Chapter 6 - Genuine Octane

   Lifeline:1 day left.
    Octane:U beat me.
    Lifeline:Hope today goes fast
    Octane:U stealing my lines chica
    Lifeline: :P


    Lifeline was texting more today than any other day of her trip but not to Octane. It was double checking all the stuff she had planned for the date was still good to go. It had been a long while since she has looked forward to something. Sometimes it caused her to laugh to herself as she never once thought she would be excited or looking forward to something with Octane.
    The day seemed to move slower for both of them. A good portion of Octanes day was eaten up with maintenance. The rest setting up some things of his own for the day she returned. Octane would bug her until she messaged him back that night.


    Octane:How about now?
    Lifeline:Yes.
    Octane:Finally!
    Octane:Can I pick U up 2morrow? I can rent 2 rooms.
    Lifeline:Not sure…
    Octane:Why?
    Lifeline:I need ya to pick up food for our date.
    Octane:I can still do that.
    Lifeline:Our dates at kings canyon. So make sure its food that can travel well.
    Octane:Si
    Lifeline:I checked with Natalie to make sure. We will have the entire place to ourselves.
    Octane:Can I pick U up?
    Octane:Ajay answer me please.
    Lifeline:…
    Octane:Please can I pick U up?
    Lifeline:No.
    Lifeline: I want to say yes.
    Octane:Then say yes.
    Lifeline:I worry that if I see ya before our date that all my plans will be wasted.
    Octane:Worried that U won’t be able to resist boarding the Octrain?
    Lifeline:Well now I don’t want to see ya when I get back so I don’t slap ya.
    Octane:U can slap me whenever and as much as U want chica.
    Octane:He sent her one of the pictures he took of the hickey after she gave it to him. Not the best one as it wasn’t the one with her in the background but one he hoped she’d like.
    Lifeline:Ya took a good pic.
    Octane:U make a good hickey.
    Lifeline:I should get to bed.
    Octane:I love U Ajay. Dulces sueños de mi.
    Lifeline:I love Ya too. Goodnight Silva.


    The next day she was on her way back. This time the transport left late which she made sure to let some people know including Octane. She didn’t tell anyone how late as she didn’t know.
    Upon exiting the station she was surprised to see a familiar cap and goggles duck behind the cement planter fence. She laughed to herself amused but it did make her happy to see him. She took a few steps to the side as to not block the way and pulled out her phone.


    Lifeline:I know ya here. I’m tired and I don’t feel like taking a train. The room offer still open?
    Octane:YEESS!


    He jumped up, flipped over the cement planter and ran the short distance to her wrapping his arms around her. One of her arms was holding her bag so she hooked her arm around him that held the phone. She broke the embrace rather quickly which caused Octane to pout.
    “So do ya need to get a new set of rooms?” Lifeline started to walk to the sidewalk and down towards the direction of most hotels.
    “No. I have the key to both rooms. right here!” He held up the key cards.
    “What would ya have done if I didn’t change my mind.” She nudged him as they kept walking.
    “Have an empty room next to mine. Duuuh.” He didn’t expect her to change her mind but it made him happy she did.
    “Lets stop off at a laundromat. My clothes could use a wash.” She knew the area pretty well.
    “The hotel offers a laundry service.” Octane doesn’t wash his own clothes.
    “Nah. I can do it.”
    “If you need clean ropa sooner how about I buy you some?”
    “Why?” She responded bluntly.
    “I just want you to be able to get the most rest.”
    “Ya actually sound genuine.”
    “Everything I say is genuine…” He jumped in front of her and did the legs spread hips forward double horn pose that they sell posters of him doing. “Genuine Octane chica!”
    She laughed amused stopping only for a moment before walking around him. “Okay.”
    The shopping trip was quick as she didn’t bother to try anything on. She knew her size and she only bought brands she was familiar with. She had to buy even a set of undergarments which took her more time then it should. She had to keep kicking Octane out of the area, one time physically kicking him. Due to that fact, she made sure to buy a set of pajamas.
    At check out she put her hands over his goggled eyes and pulled back and down as he was only inches taller than her. He leaned backwards arching his back as he stood his ground but not fighting her. Not fully trusting him due to how many times he tried to sneak a peak earlier she kept her hands clasped tight against his goggles despite his compliance.
    “Your not even going to let me see now? Ya know I am going to see them eventually. right?”
    “Maybe ya won’t. Maybe I’ll just make sure to wear them when I don’t plan for ya to see me.” She retorted.
    When everything was bagged she kissed his cheek and let go. The price didn’t matter nor how much she bought. She could have gotten everything in the store and he wouldn’t have complained or said anything. Once it was paid for before Lifeline could grab the bag he snatched it and ran out with it.
    “Lets go get some food! I’m hambriento, Hungry.” He ran a bit further before slowing down.
    “How about Chinese. We can eat it in the hotel.” Lifeline offered only increasing her pace slightly knowing he’d slow down.
    “My treat.” He wanted to spoil her.
    “Na-uh. I got it” She grabbed his hand and lead the way.
    They approached family owned Chinese food place only a couple blocks out of the way.
    “Fortune cookie! long time no see.” A muscular man in his 30s said ignoring all other customers when he noticed her.
    “Hey Yung. Ya seem to be doing even better than last time.” She commented.
    “Can’t complain, order however much and whatever you want for you and your friend here.” Yung said with his big smile.
    “Do you know who that is? He’s the famous Legend Octane from the apex games.” A regular customer of his commented.
    “He could be a jade tiger and it wouldn’t matter. Only one legend here and its Fortune cookie.” Yung said smiling at Lifeline with the warmest of smiles.
    “Take ya other customers orders. We can wait.” She bossed him around like she did anyone else.
    “Fortune cookie?” Octane asked as he opened up a paper menu.
    “It’s just a nickname. No big deal.” She responded simply.
    “So should I call You Fortune cookie?” He played.
    “If you do I’ll block ya again.” She glared over the menu at him.
    “Ok no Fortune cookie.” He held his hands up in a matching action.
    They ordered their food and more then a normal person as Octane couldn’t decide what to eat so ordered everything that Lifeline suggested. Yung took it in stride and didn’t complain. After all Lifeline barely came in to get food so one big meal doesn’t even catch up to the free food everyday for life he gave her. She did talk with Yung and caught up a bit in the time it took him to prepare all the food.
    “I am a bit disappointed you won’t eat here with me Fortune cookie but I understand. Come visit sooner next time.” He commented as he handed her two large bags of food.
    “I’ll try. Thanks for the food. Betta keep taking care of yaself Yung.” She ordered.
    “Remember its always on the house for you so don’t starve yourself.” He reminded before the door closed.
    Octane felt out of place and was glad to be away from the restaurant. It was a part of her world he had never been in or experienced before. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it… Then his stomach grumbled and he just felt hungry.
    Ajay laughed as it had to have been the first time she ever heard that. “How long did ya wait to spy on me?”
    “4…5…6 hours maybe?” He wasn’t sure he just knew it was another very boring time in his life but worth it, this time.
    “Ya weirdo” She teased but she couldn’t get mad at him for it. “I’ll race ya to the hotel.”
    “Your on Chica!” He was excited.
    He of course beat her as she was restricted by the food and not wanting to spill it or make a mess. He did always make sure to keep her in sight. They went straight in and only broke off for a bit as she put the clothes and her bag in her room. She told him to start without her as she wanted to get the laundry sent out before it got later.
    When she came back into his room as he gave her the key everything was set out on the table. His mask removed as he waited for her.
    “Welcome back. Ready to eat?” He smiled.
    “I told ya to start without me…But Thank ya.” She smiled.
    Ajay was starting to realize he was full of surprises as he pleasantly surprised her again. She sat across from him and after she had the first bite he began to dig in. It was quiet for a little while as they ate since they both were hungry.
    “So why are you called Fortune cookie?” Octanes curiosity was getting the better of him.
    “Ya not going to let that go if I don’t tell are ya?” She commented perturbed.
    He just shook his head emphatically as his mouth was full. She took one more bite and washed it down with iced tea. She sat there a moment gathering her thoughts of how to explain. He was going to push but she started before he got the first words out.
    “When I first ran away from my family. I went to that restaurant that was in a different location then now. I heard they had cheap prices and they were doing a sort of special with their fortune cookies. Some of the cookies had a prize ticket for different things. The usual was like a free side or drink. A panda stuffed animal was one of the rare ones.
    I got one that was for a free meal. When I came back to claim it a few days later while I was eating a fight broke out. It eventually lead to gunfire. Yung got shot a couple times in the crossfire. I helped protect his family and then when the men made a run for it I tended to his injuries. I patched him up but they were too poor to get the health care they require. So I would come back to check on him everyday. That was before D.O.C.
    They kept insisting on repaying me but I knew with him injured their business would suffer. They would be insulted if I didn’t take anything though. So each time I asked for a single fortune cookie. I ate the cookie but I left behind the fortune or ticket that was inside…
    Is that the last Kebab?!”She just noticed him eating another beef Kebab while she talked.
    Octane didn’t say anything as she checked. She jumped up and grabbed his hand as he was about to take another bite she stole that bite.
    “Selfish” she said with her mouth full. After she swallowed she went on. “Ya can have the rest of that one but all the spring rolls are mine.” She claimed the container and moved it directly in front of her so he couldn’t sneak them.
    “No fair chica, I haven’t even tried one.” He half heartedly protest as what she did was so cute.
    “Shoulda thought of that before eating all the kebabs.” She took a fork full of Chow mien and ate it saving the egg rolls for later.
    “Can I at least get the end of the story?… Pllleeease.” He playfully pouted.
    “Fine.” She took a couple more bites of food as she gathered her train of thought. “Well it isn’t anything special after that. After Yung recovered enough to go back to business as usual they stopped having fortune cookies and instead started calling me that. Yungs wife said it was since I ate so many fortune cookies that I turned into one. Yung said its because a fortune cookie saved his life so it's the perfect nickname for me. He offered me free food for the rest of my life even if they eventually decide to close the business I could come over to their home for a meal. I’m sure they stopped having fortune cookies to get me to accept.”
    “Well their foods amazing.” He complimented.
    “Ya eating so fast I doubt ya can even taste it.”
    It was quiet again as she concentrated on eating. Octane almost eating half of the food during her story. It would amaze her if he wasn’t like this since childhood. His fast metabolism able to keep the fat off which she was a bit jealous of in her early teens.
    When she finally got to the spring rolls Octane stopped eating watching. Lifeline wasn’t paying attention as she looked at the top row trying to find the best one to start with. When she settled on one she pulled it out but before it got anywhere near her mouth. Octane using his speed and agility got up and it into his mouth before she noticed. His lips touching the tips of her fingers. He waited there a moment just to make sure she saw him. Then he took his bite and hopped away and celebrated as chewed it slowly.
    She stood there staring at her hand that held only 1/3 of the egg roll. She took a deep breath and then let out a sigh and shook her head. “Ya might as well eat the rest.”
    She held it out to him in the palm of her hand. He didn’t even say anything and instead bent over and ate it out of her hand before licking where it rested which caused her to snatch her hand away. He smirked as he chewed and she just shook her head with an amused laugh.
    “I love you Ajay.” He said after he swallowed.
    “I love ya too, now sit and finish eating.” She smiled but was more concentrated on finishing eating before it got too cold.
    As per usual he ate 2/3 of the shared meal but didn’t steal anymore spring rolls. Since he behaved for the rest of the meal she gave him one of the last 2. Which he decided instead of taking the one in the container he stole it out of her hand with his mouth again. She just let it go expecting it and picked up the one left and took a bite out of it rolling her eyes.
    They cleaned up throwing all the trash out and she sat back down to let her stomach settle. He scooted his chair to be closer to her.
    “So…Do ya have condoms for tomorrow?” She asked while they sat there.
    “So we are having sex tomorrow.” He smirked.
    “Maybe…” She smirked back.
    “Awww, Why you keep teasing me?” He pouted.
    “So I take it I should go buy some.”
    Octavio sighed “Ajay…Ya never need condoms with me.”
    The entire mood got so serious you could physically feel the weight. Ajay knew quite a few of his health issues since even before he blew off his own legs. She knew about his dialysis machine which is what annoyed her most about him running off as soon as he got his new legs. Still she didn’t think it was right to know all his medical history despite having full permission to.
    He went on “I am so messed up I can’t even have kids.”
    Ajay wasn’t sure what to say to that yet. Her usual way of dealing with Silva didn’t seem right. Her silence wasn’t much better for him as he started to slouch from the weight. He wasn’t scared of much but he was scared that this could destroy the relationship before it really got going. He never cared about having kids so it never bothered him only reason it bothered him now was ‘cause of her.
    “I keep trying to figure out a less callus way of responding but… I don’t care. I decided that my family line dies with me a long time ago.”
    He let out a relieved sigh as he reached out and squeezed her hand. “Your silence asustado  me. You should just be yourself, I can take it. Always have.”
    “Is there anything else I should know?” She squeezed his hand back.
    “I haven’t had sex since before I blew off my legs. So it's almost like I’m a virgin again.” He joked.
    She gave a quick laugh and stood up and giving him a quick peck on the lips. “Ya weirdo. It's getting late. Go shower and don’t stay up too late. We have an early morning tomorrow.”
    He sat there as she grabbed her phone and watched her. “I love you Ajay.”
    “I love ya too. Goodnight Silva.” She wished him with a warm smile as she opened the door.
    “Dulces sueños de mi.” He wished back.
    She paused in the doorway and turned half towards him. “What does that mean anyway?”
    “Sweet dreams of me.” He answered with a smirk.
    “Sweet wet dreams to ya.” She winked and then waved before the door closed.
    “No fair.” He commented to himself.


