RUNEMASTER

Rating 》 T-M for Profanity, Adult Situations, Violence and Sexual Content

Pairing 》 Major Reid/OC & Minor Tyler/OC

Disclaimer 》 Fandoms, canons, music, references and source material are not mine, but this plot is. No monetary profit made.

Author's Note 》 For fanart, fanmixes and fanvids, go to hapadoll,wixsite,com/hapadoll (replace , with . )

1. Damage Control

She never called twice. Not even when she wanted something, which was staggeringly often in fact. For four long rings, Kemp considered simply not answering at all for the second time. Gabi had already given her hell over yesterday's confrontation with their mother and she wasn't up for another episode of Family Feud with either of them.

There was too much left to do before she could even think about relaxing, and it was about that time to start crawling into bed soon if she planned on an early start in the morning. Unfortunately, it must have had some level of importance for Gabi to persist. With a roll of her eyes, she reluctantly answered just before it pushed through to voicemail again.

"Sorry, I was in the shower," she lied. Better a fib than justifying anything to that girl, she came to learn over the years.

The unexpected masculine voice that greeted her in place of her sisters' was one that caught her completely by surprise. It took her off guard, and her heart instinctively hammered a little faster like it does when there might be a dangerous stranger around. Oddly enough, a flood of cliches from every horror movie she'd seen immediately invaded her thoughts as specific examples of what not to do in situations like these.

1: Do not run up the stairs

2: Do not go running into the woods after dark

3: Never look back

A thorough reevaluation of her social life would probably need to be prioritized at a later date if that was where her head went to at the first sign of peril. Duly noted.

By the end of the mystery man's next sentence, it became painfully clear who she had on the other end of the line. It hardly took a genius to match the rhetoric speech to a name, given the widely known reputation associated with him around Spencer. It was also one she recognized as familiar. A reason for the late night intrusion, however, remained punctuated with a big, fat question mark.

"I don't know if I should be picturing a shampoo commercial or a porno, but I'll settle on a mix of both," gibed the rambunctious young man, notorious for testing his limits.

The unwelcome taunts were halted by a large clamor in the background to which he vehemently shushed, like a classroom concealing their mischief from a less observant teacher. He held the phone at a distance, muffling it with his hand in a weak attempt at manners.

"Pretty sure she tried to reach through the phone to murder me," he joked to another guy in the background, like she couldn't hear him perfectly.

Not sure whether she should be relieved or repulsed, she settled on a mixed emotion with strong elements of irritation and impatience. Tonight was not the night for unnecessary distractions. That would have been a great comeback to the inappropriate remark and one-hundred percent deserved had she thought of it a few seconds earlier, but she didn't. This entire conversation had been prepared ahead of time just to mess with her, she was sure of it, and she cursed herself for always being a step behind.

"I hate to break up the party," she interrupted, not sorry at all. "Drunken ramblings are usually amazing, but I'm in the middle of something. What do you want? Where's Gabi? And why do you have her phone?" Kemp questioned, bringing his attention back to her and the point of the conversation he initiated.

"Yeah, as much as I hate to peel you away from your rager," he exaggerated, ragging her for her exciting Friday night 'plans' of not attending the party nearly all their classmates were before he dropped the bomb. "You're going to need to come pick up that trick. She had a meltdown and barricaded herself in my room. Won't come out."

"What?! Why? What happened?! Is she okay?" Something in Kemp switched into protective big-sister mode.

"Chill, rapid fire. She's fine. Or she will be. She just had a little lover's spat with her man is all," explained the handsome blue eyed boy.

"Oh," breathed Kemp, swatting away a brunette strand that had fallen across her eye as she resumed packing up her loudly designed weekender bag.

"What did he say this time?" she added, her worries mostly put to rest by the fact that there have been many fallings-out between the relatively new couple in reference. The dysfunction that defined their almost infantile relationship reassured her that nothing was out of the ordinary, as horrible of a thought that was.

"Fucked if I know! Fucked if I care. What I do know, is I'm pissed to have to deal with this Lifetime drama bullshit at this time of night because that chode decided my party would be the ideal setting for a breakup," the young man's voice could not disguise the cutting scorn of its words or the contempt he harbored for the male in question.

Becoming less amusing to him by the second was the fact that Kemp had somehow turned what was supposed to be a quick call for backup into a full-blown discussion he didn't care to have right now, or ever. Evidently, that's what he got for harassing her earlier. There was a small crease in the space between his eyebrows and he pinched the skin there before Kemp brought him back to reality with her overblown reaction to his previous revelation.

"He dumped her?! You just said you didn't know what happened! What the hell?!"

He released his reddening skin, and it snapped back into place, resilient as youth can be. Then with an exasperated groan he answered, "you asked what he said. I don't know the exact vernacular verbiage he used to break up with her, I just know that he did. Shit, everybody knows now. He wasn't exactly discreet about it either. And now, she's holed up in my room of all places, crying and carrying on like she owns the damn place. Won't talk to anybody."

"Shit," Kemp exhaled, her packing hand hesitating mid shirt fold. She readjusted the phone to a better place against her ear and weighed all options.

As much as she wanted to ignore the feeling to do good, Kemp could just imagine how much pain Gabi was in at that very moment. Not to mention the utter humiliation she undoubtedly felt, as the younger Berzin was big on social appearances. The part of her that knew Gabi better than anybody had already figured that her brattish sibling was most likely not completely innocent, but no way could she have deserved for it to have gone down in such a public display. Even she would have been hurt by something like that.

It was no secret that they had their problems, and they didn't always get along, but she was still her sister. They always worked together when it mattered. If she were a decent person, she'd do the right thing even if it caused her to focus on somebody else and their needs over her own. To take on a burden and uproot your life for them even though they might never fully appreciate it. It's called being selfless and it's almost as bad for you, if not worse than being completely selfish. Then again, Kemp wasn't exactly known for her good decision making ability.

"I'm coming now."

Reid navigated the unfamiliar home with relative ease. It was a pretty standard layout for the time period and neighborhood it was built in—historic and affluent, not unlike his own. Only smaller in scale and without the ornate touches of Garwin wealth. Certainly nothing memorable about it.

Upstairs, the doors were kept closed. At first he wasn't sure which room Gabi was in because he hadn't had a chance to 'explore' the bedrooms, but the small gathering of people in one area gave it away like a virgin on prom night. Instead of heading there with a hot brunette in tow, he was preparing to get one out. Unbelievable turn of events. Mentally, he praised his parent's decision to give up trying for a girl after he was born. It was not in his nature to be a rescuer nor was he a comforter.

He knocked on the door and announced himself, but Gabi didn't respond. He debated 'unlocking' the handle and barging into the bedroom to check on her with or without her consent, but there were too many people in close proximity who would question it.

To say he wasn't in the mood was one hell of an understatement, but it was his fault it happened there. Admittedly, it wasn't the best timing, but the four consecutive shots of Patrón played a part in his earlier thought process. Not enough to be completely intoxicated, but just enough to bring a harsh truth to the surface. That relationship wasn't working. For either of them. You can have someone's best interests in mind but that doesn't mean it won't backfire.

He knocked on the door again. Harder this time and again no response.

"Gabi, you okay?" he asked, still nothing.

There were better ways to spend the remainder of his evening than standing outside Aaron Abbot's bedroom door like a jackass while he and others snickered at Reid's attempts of trying to be a decent guy being shot down.

"My patience is being tried to its limits, Berzin," he snapped, using her last name like a parent does when trying to show a kid how pissed they are. "Are. You. Okay? If you don't answer I'm breaking down the door."

"Don't you fucking dare," warned Aaron, just as Gabi's muffled voice came through the heavy door, "Fuck off, Reid! And you can tell Tyler to fuck off too."

Wearing a smirk signaling impending mischief, Aaron made a show of pushing himself away from the wall he'd been against and straightened. Reid swung around with an aggravated shrug, bringing the enemies' two pairs of blue eyes face to face. Both sets blazed with hatred. The other four occupants of the room took a long take of the two men standing very close, confronting one another. Each was breathing harder than they had been earlier, nostrils dilated.

Aaron spoke first. "Doesn't look like she wants to talk to you, obviously. Let the adults handle this one."

Incredulous, Reid's pale face enacts a living, breathing question mark. He fires back without thinking, unwilling to bite his tongue. He suddenly wished for Tyler in place of the hot brunette he hoped for. To both back him and talk him down because he'd soon need it. There was only so much Aaron interaction he could tolerate. It was alright when they knew to avoid one another. Tonight's run-in wasn't planned. Shit happens. With alcohol involved, it was always a dangerous combination.

"Like you're doing a better job sitting out here with your thumb up your ass all night bitching and moaning. If one little girl locked in your room is enough to be that big of a killjoy, I think that's the least of your problems."

"Your girl's a cockblock," Aaron deadpanned.

Reid stepped forward, bringing their faces only inches apart. His body became more rigid, more unyielding while Aaron's fists clenched tighter at his sides. The blood flowed more rapidly through his blue veins.

"What's the matter Abbot? Can't get pussy without luring girls to your dungeon?"

"I don't need a bedroom to fuck, dickbag. I need shit from in there."

"What? Your date rape pills?"

The onlookers gasped upon hearing the harsh implication. One of which cursed and immediately tried to be the voice of reason, hoping one of the two foes would respond to her tipsy rationale.

Aaron blinked. He was surprised anything to come from Reid Garwin shocked him anymore. He refused to back down, to stop arguing until his counterpart took a step back from his own aggressive stance. Aaron stood in thought for several seconds, occasionally clasping his hands and cracking his knuckles. A threat came next.

"You and your little friends come to my party and all you guys do is cause a shit storm of problems I shouldn't have to deal with. I let you take a crack at it and you failed, no surprise, but I'm ready for you to get out of my face now. The only reason I'm even tolerating Gabi's drama right now is because she's Kemp's sister. I have no reason to put up with you."

The blond enigma showed no sign of feeling any more intimidated by the words.

"Aaron!" warned Jaclyn, speaking again.

Aaron ignored her and the other's attempts to defuse the situation. He was fast losing control, hoping Kemp would show up soon to take the reigns before things escalated beyond words thrown, to punches.

Reid was a provoker by nature. He loved goading people on and Aaron was his favorite target because he made it so easy and got so butthurt over the dumbest things.

"Like you and your little fuck buddy even know what friendship and loyalty are," Reid scoffed, fanning the fire into a blaze when his reference hit a sore spot.

With a look from Aaron who appeared ready to start swinging, Reid was satisfied with its delivery and the effect it had. A nerve had successfully been struck.

"You don't know Kemp," Aaron gritted through clenched teeth.

"You don't know Gabi," Reid countered. "And I'm glad I don't know anyone associated with you. I don't care to."

Reid confused everybody when he suddenly broke eye contact to pull a black leather wallet from his pocket. A MasterCard, a Massachusetts driver's license and some cash spilled to the floor. He pulled out a wrapped condom, holding it up between two fingers.

Reid spoke again. "This is what you want? Here! Wrap that limp dick of yours before you give some poor girl a yeast infection from all that sugar in the apple pies you like sticking it in," then flicked the square package in his face, hard.

Aaron chuckled dangerously, unsmiling. His curly head bowed for a second like a deer signaling it's about to headbutt. Something they do both for play and to assert dominance and submission. With a quick thrust forward, he swung his head like a hammer, making contact with his opponent in a primal imitation of nature.

Among a decent amount of noise along with the snapping of vines under her weight, Kemp uncrossed her limbs from their awkward position. With a leap, the small girl fearlessly vaulted herself off the lattice. Broken pieces of plant rained down and met her bare feet at the grass, damp from an earlier drizzle.

"Graceful," groaned the similar looking brunette, not looking forward to her own descent.

Her sister smirked, not ashamed. "Right? I'm obviously part cat," Kemp bragged, giving herself a dusting and readjusting the white shorts that rode up. "Okay, your turn."

"You did not make that look easy. Or safe," Gabi voiced her hesitation, outlining what she considered to be a bad idea in spite of beginning the climb down anyway.

"It wasn't."

Before Gabi could draw up an appropriate response, she was jolted out of concentration by a sudden commotion from inside. She nearly fell backwards at the jarring sound of a scuffle. Kemp stepped forward, positioned to catch her sister if she had to. Though both would probably be annihilated from the height, her first instinct would be to make the attempt.

"Throw me your shoes. It's easier to fit your feet into the holes and get a better grip. Just don't let go. You can't fall if you don't let go."

"I can fall if this thing collapses."

Gabi had a point. Those things were built to be a support for climbing plants, not people. It did feel unstable. Though she'd been on top of the structure tons of times with Aaron, they never had reason to test its sides.

The teen kicked off her nude pumps, thankful they were slingback, then put her freed foot into a lower space and slowly began to lower herself. Kemp couldn't hide a snicker, picturing Gabi green, horned and bulgy-eyed as a chameleon cautiously moving one limb at a time.

"Don't be a baby, you're fine," assured Kemp, teasing as an older sibling might.

"Can you stop being a bitch?! I'm fucking scared!"

"Excuse me?!" came Kemp's retort as she gathered the shoes, slipping back into her own sandals. "I'm pretty sure I didn't just drop everything and rush over here for nothing. I'm here to help you."

Gabi groaned with her head against the trellis, not happy with the situation. "I could kill him."

This was his fault. She was so disgusted with him that she hadn't wanted to speak his name. It left a nasty taste. Was it disgust or something else? Hurt? Anger?

"Yeah. You could, but instead you're climbing out a window barefoot in the middle of the night. Either commit and get down here so we can leave, or go back upstairs with no shoes. I'm sorry to tell you there's no third option," urged Kemp, knowing she wouldn't want to go out the front.

Gabi knew she had no better choice. Running away was weak and she berated herself for doing it, but self-preservation demanded it. There was no way she was going to confront her now ex unprepared. She hadn't inherited the same impulsivity Kemp had. She had to gather her feelings so she could come back and say her piece with a clear head. He had to give her that.

It took a few more coaxes from her more daring sister, using her voice as an anchor to guide her closer to the ground. Their exchanges turned from stressed to playful. Soon they were laughing together, caught up in embarrassing memories of their earlier years in Boston. Kemp shared with her some of the jokes kept to her own network of friends. One in particular she hoped would make her feel better about her own situation.

"I've seen a guy get dumped while out to dinner with the girls' parents. Her parents got too involved in the conversation, pointing out everything wrong with him. It was like watching three people take turns kicking a puppy."

"That's horrible!" Gabi sympathized. A chuckle escaped her rose painted lips.

That girl sounded like such a douche it was funny. Maybe she'd someday feel the same. Be able to laugh at how ridiculous this night was. Their secret escape was on another level. It would be a new inside story they'd share, funnier each time they brought it up.

Suddenly she could hear Kemp talking to somebody nearby. A masculine voice. The feeling in her stomach changed. She could have thrown up. It took a few more exchanges to realize it was nobody noteworthy. Relief set in just as anxiety escaped.

"Think he noticed?"

"Of course he noticed! I just had a conversation with him!" Kemp dropped the shoes, tied her long waves into a messy bun. "But don't worry, he doesn't give a shit. He was just trying to smoke a blunt.

She spoke again. "How long did you think we could get away with nobody coming out here? I've been waiting down here for three months," Kemp exaggerated, stepping towards Gabi's skirted bottom. "C'mere my little spider monkey."

She reached around Gabi, locking her arms together. Then she pulled. Kemp and Gabriella Berzin were both cursed with their mother's petite genes and not able to lift much without help. Gabi's hesitation did not make it easier.

"You're literally four feet from the ground. Let the fuck go."

Kemp had her by the waist, struggling to lift her weight. Somehow she managed. Graceless, Gabi finally made it down. She grabbed Kemp and made as if to strangle her, which turned into a hug.

"Thank you," Gabi closed her gray, down-turned eyes.

This was a rare moment for the sisters in recent years. Kemp wrapped her arms tighter to enjoy the feeling of closeness. Knowing it would come to an end of parted ways returning to 'normal', she reluctantly untangled herself. They began the walk for the driveway.

"Pride is one thing you and I always had in common," Kemp laughed, their story already becoming funnier.

"That and our faces."

"Eh, I don't see it," shrugged Kemp.

It was understood how people might see resemblance between the two, having the same coloring. Once you looked past the light eyes, dark hair and fair skin they shared, their features were quite different. A glance at their parents would confirm it. The one who favored their mother in looks, was Gabriella. Their features were more rounded. Broad forehead, full cheeks, a more bulbous nose and rounded jaw. With a wider, flatter nose and rosebud lips, Kemp took after their Baltic father, including in personality to their mother's dismay.

"We liked a lot more of the same things when we were little. Like those stupid games we used to play downstairs," noted Gabi.

The 'downstairs' of their childhood apartment complex in Beacon Hill was Granary Burying Ground, a colonial cemetery and one of Boston's oldest. Growing up next to it, they grew comfortable exploring it as young, curious children. It was spooky, but not enough to deter them from finding a spot to run around and be kids in a concrete jungle. The family sold it in the midst of a separation.

"I remember," laughed Kemp as she undid her hair, letting it fall in layers. "Red Rover, Simon Says, Freeze Dance."

"I don't know why nobody plays them anymore. Like we're too old for them. They'd make wicked fun drinking games."

"I'd be down for drunk Musical Chairs."

Gabi had an idea. "We should play!"

Kemp nodded, surprised by the impulse. "We can set that up for next weekend. Get a bunch of people."

Gabi shook her head. "No, I mean now. Screw everybody. Let's go and do our own thing without friends for once."

"Gabi, it's not that I don't want to, but I have my tours and interviews tomorrow. You know that. Those are really important."

"Those aren't first thing in the morning. You just want to go early. Come on. Pleeease Kemp, I don't want to go home yet."

"I still have things to do and I cannot be late," she couldn't stress it enough.

"You won't be," Gabi said with confidence. "And if you are, I will pay for a train ticket."

"The train actually takes longer. The station is way past dad's place."

Gabi rolled her eyes. "I'll help you pack tonight and wake up with you to help you get ready. One hour tops," she was really pushing for it.

It was one of those nights you didn't want to end because you knew there wouldn't be many more ahead. One hour tops.

Author's Note: I combined the original first and second chapters into one because alone, they were too short and it was bugging the crap outta me. I also renamed it "Damage Control" but the content is the same.