there is always another au

[cagedinflesh]

Comments

[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."

[cagedinflesh]

"Oh, then you're in good company. Or are you embarrassed? Who gives a shit, you're an adult, you can do what you want." He tries to push back against her hand, but soon gives up and swings his legs around to throw them over her lap instead.

[gehennawind]

Paloma exclaims in dismay at the turnabout. Sweaty punk legs all over her thighs, yet she doesn't feel properly disgusted. It's exactly like training a pet not to sit on the couch... and failing.

"Don't think we have the same reasons," she mutters, arms crossed.

[cagedinflesh]

"Yeah? What's your reason, always been too shy?" His arms stretch out over his head to fall where his legs had been a moment ago. Now all he needs is a belly rub.

[gehennawind]

He's rather physical for a near-stranger. Does he even remember her name?

Paloma glares at his long beanstalk legs, comparing them to her too-short ones. "Yeah, sure," she says cagily. Not very convincing, but she prefers to leave it there and not expound on her mistrust of people's intentions.

And some of it really is shyness. She pushes experimentally on his shin, hoping to get him off of her one limb at a time.

[cagedinflesh]

That's assuming he ever knew it in the first place. He probably didn't.

He's too loose and lethargic to steel his muscles against her push, and down goes a leg. "I think both are fun. Don't think Harry's ever had a girlfriend though, aren't you lucky."

[gehennawind]

Girlfriend!

"Getting ahead of yourself!" Emboldened, Paloma hauls his other leg off and away. Lord knows where he's been all day. "I haven't heard back. He's probably busy." Now, why did she go and tell him a goddamn thing?