Two weeks after the fight Jude and Brodie were outside disrupting the usual mundanity of life underground by racing through the street. "Gah last round!" Jude said barreling down a road around a cornercalready drenched in sweat.
Just about keeping a lead over Brodie who was charging forward right on his tail he turned a corner where he saw Willow holding up a makeshift flag already drenched in sweat holding three bottles of water. He attempted to keep his pace despite his legs locking up underneath him.
All his effort was all washed away when Brodie suddenly charged straight past him. All Jude could do was watch as Brodies deceptively nimble and agile frame sped past him. Brodie crossed the finish line before doubling over and clasping his hands to his knees breathing heavily.
With the wind knocked out of his sails Jude crossed the finish line coming in second for the fifth time in as many days. Despite the disappointment in himself for the result he was still relieved to finally be done with running and flopped onto the ground breathing heavily.
Brodie was by now sitting down stretching his legs out. "Oh right" Jude muttered sitting upand doing the same. "Sheesh you're both drenched in sweat" Willow said looking at the pair with their shirts now drenched attached to their skin.
"Here" she said handing placing the water bottles next to their now steaming bodies. Staying seated they gulped down the water before letting out guttural gasps for air.
"So now what" she asked sarcastically looming over them. "Gah...hey...be..nice we're exhaa...exhausted" Brodie replied still gasping for air. "No one told you to make it a race, you two just like racing" she replied.
"Well.. we're not all completely mental" Jude said standing up gingerly. "Yeah you can just go on and on without stopping we need to be motivated" Brodie added reluctantly rising to his feet. "Well yeah I just start running and don't stop till I have to" Willow replied shrugging.
"See that's not normal. Ah man I reek. See you guys later I'm going to shower El doesn't need to see me like this" Jude said pulling at his shirt watching it stick. "You kidding, she'd like you if you were bald and covered in mud" Willow replied side eyeing Jude. "Yeah she's crazy about you" Brodie said before looking down at his own shirt. "Yeah this is a sticky mess let's all just meet up later at Kosis" he continued.
Meanwhile Kosi was on bed rest attempting to recuperate. Rue had gone around his apartment and written down Dr Matthews instructions to him in every room and had threatened to write it on him permanently if he didn't listen. It wasn't much issue to Kosi because he got the perk of Rue coming by consistently to take care of him.
He laid on his bed and watching old shows on the TV he had moved into his bedroom weeks ago. Rue walked into the room with a tray of food and drinks and stood at the side of the bed. "Move over and hold this" she said waiting for him to sit up and make room. She then handed him the tray and sat on the bed next to him.
They spent the next hour eating and reciting the dialog of one of their favorite shows word for word giggling and relaxing in each other's company. Once the food was gone and the plates were cleared they cuddled up together and set out their plan.
"So how's the knee" Rue asked looking at it wrapped up. "Pretty good actually this really cute girl been taking great care of me" Kosi replied.
"Oh she sounds like a keeper" Rue said mildly blushing. "I mean yeah I love her hope we're together for a long time" Kosi said giving her a light squeeze.
"So you think you'll be ready to run? My dad said it's in eight days" she asked. "Yeah actually I think so, my only thing is if I don't make it Brodie loses his spot too" he replied solemnly.
"Hey you got this babe, besides aside from Brodie Jude and Willow who else you know who could even try to outdo you" she said encouragingly. "Oh wait Willows doing it?" he asked looking at her.
"Yeah actually she is, she told me she watched Jude and Brodie training one day and just joined it. Said it was fun" Rue replied. "So three spots filled if they all make it, hope I get the last one" he said with a tinge of worry.
"You will" she said cheerfully while patting his chest. "No one's as prepared as you are babe" she continued. "Thanks, oh by the way you make sure Captain Williams thinks I'm really hurt?" he asked.
"Mhm Elise and I went to go see him to you know "ask" for them to postpone the trails" she said emphasizing the ask with big air quotes. "Perfect now if everyone else does their bit we got him right where we need him, great idea by the way babe" he replied.
"Of course I'm the looks and the brains of this relationship" she said cheekily. "Oh was that supposed to be a joke cause you're right" he replied. "Luckiest guy ever" he continued hugging her close content with how the plan was going.