Dani stumbled into her apartment, kicking the insufferable heels off of her feet. She shut the door behind her, forgetting to lock it as she immediately went for her bag. Rummaging through it with impatient hands, pushing past crumpled receipts and makeup until her fingers brushed against the familiar shape of her cigarette pack. She pulled it out, flipping the top open with her thumb and plucking one between her lips. With practiced ease, she grabbed her lighter from the same pocket, flicking it once, then twice, before the flame finally caught. The small glow illuminated her tired face for a split second before she brought it to the end of her cigarette, inhaling deeply. The first drag hit her lungs like a wave, a mix of relief and exhaustion washing over her as the nicotine settled into her system.
She exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl and twist in the dim light of her apartment. The silence felt heavier than usual, pressing in on her like a weight. Stepping toward the window, she cracked it open, letting the night air slip in to mix with the haze of smoke. She took another long drag, her thoughts drifting with the tendrils of smoke. The busy noise outside added to the atmosphere as she stood for a moment in the dark. She went to go turn on the light after a few minutes, but it didn't make her feel much better. The room looked pathetic. She didn't have any personal belongings to make it look better, if anything it just looked depressing.
Dani began stripping down until she was just in a blue top and panties, and then tossed herself down on her bed. She let her mind clear up and closed her eyes. Part of her felt paralyzed trying to figure out what to do. She didn't have anything to unpack, no friends to visit, and her need for substances made it hard to hang out somewhere for too long. Maybe it was something she should address when she had the time, but unfortunately, she didn't have that right now.
She exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl and twist in the dim light of her apartment. The silence felt heavier than usual, pressing in on her like a weight. Stepping toward the window, she cracked it open, letting the night air slip in to mix with the haze of smoke. She took another long drag, her thoughts drifting with the tendrils of smoke. The busy noise outside added to the atmosphere as she stood for a moment in the dark. She went to go turn on the light after a few minutes, but it didn't make her feel much better. The room looked pathetic. She didn't have any personal belongings to make it look better, if anything it just looked depressing.
Dani began stripping down until she was just in a blue top and panties, and then tossed herself down on her bed. She let her mind clear up and closed her eyes. Part of her felt paralyzed trying to figure out what to do. She didn't have anything to unpack, no friends to visit, and her need for substances made it hard to hang out somewhere for too long. Maybe it was something she should address when she had the time, but unfortunately, she didn't have that right now.
After closing up the bar for the evening, Sadie started to think about all the new faces she had seen the last few days. Though she knew a few of the patrons, she did notice there were fresh faces amongst the crowd. One in particular stood out a and that was the raven haired girl that had received Vic's drink. She looked like she didn't really do crowds, but there was something else about her. Like she needed someone, at least a friend or an acquaintance. She saw the signs of what was going on with Dani and didn't think it would be appropriate or her business to say anything. Though it still lingered with her through the evening, she decided to check on the girl and offer her some food. Possibly, making another friendship in the process.
She had remembered that the girl had told someone else that she was in Sunset Beach Condos and in 208. Which was convenient for Sadie, since that was where she was headed. She went to the kitchen, and found some of the left over tacos that her new cook had made. She found some fixings to go with them and made sure to package them all into a to-go container. She then went back up front and grabbed a six pack of beer to go with the late night meal. Before she left The Black Anchor, she checked all the doors, burners and systems to make sure they were shut down for the evening. Then she sent a quick text to her mate, though it was still new, she let him know she would be a little late and told him where she would be.
She soon left the bar as she locked doors behind with both the tacos and beer in hand. She walked the distance back to the condos alone, though to the chagrin of some, in the middle of the night. She made her way into the foyer and started climbing the stairs to floor two. Once she reached the top of level two, she found the apartment she was looking for and knocked on the door. If Dani didn't answer, she wouldn't be offended, though with it being so late the girl may be asleep. She still wanted to try anyways, just to check on her.
She had remembered that the girl had told someone else that she was in Sunset Beach Condos and in 208. Which was convenient for Sadie, since that was where she was headed. She went to the kitchen, and found some of the left over tacos that her new cook had made. She found some fixings to go with them and made sure to package them all into a to-go container. She then went back up front and grabbed a six pack of beer to go with the late night meal. Before she left The Black Anchor, she checked all the doors, burners and systems to make sure they were shut down for the evening. Then she sent a quick text to her mate, though it was still new, she let him know she would be a little late and told him where she would be.
She soon left the bar as she locked doors behind with both the tacos and beer in hand. She walked the distance back to the condos alone, though to the chagrin of some, in the middle of the night. She made her way into the foyer and started climbing the stairs to floor two. Once she reached the top of level two, she found the apartment she was looking for and knocked on the door. If Dani didn't answer, she wouldn't be offended, though with it being so late the girl may be asleep. She still wanted to try anyways, just to check on her.
The knock on the door was loud. Not in a general sense, but it seemed louder to her in her current state. The sound rattled through her skull, lingering even after it had stopped. Dani winced, exhaling slowly as she pushed herself up from the couch, stretching out stiff muscles that had gone too long without movement. She rolled her shoulders, giving herself a second to shake off the weight pressing down on her before making her way to the door. Her fingers hovered over the handle, but something caught her eye. Her reflection in the brushed metal. A quick glance downward confirmed it. Her outfit wasn’t inappropriate, just… not something she felt like wearing in front of company. With a quiet sigh, she reached for the white jacket draped over the arm of the couch, slipping it on with little effort. It wasn’t much, but it made her feel slightly more put together. With that, she pulled in a breath, steadied herself, and finally turned the knob, ready to face whoever was on the other side.
Dani hesitated for a moment before unlocking the door, pulling it open just enough to peek out. The sight of Sadie standing there, tacos and a six-pack in hand, was enough to push aside any lingering reluctance. She hadn’t expected company, much less someone going out of their way to check on her. "Hey," Dani said, blinking against the hallway light. Her voice was a little hoarse, as if she hadn’t spoken in a while. She cleared her throat and offered a small smile. "Didn’t think I’d be getting a late-night delivery." She stepped back, pulling the door open wider, an unspoken invitation in the movement. "Come in. You’re already here, might as well help me eat all that." A slight nod toward the food in Sadie’s hands.
The apartment was dim, the only light coming from the kitchen and the soft glow of the moon against the window. The air smelled faintly of smoke and something floral, like the remnants of an old perfume clinging to the walls. Dani absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she led Sadie inside. "Thanks for stopping by," she added, a little more sincerely this time, though her tone still carried the cautious edge of someone not used to being checked in on. "Guess you caught me at the right time."
Dani hesitated for a moment before unlocking the door, pulling it open just enough to peek out. The sight of Sadie standing there, tacos and a six-pack in hand, was enough to push aside any lingering reluctance. She hadn’t expected company, much less someone going out of their way to check on her. "Hey," Dani said, blinking against the hallway light. Her voice was a little hoarse, as if she hadn’t spoken in a while. She cleared her throat and offered a small smile. "Didn’t think I’d be getting a late-night delivery." She stepped back, pulling the door open wider, an unspoken invitation in the movement. "Come in. You’re already here, might as well help me eat all that." A slight nod toward the food in Sadie’s hands.
The apartment was dim, the only light coming from the kitchen and the soft glow of the moon against the window. The air smelled faintly of smoke and something floral, like the remnants of an old perfume clinging to the walls. Dani absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she led Sadie inside. "Thanks for stopping by," she added, a little more sincerely this time, though her tone still carried the cautious edge of someone not used to being checked in on. "Guess you caught me at the right time."
When Dani opened the door, Sadie had a friendly smile as she held up the take-out of tacos and six packs of beer. "Hey, Dani. I didn't mean to wake you." She softly started to speak and paused as she looked over the raven haired girl before she continued. "My cook made an extra batch of tacos this evening because they have been selling like hot cakes. I wanted to stop by and see if you would want any?" She asked instead of forcing her to take the food, knowing it would show it was Dani's choice.
She chuckled softly when she heard her throaty greeting and then saying something about a late-night delivery. "Well, here I am. I was coming home anyways and I live here in the condos, as well. I remember you saying you lived here the other night." She spoke honestly but did not allude that she was trying to be in her business. Though Sadie could be somewhat indifferent to people, she still had compassion. And she knew when she saw Dani that the girl could use someone to be able to at least come to, if needed.
Soon, Dani invited her to eat with her as she opened the door wider, and her smile grew more radiant as it reached her blueish purple eyes. "Don't mind if I do. These tacos are helluva amazing!" She gave the girl a wink as she stepped in and walked past her towards her small kitchenette counter. She placed the few items she brought on top of the counter and turned around to face Dani. Though the room was dimly lit, her acute senses could see and smell everything in the apartment. She subtly looked over the girl to make sure she was alright before she spoke again. "No thanks necessary. I just wanted to do the neighborly thing by welcoming you, and I hadn't seen you since you came to the bar. I figured out of the work environment would be more comfortable."
She could see that Dani was being cautious, only confirming her suspicion of the girl not really having anyone to lean on. From Sadie's perspective, Dani looked like she had had a rough life for how young she looked. Though she was born in a different time and she lived off a pirate ship most of her life, she did understand to a point. Soon, her wondering thoughts were corralled back in when she heard Dani say she caught her at the right time. She snickered and... "I am good about that. Seems I catch a lot of people off guard most of the time, but I'm glad this time it's a pleasant one."
"So, how about we eat these tacos and drink the beer? I promise you won't be disappointed." She kept a friendly smile on her face as she looked at Dani. She knew she could be a good friend for her if Dani allowed it. But would not push her out of her comfort zone or rush to ask any questions that seemed to be personal. "I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind eating them on the balcony and listening to the calming waves crash against the shore." She suggested so they could feel the cool night and have fresh air.
She chuckled softly when she heard her throaty greeting and then saying something about a late-night delivery. "Well, here I am. I was coming home anyways and I live here in the condos, as well. I remember you saying you lived here the other night." She spoke honestly but did not allude that she was trying to be in her business. Though Sadie could be somewhat indifferent to people, she still had compassion. And she knew when she saw Dani that the girl could use someone to be able to at least come to, if needed.
Soon, Dani invited her to eat with her as she opened the door wider, and her smile grew more radiant as it reached her blueish purple eyes. "Don't mind if I do. These tacos are helluva amazing!" She gave the girl a wink as she stepped in and walked past her towards her small kitchenette counter. She placed the few items she brought on top of the counter and turned around to face Dani. Though the room was dimly lit, her acute senses could see and smell everything in the apartment. She subtly looked over the girl to make sure she was alright before she spoke again. "No thanks necessary. I just wanted to do the neighborly thing by welcoming you, and I hadn't seen you since you came to the bar. I figured out of the work environment would be more comfortable."
She could see that Dani was being cautious, only confirming her suspicion of the girl not really having anyone to lean on. From Sadie's perspective, Dani looked like she had had a rough life for how young she looked. Though she was born in a different time and she lived off a pirate ship most of her life, she did understand to a point. Soon, her wondering thoughts were corralled back in when she heard Dani say she caught her at the right time. She snickered and... "I am good about that. Seems I catch a lot of people off guard most of the time, but I'm glad this time it's a pleasant one."
"So, how about we eat these tacos and drink the beer? I promise you won't be disappointed." She kept a friendly smile on her face as she looked at Dani. She knew she could be a good friend for her if Dani allowed it. But would not push her out of her comfort zone or rush to ask any questions that seemed to be personal. "I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind eating them on the balcony and listening to the calming waves crash against the shore." She suggested so they could feel the cool night and have fresh air.
Dani stepped aside as Sadie moved past her, the warmth of the other woman’s presence filling the small space. She hesitated for a moment, watching as Sadie set the food down on the counter with an easy familiarity, like she belonged there. It had been a while since someone had stepped into her space so casually, and longer still since anyone had done so with good intentions. There was something disarming about it, something that made Dani feel both cautious and strangely at ease.
She folded her arms over her chest, shifting her weight slightly. “Thanks. For this, I mean,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere as she nodded toward the takeout containers. “You didn’t have to.” Sadie’s response was lighthearted, a playful remark about catching people off guard, but it carried an undertone of warmth. Dani found herself almost smirking, though it barely reached her lips. A short breath left her. Maybe the ghost of a chuckle, maybe just an exhale, but she didn’t respond right away. She wasn’t used to this. Someone showing up at her door just to check in, offering food without expecting anything in return. It was nice. Unfamiliar, but nice.
She glanced toward the sliding glass door leading to the balcony, considering Sadie’s suggestion. The thought of stepping outside, feeling the cool night air, and listening to the waves instead of sitting in the dim, stuffy silence of her apartment was tempting. She wasn’t sure why she hesitated. Maybe it was just the lingering instinct to keep her guard up, but eventually, she gave a small shrug. “Yeah, alright,” she said, her voice softer this time. “Sounds better than sitting in here.” She moved toward the counter, picking up the six-pack of beer as she nodded toward the balcony. “Go ahead. I’ll grab the food.” It wasn’t much, but it was her way of showing she wasn’t completely closed off to the company.
As Sadie stepped outside, Dani took a moment to herself. She exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair before gathering the containers of tacos. She didn’t know what to make of this yet, this sudden act of kindness from a stranger. But for now, she figured she could let herself enjoy it, if only for a little while. Dani stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air immediately washing over her, carrying the scent of salt and sand. The rhythmic crash of waves filled the space between them, a steady, calming presence against the quiet. She set the food down on the small table between them before lowering herself into the other chair, pulling her knees up slightly as she twisted the cap off her own drink. For a moment, she just sat there, letting the ocean’s endless motion pull at the edges of her mind, giving her something to focus on besides the fact that she wasn’t alone.
She took a sip, casting a sidelong glance at Sadie. “You weren’t kidding,” she said, nodding toward the tacos. “They smell good.” It was small talk, safe and easy. She wasn’t sure how much more she had in her, but for now, it was enough.
She folded her arms over her chest, shifting her weight slightly. “Thanks. For this, I mean,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere as she nodded toward the takeout containers. “You didn’t have to.” Sadie’s response was lighthearted, a playful remark about catching people off guard, but it carried an undertone of warmth. Dani found herself almost smirking, though it barely reached her lips. A short breath left her. Maybe the ghost of a chuckle, maybe just an exhale, but she didn’t respond right away. She wasn’t used to this. Someone showing up at her door just to check in, offering food without expecting anything in return. It was nice. Unfamiliar, but nice.
She glanced toward the sliding glass door leading to the balcony, considering Sadie’s suggestion. The thought of stepping outside, feeling the cool night air, and listening to the waves instead of sitting in the dim, stuffy silence of her apartment was tempting. She wasn’t sure why she hesitated. Maybe it was just the lingering instinct to keep her guard up, but eventually, she gave a small shrug. “Yeah, alright,” she said, her voice softer this time. “Sounds better than sitting in here.” She moved toward the counter, picking up the six-pack of beer as she nodded toward the balcony. “Go ahead. I’ll grab the food.” It wasn’t much, but it was her way of showing she wasn’t completely closed off to the company.
As Sadie stepped outside, Dani took a moment to herself. She exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair before gathering the containers of tacos. She didn’t know what to make of this yet, this sudden act of kindness from a stranger. But for now, she figured she could let herself enjoy it, if only for a little while. Dani stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air immediately washing over her, carrying the scent of salt and sand. The rhythmic crash of waves filled the space between them, a steady, calming presence against the quiet. She set the food down on the small table between them before lowering herself into the other chair, pulling her knees up slightly as she twisted the cap off her own drink. For a moment, she just sat there, letting the ocean’s endless motion pull at the edges of her mind, giving her something to focus on besides the fact that she wasn’t alone.
She took a sip, casting a sidelong glance at Sadie. “You weren’t kidding,” she said, nodding toward the tacos. “They smell good.” It was small talk, safe and easy. She wasn’t sure how much more she had in her, but for now, it was enough.
She could feel that Dani was hesitant and guarded when she suggested that they eat on the balcony. She herself felt calmer when she was under the moon and stars, more so with the ocean near, as well. When Dani agreed to them enjoying the takeout outside, Sadie started walking towards the sliding door and opened it. She had heard Dani say she would grab the food but had the feeling she needed a moment to herself. She was hoping she didn't push the girl too much out of her comfort zone when she showed up. As she slid the door open with ease, she saw a small table with two chairs. She took the one furthest from the door in order to give Dani that sense of security by being closest to the door.
When Dani finally came outside, she had been watching the calm tides crash against the shore. She looked over at Dani as she grabbed a beer and twisted the cap off. "Nothing like a cold beer and tacos in the middle of the night. I would call this comfort food. Through and through." She had a radiant smile that reached her eyes and would show brightly under the moonlight. She started chuckling when she heard Dani say she wasn't kidding about the tacos. "There are two things I would never lie about. Food and booze. Though most of the time, they definitely go hand in hand." She smirked because she knew she wasn't wrong, especially when it came to the alcohol aspect.
She grabbed her beer and took a swig as she studied Dani over the bottle. It was dark outside with only the moon as lighting, but her sharp eyesight could see the woman clearly. She could tell that having someone checking up on her was making her confused and cautious. Though Sadie truly did this out of the kindness of her heart, not wanting anything in return. " So, Dani. How has Sunset been treating you? Has anyone given you any problems?" She asked out of concern, but also trying to make small talk. Even though she could just sit there in comfortable silence with her. In Sadie's mind, she thought everyone needed at least one person that they could talk to. And sometimes strangers were easier to talk to. Something Sadie learned from experience.
She sat her beer down, grabbed a taco, and took a mouthful bite. She let out a moan in delight from the mouth-watering goodness as she chewed and savored the first bite. Once she swallowed and washed it down with another drink, she looked over at Dani. "I'm not usually a chaotic eater, but this is fucking amazing." She smiled over at Dani again before she took another bite and looked back at the waves. Enjoying the silence until Dani spoke, if she wanted to and she wouldn't push her to either.
When Dani finally came outside, she had been watching the calm tides crash against the shore. She looked over at Dani as she grabbed a beer and twisted the cap off. "Nothing like a cold beer and tacos in the middle of the night. I would call this comfort food. Through and through." She had a radiant smile that reached her eyes and would show brightly under the moonlight. She started chuckling when she heard Dani say she wasn't kidding about the tacos. "There are two things I would never lie about. Food and booze. Though most of the time, they definitely go hand in hand." She smirked because she knew she wasn't wrong, especially when it came to the alcohol aspect.
She grabbed her beer and took a swig as she studied Dani over the bottle. It was dark outside with only the moon as lighting, but her sharp eyesight could see the woman clearly. She could tell that having someone checking up on her was making her confused and cautious. Though Sadie truly did this out of the kindness of her heart, not wanting anything in return. " So, Dani. How has Sunset been treating you? Has anyone given you any problems?" She asked out of concern, but also trying to make small talk. Even though she could just sit there in comfortable silence with her. In Sadie's mind, she thought everyone needed at least one person that they could talk to. And sometimes strangers were easier to talk to. Something Sadie learned from experience.
She sat her beer down, grabbed a taco, and took a mouthful bite. She let out a moan in delight from the mouth-watering goodness as she chewed and savored the first bite. Once she swallowed and washed it down with another drink, she looked over at Dani. "I'm not usually a chaotic eater, but this is fucking amazing." She smiled over at Dani again before she took another bite and looked back at the waves. Enjoying the silence until Dani spoke, if she wanted to and she wouldn't push her to either.
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