"Because it isn't, Levanin," she replied sharply, her hands tight around the wheel. It would be the first time she had used his name. "My powers manipulate emotions and intentions. None of it is real." Her voice was tight and harsh and she was quiet for a moment. "And if you believe that any of it can be real, that any of it means anything... you're just going to hurt yourself." * * * "It doesn't exactly have an off switch."
He looked frustrated. "Why are you upset?" *** "Oh, so you're just beastly all the time, then," she teased.
"Why are you?" she shot back, pulling up to his street. "You said that you would've easily known that your feelings weren't real; it was completely impossible for it to be real. Why does it upset you?" * * * "You make a good argument," he said with a nod. "Does that mean you're just healing all the time?"
"Of course I would have easily known. That's why saying they weren't feels so wrong. I don't know what to think." *** She waved him off with a smile. "That's different."
He quieted, looking mildly embarrassed and upset. "..I don't know. I'm just saying words." *** She squinted at him with a smile before shrugging playfully. "Fine then, Wolfy."
She parked in front of his building, dropping her hands for a moment. "This happens every time, Mr. Audra," she said quietly. "As you said, you would never fall for me. You would have known that this wasn't real even if I hadn't told you." * * * He audibly groaned, rolling out the pasta, his arm muscles moving under his skin. "Don't do this."
He pursed his lips, looking a bit stubborn as he stepped out. "We'll see. Thank you for the ride." *** She laughed, watching him with interest. "I'm not doing anything."
She only nodded, saying nothing as she watched him get out. * * * "You literally just called me Wolfy."
The next morning, Beck was already at her desk when he arrived, typing something onto the keyboard. * * * "What's your nickname? Sparky?"
He arrived casually, taking off his coat as he entered. "Good morning, Beck." *** "I don't have a nickname."
She glanced up at him over her glasses. She was wearing dark red lipstick today. "Good morning, Mr. Audra," she said primly. "Let me know when you're ready for your morning debrief. Your coffee is in your office." * * * "Sparky it is, then."
He nodded, going into his office. "Right. Thank you." *** She came up behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "It doesn't even fit."
She said nothing more, continuing to work. * * * He glanced over at her in surprise. "You don't think so?"
His coffee was sitting on the coaster, steaming hot. A dark mocha from the cafe down the street. Exactly how he loved it. * * * "I don't know. Healing people is kinda... sparky, right?"
