~Scott~
Wandering the neon-lit streets of Addenbrooke, bag slung over me shoulder, chemicals rattlin' inside, me mood was as grey as the sky. Had to fetch some supplies Eliana needed—hardly me idea of a thrill.
As I trudged along, lost in me thoughts, a sharp shatter rang out in the distance.
"The hell was that?"
Curiosity sparked, I followed the noise 'round the corner—only to find a makeshift fight pit in the middle of the street. Holo-ads flickered overhead, their glow mixin' with the sweat and blood of two scrappers dukin' it out. The crowd roared, shovin' creds onto their betting apps, some even streamin' the brawl live.
"Blimey, didn't expect this on me errand run today."
One scrapper, a wiry lad with more grit than sense, caught a vicious right hook. His head snapped back, the crowd eatin' it up. Then—I recognized him.
"Hold on a tick… Ain't that Timmy O'Malley?"
Timmy bloody O'Malley. Best scrapper this side of the Thames, always lookin' for trouble. We'd crossed paths back when I had a steady gig and a place to call me own. If he spotted me, he might try collectin' on that "debt" he swore I owed him.
"Come on, Timmy," I muttered. "Get yer fists up, lad."
Timmy ducked, weaved, dodgin' wild swings. Then—bang. A flurry of punches, fast as hell, sent his opponent stumblin'. One final blow, and down the poor sod went. The crowd exploded, hollerin' as the ref raised Timmy's hand.
A grin tugged at me lips.
"Timmy, you bloody rascal," I murmured, slippin' away before he spotted me.
As the crowd scattered, I made me way back to the lab, the chilly air nippin' at me nose.
"Bet the bugger's still celebratin' that win."
The streets of Addenbrooke were near empty, save for the occasional self-driving cab gliding past and the flicker of neon ads reflecting off rain-slick pavement. A stray cat slinked through the shadows, its cybernetic eye gleaming as it scanned me for food—or maybe trouble.
The solitude of the alleys was almost comforting, givin' me thoughts room to wander as I ambled through the dim glow of flickerin' holo-signs.
"Gotta say, I've never seen Timmy fight with such fire," I muttered to meself. "Hope the lad's makin' the most of that win."
With every turn, I drew closer to the lab, that familiar buzz of excitement stirrin' in me chest. I'd been workin' with Eliana and the lads for a good while now, and our experiments were startin' to show real promise.
Then, up ahead, a silhouette stood against the pulsin' glow of a storefront display. Maggie.
A chill prickled up me spine, and not from the night air. Somethin' about Maggie's presence always made me heart skip a beat.
"Well, well, Maggie me lass," I murmured, a smirk tuggin' at me lips. "Didn't take you for the type to lurk in the dark."
She turned, arms crossed, her expression half amusement, half exasperation.
"Eliana sent me to find you," she said with a chuckle. "Figured you'd get lost or distracted."
"So, you've been tailin' me like some hired tracker, eh? As you can see, I didn't go missin'—but you won't believe what I stumbled on."
Maggie raised a brow. "Go on, then. Let's hear it."
I gestured for her to walk with me. "Picture this—back alley fight pit, neon signs flickerin', crowd goin' mad. And in the middle of it? Timmy O'Malley. The scrapper himself, still throwin' fists like the world owes him somethin'."
Maggie scoffed. "Timmy? Thought he'd gotten himself locked up or worse."
"Nah, still kickin'—and winnin', too. I put a few creds on him. Walked away with a nice bit o' change." I patted me pocket with a grin.
She let out a laugh, shakin' her head. "You never change, Scott. How much did you win?"
"A tidy sum," I said, smirkin'. "Enough to buy us a round or two."
Maggie rolled her eyes, but the amusement was clear. "Always makin' the best of a situation, aren't ya?"
"It's a gift," I said as we neared the bar, its holo-sign buzzin' with static. "And one I'm happy to share tonight."
She chuckled as she stepped inside. "Lead the way, Scott."
The neon glow of the bar wrapped around us as we took our seats. I flagged the barkeep for a round.
"To Timmy O'Malley, the scrapper!" I toasted, lifting my glass. "May his fists never stop."
Maggie clinked her glass with mine. "To Timmy, champ of the alleys! May his pockets be as full as his fists."
We sipped our drinks, the bar buzzing with laughter and the soft hum of synth-jazz in the background.
"So, Scott," Maggie leaned in, "how'd you manage to catch that fight between errands?"
I smirked, taking a sip. "A little detour, Maggie. A man's gotta eat, right? And while I was picking up fish, I heard a crowd. Couldn't resist."
Maggie raised an eyebrow. "A detour to the fishmonger?"
"Sometimes, the excitement's in the unexpected," I shrugged. "Eliana's work's important, but a little adventure makes the day worth it."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're impossible. What about Eliana?"
"She's brilliant, no doubt," I said, swirling me drink. "But sometimes I wonder if she's missing out on the thrill of life outside the lab."
Maggie nodded, tapping her glass. "Life's not all work. There's joy in a good drink, good company… a bit of fun."
"Aye, Maggie, you've got the right of it," I agreed, tapping my temple. "Life's a story. It needs drama, adventure, and a bit of romance. Otherwise, what's the point?"
She chuckled. "How about we write our own story tonight? One full of good drinks and maybe a bit of mischief."
I grinned. "Sounds like exactly what I need."
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded to the alleyway by the bar. Before I knew it, she had me by the wrist, pulling me into the shadows. Her grip tightened as she pinned me to the wall, and before I could even process, our lips collided.
I didn't understand what was happening, but I didn't mind playing along.
Her lips were soft and welcoming, and I couldn't help but enjoy the moment
A sudden feeling of guilt eluded me as I felt me heart racing, me body tensed to the hardening sensation between my thighs. Maggie moaned in response, pressing herself against me with a hunger I had never seen before.
"Maggie,"
I whispered, unsure of what to say. But the longing in her gaze told me all I needed to know.
She pulled back, smiling, her eyes gleaming in the alley's dim light.
"Come with me, Scotty. I've got a few things to show you."
I followed her, heart racing as she led me further into the shadows. She opened a hidden door, revealing a secret club bathed in red light. It was quiet, just enough privacy for whatever came next. Her lips withdrew as she forcefully took off me jacket staring with a desire I couldn't fathom, She gripped me hands abruptly landing them on her thighs as she slowly began to unbuckle me belts.
There was nothing I could do but follow her lead, so I grabbed her and towed her on the table, breaking a few glasses in the rush. Our lips met again in heist engulfed in mindless passion.
I gripped her tightly as more glasses fell on the floor. I halted midway to the sounds of the glasses shattering on the floor, remembering the chemicals I was supposed to get to the lab. "Maggie the chemicals"
I said trying to catch my breath.
Her face suddenly turned grim with one eyebrow raised not wanting to believe we stopped cause of the chemicals.
"The chemicals, Scott? Are you serious right now?!"
"it's been three hours Maggie, I'll make it up to ya, promise"
"promise?!"
"ya, promise"
She jumped from the table and headed for the door. I grabbed the bag of chemicals and followed her.
"Hey, we made quite the mess back there," I said, handing the barkeep some cash. "For the damages."
"The place is dead, bruv. No customers?"
"half the city fled to the news of toxins spreading again, hardly anyone comes for a drink, let alone hang out back there"
"ahh I see"
"yeah. what's up with her, you guys had a fight?"
"nah, something else"
"oh! Got it, just make it up to her next time a'ight, I'll Keep a cozy spot for ya"
"Scott!" Maggie yelled, fuming.
"Oh boy, she's feisty."
"Coming!" I rushed after her as we stumbled out of the bar.
A few minutes of walking in silence passed before I finally broke it. "So…"
"Don't start, Scott. The chemicals need to get to the lab, right?" she snapped, still annoyed from the bar.
"Aiye, Maggie, you know…" I started to patronize her before she broke into a sprint down the road.
"Hey, hold up!" I shouted, chasing after her, dragging the bag behind me as we dashed down the alleyway. The streets of Addenbrooke seemed quieter now, almost eerie.
As we neared the lab, the streets grew even more still. I stopped, breathing heavily, watching Maggie wait for the elevator doors to open. When they did, she tried to lock me out.
"Hold it, c'mon, Maggie!" I called, but she was giving me the silent treatment. The elevator doors started to close steadily.
She didn't speak, not even when the elevator beeped, beginning its ascent. She leaned against the back wall, a teasing smirk creeping across her face before she broke the silence.
"Didn't think you'd make it."
I didn't have the energy for a comeback. I just nodded, still trying to catch my breath. "Yeah, well… here I am."
Maggie turned her head, studying me. Her gaze lingered a bit too long. "I didn't know you were so competitive."
"I'm not," I muttered, trying to downplay it. "I just don't like losing."
She chuckled, but there was something in her eyes—playful, teasing. "Is that what you call it?"
"Yeah," I replied, stealing a glance at her, not wanting to get locked in her gaze. "What else would I call it?"
She smiled, lips curling into something more amused. "Nothing, I guess. But you did just chase me all the way across the building, so I think I deserve a little more credit."
"Fine, you win. You're fast," I said, just as the elevator doors slid open, revealing a rather curious sight. "Oh my—"
Maggie froze, halting just before the doors closed behind us. Eliana and Jamal stood there in the dim light, eyes locked, bodies stiff, like time had slammed to a halt.
They snapped back to attention as I intentionally dropped the chemical bags on the steel table. The awkwardness of the situation rippling through the air like a shockwave. Their bodies remained still, but their expressions betrayed a mixture of embarrassment and relief.
Eliana, cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and relief, stepped towards the workbench and picked up Jamal's spectacles. In that moment, the silence seemed to echo through the room, each tick of the clock magnifying the awkwardness that hung in the air.
I took a step forward and muttered to meself,
"Aye, now that's a bit of a wonder ain't it?" I chuckled slightly.
Eliana handed the spectacles back to Jamal, her hands shaking ever so slightly. Jamal, his nerves betraying him, fumbled with the glasses, finally managing to slide them on with a nervous chuckle.
I glanced between them, a smile playing on my lips as I muttered beneath my breath.
"Ah, Love in the lab—ain't that a tale to tell."