Things that remind Serena of Sigefrid

 

January 31, 2022 | Haruka x Sebastian

Haruka had an extra spring on her step when she clocked out of work.  It had been too long since she's been excited to play a racing game at the arcade.  It often felt like work blended into her freetime since she was competing against fans. 

Why would it be different today?  This time she'll be playing for fun against a friend.  No need to sign autographs, take pictures, or try to show off her skills.  Michiru was always bugging her to go out and make friends.  Seems this is a win win situation for everyone. 

Haruka arrived at the arcade at 5:15 PM.  She sent a text to Sebastian. 

"Hi Sebastian n'Serena Morningstar.  It's Haruka.  I've arrived at the arcade.  Are you here?  Ready to challenge me in a race?"

 

Sebastian had been working on something for a... Would he call them a friend?... and had stayed a little late in the office, having forgotten about his plans with Haruka. When he received her text, he texted back simply, "OMW", put his stuff in his red leather messenger bag, and ran out the door. He stayed just within the speed limit and arrived at about 5:30.

He strode in purposefully and looked for Haruka, then decided to shoot her a text.

[Okay, I'm here now. Are you by the bikes or the cars.]

 

[Wonderful! Let's race cars first. We can shift over to motorcycles later.] Haruka spotted Sebastian and waved, hoping it'll help him spot her.

Haruka smiled as they inserted quarters and settled into their seats. The car engine roared. Countdown started. "Ready to have some fun, Sebastian?" Michiru often told Haruka she was reckless on the road. She should see what Haruka is like at the arcade.

There's no thrill if you don't make sharp turns last second. Of course, the race is more enjoyable if Sebastian and Haruka are head to head most of the time. As in most experiences in life, you have to make the start and end count. Unless Sebastian has some tricks of his own, Haruka should gauge what kind of driver he is within the first 20 seconds of the race.

"Ready. Set. GO!"

 

Sebastian grinned as he spotted Haruka and sauntered over to her. He normally didn't carry change on him but this wasn't the sort of arcade that accepted cards, so he'd gone to the bank to get some quarters. He was relieved she wasn't angry about him being late; normally he wasn't.

"I'm always ready for fun," he replied.

The second the race started, they were both off like a shot. Sebastian was a criminal defense attorney in his day-to-day. He'd been picked up on DUIs in law school and had been able to graduate by the skin of his teeth, but ever since his best friend, Trent, had hired him as his startup's lawyer, Sebastian's driving had followed the letter of the law.

But at an arcade, in a race where there were no real-life stakes, he was free to let lose completely. His driving appeared erratic-- drifting in and out of lanes when they *weren't* neck-and-neck, seeming to only make turns at the last second, and a few times it looked like he would crash into something-- but he was actually rather precise. He almost drove like he was trying to lose a tail ("Drive like an idiot," the wisdom went), but since there wasn't terribly much that could be done to that end in a racing game, he didn't quite pull it off.

"Having fun yet?" he asked Haruka as they passed the third checkpoint.

 

Haruka grinned as Sebastian n'Serena Morningstar inserted the coins. It seemed he gathered enough change to check out all the games at the arcade. Of course, they'll mainly stick at this spot. The sign said people can spend 45 minutes max at each game.

"Woah. It seems I underestimated your skills. Have you been practicing racing on your phone or gaming systems at home." Of course she knew he was playing on muscle memory. It takes more than practice to make swift turns without crashing.

"How many times was your driver's license revoked? So far, I've experienced that twice."

She laughed as Sebastian zoomed by. "I am having a blast! About time I faced true competition."

There were two rounds left. Would Haruka remain number one? Would Sebastian beat her top score?

 

Sebastian laughed easily. "I've been picked up for a few DUIs but far enough in between not to have to worry about my license, and all that was back in Boston anyway. I was a bit of a wild card in law school."

He spoke while continuing to maneuver his car. Most of his friends didn't like riding along with him because of how reckless he appeared, so it was nice to let loose for once.

The fact remained, though, that Sebastian drove wild for fun every once in a while, and Haruka raced cars as part of her day-to-day. While they were neck-and-neck for a while, it was ultimately she who pulled first.

"Good game!" Sebastian said as "Insert Coin" began flashing on the screen. "Do you want to go again or try the motorcycles?"

 

Haruka raised a brow and smirked at Sebastian n'Serena Morningstar' response. "Look at you, being badass. I'm sure it was also a good way to stand out among your peers."

The adrenaline rush can be addictive. Each time, trying to reach for higher limits. What if the next wild activity is the final one? If it is, Haruka hopes she'll go out with a blast. The worst punishment ever is to get in an accident and be put in a comatose/vegetative state.

A good life doesn't have to be a long one.

"Phew, that was a close one." Haruka nearly finishes a minute or two ahead of her competitor. She beat Sebastian by a mere 15 seconds! "Let's try again. I want to know I truly beat you instead of just luck."

January 31, 2022 | Serena's diary

 No one has been around today. Maybe they all think I'm being annoying. I've been left to my own devices before. I didn't like it. Xander hasn't fed for days, once again. Am I not even good for being vampire food? I've also been on standby in case the club needs anything. So far, they haven't. I don't know what to do with myself except keep writing inane rubbish.

Dany was surprising last night. Sometimes he's nicer than others. Last night, he was nice. I don't know how to describe it, but it made me feel a little less lonely. I remembered how we met before. Duckie introduced us. I offered him my best skill, or at least the one people seem to value the most. It didn't go beyond the offer. It's too soon to tell whether I'll regret not following through the moment we met up again. He likes the way I look, or seems to, but when he finds out the truth about me, will he switch to constantly insulting me, like... like some have?

I don't want to think about that. It's heartbreaking.

The only person who hasn't broken my heart yet, out of all my involvements, has fittingly been my husband. But it's only a matter of time. There have been days I've been afraid to go home in case I were to catch him with someone. Hypocritical of me, isn't it? He scolds me, sometimes. For not coming home enough. For spending my time chasing after men who seem to hate me. Okay, so maybe I'm breaking my own heart. Maybe it really is all my fault.

I feel certain Luci has explained why he loves me, but I don't remember, and it doesn't make sense to me why he, or anyone, would. What could anyone possibly see in me, besides my good looks and abilities in bed?

I thought maybe Erik and I could become friends, thought he was over hating me, but apparently that's not the case. He did just get out of the hospital, so it's not like he doesn't have reason to be pissy, but damn, I didn't put him there!

January 2022 | Serena x Sigefrid

 Written 4/11/22 but takes place in January

"Why did you... hide the truth from me?" Sigefrid demanded. Serena thought it was a fair enough question. Actually, she'd been waiting for him to ask.

"Because I had no way of knowing you wouldn't be repulsed," she said quietly but clearly. "Even the vampire I feed, who claims to love me, has trouble with it. My body. I really am sorry to upset you. It's just that I wanted you so damn much. I still want you. And I didn't-- I couldn't take it if00"

He cut her off, seeing she was clearly about to cry. "Why me?" he asked sharply. "You're a beautiful girl. Sort of." Ignoring her clicking her tongue at him, he continued, "You could easily find someone who's into your situation. Why go after me?"

The look she gave him was becoming familiar by now. So sweet and tender, almost like-- no. He shook his head slightly. It couldn't be.

"You'll accuse me of sucking up again, but it's because I find you, specifically you, attractive. No, don't scoff at me, it's true. You're strong. Manlier than anyone I've ever met. You clearly don't let anything stop you." She touched his blade wrist gently for emphasis. "Oh, and the fact that you literally have a weapon as part of your body doesn't hurt. I like your beard. Your hair. Your lips, among..." She glanced downward. "Other things. You fascinate me, Sigefrid."

He couldn't deny that his ego was soaking up the attention. The ghost of a smile twitched at the edge of his lips despite himself.

"You cook good," he offered, shoveling some food into his mouth, relenting a bit just for now. She smiled at him, her eyes misting over.

"I'll cook for you anytime," she whispered.

January 30, 2022 | Serena's diary

 How is it that Sigefrid can hold me and kiss me so nicely at night but be so cruel during the day? Luci doesn't understand why I insist on maintaining a relationship with him. Are we in a relationship? Skorpa and Dany seem to think so. But he barely touched the food I made for him, and he seemed so resentful when I asked him to eat. Of course, I did later find out Erik and Skorpa were in the hospital. Dagfinn is recovering from a punctured lung. Harley is sniping at Sigefrid about everything, which is adding to Sigefrid's stress, and when he's stressed, he's mean. I really don't like Harley.

Dany has night terrors. I told him Trent used to have them too. What I didn't tell him was that I did too, more recently but still years ago. When Trent dropped out of grad school, I had them every night that I wasn't completely blacked out. But when I was, I would wake up in bed next to someone who kept me safe. Luci. But it's a lot to explain, which is why I didn't try to climb into bed with Dany.

I like Dany. Not as much as the men I'm actually involved with, but with different timing, who knows? He likes me, too, or at least, he's flirted. I rebuffed him for Sigefrid's sake. Again, I don't know if I should consider Sigefrid my boyfriend, but better safe than sorry, right? Which, paradoxically, is why I can't tell him how I really feel about him. It's bound to scare him off. But I've done everything I can to make it clear that my utmost loyalty is to him, including pretending I didn't care that my friends were hurt.

I can be honest here. I was out for blood the moment Sigefrid got hurt, and I grow hungrier for it the more I learn about my friends' injuries. I've been training with Maze and Duckie to learn how to dual-wield Millie and Tillie. I want to help. I want to fight. I want to kill. But I also want to buy them a proper safehouse or two. Somewhere a bunch of bikers would never be expected to live, a gated community, maybe in the Hills. No HOA, but possibly a thriving Nextdoor community on neighborhood watch. It would be a lot more secure and a lot harder to hit.... Don't get me wrong. I love the clubhouse. It's my favorite place in the world now. But it's not safe. If anything else were to happen to anyone but especially Sigefrid, I couldn't live with myself knowing I could have provided a resource but never offered because I was afraid of hurting someone's pride. Maybe I'll ask Roulet about what's on the market that could accommodate all the charters currently in town.

January 28, 2022 | Dress Up Dagfinn

 

"Oh look, it's almost time to play Dress Up Dagfinn again!" Sebastian cackled merrily.

"Ok sense when did I become everyone's Ken doll!?" ~Dagfinn

"Are you a Ken doll?" Sebastian asked him. They'd always gotten along, but he couldn't resist needling his friend a little. "Allya hadn't mentioned. But you look good in anything and you have the confidence to pull it off, so why not?"

"..... Now you're talking to Allya? Sense when?" Dagfinn replied in a tired voice though he did manage a small smile.

Sebastian's eyes widened for a moment. Had he, as he was now, talked to Allya? He didn't remember.

"Might've crossed paths once or twice," he said lightly. "Seriously, though, man. You don't have to wear them if you don't want to. Just figured I'd lighten the mood."

January 27, 2022 | A Woman’s Husband Is Her Heaven

 

SERENA

"Unless that woman's name is Freya, apparently."

 

FREYA

 "He IS my Heaven...that's why I am so damn mad at his actions thus far!" She grumped softly. "I love the stupid, old man....why are we constantly fighting?"

 

SERENA

hehehehehe, "stupid old man".

 

FAUSTUS

"I'm not the one starting the fights."

 

SERENA

"Oh my gosh, you IDIOT! You should know how to END THEM, though!"

 

FAUSTUS

"How am I meant to comprehend the trappings of a woman's mind!?"

 

TRENT

What's funny is that you're both seeing men in their 40's and you're both grumpy about the way they act.

 

SERENA

Okay, but my husband is nice. The man in his 40's whom I'm seeing... less so, except when we're in bed together. He holds me so close and kisses me so hungrily 🥰 I just wish he could be sweet to me during the daytime, too 🥺

Serena -> Harley - Panic Texts

[Stop showing off, you're not impressing anyone.] ~ Serena, to Harley

 

[The absolute fuck are you talking about? Who the fuck even is this?]

Harley frowned down at the phone even after sending the response. Had to be Vaugn or someone acting like a dick faced obnoxious cunt right? Well that was the first thing to pop into his head. 

"Yo did you really go wash your bike this morning? Of all things? What happened to I'm bringing breakfast back?" Dany was suddenly popping off as he came wandering into the kitchen area where Harley was leaning on the counter and Easton was staring at the coffee maker like he was attempting to make it work faster with his mind.

"Oops…. I forgot…. If it's any consolation I forgot breakfast was a thing to" He replied looking almost like he wanted to laugh as he cast an eye to his brother who currently stood there still in nothing but his pajama bottoms with an almost depressed look on his face. 

"Well technically it's past lunch at this point you fucking weirdo. Fuck I'm so hungry" Dany sort of whined as he moved for the refrigerator to start digging through it.

"Yeah well maybe if you'd gotten up like a normal person…. " Harley snorted. Then again they weren't the only late risers. So far after everyone had been gathered and brought back to the club house to crash most were either still asleep or just being lazy. You could hardly step without running into someone and the main area light was still off seeing as Sigefrid was asleep on the sofa and hadn't budged even when Easton had gone stumbling past and nearly tripped on his son's head earning a whiney bitch fit from a mostly asleep Brody.

"Yeah no, why would I do a silly thing like Maaaaannnn why is the fridge here perpetually a graveyard. Yay a yogurt I'm gonna starve" He remarked in a whiney voice as he snatched the yogurt out and soft of glared at the container like it had offended him.

"Check the date" Easton added in a dull tired voice still staring at the coffee machine.

Groaning Dany let out a sigh and thought for a moment when he saw Easton was onto something. However after thinking about it for a moment he eventually decided fuck it and moved to grab a spoon. Which immediately got him a look from Easton who heard the silverware clanking. 

"What is wrong with you??…" He stated, giving Dany a major judgement frown.

"What? It's only two weeks old. If I did I die in fuckin hungry bitch" Dany fired back before moving to hop up onto the counter. 

"That's disgusting…. " Harley muttered before moving his own light blue hues to look briefly down at his phone once he'd felt a text come in from Finely about a more private matter back home. 'Fuck…. Awesome…. '

 

Serena frowned at the return message.

[It's Serena, you oblivious fuckwit], she sent back. Then she actually checked the recipient of the message and realized the number was one digit off from the person she had been trying to contact.

[FUCK, I'M SO SORRY! Wrong number!]

Then she thought about it.

[No, wait, I'm un-sorry. You're probably also an oblivious show-offy fuckwit, so fuck you, too! >=( ]

She would probably regret sending that many follow-up texts to a wrong number… if she cared enough. Right now though was not one of those times. She — well, Sebastian — had been calling in favors left and right with other lawyers, the DA's office via the Plimpton family, the police department via Lucifer, anyone who might have any information on Kjartan's crew. She had pored over the pieces of information she had received until her eyes bled, trying to put the pieces together to resemble something of a plan. Of course, she trusted Sigefrid and his men had this handled, but still, if there was anything she could do from the bureaucratic side of things, anything at all….

Sebastian had taken a leave of absence from most cases to focus on this personal vendetta. He was still representing the members of the MC who happened to get jammed up, and still representing the hooker-killer Serena had briefly dated. That was about it at the moment.

Serena had gotten her extensions professionally attached and spent most of her time in drag, though she had learned the hard way that a dance belt was probably a better bet for long-term wear than staying in full chastity overnight, especially when she and Sigefrid had some moments to spend together. A soft smile graced her fox-like face when he crossed her mind.

Now she was on her way to the clubhouse, where she spent much of her time. She had practically an entire army's worth of pancakes, eggs, potato cakes, and bacon packed into thermal bags in the backseat of her Solstice (the Ford was registered to Sebastian and the Roadster was too precious to bring here again after that firefight that started this whole mess), knowing those men probably wouldn't be DoorDashing.

She parked and headed in with one bag, giving a perfunctory knock before entering. "Food's in the car," she said by way of greeting.

 

By this point Harley had left Dany to his old yogurt doom and Easton bitching away at the coffee maker and simply headed back out into the cool mid-day air where he found Cnut sitting on the steps watching his two boys running around giggling and playing in the lot with Dwarf, Skorpa's big Cane Corso. Moving to sit beside the younger male Cnut was soon offering him a hit of a joint, hardly any words needed and for a moment he eyed it in thought but finally reaching to take it he took a hit and just sort of stared for a moment as one of boy took off running and screaming for the road area.

"HEY!!!" Cnut finally shouted loudly which got the boys attention and he stopped seeming to think before shouting to his little brother and taking off for the junker cars behind the shop.

"You all need to gate that shit off…. Seriously" Harley finally stated slowly blowing the smoke from his lungs before moving to hand the joint back as he began to cough a bit as the smoke hit his lungs a bit hard. Oops. Feeling his phone buzz he fished it back out and sort of raised an eyebrow at the apology. "What the fuck" he muttered and for the moment ignored it clicking it closed again as his eyes went to the street in thought again.

"Yeah I know I've brought it up before. That shit with the dump truck never would have happened if we had shit fenced off. Or it would have been more difficult at least" Cnut replied shaking his head, his eyes moving to follow both the little red headed boys who were now climbing up onto the hood of an old car. 

"No shit…. Sigefrid and Erik need to get their shit together. This shit still ain't safe if they decide to hit us again and we both know that" Harley told the other in a very unamused tone. Cnut he liked, the man seemed to actually have a brain unlike some of this whack-ass charter.

Feeling the phone go off a second time he sighed and rolled his eyes soon picking it up he sniggered seeing the sudden change in tone. "Someone's mad at someone…. Check this out" He mused moving to show Cnut who was soon studying the messages with a very confused expression. 

"Wonder who the bitch is. Cause that is some woman shit if I've ever seen it" Cnut stated pointedly especially seeing that whoever it was had text more than once and sounded completely batty.

"Hey look who it is" Cnut suddenly mused with a snicker as a car pulled up. Serena, greeaat. Though he did briefly smirk as he heard her saying something about food in her car from behind them. 

"My brothers gonna eat all that shit before anyone's even awake" He snorted as he cast a look after her briefly and simply moved to pull a cigarette from his kutte as he eyed the phone.

[No thanks. I'm probably to good for you. 😉 🤣] He eventually sent back before moving to light his cigarette and casting another look towards the kids as he heard one screaming. 

"God fucking damnit!" Cnut cursed as he moved to stand and stomp off towards them shouting.

Inside hearing Serena's voice Dany soon popped his head from the kitchen.

 "Did you say food?" Oops he'd been a bit to loud. Or maybe they'd just been in general finally as Sigefrid suddenly let out an annoyed growl from the sofa and rolled onto his back. 

"Dany! If you fucks don't SHUT the FUCK up!" He snarled a bit deliriously still laying there hardly really awake just yet despite having been listening to Dany and Easton way to long.

 

Serena felt her phone go off just as she was about to step inside. She checked the message and rolled her eyes.

[Ew, as if! It's a figure of speech. I happen to be taken.], she texted back, then slipped her phone back in her purse and slinked inside.

"Yes, I said food," Serena answered. "It's in the dark blue Solstice out front. There's some bags in the backseat and some in the trunk. Help yourself."

She sat beside Sigefrid and gently smoothed his hair. "Hey. You hungry?" she asked gently. Without waiting for a response, she began pulling Tupperwares and utensils out of the thermal bag she was carrying. Each Tup contained some pancakes, eggs, bacon, and maybe a potato cake or some hash browns. She'd also brought condiments and she started pulling those out, too, then offered Sigefrid a tup and a fork.

 

[My point still stands. 😂🖕]

Harley sent back only a few seconds later before snorting a laugh and shaking his head. Annoying ass bitch. Thankfully though a message from Brody popped up over the club chat and the annoying person was soon forgotten. The other male was bitching that he'd apparently been there all night and someone was supposed to come switch with himself and the other two there standing guard. Right, well he just needed to go grab a couple of people. He had a few things to ask the other charters secretary anyway.

Moving to stand he turned and headed back for the club house door and nearly crashed directly into his brother and Easton both just as he opened the door. "What's the hurry?" He asked a bit tiredly shooting Dany a raised eyebrow. 

"Food… Duh… Oh hey guess who texted me and said you need to answer your God damn phone?" Dany mused sniggering as he waggled his eyebrows at his brother before continuing on across the porch. Even Easton sort of snickered and cast Harley a sympathetic yet amused look as he passed to follow Dany.

"Bout to break my phone" He muttered eyes rolling so far into his head it was a wonder they came back down. Shaking his head and letting out a slow breath he finally moved to head into the club now looking a bit next level annoyed.

Meanwhile Sigefrid hadn't been shocked to see Serena and tiredly glaring after the other two he moved to sit all the way up tiredly staring for a long moment before he processed she'd spoken at all. "Yeah…. " He muttered before reaching a shaky hand for the pack of cigarettes on the table. Ok maybe he'd actually slept to much seeing as after drinking so much last night and rather quickly he'd passed out at one and it was now at least noon. Somehow he'd been able to sleep right through most of the night owls but now he definitely felt like he was dragging with every movement.

Fishing a cigarette out with his teeth he soon moved to light it just about the time he heard the door and the boots against the concrete. 'I swear if it's something this early in the day' he mentally groaned though outwardly he did let out a slow breath in irritation even before the other charters VP finally stopped not far away.

Using his boot Harley was soon kicking the much younger male still asleep on the floor at the edge of the carpeted area. Head shooting up Asa looked a bit bug eyed and blinked. 

"Get up and around your brother needs someone to switch with him" Harley simply told the other who groaned and slowly moved to roll over clearly fighting to wake up some.

 

Serena felt her phone go off again as she was pulling out food. She passively observed the others. At least there was never a dull moment here.

"Cool… You should probably eat something before you start smoking," she said. She reckoned that, knowing him, there was a good chance he was at least partially hungover — aww, too late.

She opened an iced coffee and set it down, then opened one of the Tupperwares and placed it in front of him on the table. She debated whether to try to physically feed him, but he seemed irritable — more so than usual, and with good reason — so she just went and made some more trips to grab the rest of the food. Her trunk and backseat had pretty much been overflowing with bags when she had pulled up. Some had a mixture of food and drink, some just had juice and coffee and chocolate milk.

When all the bags were brought in, she went back to Sigefrid with a Tup and drink of her own. She reached into her purse and pulled out a bottle. "Do you need medicine?" she asked quietly. "This one is new. It should handle pain without making you too high to focus, since… it looks like focus is pretty necessary."

 

To say Sigefrid would have reacted poorly to that was an understatement. Not to mention he was very much still waking up as he let his eyes follow her away from the sofa as she went to help carry in what food she'd brought. 

"You look like shit" Harley noted with a bit of a chuckle as Sigefrid cast him a rather dull glare. 

"Way to state the fucking obvious Harley… This couch is a piece of trash" He added a bit grumbling as he sat forward to ash in the ash tray sort of eyeing the food for a moment before his dark hues shot over to Asa as he went stumbling by mumbling something about his brother under his breath. 

"You know if they decide to shoot this place up again they can right? What's stopping them? Why haven't you at least gated off the club house?" Harley finally asked not really giving a shit the other had just woken up. Frankly he found it vagally irritating Sigefrid seemed to half give a shit about everything he fucking did and sense he got here it had gotten annoying.

"Oooohhhh here we go. And if they plowed that down with a dump truck? Or were you even paying attention when we told you that shit at all" Sigefrid smarted back rolling his eyes nearly into the back of his head. 

"That’s just a fucking excuse Sigefrid. I didn't say out a chain link now fucking did I? But right now we're supposed to be on lock down and there's baby's running around out front like nothing's going on. If those goons pulled back up do you think they'd fucking care past shooting anything that moves?"

Sigefrid let out a bit of a frustrated breath and moved to put his cigarette out. "One Cnut’s the idiot I'm assuming who's kids are out there? His fucking stupid decision. Two, if you're so paranoid why don't you do something about it then. You're the one with SO much fucking money…. Or did you spend that on your ass rhinestones" Sigefrid finally shot back in an almost childishly immature tone. Mainly because he was already irritable and this had to be the tenth conversation he'd had with Harley the was just Harley BITCHING about how shit was done here, how shit was set up. As if he had any room to talk just because he was older and from and older charter at that.

"Wow you know what…. Never mind. Forgot you literally only care about shit when it's fucking convenient…. " Harley finally replied all to annoyed sounding. Ok so MAYBE starting shit at this hour hadn't been the BEST decision but come the fuck on! Four guys watching the hospital!? They quite literally had family on the property including wives, kids, siblings, close friends, parents…. And Sigefrid was sitting there acting like who the hell cared if something else happened. Not to mention Harley hadn't heard a DAMN thing about what THEY planned to do for retaliation or even a meeting on the subject.

Turning Harley nearly ran into Serena and for a moment glared directly into her eyes. 'Big ass bitch!' but a moment later he was moving back for the hall to track down a few others to drag with him to the hospital.

Sigefrid merely sat there silently glaring until Serena had moved to sit down and his eyes moved back to her as she mentioned something about 

"Looks like…." He muttered a bit sarcastically as moved to grab the coffee and leaned back on the sofa looking a nice level of irritated. 'What’s next? He'd be telling him how to fix his own Harley! Know it all self-righteous bitch!' he thought staring off for the moment.

 

"Do your eyes work?" Serena snapped at Harley as he nearly ran into her. "Watch where the fuck you're going!" She'd caught the attitude rolling off him in waves and decided she definitely disliked this man.

Then with Sigefrid, "Hey." Damn it. He probably hadn't heard a word she'd said. She rattled the pill bottle to get his attention, then uncapped it and held two pills up to his eye level. "Yes? No?" she prodded.

 

Reaching up Sigefrid took them from her and shot her a bit of a glare before popping them into his mouth and taking a few swigs of the coffee. Honestly he was currently debating on going to find Erik and have him go deal with ANYTHING concerning the other charter at this point. One more snarky word, one more bitch fit and he was about to beat Harleys ass in all honesty. Still he didn't feel like moving yet and he hadn't seen Erik sense last night so who knew where that shit head was. Shit maybe he should just text him. Moving to fish his phone out of his kutte however was when he remembered. God damn it! 

"Shit…. " He moved to stand a moment later and began searching the cushions behind where he'd been sitting then wacked Serena with one of the pillows 

"Well…. Move" he smarted off at her before she'd really even had the chance to think about it.

 

Serena bit her lip to keep it from trembling when he glared at her. She decided to blame Harley for Sigefrid's bad mood, despite knowing it was more complex than that, and turned her own glare to the direction she had seen him go.

She gave a little yelp when he hit her with the pillow. "God damn it, Sigefrid!" she snapped, losing her temper. "Would you at least fucking eat something before you start tearing up the couch?"

 

"Would you MOVE!" Sigefrid growled at her just as annoyed if not more sounding. It wasn't that he didn't want to but he had absolutely no idea where his phone was which honestly wasn't the best thing to worry about right now. Not to mention if he missed something important. More shit for Harley to throw something in his face. "This is me asking nicely…. " He added smartly down at her.

 

Serena stood and huffed off to the bathroom. She needed to wash up anyway. She locked the door and checked her phone. The wrong number had texted her back yet again and she responded:

[Bet your so-called point is the ONLY thing that stands 👎]

Then, spitefully, she texted Sigefrid:

[🤬😤🥞🍴🖕]

and went for the shower. She kept a shower cap here, and everything else she needed in her purse, including a plastic bag for yesterday's underclothes. She wrapped her extensions into a bun and donned the shower cap, then turned the water on, not caring if it was hot or cold.

She grumbled to herself while showering, but fell silent when she started to choke up. She hated this, hated that the only thing she could really do was nag Sigefrid about eating and be emotional. Rolling her eyes at herself, she let herself cry silently in here where there was no one to see her. She did have other resources - a soundproof glass cage in the basement of her house, the basement opening by locked trap door. A weapons stash in the basement of the house next door, technically Trent's house which his sister was using, the basement of which opened the same way. She had the keys to both trap doors on an innocuous charm bracelet round her wrist. Money, lots of it. Connections, both because of who Sebastian was in his field and because of Lucifer.

Crap! Lucifer! She hadn't gone home last night and she hadn't called! She couldn't have him showing up here. She quickly wiped her hands on a towel and grabbed her phone.

[With Sigefrid today. Might come home later, he's being a 🍆]

Then she finished washing up, took off the shower cap, dried off, put on a clean dance belt and her dress, put the used one in the plastic bag and the bag into her purse, and stormed out carrying her shoes by the strap and flounced into a seat at the bar, digging sullenly into some food.

 

It had been SO long sense the last text, sense Harley had even checked his phone that by the time she had texted he had already gotten to the hospital and was out in the parking lot taking a moment to sulk and gather himself. Honestly he was about to lose his ever-loving shit on Bjorgulf already and he'd only been with the idiot for all of half an hour. Moving to unlock his phone he was about to make a call when he spotted the unknown numbers message and he groaned.

[Why are you STILL texting me! Really that bored with your fucking life? 😂] He sent back before finally moving to hit dial and snickering. Yeah then what was he? Annoyed with his? Yeah definitely….

~~~~~~~~

Back at the club Sigefrid still hadn't found his phone and by this point he was so livid he wore one of those faces that was hardly approachable. However he'd finally bit the bullet and borrowed Bloodhair’s and both currently stood just down the bar from Serena when she suddenly came huffing back up clearly still upset. 

"Yes I know… You earned me. Look just, fucking talk to him. Make sure this doesn't turn into something or I swear to Loki's left nut Erik. I'm going to BEAT his fucking ass!" Sigefrid was saying over the phone his fist crumpling a piece of paper in his hand almost as if it was a damn stress ball.

"I mean on a couple things he's not wrong" Bloodhair sort of off-handedly commented having been listening to the whole thing and witness to plenty. Otherwise he mostly looked way too tired to care where he stood leaning on the side of the bar smoking a cigarette and sort of staring off at the nearby wall.

Sigefrid immediately shot Bloodhair a glare but then hearing Erik say he had to go and would be back soon he finally just moved to hang up and shoved Bloodhair’s phone back to him before walking over to lean on the bar to Serena's left. "You done being a pissant?" He remarked smartly before casting a sort of smart ass smirk in her direction.

 

[✔️Seen], Serena wrote back.

She faced Sigefrid as he approached her, glowering at him.

"I made you breakfast," she said quietly. "I get that you're stressed. You've got a hell of a lot on those strong shoulders of yours. But you're not a machine, and even if you were, you'd need fuel. I don't care if you want to put it in a blender and drink it like a goddamn smoothie, but I'm going to keep being a pissant until you get some actual fucking calories in you." So saying, she shoved another forkful of potato cake in her mouth and chewed furiously.

 

Eyes rolling Sigefrid shot her a rather annoyed look but didn't say anything else simply pushing away from the counter. "Fucking nagging bitch …" he mumbled under his breath soon flopping down onto the sofa again. Moving to take a few bites he sort of cast her a glare over his shoulder. However suddenly the sound of a phone going off came from the kitchen. Granted he immediately recognized the squealing guitar tone and wouldn't have thought anything of it had Easton not suddenly came tearing from the kitchen only a moment later nearly plowing Bloodhair over in the process. 

"Bitch what the fuck!!!" Bloodhair shouted at first looking angry until he noted the look on the others face.

"Well move!! Sigefrid! Your fucking brother! LET'S GO!" He barked nearly running for the door now as if he didn't have the time to explain. In fact a moment late he was practically slamming the door wide open and running down the steps of the front of the club house. Behind him Dany had briefly stopped trying to chase him down for a better explanation but gotten nothing in response. However it didn't take much time for him to simply start pulling his own keys and running. In fact by now even Bloodhair was moving for the door at a quick pace only stopping when he noticed Sigefrid looked a bit frozen on the sofa. 

"Sigefrid?… Hey … you coming?" The older male asked stopping just briefly to furrow his brow at Sigefrid. Truthfully he wasn't sure what was going on but he could tell Sigefrid already looked way to worried.

Nodding Sigefrid hardly said a word as he moved to stand adjusting his kutte and pulling his gun from where he'd left it tucked in the side of the sofa he soon moved to tuck it into the back of his jeans.

 

Serena slammed her fork down at Sigefrid's words. She answered his glare with her own.

"I'll be at Lux. Where I'm actually wanted. You have my number. Text me if you need anything or when you're done being a fucking dickhead," she snapped, storming out. She got in her car and drove to her husband's nightclub in LA, which truthfully was open at all hours since Luci didn't exactly need sleep.

When she got there, she took the elevator up to the penthouse and flopped down on the bed, gazing listlessly up at the ceiling.

"I've missed you," came Lucifer's voice from the bar.

"I'm sorry."

"You can take all that off, you know. I don't require you to remain in drag with me."

She sat up and cast him a baleful look, then went to sit beside him, resting her head against him. He was a good six inches taller than her and she liked feeling small and delicate next to him. "You're about the only one," she muttered. It wasn't strictly true; Trent and Nathaniel didn't care if they were sleeping with Serena or Sebastian, but she'd also stopped seeing both of them recently. Maybe she was causing problems for herself as always. Who knows.

"Darling, if he's forcing you to appear as something you're not—"

"He isn't. He knows who I am. He's known since the shootout, I told you. It's just, I don't know, I— I wish I could do something to actually help him. I do my best to keep him fed, watered, pain-free, and healthy, but it feels like it isn't enough!" Her voice trembled. "He actually got mad at me today for asking him to eat his breakfast. I know there's more going on than the snippets I've been hearing, but he won't FUCKING talk to me and he treats me like a pest!" She broke down crying for the second time that day, sobbing into Lucifer's Armani suit jacket as he held her.

"You know I hate seeing you so upset," Lucifer said, stroking her hair. "Why don't you run along and change, and I'll take you out to eat? Just because your new boyfriend is running himself ragged doesn't mean you have to."

Serena shrugged, but she wiped her eyes and got up to fix her makeup and maybe change into something a little nicer. When she was in the bathroom, she took out her phone again.

[Hey, wrong number guy. Sorry I was such a heinous bitch to you earlier. You probably didn't deserve it. Can I get your advice on something? My bf's got a lot on his plate. He's forced to collaborate with a glitter-shitting assclown who keeps sniping at him but not actually lifting a finger to help. Meanwhile I have 7-8ish figs liquid & a lot of connections. Would it be insulting if I demanded details abt a complicated situation he's in & offered help? Best, S]

 

By this point so much had happened. Sitting on a bench outside of the hospital Harley had an arm around his best friend. He wasn't sure he'd seen Easton this fucked up sense the split between him and his ex. So a few years at least? Unless you counted how far he'd fallen off the band wagon sense then. None of that however compares to the past hour and half or so and currently Easton looked like he was probably still in shock. Tears stained his face and he had his head against Harleys chest where he sat slumped so far down on the bench he had one leg hanging off and the other knee bent. He'd merely been staring sense he'd all but been forced to sit down by a few of them and finally just given up moving.

Anger had turned to tears soon after and then he'd hardly been speaking. In fact the only reason Harley knew the other was still in there at all was his shallow breaths and the occasional blink as he seemed to just stare up at a flock of Crows up in a nearby tree.

By now Sigefrid was in the hospital making sure that Erik's bike was ok and well, most were here…… Again…. However the ambulance was blocking off the scene across the short distance of the parking lot where the bike had gone down in front of the escalade. At this point even Harley was beginning to feel again you could say. Probably better now than while Easton was freaking out but as his phone buzzed he became suddenly aware of the stray tear bridging the corner of his eye and quickly he moved a sleeve up to wipe at it. A status on Erik maybe? Or maybe … No, he wasn't that lucky. Unlocking the device he slightly rolled his eyes seeing the message. Fucking stupid idiot.

[You know. There's more important shit in the world than offering your boyfriend fucking money bitch. Get a mother fucking life. K BYE!] He sent back a bit angrily. Seriously though, it sounded like some petty bitch with very serious petty bitch drama which absolutely just rubbed him the wrong way in his state of mind.

 

Having changed clothes and applied a very different kind of makeup, Sebastian checked Serena's Pinger.

[I don't expect you to understand with your clearly miniscule worldview, but this actually happens to BE important. There's a lot more at stake than just]

He hit Send without finishing his thought and took a moment to look balefully at his reflection. Hair tucked under a black Welcome to Night Vale beanie; eyes outlined in black with red under-liner and red eyeshadow; a tight-fitting fishnet shirt; black and red Tripp Electro pants; a black belt with silver studs; black fingerless leather gloves and black nail polish; black, silver-studded D-ring platform boots. A white leaf-shaped charm hung from one of his belt loops. A dark red leather messenger bag was slung over one shoulder, big enough to carry a laptop and his twin pistols. His wedding ring, a black band inlaid with a large orangey-red fire opal, dangled from a red-and-black choker round his neck since it wouldn't fit over or under his gloves. Looked good enough, he reckoned.

He stepped out of the bathroom and took Lucifer's arm. "Let's go," he said simply.

After exiting Lux, they took Lucifer's Corvette on a path to a place Luci had wanted to introduce Sebastian to for quite some time, only on the way there, they happened to pass the hospital.

"Wait! That's—" Sebastian cried out. "Can we go see what's going on?"

Lucifer sighed inwardly, but drove the car up to the sidewalk drop-off. "You go on in," he said. "I'll bring something home for you."

Sebastian pecked his cheek as thanks and got out, then went to see what was going on. He went up to the first familiar face he saw, not paying any mind if it was him or Serena they knew, and asked, "What happened?"

 

As his phone went off Harley had simply moved to tuck it into his pocket again. He didn't even want to look at it figuring it was just whoever being a complete smart ass as they'd been sense the beginning. Taking a slow breath he finally moved to gently nudge Easton.

 "Hey come on, I'm gonna go see if I can find us a ride ok? You good here?" He asked as the other moved to almost robotically sit up and stare off at the ground for a long moment. Hardly even seeming responsive at first. Still, sitting here watching the clean up WAS absolutely not going to help ANYTHING. Taking a breath he watched the other face for a moment until Easton slowly began to nod 

"I'm fine… I'll" He stopped seeming as though he were still finding his voice. "I'll wait" He finally whispered before he moved to run a hand over his thick goatee and stared towards the ambulance as if in a trance.

"Yeah, ok" Harley muttered before gently giving the other males shoulder a squeeze. Taking a deep breath he stood and started for the front doors of the hospital and headed inside soon coming up on where Bloodhair and Tarben stood at the edge of the waiting room talking in quiet voices. A few feet away Harvey sat, face tear stained as he stared off into space at people coming and going without seeming to care what a mess he looked. 

"Hey, can I talk to you" Harley whispered lowly. Not that he cared Tarben was standing there but Harvey wasn't in the state of mind to overhear anything really so soon moving to turn and head a few feet away Bloodhair was soon following. A rather dull expression on the slightly taller males face as he cast a look back to the kid then back to 'WOAH!'

Harley stopped quick to the moment the new male came rushing up. To him this was nothing but a stranger and he frowned a bit before glancing to Bloodhair ad if to check and see if he knew the guy. Bloodhair’s brow furrowed for a long moment but then it took a far more serious expression. 

"Someone's dead … What are you doing here?" He sort of looked the other over with a slight look of confusion at seeing the other like this.

 

"Lucifer dropped me off. We were going to— but then I saw— Who is it? Who died? Is Sigefrid okay? Skorpa? Erik? Dagfinn? Fuck, what happened?!" Sebastian asked urgently.

 

Hearing the others response Harley's light blue hues seemed to focus on Sebastian for a moment as if studying him long and hard. So he knew Sigefrid mainly? That's how it came off. He'd nearly sounded as if he was only going to ask about him before going on about most of Sweden's guys.

"No… One of the other charter. I don't think you knew him. Erik's …… Banged up. Skorpa is pretty rough. Everyone else is fine" Bloodhair informed the other in a rather dull voice. His eyes only breaking from Sebastian as Asa had suddenly went walking through the main hall from where he'd been probably in the bathroom and walked past at a fast pace with a rather cold look in his eyes. So cold he nearly shot a glare at the stranger without meaning to before he was already heading out the front sliding doors.

"Tarben!" Bloodhair quickly barked back at the other who quickly nodded and went to follow in several large strides.

"So you just…. Past by?" Bloodhair added casting another look at Sebastian.

 

"No," Sebastian agreed, "I'm the lawyer for Sigefrid’s charter, so… Shit. Okay." He was about to head in to check on Erik and Skorpa before he heard Bloodhair's question.

"Well, yes. I thought I recognized some of your bikes, so I asked him to pull over. Seriously. What. Happened?" he asked for the third time. "Why—?" He took a breath and asked, slowly and clearly, "How did Erik and Skorpa get hurt?"

 

Taking a slow breath Bloodhair looked to Harley with a raised eyebrow "Where's Easton?" He asked breaking his conversation for a moment knowing he had a bit bigger concern. Taking a breath Harley simply nodded for the door 

"Waiting… Long as he didn't follow Asa. Look can I trade you keys? Take him and the other two back to the club. They don't need to mope here and watch everything" Harley stated for a moment his thick baritone voice nearly breaking as he bit his lip to keep from sounding as actually upset as he was.

Slowly reaching into his pocket Bloodhair fished the keys from his pocket and handed the other the keys. 

"Have Tarben and Bjorgulf go with you. We…. Can't afford anything else happening right now" Bloodhair stated in a rather soft tired voice as he then took the keys Harley handed him. With a nod Harley was soon heading for where Harvey was sitting and left Bloodhair with Sebastian.

Taking a breath Bloodhair looked to Sebastian 

"Come on, I can get us back to Skorpa. Not sure where Erik and Sigefrid are at the moment" He told the other before moving to start for the desk. "Door?" He told the nurse who sat behind the desk. Nodding she moved to stand and soon came to open the door for them and so far Bloodhair still remained silent. Seeming a bit lost in thought.

"Someone tampered with the bikes maybe…. This morning?" He stated thinking over the time frame that had slightly spared Easton a similar fate.

 

Sebastian nodded and followed Bloodhair.

"This morning?" he echoed. Fuck. That would have been before the food run. "Do any of you need replacement or spare bikes, or a place to keep them? Also, camera equipment, maybe set up a feed— no, that's no good," he muttered. "You'd want to prevent something like this from happening again, not just watch while it was about to start. Maybe uh… A safe house? A safer house. Look, no offense, but after a shootout and vehicular sabotage, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried planting a bomb next. A building can be rebuilt, but you guys's lives?" He shook his head. "I know you're not necessarily the person I should be discussing this with, so bear with me, I'm just thinking out loud. I don't want to step on any toes, but it's imperative that…." He trailed off, a bit helplessly. "Someone's already died. Others are seriously injured. It would be great if we could quickly get to the root of the problem and burn it up, but until then, the idea of some of you, I mean—" he corrected himself — "the idea of any of you at further risk is chilling. If there's anything at all that can be done, please, I'd like to help. I need to."

Serena -> Dany - "We only just met..."

"We only just met, but I'd like to see you again. I think." ~ Serena to Dany

 

By this point Dany seemed in a bit of a haze where he sat leaning against the bar within the clubhouse. A mixture of exhaustion and deep thought and so much so he'd about forgot he had only a few moments before been talking to Serena before they'd briefly been interrupted as she ran past to go after Sigefrid. Undoubtedly the other was on a mission by the look that had been in his face to really it shouldn't have been shocking how fast he'd dismissed her before hopping on his bike to go with a few of the other guys out of the lot.

They had people to collect. Family. Friends. Anyone remotely close enough that the other M.C or their associates could Target. Which it was all to concerning just the fact that Kjartan was only a badge short of being a cop himself. Fucking two timing shits.

Casually popping a piece of the jerky he'd been snacking on into his mouth Dany's light brown hues soon briefly met Serena's before he sort of snickered. 'Just met' oh he was gonna live this shit up. 'Stupid slut'

"Yeah well… . Considering I'm probably gonna be here for awhile I'm sure we'll see plenty of each other" He replied after a moment.

 

Serena had made it a habit to hang out in the clubhouse. For the most part, her presence was accepted, though there were the occasional few raised eyebrows. She as well aware that not everybody was as warm and inviting as Trent and his friends, and she had remained in her questionable habit of thinking of people she wasn't personally invested in as characters created for her entertainment. This habit dated back to college, when she and her now ex-boyfriend had planted bugs on his now-wife. They had used to watch the feeds together while cuddling. Then after graduation, by some unhappy coincidence, they had found themselves in the same state and she had been tasked with planting bugs again while Trent hacked existing surveillance feeds in the county.

Sometimes, it was very obvious that she didn't see those around her as fully formed people. She was convinced most of them saw her the same way, as something made to amuse them. Sometimes, she felt like she, Sigefrid, Erik, Haesten, and Dagfinn were the only real people in the world.

"That's good," she said, her tone laconic as usual. "You made a good impression, so I'm glad to see you round. What do you do around here?" she asked conversationally.

 

"Scrap people for parts" Dany replied without missing much of a beat. However it was certainly more of a joke given he didn't really know how in with the club she was and he soon snorted a laugh and smirked. "Just kidding…. At the moment I'm off my day job. So mainly I've just been working on getting shit secure with their Sergeant" He informed her. Being as he and Bloodhair had the same title he was at the moment but a helping hand for the other male with all this shit currently hitting the fan.

 

Serena looked intrigued till the man said he was kidding. "Shame," she said to that. Then, as he continued, she nodded. The more she looked at him, the more familiar he seemed, but she still couldn't place him.

"I like your hair," she said after staring at him for a moment. "And your ink."

 

Raising one eyebrow towards her Dany thought for a moment just sort of studying her. Yeah it would be interesting to see how long it would take her to figure this shit out. "Thanks" He finally replied chuckling almost awkwardly. "You know for someone who doesn't remember me… ." He paused and shifted a bit more to face her. "You seem to be flirting a lot. Still charging $3,200 a night" He whispered finally as his chocolate colored hues met hers and a rather twisted smirk crossed his face. From her first comment to now she couldn't be that stupid right? Either that or she was in fact lying and this was some silly game she was playing.

 

Serena’s face lit up immediately and she practically pounced on him to hug him. "Oh my goodness!" she squealed. Then, releasing him, "How have you been? It's been a minute. And no, I quit hooking after I, um…  made a new friend." She beamed, biting her lip slightly.

 

Well that confirmed it, she at least somewhat remembered him. Snickering a bit he merely moved one arm to return the hug before he slowly nodded. Yeah he'd somewhat managed to put two and two together already just watching her so she really didn't have to explain that was for sure. He also wasn't shocked to hear she hadn't been doing that since being as Sigefrid seemed like the type to be a bit demanding of attention in his opinion. "Yeah… Well I don't exactly live around here. How long you and this prez been a thing?" He asked rather bluntly. Sort of snickering at the thought. She seemed a bit bubbly compared to the girl who'd been at his arm the last time they'd been in town.

 

"Where are you from?" Serena asked curiously.

Then, to his question, "Are we…? I'd like to think so. We met about 18 days ago and sort of slept together then, but uh… I'd say it took us a few days to start getting along, so probably a couple of weeks? Does— does he consider us a thing?" she asked, her cheeks warming slightly. She'd caught that little snicker; was he making fun of her?

 

"Norway" Dany replied rather simply to her question before moving back to where he'd been leaning on the counter. Reaching to take another jerky out of the bag and pop it into his mouth he snickered hearing her next question. In response he merely shrugged. Honestly he wasn't to sure himself, he was just good at reading people and he'd known immediately they were at least sleeping together being how she was reacting to everything going on and the way she went bounding after him only a little bit ago.

 

"Ah, Norge er et vakkert land med vakre menn," Serena replied; 'Norway is a beautiful country with beautiful men.' She nodded her chin at him as if to say, 'Case in point.'

"Well, you're the second person to indicate that, so I guess it must be so." She nodded happily. "He's really great. It only took him a few days to forgive me for stabbing him," she said affectionately, "among other things, and since then he's let me come round and help with stuff."

 

Dany cast her a bit of a subtle cheeky smirk at her comment. "Stabbing him?" He almost immediately commented after she'd continued. This actually had him look far more amused than before and suddenly he was borderline cackling. "Holy shit you fucking stabbed him!!? How didn't he blow your damn brains out!!?" He added all to amused by this. That did make more sense though. The chick was absolutely INSANE and just not someone you ran into everyday. Probably what had Sigefrid still dealing with her. Something about a crazy woman just seemed to get many men walking around with instant boners pretty much. Granted he wouldn't have necessarily put himself on that list but he knew plenty who were like that. Easton for example. He was pretty sure if a female just walked up and gouged the man's eyes out he'd forever cling to her like a lost puppy. Which is what he'd done with two of his ex's and one was now in a damn nuthouse and the other had basically just disappeared one day and still had the guy reeling.

 

"Well— yes. I mean, we got along at-first-at first, but then he found out something I'm not in the habit of disclosing to every person I meet, he assumed I had lied to him, and he kind of pissed me off, so…  I stabbed him." Serena shrugged. "He stabbed me right back, though, so I figured we were even. He didn't really see it that way, though." She gave a little chuckle. "All's well that ends well, though, right? I mean, once we got over that little disagreement, he's been…  perfect, honestly."

Actually, she thought of Sigefrid as 'sweet', but saying something like that to men in their line of work had the risk of undermining Sigefrid in their eyes, so she kept that particular opinion to herself.

 

Laughter somewhat calming Dany slightly shook his head "Damn, sounds like you two had a glorious start to a wonderful relationship" He remarked and honestly his voice was dripping in sarcasm. Not like he knew their business but frankly he'd always been a bit judgemental of most people and especially ones he didn't understand and this he definitely didn't get. If a bitch tried to stab him over something stupid he'd have probably bashed her to pieces and called it a day… Or worse. Why keep the drama around? She must have glorious pussy to be as lucky as she was apparently.

 

"Oh, it was! And it is!" Serena chirped, oblivious to Dany's judgment. "He has a certain boldness and strength to him that I admire. He's fierce and he doesn't let anything get in his way. Well, I'll stop boring you with my gushing opinions. Can I make you some real food? Steak and potatoes, maybe?" She'd gone shopping on the way there and had put away most of the food before having seen Sigefrid and making a beeline for him just before he'd left.

 

Ok yeah at this point Dany was seconds away from giving her a hair flip and saying 'Oh my gosh girlfriend'

Seconds…

However he'd merely stifled another laugh as the thought crossed his mind ESPECIALLY with how overboard she seemed about the other male. Then…  The bitch brought up FOOD! Almost immediately he seemed to perk up and casting her an almost impressed look his eyes moved over her for a moment actually shocked. "And here I was starting to think your ass was just a bunch of pretty words, guns and high heels!" He somewhat teased her before sniggering away at his own joke. "You make something I'll eat it. Not gonna say no to food" He added bluntly despite still moving to continue snacking on the jerky. Granted most of the time he was a bottomless pit and it was an ongoing joke in his own charter that anytime someone lost ANYTHING food related to just blame him. In most cases they weren't wrong.

 

Serena frowned down at her shoes. She rarely wore higher than an inch these days, because she was already 5'9" and no longer performing onstage, but she reckoned even one inch might be considered high to some people. She shrugged and went to start cooking.

She filled a large pot halfway with water and emptied a whole bag of red potatoes into it, then turned the heat up to medium high. Then she grabbed a cast iron pan and put that on to medium high as well. She'd bought Kerrygold butter, her personal favorite, and put one stick in the pan to melt.

"Do you care if they're rare or medium?" she asked. "Seasoned with garlic salt, Cajun or Szechuan spice?" She didn't reckon he was too picky, but it never hurt to ask.

 

"Medium! I ain't no animal" Dany teased in response, raising his voice enough she could hear him through the door of the kitchen seeing as he hadn't budged other than to sit down for a moment on one of the spinning bar stools next to Asa who'd wandered in while the female was in the kitchen asking him something about some shit back home before handing him the phone.

Now with Asa standing there looking impatient beside him Dany was twirling on the stool like a teenager while still on the phone. In fact he'd hardly caught all she'd said after that seeing as the other person on the line began ranting about if he was paying attention. "I fucking pay attention. You know what fuck you Vaugn. And your mom! Oh oops was that to much?" Dany sniggered smartly cracking a terrible grin. This however soon faded as his best friend started in angrily again but this time more directed as Dany for making such jokes.

"Ok ok forget I said anything YES I heard you. Look I'll fucking send someone up there as soon as I fucking can you dick for brains. Did Daddy not mention… . We ain't in fucking town bitch" Dany snarked actually looking annoyed suddenly. 

"I can go? The fuck am I… " Asa started to offer.

 "Shut the fuck up bitch you ain't goin nowh… . Vaugn quit shouting at me or I'm hanging up the god damn phone. Yes I was talking to Asa shut your paranoid ass up!" Dany snapped angrily finally moving to hop down from the stool after a moment and pacing away from the bar area and now for the hall. Just in case he decided fuck it and to start shouting at this idiot.

 

Serena scoffed. She personally preferred steak rare; did that make her an animal? But she didn't comment. She just added some garlic salt to both sides of two large slabs of meat and put them in the pan to cook. She turned the burner the potatoes were on to high so they'd boil faster. Dany was alright, she thought. She was grateful she hadn't followed through on her offer to drop to her knees for him the first time they'd met.

About fifteen minutes later, the steaks and potatoes were ready. She had drained the water, mashed them in the pot, and liberally added the butter, salt, and pepper. Since she'd heard Asa's voice, she assumed it would be a good idea to cook for more than just Dany. She had put the ground bison she'd bought into the steak pan with some more butter, added Cajun spice, and pulled out some vegetables to chop.

She brought the steaks and three potatoes out to where Dany had been sitting, then offered Asa a smile. "You hungry? There's some more mashed potatoes in the kitchen and I'm starting a taco bar."

 

Hearing her Asa perked up for a moment and sort of nodded. Otherwise not really saying anything however as he cast another look for the hall as he did now hear Dany's voice raising. Yikes, Vaugn was really trying to get into it today it seemed. Moving to pull out a cigarette Asa was soon checking his phone impatiently waiting to find out if he'd have to head back over to the hospital or if he'd ACTUALLY get the night mostly free. Other than of course dealing with Dany and his little bullshit scene apparently taking place back home.

Back with Dany Vaugn had finally set him off and after shouting at Vaugn for even assuming Asa had anything to do with what was happening there he finally just got tired of listening and moved to almost throw the phone before just stopping himself. Fucking rich mobster bitches!! Taking a slow breath he finally turned to head back down the hall and over to where Asa was waiting. Sliding the phone to the younger male and spotting the food he hopped back up on the barstool looking a nice shade of irritated even as he reached for the plate.

"So?… " Asa asked raising an eyebrow after a brief moment not sure what all had happened himself. 

"So I'm eating… Don't fucking answer that bitches phone calls again" Dany half snapped as he moved to take a bite of the steak and for a moment looked a bit zoned out.

 

Serena chopped vegetables while the ground bison was cooking, then when that was done, she grabbed the pan with a potholder, drained the grease, dabbed the outside with a paper towel and put it back on the burner. She pulled out some tortillas from the fridge and put them, one at a time, in the pan. When they were cooked but still mostly flexible, she put them on the counter and added shredded cheese, meat, and finely chopped vegetables. When she'd used up a whole pack of tortillas she declared herself finished, turned off the burner, gave everything a quick wipe-down, and brought the food out on multiple plates with multiple trips. She set down one plate in front of Asa specifically and one on Dany's other side, where she sat and began to dig in. She loved cooking, but it gave her a hell of an appetite and it was nice to relax for a bit.

"What was that all about?" she asked Dany. "I heard yelling."

 

"Just work shit. Back home…." Dany replied in a bit of a dull voice as his went for the female who was now moving to join them. 

"Damn, I knew I smelt cooking. You?" Easton's voice came as he, Ragnar, Bjorgulf and Harvey came drifting in from the hall finally. His eyes going to Serena seeing as he immediately knew it hadn't been Dany or his own kid who practically looked like he was starving. However he was the only one to really say anything as he came up beside Dany and purposely reached to act like he was about to grab something off of Dany's plate only to end up with the blonde smacking his hand to get him away. 

"Bitch get your OWN!" Dany snarked pulling his plate away. Well as he did Asa took that opportunity to immediately grab a piece of the the steak and pop it into his mouth seeing as the plate was closest to him.

"Oh you two fucking hounds! Fuck outa here!" Dany barked moving with the plate to quickly get up as Easton busted up laughing at his kids quick thinking.

 

Serena offered a sympathetic grimace, then turned to the men who had just come in. "Hey, guys!" she said between chews with a little wave, covering her mouth with her other hand.

Then at Easton and Asa's antics, "Guys, come on. There's like five other plates of food here." But she was smiling. It was fun being around these guys.

"Poor Dany," she remarked before taking another bite of her burrito. "He seems stressed.”

 

Easton made a bit of a face as he heard her comment, glancing over his shoulder towards where Dany had retreated for the sofa area. "Aren't we all…" He remarked after a brief moment before moving over to where Bjorgulf was already digging into one of the plates of food. 

"You heading for the hospital?" He asked, looking to Ragnar who even with the option of food was simply walking back out of the kitchen with a rockstar in his hand. 

"Yeah, do I need to call the others?" He asked pausing for a moment to look at Easton with a rather tired look still on his face. Very evidently he needed the damn rockstar.

"Take Brody. He's out working on his bike. Should be bout done. Skorpa said he'd meet you guys there and…  That's about where I squirreled so if you have questions please see my supervisor" He remarked sort of snickering as he took a bite of the food. Rolling his eyes Ragnar slowly nodded and headed around the bar towards where Dany was sitting. Why'd he ask Easton anyway? Fucking idiot barley held down his own shit and really Dany had been in charge of assigning shifts other than Haesten refusing to leave the hospital for a single thing.

"Thanks Serene" ((YES ON PURPOSE)) Bjorgulf finally spoke from down the bar. For the first time sense he'd started eating and everyone was talking and by now he'd all but inhaled the entire plate.

 

Well, yes, it was probably a given that they were all stressed. It was a stressful situation. "Yeah. I guess you are," Serena said, a little apologetically.

She wondered what was going on in the hospital — someone had probably mentioned something, but she had forgotten in all the hubbub — but she already had been asking a lot of questions, so she let this one go.

"Sure thing, um…  person," she responded, a little flippantly, to … that guy, whose name she couldn't place. And because she couldn't remember his name, she wasn't about to give him a hard time for fucking hers up.