Crawford Thaddeus Hatcher

Michael got a little lost in the kiss. At the taste of the other’s lips, how perfectly they played along with his. And it was addicting. Yes, he felt the need for air but he was selfish. For once, he didn’t think of what would be best for the other, instead what was best for him. And his lips on his was something he didn’t want to end right now. He had to continue kissing him. But to his own surprise, and even sadness, Ford pulled away, only a moment later, leaving the other with no words, just staring at him. 

He wasn’t sure what drove him, why he did this to the other. Was Ford hating him right now? Sure, he was kissing him back but that wouldn’t mean he wanted what he were doing. No, he felt like he had to apologize. “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to lose control like that.” he said, taking a step back but he kept back in place because Ford had his hand placed on his neck, like he didn’t want to let go of him. 

“No -- no, no... shh...” Ford hushed, quick in his attempt to quell Michael’s fears. Such alarm didn’t sit right with Ford. The hands around the younger man’s neck stayed firm as Ford replaced Michael’s backstep with his own forward one, again flushing his body against Michael’s. Pressing their foreheads together, Ford closed his eyes, keeping his voice to a whisper. 

She could smell his anxiety like perfume, could sense the hesitation, the tension, in the way he positioned himself in her house. Standing up, ready to bolt for the door. Marion didn’t blame him, couldn’t rightly hold it against him, but it still stung to see him that way…afraid of her, for the first time.

She took a long sip of tea, licked her lips, and kept her eyes off him, focused on Beau and the movement of her own knobby hand stroking the old dog’s head.

“…Ah…Ah don’ r’membah much….”

Ford hadn’t stopped to think how long he’d reasonably see himself walking around on eggshells with Marion. As of right now, he couldn’t put a measure to it. Throughout all of the terrible things Cassidy had done, Ford had found himself quickly forgetting their ‘differences’, and compartmentalizing to the best of his ability. He’d told himself he could do the same with Marion, but it wasn’t yet the case.