House of Cards
The flag fluttered in the breeze, spreading the dove's wings and giving it the illusion of flight. Alec never thought something like that could affect him but the sight sent tingles shooting down his spine. Sure this was crazy, sure the people of Terminal City where cornered like rats in a hole but for once in Alec's life he didn't want to run, didn't want do the smart thing and leave someone else to fight.
He had felt slightly bemused with himself before when Max had made her 'stay and fight' speech and he had found himself raising his fist in agreement almost before he realised what he was doing, but today he felt it, he wanted this to be his home.
He also felt the ache in his arm from the bullet wound that was still healing as well as his other bruises; gifts from White's familiar. Logan had given him shit about it but hey, he hadn't been fighting with lead in his shoulder.
Logan. Alec sighed.
He was standing next to him, between him and Max. It felt uncomfortably like he was staking his claim as he gripped her hand through his glove. Whatever, Max was a big girl; if she wanted to hold the guys hand she could, even if it hurt her in the long run. Her cover story of her and Alec being together was well blown now.
People trickled away in ones and two's back to tasks or to get some rack time before the next shift at the command centre. Alec glanced at Max, still staring at the flag and realised she hadn't rested since the escape from Jam Pony. Sure she didn't need to sleep often but she had been going non stop for several days. Logan piped up before he could.
"You should get some rest Max, you need to keep up your strength." He said, touching her arm. Max looked stricken
"I can't take a break, not yet Logan, there's too much to do, getting water, getting food, I can't let them down."
"I've got you covered Max." Alec broke in "Get some Z's. Me and the L man can hold the fort for a few hours." Alec said slapping Logan on the shoulder jovially. Logan shot him a look that said he was surprised at his generosity but nodded to Max. Max felt so tired she was ready to wilt at their feet.
"I haven't found any quarters yet. I guess I could sleep at Joshua's…"
"Then you'll be crashing at mine." Alec replied smoothly. "Our place is a couple streets from here, come on I'll take you there." He said turning and taking her arm gently. "Be back in 5 Logan. Call me if something happens; you know balls of fire falling from the sky; the riders of the apocalypse; whatever you can't handle on your own."
Max was so tired she didn't resist Alec, falling into step beside him as he led her down through HQ and out onto the street. A few transgenics saluted her and she wearily returned them.
"Since when do you and Josh live together Alec?" she questioned him warily.
"Since he found the best pad in the entirety of Terminal City. Anyway couldn't leave him on his own, the boy gets lonely enough as it is"
She stopped dead when she saw it. The broken Neon sign proclaimed it Tricks and treats bar, the outline of a voluptuous woman beside the name. It had been among other things a strip club. Max's tiredness turned to anger almost immediately.
"No way Alec, I can't believe you dragged Joshua into living here."
"Relax, it's not that bad on the inside." He said unlocking the door. "Josh redecorated. I tried to stop him but all the pictures of naked women are gone." Max stalked inside after him, annoyed she had no where else to go. The interior was dark until Alec flipped a switch. Dozens of strands of fairy lights hung from the roof letting off a soft glow. The walls were a warm ochre; Joshua's abstract murals spiralling over them in aqua and teal. It was surprisingly homely, comforting even.
"We're leaching power off some X6's generator down the road. Josh says he couldn't find any normal lights but I think he just likes them."
The bar had been turned into the open plan kitchen. Comfy sofa's where stacked into the corners of the room. Alec's presence as a living companion to Joshua was displayed prominently in the giant plasma TV and sound system he had boosted from somewhere resting on what use to be a dancing platform.
"Place even gets cable." Alec boasted. Max rolled her eyes.
He pointed her through the large living space into one of the smaller back rooms.
"That's the spare room, the big man was hoping you would come so it kind of set up for you. Josh's mac and cheese in the fridge if you're hungry. Don't drink the milk, it's off by a few days." Alec said almost sheepishly as he turned to go.
"Oh yeah, by the way I think the girls here were doing a bit more than taking off their clothes, they left behind some phenomenal beds." He said exiting too quickly.
Max took her jacket off and hung it over a chair and looked around a little at Josh's painting and even flicked on Alec's TV before she opened the door to the spare room.
Again she stopped dead. A giant king sized bed dominated the space, piled opulently with pillows. The headboard of the bed was strung with fairy lights, a corner of the duvet pulled back to reveal crimson satin sheets. It screamed sex and lasciviousness.
"Figures." She said shaking her head and sighing but she crawled between the sheets trusting Josh had washed them, flicked the lights off and fell asleep.