Geeky Nerds

VI.

~TL~

It’s an unseasonably warm day in London, and Ted had to stop by his apartment to trade in his khaki pants for navy khaki shorts that he’s tucked his white polo into.

Now, he and Rebecca are walking hand in hand down the sidewalk, her yoga bag slung over his shoulder, dusty pink mat sticking out the top.

He’s not used to seeing her in such casual clothes. Her ponytail is high, and dances with her gait, and the elaborate strappings of her black sports bra are still a little visible through her light white jacket. Her high-waisted yoga pants match her mat and also make her butt look really good. 

She looks beautiful, and he told her so – or at least a variation – after every article of clothing she added to the ensemble.

“You can come if you want, it’s very beginner-friendly,” Rebecca says.

“I don’t think me doin’ yoga is somethin’ you, or anyone for that matter, should be subjected to seein’,” Ted chuckles.

“Just a little downward dog?” Rebecca teases, affectionately giving his ass a little tap before lacing her fingers back in his.

Ted chuckles and shakes his head, cheeks a shade pinker than before.

“Absolutely not,” he says, smiling at her. “S’all fun and games ‘til I have to stand back up.”

Rebecca laughs and tugs him a little closer to plant a kiss on his shoulder just before they stop in front of a yoga studio with a bright pink neon KJ sign.

“Thanks for walking with me,” Rebecca smiles, leaning in to kiss him.

The kiss is slow and gentle, and it flows into a few more. Ted smiles against her lips as it occurs to him that it’s the first time they’ve kissed in public. Or rather, it occurs to him that she wants to be seen kissing him.

“Oi!” A loud voice pierces through Ted, and Rebecca pulls away with a chuckle. 

Standing in front of them is a short, very brightly dressed, very blonde woman.

“Rebecca Welton, I have been trying to get a kiss from you for years, and here you are just handing them out on the street?!” she says, a playful look of betrayal on her face.

“Keeley,” Rebecca chuckles, sliding her hand up to Ted’s shoulder. “This is Ted.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Ted says, holding his hand out to Keeley. “And don’t worry, I’ve been forewarned ‘bout what’ll happen if I hurt her.”

“Good,” Keeley smiles, seemingly over her betrayal as he gives his hand a firm shake. “Because I may be small, but I am not opposed to violence.”

Ted chuckles before he sees Keeley’s not smiling anymore, and he straightens up, glancing nervously at Rebecca, who gives him an it’s out of my hands look.

Keeley holds his gaze for what feels like an entire minute before she breaks into a huge smile and catches Ted very off guard, undecided of what he should do with his face.

“Oh my god, he’s adorable,” Keeley laughs, Rebecca joining in.

“Isn’t he?” Rebecca smiles adoringly at Ted with a gentle rub of his shoulder.

He decides it’s probably safe to smile again now, though he does so a little hesitantly.

“Alright, see you in there, babes,” Keeley says to Rebecca. “Are you joining?”

Ted shakes his head.

“It’s for our benefit, apparently,” Rebecca chuckles.

Keeley gives a little laugh before she heads for the entrance, greeting a few other people as they arrive at the studio.

Ted slides Rebecca’s bag off his shoulder and hands it to her, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

“See you tomorrow,” he whispers. “Unless I’m really needin’ a kiss, in which case I’ll see be seein’ you later.”

Rebecca smiles, squeezing his hand as she says, “You know where to find me.”

Ted spends most of the day running errands, restocking Henry’s snacks, and prepping some of his meals for next week. 

He times his grocery store run so he’s passing by Rebecca’s between two of her lessons, an iced coffee in hand for her because she’d been craving one this morning. He’s rewarded with another generous tip for his efforts.

He doesn’t get to come by for dinner because Rebecca has a monthly meeting about the apartments she owns – she’d spent much of the morning grumbling about it – and he doesn’t stay over tonight because Rebecca said her Thursday night unwindings are still something she wants to keep for herself for now.

Ted’s quite alright with that, and had wholeheartedly agreed on the importance of time to themselves.

He sends her an early goodnight text when she gets home from her meeting, and she sends one in return before a little purple Rebecca has notifications silenced appears at the bottom of the thread.

He imagines her playing soft melodies on the piano, or up to her neck in bubbles with a book in hand. He imagines her curled up on the couch, fluffy slippers on, a mug of chamomile warm between her palms. He imagines all the things she told him she likes to do when she’s alone. All the things that make her feel calm.

Ted does his own sort of version of that, which is to say he cracks open a beer, stretches out on his couch, and watches reruns of Friday Night Lights.

On Friday morning, Ted is met with the discovery that if he doesn’t spend an entire week drinking and eating takeout, then he doesn’t have to clean up after a week of drinking and eating takeout, which is good for a lot of reasons.

Instead, he gets to spend a leisurely day baking Rebecca’s biscuits and brownies, setting aside some to be able to drop more off for her on other days this week.

He shows up early to Henry’s school, as though that’ll somehow get him out of class earlier and, in turn, get him to Rebecca’s earlier. It doesn’t. 

“What’s the hurry, Dad?” Henry asks. 

Ted’s pace down the sidewalk is just a step faster than usual, and the poor kid is stuck somewhere between a speedwalk and a jog before Ted slows down.

“Sorry, bud,” Ted says. “All the sun this week’s just got me all energized.”

Henry seems to find that a satisfying enough answer, and rambles on about his week to Ted on the way home, including an animated retelling of an epic game of dodgeball in gym class that makes Ted laugh, and also makes him have to tug Henry away from the street once or twice.

He gives Henry an extra yogurt drink with his snack when they get home. A novelty usually reserved for special occasions.

“What’s this for?” Henry asks, eyes wide with excitement. 

“Dunno,” Ted smiles, shrugging. “Feels like a good week for it.”

“Thanks, Dad!”

“‘Course, kiddo.” Ted smiles, ruffling his son’s hair as he goes to pack up his music bag.

When Henry finishes eating, they make their way across the Green, Ted listening intently to the boy recount another story from this week; some drama surrounding leaf forts at recess that Ted has trouble following the political landscape of.

His lips start to curl up a little before the door is even open.

“Hey, sweet–” Ted stops himself, swirling the word around instead to, “–Sweet to see you again, Rebecca.”

Rebecca holds back a chuckle, though he can see it in her eyes.

“Hi Ted,” she smiles and looks down at Henry. “Henry. Very sweet to see you both.”

Henry seems oblivious to Ted’s almost slip-up, and also seems to enjoy the use of the word “sweet.”

“Sweet to see you too, Rebecca!” he exclaims, hurrying inside her front door.

Rebecca gives Ted a teasing raise of her brows, and Ted tries and fails to bite back a smile.

Henry is already halfway down the hall, and Ted hooks his pinky around Rebecca’s, leaning over to whisper in her ear.

“You look pretty.”

She really does. A greenish-blue blouse with a built-in scarf neckline that hangs down to her thighs, and her black dress pants are as high and tight around the waist as ever.

“Thank you,” she whispers back. “You look very handsome.”

Ted smiles and resists the urge to kiss her quickly, even just on the shoulder.

Their hands drop away from each other’s as Henry turns into the piano room, and when Ted gets to the doorway, he’s briefly plagued by flashes of memories of Rebecca’s dress up around her hips, her thighs around his head, and the taste of her on his tongue.

It thankfully doesn’t last long as Rebecca slides the door shut, lips puckered for an air kiss that leaves Ted smiling like a dork in the hall.

He takes his usual spot on the bench, leaning back against the wall as he listens in on the bits and pieces he can pick up.

There are a few rounds of Claire de Lune, and he hears an exchange of high fives and Rebecca congratulating Henry on it before telling him they can pick a new song to start now.

Then there are a few rough run-throughs of Für Elise, full of playful giggles from Henry and corrections and encouragement from Rebecca.

Then there’s Let it Be. Ted’s heard it a lot since Henry started practicing it two weeks ago, often singing long, but it’s different now. Smoother, and it’s never had her voice before.

Ted’s head tips back against the wall, and he closes his eyes and lets it wash over him.

He decides he needs to hear the unmuffled version, so he stands and gently slides the door open. Rebecca glances back at him and smiles, and he gives an apologetic raise of his hand.

“Sorry,” he whispers. “Just had to get a better listen.”

Henry’s playing stops, and he turns around to look at Ted, smiling widely.

“Doesn’t she have a pretty voice, Dad?” he exclaims.

“Yeah, kiddo, she sure does,” Ted says softly, eyeing Rebecca, whose lips curl higher.

Ted takes a seat on an ottoman in the corner, elbows on his knees.

He’s never seen Rebecca in her teaching setting before. She’s sitting on a stool next to the piano, back straight as an arrow, one leg crossed elegantly over the other. She’s a picture-perfect definition of grace.

“Come on, Henry,” she says. “Think your dad wants a performance from us.”

Henry nods enthusiastically, repositioning himself, sitting up straighter and laying his fingers on the starting notes.

Rebecca gives him a quiet countdown before he starts, and Ted’s eyes don’t waver from them once.

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

They sing together, Rebecca’s voice a little louder, fuller than Henry's, who sounds so happy to be singing along, it’s somehow better than if he were any good.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be

For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be

There are giggles, mostly from Henry, and Rebecca never looks back at Ted, too busy enjoying herself with his son. He likes it better this way, just a fly on the wall as he watches Henry be just as comfortable with Rebecca as he is.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me

Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Ted’s eyes are just a little wet as they finish, watching them high-five excitedly and congratulate one another on the piece as Ted gives them a solo standing ovation.

“Heck, that was just, wow,” he smiles at them. “When are y’all goin’ on tour? Gonna need tickets to every date.”

Henry laughs, and Rebecca gives him a warm smile as she stands. 

“You’re going to have to find a new song to play, Henry,” she says. “Sounds like you’re getting too good with this one, nothing more for me to teach you.”

Henry rambles off a list of about fifteen songs before deciding he’ll mull it over and have it picked for next week.

Ted leans against the wall at the doorway as Henry packs his things, and runs his fingers through the kid’s hair when he wanders back out into the hall.

Before Rebecca can follow, Ted stops her with an arm around her waist, pulling her in for a quick but deep kiss.

“You’re so incredible, sweetheart,” he mutters.

“Happy we got to show off for you,” she smiles.

“Missed you last night. Hope you had an extra relaxin’ evenin'.” His hands slide to her back, pulling her a little closer.

“It was lovely,” she whispers, giving him another chaste kiss. “I missed you, too.”

“Dad?” Henry calls from down the hall.

Rebecca just about kills Ted with a kiss to his neck, and he clears his throat before answering. “Two seconds, kiddo, just had to give Rebecca her biscuits.”

“Okie dokie.”

Ted hears Henry’s footsteps continue their way to the front door, and he pulls the little box of biscuits from his pockets.

“I’ll come by sometime when he’s at school next week,” Ted whispers.

Rebecca nods, slipping the box from his hand as she leans in for another kiss. She pulls back and wipes the lipstick from the corner of his mouth with the pad of her thumb, letting it drag across more of his lip than necessary. 

He manages to let her go, and they both head to the front door.

“Well done as always, Henry,” she smiles as she opens the door.

“Thanks, Rebecca! I’ll see you next week!” Henry replies.

“See you next week.”

Ted brushes his hand around Rebecca’s waist as he walks by her, smiling at her again as he follows Henry out the door.

Mae sets down their drinks on the table, giving Ted a knowing glance. She knows exactly why he’d only been in the once since last Friday. 

“Good week, boys?” she asks, mostly to Ted.

“Amazing!” Henry pipes in first.

“Best one in a while, I’d say,” Ted smiles.

Mae winks at him as she leaves, and Ted pretends not to see it as he grabs a sip of his beer.

“Hey, kiddo?” Ted asks.

“Yeah?” Henry says.

“You know that one day, your mom and I might end up bein’ with other people, right?” 

Ted knows that Michelle has dated one or two guys since the divorce, but no one ever made it to the introduce to Henry stage of things.

“I know,” Henry says simply. “But that doesn’t change you being my dad and mom being my mom.”

“No,” Ted smiles. “Course it doesn’t. Just wanted to make sure you remember that even if your mom and I end up with other folks, you’re always gonna be our number one priority.”

“I know, Dad,” Henry nods, brushing a milk moustache from his top lip. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Ted pauses, not entirely sure how to answer that. He should’ve seen it coming, but it catches him by surprise.

“Uh…” he hesitates. “Just been thinkin’ ‘bout maybe havin’ one, yeah.”

It’s not really a lie, because Ted and Rebecca had agreed that they were just “this,” and saying yes right now would lead to a whole lot of follow-ups that Ted would have a hard time answering without revealing everything.

“That’d be cool. She has to like LEGO, though,” Henry says simply.

“Okay,” Ted chuckles. “I’ll keep that in mind. Any other good ideas?”

“You know who’s really nice?” 

Ted has an idea, yeah.

“Who’s that, bud?”

“Rebecca. And she’s really pretty, too,” Henry says.

Ted lets out a sharp exhale, smiling as he nods.

“Yeah. She is really nice, and she’s very pretty,” Ted agrees.

“You should ask her to go get ice cream with you. That’s what Kevin did when he liked Rachel.”

“Yeah?” Ted asks, chuckling lightly. “And how’d that go for them?”

“Really good!” Henry smiles. “They hold hands at recess sometimes now.”

“Whoa, that does sound pretty nice,” Ted smiles.

He likes Henry’s middle-school view of romance. Ice cream and hand-holding. He especially likes it because it does actually sound like a pretty great way to spend time with Rebecca. 

“You should do it then! I think she’d say yes, she always smiles when I talk about you.”

“Does she now?” Ted’s smile widens. 

“Mmhm,” Henry nods. “Next week I could tell her how funny you are, and how you make really good pizzas.”

“I think that’d be very helpful, kiddo, thank you. Everyone needs a good wingman.”

Henry grins, “And then when we go back, you can ask her to get ice cream!”

“Sounds like a plan,” Ted smiles and clinks his glass to Henry’s.

When their fish and chips arrive, Henry gives Ted more romantic advice. Things like “if you bring snacks that come in packs of two, you always have one to share,” and “you have to do things she likes, not just things you like.”

“Is that why you’re playin’ soccer on Tuesdays?” Ted asks playfully.

“No,” Henry says, blushing a deep red.

“Mmm, sure, okay,” Ted says, stealing a fry from Henry. “Sounds like someone else might need to pop the ice cream question is all I’m sayin’.”

“Dad!” He manages to turn even darker red. “She’s the fastest girl in our class, there’s no way she’d say yes.”

“Hey,” Ted says, pointing a finger at Henry. “If you think I’m good enough to be askin’ Rebecca for ice cream, you’re good enough to be askin’ anyone you want.”

Henry thinks about it for a second, pursing his lips. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take that for now,” Ted says, pushing Henry’s basket of fries a little closer to him.

Henry and Ted spend the evening playing Fortnite and watching baseball until they pass out on the couch; something that’s not nearly as nice on Ted’s back as it once was.

He sneaks off to the kitchen, pulling out his phone.

[8:03 AM]

Morning Rebecca 😙

Sorry didn’t text last night

Me and Henry had an accidental sleepover on the couch 😁😴

He doesn’t expect a response yet as he gets to work making breakfast, a very groggy Henry joining him just as the eggs are done frying.

Henry watched Notting Hill last week and is committed to visiting as many of the places from the movie today as they can, and Ted was very on board with that, so they hurry through breakfast as fast as they can and get out the door.

His phone dings just as they’re getting back above ground.

[9:37 AM]

Sounds like a perfect night 😊

Have a good weekend, Ted xx

You too 😙

“Alright, kiddo, where are we thinkin’ first?” he asks, hand on Henry’s shoulders as they look around the street.

Ted curls into bed, and the phone rings twice before she picks up.

“Hi, Ted,” she says softly.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he whispers. 

“Henry asleep?” she asks.

“Yeah. And I’m close behind, just wanted to hear your voice today.”

“Fine by me.” He can hear her smile. “Good day?”

“Very. Wandered ‘round Nottin’ Hill, then stopped by Kensington Palace on the way home.”

“How was it?”

“Loved Nottin’ Hill, but I think he was disappointed by the lack of turrets at Kensington.” Rebecca chuckles softly on the other end of the line. “Lead us to a very lengthy discussion about the differences between castles and palaces,” Ted adds.

“And?”

“We came to the conclusion that castles are way cooler,” Ted chuckles.

He debates telling her about his conversation with Henry last night, but decides he’d much rather keep it all under wraps, keeping the young innocence of it alive in the spirit of a not-so-secret crush. And he doesn’t want to spoil the surprise of wingman Henry that he’s certain Rebecca will enjoy.

“You have a good day?” he asks.

“Mmhm,” she hums. “Keeley came over for a while, just left actually. She thinks you’re a sweetheart, by the way.”

“Yeah?” Ted smiles. “She got that in a minute?”

“Think it took me less time,” Rebecca says softly. “And I may have told her stories.”

“Tales of my charmin’ exploits?”

“Something like that,” she chuckles.

“Well, I’ll have to make sure to keep workin’ on ‘em then.”

On Sunday, Ted and Henry venture to LEGOLand for a delightfully exhausting day that leaves them both out cold by nine.

The weather cools again by Monday morning, and Ted tucks himself into a navy puffer over his sweater to walk Henry to school, fidgeting with the little pink box in his pocket.

Rebecca looks cozy when she opens the door, a deep emerald-green pyjama set with white trim that’s just about the softest thing he’s ever felt as he slides his hands around her.

“Hi,” she whispers with a smile, shutting her door behind him as her arms wrap around his neck.

“Hey,” he mutters, trailing kisses up the column of her neck to her lips. “Not interruptin’ anythin’ am I?”

“Mm-mm,” she hums against his lips. “Just having tea.”

“Brought these.” Ted keeps kissing her as he slips the box from his pocket.

“On a Monday?” Rebecca asks playfully, kissing his cheek down to his jaw before pulling back enough to grab the box.

“Mmhm.” He noses along the underside of her jaw before kissing just below her ear.

He’s never been quite as infatuated with touching and kissing someone as he is with her. He’s completely incapable of keeping his hands off her. Thankfully, she seems just as obsessed with him.

He keeps his hands on her waist as she turns to head back into the kitchen, kissing the back of her neck as she sits down at the counter.

“Smell so good,” he mutters, nipping at her earlobe.

She chuckles softly, leaning back against him as she takes a bite of her tea-soaked biscuit. He slides his hands around to her stomach, one thumb stretched up between her breasts as he keeps kissing her neck, drawing beautiful little breaths from her lips.

“Good weekend, sweetheart?” he whispers, making his way around to the other side of her neck.

“Mmhm,” Rebecca sighs, tilting her head to give Ted better access as she sips her tea.

He warms up quickly, letting go of her only to shrug the puffer of his shoulders before his arms are around her again, hands sliding down to her thighs as his chest presses flush to her back.

“Thought about you last night,” Ted murmurs against the skin of her neck, her pulse dancing just below the surface where he bites gently. “‘Bout how beautiful you are. How much I love havin’ my hands on you.”

She lets out a needy sigh as he slides one hand higher, ghosting between her thighs before climbing up, staying above the soft fabric as he squeezes her breast.

She slides her empty mug and half-eaten biscuits away as her head falls back against Ted’s shoulder, his name breathless on her lips as he nips her jaw.

“Got a real good trick for wakin’ up if you want,” he whispers, the hand on her thigh spreading her open an inch, then another.

~RW~

Rebecca is beautifully trapped somewhere between the slow waking of a Monday morning and the arousal pulsing through her entire body right now.

His lips have run out of skin to find on her neck, and her body is humming with electricity as his hands glide over her without ever making it below the fabric of her pyjamas.

“How’s that sound, sweetheart?” he whispers in her ear, squeezing her tit and thigh with equal, perfect pressure.

“Good,” she breaths, holding his head against her with fingers tangled in his hair.

“Yeah?” he smiles, gently tugging at her earlobe with his teeth.

“Yes. Please.”

“Okay,” he whispers, kissing the corner of her jaw. “You’ve just gotta stay relaxed for me then, Rebecca. Lemme take care of you.”

Rebecca nods, biting her lip as his hand climbs up her thigh, the fabric of her pants doing nothing to lessen the feel of his fingertips ghosting over her clit.

Her thighs tense and close, body arching back against him as she feels his lips curl against her neck, the slow swipe of his tongue, and the feel of his mouth closing over her skin in a wet kiss.

“That’s not very relaxed,” he whispers, running his hand back down her thigh, away from where she wants it, and drawing a tiny whine from her lips.

He lifts her up off the stool, nudging it aside before he’s pressed fully against her. The hand on her breast slides up to her jaw, keeping her pulled back against him as his feet land between hers, sliding them apart so her legs can’t shut when the heel of his palm presses over her clit.

“There we go, that’s easier now, isn’t it?” he whispers between kisses below her ear.

She moans as he grabs her cunt, still not giving her the satisfaction of dipping below the fabric.

“Ted,” she pleads, making his breath hitch when she presses her ass back against his bulge.

“Easy there, sweetheart,” he says, nipping her neck just a little harder. “It’s Monday, gotta wake up slowly.”

Her fingers curl tighter into his hair, her other hand reaching for the edge of the counter even though he’s pretty much holding her up as his fingers start tracing circles over her clit, too lightly for her to do anything but whine.

“Bet it’d feel better if I was touchin’ you properly, wouldn’t it?” Ted teases. 

He’s infuriatingly hot right now.

“Mmhm,” she nods, swallowing hard as his hand creeps up towards her waistband.

“I think I can help with that.”

His hand finally slips below her pyjamas, and the first press of his finger to her clit just about buckles her knees.

Her next breath comes sharper, a little moan escaping at the first slow circle he traces.

“There we go, that’s better, isn’t it?” Ted murmurs.

He keeps his hand on her jaw, tilting her head towards his to catch her lips in a heated kiss as he keeps slowly rubbing her clit.

He nips at her bottom lip when she moans and struggles to kiss him back, smiling as his lips trail back to the corner of her jaw.

She gasps when his hand slides back up her body, but before she can complain, he’s coaxing her mouth open with two fingers and slipping them between her lips.

She groans around them, sucking them deeper as she watches his awestruck expression, a sloppy smile spreading across his lips.

She sucks him in past the first knuckle, and then the second, twirling her tongue around them. His breathing shallows as he watches her, but he doesn’t look quite as hungry as she’d expect from him right now, and not in a bad way. In a very, very good way.

He looks utterly devoted to her pleasure, the tunnel vision evident in his wide pupils and the twitch of his lips when she moans around his thick digits. She’s not sure she could ever get used to how much he gets off on making her feel good.

“Little more,” he whispers, pressing his fingers a hair deeper. “Make sure it’ll be nice and easy.”

It’d already be nice and easy for him.

Her eyelids flutter at the feeling of his fingers fully seated in her mouth, just shy of touching her throat.

He slowly pulls his fingers back out, kissing the string of spit off her lips as he slides his hand back into her pants.

He pulls back just enough for her to see his eyes as his two fingers glide between her wet lips, a smile spreading across his face when he feels just how ready she is.

It’s quiet and their breathing syncs, slower, steadier as his slips two fingertips inside her, Rebecca’s jaw dropping at the stretch.

Ted’s eyes go hazy too, and he doesn’t say anything as he sinks them deeper, slowlyyyy making his way to the last knuckle, palm pressed against her clit.

It’s overwhelming, even with just fingers, to finally have Ted inside her. He lets her settle, lets her relax, and his eyes flick between hers at the first curl of his fingers, eyes widening when her breath catches.

“So wet, baby,” he whispers. Rebecca smiles at the softness of his words despite the content, the gentleness with which he calls her baby.

She just nods, eyebrows flicking up with a sharp gasp as he curls his fingers again.

There’s no teasing edge left to him, just a gentle undoing. A slow curl of his fingers with every pump of his hand, and his thumb finds her clit.

His eyes never leave hers once, and he keeps her steady on her feet, responding to every signal she sends him as if she’s conducting an orchestra of one.

He whispers soft praises, letting her know how good she looks, how good she feels, and she talks her through it when her eyes clamp shut and she tightens around his fingers. A slow build that crescendoes like a wave washing over her with shaking legs and choked breaths.

Before she’s even quite processed it, Ted is dropping to his knees, pulling her waistband down, and burying his face in her pussy.

He’s careful not to overstimulate her, a hand on each ass cheek to keep her spread, lapping at her until nothing is wasted. She loves how obsessed he is with tasting her for the sake of tasting. Like this is just the most logical way of cleaning her up.

He plants sloppy, wet kisses over her curves as he stands, pulling her pants back up with him.

He turns her to face him, kissing her hard, pressing her back against the counter and letting her taste herself on his tongue until they’re both panting and breathless and he’s burying his face in the crook of her neck.

“Feelin’ awake now?” he whispers playfully.

She feels very awake now, and lighter, too. Much better than just a little caffeine boost.

Rebecca unburies him from her neck, running her fingers through his hair and smiling before pulling him in for a soft kiss.

“Mmhm,” she hums. “Come watch me get ready?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he smiles and nods, lacing his fingers in hers.

She leads him upstairs, backing him against the bed until he sits and she stands between his legs.

He starts slowly unbuttoning her shirt right away, his eyes following his hands as they make their way down until her top slips off her shoulders and falls to the ground.

Ted takes a moment to kiss his way up her stomach and suck each nipple into a peak, drawing a breathy chuckle from Rebecca.

“Can’t help it,” he mumbles against the skin between her breasts, smiling against her.

Ted helps her get changed, tucking her blouse into her skirt that he zips up, kissing her shoulders as he does. He sits on the edge of her bath as he watches her style her hair and mascara her lashes.

Then she walks him downstairs, kisses him goodbye, and he wanders home. 

He calls her briefly at night, voice tired on the other end of the line, already half asleep by the time he whispers “goodnight” to her.

On Tuesday, she’s politely instructed not to have breakfast, and he shows up with biscuits again and walks her to the cafe around the corner. Then he brings her back home, and they share a quick snog – which he tells her is a funny word – in the foyer before he’s on his way again.

On Wednesday, he brings her lunch again, another sandwich, but accompanied by a chicken noodle soup today, and a little box of biscuits that Rebecca is starting to grow rather attached to.

On Thursday, he comes by as she’s having tea, bends her over the armrest of her couch, and eats her out until she’s wide awake and trembling. And this time, he doesn’t just bring one little pink box, but two. The second holds a bath bomb for her to use as she unwinds that evening. It smells like lavender, and he tells her it’s supposed to be relaxing, and it very much is.

On Friday, he doesn’t make it by during the day – something about cleaning – and Henry pulls a pink box out of his backpack when he shows up on her doorstep that afternoon.

“I heard a lot about you today,” Rebecca smiles as Ted opens the door to his flat.

“Good things, I hope,” Ted says, planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Very good. Heard lots about how funny you are and what amazing pizzas you make,” she chuckles, wrapping her arms around him.

“Mm. Whatever he told you, s’all true.” Ted smiles against her neck, brushing her moustache against her sensitive skin before his lips find hers.

“He seems to be trying very hard to make me like you,” she whispers between airy kisses.

“Is it workin’?” Ted teases.

“Mmhm,” she hums against his lips. “Though I’ll have to judge those pizzas myself someday.”

“How ‘bout tomorrow?” he asks. “Just come over whenever your lessons are done.”

“I think I can manage that,” she smiles, kissing him once more. “Want to go grab a drink?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

There’s a pint and a gin and tonic sitting side by side, waiting for them at the end of the bar.

Ted slips Rebecca’s jacket off her shoulders, draping it over the back of her stool as she slides in, and his hand stays on the small of her back as he takes his own seat.

“How’d you know?” Ted chuckles as Mae comes to greet them.

“I may be getting old, but my eyes haven’t conked out on me yet,” she replies.

Ted and Rebecca both laugh, and she reaches over to rest her hand on his thigh under the bar. He glances over as she does, eyes dipping to her lips for a second before he looks back at Mae.

“Knew something was up after the first time he met you,” Mae adds. “Had that look in his eye.”

Ted looks over at Rebecca again, cheeks pinking as she rubs his leg.

“Yeah, that’s the one,” Mae says. “And then you’re showing up not a month later.” She nods to Rebecca. “Which is even faster than I thought he’d manage.”

“Hey!” Ted protests.

“Meant that as a compliment, love, most people wouldn’t’ve managed at all,” Mae explains, and Rebecca rolls her eyes.

“I told you I didn’t do it for him,” Rebecca argues lightly.

“Never said ‘for’ darling, just a little because of him,” Mae clarifies. 

Rebecca can’t argue with that, and Ted gives her waist a gentle squeeze.

“I do have a rule, though,” Mae says.

Rebecca nods as Ted raises his brows, lifting his pint to his lips.

“No shagging in my toilets.”

Ted just about chokes, beer dribbling down his chin as he turns scarlet.

“Mae!” Rebecca turns a little pink, too. She wasn’t thinking about it before, but she definitely is now.

Mae just smiles at them, Ted coughing beside Rebecca as he wipes his mouth with a napkin.

“Never gets old, that one,” Mae chuckles to herself.

They spend hours at the pub, Mae telling Ted story after story about Rebecca as a teenager, Ted’s chin in his palm, elbow on the counter as he listens to each one. She pretends to be annoyed by it all, but she doesn’t try very hard to stop it from happening. Especially not since Ted’s hand has crept down to the swell of her ass and his pinky has dipped under her waistband.

She feels similar to the way she felt in the story Mae is currently telling about the first time Rebecca got drunk here. Light, airy, a little sluggish. 

~TL~

When Ted sees her order her fourth, he switches to water and tries to sneak her some, too. He’s not trying to police her by any means, and he actually likes that he trusts him enough to let go like this with him around, but he also imagines that teaching piano tomorrow probably wouldn’t feel great with a headache.

Besides, she took care of him when he was drunk the first time they met here.

When she comes back to him after her fifth round of karaoke – each of which has earned a standing ovation from him – her arm is heavier around his shoulders, and her lips sloppier against his jaw.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he smiles, kissing her cheek as he hooks an arm around her waist. “You just ‘bout ready to get home?”

She nods lazily, nipping at his neck. 

“Can we go to yours?” Her words are a little slurred. 

“We can go wherever you want,” he whispers, grabbing her coat off the back of her stool.

“Shame we can’t fuck in the toilets,” she mutters, and Ted chuckles lightly.

“Won’t be doin’ that anywhere tonight anyway, sweetheart,” Ted whispers, leading her to the door.

“But you’re so fucking fit,” Rebecca whines.

“Thank you, Rebecca,” Ted smiles. “Most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

He keeps his arm securely around her waist as they walk down the street.

“And you have such a nice cock,” she says.

“Shh, sweetheart,” Ted's cheeks pink a little, and he looks around to see if anyone heard. 

Rebecca quiets after that, but he doesn’t think much of it until he’s setting her on his couch and her eyes are a little wet.

“Hey,” he says, kneeling in front of her, eyes wide with worry. “You okay, Rebecca? Somethin’ wrong? Feelin’ sick?”

“Fine,” she says, as quiet as he’s ever heard her, and her eyes won’t meet his.

“Rebecca,” he says softly, desperately searching her face for a hint.

She doesn’t say anything more, jaw tight, and she blinks hard to keep tears back.

“Rebecca, sweetheart, I can see somethin’s wrong,” Ted whispers. “I just wanna help.”

“I said I’m fine,” she says shortly, and a lump forms in his throat.

“Okay,” he says, brows furrowed. “I’m gonna get you some water and a snack, is that okay?”

“Do what you want.”

Ted swallows hard and decides against reaching up to cup her cheek. Instead, he stands slowly, glancing back at her once, twice as he makes his way into the kitchen. He pours a glass of water and grabs a few different snacks from his cupboards and fridge, and goes back over to her.

She wipes a tear she thinks he doesn’t see from her cheek, mascara a little smeared under her eyes as she straightens up. She looks stern, defensive almost, and it twists Ted’s stomach into knots. 

He sets the snacks and water on the table and sits next to her on the couch, a painful distance between them.

“Rebecca, please, we don’t have to talk ‘bout anythin’ you don’t want, but can you– can you just tell me if it’s somethin’ I did,” he asks cautiously. 

She doesn’t say anything, just reaches for the glass of water and takes a healthy swig, which does make Ted feel a tiny bit better.

He sits quietly, anxiously, fingers drumming on his thighs as she picks away at the nuts and chips and makes her way through the glass of water. He counts his breaths, keeping himself as steady as he can. When she finishes the glass, he wordlessly fetches her another.

The silence stretches far longer than Ted hopes for before she finally speaks again. She’s not sober by any means yet, but she’s steadier at least. Her first words catch him completely off guard.

“I embarrassed you.” Her tone is cool and distant.

He’s not sure if it’s meant as an accusation or just a statement. He’s not sure which feels worse.

“What?” is all he manages.

She turns her head to him, and her eyes are unlike anything he’s seen on her before. Not as steely as the rest of her defensive state, clearly fighting back whatever hurt she’s trying to keep at bay.

“I got sloppy and embarrassed you. It’s why you wanted to take me home.”

“Rebecca…” his voice trails off, completely unsure of what to say.

He hesitantly shifts closer to her, and the clench of her jaw hits him square in the chest, so he doesn’t move any closer. 

“Darlin’ I–”

“Don’t call me that.”

Ted’s face does about ten different things as he tries to sort out what on earth is happening between them right now.

“I’m sorry,” he says, breathing a little shallower. “Rebecca, I wasn’t embarrassed. Not even a little bit. I just thought you might want to go home– I’m sorry if I–”

“You told me to be quiet.” She hasn’t wavered, not even a little.

“What?” he asks before he remembers. “No! Rebecca– Rebecca, I wasn’t embarrassed by what you said. I just– I didn’t think it’d be somethin’ you wanted people hearin’, I’m sorry.”

Rebecca studies him, still far too tense for Ted’s liking.

“Can you just save us both a lot of pain and tell me now if you don’t like me drawing attention to myself?” she says simply. “Don’t like that I spoke too loudly or that my tits are out?”

Ted’s heart just about breaks.

“Rebecca, I– I love all those things. Got my attention most of all, and you know how much I love your voice, and how beautiful I think you are, don’t you?” he replies quickly. “I loved seein’ you havin’ fun. Seein’ you trust me to let go like that. I just wanted to make sure you stayed safe. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was tryin’ to hide you, Rebecca. Never wanna hide you, never wanna hide that I’m there with you.”

Ted can feel the familiar and unwelcome ache in his chest, but he manages to keep his breath settled. He can’t afford to show that he’s hurting right now, because he knows she’s not meaning to.

Her jaw stays tight, but her eyes warm a little as she searches his face in silence.

“I think there’s maybe somethin’ we need to talk about here, Rebecca, but am I wrong in thinkin’ you might want a minute for your head to clear up a lil’ more?” Ted asks softly. “And it doesn’t have to be tonight. I can take you home if you want, or if you want a shower or somethin’ here, I can make us some food?”

Rebecca nods slowly. “I’ll shower.”

Ted’s shoulders relax a little at that. He really didn’t want to take her home and have to leave her alone tonight.

“Okay,” he nods. “I’ll go get it runnin’ for you.”

He doesn’t kiss her cheek or forehead, but he can’t resist reaching over to give her hand a light squeeze, and he relaxes a little more when she doesn’t pull away.

He sets the shower a little cooler than usual, thinking it might help sober her up a little more, and he lays out a set of baggy boxers and pyjama pants for her to choose from on his bed, along with a t-shirt and hoodie.

He quickly changes into sweatpants and a t-shirt himself before he heads back out to the living room, relieved to see Rebecca has finished the second glass of water.

He gently rests a hand on her shoulder, brows furrowing again at the tension in it, but he keeps his voice soft and steady.

“It’s ready whenever you are, Rebecca. You just come back out here whenever you want. I’ll make some food. And if you just wanna stay in my room all night, that’s alright, too. I’ll be out here, okay?”

Rebecca nods, still just a little too distant for Ted to settle any more, as she heads wordlessly to his room, shutting the door behind her. He knows deep down that it’s mostly just the alcohol, but he also knows that it’s not all just coming from nowhere. He wishes he’d asked more about her marriage earlier, because he has a feeling this has to do with it.

He stares at the door for a moment, hoping she might open it back up and tell him to join her, but she doesn’t.

He putters in the kitchen, just making simple grilled cheeses if she wants to eat and topping up her water glass. Then he makes his way back to the couch. He tries not to be anxious as he waits, but he is. His fingers drum the couch cushions, and he glances down the hall what feels like every two seconds.

Eventually, he hears the water shut off, and then nothing for a while. He wonders if she simply curled up in his bed and passed out. It wouldn’t be the worst thing, as long as she’s safe.

What feels like another eternity passes before he hears the click of the door opening and the soft creaks of the hardwood as she walks to the living room.

The neckline of his grey hoodie is wet from her hair, and the hem falls just above the bottom of his baggy boxers, but he can’t fully appreciate just how perfect she looks in his clothes. She looks more relaxed, at least, but there’s still a sadness in her eyes that keeps him worried as she stands there looking at him.

“He used to take me, or just send me, home when I embarrassed him,” she says.

She sounds clearer now, steadier, and a little warmer again, which he all takes as a good sign.

Ted pats the cushion of the couch hopefully, and she hesitates only a second before she sits next to him, not quite close enough to touch, but closer than before. He sets his hand between them, a welcome invitation for her to take when she’s ready.

She doesn’t look at him as she speaks, staring mostly at the coffee table.

“If I drank too much, or spoke too loudly, or wore the wrong thing, said the wrong thing… I don’t know, there were a hundred different reasons for it, but it always ended the same,” she explains. “He’d always say, ‘Darling,’ and he always used that name, and it never sounds nice when he uses it.”

Ted listens intently, his eyes locked on hers even though she’s not looking at him as he takes it in. He knows he’d never used that pet name before, but he’d heard Mae use it, so he thought it’d be okay. It must sound different coming from her than from a partner.

“He’d say ‘darling, I think that’s enough’ or some variation,” Rebecca continues. “And then he’d look at his friends or whoever we’re with, and give them this appalling smile that was some sort of apology for my behaviour. And then he’d take me to the car, or to some other part of the house, and always with a hand on my back like a forced march.”

“I’m so sorry, Rebecca,” Ted says quietly. 

She nods and offers him a short, slightly pained smile, but she does finally lace her fingers in his before she keeps talking, her eyes flicking to his occasionally now.

“I don’t know if it was worse when he came home or when he just sent me on my own. Because I’d either wind up with my tail between my legs like a guilty, scared fucking puppy when he got home, or I’d spend a drive being spoken to like a child in detention.”

She pauses, closing her eyes with a deep breath.

“He never yelled,” she says. “He never yelled, and he never hit me. And I think that’s why it took me so long to understand how fucking awful he was– is. He always knew how to say things… how to be charming in a way that made it just… so hard to explain to anyone, or even realize how cruel he is.”

Ted reaches up to wipe a tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb, shifting closer to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He lets out a quiet breath of relief when she leans into him, resting her head against his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Rebecca,” he whispers, kissing the top of her head. “But you got yourself out, and I’m so proud of you.”

Rebecca nods, turning until her face is pressed to Ted’s chest, and his fingers comb through her hair as he holds her there, both of them taking long, deep breaths.

“I know you’d never do that,” she whispers. “I’m sorry I–”

“Hey, no,” Ted interrupts gently, tilting her head up to look at him. “No apologizing for this, okay? None of this is your fault. Just somethin’ you carry with you, and sometimes it might come out, and now I know.”

Rebecca’s eyes are wet again, but it’s a softer sadness than earlier, lips twitching almost to a smile.

“I was accusing you of things I know you weren’t doing,” she says softly.

“You weren’t accusin’ me of anythin’, sweetheart,” Ted says, gently brushing her hair back. “You were just tryin’ to protect yourself, and your mind was maybe a little fuzzy. And that’s okay. S’long as you know somewhere in that beautiful brain of yours that I’m just tryin’ to keep you safe.”

Rebecca nods, blinking a tear away as her lips curl up a little more steadily.

“I know.” She leans in and kisses Ted softly, cupping his cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he whispers, kissing her again. “Just glad you’re alright. Glad we’re alright.”

The next kiss lingers a little longer, and her fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt at his chest.

“You’re so patient with me,” she whispers.

“Easiest thing in the world to be patient for, baby,” he smiles against her lips. “Besides, the first time we met there, you had to chase me down after I ran off with a panic attack, and then you stayed with me all night ‘til I was okay again. So I’m gonna do the same thing.”

“Thank you, Ted.”

“Anythin’ you need,” he says, brushing his thumb over her cheek. “And I’m sorry for not askin’ you ‘bout any of that stuff earlier. You’re always knowin’ what to say ‘cause of what I told you ‘bout Michelle, and I should’ve known what to say to you.”

Rebecca shakes her head, kissing him again. “It probably would’ve happened anyway, Ted. It wasn’t your fault as much as it wasn’t mine. And you did all the right things. Thank you.”

Ted nods, pulling her in for a big hug, arms wrapped tightly around her as he presses his lips to the top of her head. 

Each breath they take settles Ted more and more until the weight of it all lifts off his shoulders, and he’s just holding her for the sake of holding her.

“Want any of that food, sweetheart?” he asks quietly. “Might be a lil’ cold, but could be good for that pretty tummy.”

Rebecca smiles and nods, pulling away from him with one last kiss.

The almost-room-temperature grilled cheeses are decidedly not great, but they laugh about it and eat them anyway, shoulder to shoulder on the couch and sharing a glass of water.

“Wanna go get ready for bed?” Ted asks, stacking the plates and remaining snacks on the table. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Rebecca nods and pulls him in for a kiss before she heads back to his bedroom.

Ted heads to the kitchen, putting all the food back in their places and quickly doing the dishes.

Rebecca is just finishing brushing her teeth when he gets to his bathroom, and he plants a kiss on her cheek, hand sliding around her waist as they trade places.

When he steps back into the bedroom, Rebecca is in nothing but his baggy boxers in bed, sheets open for him. He’s never seen anything as beautiful as she looks right now, every inch of her skin calling out to him.

He feels a familiar flutter in his chest. A welcome feeling. One he hasn’t felt in years. He’ll keep it to himself for now. He doesn’t want her to think he’s saying it just to comfort her. There’s no rush, and he’ll just say it in different, quieter ways.

“You look incredible,” he whispers.

She smiles softly at him, holding him in that adoring gaze of hers as he strips down to his boxers and crawls into bed with her.

He wraps his arms around her, pulling her against his chest with a hand on the back of her head as he kisses her hair.

~RW~

Rebecca nuzzles into his chest, planting a few soft kisses as she hugs him tighter.

“Thank you for not letting me push you away,” she whispers.

“Weren’t pushin’ me, sweetheart,” he mutters against her head. “You just needed a moment. Nothin’ I can’t handle.”

Rebecca nods as she kisses his chest again. A silent apology since she knows he wouldn’t accept a verbal one right now.

She knows the alcohol is at fault for it, but it still scares her a little how quickly she’d flipped into her guarded, cold persona she’d created to protect herself near the end of her marriage. Ted hadn’t been, nor has he ever been, anywhere even remotely close to what Rupert was, but she’d slipped back there anyway.

He hadn’t even told her to go home; he’d just asked if she wanted to, and let her pick the place. And he was right, she probably wouldn’t have usually said quite so publicly how nice his cock is, and he’d been gentle and protective in trying to quiet her a little. And he didn’t mean to upset her by calling her darling, and it sounded sweet as sugar coming from him.

“Ted?” she whispers softly, tilting her head up to look at him.

“Yeah?” he replies, gently brushing the hair off her forehead.

“I didn’t scare you, did I?”

Ted shakes his head, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “No, sweetheart. I was just a lil’ worried, is all. Never scared.”

Rebecca nods, shifting up the bed to kiss him properly.

It starts slow, Ted’s hand in her hair, the other on her waist, and then she deepens it, her tongue teasing against his lips before they part for her.

Then she’s sliding her hand down between them, grazing the hair on his stomach on her way to the waistband of his boxers, but his hand slides from her waist to stop her.

She knows why he does. It’s because Ted isn’t him. 

Ted doesn’t need an apology, and he especially doesn’t want one like this. She doesn’t need to prove herself, doesn’t need to prove how she feels about him. She knows that, but it’s hard to break a habit, unlearn something that’s been so deeply conditioned into her.

Ted will help her. She knows he will.

He pulls her hand away, bringing it up to his chest instead, flattening her palm against the warm skin over his pecs. Silently telling her it’s still okay to touch him as he holds her face, hovering it just an inch or two from his own.

“Not tonight, okay, Rebecca?” he says gently. “We’re gonna sleep this one off, and if it’s still what you wanna do when we wake up, baby, I’m all over it.”

Rebecca nods, smiling softly as he brushes his thumbs over her cheeks.

“C’mere,” he whispers, pulling her down for slow, lingering kisses. “This is all I need.”

She can definitely give him that. She loves giving him that. She loves how gently he loves her, if she could be so bold as to call it that. It certainly feels like that.

It’s not an entirely unfamiliar feeling, but it’s different with him. Calmer. It’s all the clichés she always scoffs at.

She’ll keep it to herself for now. For a night when she hasn’t been drinking, and hasn’t been crying, and hasn’t been a version of herself she thought she’d rid herself of. There’s no rush. There never is with Ted.

There’s just endless patience and slow, lazy kisses. There’s his hands on her skin, in her hair, pulling her closer.