there is always another au

[cagedinflesh]

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[gehennawind]

She's a softie. It's a problem.

"Yeah," she exclaims, relieved to hear doubts from him. Perversely, it makes the circumstances appear saner. Everyone happily agreeing to an unorthodox trio by any standard would feel like an alternate reality. "Everything's odd to me. Dating anyone is... not my norm. I'll learn as I go no matter what!" Her giggle is high and strained.

Just in time for their car to arrive, driven by a twenty-something handsome young lady.

[cagedinflesh]

"Well, we have that in common." He gives her a smile, before going around to take the keys from the valet - but Hyde gets there first and snatches them up.

"I'm driving." Let off a little steam from that personal moment earlier. Which means driving really fucking fast, dangerously.

[gehennawind]

Paloma is uncertain why the declaration fills her with apprehension, and then Hyde burns rubber.

"AH!" Shrilly squawking, she latches onto Jekyll's arm and the head of the driver's seat. No cab in Mexico City ever scared the shit out of her like this ride through London proper. Every lurch and squeal shows her another forgotten memory. Is that her whole life flashing?

"Please, PLEASE slow down!!"

[cagedinflesh]

Nope, he's got the music on full blast, no way he's slowing down now. All he does is laugh and laugh, time of his life, especially hearing Jekyll screeching to be careful. "No way! Where are we headed, home?"

[gehennawind]

Paloma paws frantically at the nutcase from behind his seat, slapping at anything she can get at. "No! Pull over, goddammit, I'll drive!"

She smacks him right on the nipple, too.

[cagedinflesh]

"Nope!" He just goes on laughing even with the nipple slap.

"Edward! Teddy! Please!!!" Jekyll's almost crying as he clutches the seat in front of him. They're going to crash. Luckily eventually they screech to a halt in a parking lot. "... Thank God."

[gehennawind]

That's twice she's heard him use 'Teddy'. It's cute. Hyperventilating in a speeding car isn't the ideal moment to take notes.

She smashes her nose into the seat, leaning too far forward and paying the price. "Ow ow..."

Paloma scrabbles around for the handle and staggers out, cussing him under her breath. Rapping his window:

"Out! Thank you!!"

[cagedinflesh]

A childhood nickname, mostly one that isn't used and that he'll tell people off for. But Henry still likes it, and it's ingrained!

"Do you know how to drive over here?" His grin is easy and simple joy.

[gehennawind]

She puffs up indignantly like one of the many London pigeons roosting across the city. What's he implying, then!

"Other side of the road, go half as fast as you were, yup!" Flushed and eager to get them safely on their way, she knocks on the hood more adamantly. "Up."

[cagedinflesh]

Up? No, she should come down. He pulls on her wrist to bring her low enough to kiss.

[gehennawind]

Hope Jekyll realizes this is what they've gotten themselves into, saying they're amenable to a polyamorous something-or-other. Hyde can't yank on poor Paloma in the heels she's wearing and think it will end in grace.

She goes low, sure. She also flops across the steering wheel, crushing her tit into the horn and startling them all with the ensuing honk. "Ow ow ow ow ow-- Edward, ow!" Face down, ass up, that's the way we like to fuck up.

[cagedinflesh]

Jekyll can't quite see from his seat, but he does try to lean around the seat in front to get a view. "What are you doing to her--" oh, a compromising position. Should he look away.....

Hyde meanwhile, grins at her. "Oh, I thought you wanted to drive, road head sounds much better."

[gehennawind]

No, he shouldn't look away! He should get his brother under control!!

Having slid sideways into the offending twin's lap, Paloma twists around like an irritated cat onto her back. One elbow braces on the dash; the other digs into Hyde's gut. "I love your sense of humor," she bites out.

[cagedinflesh]

"Don't you?" He laughs, and takes her position as a chance to kiss her again. "What about you, Henry?"

"Wh-what??" Is he asking whether he wants to get head from Paloma, or give it instead of her to Hyde???? Either way no????

[gehennawind]

It feels like a real kiss, this time. He tastes like wine and faintly of his last cigarette. Not bad-- but he hasn't gotten her in the mood for nice kisses.

"What about him?" she demands crossly, pushing to sit upright on the very edge of his leg. Her dress is all out of sorts, too! A miracle it's not having a malfunction. "Did you pull over just for this?"

[cagedinflesh]

"You know it." He just looks so pleased with himself. Especially with her sitting in his lap.

"Edward...Can we go?" He's only just agreed to this, it's a little weird to hear his brother kissing his new girlfriend on their first date so soon. "Paloma?" Anyone???

[gehennawind]

Alerted to signs of distress in Jekyll, they immediately distract her from the smug look on Hyde. She ignores everything else, squirreling into the space between the driver's seat and car door to peer at her actual date.

"Yes! Definitely! I can drive, if he'd just..." Vacating the premises of his lap, now.

[cagedinflesh]

"Good, good, could you please let her drive?" No reply... "Edward?" Nothing... "Shove off, Teddy!"

That gets him, he turns around in his seat to hiss at Jekyll, "Quit calling me that, asshole! It's Hyde if you want something shorter!"

[gehennawind]

Their little snit leaves Paloma shivering in the cold outside, wondering how to get the suicidal idiot out of the driver's seat so that she can save everyone's lives.

"Guys," she says, carefully. Nothing. Not loud enough? Hesitating to raise her voice any higher, asking herself what could possibly move Edward (Hyde?) up and out of there, and the answer clearly presents itself.

Paloma purses her lips and bends to whisper in his ear, cupping her hands to keep it secret. "You can try again after we get there if you let me in?"

[cagedinflesh]

Jekyll rolls his eyes. "Okay, Hyde." It's obvious he doesn't approve of the name change.

"Just try...?" At least it gets his attention! And slowly he does move to slide into the passenger seat.

[gehennawind]

Interesting exchange. Something to ask about later.

Paloma gets comfortable. Deep breaths, clearing her head of the funk that interactions like these leave around. The leg room's a bit much, and it's way more put together than her tatty stick shift, but she can deal.

"Thank you," she announces as if no promises have been made, no deals struck. "I'll take us home in one piece. So, umm, please guide me?"

[cagedinflesh]

Oh, Paloma, of course it's a fancy enough car to have a built in GPS. Hyde just turns it on and enters their address for her.

Coming home means the butler too, with more work to do for having to look after two dumb boys and not just one! But first there's Hyde's hand on Paloma's thigh.

[gehennawind]

She turns dark red when he messes with the GPS and when they're in the foyer with a real life butler, Hyde bravely going for the sliver of bare thigh. Before introductions are made.

Paloma pinches the delicate web between forefinger and thumb, smiling manically. "Hello, hi, I'm so sorry for coming unannounced. I work for Veronica Delgado-Ruiz?"

[cagedinflesh]

It's a good thing g she came in with both brothers, otherwise he would have assumed she was a one night stand of Hyde's and hardly paid it any mind. Let them do their thing. "Oh, yes, that's right, Miss Vasquez. Poole." He offers a handshake, while giving Hyde the eye to check whether he's been on his best behaviour or making a nuisance of himself. Hyde, naturally scowls.

[gehennawind]

Paloma wonders if butlers usually bow, but sheepishly and firmly shakes his hand. He remembered her name without ever meeting her! It's flattering, whether or not that's part of his job.

She catches and understands the exchange, given its sort of paternal overtones, and she pats Hyde's arm with great caution. "Tonight's a good night for surprise encounters!" A fake laugh follows. Look. She's trying.