[closed - Caden - blackout]

[seas_open]

She's out on the beach when the lights of Siren Cove go out and for a long moment, April only stands there, her toes in the cool sand, a light shawl wrapped around her shoulders, staring back toward the suddenly dark town. It's a bit of a coincidence, she thinks, the town suddenly going dark on Halloween, and she considers returning home to her apartment and trying to call Les before she realizes it's not just that the lights have gone out.

Even the sky is darker. Somehow it's like everything has been turned down and in a town filled with sirens and witches, April can guess it isn't an accident. She's near Caden's place, had been debating stopping by for a visit when the lights had gone out, but now that everything is dark, she's willing to bet he has his hands full dealing with his own place. Trying to find candles or a flashlight, whatever it is people do in a situation like this and so she decides not to bother him.

She should go home, but as she bends to hook her fingers in her shoes, she catches sight of something. A small shadow darts across the beach in front of her, zigzagging across the sand before it suddenly changes directions and charges directly at her. April takes two rapid steps back, shoving her free hand into her bag for her mace, but before she can close her hand around it, her foot catches on a rock and her ankle twists at a painful angle, sending her down to the sand.

"Fuck," she curses, still groping for the mace, but by the time she has it in her hand, whatever had been running toward her is gone. She's alone on the beach. Alone in the dark with a twisted ankle and... no cell reception. Of course.

Caden's house is close, but there's no guarantee he's even home and as April struggles to get herself back on her feet, she can already feel her ankle swelling. She's going to be stuck here all night unless someone finds her.

And it's then she sees another dark, looming figure glide across the sand and hopes someone finds her sooner rather than later.

Comments

[seas_open]

She grins again when he touches her hair, when he tucks it back behind her ear and she's going to have to talk to Les soon, she thinks. Not tonight, there's no reception and he's with Corry anyway, but maybe she'll see if she can call him tomorrow morning. Or maybe she'll just show up at his place, see what he thinks.

"Good," she says, her lips still curved into a smile. "I like the sound of this plan. I'm sure he'll be grateful to hear about how you looked after me tonight." And she's teasing a little, but she means it as well. She likes to imagine what Les might think of the story, of Caden coming to her rescue on the beach.

[writtenby_caden]

"You make it sound like I wrestled dragons for you. Or climbed a tower," he laughs. He feels all jittery and excited, like he's sixteen instead of a few months shy of thirty. It's ridiculous. Then again, it is kind of new and exciting, if he's getting the right idea. And it's been a very long time since he's felt for anyone what he feels for April.

And knowing that there's hope, no matter how small a glimmer? That's enough to have his heart beating faster. He's not sure how all this works, or if it even can, but he's going to go to this dinner and find out.

He wants to touch her so badly, but he can't, so he practically sits on his hands as he leans over to look at her ankle. "How are you feeling, by the way? Do you need more ice? Maybe a glass of wine?"

He scrunches his face up in a smile as he laughs and reaches up to grip the back of his own neck, looking at her and then away again. He could probably use the alcohol.

[seas_open]

"I heard there was a party going on next door," she suggests, knowing it's probably not a great idea for them to continue to be alone together right now. She needs to talk to Les first, she does owe him that much as someone who cares about him. They may not be calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend, but she knows that's what they are regardless of what they say. They're in a relationship and she cares about him and so, for the first time in her life, April plans on doing something right.

Even if the thing she's doing isn't what might be considered normal.

"You help me over there to hang out with Coop again, then make sure I can home safe and I'll call you my hero for the rest of my life," she says with a smile, offering Caden her hand. "Let's go."

[writtenby_caden]

Caden is almost disappointed when she mentions the party, because he'd been enjoying their time together, but after thinking it on a moment he understands. It's not that she isn't enjoying his company, but maybe nothing good can come of being alone together right now. Or that could just be wishful thinking. It's all so confusing, and maybe some time away from it will help him clear his head.

"Sure, that sounds like fun. Just let me blow out all these candles." He stands up to do so, leaving one burning on the coffee table that he plans on taking with them, and looks down at her hand, something small and delicate but has the power to drive Caden crazy with a simple touch. He takes it and helps her gently to her feet, lifting her arm up over his wide shoulders and curling a hand around her waist to help her walk. "I can drive you home later, whenever you're ready."

They make their way over to Coop's slowly, and the candle in Caden's hand seems to keep the strange shadows away. He looks over at April, a little breathless at the way she looks in the candlelight, blonde hair spilling over her shoulders. People are crowded at Coop's in the dark and the man himself is walking around shirtless, to no one's surprise. Caden can't help but to laugh as he helps April inside. "Happy Halloween."