Fighting [IRIS/OPEN]

[jasonwright]

 It's been a rough week, to say the least. After coming back from his weekend job on a fishing vessel catching crab, he returned to scour the town for the two missing homeless men, Wulfric and Eddie, aka Edbyrd. He first noticed their absence last Friday before he got onto the boat, usually chatting with both before he left shore for the day. Neither appeared at their usual breakfast spot, but Jason had shrugged it off, thinking the men simply moved on past the little daily routine they had settled in. But they were still missing when he returned on Sunday. He spent his entire day looking around town for them, asking a few of the other homeless people, but nothing. No one had seen anything. No one knew where the two men were.

A lot of the men and women can't work like he can, doing manual labor for less than minimum wages. So anytime he gets an extra penny, he's started looking out for their little community in Siren Cove. Today's no different as Jason heads into Quill, spending twenty bucks on two boxes of day old muffins and bagels. The person behind the register even throws in a few extra treats. He thanks them then heads over a few blocks, down two alleys, and into a small clearing just on the edge of town behind an old building. Here a few of Siren Cove's homeless have set up residence, blankets and makeshift shelters all over the clearing.

When he arrives though, there's someone yelling at a man Jason knows, Anthony. The man is shoving a finger in Anthony's chest, calling him all sorts of terrible names, and swearing at him left and right. Jason hands the boxes to a woman he knows as Candy, wandering up to the commotion. He interrupts politely, asking if he can help the other man with anything. 

"This bastard stole forty bucks from me!" the man yells, turning his anger onto Jason now. His face is beet red and Jason holds up his hands to show he doesn't mean to threaten the other man in any way.

"Are you sure, sir? I know Anthony and he's not that kind of guy." 

And that's when the man wheels around, gesturing at all the people in the clearing. He calls them scums who need to get jobs, turning back to Anthony to call him a name Jason just has an automatic response to. He reels back and punches the man in the face.

It's stupid. And he'll be the first to admit that he's on edge this week, worried and now overprotective of this little community since two of its own have gone missing. He shakes his fist, wincing, and starts to apologize when the other man gets up and takes at swing at Jason. Before he knows it, they're in a full on brawl. The guy can punch hard, but Jason's faster. He's rusty, but his old reflexes kick in. It's almost like he never left the ring. He's about to hit the guy again after he uses the same word as before when someone hauls him up by the back of his shirt, an impressive feat considering Jason's size.

"What the hell is going on here, Jesus Christ?" a voice growls from behind him. Jason quickly looks over his shoulder and curses himself. He sees a police uniform and the badge on the man's chest says Middleton. The other man tries to explain, growing angrier with every breath and Jason really, really wants to hit him again, but he's being held back by the officer. But the dumbass screws up and doesn't clean up his language. Office Middleton's scowl goes slack, his tension on Jason's arm loosening. 

"Aren't you going to press chargers?" the man yells at the officer. Middleton shrugs, letting go of Jason altogether. 

"Know what? I am." The officer steps around Jason, grabbing hold of the other man. "Disrupting the peace and being a real asshole," he says dryly, moving the man's arms behind his back. Jason's shocked as the officer pulls the man away from the clearing, shoving him very unceremoniously into the back of his cop car. And suddenly his body feels weak and exhausted. He's bleeding, his ribs are bruised, and his knuckles are busted. He doesn't look pretty, but neither does the other guy. Jason checks on Anthony, making sure the man is okay before he excuses himself, slowly making his way back to the cabin at the community garden where he's left Alfredo. He kneels down onto the steps of the cabin, nursing his right hand. What a great week.

Comments

[littleredsiren]

"Really?" she says, his grin infectious. "I guess I'll have to be a good representative for Greece then, so you don't think we're all horrible people. And it's okay. It's been a long time and I miss them, but I know they'd want me to be happy."

"Who says you'll get to come back here again, hm?" she teases, getting up to check the souvlaki again and to stir the rice.

[jasonwright]

"I think Greece is well represented by you. That's a good, healthy way to look at it." He's glad she can remain positive, even with that kind of past.

"Aw man," he laughs. "That's what I get for just making assumptions, isn't it?"

[littleredsiren]

"Yeah, and I've made a good little family of friends here in Siren Cove, y'know? I got away from my awful relatives, learned why I've had so many issues with men... Coming here was probably the best choice I've ever made."

"Yup! I may even kick you out before the night is over," she teases, sticking her head around the corner so he can see her silly grin. "By the way, the bathroom is down the hall and you're free to use the shower or anything if you need it. There's a spare toothbrush under the sink as well."

[jasonwright]

He nods, smiling brightly, glad to hear she's had such a good change. "That's great! You're taking care of yourself, others, and enjoying your life. I'm glad you took that big of a risk."

"Daaaangg, I put my foot in my mouth. I don't blame you though, I've been a very rude guest." He glances around the apartment, taking note of the bathroom in case he's bleary and disoriented in the morning, something that happened a lot when he stayed in an unfamiliar place. Waking up on someone's couch could be a tad terrifying. "You're all prepared for guests, aren't you?" he asks, raising a brow.

[littleredsiren]

"Me too," she smiles, bringing out plates of souvlaki and rice for the both of him, laying one in front of him. "Plus I've met such amazing people since I moved here."

"So rude!" she laughs, spooning out tzatziki. "I realized if I was going to have people over, I'd better be ready for anything. I'll get you a pillow and some quilts after we eat. Oh!" Iris hops to her feet, running into the kitchen and back out with a plate of just chicken, laying it on the ground for Alfredo. "I almost forgot. Sorry, Alfredo..."

[jasonwright]

He takes the plate with a thanks, digging in immediately. He's always hungrier than he thinks as soon as there's food in front of him. "There are some pretty great people here," he agrees. "Nicest people I've met in awhile."

Jason laughs as the dog nearly breaks his back jumping to his feet and running over to the plate. He had the whole puppy-eye routine and everything going for Iris. Alfredo licks her hand, accepting her apology.

[littleredsiren]

Iris smiles happily to see him eating so much. She loves it when people enjoy her food and she's sure he doesn't get enough most days. "Some... strange ones, but generally everyone here is so much nicer than in Seattle. Maybe because it isn't raining all the time here," she muses.

She tuts at herself, scratching his ears. "Sorry, buddy," she coos. "I'll get you another biscuit later to make up for it."

[jasonwright]

"Stranger than normal?" he asks, shoving another piece in his mouth. He hadn't really met anyone in Siren Cove he'd label as strange, but then living his kind of life gives a whole new meaning to the word. "This is really, really good," he grins.

[littleredsiren]

"I met a siren who doesn't want to be a siren but something happened and now that he can't access his powers he's all miserable and... clingy," she offers, tilting her head as she thinks.

Iris ducks her head, grinning with a little blush. "I'm glad you like it. There's plenty more in the kitchen for seconds, and if you wanna take some with you."

[jasonwright]

"That sounds...like something I can't even begin to sympathize with," he admits, scratching the back of his neck. "That's gotta be miserable though."

"Yeah? That'd be awesome, thank you."

[littleredsiren]

"I guess so. I think it's very odd though. I'm a siren too and I don't think I've ever craved being touched as badly as he does," she frowns.

"Not a problem. And if you're ever running short of food, you can always pop by for dinner. I'm clearly not put out by cooking for extra," Iris points out with a grin.

[jasonwright]

"So he's a siren, but doesn't want to be a siren. But he wants to be treated and adored like a siren?" he wrinkles his nose, trying to understand the situation.

He nods, finishing his plate. "I'll remember that. I promise. Just no worrying, okay?"

[littleredsiren]

"...Y-eees?" she sighs. "And he's super forward. It's uncomfortable but he's my friend."

She opens her mouth to reassure him before stopping and shutting it again. "No guarantees. I don't like the thought of my friend possibly sleeping in dangerous places and not having enough food," she huffs, stuffing a forkful of rice into her mouth.

[jasonwright]

He's really trying to reserve judgement but.......Jason doesn't really like this guy already. He purses his lips, nodding. "Did you tell him you're uncomfortable?"

He gives her a reassuring smile. "Iris, I've been doing this long enough. If it doesn't feel safe, I don't stay there. I look out for myself a lot better than I used to."

[littleredsiren]

"Ha!" It just slips out and she immediately feels rude. She clears her throat, blushing. "I mean, I'm not really... No? He's my friend and I feel bad for him. I did tell him no kissing though."

"You still don't eat properly, I bet," she huffs. "I know your type. Feed everyone else before you, right?"

[jasonwright]

"Want me to tell him no creeping?" he asks a bit protectively. He shakes his head. "Sorry, sorry, you should handle it. If you're not comfortable, you should really tell him."

He shifts a bit on the couch because, yeah, she pretty much hit the nail on the head with that one. "Aren't you the same way?" he asks. "Would you feed others before yourself? I'm in better condition than these other guys. I can miss a meal. They can't."

[littleredsiren]

She chews at her lips. She definitely wanted to say yes, but she knows that isn't right. "I promise I will. Or, I'll try. I can promise that at least."

"I am," she half-chuckles. "But I get my meals. And you don't have a reason to miss out on meals. If you're that worried about the other guys missing meals, I can definitely bring down the results of my nervous cooking to you to hand out. Actually, I'd probably do that anyway."

[jasonwright]

Jason smiles when she says she'll try. "That's good. If you need practice, let me know. I can take rejection, no worries."

He runs a hand through his hair because it's actually really hard to break out of old habits, especially the ones where you think you're doing good but you're doing bad to yourself. He perks up when she mentions her nervous cooking and helping out. "That would...that'd be amazing. Really. They don't get hot meals. I can only afford some of the day old bread at Quill which they discount me for. Good days I can get them soup but," he shrugs. "That'd mean a lot."

[littleredsiren]

"Somehow, I can't picture you trying to get all kissy with someone unless they enjoyed it," she smiles, not a hundred percent sure she could reject him after that shirtlessness earlier. And then she immediately kicks herself for that thought, praying she's not blushing.

"I don't think I can do it every evening, but most days I can come meet up with you and bring good hot food then," she suggests, toying with the end of her hair. "Where would be a good place to set it all up?"

[jasonwright]

He chuckles. "Uh no, I definitely wouldn't. Glad I give off that impression thought."

"Whenever you can," he agrees. "Even if it's once a week, they'd love it." He scratches his chin as he thinks. "Somewhere they can sit down and have a meal would be nice. I mean I can always show you the clearing where they live, but if we could give them a break from that, that'd be great."

[littleredsiren]

"I'd say bring them here, but I don't know if there's enough room... We could ask Eli if we can use the cabin? Or maybe get them all out to the park and we can use benches," she says, frowning and biting her nails.

[jasonwright]

"Park might be nice. I wouldn't want to get in the way of the volunteers at the cabin, you know? I think I saw a picnic area."

[littleredsiren]

"Hmm..." She hops to her feet, going and grabbing a notebook to write things down. "How many people are there, usually? At the very least we can arrange the picnic area so it looks a little more homey, maybe."

[jasonwright]

Jason looks up, doing a head count based on his memory of the clearing and where each person claimed as their home. "About twenty-three," he answers then winces. "No. Sorry. Twenty-two."

[littleredsiren]

Her forehead twitches into a concerned frown. "You okay?"