your l.o.v.e. is MINE for the tAkInG! (Echo)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"That doesn't explain why you're a wanted criminal," he said.

[~echo~]

She shrugged, having to explain it to herself as well because she didn't know. "I dunno. My father was an experiment, I got some powers. I... well, I might have stolen a few things. A few people might have gotten hurt in the process," she said sheepishly. "But only when I needed food or supplies!" she continued quickly. "And that's when I was on the streets. I only stole food and a knife or two."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He laughed and shook his head. "Only stole a knife or two," he repeated. He wondered if he would have ended up like her, had he lived on the streets. He hadn't been privileged by any means, but he'd never had to fend for himself. The government had made sure of that.

[~echo~]

Rhea gave a small chuckle and crossed her arms. "I did only what was necessary to survive."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I guess that's what people do, isn't it? Whatever it takes."

[~echo~]

Rhea nodded and then cringed when she thought of her father abusing her...

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He could tell he'd led her down a dark road and cleared his throat. "It's almost lunch time. Are you hungry?"

[~echo~]

She snapped out of her reverie and nodded slowly. "A little," she said although it was an understatement.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'll go out and get something," he said. He pushed back his chair and stood up, his eyes stormy behind his mask. "What do you want?"

[~echo~]

She seemed embarrassed to ask so she blushed but then nodded and said, "Is there a Chinese place around here? I love Chinese food..."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Sure. I know a great place." He paused and smiled behind his mask. "Can I take your order, ma'am?"

[~echo~]

She grinned and blushed a little more. "I guess... egg drop soup? And rice and chicken? The sweet and sour kind, please," she said meekly. "I hate to ask, though. I don't want to be any trouble."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He waved his hand. "I'll be back. Try not to break anything while I'm gone."

[~echo~]

Rhea smiled and waved him off. "Thank you," she said quietly. As soon as he was out the door, she started looking around for any clear indication of who this man was.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The place was clean, almost pristine. If you knew what to look for though, that itself told you about him. He liked things to be in order. He was clearly raised by the military, evidenced by the way things were kept.

[~echo~]

Rhea had noticed this but instated on a picture, a letter or something that might even hint at who her rescuer was. She entered his room, ensuring that he was still gone and bgan carefully going through his belongings.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Simple. Neatly folded t-shirts and jeans. Nothing out of the ordinary except an arrowhead tucked into his sock drawer.

[~echo~]

Rhea sighed and went back into her bedroom, laying down on the bed.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

A few minutes later he returned with a paper bag of Chinese carry out containers. He'd made sure to replace his mask before coming inside... after all, he couldn't very well go get Chinese food with a mask on. "Alright, sweet and sour chicken." He took out one container and set it in front of her.

[~echo~]

Rhea smiled and thanked him. "I appreciate it," she said, although frustrated. She tucked into the savory chicken, delighted.