Breakeven (Lanedon and LilyAnn)

[Cham]

Lily scoffed and shook her head when he said she was perfect. "More like bland, tasteless and annoying. I don't have the perfection you have" But he was saying something else. telling her... telling her he liked her! Her eyes were wide as He rambled on about being a creep. But she scrambled from the piano seat, and walked to him. She looked down, and took his hands, then lifted her head to his eyes. The eyes she could never get enough of. But she couldn't find her words. What should she say? What should she do? She swallowed and said softly "I- I feel the same way..."

This time she kept eye contact. And shuffled her feet closer. Her chest was against his, and one arm snaking around his neck. Was she really going to do this? Yes... Her eyes never left his as she pressed her lips softly against Lanes...

[Hero]

She scooted of the bench towards me. Telling me she felt the same way. You're kidding me right? People like her don't fall in love with people like me. It just doesn't happen. But she put an hand around my neck, pulled herself closer to me. She never broke eye contact as she leaned in and kissed me. In front of everyone who was willing to stop and stare but they didn't matter to me. I put an arm around her waist and my other hand on her cheek. Telling her I cared. Telling her the words I could never say myself. I broke off for a moment and told her. "Lily, is it safe to say that I love you?" But before she could say anything back to me, I pulled her in for another kiss. Smiling whenever some boys had gathered around us. "I guess we don't even need to song to start a crowd." She could get a crowd all her own.

[Cham]

Lily felt like pure joy. Pure sensation. She felt his lips on hers, soft, and caring. His strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. And his hand, The gentle caress on her cheek, his thumb stroking her cheek bone...She smiled, but as she half closed her eyes, he pulled his lips from hers. And told her he loved her. She gave a little gasp as her heart skipped a beat. She smiled as he pulled her back to him, not allowing her to answer. Like she had words anyways.

With renewed passion she wrapped her arm tighter around his neck, and stood on tip toe. Her other hand crawling up his chest, resting on his chest. He pulled away a second time, and she was breathless, " I guess we dint need a song to start a crowd"

Lily giggled, a tinkling, bell like sound, and looked around her. Several boys had clustered together, and were laughing. But her eyes found an angered face. and She felt her blood freeze. It was her father...

[Hero]

I smiled as she pulled me closer to her, acting as of the boys watching us were only figments of our imagination. She rested her hand on my chest, like a boyfriend and his girl would do. Maybe now, that's what we were. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Just unofficial. The vote laughter grew louder but I kissed her a little more rough than I had before. Showing them that she was mine, because I knew hat they would do if a girl ended up here. If they liked her then, depending on the age of the girl, they would try and get her attention. They would try and kiss her, grab her, make situations uncomfortable, etc. But the there was my girl.

I felt her tense a little but under me. I pulled away for a moment, scanning the the room for what I thought might be the problem. I found one angered face out of all the laughing boys. The headmaster. We were not to call him by name. We were to call him 'Sir' or 'Headmaster.' Nothing else. I pressed her closer to me, whispering low into her ear. "Lily, what's wrong beautiful?" I didn't figure this out until later, but Headmaster and Lily knew each other. And happened to be father and daughter...

[Cham]

Lily gripped the front of Lanes shirt, clutching him tightly. "Shit " she whispered softly. "Promise me you won't leave me alone?" She asked hurriedly, looking up into his eyes, panic and anxiety in her voice as her father approached slowly. Then all to quickly he was there, standing in front of them. She stepped back, but kept a firm lock on Lanes hand. "Father..." She whispered softly. She heard a sharp intake of breath next to her, sure that he would recoil and shove her away.

Malux Reoch stood in front of his daughter and the boy who he had been using for his talent while he grew up. A dirty boy he exploited and sent to the districts to gain all the extra money he could, cheating him from most of it. He clenched his teeth as his daughter addressed him. He raised a hand and brought it down across her face, anger obvious on his own. She yelped, and her hand flew to her cheek, tears pricking her eyes. He then bellowed. His face red,, losing his calm angered exterior "YOU ARE NO DAUGHTER OF MINE." Lily jumped as he screamed "OUT! BOTH OF YOU GET OUT" She rushed to the door, looking back once before fleeing to the street. Malux followed and raged out the door "NEVER COME BACK" Lilys heart was pounding as she turned the corner and sunk to the ground...

[Hero]

Apparently, Lily's father had been the headmaster to this hellhole for as log as I can remember. He had cheated me of every good thing in my life. Except for the music. He managed to make me hate that at some point. The way he used me to his own advantage. And I had been to young to realize it. He had begun screaming at Lily about how she needed to get out. About how we both needed to get out. She pulled herself closer to me just before his hand flew out and connected with her cheek. Now flaming red and on the bro of tears, she ran towards the door. I didn't blame her but I wasn't going to let him take away the most perfect thing in the world. Her.

I stepped forward, toe to toe with Lily's father. My headmaster. My former headmaster and the ruler over these poor boys until they the legally considered adults. I threw my hand up and punched him right in the eye. I shoved him against the wall, giving it all I had. I kicked punched and had done everything right. Until I had let him hurt her. I grabbed him by his neck, my fingers ready to strangle him whenever I was ready to. But I didn't. I leaned in and spat in his face. "Don't worry. I don't intend to come back. Not to this hellhole. Not to you."

The youngest of the group of boys in the parlor came up to me, tugging on the hem of my shirt to get my attention. He looked up to me, holding his teddy bear in one arm and holding my hand with the other. He was about 3. One of the younger ones who had to suffer this. "Lane, where are you going?" I picked him up and held him. "We'll, I've gotta go some places for a while but don't worry. I'll come back. For all of you. While I'm gone, don't let that mean old headmaster tell you what to do." I raised my voice a little more. "Boys, take care of yourselves. Listen to the older ones. Older boys, don't abuse your power. I don't want you to live in fear of this man anymore." I motioned to the headmaster. "Be your own people." I set down my little buddy. I ran outside an around the corner to find Lily sitting there in a crumpled heap. I sat down next to her and put a hand on the cheek that was hurt. "It'll be alright beautiful. I promise." I wish I could say that like I meant it.

[Cham]

Lily Sat on the ground until she caught her breath, but unfortunately her emotions caught up with her. As soon as she was breathing right, the sobs shook her body. Why would he come back? He shouldn't. She was the daughter of a scumbag a worthless loser who had taken advantage of so many peoples circumstances. But after several minutes of crying, she felt a hand on her tender, red cheek, and flinched, scrambling backwards against the wall. But her eyes, wet and puffy were alarmed, and softened when she saw Lane. She leaned her head back into his hand. She wanted to be near him. As close as he would allow her.

"It will be alright beautiful, I Promise" she heard spoken softly in a voice trying to convince itself. "How do you know?" She asked softly "I have nothing now. My parents never wanted me, but they at least tolerated me... Now... Now what am I to do" Her face crumpled, and she hid it from view. She didn't want him to see her cry. To see her in a moment of weakness when he was so strong."I'm sorry. You don't have to burden yourself with me anymore" Then she tucked her head into her arms, and curled her knees up, rocking back and forth, trying to comfort her broken spirit...

[Hero]

She rambled on about how I didn't need to stick around with. She kept saying that she didn't know what she was going to do, that she had no one left. "Beautiful, if you had no one, then why would I be here? I may not be much compared to what you used to have by I can try right?" I leaned over and lightly kiss her forehead. I put an arm around her, telling her that I wanted to help her, she just had to let me. She crumpled up I'm front over, burying her face in her arms, wrapping her arms around her knees. I put a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at me. I spoke in the way she seemed to like it most. I couldn't think of any song that might lighten the mood but I could come up with one later. "Lily, don't cry. It'll all blow over and we will be okay. You'll always have me. I promise." I took her hand, caressing part of it with my thumb. I leaned over and softly kissed the cheek that was hurt, trying to be careful. I leaned low and whispered in her ear, laying her head I my chest. "It'll be alright."

[Cham]

Lily didn't listen much to Lanes words, but his actions spoke the loudest to her. First off he had stayed. When in mere minutes she had lost everyone, he had come looking, and found her. And each of his gentle caresses spoke volumes. The feather light kisses. The protective arm around her. The tenderness of his thumb caressing her hand.

Lily leaned into Lanes chest and took several deep, healing breaths. After several minutes, she brought a hand up to wipe her tears, and curled closer into Lane. Small as a child. She felt innocent, and extremely vulnerable. "Th- thank- k y- you" She stuttered out softly. Her hand found his and she sighed, sitting up. "So what are we to do next?" She asked simply "Where are we to go?"

[Hero]

I smiled as she leaned into me, taking several deep and comforting breaths. I wouldn't blame her if she questioned why I was even here. I barely knew her and there we sat. Together on that same street corner where we had first met. She took my hand, loking up at me with innocent eyes. "What are we to do? Where are we to go?" She inquired more as a rhetorical question but I had an answer. "Well, I have an apartment a few blocks down from here. We could get one of the children from the orphanage so it's believable. We could live there. In my apartment. We could make money the same way we always do. That's what we are to do." I lowered my voice to a whisper, hoping she wouldn't hear me. "But if you want to go back to your family then that's alright..."

I pulled her closer into me. I didn't care if people stopped and stared at us. They could gawk all they wanted. But I planned to stay next to her. No matter how long it took, this would be okay..

[Cham]

Lily let a small smile turn up the corners of her mouth. "If it's all right with you I would rather stay with my family." She watched his face fall, but the smile grew bigger on her face as immediately after she whispered into.His ear "My new family. You, and Me. Together" She pulled her lips from his ear and soft as a butterfly blink, she whisper her lips against his.

They sat for a few minutes figuring out details, and trading soft kisses. Then stood and hand in hand began walking to Lanes apartment. They stepped into the moderately sized housing block, and Lily smiled. "Home sweet home?" she asked.

[Hero]

My face fell a bit when she said she would rather stay with her family. But I ha more spring in my step after she told me that she was with her new family. Me and her against the world. I squeezed her hand a little, wanting to tell her about Jacob but not being able to find the words. I unlocked the door, and opened it, letting her go through into the nice, neat and clean 2 bedroom apartment that I had. And now shared with her. "Lily, if you want, I could take you back to your house and grab some stuff. But I want to show you something first." I led her into the room I kept for Jacob. Pictures of us hanging along the painted green walls. Toys and action figures scattering the shelves along with picture books I read to him every time he stayed over. "That's Jacob. He's that kid from the orphanage who was holding the teddy bear in his arm. I am in the process of legally adopting him but I need a signature from someone who was willing to be his legal mother. I hoped that it might be you. Think about it of course." I hoped she would be more than Jacobs mother, but my wife..

[Cham]

Lily took a step into the smaller of the two bedrooms and found the walls covered with crayon scribble drawings, and photographs of Lane and a little boy she had seen at the orphanage. Immediately she fell in love with him. "So precious..." She whispered, running her fingers under a particular photograph of Lane laughing while the small boy tickled him. She turned to see Lane looking slightly uncomfortable, but happy nonetheless. She shook her head, a smile on her lips. " No thinking. Where do I sign?!" She asked excitedly.

They walked into the kitchen, and Lily hummed softly, wondering if Lane would pick up the particular tune. There was a bounce in her step as they took the few steps to the kitchen "I've always wanted to take care of a child" She said softly, holding onto Lanes hand...

[Hero]

I watched as she looked at all of the photos, tracing her finger around the frame of one. Jacob and I had gone out into the Districts and we had found a field where he wanted to play. So we ran aorund chasing each other all afternoon. Someone had decided to take a picture and give it to me as a present. I had 3 photos lining the wall. One from each District and here in the Capitol.

I led her into the kitchen with a stack of papers, the one with needed signaures on top. I searched around for a pen. I handed it to her, kissing her cheek as she was so willing to sign. I don't think I have ever seen someone so willing to take in a child. Not like her. I led her into the bigger bedroom. The bed was neatly folded down, ready for the next person to sleep in it. I had painted the walls red and decorated them with different color music notes, titles of songs and their artists.

"It isn't much but I hope you like it," I muttered softly. I hoped so. I hope she might actually like me. Loving me was totally out of the question. But you know. Anything can happen.

[Cham]

Lily plucked the pen from Lanes hand and signed her swirly signature on the paper. "There we are.darling" she said with a smile. He leaned over and lightly brushed his lips across her cheeks. The connection sent shivers down her spine, and a blush across her cheeks and nose. Lily set down the pen and Lane curling his fingers in her hand, leading her to the bigger bedroom, the walls bright and cheerful.

"It isn't much. But I hope you like it" Lane had muttered softly. Lily smiled, her grin reaching her eyes, filling her whole face. "Its wonderful. I love it." She stepped forward, and laid her hands on his chest. "I love it just like I love you..." She snaked her hand around his neck and pulled his lips toward hers, a chaste kiss, then she pulled back, biting her lip. Did he love her? He couldn't. Not really anyways...

[Hero]

I laughed as she started in awe and wonder at our new bedroom. She said something that tore at my mind at the unknown truth of it. "I love it just like I love you.." She put annn arm around my neck, kissed me, and pulled away. I pulled her closer until we were chest-to-chest to each oher. I took one of hr hands and wrapped an arm aroun her waist, as if to slow dance.

I heard my stereo start playing, as if it knew to do that whenever I had brought someone here. And it did. I was that much of a techie. I leaned low and whispered into her ear. "Now, how about we go get our little boy?" I pulled away from her, regardless of what I wanted. I offered my hand to her, not wanting to wait for Jacob to see his new mommy.

[Cham]

Lane pulled one of her arms from his neck, and ran his other hand on her hip as a soft melody began playing. He pulled her flush against him, her cheek on his, her chest against his. Then danced slowly for a moment, spinning in a small circle. With her hand that rested on his shoulder, she ran her fingers through the back of his hair.

The song ended much too quickly for Lily s liking, but Lane leaned down to her ear and asked if she wanted Togo get their boy right then. She nodded her head with us smile on her face, biting her bottom lip. She was a little nervous, but excited none the less. Lily ignored Lanes hand, and slipped his arm over her shoulder. Her arms around his waist, in his back pocket."Yeah I'm ready." She playingly nudged him with her hip and whispered "Are you ready Daddy?" with a smile she thought would never escape her face.

(I fell asleep mid post Sorry!!!!! )

[Hero]

She asked me if I was ready and called me "Daddy." You don't call me daddy. I don't care if you were even remotely joking. You just don't do it. "Lil, I love you, but please. DOn't call me Daddy." I took her hand and the papers and walked out of the apartment. We kept walking down to the orphange. I hummed some tunes to pass the walking time. I stopped outside the doors. I pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear. "You can stay out here if you want. You don't have to face him again if you don't want to. I'll just go." I knocked on the door, awaiting for something horrid on the inside. My ebony piano smashed, maybe. But I was there for Jacob. ANd he was legally mine now. For me and Lily.

[Cham]

"Fair enough" Lily said softly as Lane made his request, and gathered the papers in one hand, then once again took her smaller hand, and together they strolled out of the apartment.

The walk didn't take long, but the anxiety Lily felt building up with each step towards the orphanage was calmed by the steady warmth of Lanes Palm in her own, his song, and the thought that very soon, she was going to be a mother. They stopped outside the large doors, and Lane told her it was ok if she didn't want to go in, But she refused to release his hand, and whispered back "Together. We will do this together"

Lane reached his hand out and rapped sharply on the door. You could hear a slight echo from within. Moments later a man was at the door. But it wasn't her father. It was the second in command. The only other person with the authority to proceed with the adoption process. Lily really didn't know what to think...

[Hero]

The door slowly creaked open. I saw the second in command to the orphanage stabnding there. Jensen. I reached out my hand to shake his, This was one guy I could actually stand. "Hey Jensen. Long time, no see." I stepped through the door with Lily following brhind. We were led into his office. His desk was full of pictures of his own family. A boy and a girl. I handed him the papers just as Jacob walked through the door, running over to jump on my lap and hug me. "Hey, Litlle Man. Guess who's going home today?" I saw the looked of awe and surprise pass over his face. I whispered low so Lily couldn't hear me.. "You see that beautiful girl? She's your new momy." I passed him off to Lily. Jacob just smiled as he was finally getting out of here. Jensen finalized everything and we were all out of that place and back to my apartment.

On the way Jacob started asking me about Lily. I promised him that I would tell him everything once we got back home. Once we got back home as a family. For once, I was happy.

[Cham]

Lily was standing still. The small boy had rushed into the room and kept into Lanes arms. The love they shared was obvious, and knots began tying in her stomach. Could she actually do this? What if he didn't like her? Lane whispered something to the boy, and He raced across the room and grasped Lilys leg. Some colour came back to her face, and she peeled him off her leg, but knelt down on the ground.

"My name is Jacob. And I am free years old" the little boy said. Lily smiled, and bit her lip, sucking on it a moment before saying softly "My name is Lily. And if it's ok with you, I would like to be your mommy" Jacob squealed and flung his arms around Lily s neck. Tears of joy pricked her eyes, and she clutched him close to her, standing back up. He wrapped his legs around her waist and planted a wet kiss on her cheek.

"I guess that's a Yes then" Lily heard Jenson say. She allowed herself a small laugh, and with it, her entire body relaxed. Of course she could do this. It felt so natural to have Lanes hand in hers, and Jacob on her hip. In fact it felt as though Her body was made to fit with theirs. Like this family had been a broken puzzle gathering up the pieces. And she couldn't wait to Begin her new life.

Together with hushed thankyous they walked out of the building. They rounded the corner, and Lily pulled Lane to a stop. "Can we stop at my old house really quick? It's right there" She pointed to the ridiculously sized house a block down, taking up the entire street "I can pop in through my window and get my personal belongings." She said softly....

[Hero]

SHe wanted to know if she could just run down the street and get her stuff. From that house? I would've gone with her but I didn't know. "Lily, let me go odwn there. You stay here with Jacob. I just don't want you getting hurt." I set Jacob down, letting him run to Lily. I stopped and stared for a moment, humming a tune to myself.

I took off down the street towards her house. The big one I had been to so many times. I searched around the house for what I thought to be her bedroom. I thought about going in a second too long. A large hand covered my mouth with a rag and some kind of drug. I fought back but it wasn't enough. I tried to fight as the world faded slowly to black.

I felt my body being dragged through the bustle of people in the Capitol. I must have been out for and hour or two. I ended up in a large warehouse. Not knowing where I was, I screamed out in desperation. Praying that someone could hear me. Lily and Jacob must have been terrified. I wasn't sure who had taken me and I didn't know whether or not they had Lily and Jacob as well.

I searched frantically through the dim lighting of the warehouse to find a figure, about 6'5, standing in the doorway. I saw pictures of horrified faces mounting the walls. I heard faint footsteps as the mystery captor had started walking towards me. I tried to think of the one good thing that had happened to me. When I first met Lily. When I finally had legal rights to be a father to a child. When I thought I was finally happy.

I screamed out at the man, who had stopped about a yard from my limp body. "Who are you?!" I heard labored breathing but no answer. I looked around for a wall and dragged myself over to it, leaning against it keep myself up. "Where's my family?" Before I could hear a reply, I heard a slight thudding sound. But before I could even begin to wonder what it was, I blacked out a second time.

[Cham]

Lane was gone for only a moment when Lily decided it had been too long already. "Listen to me Jacob. We're going to go help Lane, bit you cannot talk. Not a word. It's a game alright?" She says softly, her voice bouncy and fun, but not betrayed by the panic she managed to lock inside. They crept silently to the back, where she spotted Lane being dragged away. And a squeak from Jacob conveyed her position to anyone who would care to listen. It was seconds later that they both were drugged...

She awoke to soft crying, and the shaking on her shoulder. She panicked and sat up, but it was Jacob, he was sobbing uncontrollably, "Mommy, Mommy wake up. Lane. Lane!" She sat up, and instinct took over. She pulled Jacob into her lap, and he burrowed into her chest "Hush baby. hush..." She whispered. Then sang her lullabies softly "Butterfly wings, fluttered like air. Glittering wings, softly, so fair"

It took nearly a half an hour to console Jacob, then he asked "Mommy. Where is daddy?" And all she could say way "I don't know baby. I don't know..."

[Hero]

When I finally awoke, it felt like ages had passed. Like I had missed something. I woke up in a smaller room. The lighting was even worse and I could barely see a few feet in front of me. I looked to find my wrists bound in front of me and a gag through my mouth, but nothing on my feet. I heard a faint humming from below, figuring myself to be on the smaller second floor of a warehouse.

I heard the same labored breathing that I had before. I tried to scream out at him but only a muffled cry came through. The humming continued for another half hour before it stopped. I could also hear a faint cry, as if it came from a child. Lily and Jacob. Whoever took me, now has them. I recognized the faint tune and started humming along. I knew it had to be Lily trying to console Jacob. God, he must be so scared.

I dragged myself over to a wall, leaning against my right shoulder. The left one somehow hurt in my fight to get away I guess. I looked down and saw a single hole, big enough to be a stab wound. Blood was gushing from it but it seemed to stop enough to where I wouldn't die from blood loss.

This guy wanted me alive and to suffer. Then to see me die. I don't know why anyone would want that for me. I thought everyone liked me. But then I thought of someone who might've had fresh motive to hate me. Lily's father. But what didn't make sense to me is how he could've done this alone. He didn't. I knew I saw a second guy with him. Jensen. That's who took Lily and Jacob. If only her personal things weren't as important to her now.

[Cham]

Lily held Jacob for hours. He straddled her lap and wrapped his arms around her neck while she sang., until he fell asleep. Then she stood and began pacing the room. She tries the two doors, and looked up to the Windows. Nothing. Everything was too high, or too dangerous to get Jacob out.She bounced him gently, then heard a small scuffling noise like a shout that had been muffled. She stopped and listened, but it didn't repeat.

But something else did happen. The doors opened, and in walked her father. "You..." She whispered. But he spoke clearly and simply "You are to come back home. You will never see this Lane boy again. He will be sent to one of the district's, along with this little one here. If you disagree, they both will be killed, and you will be forced into submission, and avoxed"

Lily didn't seem to have another choice, but to agree. Thank God Jacob was still asleep... She licked her lips, then nodded "Yes father" She said softly. But in her mind she had already planned on when and where to meet up with them. She was stronger than she looked...

"Very good" he said. and turned "follow me" she had no choice. She adjusted Jacob who muttered, but she patted his back with the one hand Not supporting him on her chest. "Why baby this is all a bad dream"