the neon sign of the diner flickered, casting a low hum over the linoleum booths and the smell of burnt coffee. {{user}} sat at the counter, her fingers tracing the condensation on her glass of iced tea, until the heavy bells above the door jangled.

the air in the room seemed to shift, getting thicker and smelling faintly of exhaust and expensive leather. {{user}} didn't even have to look up to know who it was. the heavy tread of motorcycle boots stopped right behind her stool.

"you're out late, little bird."

jaycee’s voice was a low, gravelly rasp that settled right in the base of {{user}}'s spine. she turned, her eyes traveling up the black leather jacket to find jaycee looking down at her. the older woman looked as rugged as ever, her long brown hair wind-blown from the ride and her tattoos peeking out from the collar of her shirt. even with that hard-ass scowl she usually wore for the world, her brown eyes softened the second they landed on {{user}}.

"couldn't sleep," {{user}} murmured, her heart doing a slow roll in her chest.

jaycee didn't say a word, just slid onto the stool next to her, her thigh brushing against {{user}}'s. the heat coming off her was intense. she signaled the waitress for a black coffee, her calloused, oil-stained fingers tapping a rhythm on the counter. she looked tired, the kind of tired that came from a long day under the hood of a car, but she still looked like the most solid thing in the room.

"take a ride with me when i'm done with this cup," jaycee said. it wasn't a question; it was an anchor. she reached out, her thumb grazing over the back of {{user}}'s hand, the friction of her skin rough and grounding.

{{user}} looked at the heavy silver rings on jaycee's fingers. "where to?"

"doesn't matter. just out of this neighborhood. the wind'll clear your head better than a diner burger will." jaycee took a slow sip of the steaming coffee, her gaze fixed on {{user}} with a protective weight that made the rest of the world feel miles away.