M A S O N

Avery Green was going to be the death of me, that much I knew for sure.

So when I left her a week ago in her jacuzzi, alone and upset... man, I felt like an absolute dick. I was an absolute dick.

'Wow, the one girl you actually like, you mess things up,' I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

'What's that, dude?' Jacob called, suddenly materialising from behind me, 'Did you miss me? Ah, man, it's okay to love people like that, you know, but I just don't feel the same-'

That earned a punch on the arm for him, and he laughed, the feather earring swinging back and forth on his ear.

'Shut up, you idiot,' I chuckled, standing up and pulling him into a hug, slapping him on the back. 'I'm thinking about, you know, Avery.' My voice lowered on the last part, seeing as we were outside the headquarters.

'Ah,' Jacob murmured, slipping into the seat beside me. 'You've been thinking about that girl a lot, huh?'

'Yeah. She's- she's really something.'

Josh snorted from behind us. 'Talking about your love lives again? Well, that certainly doesn't pass the Bechdel test.'

'Nah, we were talking about you-know-who, and, the Bechdel test is for women, you dumbass,' Jacob shot back, laughing to himself.

'Whatever. Anyway, clue me in.'

'Um, I guess I just don't know what to do. She's the first girl I've liked in a while, and I don't wanna mess it up, but then again...' I scraped my hands through my hair and sighed. I didn't have a clue what to do.

'-But then again, dude, you gotta think about the risks. I mean, what if shit goes down? Who's side will you be on? Dude, you have to think about this properly; imagine what would happen if she got hurt because of us?' Josh mused, leaning forward.

'He's right.' His brother spoke up, 'Though I haven't seen you this relaxed in ages, I'm worried about you, man.'

They were right, of course.

'Wait, what? Why are you worried?'

The twins exchanged a look between themselves and Jacob relented and looked me directly in the eyes.

He sighed softly. 'We think it's good that you like a girl, but it's a little dangerous if anyone found out, dude.'

'You don't think I know that? I know, but, fuck, I just can't stay away.'

Josh slapped my head. Hard. I groaned and massaged my head. 'Asshole. What the hell was that for?' 

'Use your brain, dude. It's simple - you like her, right?' His eyes were narrowed, and though the words were a little blunt, I had a feeling he was trying to get me to admit something.

'Yeah. I do.'

'Then go after her.'

Both Jacob and I blinked at him. 

'You're not going to tell me to stay away from her? That if I be with her, I'm on my own because you don't want anything to do with it?'

Both Jacob and Joshua gaped at me. 

'You really think we'd say that? We're here for you, remember? Not your shithead dad or this stupid company... For you.'

The both of them walked away, already laughing and shoving each other in a way that only the two of them understood.

'Wait!' I yelled, 'Do I have game?'

They both turned around and gave me quizzical looks before laughing loudly. 

'Well?'

'Go to her, Mason. You know what you need to do.' Josh smiled.

'And whatever you do, we'll be there.'

***

A V E R Y

I didn't know what the hell I was doing, apart from the fact that I'd messed up and I wanted to make it right.

So I was outside Mason's house with a tray of lasagne and a tin full of cookies and brownies. 

What? There was nothing a good pile of food couldn't solve - at least, when I told Martha, that was her response.

So we'd spent the morning in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, and throughout, my sisters had come in to help and taste the food.

It was funny - I'd had years of training from Damien and the rest of his team, until I knew exactly how to control my nerves and maintain a cool composure, even in the face of the deadliest of missions... and here I was, freaking out over meeting a boy.

A boy that could get me killed.

Literally.

I shivered and pulled the tray and tin closer to me. Footsteps bounded down the stairs and suddenly the door was being thrown open by a harassed looking Mason.

'Hey,' I blurted, smiling. I probably looked like a manic clown, but to hell with appearances.

'Hi, love. Come in.'

I just about melted. He was meant to be mad at me, but instead here he was inviting me into his home and calling me 'love'? 

What the actual fuck was fate playing at?

I realised that I'd accidentally said the last part out loud and flushed a little.

Yep.

Cool, calm, collected, no-one-fucks-with-me, Avery Ellen Green flushed. As in, my cheeks went pink. For a boy.

Today was not a good day.

Nevertheless, I smiled and held out the food. 'This is for you.'

Mason grinned and my stomach flipped over. He took the stuff from my hands and placed it on the kitchen counter, before opening it and chuckling at the contents.

'What?'

'You trying to get me fat, Avery? Because let me tell you, this body didn't just end up like this one day, you know-'

'Shut up,' I laughed, reaching over and pulling him into a bear hug. He immediately embraced me and we settled into our usual dynamic of him resting his head on mine and me resting mine on his firm chest.

'I missed you,' I said, looking up at him with my hands still locked around his waist.

'You think I didn't? I hated that we weren't talking, that I couldn't see how you were. It was hell for me.' Mason replied, a flicker of sadness in his eyes.

I blew out a breath and stepped back. 'Yeah, I know. I felt the same, but I needed the time alone, though, to clear my head and all that.'

He nodded, 'I know, love.'

Wrapping an arm around his waist, I pulled him into the living room and sat him down on the sofa.

'So I actually came over here to talk.' I began, steeling myself. I didn't want to do this, but I had to. 'One of the things I wanted to talk about was... Us.'

He leaned forward a little, listening carefully. I loved it when he did that - over the years, I'd had relationships where the guy either didn't care about my problems, didn't know how to comfort me, or flat out didn't want to listen. Mason always paid attention, even when I was spouting utter bullshit that didn't actually make ant sense whatsoever.

'I wanted to talk about us too.

'Oh.' I blinked at him, 'Well, you go first, then.'

'Sure?'

'Yeah, go on.' I was panicking inside. What did he want to say?

'So I've been thinking-'

'That's a first,' I snorted, laughing when he threw an incredulous glance my way. 'Sorry, sorry, continue.'

'Right,' Mason said, clearing his throat. 'I know it's already been hard on the both of us, and I also know that if we keep doing this, it'll be harder, but I need you to know, that regardless of what you decide, I want to be with you, Avery.' He clasped my hands in his, smiling softly at the awed expression on my face.

'You do?' I asked.

'Yes, I do.'

Well. That was slightly awkward, seeing as I'd come here to make amends, take a pause in whatever the hell we were doing, and ask him to join us for the mission to take back GRAVITY.

And he'd gone and poured his heart out instead, leaving me to say the words that would show me to be a compete and utter bitch.

Yep, fate really didn't like me.

At all.

Biting my lip, I shut off the little voice in my head that was whispering, stay with him - you both like each other and you haven't found a guy like this... Ever. Stay.

I couldn't do that, though. Not to him or to myself. Wouldn't pit myself through that kind of pain of things went wrong.

'Um, I understand where you're coming from, Mason, I do, because I feel the same. About all of it...'

'There's a 'but' coming isn't there?' he sighed, his smile dimming a little. I honestly hated myself a little for causing sadness in him.

'Yeah, there is. It's just too dangerous. We can't do this if there's so many risks involved, and not just for us - what about my family? The twins? If they got hurt... Mason, if there is a chance in the future for us, I'll take it. But for now... We need to focus on the mission and not on ourselves. It's too selfish to do so.'

Mason nodded, squeezing my hands together. 'I get it, love, I really do. And I agree. Let's keep it at friends for now, then, how about that?'

I smiled, and kissed him on his cheek, inhaling his musky cologne in for a second before pulling away. 'So, we sent Sophie to get the invites to the party in New York.'

'Yeah, she told me about it. Did everything go to plan?'

'Yeah. I mean, there was a point where we honestly thought she was going to get caught, but she pulled it off. In fact... well, I think she's with us now. To retrieve GRAVITY. And I was wondering...'

'Whether I would help you.' He finished, leaning into the cushion and watching me with a friendly expression. 'I was going to ask you anyway, but yes, I will do whatever is in my power to help you and Damien find it,' he said, pausing for a second as if remembering something. 'Does Damien know about me?'

'I told him.'

'What does he think?'

'He likes you, I think. As long as you don't go breaking my heart, or anything, I think it'll stay that way.' I grinned, but Mason's own smile was lacking its usual cheeriness.

'You mean that? He doesn't care about the fact that I'm with the DM?' he asked, his blue eyes suddenly full of worry. 

Scooting closer to him, I leaned my head on his shoulder and interlocked our fingers. 'No, he doesn't care. And neither do I, for the record, but I hope you already know that.'

'I do.' His voice was low, just above a whisper.

'It doesn't matter what others think, Mason. I spent a long time trying to please the wrong people, and I wish I hadn't, but it taught me that at least. All that matters is what you feel in here-' I tapped on his head, 'And here.' My hand settled on his chest, his pulse a roaring beat beneath. 

We spent the next few minutes discussing the trip to New York, any details we already knew, and news of Mason's dad. There was a shitload of work to do, and I, for one, was thinking that if it didn't endanger the lives of millions, I would forget this whole mission and let someone else do it. 

Obviously, that was wishful thinking, though - I was nosy as hell, and I'd find some way to get into the mission if Damien refused to let me in.

Plus, it was New York, for fuck's sake.

Mason picked up my hand to kiss it, his lips brushing the skin. Goosebumps flared up on my bare arms and he smiled, chuckling, and pulled me closer.

'Will you stay a little longer?' he asked. 

I had to get back in around twenty minutes, so I was in no rush to go home. 'Of course I will.'

I had a feeling, that if he asked even the most ridiculous things, at that moment, I would've done it.

For him.

And it was afterwards, when I thought of that, curled up on my own bed with a book on my lap, I cursed myself for the truth it had revealed.

I was falling for Mason. I was falling pretty badly.

Hell, I had a feeling I'd already fallen.

***

So the two lovers have taken a pause in their relationship, perhaps for the best. What do you guys think?

I know I've said this but HOLY CRAP WE GOT TO 2K!!! I love you all soooooo much 😍

We're lacking on votes on comments, though the reads are going up - keep going my loves! More comments and thoughts and votes = more motivation = quicker updates!

Also, though I am trying my best to write in advance, my exams are here, and whilst I don't particularly care for them, unfortunately my parents do... So I actually need to get some work done or I'm dead 😂 Updates may be a day or two late, but I'm trying to do them on time, so keep an eye out for the next one.

Dedication goes to @simplyEnough for the votes and honest comments - thank you!

-M