"Do you feel better now, Big Guy?" Evie asked as Everett looked with more relaxed ice blue eyes at the horizon.
"Yes." Everett said as he, with his heavy arm around her shoulders, shook her a little.
She loved his warm embrace, his scent, his strength, and she leaned into it, feeling safe. She put her head against his chest, listening to his slow breathing in sync with hers.
It was nice, being this close to him, quite comfortable.
When Evie first met Everett, she thought he was intimidating, and that was saying something considering she was trained to take down monsters like him.
Tall, muscular and hard as an iceberg, with a penetrating gaze and dangerous aura surrounding him, Everett didn't mind her presence when Zeth introduced her to the other guys reluctantly.
Over time, she stopped fearing him. Instead she found him intriguing, interesting, and fascinating.
Everett was a giant with an even bigger heart, she realised, a lover of life who, though always lost in nightmares, was able to find happiness wherever he went even when he rarely smiled.
When the band first started, Everett was the only boy who didn't fit in the group dynamic. He was always quiet writing in a notebook in the corner, a loner just like her, but he didn't mind being left in the dark, he didn't mind sitting there while the guys talked and laughed. But Evie did, and despite her reservations, she approached him one cold afternoon while he wrote on his notebook, sitting on the stone stairs outside the Solar.
Everett didn't notice her presence until she spoke and asked him what he was writing, Everett just handed her the notebook and grunted. It was there that Evie learned about his amazing memory. She was the first to understand the pain he felt when remembering almost every detail of every moment of his life.
His memory was a curse for him.
And she told this to all the other guys. That's how Everett finally found his place in this family.
She was willing to help him have new and better memories.
She was the first to see his ice walls melt.
She was doing this for him, she knew it and he knew it too.
He was a person she wanted to protect, and the night he hugged her tightly with tears in his eyes thanking her for saving his life, she knew it meant as much to him as it did for her.
Her heart belonged to him, and she didn't want anyone to hurt him.
Not even herself.
"Come here," Everett held her closer, hugging her properly this time.
She would never get tired of his hugs, which he not often gave, so strong, protective and warm, yet sometimes bone crushing and painful.
But she could stand a little pain.
"I love your bear hugs, Everett." She whispered, closing her eyes with his arms wrapped around her.
She buried herself in the white faux fur of his vest.
She felt normal.
She felt human.
"I like giving bear hugs to you and only you, Evie," he replied without hesitation, "You are friend."
A friend, huh?
Everett had never confessed his feelings to her if he had any, and she never said a word either.
She told herself she should wait till he came to her and ask her out, because she hoped he would, she hoped he would tell her he loved her just as much as she loved him.
She never pushed him to talk.
But now she would tell him everything she felt, no matter the consequences.
Perhaps, after tonight, he'd hold her forever.
Perhaps after confessing him, and the other five guys, how she felt about them, they would finally live happily ever after.
"I'm weak around you," Everett whispered.
"You are not weak, just... Yourself," She giggled, looking up at him. His eyes were loving, and that look on his face... Could it be love?
"Thanks," he nodded, stepping back.
"Wanna go inside?" Evie turned around and started to walk towards the glass door of the suite. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she stepped inside.
"Sure." he said, following behind her, "But Evie... I must say... I have remembered some interactions between you and me."
She stopped walking.
Her heart was racing faster than usual as she looked at him over her shoulder, swallowing thickly.
What did he remember?
"What is it?" She turned around and looked up at him, hoping that he wouldn't notice her trembling hands.
"You said something once," he answered, leaning forward a little, "Something about me being huge teddy bear."
"Oh God..." Evie put her hands on each side of his face, "Did I offend you?"
"No," Everett smiled slightly. "It was not that. I was just thinking..."
"Hey Evie," she heard Frank's voice and she turned ever so slowly. She swallowed hard. He had a towel over his shoulder.
He still had clothes on because he was such a prude, but the thought that he was about to take a shower tickled Evie's stomach.
Every time she saw Frank, it was like there was a fire inside her that burned bright.
She didn't know what to do with these flames, they made her nervous and confused.
Evie was in love.
She was sure of it.
And it scared the hell out of her.
She missed his arms, the taste of his lips would always be on her mind.
Their relationship would forever be her favourite memory.
But it was all in the past.
She had truly enjoyed her time with him, even if it was for a mission she failed. God! She had never experienced anything like it before, but they had grown apart, and it hurt.
The reason why they broke up came back to her, like a haunting shadow, each time she looked at his Vorpal Steel bionic legs, arm and chest.
Every time she looked into his eyes and remembered that one of them was bionic because of her, all the courage to admit her feelings for him turned into fear.
He used to consider himself a machine more than a man years ago, and the guilt killed Evie every single day, but he had no grudge against her, and his smile made her wish she had never hurt him so badly.
"Earth to Evie?"
She snapped out of her trance and looked at Frank.
"Sorry, spaced out a bit." She apologised sheepishly.
"Are you okay?" Frank frowned and walked towards her. The mechanical buzz of his robotic legs was like a voice yelling at her that she was the worst person in the world. Frank took her hand in his bionic one, squeezing lightly. "Evie, you look tense."
"What? No, no. I'm fine." Evie nodded. "I'm great. Just peachy. Everything's fine."
"Are you sure?" Frank insisted.
"Of course," she nodded. And there it was again, the feeling of being a normal girl, nervous in front of the boy she loved.
"Okay. Well. I won't be long in the shower," Frank said, "I don't know if you want to..."
"Join you?" Evie asked and Frank blushed, "Yes. I mean. No! I mean... Fuck."
"I was going to ask if you want to spend the night here because I'd like to talk to you." Frank looked so uncomfortable right now, "Can you stay?"
"S-Sure," She gulped. Oh no! What did Frank want to talk about? About how obvious it was that she was avoiding him?
"Make yourself at home, Evie," Frank said, heading for the shower.
Home... Yes, she could start a home now, she just had to be brave and talk about her feelings.
Easier said than done.
"Do you think we can talk, Evie?" Everett asked, pointing at the white L-shaped couch, "Because I think you came to talk to us about something serious."
Shit.
What if Everett already knew that she loved him?
No! This seemed easier in her mind!
Was she not here to confess everything?
Oh god! No! She wasn't ready!
"Oh! I... I think... I... Actually..." She turned to look at Finn in the kitchen, biting her lip. She saw an escape route and stupidly decided to take it, "I'll... Go to the kitchen, Big Guy. I'll come back to you later." She then began to walk away hurriedly, hating herself for being a coward.
Finn was behind the kitchen counter with his eyes closed and one hand toward a bottle.
"Hey," She said and Finn opened his eyes, "Do you still want to find out if you have hydrokinesis?"
"It sounds crazy if you say it out loud," he laughed.
"Not so much. Your ancestors had that power. Your grandfather was from Atlanseas so you probably have it."
"You mean Atlantis?"
"No. Atlanseas, Zeth told me that humans always misheard everything Evalon-related," Evie replied, but she was shaking a little.
"You okay, Evie? You look nervous," Finn said and raised the water bottle, finishing it in a second just as Evie sat down on a stool.
"Just a bit," Evie whispered, "You look a bit worried too."
"I've just been thinking," Finn began, "Zeth has 52.2 million followers on Instagram, and I have 47.9 million, right?"
"Yeah, that makes you the second most popular member of the band I guess," Evie said.
"Wait, really? I thought that was Draco!"
"Well no, Draco has 47.8 million followers, he is the third boy with the most followers in the band.. The one with the fewest followers is Frank with 45.2 million. Well, technically Everett because he doesn't have any social media. But what's your point?"
"Every time I post something, I get thousands of likes but almost no comments. The same goes for my X account. If I'm supposed to be Mr. Popular... Where are all those people? Why do people rush to take photos with the other guys on the street but no one ever approaches me? Am I perhaps unapproachable? Or maybe those followers I have are..."
"Do you think those are bots?"
"Zeth would do anything to make all of us happy so I think it's possible but... He stresses me out and drives me crazy sometimes." Finn whispered, "And he has been acting strange, like, he called me handsome and..."
"Oh! Have you told him already? About what you told me on our way to Shanghai?"
"Shut up," Finn whispered a bit exalted, "No, I haven't. And I won't."
"Why?"
"Because I am a squab and he is a peacock."
"And I'm a potato," Evie replied, "Please! If you're a squab, then you're a very handsome one."
"Thanks, Evie. That cheers me up but... Do you think I'm wrong for being in love with Zeth?"
Evie laughed a little.
"Oh Finn! You're saying that because he's a boy and you're a boy?"
"No, Evie. I'm saying that because, I mean, for God's sake! He's Zeth Rahman! He's a celebrity!"
"You are too."
"Well, it doesn't feel that way." Finn rolled his eyes, "I mean, look at the other guys. They look like cover models, especially Zeth."
"Hey, Zeth is perfect. There is no person in the world who can compare," she replied. "But what does it matter if Zeth is perfect? Just because something is broken doesn't mean it's not perfect too."
"I don't feel broken," Finn said, "Just unfulfilled. I don't know, the truth is, I would like to be like Zeth."
"Why?" She leaned against the bar and wiggled her eyebrows flirtatiously, "What do you like about him, Seamons? Is it that Zeth is a successful businessman? An impressive singer? An amazing dancer? Or is it that he is an incredible lover?"
"An incredible what?!" Finn widened his eyes and she shut her eyes tightly. Stupid. She was becoming clumsy at watching her words.
"An incredible leader," She said trying to look as calm as possible, holding Finn's cold hand. It was strange that he had cold skin and Everett was so warm, "Don't worry. I'm sure Zeth saw something in you and that's why you're the star you are today, and he'll surely see something else that will make him fall in love with you."
"How do you know that?" Finn bit his lower lip.
"I just feel like love will knock on our door tonight." She replied honestly. She didn't want to lie to him. She had not lied since she became a bodyguard. She was very honest with everyone, especially herself lately.
She only withheld information from time to time, her feelings being a perfect example.
"Oh no. Evie! Why do I have a feeling you're going to..."
"Shhhh! Keep your voice down!" Evie laughed a little, shushing him with her index finger on his lips.
"Fine." he frowned, "Are you going to tell Frank that you still love him?"
Evie wanted to tell Finn that she was going to confess her love to all of them, including him, but she couldn't.
"Not quite. I'm waiting for Alex, Draco, and Zeth to get back," she looked back, watching Everett sit on the couch, staring blankly at a wall as always. "Finn. How do you know if something will be a worth it if you don't know if your effort will be enough?"
"Why are you asking me that?" He raised an eyebrow, "Do you think I'm the right person to answer that?"
"Come on! You are a wonderful boy! A bit grumpy though, but you never give up. You keep coming back everyday, giving your all. Trust me, there is no one better."
Finn smiled at her, nodding his head.
"Okay." He whispered, "I guess what keeps me standing is faith in myself, in my band and in our efforts. I thought that's how you stay strong too, Evie."
"Really?"
"Well, yeah," He looked at her strangely, "I don't understand. How do you stay strong then?"
"My desire to make amends for my mistakes, I guess," she replied, holding his hand. "Finn, you and I became close over the years, right?"
"Well, yes," he muttered and blushed.
"I'd like to ask you something, but it has to stay between you and me."
"Sure." Finn leaned closer.
Evie smiled. Oh wow! This actually felt normal. Gossiping a little was a normal girl thing, right? Having someone to rely on too?
"I... I think I love more than just Frank." She bit her lip, pointing back discretely.
"Wait. Everett?" Finn gasped quietly, "What? No. Evie, no."
"Look at him, Finn." Evie sighed, "Look how he looks at me. How can I not fall in love with him?"
"But... He is scary."
"He is not. He is sweet beneath those big muscles." She smirked. "He's a little overprotective sometimes but..."
"Woman, don't talk nonsense. You are a living weapon. He is the one who should seek your protection. In fact, I think your job should be to protect the world from Everett, especially when he yells 'Death Match!' at the top of his lungs."
"Yeah, I guess..." She felt her phone vibrate and pulled it out to check it, "BC-13 has been texting me and I didn't realise."
"Everything okay?"
"He says a girl fainted and... Wait, what?" Evie frowned, reading the message over and over again, "What does he mean by Alex carrying a girl in his..."
The door to the suite then swung open with a bang.
Evie jumped off her stool and pulled her grapple gun from its holster, finger on the trigger until...
Until she saw him.
"Zeth?" Evie lowered her gun.
Her golden boy, was at the door and...
He didn't look very happy.
He had a tabby cat in his toned arms.
"Evie, it's good to see you here," Zeth said, but he didn't sound glad to see her. She turned cold, her heart pounding. "I'm telling you this is a terrible idea, Alfaro! It's called kidnapping!" Zeth's voice made Evie cock her head. She looked at Everett on the couch and then at Finn. They both looked just as bewildered as she did.
"What's going on?" Evie asked as Draco entered the suite, jumping with a huge smile on his face.
"Evie! Hi!" He waved with an effusive hand and a huge fanged smile, "Guess what? We have a special guest tonight!"
"A guest?" Finn eyed her, "Evie? Do you know something about this?"
"I don't know everything, Seamons, I just pretend that I do." She replied, as worried as him, ""Zeth, do we really have a guest?"
"We have a hostage!" Zeth shouted and stomp his foot, "I told Alex it's not okay to bring the girl to our room! But he didn't listen!"
"Shut up, Zeth! The girl fainted!" Alex then entered the suite, carrying an unconscious girl bridal style in his strong arms.
Evie's heart broke, and it was so loud that she was sure everyone heard it. The world went black around her, and the air left her lungs.
"W-Who is she?" Evie tumbled backwards.
"A fan who swooned over my irrefutable beauty," Zeth said, checking his nails, "We'll take her to Frank's room, it's the room at the end of the hall so if she tries something, if she's a hunter, at least we'll have time to react."
"I can keep an eye on her, Zeth," Evie said, "I can take care of her in case this is a trap."
"I will keep eye on her too," Everett stood up with a grunt from the couch, "I am biggest and strongest. And I can freeze her if she gets crazy."
Evie looked discreetly at Finn as Alex carried the girl to Frank's room, followed by Everett.
"You don't like the look of this," Finn whispered and Evie shook her head.
"Alex seems okay with this, Draco too, but not Zeth," she whispered. "Finn, we need to be careful. I don't like this girl. We can't take our eyes off her."
"You know I'm your eyes and ears inside the band," Finn nodded, "You and I are just as paranoid about this."