[ it's not her first tendency to check her device at this time of day, but she's never really been in a position here where someone would have reason to blow up her phone with texts; that might not necessarily be the case for him, now that he's acquired enough responsibility here in the form of managing a business to merit needing to be within easy reach, but he hasn't made any sudden moves to depart from the bed and she can't bring herself to offer him that reminder either. ]
Getting trampled, you mean? Oh, yeah, definitely, hilarious image there. [ she retrieves a pillow from the edge of the bed and chucks it loosely in the vicinity of his chest, counting on his reflexes being a little slower and inhibiting him from grabbing it before it smacks him.
and she'll finally try to wrest herself free of the bedsheets before he can consider a swift and sound retaliation, swinging her legs over towards the far side and rising up to stand with another full stretch, both arms winding above her head. before she even considers whether or not she has enough in her fridge to sustain them this morning, a shower is definitely taking priority β though she looks back at him again as if gauging whether or not she even needs to say anything to extend that invite, if he'll be able to decipher it solely by the look in her eyes. ]
There might be eggs. [ her mouth quirks to one side while she wracks her brain for that memory β what else had she seen in there when she'd been talking to him before, holding that expired yogurt in one hand? understandably, anything that happened prior to their clothes coming off is a little fuzzy now. ] Why, you work up an appetite or last night or something?
[ the pillow is met with an oof sound blowing from his mouth, not out of any real physical reaction to the hit, the feeling of it bouncing off its skin more ticklish than anything, but simply to dramatize the response all for her benefit. she can take it to be victorious or anything β either is acceptable from his point of view. ]
Way to look down on yourself. I think you can take on a cow just fine. You got that β y'know, that charm. [ which is more of a playful comment, but admittedly, there's truth to it, how she'd once taken his grumpy responses and softened it with her stubborn retalitations, light commentary and tacky jokes somehow steering him in a direction that somehow inevitably landed him here in her bed.
he lifts himself to sit up, arms extended and palms pressing into the mattress to hold him steady as he peers to her, eyes lingering on the full stretch of her. ]
I don't know about that. Think I ate pretty well last night.
[ and there's that signature smirk, one that shifts in a bit more freely this time aorund with that curving of his lips, a soft swiping of his lip with a teasing tongue for a display that's now purposeful, knowing that her eyes are bound to linger there. ]
[ she would've considered it more of a personal triumph if she hadn't figured out he was completely putting it on, his reaction too exaggerated to be sincere, but she'll take advantage of any potential opportunity to try and gain the upper hand, this entire exchange remarkably in line with the familiar dynamic they'd already established prior to last night. ]
Oh, is that what it is? Charm? Not just wearing down the cow's defenses until it had no choice but to give in? [ somehow this bovine subject has become more of a metaphor now as the conversation's gone on, shifting to be less about the literal and closer to a stand-in for the person who continues to make themselves thoroughly comfortable between those sheets.
any plan she had to veer off in the direction of a shower is completely stalled when he licks across his mouth, her gaze drawn to it in spite of herself, in spite of knowing he means to knock her off-center; sense memory fills in the reminder of where that tongue had been only hours before, and damn him for trying to make her squirm like that, heat immediately pooling low between her thighs. ]
You had your fill yet? [ beyond the dirtier innuendo, though, there may be a nudge of deeper questioning in it, an ask in regards to whether he's done with her, too, and she tips her chin down to level their gazes, hope subtly residing in her own eyes. ]
Maybe a little bit of that, too. [ it's definitely tipped β the conversation, not the cow β and it's fairly clear where the metaphor runs, but that doesn't deter him from pouring his continued teases into the banter, even if he's confident that plenty of honesty rings true through it too.
it's the same way that the rest of his teasing commentary is spoken easy, not quite as reserved or left subtle as it once had been. whatever had happened last night had steered them into a far steeper direction, one they both must have known would guarantee that there was no real way of returning to the simpleness they once tried to maintain, back when even the events of the pollen had threatened to push them over the edge. making excuses for that was easier when not all of it could be pinned on their own control, but this β this was entirely in their hands and it was either to be dropped in its entirety or ran with.
his choice is more obvious when he rises even further, lifting on his knees before dragging them across the mattress and the mess of tangled sheets, right up until he gets to the edge, close enough for him to reach out and take her hand. a light enough tug can bring her in closer, just enough for him to press his lips to her, brief but tender. ]
No. [ he says without uncertainty, a simple word leaving his lips firmly as he draws away enough to gaze at her with confident eyes, the answer pertaining to more than simply the events of the night before. ]
That's what I thought. [ she's amused herself by this entire train of thought, evidenced by the small hunching of both shoulders and the strong press of her lips together as she tries to subdue the fullness of a chuckle that manages to resound from somewhere deep within, the small twitch of her abdomen betraying her even further along those lines.
but it's easy, like so much of this has already been between them, a free and open exchange of lightly jabbing comments and quick witticisms that defined the course of their relationship from the beginning when neither of them was all that thrilled to be trapped in their shared predicament. and slowly, it had evolved from her saying things to provoke some kind of response from him to his own readiness to counter her banter, the cleverness in his remarks surprising her first and foremost before anything else had transpired.
her gaze tracks him as he moves, a slow slide that takes him closer to her until he's sitting there in front of her, reaching out to snag her hand in his β and she can only begin to guess what he'll do before he draws her near, enough to drop a kiss there. it's not that she won't have her reservations still β about herself, mostly, if she's even capable of doing this β but all of that manages to evaporate when his lips nudge to her skin.
and something ignites within her chest, warming her from the inside out, prompting her fingers to curve more firmly around his rather than dropping away too quickly. ] Good.
[ none of this should feel as natural as it does, the casual way his fingers slip into hers, how easily they fit, one by one curling around hers for a hold that isn't tight but plenty firm for a steady enough grip. perhaps he's still lost in it, the haze of the previous hours drifting further into the rest of the morning, and once he's supplied time and distance, he might grasp sense of it all again, why he shouldn't be lingering so close to her. he knows his reasons for being on his own, why it's better to hold onto his barriers and avoid these connections.
but his mouth presses soft to hers and it feels safe, and he can't quite imagine steering himself away from it so soon. ]
Good. [ he repeats, though it's more of a puzzle on his own tongue like he's surprised by the word, by the wonder that any of this is good, and that they're both still bulldozing forward into this collision against one another.
his free arm folds around her waist, a loose hold that simply guides her in close, curving her low into his space where he still remains kneeled at the bed's edge, just slightly beneath her height when he's urging her chest against his own, allowing his kiss to blossom into something just slightly deeper, but still mostly soft simply for embracing the sensation of it. ]
[ she'll find time to mull over all of it later β the events of the past couple of days, how they somehow stumbled through to this moment now, why he reaches for her and she doesn't hesitate, choosing to bask in the newness, the excitement, the thrill of a revised understanding between them. maybe once they're separated, she'll be able to put her head on straight again, think past the somersaulting in her stomach that seems to happen every time he looks at her, kisses her, touches her now.
the scariest part is she could stay here all day if they didn't have anything primed to tug them in two different directions. ]
Mmhmm. [ she breathes a soft hum into that kiss, his arm slung low across her waist and drawing her in, skin against hers, more of that warmth achieved; she shouldn't be so used to this yet and she sort of is, the tender rhythm of mouths that precedes her withdrawing to look down at him, free hand idly stroking along the side of his face. ]
Wanna help me use up all the hot water? [ he's not holding her so tightly that she can't slip free, briefly tweaking his chin between thumb and index prior to her stepping back, pivoting on one heel to head in the direction of the bathroom. it won't solve the issue of needing to retrieve their clothes from downstairs eventually, but she also can't show up to work with sex hair either. besides, she's giving him a different angle to observe β along with the pair of deer antlers darkly inked into the small of her back. ]
[ he hasn't forgotten that he has other responsibilities he'll need to actually return to eventually. a brief glance to the clock on the table assures him there's still plenty time before the promised point in which he'd told the part-timer he'd officially take over shift duties again, but he also knows he needs to be careful about getting too distracted, since this visit was never originally going to preceed one hour, instead mulitplying to many where he'd simply curled up with her in her bed.
her question sparks a light chuckle, along with that subtle pinching of her fingers to his chin, hairs there caught in a minor tug. he doesn't get to sprout a response, not when she's already moving across the room, spinning away from him with the assumption of his answer.
but his eyes find a momentary distraction anyway, a slight squint when he notices the dark lines low on her back, an angle he'd yet to see her in until now. ] So, that's where it is, huh? [ he'd learned about the tattoos early, briefly assuming they'd all been in the same spot, that perch right over the heart where his own was printed without his knowing. but he'd seen them in various locations since, either on a shoulder or wrist, but he'd never been able to pinpoint hers.
not that he'd ever really cared about the ink at all, not even having thought about it when he did finally get an almost full gaze of her naked in front of his eyes. still, seeing it now sparks a minor smirk, one that remains on when he rises to his feet, shuffling in the path behind her until he catches up, fingertips lightly grazing the pattern on her skin. ] Guess I missed it.
[ regardless of whether he takes her up on her offer, she decides to go on ahead, motivated now by the promise of detangling her hair and washing the mess of them combined from her skin. her own bathroom's adjacent to this one, a different door connecting the two, and she squints against the sun streaming more directly onto old tile and the giant, claw-foot tub given that curtains haven't been fully drawn in here β but she turns, prompted by the brush of a hand at the curve of her lower back and ducks her head with a quiet laugh when she realizes what he's referring to. ]
Oh. [ and she freezes, mid-movement, arms rising up from her sides as if that could potentially invite more of a view, before trying to crane her neck over one shoulder to glimpse it for herself. she's never been able to get a full-on view of it unless she's turned her back to a mirror, the tattoo perfectly positioned between her hips for her to only make out the edge of the design. ]
Talk about adding insult to kidnapping, right? "Sorry for taking you to Dreamland against your will, here's your very own tramp stamp." [ her scoff punctuates the attempt at a joke, and she's rolling her eyes good-naturedly before stretching out a hand to brace her palm against his chest where his own tattoo sits left of center, fingers curving slightly to let the tips rest a bit higher. ] In case you wondered if you lucked out with yours at all.
[ he'd been in here before, on account that her kitchen sink is hardly the only one with piping problems, though he's fairly sure he's ended up in most of her rooms by now (he'd never had a reason to be in the bedroom for long, but even that's changed over the past several hours). but entering here for the purposes of a shower is a new one, especially on account of sharing one, which might be the first in β definitely years. well, mostly. being in one together with someone else, even fully clothed, might be a more recent experience than not.
when her fingers drift on his chest to compare the differences of their inks, his lips purse, almost in a half-curved smile. ] Well, I thought I had. But as it turns out, I apparently have a knack for ending up shirtless more often than not. Who knew?
[ the raise in a brow is an obvious tease directed her way, considering their long history together, in which she'd come to see his bare chest more than one, twice, three times or so even before the events of last night. all accidental for the most part, but no less ridiculous on account of her constantly and by coincidence being in the room when it occurs. ]
Speaking of which β [ he steps around her, leaning across the bath to work the handles, trying to find that balance of hot water before he turns his head to peer over his shoulder towards her. ] This is pretty familiar, ain't it?
[ she has no way of knowing how old this place is, given that her first introduction to it had been literally waking up in the bed they've just vacated and learning all of its quirks and idiosyncrasies shortly thereafter β though for all its disadvantages, leaky sinks and creaky floorboards and rotted wood, not to mention living literally on the edge of town limits, there's enough here that feels familiar, bears shades of the earp homestead even if the layout is different, even if it's not filled with the same people. she's made it her own, not necessarily through any obvious trying but in inhabiting this space for long enough.
and if she had to guess, the house's second-longest occupant has been him. between his visits to fix any old thing, he's made himself comfortable in the space in small ways. tools scattered at random points, a used coffee mug sitting on the kitchen counter for him to go back to between breaks. there were indications of his presence becoming more frequent here long before last night.
she uses her index finger to trace the design on his chest, starting with the antler on one side and then traversing across the intricacies of it until she ends up on the other. ] Just my luck, huh? [ because she'd made no secret of it being a distraction when it had happened, though she'd only ever benefitted from the spontaneous prompts that had forced him to remove that top layer. ]
I don't know about that. Pretty sure it started out differently. [ with him hitching her up over his shoulder and dumping her in, that is, and she glares at him suspiciously, trying to gauge if he'll follow that first instance to the letter. the water had also been a markedly different temperature, a shock to the system that had left her spluttering beneath that icy spray of water trickling down her hair and in between her clothes; she'd left sopping wet bootprints behind on her hasty retreat out of chloe's house, an obvious trail to track her getaway route all the way back to her own place. ]
[ his fingers wave beneath the fall of water, testing out the temperature of the spray until it's satisfactory, a faster accomplishment these days since before he'd had to fix that too when it'd mostly ran cold water until enough time had passed for it to heat. he chuckles at her statement, straightening himself out as he turns back to face her, a squinting from his eye that notes his own internal planning prompted by her own warning glare.
casually, he hooks his thumbs into his boxer briefs, shucking them down off his legs to his ankles and lifting his feet before kicking them lightly to the side. ] Different's not so bad.
[ the lack of clothes might be the biggest difference of them all, remembering how the fabrics had clung to their skin, denim heavy on his legs as the chill of the water prompted goosebumps on his bare arms. but the air between them is also a change, subtleties still present then in the way they spoke, flirtatious banter still not in full growth as they'd tried to dodge it at every corner.
but now he lacks any hesitance as he steps back to her, swift when he squats just enough to guide one arm to her back and the other behind her knees, scooping her up into his arms for a standard princess carry β an improvement from simply tossing her over his shoulder, he thinks. carefully, he'll guide her to the shower, only loosening his hold when he's able to deposit her safety within the tub itself. ] See, different.
[ she's still not used to only having to wait a matter of minutes before the water warms to a more soothing temperature, having spent weeks upon weeks putting up with older pipes that had required more patience than she'd been prepared to deliver, but one visit from him had launched the farmhouse's plumbing forward by at least ten years of advancement. it's her first instinct, though, to scrutinize him while he shucks off the fabric that sits on his hips, leaving himself as bare as she is for eyes and hands alike.
and it turns out her suspicions about what he's planning next aren't completely unfounded, because he crouches beneath her and that's the only warning she gets before he's picking her up in his arms, her own thrown around his neck with the surprise of it even though his hold on her is secure. she's shaking her head through a smile, chin tipped down while he gently sets her down inside the tub and steps over to join her fully.
the water is warm this time, at her back, and she lifts a hand to pull the curtain, enclosing them within; it doesn't block out so much light that she can't see the slant of his mouth, can't find her way forward until she's nudging closer, until her face is tilted up enough for her lips to seek his, a light peck initially that isn't lacking any affection. ] Not completely different.
[ because she'll kiss him here as she did then, only without the risk of interruption, without that tiny voice that had been all too happy to nag her before about her poor decision-making β just the certainty of what they have now between them, the assurance that they're both in it for however long it lasts β and she'll lose herself a little longer in that shared heat, guiltless and pliant against him. ]
[ she'd been more resistant the first time around, annoyance clear when she'd kicked and complained as he'd taken her beneath the water, an exaggerated response to a joke of sprayed water (which, to be entirely fair, had been her idea in the first place). it's a contrast to the way she reels him in alongside her now, how there doesn't come a second thought when she kisses him, more confidence in the gesture now than when they hadn't known each other's lips, when spontaneity was all that guided them instead of this new found sense of purpose in it.
he returns it with the tender response of a caressing mouth, parted lips that draw in the wet parts of hers, cleaning those droplets one by one as they cascade from above them, warm on their skin.
even his hands are reminiscent of that time, rising to palm over her cheeks, fingers tracing back those wet strands of hair to lock behind her ears, holding her face steady to his own. that'd been the very thing that tricked him then, left him with surprise at how gentle her skin felt against his, mostly when she'd brought her fingers to his chin, a simple stroke of it, luring his mouth to act on instinct than any logical thought. ]
Aren't gonna run out on me this time, are you? [ he mutters the tease in the midst of their kiss, not entirely drawing himself away even as he smiles through the amusement of his question. ]
[ she can't ignore the irony of the moment, this one bearing so many shades of similarities to the last time they were standing in a shower together β though the difference between then and now is a surprisingly smaller amount of clothing on his end, top half bared entirely due to a burst of unexpected vomit rather than her own eager hands.
and the curiosity with which she seeks out his mouth now isn't impulse-driven by one too many pot candies, but the wet slide of his lips against hers feels almost the same, his hands spreading across her face to sweep her hair back from her skin the way he had then, too. ]
Well, for starters, this is my place. [ she maintains that proximity between their mouths, soft caresses that tease a deeper press on every other syllable, and when she smiles he can probably feel it too, the brief tension in her cheeks beneath his palms.
she slings one arm low, around his waist, unconsciously nudging their hips together even if she isn't seeking to bring them closer beyond that. for now, she wants to enjoy just how nice it is to have this, something she isn't entirely convinced she even deserves but won't bring herself to relinquish, too stuck in the newness and the wanting of it to know better. ] But I'm not going anywhere.
[ he shouldn't be allowed this, this safe haven within the privacy of her bathroom, of this house, where both of them had resorted to remaining confined here for hours rather than even casting a single peek at the world outside of it. since he's been here, he's sought out different ways to keep himself busy, working the diner, doing home repair, but he hadn't imagined for this distraction, one of that's less of an excuse to prompt activity for his hands (though there's plenty of that) and one that simply keeps him still.
beyond the amount of clothing, the difference here from that first kiss is how he'd done it as a way to drown out the noise of the party, of the chaos that was driving him into a series of frustration; here, he's merely extending the already lingering peace, a soothing heat drifting from her mouth to his. ]
Your place? Is that where I've been all this time? [ sarcastically spoken, a nudging smile prodding up against her lips, a laugh held back in his breath.
when he finally draws back, his eyes remain on her, a soft gaze in her direction as his palms roll across her cheeks and begin to slick back her wet hair, tucking it all behind her ears neatly, brushing the damp strands down. ] Funny how every time I see you, I've got some way of getting you wet. [ because of the shower, obviously. ]
[ it does feel like they're far removed from everything that could even be going on β not just by being secluded within the privacy of the shower curtain, or even inside the four walls of the farmhouse, but this far out on the edge of town, with only farming fields surrounding them on all sides, it does almost seem like their own idyllic spot, peaceful and undisturbed, something to bask in until their responsibilities call them back to reality once more.
even the sound of water falling against the tub's interior creates a white noise effect that blocks out everything aside from the most immediate noises. if anyone's trying to reach them, they won't hear it, not for a while. ]
Yeah, I think you might be vaguely familiar already. [ she chuckles too, an exhale that leaves her lips parting to reveal teeth in a fuller grin, their faces close enough for her nose to brush his.
and she knows full well what he means, but the delivery of it paired with the slide of his hands across her face, her chin still tipped up to enable the full sweeping movement, means that he'll witness her reaction right as it happens, the quirk of an eyebrow and her light confusion while she tries to parse through that line for a few seconds. ] Is that what you think? Every time? [ her hands steady against his sides, thumbs stroking over that lean curve. ] Maybe I should find my own way of paying you back for that.
[ even just a simple gaze of her face when she reacts to her playful comment, the upward drift of her brow, is enough to further sprout his grin, pleased with the response and clearly proud of himself for that fact. his fingers drift down her hair, tips coming into the strands to loosely untangle them until they break loose at the height of her back, light caresses continuing down along her spine. ]
Well, from what I hear, Iβm pretty good at managing it even when Iβm not around, so I say Iβm pretty confident. [ according to her provided information, not having forgotten about the details of that unique dream heβd partially competed with as he lingered between her legs.
but her fingers are on him, soothing at his sides, and for all that he playfully teases, the gaze he provides is one that remains private, eyes softened in a way that hadnβt come easy to him prior to the recent days, before the initial kiss that had steered everything in a new direction, before the pollen had simply brought out mere truth to the surface. ]
Five star review on my business page with some positive feedback might be nice.
[ she reacts in spite of herself, when his fingers make the trip along the wet edges of her hair, caressing down and further until they trail over the arc of her spine β and she shivers, less of a response visible in her face but definitely felt under his hands as it travels the length of that column, intense enough to make her shoulders hunch a little.
the water's plenty warm but the shudder his touch elicits leaves goosebumps in its wake and she leans into him out of a need to seek more of that heat, to circulate it between them; he mentions the dream and she rolls her eyes at herself, chuckling and ducking her head until her forehead bumps into his chin. ]
Yeah, but it tends to go a little better with that hands-on approach. Speaking of.
[ there's an undeniable gleam in her gaze when she finally tilts her head back again, thoughtfully biting on her lower lip, and she worms a hand between them, gently raking her nails along his thigh. ] I haven't shown you what I can do below the waist yet.
[ her body curves further against him and it's all the more reason to carry on his touch, palms roaming freely across her back, trailing either side of her spine where the water cascades down, warm but not quite offering that same resonating heat that her body does. he's held her all through the night to the morning, countless hours on end, and yet he still hasn't found much of a reason to withdraw.
he manages a steady gaze right up until the moment that her fingers trail down his thigh, an intimate caress that lingers low. on its own, it might not have the full effect of what it does, but with the way she watches him, the curl of her lip behind her teeth, he shivers, the breath he takes in deep. ]
Didn't realize that was on the table. [ he hadn't been thinking about it until now, really, possibly because he'd been too distracted with his own venture to the apex of her thighs before, merely content for the reaction she'd offered him in turn, something that'd been plentiful to render him erect eventually.
if her fingers wander anymore than it does now, he imagines it'd take much less time to accomplish. ]
[ even she's surprised at how reluctant she is to fully vacate his space, her suggestion to share a shower with him partly motivated as a way to expedite the process β though now she's realizing that standing here, almost every inch of her naked skin pressed against his, is completely counterintuitive to that original thought. the longer he touches her, new caresses that manage to feel entirely safe, the more she doesn't want him to stop.
he inhales from that light scratch of her nails across his skin and she smiles a little broader around the press of her teeth, letting her hand drift inward to trace fingertips along the line of his pelvis. ]
Well, it didn't really come up before. [ not when he'd made himself right at home between her legs, using his talents on her to make her fall apart for the second time, but if the situation had reversed itself she would have been more than happy to return the favor. ]
I guess it could be on the table eventually. [ she makes that suggestion with a quick wink, a reference back to the dream she'd somehow readily given him all the details on, now something to be used as further teasing fuel, an inside joke to be kept only between the both of them. ]
[ he was only here at all because he'd left the diner to spend a few moments with her, moments that extended into hours, postponing it continuously. and even now, long after the fact, he still isn't ready to depart, showcased in the movement of his fingertips, still keen on exploring different curves of her body he's yet to familiarize himself with. he'll wonder if that lower part of her back where ink traces over her skin is anymore sensitive than the rest as he runs his palm in circles there.
her suggestion is met with a laugh, even if it's cut short with that sharp intake of breath, his abdomen curving in when she brushes a lingering touch along his pelvic bone, warming him low. ]
You and your damn tables, Earp. [ he kisses her then, brief and almost ghostly with how it hovers playfully, his breath warm on her lips. ] Don't know that I'd say no to whatever you're serving.
[ maybe not sensitive, at least no more than the rest of her, but that slow kneading at the base of her spine is a touch she won't shy away from, especially when it gives her an excuse to lean further towards him, close enough for their top halves to press flush and elicit a soft hum from her throat. it's equal parts casual and intentional, maybe without him even trying for the latter, and she won't complain about being on the receiving end.
she laughs too, a quiet huffing sound, and then leans forward to drop her lips to the outline of his own tattoo, where it sits over that strong plane of skin and muscle, before slowly sinking down to the porcelain on her knees. ]
I'm almost tempted to make some joke about how it'll be served hot but I still want you to like me later. [ and besides, her mouth is going to be pretty occupied in a second, especially once she starts leaving a trail of kisses along the line her fingers have just vacated. ]
[ a soft hum rolls within his mouth when she presses hers to his chest where the ink had been drawn directly over his heart, where he's sure he can hear the risen beat pulsing harder within, even above the patter of the water still spraying freely behind them.
she lowers herself on her knees, a sight that makes him hold his breath; he can't trace her back anymore but he can still stroke gentle fingers at her neck, light massage lingering at the nape as he peers down to her.
somehow, even like this, she can make him laugh, something breathless when she traces more kisses on his skin. ] Christ, no. I think you've fulfilled your bad pun quota plenty. [ it's an honest scold, but somehow the lightness of his voice still holds a vein of affection, translated even more in his touch as he gazes down to her. ]
[ it's not an ideal position for her long-term, the porcelain hardly forgiving on her kneecaps, but it's discomfort she can absolutely push to the background of her mind, especially once he slips fingers along the back of her neck, sweeping away damp strands of hair to leave a running touch along the base of her skull β and she voices a pleased noise of her own, closer to a sigh before she hears him laugh above her. ]
Pretty sure I need to fill one more quota before you leave, and that's gonna happen any second now. [ her voice lifts innocently, almost airily, and even if she wants to spend a few more minutes teasing him she realizes they're on something of a time crunch between his shift change and the limited supply of hot water.
it's for those reasons and many others (like her own selfishness in enjoying this) that she finally gives him her mouth, slow stripes of her tongue over hard flesh before she takes him past the part of her lips, the shower spray beating down against them, water trickling over his chest and stomach, wayward droplets shuddering against the line of her jaw. ]
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action;
Getting trampled, you mean? Oh, yeah, definitely, hilarious image there. [ she retrieves a pillow from the edge of the bed and chucks it loosely in the vicinity of his chest, counting on his reflexes being a little slower and inhibiting him from grabbing it before it smacks him.
and she'll finally try to wrest herself free of the bedsheets before he can consider a swift and sound retaliation, swinging her legs over towards the far side and rising up to stand with another full stretch, both arms winding above her head. before she even considers whether or not she has enough in her fridge to sustain them this morning, a shower is definitely taking priority β though she looks back at him again as if gauging whether or not she even needs to say anything to extend that invite, if he'll be able to decipher it solely by the look in her eyes. ]
There might be eggs. [ her mouth quirks to one side while she wracks her brain for that memory β what else had she seen in there when she'd been talking to him before, holding that expired yogurt in one hand? understandably, anything that happened prior to their clothes coming off is a little fuzzy now. ] Why, you work up an appetite or last night or something?
action; some suggestive nsfw
Way to look down on yourself. I think you can take on a cow just fine. You got that β y'know, that charm. [ which is more of a playful comment, but admittedly, there's truth to it, how she'd once taken his grumpy responses and softened it with her stubborn retalitations, light commentary and tacky jokes somehow steering him in a direction that somehow inevitably landed him here in her bed.
he lifts himself to sit up, arms extended and palms pressing into the mattress to hold him steady as he peers to her, eyes lingering on the full stretch of her. ]
I don't know about that. Think I ate pretty well last night.
[ and there's that signature smirk, one that shifts in a bit more freely this time aorund with that curving of his lips, a soft swiping of his lip with a teasing tongue for a display that's now purposeful, knowing that her eyes are bound to linger there. ]
action; subtle nsfw
Oh, is that what it is? Charm? Not just wearing down the cow's defenses until it had no choice but to give in? [ somehow this bovine subject has become more of a metaphor now as the conversation's gone on, shifting to be less about the literal and closer to a stand-in for the person who continues to make themselves thoroughly comfortable between those sheets.
any plan she had to veer off in the direction of a shower is completely stalled when he licks across his mouth, her gaze drawn to it in spite of herself, in spite of knowing he means to knock her off-center; sense memory fills in the reminder of where that tongue had been only hours before, and damn him for trying to make her squirm like that, heat immediately pooling low between her thighs. ]
You had your fill yet? [ beyond the dirtier innuendo, though, there may be a nudge of deeper questioning in it, an ask in regards to whether he's done with her, too, and she tips her chin down to level their gazes, hope subtly residing in her own eyes. ]
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it's the same way that the rest of his teasing commentary is spoken easy, not quite as reserved or left subtle as it once had been. whatever had happened last night had steered them into a far steeper direction, one they both must have known would guarantee that there was no real way of returning to the simpleness they once tried to maintain, back when even the events of the pollen had threatened to push them over the edge. making excuses for that was easier when not all of it could be pinned on their own control, but this β this was entirely in their hands and it was either to be dropped in its entirety or ran with.
his choice is more obvious when he rises even further, lifting on his knees before dragging them across the mattress and the mess of tangled sheets, right up until he gets to the edge, close enough for him to reach out and take her hand. a light enough tug can bring her in closer, just enough for him to press his lips to her, brief but tender. ]
No. [ he says without uncertainty, a simple word leaving his lips firmly as he draws away enough to gaze at her with confident eyes, the answer pertaining to more than simply the events of the night before. ]
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but it's easy, like so much of this has already been between them, a free and open exchange of lightly jabbing comments and quick witticisms that defined the course of their relationship from the beginning when neither of them was all that thrilled to be trapped in their shared predicament. and slowly, it had evolved from her saying things to provoke some kind of response from him to his own readiness to counter her banter, the cleverness in his remarks surprising her first and foremost before anything else had transpired.
her gaze tracks him as he moves, a slow slide that takes him closer to her until he's sitting there in front of her, reaching out to snag her hand in his β and she can only begin to guess what he'll do before he draws her near, enough to drop a kiss there. it's not that she won't have her reservations still β about herself, mostly, if she's even capable of doing this β but all of that manages to evaporate when his lips nudge to her skin.
and something ignites within her chest, warming her from the inside out, prompting her fingers to curve more firmly around his rather than dropping away too quickly. ] Good.
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but his mouth presses soft to hers and it feels safe, and he can't quite imagine steering himself away from it so soon. ]
Good. [ he repeats, though it's more of a puzzle on his own tongue like he's surprised by the word, by the wonder that any of this is good, and that they're both still bulldozing forward into this collision against one another.
his free arm folds around her waist, a loose hold that simply guides her in close, curving her low into his space where he still remains kneeled at the bed's edge, just slightly beneath her height when he's urging her chest against his own, allowing his kiss to blossom into something just slightly deeper, but still mostly soft simply for embracing the sensation of it. ]
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the scariest part is she could stay here all day if they didn't have anything primed to tug them in two different directions. ]
Mmhmm. [ she breathes a soft hum into that kiss, his arm slung low across her waist and drawing her in, skin against hers, more of that warmth achieved; she shouldn't be so used to this yet and she sort of is, the tender rhythm of mouths that precedes her withdrawing to look down at him, free hand idly stroking along the side of his face. ]
Wanna help me use up all the hot water? [ he's not holding her so tightly that she can't slip free, briefly tweaking his chin between thumb and index prior to her stepping back, pivoting on one heel to head in the direction of the bathroom. it won't solve the issue of needing to retrieve their clothes from downstairs eventually, but she also can't show up to work with sex hair either. besides, she's giving him a different angle to observe β along with the pair of deer antlers darkly inked into the small of her back. ]
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her question sparks a light chuckle, along with that subtle pinching of her fingers to his chin, hairs there caught in a minor tug. he doesn't get to sprout a response, not when she's already moving across the room, spinning away from him with the assumption of his answer.
but his eyes find a momentary distraction anyway, a slight squint when he notices the dark lines low on her back, an angle he'd yet to see her in until now. ] So, that's where it is, huh? [ he'd learned about the tattoos early, briefly assuming they'd all been in the same spot, that perch right over the heart where his own was printed without his knowing. but he'd seen them in various locations since, either on a shoulder or wrist, but he'd never been able to pinpoint hers.
not that he'd ever really cared about the ink at all, not even having thought about it when he did finally get an almost full gaze of her naked in front of his eyes. still, seeing it now sparks a minor smirk, one that remains on when he rises to his feet, shuffling in the path behind her until he catches up, fingertips lightly grazing the pattern on her skin. ] Guess I missed it.
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Oh. [ and she freezes, mid-movement, arms rising up from her sides as if that could potentially invite more of a view, before trying to crane her neck over one shoulder to glimpse it for herself. she's never been able to get a full-on view of it unless she's turned her back to a mirror, the tattoo perfectly positioned between her hips for her to only make out the edge of the design. ]
Talk about adding insult to kidnapping, right? "Sorry for taking you to Dreamland against your will, here's your very own tramp stamp." [ her scoff punctuates the attempt at a joke, and she's rolling her eyes good-naturedly before stretching out a hand to brace her palm against his chest where his own tattoo sits left of center, fingers curving slightly to let the tips rest a bit higher. ] In case you wondered if you lucked out with yours at all.
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when her fingers drift on his chest to compare the differences of their inks, his lips purse, almost in a half-curved smile. ] Well, I thought I had. But as it turns out, I apparently have a knack for ending up shirtless more often than not. Who knew?
[ the raise in a brow is an obvious tease directed her way, considering their long history together, in which she'd come to see his bare chest more than one, twice, three times or so even before the events of last night. all accidental for the most part, but no less ridiculous on account of her constantly and by coincidence being in the room when it occurs. ]
Speaking of which β [ he steps around her, leaning across the bath to work the handles, trying to find that balance of hot water before he turns his head to peer over his shoulder towards her. ] This is pretty familiar, ain't it?
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and if she had to guess, the house's second-longest occupant has been him. between his visits to fix any old thing, he's made himself comfortable in the space in small ways. tools scattered at random points, a used coffee mug sitting on the kitchen counter for him to go back to between breaks. there were indications of his presence becoming more frequent here long before last night.
she uses her index finger to trace the design on his chest, starting with the antler on one side and then traversing across the intricacies of it until she ends up on the other. ] Just my luck, huh? [ because she'd made no secret of it being a distraction when it had happened, though she'd only ever benefitted from the spontaneous prompts that had forced him to remove that top layer. ]
I don't know about that. Pretty sure it started out differently. [ with him hitching her up over his shoulder and dumping her in, that is, and she glares at him suspiciously, trying to gauge if he'll follow that first instance to the letter. the water had also been a markedly different temperature, a shock to the system that had left her spluttering beneath that icy spray of water trickling down her hair and in between her clothes; she'd left sopping wet bootprints behind on her hasty retreat out of chloe's house, an obvious trail to track her getaway route all the way back to her own place. ]
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casually, he hooks his thumbs into his boxer briefs, shucking them down off his legs to his ankles and lifting his feet before kicking them lightly to the side. ] Different's not so bad.
[ the lack of clothes might be the biggest difference of them all, remembering how the fabrics had clung to their skin, denim heavy on his legs as the chill of the water prompted goosebumps on his bare arms. but the air between them is also a change, subtleties still present then in the way they spoke, flirtatious banter still not in full growth as they'd tried to dodge it at every corner.
but now he lacks any hesitance as he steps back to her, swift when he squats just enough to guide one arm to her back and the other behind her knees, scooping her up into his arms for a standard princess carry β an improvement from simply tossing her over his shoulder, he thinks. carefully, he'll guide her to the shower, only loosening his hold when he's able to deposit her safety within the tub itself. ] See, different.
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and it turns out her suspicions about what he's planning next aren't completely unfounded, because he crouches beneath her and that's the only warning she gets before he's picking her up in his arms, her own thrown around his neck with the surprise of it even though his hold on her is secure. she's shaking her head through a smile, chin tipped down while he gently sets her down inside the tub and steps over to join her fully.
the water is warm this time, at her back, and she lifts a hand to pull the curtain, enclosing them within; it doesn't block out so much light that she can't see the slant of his mouth, can't find her way forward until she's nudging closer, until her face is tilted up enough for her lips to seek his, a light peck initially that isn't lacking any affection. ] Not completely different.
[ because she'll kiss him here as she did then, only without the risk of interruption, without that tiny voice that had been all too happy to nag her before about her poor decision-making β just the certainty of what they have now between them, the assurance that they're both in it for however long it lasts β and she'll lose herself a little longer in that shared heat, guiltless and pliant against him. ]
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he returns it with the tender response of a caressing mouth, parted lips that draw in the wet parts of hers, cleaning those droplets one by one as they cascade from above them, warm on their skin.
even his hands are reminiscent of that time, rising to palm over her cheeks, fingers tracing back those wet strands of hair to lock behind her ears, holding her face steady to his own. that'd been the very thing that tricked him then, left him with surprise at how gentle her skin felt against his, mostly when she'd brought her fingers to his chin, a simple stroke of it, luring his mouth to act on instinct than any logical thought. ]
Aren't gonna run out on me this time, are you? [ he mutters the tease in the midst of their kiss, not entirely drawing himself away even as he smiles through the amusement of his question. ]
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and the curiosity with which she seeks out his mouth now isn't impulse-driven by one too many pot candies, but the wet slide of his lips against hers feels almost the same, his hands spreading across her face to sweep her hair back from her skin the way he had then, too. ]
Well, for starters, this is my place. [ she maintains that proximity between their mouths, soft caresses that tease a deeper press on every other syllable, and when she smiles he can probably feel it too, the brief tension in her cheeks beneath his palms.
she slings one arm low, around his waist, unconsciously nudging their hips together even if she isn't seeking to bring them closer beyond that. for now, she wants to enjoy just how nice it is to have this, something she isn't entirely convinced she even deserves but won't bring herself to relinquish, too stuck in the newness and the wanting of it to know better. ] But I'm not going anywhere.
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beyond the amount of clothing, the difference here from that first kiss is how he'd done it as a way to drown out the noise of the party, of the chaos that was driving him into a series of frustration; here, he's merely extending the already lingering peace, a soothing heat drifting from her mouth to his. ]
Your place? Is that where I've been all this time? [ sarcastically spoken, a nudging smile prodding up against her lips, a laugh held back in his breath.
when he finally draws back, his eyes remain on her, a soft gaze in her direction as his palms roll across her cheeks and begin to slick back her wet hair, tucking it all behind her ears neatly, brushing the damp strands down. ] Funny how every time I see you, I've got some way of getting you wet. [ because of the shower, obviously. ]
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even the sound of water falling against the tub's interior creates a white noise effect that blocks out everything aside from the most immediate noises. if anyone's trying to reach them, they won't hear it, not for a while. ]
Yeah, I think you might be vaguely familiar already. [ she chuckles too, an exhale that leaves her lips parting to reveal teeth in a fuller grin, their faces close enough for her nose to brush his.
and she knows full well what he means, but the delivery of it paired with the slide of his hands across her face, her chin still tipped up to enable the full sweeping movement, means that he'll witness her reaction right as it happens, the quirk of an eyebrow and her light confusion while she tries to parse through that line for a few seconds. ] Is that what you think? Every time? [ her hands steady against his sides, thumbs stroking over that lean curve. ] Maybe I should find my own way of paying you back for that.
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Well, from what I hear, Iβm pretty good at managing it even when Iβm not around, so I say Iβm pretty confident. [ according to her provided information, not having forgotten about the details of that unique dream heβd partially competed with as he lingered between her legs.
but her fingers are on him, soothing at his sides, and for all that he playfully teases, the gaze he provides is one that remains private, eyes softened in a way that hadnβt come easy to him prior to the recent days, before the initial kiss that had steered everything in a new direction, before the pollen had simply brought out mere truth to the surface. ]
Five star review on my business page with some positive feedback might be nice.
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the water's plenty warm but the shudder his touch elicits leaves goosebumps in its wake and she leans into him out of a need to seek more of that heat, to circulate it between them; he mentions the dream and she rolls her eyes at herself, chuckling and ducking her head until her forehead bumps into his chin. ]
Yeah, but it tends to go a little better with that hands-on approach. Speaking of.
[ there's an undeniable gleam in her gaze when she finally tilts her head back again, thoughtfully biting on her lower lip, and she worms a hand between them, gently raking her nails along his thigh. ] I haven't shown you what I can do below the waist yet.
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he manages a steady gaze right up until the moment that her fingers trail down his thigh, an intimate caress that lingers low. on its own, it might not have the full effect of what it does, but with the way she watches him, the curl of her lip behind her teeth, he shivers, the breath he takes in deep. ]
Didn't realize that was on the table. [ he hadn't been thinking about it until now, really, possibly because he'd been too distracted with his own venture to the apex of her thighs before, merely content for the reaction she'd offered him in turn, something that'd been plentiful to render him erect eventually.
if her fingers wander anymore than it does now, he imagines it'd take much less time to accomplish. ]
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he inhales from that light scratch of her nails across his skin and she smiles a little broader around the press of her teeth, letting her hand drift inward to trace fingertips along the line of his pelvis. ]
Well, it didn't really come up before. [ not when he'd made himself right at home between her legs, using his talents on her to make her fall apart for the second time, but if the situation had reversed itself she would have been more than happy to return the favor. ]
I guess it could be on the table eventually. [ she makes that suggestion with a quick wink, a reference back to the dream she'd somehow readily given him all the details on, now something to be used as further teasing fuel, an inside joke to be kept only between the both of them. ]
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her suggestion is met with a laugh, even if it's cut short with that sharp intake of breath, his abdomen curving in when she brushes a lingering touch along his pelvic bone, warming him low. ]
You and your damn tables, Earp. [ he kisses her then, brief and almost ghostly with how it hovers playfully, his breath warm on her lips. ] Don't know that I'd say no to whatever you're serving.
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she laughs too, a quiet huffing sound, and then leans forward to drop her lips to the outline of his own tattoo, where it sits over that strong plane of skin and muscle, before slowly sinking down to the porcelain on her knees. ]
I'm almost tempted to make some joke about how it'll be served hot but I still want you to like me later. [ and besides, her mouth is going to be pretty occupied in a second, especially once she starts leaving a trail of kisses along the line her fingers have just vacated. ]
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she lowers herself on her knees, a sight that makes him hold his breath; he can't trace her back anymore but he can still stroke gentle fingers at her neck, light massage lingering at the nape as he peers down to her.
somehow, even like this, she can make him laugh, something breathless when she traces more kisses on his skin. ] Christ, no. I think you've fulfilled your bad pun quota plenty. [ it's an honest scold, but somehow the lightness of his voice still holds a vein of affection, translated even more in his touch as he gazes down to her. ]
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Pretty sure I need to fill one more quota before you leave, and that's gonna happen any second now. [ her voice lifts innocently, almost airily, and even if she wants to spend a few more minutes teasing him she realizes they're on something of a time crunch between his shift change and the limited supply of hot water.
it's for those reasons and many others (like her own selfishness in enjoying this) that she finally gives him her mouth, slow stripes of her tongue over hard flesh before she takes him past the part of her lips, the shower spray beating down against them, water trickling over his chest and stomach, wayward droplets shuddering against the line of her jaw. ]
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