoulders lack, he opened his own hotel room door and made his way to the bed where he sat dejectedly for a moment before picking up the phone and dialing home. With every click of the line his heart jumping, thinking Emma had picked up, but finally after the fifth ring, his answering service attended his call. A long message of silence was left until he could muster the will to hang up on his end.
Birdy opened the door that connected their rooms together and leaned into the door frame, still silent.
"Should I book tickets home for tonight or tomorrow?"
"Tonight, I want t'sleep in my own bed."
