No Pain no Gain -Cassie-

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


“Well, that makes two of us,” he replied. Words were usually just words; they didn’t have any powerful impact on Cassandra other than the obvious talk of angels and demons. Yet, for as simple and short of a statement, these ones did and for once, it was an utterly normal statement. She hadn’t been expecting an answer to her own statement, she just thought that he had the right to know but Josh had thrown her for a loop. Crystal eyes stared at him for a moment before glancing down, but Cassandra found it hard to hide her small smile. Job stood waiting at the door frame, glancing back at them as if telling them it was time to leave as Josh agreed, and with that, the dog pushed the door open and headed on out. Soon white sterile walls began to change as they moved through the hospital before finally breaking into the outside world. It was a relief to be out of there now; it felt like leaving her past behind all over again. Her hand was still being held Josh, and Cassandra thought he would have let go by now as the distance between them, their lie, and the building grew. But that didn’t happen.

She wondered if she should let go, that it might be better if she did. The problem was that she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. It’s not like men were a new thing to her, she had been around them in high school before everything happened, and she had even been around them at the ward, for better or for worst. But there was something about Josh that was just, well, different from everyone else and she knew it wasn’t because of who he was, what he was, it was something far different. But she knew that there were hundreds of different reasons for why he could still be holding onto her hand, and Cassandra knew that it could be for an entirely different reason that her own. “You know…I’m glad you know who I am…It’s nice knowing I don’t have to hide,” Josh commented suddenly. It broke her out of her train of thought, and she welcomed the distraction. She offered a smile as she glanced up at him, nodding, “I know…but I think you mean more of what you are. I don’t really know who you are, just like you don’t really know who I am. Just that I’m Cassie and I have a dog, and you’re Josh and that you build amazing houses for people who really matter.”

Maybe it was better that way though, not knowing, but she knew deep down that she wanted to know everything about Joshua Van Buren. To get a better understanding, “But…it is nice. That feeling when you realize that you’re not entirely alone any more. I know where you’re coming from.” Cassandra squeezed his hand lightly, giving him a small form of reassurance. The young woman had a good idea of what was going through his mind though, the same thing that had been going through her mind earlier about him. He was Christ, and if everything truly was setting out to repeat itself, and that was death. If it was something that she could prevent though, well, then she was going to try, “You know, if the two of you need somewhere safer to stay, I have an extra bed in my room.” Well, that had been something that she had not been expecting. Her eyes widen a little at the thought, separate beds of course, but staying under the same roof as him, still, she wondered what effect it might have on them personally, “I…” but she trailed off, uncertain of what to say. “I’d feel better about knowing you were somewhere safe…I’m sorry, that sounded stupid. I was just being honest.”

Confusion probably lingered on her face, trying to put everything in her head but Josh had that effect where thinking seemed to be utterly useless some times. Up ahead, Job’s ears twitched, catching onto their conversation as he glanced back, sensing something going on between his two humans now. His pace slowly down to fall in back with them. Cassandra watched for a moment, still trying to piece something in her mind before she glanced back to him, “Josh…what happened to me isn’t your fault. I’ve…I’ve been dealing with that since I….since I’ve meet Job four years ago. I was just, not thinking, and I didn’t hear him this time,” because her mind was on Josh, but she thought it would probably be better to leave that part out, “I’ll…I’ll stay with you if that makes you feel better. But I want you understand that what happened to me today, that wasn’t caused by you.”


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

“That is who I am...” Josh said with a smile when she described the two things she knew about him. “There's not a lot more to me, I'm a pretty open book” He admitted. Aside from his whole secret he was just, a guy, who built houses. There wasn't much more to him than that. He had a family sure, he loved them. He didn't have strong feelings of like or dislike for any particular foods, or shows, movies, books.

He believed in God, he supposed at this point he sort of had to, part of the job description or something. He had fears and doubts like anyone else but they weren't important. He was just human. “I'm nothing special, or complicated I'm just.. Josh” he admitted and turned his eyes to look at her. “But you're right I don't know who you are...” he had a feeling she was a little more complicated than he was.

“But I'd like to... if you'd let me” he confessed to her and squeezed her hand carefully. He listened as she went on about how what had happened to her wasn't his fault and his eyes kind of took on a puzzled formation. He hadn't said that... but she was obviously thinking it.

“ I never said that I thought anything was my fault...” he said suddenly. Yes he felt like a lot of things were his fault techncially but that wasn't even really the reason he'd asked, he was a little guilt ridden but mostly just worried about her safety, he just thought that if she was closer, if he knew where she was then he wouldn't be constantly worried. Why he should worry was beyond him, the obvious reasons of course that he generally worried about everyone but never this much, it felt almost crippling, scary.

“ I don't think I'm the centre of the universe you know...” He told her, it really wasn't about him, nor did he assume to think that. “I just want to be able to keep you safe, If I can do one thing right now, one thing for myself that would be it and I don't know why, I can't explain it I'm sorry, I wish I could” he wished he knew why he cared so much.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


Cassandra had no idea on what kind of answer she had been expecting but not that, “That’s who I am…There’s not a lot more to me, I’m a pretty open book.” She was so used to people having their own secrets that the idea of not really having any seemed, well odd. Of course, Cassandra knew Josh’s big secret, and regarding their encounter in the church, she supposed that he did not entirely fear what people thought of him, as a whole at least. He might have thought himself simple, but she didn’t believe so, there was always so much more to people than what met the eye, whether the individual thought so or not, “I’m nothing special, or complicated. I’m just…Josh.” A small laugh left her lips, a small smile lingering, “That’s because it’s you talking. If I asked your family, I’m sure they would tell me something completely different,” she replied now as they walked. Feeling his gaze on her though, she glanced up to meet his gaze, “But you’re right I don’t know who you are…but I’d like to…if you’d let me.” Cassandra felt herself at a loss for a moment, until she felt the gentle squeeze of his hand and it was the only reassurance that she needed, “Maybe I’ll tell you some time.”

But thoughts of the past and their stories were lost on his proposal of moving in with him. Perhaps that term was a little strong, but Cassandra had no other way of defining it in her head. Her words might have been rushed and not fully thought through though judging by that puzzled look in his eyes and made her think that she had been wrong in her assumption, “I never said I thought anything was my fault,” Josh stated now. Automatically, she felt rather foolish but she managed to not avert her gaze from him though. All of these feelings were welling up in her, uncertain of what to make of all of this. His proposal confused her in even more now than it did before hand. If he didn’t think that this was his fault, then why did she have to go live where he was staying? There was nothing that he needed to worry about, if anything, he should worry more about himself, “I don’t think I’m the center of the universe you know…” Cassandra bit her lip as she stared at him before finally managing, “I never said that Josh,” but what had she been saying? What had she been thinking when she started rambling about how nothing was his fault? There were so many questions building up in her mind now that she almost missed his words.

“I just want to be able to keep you safe. If I can do one thing right now, one thing for myself, that would be it and I don’t know why. I can’t explain it, I’m sorry, I wish I could,” he told her. She remained silent, uncertain of what to say. This action becoming a common theme for her when talking to Josh, and she didn’t know why. Cassandra wasn’t even so certain if this was a good idea, if it was a good idea to keeping him safe. Considering that he had very little demon interaction compared to her stellar resume, she wondered if it was more dangerous for her to stay with him. Maybe they didn’t know of him though, but if Heaven knew of God’s new child, then surely Hell did too. But none of this mattered, not really, not after Josh’s words. Cassandra did not want to deny him, and the more she thought about it, she couldn’t. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she would almost do anything that he would request of her, almost. Her gaze moved to her white dog, who was still eyeing them. She wished Job could talk, or that she could call David, somebody to help her grasp this and whatever it was that she was feeling, “It’s okay. I think I understand. Um, so, how is this going to work? Did you want me to go shower and grab my stuff then before dinner and drop it at your place?” Come to think of it, she never had moved in somewhere before, the psych ward did not count. A bark escaped Job and finally, Cassandra gently pulled her hand free so that she could pet him, “I know you’re hungry, we’re going to eat soon.”


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

Josh thought about his family, and wondered what they would say. His mother might say he was a miracle, or something silly like that but that was what mothers were supposed to do, brag about their kids, swear up and down that their kids was better than yours. It didn't count for anything. His brother hated him.... no hate was a strong word but they didn't quite get along the way they used to, not since Josh had opened his mouth and told Max the truth...that his girlfriend was as perfect or innocent as he seemed to think.

It hadn't been his place maybe but he had sensed real darkness in that girl, the sort that made him uncomfortable and his brother had deserved to know the truth...hadn't he? MJ... well he barely knew her, she barely knew him. They were 10 years apart and by the time she was 8 he had been off working. The only real time they'd spent together was when he'd brought her to vounteer in New Orleans...which had ended with her being shot and him discovering what he was...what he could do. They hadn't really spoke since and he didn't blame her, she was probably afraid of him. He was afraid of himself sometimes, just wondering who or what was lurking around the corner for him. " I don't think so" he said simply. Okay, maybe she was right there was more to his life than just being Josh but it wasn't his place to burden other people, he was supposed to take their burdens, wasn't that what being Christ meant.

" I know but... it was subtext" he told her. Maybe not that he was 'centre of the universe' but she had assumed he was worried because he blamed himself... he was just worried because...well, he couldn't explain it he just was. He listened to her as she said she understood. That was easy enough to say but did she really? Understand this crazy draw he had to her, this overwhelming sense of over protectiveness. It was something he didn't even have for his family.

"That sounds fine but I'll wait for you" he said forgetting for a moment he too was covered in blood, they probably looked like quite a pair right about now. " I don't want you walking around by yourself, especially right now." It was dark, nighttime she'd just been attacked, it really wasn't safe. He didn't mind waiting. Five people one bathroom at home he'd had his fair share of waiting around thankfully out of the five people three of them had been guys so they took a lot less time to get ready. Course, now that his hair was obnoxiously out of control it look a couple minutes longer to get ready.

He thought fast about the approaching holidays. Halloween...he'd never been one for it really, but then thanksgiving would follow and christmas. He'd have to go home for both and he didn't know what he was going to tell them what he did. Hey guys so guess what I'm the son of God...kay good talk.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


There was silence that fell between them, and Cassandra wondered if her comment may have struck something with Josh. Honestly, she really did always think that there was more to people than what they believed. That was how it always was, yet he didn’t seem to think so. She just glanced at him, watching him out of the corner of her eye as they walked; wondering what was going through his head right now. It was not long before he had come to a conclusion though, “I don’t think so.” It was simple, and straight to the point, and Cassandra didn’t buy it for a second. But arguing with him on such trivial matters was meaningless, especially if he was so dead set on his own ideas, “If that’s what you believe,” and she left it at that. He was more than ‘just Josh’ to her, that much she knew, but she wasn’t sure how far it went yet, and until she figured that out, she would keep her thoughts and confused feelings to herself. A small sigh escaped her; this whole walking with the son of God was beginning to become a little more complicated than she had originally thought it out to be.

“I know but…it was the subtext.” He stated now. Okay, it had been wrong to assume, but it was hard not to. Why else would all of these things be happening? Although, perhaps like her, Josh was not entirely sure himself as to what was going on. There were no answers; there was nothing for them but questions and more questions. Why should she assume anyways? Josh was right. He was not the center of the universe, and she did not revolve around his. It was as simple as that. Yet, all what she felt like these were nothing more than riddles mocking her straight to her face. There was no way of defending herself against such a statement though, Cassandra knew she had been wrong the very moment that he pointed it out, “I’m sorry Josh. It won’t happen again.” Better yet, she’ll keep her thoughts to herself about it, or at the very least, talk to Job about it. It’s not as if he could counter her in any small talk, only sit there and listen. Sometimes, Cassandra felt bad for animals and all that they had to put up with for their owners sanity, hers being worse than probably some others.

When he told her that he would wait for her though, she glanced over at Josh. Her eyes lingered on his blood stains and Cassandra honestly wondered if he had forgotten that he looked equally as bad as her, “I don’t want you walking around by yourself, especially right now.” Cassandra did nothing but stare at him, “I have Job,” she stated now, feeling like this might lead her right back into the same problem as before, ‘No Cassie. Don’t do this. It means nothing,’ she told herself, already trying to prevent the same conclusions from jumping into her head again. She thought about David for a second and how he had lead her back too. The men in her life must think her weak, although when Cassandra thought about it, it wasn’t far from the truth. She was weak; she had panic attacks too, and couldn’t think straight. The attack today had been far worse than any other encounters she had ever had before, and she didn’t know why, “Um…sorry. Never mind. Did you want to shower too? I really can’t decide which one out of the two of us looks worse.”


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

"I'm okay since we have to take your stuff back anyway I can just wait until we get there" he admitted. He would let her shower there get her stuff and he'd shower at the hotel and then they could grab something to eat, or maybe even just order in since by that point he wasn't really sure how likely it would be he'd feel like going out again. So far this day hadn't been the greatest. Injuries were sort of whatever, he didn't get them often but he didn't really mind when he did.

What was worse was seeing Cassie hurt, even that may not have been so bad but seeing the way she'd reacted at the hospital, her fear and pain. That had really affected him the most, in fact it was still affecting them even as they stood. It made him think of the pain of others, the pain he could maybe help if he could just be everywhere at one time, it he gave up leading this facade of a life and actually did what he was destined to do. In all actuality he had no idea what he was destined to do. None whatsoever.

Taking a moment he nodded for her to go. He'd be find there waiting for her. Due to his size, he rarely got trouble and now, standing there stained in blood he was pretty sure that people were definitely going to by pass him, perhaps even go out of their way to avoid him. The thought made him smile especially considering he was precisely the opposite of what he was portraying there now.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


Did she really just offer for him to use her shower? Cassandra wasn’t sure as to what she had been thinking, she felt bad enough that she and her dog were going to have to scrub themselves down it in it and then leave the mess for the hostel people to clean up, “I'm okay since we have to take your stuff back anyway I can just wait until we get there,” Josh offered now. For some reason, she felt mildly relieved, “Okay.” He looked exhausted, probably felt it too. The day hadn’t been easy for him, and she felt a little guilty, feeling like it was all her fault. Why did she always get in trouble? Why did she always freeze and panic? But most importantly, why wasn’t she brave? All of these questions troubled Cassandra, for a while, she thought she had gotten better, since the church incident, she had always felt braver for some reason, yet everything had reverted back, just like that. Crystal eyes glanced over at the other individual for a moment, he looked distracted by something, something going on inside his head, and Cassandra couldn’t help but to wonder what it could have been.

But before she could even ask though, he nodded for her to lead the way and Cassandra’s question fell flat before she could have even formed it on her lips. Feeling rather foolish at the thought, her gaze soon fell to Job. His tail was wagging as he caught sight of the nod, and he bounded a few feet before breaking down in a brisk trot, clearly leading the way for them. The action made her smile a little and soon, she followed after the dog, knowing that Josh would follow. For a moment, her thoughts lingered back to the idea of living with him. The notion still felt a little strange as she walked along, were they friends or mere acquaintances? One thing was certain though, they were connected because of what they were, and Cassandra wondered if their destinies were intertwined. But who knew, she was just a fallen angel, and the concept was still a weird one to get accustomed too even though she had finally learned the truth. Cassandra wasn’t normal, she knew that but the fact of the reason why she wasn’t normal was still a little odd. The thought made her sigh a little, annoyed by all of this. Nothing but questions.

Glancing back over at Josh, she wondered how he felt some times. All the world and it’s weight was on his shoulders, plus he had a family back home, at his real home, “You know…when I’m around you, I feel normal.” Cassandra didn’t know why she felt like sharing this; maybe it was just to take his mind off of whatever may be troubling him, or maybe she really just wanted him to know. Either way, it wasn’t a lie, it was the truth, yet Cassandra didn’t know why. Perhaps it was the same reason as to why he didn’t know why he wanted her to move in with him, yet he did want it. There were so many unexplainable things when it came to him, but perhaps it was just one big mystery that even now, Cassandra wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know the answers. For now though, she knew she was content with Josh and where they stood, whatever it may be. For a moment, the young woman almost thought that she wanted to hold his hand again, to have his rough, calloused hand in her soft, gentle hand, yet she could not think of a good enough reason. So she dropped it, and quietly walked along besides him now, every so often, her crystal eyes glancing over at him.


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

A gentle grin settled on his face as he cast his eyes to the ground almost trying to hide the fact that her comment had caused him such a reaction. It was nice to hear that he seemingly had some sort of affect on her. He stared at the ground for a moment before he nodded in understand and was able to look at her again. "The feeling is mutual" he assured her. Even though they discussed it pretty openly, what he was, his responsibilities, he didn't feel like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

He actually felt happy to a degree, happier than average at least. It was hard to explain how she made him forget and yet also constantly remind him all at the same time, both for the best. As she dropped his hand he suddenly felt like he'd lost something. It was like a phantom limb where it felt as thought something that should have been there was still there and yet you knew it was missing. As she kept glancing over at him as they continued to walk he smiled again looking ahead.

He watched her out of the corner of his eye, his mind suddenly racing and not making any sort of sense. He wanted to set it all out logically but he couldn't do it, his mind was preventing him from forming any one linear thought it was running completely off feeling. As he caught her glance at him one more time he turned and caught her lips in a kiss. He had no idea what he was doing, going off instinct for once, bracing himself to be hit, or worse cut again but he'd just done it, there sometimes was no logic. It took a moment for the sense of what he'd done to kick into his brain and he pulled back just as quickly as he'd done it. ".... I- I'm sorry" he said but he didn't sound very sorry, but he was maybe sorry because he thought she would want him to be sorry. He should have...asked or something first.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


She noticed how he glanced away from her now, glancing down at the ground as they walked, but that didn’t’ take away from the fact that she caught sight of the grin that now rested on his face. Funny how simple words could turn someone around, but she was glad to share them with him. Josh didn’t look troubled any more, or at least whatever he had been thinking about was momentarily gone and replaced by something else. It seemed to be a moment before he was even able to look back at her though, “The feeling is mutual.” Cassandra felt her smile grow a little more as a quiet laugh escaped her. It made her feel good, but she wasn’t entirely sure why. He just had that affect now. Maybe it was just because he was the new Christ, or maybe it was because of something more that she didn’t quite entirely understand yet. Silence fell once again, although this time Cassandra didn’t entirely feel the need to speak, feeling content with where their small conversation had left off.

As Job wandered ahead of them, Cassandra tried very hard to keep her gaze locked on the white dog now. But despite her best efforts, she kept on finding her gaze wandering to the man besides her. Partially because she wasn’t holding his hand, and partially because, well, she was feeling the draw in. If he noticed though, Josh showed no signs of letting on. Her eyes glancing down at his hand once before glancing away, watching her dog again. She had to get a grip, she had to figure out what this strange feeling was or else, Cassandra didn’t want to imagine how chaotic living with him was going to be. The idea was still foreign in her mind though, like it wasn’t true until it actually happened, but she knew it was coming up soon and here she was having issues tearing her gaze away from him and not thinking of a good reason to hold his hand. New emotions were horrible; they should have come with a guide book. The thought made her sigh a little and once again, she just found that gravitational pull as she glanced back over towards Josh now, and his gaze automatically met hers. Cassandra felt embarrassed by being caught, her lips parting to come up with some random explanation as to why. But Josh was moving closer, really close and she found herself completely caught off guard when his lips met hers.

Cassandra was certain that her heartbeat had stopped, and that she felt light headed, and maybe time had even stopped for a few seconds as he kissed her before it abruptly ended. Her eyes just stared at him, widen in shock as she suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights. For a moment, she almost thought it didn’t happen until he spoke, “…I-I’m sorry.” His voice caused her to snap out of slightly, and Cassandra suddenly became aware that her face felt like it was on fire. It was funny, his words, he didn’t sound sorry at all, in fact, she wasn’t even sure why he was apologizing. Her gaze left him for a moment, looking to the white dog who had stopped and was glancing back with his head cocked, eyes locked on Josh, probably trying to figure out what happened. Cassandra finally glanced back towards Josh now, and what after must have seemed like forever, found her voice, “No, its okay,” she managed, closing that small space between and her hand rested on his forearm now, smiling “I liked it.” Her hands moved now and cupped around his face, pulling him down as she stood on her toes and kissed him.

For once in her life, everything was perfect.


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

As Joshua took in the expression on her face she looked just about as shocked that she'd been kissed as he was shocked that he'd kissed her. The apology seemed necessary especially now that he saw the wide startled look in her beautiful eyes. He was about to take a further step when he felt her hand on his arm and it stopped him dead in his tracks. He wasn't sure he'd heard her right. It was okay?

This strange wave of relief hit him as he realised she wasn't mad or angry, or even annoyed. Good. He had been worried that he'd totally just messed up this opportunity to keep her safe, that he'd taken advantage of the situation to make a move. That wasn't it at all he just... Well he wasn't sure what he had been doing just give it all.

Her next words made him smile. To see her smiling at him like that, It made him feel like he was the only person in the world. He went to say something but stopped when her hands grasped his face and she kissed him back. He felt like in that moment she'd completely transported him from the dark and dirty street to Utopia. Kissing her back, He wrapped his arms gently around her waist and lifted her so they were on a more even level height wise, besides having her that close to him felt right. Now, he didn't want to be anywhere but here.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


It was nice to see him smile, truly smile. It still came as a minor shock though that she had been the cause for it, but as long as he never felt like he was ever alone again, Cassandra didn’t mind. For a moment, he looked as if he were going to say something, but too caught up in the moment; she cut him off before any words could even leave him. These feelings swirling around her were unlike any she had ever felt before, and they only seemed to grow with each contact that she had with Josh. The world didn’t feel like a dreadful place anymore, not one that she had to hide from in fear because of whatever laid out in the unknown. In fact, she didn’t even feel like she was there, Cassandra had even forgotten that they were on a street at that very moment the moment Josh started to kiss her back. The young woman almost found herself wondering if this was even real, or if she was back in the hospital room under sedation.

She could feel his arms start to wrap around her waist before he pulled her up, leveling the playing field for a moment. Every small movement that Josh made now, Cassandra felt strangely in tune and aware of him: each time he took a breath, his heart beat, and every shift. Her hands slid from his face, finally just wrapping her arms around his neck as she enjoyed the contact between the two of them and being this close once again. Somehow, it felt right, like it was always meant to be and Cassandra hoped that it would last forever and never die. It was moments like these were she forgot what she was, and what Josh was destined for, while they still lingered in the back of her mind, the dark truths of their reality didn’t seem so harsh. Her lips began to travel now in a gentle kiss, from his lips, to his jaw bone, and stopping on his neck. They lingered there for a moment before she turned her head, breaking the contact and nuzzled him for a moment.

Josh’s scent was distinct, probably from the labor that he pulled all day on his construction sites. A mixture of sweat, dirt, and dust, but it didn’t bother her. It was comforting, but maybe it was just because she knew it was him. A bark escaped her dog, happy for their feelings but growing bored once again with waiting around. And it was if it was then that Cassandra became aware that she still wasn’t touching the ground with her feet and that Josh was still holding her up. Normally, she probably have no objections to such thing, but her mind flashed to his new stitches. She hadn’t seen them yet, which only lead her to believe that they were probably along his side and shoulder, “Um, as much as I enjoy this, you should probably put be back down, I don’t want to be the cause of your stitches ripping open.” Then again, that might be more possible if she let go of his neck too, and slowly, Cassandra allowed her arms to let go and slid down, merely resting on his chest for they had nowhere else to go now.

She was still smiling though, embarrassed a little by ending their embrace by her worry but at least now she knew, these feelings or whatever she had, they were real for her, as well as him, and that explained some things, well, maybe still not in words, but there was an understanding now. A silent one.


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

Job sort of broken the concentration, which he didn't mind. Poor guy was just probably feeling ignored, and wanted to get going, couldn't blame him. It occured to him now how ridiculous the three of them probably looked, like something out of a horror film, or like they'd just escaped a horrific car accident. All of them, covered in blood standing on the street, it was a wonder no one had called the police yet.

He laughed slightly and nodded in agreement placing her back down on the ground, he'd actually, in the moment completely forgotten about his injury and his stitches. Now that she mentioned them though he could feel a slight sting on site, she was right he shouldn't be lifting anything, or anyone. That was seriously going to be a damper on his work, he was just going to have to direct and apparently that meant he could still get hurt. Accidents happened, there was nothing he could do about it.

After he had let her down, he took her face in his hands and placed a single kiss on her forehead before letting his hands fall and offering one for her to take. "Come on, we still have to eat remember" he pointed out, not to mention shower the blood off and change. " I don't think I'm gonna be working tomorrow" he admitted. One day off in a million years couldn't hurt right, he hadn't taken time off since last Christmas and that had only been two days. Besides being injured was sort of a legitimate reason to take a day off, wasn't like he could be much help physically and they knew what they were doing.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


Even though it was nonspoken, Cassandra was glad to hear that he agreed with her. After all, they had just left the hospital, and honestly, she rather avoid either of them going back again. The idea of Josh getting injured bothered her a little bit, even though it had been a complete accident, she still felt like that maybe there could have been something that she could have done. But Cassandra knew better than complain out loud, remembering Josh’s story of how he even came to be, and she knew that it could have been a lot worse, much worse. Looking at all of them though, they were lucky. She felt a little bit better though once he had put her down, knowing that there wasn’t that added stress on his stitches now, because even if he might not have noticed the pain before, Cassandra was certain that he might have felt something now.

His hands were around her face for a moment, and she felt his lips press up against her forehead in a gentle kiss. The contact was as brief as the kiss, but any physical contact with Josh seemed to last a life time. While his hands had dropped from her though, he still offered one to hold. Crystal eyes stared at it for a moment, smiling as she did so before allowing her small hand to slide into his. Her thoughts wandered back to when they first met at the church, how when she grabbed his hands for the first time. Cassandra hadn’t been sure if Josh had been aware, but it felt like he had seized up a moment, hesitant on the contact. His hands were so rough compared to hers’, and she figured that had been his reasoning as to why they couldn’t touch. Yet now, he was the opposite. Cassandra wasn’t complaining, she loved the feel, but it was curious all the same.

“…I actually forgot,” she commented now, smiling, but now with the thought brought up, it was hard to imagine that she had forgot. That wasn’t all that they needed to do though, shower, move her and Job, it felt like there was probably a lot to do before they could actually eat. With that, Cassandra started to walk and Job once again started to lead the way with a certain spring, probably hoping to egg his humans on a little faster. She glanced at Josh for a moment though at his announcement, “I’m glad to hear that,” Cassandra commented before turning her attention back to looking where she was going, “You need the rest.” After all, he wouldn’t be any good if he ripped his stitches back open again. Another thought soon hit her though, “Josh, you’re going back to see your family for the holiday, right? I don’t want to keep you from them.”


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|

[JOSHUA ELIJAH VAN BUREN]

His blue eyes fell into a state of confusion as he though about whether or not he was going to see his family for the holidays. "I'm not sure.." he admitted. He guessed it really depended on his work schedule, Christmas was always a rest day but...there days leading up to it and after were a whole different story, the time it would take to get home and back, well he wasn't going to say it wasn't worth it but it was a lot of cost and money for something as selfish as being able to see his family.

"They might not even want me home" he said thoughtfully but well, he hadn't seen Max since he'd failed at bringing the girl he loved back to life...if he had hated him before for seeing Amanda's true colours he wasn't even sure what his brother would think of him now. At the end of the day, the girl was alive, but what great sacrifices had been made to get her there, and had it been worth it.

He wasn't usually the type willing to trade any human life but in this case, she may have been better off dead. MJ...well last time they'd spent any time together she'd gotten herself shot so she probably didn't want to talk to him either. His mother always had time for him but in this case coming home and causing tension may just be the ruin of the holiday.

"I've always been sort of ... different anyway" he said it was hard to explain but as much as he loved his family and cared for them, he had done okay on his own, he'd always been a take charge and take care type of person. "They might be better off with out me there" he continued.

[CASSANDRA EDEN LUXE]

†Cassandra Luxe



Here I am, a RABBIT HEARTED girl

frozen in the headlights

It's seems I've made the final sacrifice...


Cassandra watched Josh for a moment, there was a change about him. Confusion maybe, whatever it was, it shown in his eyes. Perhaps she had asked the wrong question, and for a moment, she thought he was not going to answer her. Feeling the need to apologize, Cassandra was about to launch into it when Josh spoke, “I’m not sure..” and he was right, he did not sound sure at all as he trailed off. Crystal eyes just watched him for a moment as he thought over it in his mind, and she slowly began to realize that he was probably taking into account the consideration of his work or maybe, something else. But Cassandra didn’t allow herself to run wild with her thoughts, there was no need to think the wrong thing again about the situation, “They might not even want me home,” he continued on. The words startled her a little as she stared at him for a little longer before looking away now, going back to minding where she walked rather than give him her full concentration. Somehow, Cassandra doubted his words; she couldn’t imagine any parent not wanting to see their child, well, not one like Josh at least. He was so many things and the young woman sometimes wondered if he even realized it.

They were out a familiar street now, crystal eyes glanced around as Job lead them, and everything was beginning to fall back into place once more. They were close to the Hostel. Cassandra didn’t say anything though, figuring that she would not interrupt Josh’s thoughts about his own family as he continued to ponder it for a little bit longer, “I’ve always been sort of…different anyway,” he finally concluded. The sentence made her smile a little, “They might be better off without me there.” Up ahead, Job sat down on his haunches, staring at a door as he glanced back at them, waiting patiently for the door to open. Catching Cassandra’s gaze, his tail swayed slightly in a wag as people moved around him. Her thoughts were still on Josh and his family now, wondering what they were like and found herself thinking about her own parents and found herself conflicted. They had left her the second time at the ward, when she screamed for them and cried, they never turned back to look at her. They didn’t look back at all as she was locked away for being crazy that second time around. She had never thought about whether or not they would have been better without her in their lives, maybe that’s what they thought and why they left her there instead of never coming back like they did the first time. Cassandra wasn’t even sure.

She reached the door now and Job pushed himself up to his feet, tail wagging as he stared at it. Cassandra pushed the door open, allowing her dog access to inside before glancing back to Josh and smiling, “I think they realize that you’re a good kind of different Josh. You should see them if they call on you,” and she left it at that. After all, it was only an opinion. Gently pulling him through the door, they entered the hostel and there was a muffled gasp from the front desk, “What on earth happened to you, Cassandra?” The woman there had only stared at her for a moment before looking to Josh, and her gaze almost became accusatory. Nothing like a shepherd watching over their sheep, even if the sheep came and went as they pleased. Even though they were clearly holding hands though, Cassandra could only imagine what was going through the older woman’s mind, “Oh no, he’s with me. I just had an accident, that’s all.” Disbelief still sat on the woman’s face, but she went back to her reading now and Cassandra couldn’t help but to feel embarrassed and all of the sudden, the young woman wasn’t too certain she wanted to leave him behind in the lobby either as Job disappeared down the hallway to their room, “Um…care to come with me?” she asked now, glancing up at him.


...I must become a LION HEARTED girl

Ready for a fight before I make...

the

[/font] final [/color]sacrifice...[/color][/size]†
[/center]


NOTES: | None|
OUTFIT: | Grey mid calf boots, white jeans, cerulean blue top, grey hoodie|
MUSIC: |Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - Florence + the Machine|
TAGS: | Joshua Van Buren|