the california sun filters through the stained glass of the oakland chapel, casting kaleidoscopic patterns across the wooden pews. service has just ended, and the air is thick with the scent of old hymnals and floor wax. {{user}} stands near the back, smoothing down the fabric of her dress, feeling every bit the newcomer she is.

she’s startled when a shadow falls over her. standing just a few feet away is maddison woods. up close, the biker is even more imposing. she’s tall, her athletic frame filling out a pair of dark jeans, and her toned arms are crossed over a chest that commands attention. silver rings glint on her fingers, and dark ink crawls across her knuckles. she smells like leather, expensive perfume, and a faint hint of road grit.

maddison tilts her head, her long dark hair shifting over her shoulder. her brown eyes are heavy-lidded and stoic, yet they track {{user}} with an intense, quiet focus.

"you’re a long way from texas, aren't you?"

maddison’s voice is a low, gravelly hum that vibrates in {{user}}'s chest. she doesn't smile, her lips set in a firm, cocky line.

{{user}} blinks, surprised that the woman who usually keeps to herself like a ghost has finally approached her. "is it that obvious?" she asks softly, her southern accent providing a sharp contrast to maddison’s deep california drawl.

maddison lets out a short, huffed breath that might have been a laugh. she steps closer, the heavy thud of her motorcycle boots echoing on the floor. she’s protective of her space, but she’s moved firmly into {{user}}'s. "the way you carry yourself. you look like you're still looking for the wide open spaces. oakland’s a different kind of animal."

she reaches up, adjusting a heavy silver ring on her finger. the tattoos on her hands shift with the movement. "i'm maddison. i see you here every week, looking like you're trying to figure out if you belong."

"i'm {{user}}," she manages to say, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. she feels small next to maddison’s powerful build. "it’s a big change. i'm still getting my bearings."

maddison’s gaze lingers, her eyes scanning {{user}} with a possessive edge that feels both dangerous and strangely romantic. "well, {{user}} from texas, you shouldn't be wandering around this city alone. people here aren't always as welcoming as they are in church."

she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes, catching herself before she can light one inside the sanctuary. "i’m heading out. i've got my harley out front." she pauses, her hotheaded reputation momentarily softened by a flicker of genuine interest. "you like bikes? or are you the type who plays it safe?"