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#SeductiveSunday vibes

Just sharpening his blades, mind wandering.

Wondering if @fireofangel.bsky.social’s leg is feeling any better today.

“By design, unfortunately. I’m not the ‘open book’ type.” At least, not with non-Spartans. “But your discretion is appreciated.”

Fred hummed into his mug, and continued to stare outside. Things were becoming more complicated by the hour. “I may need to speak with her.” He reasoned aloud. “How much did you tell her, about me?”

He turned his head sideways, back towards her. “This one you asked, tell me about them.” Fred was gathering Intel. “I need to know what I’m dealing with. The more detail, the better.”

“I admire your optimism.” Fred pushed off the counter and circled the punching bag. Then he walked to the window. “These people you asked, do you trust them?”

“Nothing in my universe has the technology for time travel itself.” He felt safer talking about these things now. Some key events and places here did not exist in his universe. His trip around the city had been quite informative in that respect. “I am at a loss, and I don’t like it.”

And now it’s just John and Fred… 🥺

People counting on him. He wasn’t prepared for the bit of a gut punch that was. There was a pause, mid breath, but he recovered fast enough. “So far as my systems could detect, yes. Just me, my armor and weapons.”

“Something like that.” He gave a half smirk, sipping at the mug again. “Again, I appreciate that. As wonderful as your company is, I need to get back.” Yeah, but how, Fred? You don’t even know the mechanics of what brought you here in the first place.

He located the mugs, and poured into it. It was almost comically small in his hand. “I drink mine black, but thank you.” The man leaned back on the counter and sipped. It was… quite bitter. Linda would like this roast. “We had a PT routine. But I can’t do most of it here. Insufficient weights.”

He noticed the state she was in when she opened the door. Clearly, it was a decent workout for her. “Thank you.” He stepped in, closed the door behind him and headed for the coffee. “Sounded like you were hitting pretty solidly.” Fred commented as he poured a mug.

And show up, he did, knocking on the door once the music stopped. Impeccable timing.

He stood outside his door, but he could hear the bag upstairs. Could hear her breathing as she trained. Could smell the coffee. Still, he entered his apartment and set his pistol back with his armor. He looked around the apartment, and frowned. He didn’t know what else to do but go upstairs.

Fred tried to sleep, but it eluded him. Too much on his mind, and not enough fatigue to knock him out. He got up, set his armor’s failsafe and left the apartment. Time to see the city, and get a lay of the land. Pistol tucked away on his person, just in case. He’d return around 0900 the next day.

Still Friday, where he comes from, so no. Not too late at all.

When Fred entered his apartment, he immediately locked the door and checked his armor. All accounted for. He grabbed his helmet and slid it on to activate a proximity alarm. Setting it back down, he grabbed his pistol and took it with him to the couch. Time to try to get some shut eye.

“Of course. It’s the least I can do.” Fred spoke in a softer volume. “Sleep well.” He waited until she entered her apartment before he headed back down to ‘his’ own.

Respectfully, of course. (He knows the effect he has, but doesn’t act on it.)

Letting go of the doorknob, he ascended the stairs to stand beside her. “To the door then.” He let her lead, staying close.

“It wouldn’t be an issue. I have nothing 𝘣𝘶𝘵 time, it seems.” Fred replied, with a cocked eyebrow. “But if you’re sure, then I will see you in the morning.”

It’s neither, truly. The few that saw him out of armor had a similar reaction. Yes. This swooning thing.

“Good night.” He gave her another nod, but lingered to watch her climb the stairs. “Do you need assistance?” She *had* drunk a considerable amount.

She’s reminding him of some of the female marines, back in his universe… 😏

“Thank you, Selina.” He gave her a slow nod. There was genuine appreciation in his voice, and even a small hint of a smile. “Don’t be concerned if I’m not here when you awake. I take a long run in the mornings.”

His head turned towards her and he nodded. “That would be appreciated.” Fred rose and turned back the way they had originally come from. He had memorized the route, but he was being polite.

Fred found it both comfortable and not. He wasn’t used to sitting idle for very long. A man of action. It was becoming unsettling, but he didn’t want to say anything. Didn’t want to ruin it for her.

When you have a body like this, it would be more wrong NOT to flex.

' leave it at that , motherfucker . ' #FlexFriday

I’m feeling it today, so have a #FlexFriday

Fred hummed in acknowledgement, but didn’t comment on the matter. The longer he stayed here, the more he would learn. He took a deep breath, and while it wasn’t the recycled air of his armor, it wasn’t exactly clean. The past, and not even 𝘩𝘪𝘴 past.

“I highly doubt it’s worse than what I’ve just come from.” He looked up at the stars, and it seemed as foreign as any other starscape. Yet, it also gave him a sliver of hope that he’d make it back home. “I imagine crime is high here.”

“I know what I am. 𝘞𝘩𝘰 I am. I don’t expect much to change.” Fred sounded resolute, tone even. “I’m drawn to conflict. Trained to run towards it. It’s inevitable.”

“From a 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 young age.” He had to be careful now. “Warfare is all I’ve known.”

“That’s just my… specialty.” He shrugged, minutely. “We’re highly trained, on many facets of warfare.”

“Close quarters combat. Hand-to-hand.” Fred explained. Did it show that he rarely spoke to civilians? “Edged weapons too.” She might remember the twin knives he wore, one tucked inside each shoulder pauldron of his armor.

He believed that he didn’t really know HOW to slow down. “I am extremely proficient in CQC.” It wasn’t much, but it was ‘safe’, from his perspective.

“The moon looks different to me. It’s… not like this, from what I remember.” He was staring at it, but still acutely aware of his surroundings. Her breathing. A raccoon in a tree nearby. “Slowing down is… nice.”

Aesos Replies will have to wait until EOD. I’m swamped at work.

“I can see why.” Fred looked around the bench then turned to sit on it with her. It almost looked small compared to his larger frame. “I look at the stars. I find them humbling.”

He could see with perfect acuity, despite the darkness; saw the nod. “There is an odd peace here. Very noticeable.”

He stood back up and nodded. “No. Can’t have that.”

Fred took a knee and lowered his arm, still balancing her. Again, it was effortless. “Please don’t expect that to become a regular occurrence.”