2nd October, 2023

dusk till dawn - zayn, sia

Sailor groans as she opens her eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital ward causing her head to throb. She tries to sit up, but a sharp pain in her side makes her wince and lie back down. Looking down, she sees the bandages covering her wound and the memories of the gunfight flood back to her. The chaos of the battle replays in her mind like a never-ending loop - the deafening sounds of gunfire, the acrid smell of smoke, and the screams of her teammates as they fight for their lives. How has she ended up here, lying on a hospital bed, battered and bruised?

"You think I'd leave you all to die?" The voice of Lucio echoes in her head. She remembers him swooping in to save them, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the chaos around them.

"Where exactly are we?" Sailor asks, still feeling groggy from whatever pain medication she has been given.

"My house," Lucio answers, his voice soothing and calm. Sailor chuckles at the insanity of it. But then again, they are a gang who constantly find themselves in dangerous situations. A hospital ward in Lucio's house doesn't seem all that out of place.

"We get shot at for a living," Lucio adds "So I figured I might as well have a makeshift hospital ward set up here."

"Let's not get too caught up on that. Rain confessed his love for little flame," Sky chirps from his bed with a mischievous grin. Rain, in his bed, groans and buries his face in his hands.

"I thought I was dying. I take it back," Rain splutters, his voice muffled by his hands. Sky bursts out laughing, joined by Isabella, who is curled up next to him.

"She didn't say it back, did she?" Isabella teases. Sailor smiles at the banter between her teammates. Even in the midst of danger and chaos, they find moments of levity.

"Oh, damn. Even when you're bleeding out, you get rejected," Sky teases, earning a playful shove from Rain.

"You just going to let them abuse your son like this?" Rain turns to Lucio, who is watching them with a small smile.

"It's rather fun to watch," Lucio beams, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Just saying she told me she loved me," Noah boasts from his bed.

"Has he not been killed yet?" Rain grumbles.

"Unfortunately not," Natalie quips from her bed.

Noah playfully shoves Natalie. "Natalie."

"You've got to let it go, man," Damien adds with a chuckle from his bed.

"Some of us are still trying to sleep here," Rebel deadpans from her bed.

Sky chuckles. "You love us, Rebs," he jests, his voice filled with teasing affection. "Admit it."

"Do I?" Rebel asks, her tone dry and sarcastic, earning a round of laughs from the group.

"We know you're not as cool as you act," Zane interjects, from his bed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You took a bullet for Sky."

Rebel's response is quick and sharp. "And I'll put a bullet in you," she threatens, only to be met with mocking laughter from Storm in his bed. "Ooo, scary," he taunts, causing Rebel to roll her eyes in exasperation.

Aquarius perks up from her bed. "I don't know about anyone else, but I could kill for a sprite right about now."

Sailor can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Here she is, lying in a hospital bed, bruised, battered, and with a gunshot wound. Beside her, her teammates are also nursing their own wounds from the mission. But despite the pain and uncertainty of their line of work, they can still find humour in the chaos that surrounds them.

As she looks around the room at her fellow gang members, Sailor can't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging that she has never experienced before. They are more than just a group of criminals running the streets - they are family. They have each other's backs through thick and thin, and moments like these only solidify their bond.

TW: IMPRISONMENT

game of survival - ruelle

Johnathan stands his piercing blue eyes boring into Sailor. Their cold and calculating gaze is like a predator studying its prey. His tall and lean figure towers over her. His porcelain skin only adds to his intimidating presence.

His features are sharp and angular, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones that make him look even more sinister. His dark brunette hair is neatly groomed, adding to his aura of power and control. The slight stubble on his jaw only serves to enhance his rugged and intimidating appearance.

His personality is as dark as his appearance, his heart as cold as his eyes. Johnathan has always been the type of person who takes pleasure in the suffering of others, his lack of empathy is a driving force behind his cruel actions. He uses his intelligence and charm to manipulate those around him, weaving a web of lies and deceit that ensnare his victims.

In his hand, he holds a rusty chain, which he begins to pull, revealing a figure that makes Sailor's blood run cold. It is Isabella, bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. Sailor gasps in horror as Johnathan's cruel laughter echoes around them, the sound sending a chill down her spine.

She tries to run towards Isabella, but it is as if an invisible force holds her back, keeping her just out of reach. She screams for her sister, begging Johnathan to let her go, but he only laughs harder, revelling in her torment. Sailor's mind races with fear and desperation as she struggles to free herself from the nightmare that surrounds her.

She knows she has to find a way to save Isabella, no matter the cost. With a surge of adrenaline, she breaks free from the invisible barrier and sprints towards her sister, her heart pounding in her chest. But no matter how fast she runs, Isabella seems to slip further away, the distance between them growing with each step.

Sailor's breath comes in short, ragged gasps as she pushes her body to its limits, her mind consumed with the thought of saving her sister from Johnathan's clutches. As she finally reaches Isabella, Johnathan's laughter grows louder, mocking her efforts. Sailor frantically tries to untie the chains that bound her sister, her hands shaking with fear and anger. Isabella's eyes meet hers, filled with terror and desperation. Sailor wakes up, her heart racing and her body covered in a cold sweat.

Isabella squeezed Sailor's hand. "What's wrong?" Isabella asks, her voice filled with concern.

"He got away," Sailor whispers, her voice barely audible. Isabella's stomach twists with rage at the thought of Johnathan slipping through their fingers. But she pushes her anger aside, focusing instead on comforting Sailor.

"Yes, but you're alive," Isabella coos softly, tears welling up in her eyes. She can't bear the thought of losing her sister, her best friend. Sailor reaches out a trembling hand and wipes away Isabella's tears, a weak smile gracing her lips.

safe and sound - capital cities

"Sky, you got your cigarettes?" Sailor calls out.

"You smoke in here this place will blow up," Storm chimes in with a smirk.

Sailor rolls her eyes, ignoring Storm's warning. "Guess we're going out then," she declares, determination in her voice.

Sky raises an eyebrow. "Do you really think Andrea will let us leave?" he asks, referring to his aunty who is strict when it comes to their health and safety.

Sailor smirks mischievously. "When did rules ever stop us as kids?" she asks, reminiscing about their wild and reckless childhood adventures. "Right, hands up if you didn't get shot."

"So just Sky, Aquarius, Noah, and Isabella. You guys are on wheelchair-pushing duty," she declares, causing a chorus of protests from the group.

Damien scoffs. "I can walk," he insists, trying to sit up in his bed. Rebel and Zane exchange amused glances.

"So can I," Zane chimes in, flexing his muscles.

Rebel nods in agreement. "I'm fine too," she adds, determined to show that she is not as injured as her friends.

They begin to plan their escape, and Sailor assigns roles to each of the group. Sky is tasked with pushing Rain in his wheelchair, Aquarius is to push Natalie, Noah is to push Storm, and Isabella is to push her.

"Your chariot awaits, Miss Primrose," Rain smirks with a twinkle in his eye as he points to his lap.

"Issy's pushing me," Sailor protests, looking to Isabella for support.

"Nope, I'm lookout," Isabella chimes in, giggling and glancing out the door to make sure the coast is clear.

The sky is dark, a blanket of midnight blue, sprinkled with twinkling stars that seem to dance and shimmer above the heads of the eleven friends gathered around the garden table. The only source of light is a small table lamp in the centre, casting a warm, flickering glow over the faces of the group. Isabella is sitting on Sky's lap, her head resting against his chest as she listens to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Damien, Rebel, Zane, Aquarius, and Noah sit beside them, their faces illuminated by the soft light, their expressions a mix of contentment and joy. Rain is in his wheelchair, his dark eyes reflecting the light as he glances around at his friends. Sailor sits on his lap, her fingers intertwined with his as she leans in close.

Storm sits in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed on the stars above as he puffs on his cigarette, the smoke curling up into the night sky. Natalie sits in her wheelchair, a small smile playing on her lips as she watches the scene before her unfold. Sky pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one before flicking the box at Sailor. She catches it effortlessly, flashing him a grin before passing it to Rain.

He takes out a cigarette for himself and Sailor, placing hers in her mouth and lighting it before lighting his own. He then offers one to Natalie, who accepts it with a small nod of thanks. Damien and Noah quickly follow suit, lighting their own cigarettes as they settle in for the night.

electric love - borns

Sailor leans back against Rain, taking a drag of her cigarette. "This reminds me of when we were teenagers and used to sneak out."

Sky nods, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, how could I forget? Like when we stole Lucio's vodka and replaced it with water. He had no idea what hit him until the next day."

Rain shakes his head, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I still remember the look on his face when he took a swig."

Damien chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "I don't think I've ever seen Amor so drunk."

"You should have seen her in college," Natalie interjects, a knowing look passing between her and Noah.

"We were at a party once and she proceeded to projectile vomit over the balcony on a group of people. You should have seen their faces," Noah recalls, a hearty laugh escaping him.

Storm raises an eyebrow. "Not as bad as the time Sky pissed off the balcony and Rain was getting with Sage under it."

Sky chuckles at the memory. "What, he can check Golden Shower off his list now."

"Remember that time we got drunk and thought climbing scaffolding would be a great idea. Issy fell off, breaking her arm."Damien chuckles, shaking his head at the memory.

"Ah, yes. The infamous scaffolding incident," Isabella chimes in, a smirk playing on her lips. "I thought my dad was going to kill us when he found out."

Rebel leans back in her chair, a smirk on her face as she brings up the boat party where Aquarius and Zane had hilariously tried to recreate the famous Titanic scene. "Nothing beats the time Aquarius and Zane fell off the boat and had to be rescued by a helicopter," Rebel laughs, shaking her head at the memory.

"Nope, doesn't top the time you went to a party and called us the next day because you somehow made it to Ireland," Aqauarius adds, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she looks at Rebel.

The garden automatic light flicks on as Lucio steps into the garden. Everyone thinks they're busted. The soft glow illuminates the faces of the friends, who are anxiously awaiting his arrival. Lucio grins mischievously, holding up a bottle of vodka. "If you're going to sneak out, you have to do it properly," he declares, popping the cap off the bottle. "I brought the vodka. Andrea is bringing the glasses."

Andrea smiles as she balances the tray of thirteen glasses in her hands, carefully making her way over to the garden table where everyone is gathered. The glasses clink softly against each other, the ice cubes tinkling merrily as she moves. The night air is cool and crisp, the early autumn among them. Lucio pours out the vodka, raising his glass to cheers everyone. A chorus of voices joins in, echoing the sentiment of gratitude and love that fills the air.

Sailor's heart swells with gratitude. These people, her chosen family, have been by her side through thick and thin. They have celebrated together, cried together, and supported each other through all of life's ups and downs. And tonight, as they raise their glasses in a toast, Sailor can't help but smile at the sight of their faces illuminated by the lamp.

The night wears on, the drinks flowing freely and the conversation weaving in and out of lighthearted banter and heartfelt confessions. Sailor listens as her friends share their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. They speak of love and loss, of triumphs and failures, and through it all, they lean on each other for support and understanding.