there is always another au

[cagedinflesh]

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[gehennawind]

She gets a reprieve while he splashes around in the kitchenette sink. Out of breath, she notices the mess, the damp band on her skin where he touched her; the lean muscle of his back, highly reflective; how like a hog at a watering hole he is.

How very bad it is to be alone with the dude who almost got his hand up her skirt.

"Thankyougoodbye!" she wheezes, bolting into the lop and locking the door. Or she would have, if the lock wasn't jammed.

[cagedinflesh]

He doesn't see any reason she'd try to lock herself in! So he goes about getting cleaned up before floping down on a couch with a leg thrown over the arm, smoking.

He doesn't mind speaking to her through the door, either. "Fuck I'm tired. What're you guys doing out here?"

[gehennawind]

She plops on the toilet seat, wishing she'd pretended to have gotten champagne-sick and therefore unable to party.

"Uhh."

Unevenful day. Bored boss. No text or call from Henry. He lost the nerve or realized she's a freak.

"My boss lady wanted to check out London's scene. This is our third pub." From her voice, she's hoping it's the last.

[cagedinflesh]

"Yeah? They're all gonna be closing up soon anyway, you're safe."

A minute passes before he asks the real question. "So how did it go?" Surely she can hear the grin in his voice.

[gehennawind]

It? The pub crawl? Can't he guess?

Clueless, she snorts, bringing her feet onto the toilet and burrowing into her knees. Harder than it sounds in tight jeans. "Looong. I don't drink much, I don't go out like this or really at all unless it's someone else's idea..."

[cagedinflesh]

"That's not what I meant. Last night." Although come to think of it if she doesn't drink much, two nights in a row can't be helping. At least he feels a little bad for her.

[gehennawind]

It really, really isn't.

Dead silence from the bathroom. Her eyelids press against the fabric of her jeans. "He didn't fuck me, if that's what you're really asking!"

[cagedinflesh]

He barks out a laugh, though it isn't cruel. "Of course not, I'd have noticed that, there's no way he'd be so uptight this morning if he got fucked! Besides, no sex before marriage, y'know."

[gehennawind]

None? Skepticism brings up her head. People don't ask out near-strangers because of their sparkling personalities.

She calls out, "He has my number, alright? No big deal?" Very big deal.

[cagedinflesh]

"Doesn't sound like no big deal! Are you still waiting?" Eventually he's going to find this long time in the washroom and willingness to chat during it suspicious... "You two were kinda cute, I'm jealous." Yes he sure was watching.

[gehennawind]

Waiting? Yes. She's had the jitters nonstop and not having the faintest about how long it takes to get in touch, on average, isn't helping!

That part's not his business and he provides an escape topic. She will absolutely remain in this here closet until she can't anymore. "You were--? Oh."

Paloma chews on that.

"Kind of creepy."

[cagedinflesh]

"You were in public." He shrugs. "Can't I want to look out for my brother, make sure he doesn't fuck up? You can probably tell that's usually how it goes."

[gehennawind]

Semi-public. Out of sight. In the shadows of the balcony. His excuse is pretty lame, considering, and she's not sure she buys the brotherly concern after what he tried!!

"I don't know how it usually goes," Paloma admits quietly. He'll barely be able to hear. "This is new to me."

[cagedinflesh]

"Are you done yet?" Starting to get impatient out here. He grumbles, discarding his cigarette butt as he goes for a stretch. Like a sleepy lion, basically.

[gehennawind]

She bristles. Excuse her for opening up a little bit to someone who hasn't earned her trust!!

"I was never doing!" Flatly telling the truth, and but for a creak of the toilet seat, not budging. "-- Do you have to go?"

[cagedinflesh]

"No, just wanted to talk face to face, not through a toilet door." Especially if she's going to open up like that, geez!! He's not all bad! "Are you hiding from me?"

[gehennawind]

He sounds awfully rational when putting it that way. But her gut seizes before her feet even touch the dirty floor, and he'd grabbed at her, that had absolutely happened...

"Yes," she decides to go with, putting steel into the admission.

[cagedinflesh]

"You're scared?" He sounds a little put out by that, maybe he wanted to get to know her too, she shouldn't judge him based on rumours! ...And advances...

[gehennawind]

Rumors are rumors, and murder accusations are murder accusations, although that thread needs followup...

Pretty rich that HE seems miffed. Mister fingers on the hem of her skirt, mister brother wants to...!! She sucks in air and exhales. A mistake.

"Remember what happened last time?"

[cagedinflesh]

"Nothing happened, you both jumped down my throat." People can't take a joke apparently!! G o d

"Come out here, I'm too damn tired and high to fuck with you if I wanted to." Well, and his friends would be pissed at him if he tried taking advantage of her. At least this Hyde has some decency are reason to care.

[gehennawind]

As arguments go, he could do more to be convincing. Paloma gives it due consideration, moving only with the knowledge that it's true he must be exhausted. She could outrun him, probably. The door creaks on its hinges.

"Alright. I'm out here." And on the other side of the couch, eyeing him up in spite of herself.

[cagedinflesh]

There's the other difference between them besides grooming, Hyde is very physical, unlike Jekyll who's always cooped up inside for science. He has muscle, not enough to tell the difference when fully clothed, but certainly while shirtless.

He cranes his neck to see her and pats the couch. "It's no good when you're both inebriated anyway, it's fine."

[gehennawind]

Yep. Yep yep. Hyde plays hard. The evidence is there.

"I'm-- !" her protest starts, then falters. Better not seem to be debating her inebriation, even if she's only had the pint. Her butt lowers slowly into the furthest cushion, continuously sneaking lingering glances. Her face feels warmer. "What now?"

[cagedinflesh]

"You can't seriously tell me you're that inexperienced with dating and shit! You're way too hot." He scooches up, aiming for a possible lap pillow...

[gehennawind]

In a way, his crassness is as complimentary as it is direct. He's a couple steps shy of street harassment without toeing over the line.

Be that as it may. She stops his lapward journey with a fully extended arm she locks into place, holding off the back of his damp head like a frisky mongrel. "I just don't go on dates! Hookups don't count the same way."