𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒔

Emma was none the wiser of the depth of who was at her bar. She had been casually seeing Ted since New Years, though those feelings were creeping up on her. She had actually just been texting the man right before the redhead had walked up, again with no clue of who the other were or the fact that they were one degree of separation from another. That'd come with time.

For now, she was a customer with a nice, friendly disposition and that was that. Emma was reaching for a large plastic cup to scratch down Jenny's order before she stepped aside to start filling it with eyes. "Hmm? Oh," she mused when she glanced over at the sign, releasing a soft laugh. "Yeah... unfortunately," she grimaced, squeezing the cup to break up any ice chunks before she stepped over to fill it with green tea that had been brewed a little while ago. "My boss - well, both of my bosses? They're big theatre people, you know? So, by proxy, we all have to be big theatre people," she snorted, starting to reach for a lid before she drew back and glanced over at the girl. "Did you want any syrups or sweeteners? Green tea can give a good kick if you're looking for a boost. Unless you still want that surprise second drink still?"

something about emma perkins was special. henry couldn't put a finger on the exact reason why -- perhaps it was because she was one of the only people who paid attention in his class. he's used to the people that don't take it seriously, that try to treat him like a joke. however, he recognizes a work ethic in emma that speaks to him. reminds him a younger version of himself.

the buzz of the security system echoes through the halls of his house, and henry is quick to descend the stairs. with a flick, he undoes the dead bolt, and fingers are quick to disarm the system so he can tug the door open, usher emma inside. "emma -- thank you," he starts, immediately helping to take some of the bags off her arms. "i appreciate you helping me -- despite all efforts, the weather seems to have frozen my car completely." sighing, he begins to move towards the kitchen, turning to ensure emma's safely inside. "it wasn't too much of a burden for you, was it?"

"Frozen your wha --?" she started to ask herself before she waved off the notion. It wasn't the first time she got groceries from him, and she was sure it wouldn't be the last. But hey, she knew it was just banking favors that she could cash in later, right? Plus, Professor Hidgens wasn't terrible company. He was fascinating.

She carried the rest of the sacks into the mansion, past the elaborately decorated entryway and into the kitchen that honestly felt like it was as big as most apartments in Hatchetfield.

"Hmm? No, not at all," she assured with a soft laugh, hoisting up the sacks to set them on the counter. "There were some... eccentric options on the list, but I think I managed to find everything. Double check me though."

The kiss to his lips was dangerously soft and he melted into it, hands easily sliding around to her back only to smile at her when she drew back. His hand near the leg that lifted dropped to grab under her thigh, pulling her up to get her against him. He kept the hand on her leg, other sliding to wrap his arm around her back so to keep her there. Their lips met again and he found himself tilting into it momentarily before breaking away, this time to focus on walking them back towards the bedroom. Didn't take long to get down the hallways and to it-- but rather than immediately drop her onto the bed he stepped them close to a wall and pressed her to it. His arm around her back slid away to slip his hand down, groping at her ass while his hand on her thigh gave a warm squeeze.

His mouth moves from hers to her cheek then jaw and down to her neck. The presses are warm and wanton, teasing and slow in press. He can't help the way he ghosts up to her ear, whispering in the closeness, "Gotta be careful with all this, might get used to the idea of seeing you more..."

It was pretty hot how easily he was able to navigate back to his bedroom with ease, even more so when he pressed her against the wall. Holding her up with the pressure against her, she panted a soft breath into the kissing as her hand slid from the side of his neck to rest at his chest. Fingers curled against the fabric of his shirt, gripping it in her fist to keep him close to her despite there being no sign of him stepping away any time soon.

Her head tilted back as his lips trailed down her jaw and neck. His kisses were warm, contrasting with how the air would hit the skin in its wake. His whispered words brought a grin across her lips, responding with a light, affectionate squeeze of the back of his neck where her left hand was cradling it.

"You make that sound like a bad thing," she hummed playfully in return before she lifted her head from where it was tipped back against the wall to nuzzle into where his head was nestled so she could steal a slow kiss to his lips.

who: tom and emma ( @beaniestm ) where: beanie's coffee shop.

The last two years had been rough for both Tom Houston and Emma Perkins. Piece by piece, they picked themselves up after losing Jane. It still hurts, some days are easier than others, but it’s a little less lonely with someone else around. If he were left to his own devices, Tom’s not sure he would’ve made it.

As he sits in the corner of Beanie’s, pouring over an application for Hatchetfield High School, he’s nervous. He’s worried it’s too soon, he’s worried about leaving Tim alone. He’s worried he won’t be able to handle it. Letting the pen clank onto the table, he takes the papers in his hand, approaches the counter with little tact for the line that may or may not be long. “Emma, I dunno if I can do this,” he starts, voice loud for the otherwise quiet ambiance of the coffee shop. “When did job applications turn into a game of twenty fuckin’ questions?”

Emma had been spending the past year or so trying to figure out how to best show up for Tom. And as the months progressed, she realized it was simply that. Showing up. Being whatever he needed her to be: an ear to listen to, someone to sit with in silence, someone to talk about anything other than the heavy weight of grief, a babysitter for Tim. Today, it was spending her lunch hour at Beanie's with him at a table while he fretted over a resume for his old job.

"It's kind of shitty they're making you do all of this shit all over again. Don't they have it stored away in their records somewhere?" she pointed out with a quiet snort, leaning over to try to get a glimpse of what he was stuck on from upside down. "Have you gotten to the part where they want a blood oath yet?"

He grins proudly at her little laugh. He knows he's pushy and blunt about his thoughts, but she seems to find humor in them. She seems to see through them and understand them differently than others. He comes off as sleazy, creepy, and too much... but when it's directed at one person who actually seems to want him? It has more passion, desire, and want from it. He ducks his head then lifts it as she mentions him carrying her to bed. He quirks a brow and finds a laugh of his own escaping him.

"Look," he begins with a shift of his chair back, standing as he continues, "I can carry you and lay you down, but I can't promise I don't crawl all over you and start exploring with my lips." He's at her side when he finishes speaking, hand offering her way for her to take, "So how about you climb your way up here and we make our way back there, hm?"

It was rare that things were said to cause Emma to blush. However, Ted's warning had her cheeks flushing pink and a soft laugh leaving her lips. She was unable to hide the grin that stretched across her lips, gaze dipping for a moment before she spotted his extended hand.

Brown eyes climbed their way back up to him, and her grin softened. "You warn me like that's a bad thing, you know," she murmured as she took his hand and stood. The food could be worried about later. Instead, she released his hand only to wrap her arms and draw him in close enough to steal a soft kiss before she drew back and gave a little hop as she lifted a leg to be picked up. Giggles sounded as her legs wrapped around his waist, softening into a hum before she gave him another slow, sweet kiss.

a brief wave of confusion washed over steph, she was expecting either pete or ted to answer. the woman was a bit of a surprise, but then again she didn't know a whole lot about ted, so maybe this was someone there for him. or maybe a visiting relative? hell if she knew. the sentence made her chuckle softly, shaking her head.

❝ no, definitely not doordash. i'm steph - i was just wondering if pete was home? ❞ hopefully he was, otherwise this would be extremely awkward. ❝ i could order doordash though, or.. rather more since you clearly ordered some and are waiting on that. ❞ word vomit, something that happened anytime she was feeling anxious or off.

Her eyebrows rose at the mention of Pete, unable to stop the way a grin spread slowly across her lips. This girl looked to be about his age, and she was cute. A cute girl looking for Pete? Heh. She'd having to ask Ted about that.

"No, no, it's okay," she assured with a soft laugh. "He's not here yet. I'm waiting on his brother myself. I guess that's the life with the Spankoffskis, huh?" she teased before thumbing back behind her. "Do you wanna come in and wait? I should have time to Double Dash something if you're hungry?"

He's quiet as she explains. He wants to give her the space to be honest, and part of Paul is genuinely terrified that he did something to jeopardize their friendship. He's not in control of his friends, of course -- though, he's not sure that his co-workers are his friends, necessarily. (Aside from Bill, of course.)

As she explains, things start falling into place. He didn't expect her to leave with someone else, of course, least of all Ted. But, the relief that settles within him knowing he didn't screw up is more than enough to have him sagging, lips curling into a soft smile.

"Thank God," he starts, laughing around the words. Hunched over, his hands brace on the countertop, the nerves finally seeping out of his pores. "I -- no, hey, Emma -- it's fine. I'm not -- we aren't --," he gestures between them, trying to make his point obvious. "I wanted to bring you as my friend. And I think... I think someone just, got the wrong idea and ran with it, like they always do. So I'm sorry," a hand presses to his chest, "if someone made you uncomfortable. That wasn't my intention when I initially invited you to come with me." He pauses, shrugging a shoulder. "I just didn't want to suffer through that bullshit by myself."

Her shoulders deflate with relief as a soft laugh escapes her lips. She wasn't necessarily worried about Paul having feelings, no. It was just something they hadn't broached, so there was a gray area that needed to be discussed. Paul? He was going to be an incredible partner for someone someday. He was someone's textbook dream guy. He was everything good in this world, truly. But Emma knew that she had too many jagged edges within her, edges that she never wanted to scrape someone as good as Paul with.

"Hey, that's okay. People talk and assume, and that's not your fault," she assured as she reached over to place her hand on his bicep and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm... a dick for ditching you, and I'm so incredibly sorry about that, Paul. I want to make that right with you. That's what's important to me right now."

steph wanted to surprise pete and pop up to see him, it had been a couple of days and honestly she just wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend. hopefully a welcomed surprise, but she couldn't see him having an adverse reaction to that.

she walked up the familiar steps to get to the apartment, someone happened to be exiting as she was entering so she didn't need to use the intercom. the ride up the elevator was quick, landing her at the door to which she balled a fist and knocked just before pulling her headphones down while she waited for someone to answer the door.

emma had been enjoying whatever this was with ted. something that was beyond just hooking up, but she was too much of a chicken shit to actually put a label on it. but it was nice. she liked whatever this was, and it seemed like they were spending more and more time between each other's places as they days went on.

this evening, she was at ted's, dressed in one of his t-shirts over her black work shorts from beanie's. she heard the knock on the door and padded that way. ted wasn't due home for another twenty minutes or so, but she went ahead and got their food.

upon answering the door, she stopped with a jolt as she released a soft, unsuspecting laugh. her eyes glanced down to see if there was a sack in hand and nope. " oh, hi . . . i, uh . . . i don't think you're doordash? "

Ted chuckles with a slight waggle of his brows, "I don't think complaining is in my vocabulary when it comes with getting grabbed by the dick and immediately fucked afterwards." The blunt statement makes him grin as he shifts against his chair, settling further into it and bumping his leg against her foot that had brushed his calf. He reaches out for his own drink and brings it up so to take a slow sip, eyes never leaving hers as if tempting her and trying her to say or do something else. Granted he's sure that if she does he may forgo the food entirely.

Ted isn't sure what's come over him with this, but he likes it. He likes that there seems to be this continued want to do things with him... things beyond the sex. Not that he would really fully complain if it was just sex... but fuck was this nice. Eating together. Talking. Laughing. Teasing. He was enjoying it almost as much as he enjoyed the fucking part. It felt like, for once, he was being picked for more than his easy sleaziness.

she couldn't stop the " oh my god " that fell from her lips around a laugh, her gaze falling with a grin and a shake of her shoulders from the chuckle. he wasn't wrong, but he just . . . had his own unique way with words. a bluntness and crassness about them that was so individually ted. she could say he was no bullshit, which she did admire.

her grin softened a little at the bump of his foot against her calf, eyes lifting to catch his gaze over his cup. " i might need you to carry me to bed after work and this lunch, " she teased with a snort, resigning by placing her wadded up napkin into her container. " and i can't promise i won't pass out when i hit the mattress . . . fair warning. "

ethan green lingered towards the back of the line for as long as he could hold out, eyes narrowed in on the menu sign that hangs above the counter-- without the slightest clue what to order. he doesn't always have the luxury to pop into a coffee shop, a fact that could be obvious to damn near anyone in town but he'll never admit to it. he can manage it, this once.

she immediately recognized the guy as being lex's boyfriend. a friend by proxy. a fellow man against the machine, of sorts. it took her by surprise to find him here in the shop. but here she was too, just another cog in the wheel.

" it's actually five twenty five, and that's before tax, " she teased with a twist of a smirk. " it's a frappuccino. blended coffee with chocolate chips in it. i don't know, i don't name the shit -- "

Her assurance and agreement that she liked it made him smile, dipping his head then lifting it to look at her. He watched her shift and felt the brush of her foot, the subtle touch sending a near shiver down his spine. He bit down on his tongue to fight back the eager words that wanted to leave him, the automatic response that she didn't need to hear. Again, no bullshit. Just them and whatever came from it, but he wouldn't be Ted if he didn't say something in response to a gesture she may have not intended, "Careful there. Might get the wrong idea and think you're making a move on me after that little heart to heart."

He smirks playful, teasing her with the intent of his words. He knows how the afternoon may go, but he doesn't know when or how things will unfold. Hell, she isn't even done eating yet. Neither is he. But Ted would forgo food in a heartbeat if it meant whatever dessert she offered between her legs. Ah, yes, there he was. The horndog of Hatchetfield.

her lips twisted into a smirk at his playful warning. it was easy with ted. yes, upon first impression, he was an easy guy to get into bed with. but that wasn't where it stopped. she had learned that it was easy to melt into him, to laugh between kisses, to fall apart in heated fits of moans, to talk to him about whatever came to mind, to fit flirty banter in between bites of take out. was this what it was supposed to be like?

" wouldn't be the first time i made a move on you, " she mused with a smirk as she brought her drink to her lips for a sip. " and if i recall, you've never complained . . . "

i've really liked getting to know you, ted.

He'd already felt like his heart was racing listening to her speak about liking him when he's real. When the act is dropped and the bullshit is gone. Part of him wants to tell her that there isn't an act, that he is just this and that he's a guy who thinks with his dick more than his head... but that would ixnay the whole heart part and, well, Ted did think with that. It's what got him to this point that he had so much bullshit to show for. His heart was the reason he hid behind it all and lived in his delusions. But she wasn't ready to hear all that and Ted wasn't ready to share all of it, so he bit his tongue and dipped his gaze briefly. He let the words settle between them... maybe for too long.

"I enjoyed the time we spent together," he finally says, eyes lifting back to her and hand moving to put his taco down. He grabs a napkin to wipe his hands then continues, crumpling the item, "That night was... something else and the next day was something new to me, but I really liked it." He's being vulnerable and a piece of him wants to run, wants to get up and bolt right out the door... but another piece of him? A piece that's desperate for affection and attention... that piece speaks instead, "I guess, coming to see you today, was my way of trying to see if we could do that again. Just... shed the bullshit and have fun."

she didn't know what this was or what it was going to be. frankly, if she ever thought about the future too much, it threatened to swallow her whole. it had been that way when she was a kid. a teenager. now as an adult. she had experienced so much young and unreasonable loss around her that it felt like some curse to plan too far ahead. to get too attached. so, she lived life in the present, even if it was to a fault.

a soft smile tugged at her lips as she listened to him let out how he felt about that night and the day that followed. " i like the sound of that. shedding the bullshit and having fun, " she hummed in agreement, a spark in her eyes as she gazed over at him. her leg folded from itself and her foot gently brushed against his calf in doing so.

He can tell things are a little uncomfortable -- Emma's smile doesn't meet her eyes, and while that's not usually a problem, Paul can sense that something's shifted. That something was off. It makes him anxiously shift back and forth, and he reaches out to take the coffee with a silent nod. (He notices she doesn't ring him up, but it doesn't stop him from digging into his pocket, grabbing a $5 and sliding it across the counter top.)

"Hey -- it's okay," he starts, hand waving off her concerns. "I didn't want to come and... corner you at work, or whatever," he adds on, though the laugh that follows falls a little flat. A little sad. His hand taps the lid, and Paul swings around the other side, away from the register, to let other people order (should they come in). "I just, um," he starts, hand beginning to gesticulate in the air. "I'm sorry if something... happened. If I did something that made you want to leave," he explains. "I know some of my coworkers can be a little --," he pauses, lips pursed, "-- well, they're assholes, hah. So I can only imagine what they said, if they got to talking with you."

there was a deep pit of guilt as paul talked. he wasn't one who should be explaining or carry some sort of apologetic tone, no. he had invited her and she had bailed on him. it was a dick move, friend or not.

she shook her head and frowned, gesturing for zoey to be productive and take over so she could step aside with paul. " hey, no. you did nothing, " she assured, releasing a quiet sigh. " i should have told you what was happening. i should have told you before i left with -- " the abrupt end of that sentence caused her face to pinch, a quiet sigh leaving her lips.

" you did nothing wrong, okay? " she assured with a genuine glint in her eye and a light frown. " i . . . did leave with someone. it was in a whim and unexpected, but i should have told you before ted and i left . . . " well, there it was. " i'm sorry, paul. "

Ted felt his heart jump in his chest as she speaks forwardly and openly. It wasn't the first time she had in his presence, not after the day they spent just hanging around in his room talking between eating and having sex. It had truly been one of the better days of Ted's last several years, well.. since Jenny specifically. It was sad he knew that, sad that he was aware he's been in misery since. He sometimes found himself feeling relaxed in Charlotte's presence, but even then conversation would always fall back to Sam and her thoughts about her husband. But even still, it had felt oddly different and far better in Emma's presence... sure, yeah, she'd arrived with Paul, but it was clear by her grabbing him at the refreshment table she wasn't committed to whatever that was. Did it mean he wondered if there was still something? Sure, but this... this moment and their continued flirting? It felt different than her being committed to someone and just using him.

"Can't say I do it often," Ted admits almost sadly and easily, eyes dropping to the taco in his hand briefly then lifting back to her, "Can't say I really get told that either." Was that too much misery for the conversation? Too honest? He felt his chest tighten around his pounding heart and he clears his throat, trying to talk over that, "I just mean... there isn't much talking that comes with knowing me in a physical sense. Too busy with other activities, you know?"

there's a softness that falls upon her expression as her brow lightly furrows. his confession? it's just as vulnerable, if not more. it's not dripping with swagger or some line. it's . . . real. just as real as it had felt laying in bed with him and talking about their biggest desires. she hadn't really gotten into her big dreams with anyone before. but to vocalize them? and to hear his support? it felt nice. and in this moment, seeing him drop that mask again?

" i like talking to you about real things, " she assured gently, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. " i like you when you're just . . . i don't know, being real? dropping the bullshit? you're not the only one guilty of it, trust me. we all have our bullshit we try to hide behind. "

she realized she might be rambling and released a quiet laugh, exhaling it as a form of a sigh. " i've really liked getting to know you, ted. "

Ted went back home after he got his coffee, settling in on his couch to watch some college football game. He used that time to text Emma between the time she had to answer and managed to snag plans with her that included her address and that she wanted food. Manageable. He could do that. He knew a bit already from their previous day she was a lover of food. They'd had pizza for lunch and pasta for dinner-- both which she ate plenty of despite being so small. It had been impressive and also humorous. He had made a comment about it and she'd just laughed telling her she didn't play around when it came to food. And he could respect that. He wound up getting her three tacos and some chips with guacamole while he settled on two for himself before showing up a little after noon at hers.

Ted sat across from her at her table, dark eyes flicking away from the taco he'd folded to lift in order to look at her. He wanted to ensure her first few bites were good and was instead greeted with the sight of her licking up the side of her hand. Her tongue rolled against skin to lick away a runaway dribble of sauce and it sent a sharp chill through him, darting and threatening to set fire to his groin. He blinked, lips parted a moment to breathe slowly while she spoke and worked to finish her first taco. Unfortunately for her, Ted was a simple man with nothing else to think about even if he was hungry...

It dawned him after a moment of staring though that she'd said something. He blinked and shook his head, cleared his throat and spoke with quiet confusion, "What'd you say? Sorry... I was... somewhere else." He tore his gaze away in order to focus on taking a bite of his own taco.

when emma had watched ted pull out the three tacos with chips and guac, she had let out a little laugh. it was her perfect order, despite only telling him she wanted tacos and the salsa verde hot sauce. she kept the chips and guac in between them as an offering, snacking on a bite in between bites of her taco. she even used a chip as a vehicle to scoop some guac into her first taco that she had just cleared.

his question caused her to release another soft laugh as she gazed across the table at him. " i was just thanking you for the tacos, " she hummed, pausing for a moment to debate how vulnerable she wanted to be. " this . . . is really nice. i like this, you know . . . just hanging out and talking with you . . . "

Ted, unlike Emma, was trying to get lost in whatever was implied for her wanting to see him again. He liked her company, liked her laugh, liked her body. Maybe some of those shouldn't be listed together, but fuck was he on the moon that night and the next day. He wanted to keep chasing that high and whatever it would entail. He didn't know if anything could or would come from this, but he wasn't going to give up so easily. The last time he failed to push for something... his entire world crashed and fell apart. He found misery and whatever the fuck he was about now-- and sure the whatever he was about now had gotten him in with Emma, but... he didn't want to know what happened if he stopped trying. If he stopped being pushy about things. Would he fall further into his misery?

He watched her scrawl across the cup and his lips twitched, fighting back the way he wanted to eagerly grin and remove the smirk. He managed to keep the cooler expression as she slid the drink and straw towards him. He lifts his hand from the five dollar bill to reach over and scoop up the straw along with the drink. He eyes the number there then smiles at her, "I think I'll definitely do more with this than some phrase about sipping my coffee." He pauses, glances over his shoulder as someone steps into the shop indicating he'll have to move. He looks back at Emma and smiles a little softer than that smirk, "I'll text you." Pause then he's stepping backwards, turning and leaving the building-- grin only growing further in size.

there was a little glint in emma's eyes as she took the five and cashed out his order. she gave her head a shake as it lowered, a smirk on her lips and a blush to her cheeks as she tossed his receipt and put what change there was in the tip jar. at least, he didn't press for a song, huh?

she left beanie's a few minutes after noon and headed home right after, her stomach growling for the tacos she had been texting ted about. she had just untied the black ribbon around her neck and had taken out her claw clip when ted had arrived. she sighed audibly with relief as she let him inside, the two jumping right into their lunch together.

she was sitting with her legs folded at the table, not caring a bit about manners as she dug into her tacos. green hot sauce dripped down the side of her hand, and she brought it up to her mouth to lap it up mid-bite. " you're a godsend for these tacos, by the way. i was daydreaming about them after we texted, " she confessed with a quiet chuckle, taking the last bite before she grabbed a napkin to wipe her hands and mouth off.