``Walls I Built Up Became My Home,, [LILY/MEL]

[ty]

This wasn't the usual night spot that Tyson frequented. It was usually the ones where the women got trashed and went home with any random guy, but tonight he felt like something a little quieter. He was feeling more depressed than usual tonight. He'd had one of his episodes earlier which involved him reliving the night his fiance died in his head over and over, breaking random things in his apartment during his fury. Some days he just couldn't handle the guilt he felt, which just turned into a blind rage where he hated the world for pulling his world out from under him.

He was at the bar, hunched over his bourbon, staring absent mindedly into the glass. He had hoped that by the time he started to get buzzed he'd forget all about it. Which happened every night. Sometimes it made it even worse, causing his emotions to escalate. But he really didn't think that far ahead, only hoping for a temporary escape from his black life.

The place was filling up and his head was getting clouded. His worries began to lift from him as the alcohol kicked in. He straightened up and pushed his empty glass away, muttering for the barmaid to get him another one. He turned his back against the bar and set his elbows on the bartop, getting comfortable as he scanned the scenes. Giggly women in short dresses. His forte. They were an easy target, always laughing at his subtle sexual jokes. It didn't matter what was said as long as they ended up in his bed at the end of the night. Anything to stop his nightmares... He couldn't handle sleeping alone... He needed a warm body to hold. His illusion of Grace was all he had from going completely insane. He really wanted to avoid the nights when he woke up gasping for air, his whole body shaking violently with the cold realisation that he was never going to find an angel like Grace again. God, he just wanted to die... He had never thought one year ago that this would be him. He had secured the love of his life, a good job that he had liked at the time and they were financially sound. He was actually happy for once in his life. He had deserved it, didn't he? But the universe had just played a sick, cruel joke on him. Giving him a taste of everything that he'd ever wanted then just taking it away in a second like it was nothing.

As a seductive little brunette sauntered over to the bar, he began his routine of chatting her up, barely paying attention to the man on the microphone introducing some new talent to the bar. Lisa, or Linda? Whatever, he wasn't interested. All he wanted was to get drunk and forget his life.

[lily]

Looking like this

She was practically ready to launch herself out of her seat. She was so excited about this night. It was her debut for her new job singing at the club. She'd more than proven to the manager of the club that she had what it took to really knock the socks off of people at the bar. She'd managed to convince him through her voice alone that she'd be able to bring in clients just to hear her sing. She hoped that the faith that her new boss had in her wasn't misplaced. A part of her hoped that this would be the beginning to her big break. Another part of her wasn't sure that she was ready to take this step.

If only her mother could see her now. She didn't doubt that the woman would have been grinning at the back of the bar, smiling at her daughter and encouraging her to chase her dreams. Well... it was time that Lily took a step towards the right direction where this particular dream was concerned. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She'd spent a half hour on the phone with her Daddy before hand, talking to him and listening to him as he encouraged her. He wished he could have been there to see it and she vowed that she'd get him to Myrtle Beach to hear her one of these days. He'd clamed up a bit, but it was clear that he wanted to be there for her.

"You're on in five, Lily." She smiled at the manager of the club. "Thanks, Charlie." He winked at her. "Don't be nervous, Sweetheart. I know you'll knock their socks off." She glanced back at him through the mirror as she applied a coat of her signature bright red lipstick. "And I wouldn't let you down for the world." She offered. He winked at her and headed for the stage to announce her. She took a deep breath in, looked herself over one last time and then nodded before making her way towards the curtain. Charlie announced her and, slowly - ever so slowly - she made her way out onto the stage and in front of the microphone that had been set up.

She eyed the gathered crowd. If she were honest with herself, no one was really paying her any mind. They were expecting another mediocre singer in a club that wouldn't garner much attention other than the fact that she would provide some background noise. But this was it. A brief piano intro... and that was it. She was right into the song... "Young girl... I'll be right here when your world starts to fall..." And with every bit of the song that she poured out, she could tell that the crowd was slowly gravitating towards her. They were being held captive by her voice as she sang the song.

And with the last note that rang out, there was a stunned silence in the room for a moment before the sound of applause broke out. Some conversations had ceased altogether while others had only paused momentarily to pay their respect in the moment. She smiled at the crowd in a whole. "Thank you." She murmured quietly. And already the pianist was leading into the next song and she was setting herself up again.

She wasn't aware of how much time had past. She wasn't even aware of how many songs she'd been up there singing her heart out for, but eventually, Charlie slipped onto the stage with her and gave her a light pat on her shoulder before kissing each of her cheeks. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Lily White!" And if no one had paid heed to her name before hand, there were certainly more than a few that took notice this time around. She was all smiles as she slipped off the stage and made her way towards the bar. She needed a drink. She needed the time to mingle and enjoy herself. The elation of the moment was nearly too much for her and she could scarcely believe that there would be many more nights much like this one ahead of her.

[ty]

Being in a club surrounded by people, Tyson's fears has subsided a little, making him able to loosen up and not feel so panicked. He was so afraid of not having anyone there to help him when he needed it. He acted independent but in reality he wasn't. He needed support and stability. He needed someone to talk to, but now he had nothing. How was he supposed to accept that?

He had almost reeled this woman in, having her almost draped over him at this point, and all he had to do was buy her one drink. He had paid the barman and was about ready to leave with her when the lights dimmed and a voice rang through the room. It was safe to say that everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the woman on stage, including Tyson. His hand dropped from around the drunk bitch's waist and he set eyes on the blonde bombshell. His mouth grew dry and his breath caught in his throat as he stared, completely captivated by this little piece of heaven infront of him. Who was she? He racked his brain for what the announcer had said... He knew it started with an L, but what the fuck was it?

He had to know who she was. Her voice was incredible, he'd never heard anything like it... It sent shivers down his spine everytime she hit a high note. God, he felt... Great. The woman next to him grew bored and wandered off, not that he noticed or even cared. His mind was completely focused on one thing now.

When the song finished he was standing there, completely hypnotised and a little confused by what was happening to him. A few songs later and he had to meet her. The announcer answered his earlier question. Her name was Lily White, and she was coming right for him. He swallowed and faced the bar again, nervously glancing over at her. Nervous? Tyson? He hadn't felt like this for a long time...
When she stopped at the bar he took a shallow breath and looked over at her, "You were... Amazing." he managed, a little hesitant at first. He hadn't actually been sincere with anyone in god knows how long so he was a little rusty, "I'm Tyson." He introduced himself, offering his hand to her. Please dont say anything stupid... he was thinking to himself, desperate to make a good impression on this woman. His heart was racing, still on a high from watching her perform, "You want a drink?" He offered, raising an eyebrow in question. And for once it wasn't to get into her pants, he actually just wanted her to stick around.

[lily]

Truthfully, in the moment, Lily felt beautiful. Typically, she did her best to feel the best about herself, her mother's lessons a constant reminder in her mind as she carried on. But tonight, she felt stunning. Everyone's eyes were on her and it wasn't an unwelcome presence. She felt beautiful through her voice and the way it had carried that night and she felt beautiful for the way she looked and the dress she was wearing in the moment. She would call her father in the morning and share all of the details of the event. She knew he'd be thrilled to know that she'd done well. He'd be proud of her for getting out there and doing what she wanted to do above all else.

She made her way to the bar and smiled at the tender a moment. She was given a prompt thumbs up and she couldn't help the slight blush that tinged her cheeks. "You were... Amazing." Lily slid a look to her right. And there was the man who had just made the comment standing right there beside her. Her blush only deepened at the praise, but she turned bodily towards him, never one to shut anyone out. She smiled brightly as he gave her his name. She took his hand and shook it, her grasp delicate, just as the voice that spoke now. "I'm Lily.... But oh... I guess you kind of already know that." She smiled, though her blush deepened even more.

It always struck people as incredibly interesting that a woman with such a powerful voice when it came to singing had such a gentle, quiet and subdued voice when it came to speaking. It was sweet and it was soft. "Thank you, by the way. You have no idea how much the compliment means to me." And she was genuine about it. Completely genuine. As long as there were people out there to enjoy her singing, she would gladly sing. And then he offered her a drink. "I'd like that very much." She admitted to him with a slight nod. "Just a glass of wine though, please.... I'm... not terribly good when it comes to holding my alcohol." She said, wrinkling her nose in what could only be described as completely and utterly adorable fashion.

She tilted her head to the side a moment. "So, Tyson.... Is this your first time here or...?" She asked him, trying to strike up a conversation with the man who was clearly interested in holding one with her. She had to admit... he was an incredibly handsome man, but she was pretty sure that he could have just about any one he wanted in the room. No way would he want much of anything to do with her when he realized just how sweet she was... Honestly... he had this sort of ruggedness to him... She couldn't quite put her finger on it but... He interested her.... Intrigued her in a lot of ways... all with only a few brief words to her... Hadn't she commented on needing something to write about? Needing inspiration? If nothing else... this man very well could lend to some of that very inspiration...

[ty]

As soon as she started talking, his insides melted. She had a voice like liquid honey, immediately making him want to hear it more. She had the most powerful singing voice he'd ever heard, but right now infront of him, she was like a kitten, all sweet and cute, "Yeah, I caught your name." he confirmed, shaking her delicate hand with care. God, he felt like anything rough would break her, she looked so fragile. Completely different from her onstage persona which intrigued him.

She thanked him for the compliment and he shook his head, leaning back against the bar, "No need to thank me, you deserve it. Everyone was completely focused on you up there." He praised her. Everyone including him. Probably him the most. He was still buzzing after witnessing her sing, and it wasn't just the alcohol.

He turned to the barman and asked for another bourbon and a glass of house wine for Lily before turning to look at her again, catching the most adorable face he'd ever seen anyone make. He couldn't help but grin. The two glasses were placed infront of him and he passed Lily her wine, cupping the glass of bourbon on the bar with one hand.

"Not my first time, but I felt like going someplace quieter." He replied, being quite honest though not really giving anything away. He wanted to make a good impression. In that moment, he felt ashamed of himself with the way he was treating women. He'd never really thought twice about it. If they didn't want to sleep with him then they didnt have to, it was their choice. But now, memories of why he was how he was came flooding back. He kept a pokerface, though his eyes told a thousand words. Longing, fear, pain, anxiety... It all showed through his beautiful expressive blue eyes... He wanted to love again, but he truly felt like he couldn't.

[lily]

She smiled at him as he shook her hand. He was such a nice man and seemed genuinely interested in her and her performance. She was glad for the fact that she seemed to have a fan in him. Or was it too early to call him a fan? She wasn't even sure at this point. And maybe he wasn't a fan so much as an admirer of her performance. She definitely liked the sounds of that much better. It sounded a lot less pretentious. But at the moment, he looked a little flabbergasted... or even at odds with himself and she couldn't pinpoint what it was that had him in that position. She didn't comment on it or draw attention to it. It wasn't in her nature.

She gave him another sincere smile when he said that everyone was completely focused on her while she'd been up there. And there it went... that blush just deepened another shade. She couldn't help herself in the moment. He was just too damned sweet with his compliments. And she could tell that he was genuine enough in them. The grin he gave her could have lit up a room. But she got the distinct impression that it wasn't something he did often. Which was a sad thought... especially when he was so handsome when he was smiling like that. She couldn't help but return the grin to him as she took the wine glass from him and took a sip.

Something in him changed when he stated that it wasn't the first time he'd been here and that he had just been looking for some place quieter for the night. Some sort of sadness took ahold of him. While his facial expression never changed, it was all there in his eyes, plain as day. She didn't say anything in the moment, just reached over and placed her hand on his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. But she was jostled a moment later as another man took the seat beside her and leaned in close towards her. "Saw you up there, pretty lady." His breath reeked of alcohol, but Lily smiled, ever the polite girl.

"I hope you liked it." She smiled politely. "Oh, I liked it very much." He said, actually reaching out and placing a hand on her thigh. Lily shifted uncomfortably. "Please don't...." She murmured. But Lily wasn't a fighter. She wasn't the type of girl to cause a huge scene. She was much more soft spoken and gentle than that. "I promise I won't hurt you none." He carried on, leaning even closer to her. She couldn't help it in the moment. Her mind was laced with fear as he pressed his lips to the pulse in her throat. "N-No." She stammered, attempting to stand up from her seat and push away from him. His hand locked around her bicep. "Where're you goin'?" She tried to tug free. "Let go of me." There was a bouncer across the club trying to make his way through the crowd to get to her, but she didn't doubt that it would take him a good while to actually get there.

And in the moment, Lily was terrified.

[ty]

As her blush grew more prominent, he realised he was saying the right things to her. Well, he hoped she was just flattered and not embarassed. No, she was definitely just flattered as another one of her dazzling smiles lit up her features. God, he could just drink in that smile all day.

This whole situation was familiar to Tyson, but it seemed like it had happened in another life. It felt odd and out of character, but at the same time he found comfort in the conversation and her presence. She had this aura about her that just stole the show. From her bright red lips and soft light blonde hair to the way her dress fit her and the way she moved, so gracefully with ease. She was rare and he wasn't about to let that pass.

He was deep in his own internal thoughts as he took a sip of his bourbon, about to ask her another question when a clearly shitfaced guy approached her and sat next to her. What happened next was the moment that snapped Tyson out of his daze. He took in the scene of the frightened young woman who Tyson already felt protective of and the sleazy disgusting man who was putting his hands all over her. The fury inside him grew to uncontrollable heights in a matter of seconds and he acted before even thinking.

In once swift movement that was drilled into him through years of being a police officer he had closed the distance between him and the man. He ripped his arm off Lily's bicep and turned his palm facing him, bending his wrist painfully backwards, "Don't you lay a hand on her..." he growled, his voice so menacing that the man blinked a few times, simply staring at Tyson. He was barely able to stop himself from snapping the guys hand right off, but he wouldn't do that. He shoved the guy backwards and then stepped forward, glowering with such ferocity that it made the guy shudder, "Get the fuck out before I make you." and that was a promise, not a threat. He would have no problem throwing the guy out on the curb if he had to, and he had every right.

The man scampered out the door, the bouncer following after him, probably to make sure he didn't cause anymore trouble. After taking a deep breath and trying to control his temper, he turned, his eyes settling on the terrified young woman, "You okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern as he walked over, taking her arm gently in his rough hands and looking at her bicep, "I don't think it'll bruise." He made a simple observation, his eyes lifting to meet hers. And then realisation kicked in.

What had he just done? He usually didn't care about what happened to girls he found attractive. But this was different. Not only was she attractive, but she was beautiful. Not just hot or sexy, no he wouldnt use those words to describe her. She was angelic, graceful.... Everything that his grace had been. He almost dry retched, feeling such a deep shame and regret for letting himself feel like this that he had to go. He had to be by himself.

He panicked and stuttered over his words, attempting to say he had to go but he barely got a sound out before he bolted. He was pushing his way through the crowd and out the door in a matter of seconds. He couldn't do that to grace... He couldnt betray her like that. he would never!

[lily]

Lily wasn't even sure what had happened. One moment, the drunk had his hands on her, trying to manipulate her and he had been hurting her. The next moment, Tyson was there, playing the knight in shinning armor and getting rid of the guy before he did some serious damage. And she appreciated it. He had used just the right amount of force to stop him and, perhaps, shock him into thinking twice about progressing things any further. And she had to wonder where he would have learned something like that. But at the same time, he hadn't hurt the man when he clearly could have gone further. He probably wanted to go further because it was more than clear that the sight of his hands on her had seriously provoked him.

She decided then that Tyson was a protector above all else. And she knew that it took a special kind of a man to stand up to another like that. When there was a room full of men and women around them, Tyson had been the only one to do more than give the pair of them a passing glance. He'd been the only one to act on her behalf and he doubted that she realized just how important of a detail that was to her.

He surprised her again, however, a moment later, with how gentle he was, inspecting her arm. She blinked at him a moment, unsure of what it was that she was feeling. Whereas the other man's grip had been harsh and punishing, Tyson's was gentle and careful. As if he were afraid of hurting her more. "I'm okay now..." She murmured quietly, still transfixed on him for a moment. "Thank you." She said with heartfelt gratitude. She had a lot to thank him for, no doubt.

But then, just as fast as it had all happened, his mood and demeanor just switched all together again. He looked as if he had seen a ghost... or several ghosts for that matter. He was moving away from her. She could actually see the moment that he closed her off altogether and she had to wonder if she'd done something horribly wrong. Had she said something wrong? All she'd been doing was thanking him. Her lips were parted on a silent question even as she watched him drift back into the crowd and bee-line it for the door. Lily wrapped her arms around herself, feeling strangely cold in the moment. "Just let 'im go, Lil. He's bad news anyways." The tender beside her said. Lily tilted her head to the side and watched as he disappeared out the door, wondering what it was that had just happened and what it was that she was feeling.

"No." She murmured, finally peeling her eyes away from the door. "He's a good man. Just... Lost, I think." She said before turning and heading back for the direction of the stage and, eventually, to her dressing room. She made quick work of the dress she'd been wearing, packing it up into a garment bag before changing back into her own street clothes. And then she hailed a cab and headed home. She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts and ponder about the soul searing sadness she'd seen in Tyson's eyes.