ｆｉｃｋｌｅ░ｔｈｏｒｎｓ

She couldn't get enough of this. The feeling of him perceiving her in this way always made her skin tingle. She wanted to feel like this forever, to stay locked in this moment where it was just the two of them. She let her senses take over and she stood on her tip toes getting close to him before her lips could reach his, "So teach me. What could I do better?" She closed the distance between them and placed a small kiss on his lips. Pulling away almost instantly but getting to feel him pressed up against her, getting distracted by the feeling of his hands on her waist, "Or you could just shut me up and we can learn at a different time."

Ezra couldn't help but chuckle at the playfulness, not minding at all that Stella leaned up to kiss him. "I could shut you up - or I could tell you what's a huge turn on in case you're trying to find someone else to pass the time with next time you're out and about,". Without so much as a waiting for Stella to decide if that's what she wanted, Ezra gently pushed her back against a wall. He leaned in but only hovered his lips close, not actually pressing any kiss against her. He didn't care for the kissing all that much when it came to their arrangement, but he knew it would rile her up. "Lesson one," he breathed hotly with a smirk etched onto his lips. "Dangle the thing you know they want right in front of them. Kind of like this right now. Is it working?".

"Listen, I have my own wishes. I don't go around needing all that. I'm looking for something... serious honestly and something that's pure and amazing." She mentioned to her friend honestly while looking at her. "I'm telling you not to worry because you don't need to worry about it." She stuck her tongue out at Alex as she rolled her eyes playfully. "Anyways, what's your dating apps look like these days? Have you updated it and made it a little more sophisticated so people know that you are looking for something serious?" @ficklethcrns

When it came to Madi, Alex always had a soft spot. How could she not when she was one of the people she cared about most in the world? Even in the middle of teasing, Alex couldn't help that her expression softened at hearing the words. "You do," she grinned, her hand reaching out once more and this time to hold Madi's in her own to give a light squeeze. "You deserve everything. I'm just joshing anyway. And if anyone gives you anything less than pure and amazing? They're gonna be on my list,". Seeing the way Madi stuck her tongue out brought out a laugh. "You're going to come after my dating profile now? Here, have a look then if you're such a guru,". She fished out her phone and made a few taps to get into her profile before handing it off to Madi. "Does it meet your sophisticated standards, your highness?".

She let her hips fully brush against him as she suddenly forgot about the world outside and slowly turned around, not breaking their bodies from each other. She let a smirk settle on her lips and she found herself searching his features for any sign of backing away. She had gotten pretty good at reading him, but every now and again it felt different. Not today thought. Today she could feel the sensation of her own lust and need starting to heat up, "I would say you could win a couple of bets if you had put money on that statement." She let her arms push some of his hair out of his face and her arms settle around the back of his neck. Her fingers slowly dancing along his bare skin at the top of his shirt. "Thoughts and feelings on this seduction? We could always just put on another movie instead?"

Despite the more than several times they've been intimate together, and despite them all being no strings attached, Ezra would be lying if he said Stella didn't have some kind of an effect on him. She was beautiful to say the least - and he counted himself damn lucky. He had known his fair share of other people who crushed on his friend but he always had the privilege of taking her home, whenever Stella wanted it that way. So when she touched him this way, it drove shivers down his spine. But Ezra would be damned if he let any ounce of weakness show already, and didn't take the opportunity to tease her. "Hmm," he hummed, setting his hands on her waist and pretending to contemplate. "I think your seducing game could use a bit of work. What kind of guy would I be if I just gave in at the drop of a hat?".

"You were and there's no need for it. You're not the only patron here and I will make a scene when they carry your behind out of here." She said to the man while looking at him. "And if at any point my employees decide to not serve you then that is their right and they can ask you to leave as well so don't play with me." She said to Ezra as she then took her seat and looked at the man. "Do you want to try talking about it instead of drowing your sorrows?" She asked. @ficklethcrns

Ezra couldn't help but roll his eyes a little. It wasn't ever a nice feeling being called out like that - but at least she was being...weirdly kind about it. "Yea - okay, fine" he folded, knowing full well he had a knack for being a bit rough around the edges and people generally didn't like it. Then again, that was the point so that people would stay away. "Talking about it? To you?". Ezra stared at the woman for a moment in contemplation. Who was she? "Is this like a, don't tell me your name and I won't tell you mine, confidential situation? Cause I'm not gonna tell you jack all if it might get me fired or something tomorrow,".

She felt his presence the minute he stood behind her. Feeling the goosebumps on her skin and his breath practically hitting her shoulder. She scoffed at his bad joke before she gave in to her intrusive thoughts. She let her body close the space between them and she leaned up against him "I can think of a few things I can do.." She let her hips move slowly brushing up against him. "I would say I think our lives are more interesting than anything else going on out there, but I don't know. The woman struggling to walk her dog is pretty amusing."

Ezra's gaze was scanning the view, the people outside merely like ants when they were a bit of a ways up. At the mention of the woman and a dog, he tried to look for it, but that didn't last long when he felt Stella close the gap between them. He raised his brows, a slight smirk on his face as he looked down at the smaller woman. "Oh, are our lives more interesting now?" he laughed lightly, knowing her far too well not to understand what she was doing. But he enjoyed being a little shit. "If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say you're trying to seduce me,".

Who: @ficklethcrns Where: Outside NYU Library

All it took was a text message, likely haphazardly written, and no more than five words that spelt 'need you. on my way.' or something to that effect (because he didn't need to read it properly to know) - to make Ezra spring up almost instantly from his table in the library. He knew he would likely get scolded later if the librarian recognized him, the way he caused a ruckus with piles of books falling over and his laptop being slammed shut that it turned so many eyes. But he didn't care. As quickly as he could, Ezra darted outside, street lamps only lighting the dark streets of campus as his eyes searched left and right for the familiar face. On her way didn't exactly share any insight as to exactly where Matilda was, and with every passing moment Ezra's heart pounded in nervousness. He ran around the vicinity, until he turned another corner in the same square he had been parading and saw her - clutching books in hand and making herself so small. "Mattie!" he called out, his voice echoing with how empty the streets were. Ezra ran as quickly as he could, his backpack dropping onto the grass next to him as soon as he felt he was near enough. His hands reached out, ready to take hers. "Come here,".

She tossed the bowl into the sink and made her way back over standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. "Hey, do not pull the last name with me!" She gave him a good look up and down, "I'm sure I could figure out how to make you beg.." She laughed at the fact knowing he would never, but the thought of it entertained her for sure. "It sure sounds like they're just making shit up and throwing shit to the fan and seeing what sticks and spending a ton of money to put it in a movie." She walked over to the window and looked out at the world around them, "Can you believe there's a whole city out there full of people just living their lives that have nothing to do with ours?" She rambled on, really just a reason to put distance between the two of them. Knowing that if she got any closer there was nothing holding her back from kissing him.

Ezra let out a 'pft' at the scolding, knowing full well Stella was only kidding. "I'll pull the last name if I want. Not like you can do anything about it,". As he stretched his arms over his head one more time, he looked up to see Stella moved over to the window. Quirking a brow at her words, he got up too to go see for himself just what was so captivating. He was not one to 'enjoy the scenery', just feeling like he was a blip in the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn - maybe she saw something he didn't. "I can believe it, yes," Ezra gave, leaning in over her shoulder to try to see through the bit of window and view Stella had. "I just don't know what's so interesting about it though. They have lives and we have lives. Ours is just Faster and More Furious now that we watched the movie," he chuckled.

Axel raised an eyebrow behind his glasses when she called him an asshole. "Oh I'm so sorry. How much is an orange these days? Twelve bucks? Here...." He reached in his pocket for his wallet, opening it to reveal a stack of cash. Pulling out a twenty he waved it in front of her face. "Get yourself a new orange and a pair of glasses. Maybe it will help you see where you are going and you won't lose any more produce."

Maddie's eyes went wide when the man pulled out a stack of cash because, well, who in the hell carried stacks of cash nowadays? Her eyes went even wider when he waved a bill in front of her face, surprise turning into anger at the audacity of such a gesture. "What's wrong with you?" she gave pointedly, though her smaller stature probably dwindled the effect. "Waving money in peoples' faces. What, do you keep a wad of cash in your wallet to help stuff your pants and throw out at whoever you want? I don't want your, your - your pants stuffing wiener money,".

She had to admit the movie did not put her to sleep. She would never admit that it was good, but she will admit that she had fun while watching it. Maybe she could branch out a little bit more with her taste in movies. She gave him a smirk, "It was good, don't think you'll have be begging to put another one on any time soon, but I had fun. If you ask me really really nice maybe i'll watch another one, but only with you. And a lot of begging." She wiggled her brows at him making a stupid face in hopes that he'd laugh. She was thankful for the separation for the time being as it had been two hours of worrying if she was squishing him, thinking about how good he smelled, and worrying that she was going crazy for smelling him...she needed to get out of her head, "Which one is your favorite out of the nine of them?" She got up and grabbed the empty popcorn bowl and brought it over to the open kitchen.

Ezra had an easy smirk that spread across his lips, never the type to be caught dead begging, even if it were Stella. He knew that she of all people would understand that best. "Come on, Ashford," he chuckled at the way she made a face. "You and I both know that's not going to happen. And you and I both know you'll still watch a few more of these with me,". When Stella moved away, Ezra leaned back against the couch, the tiredness in his shoulders leading him to tilt his head back, gaze up at the ceiling as he kept speaking. "Hmm, probably the fifth or sixth one. Because they really started to get out of control with the story and it wasn't about street racing anymore. At one point there was a helicopter that they crashed into the building and everyone came out of it perfectly fine. It was so ridiculous it was funny,".

Filing his reaction to being asked something semi-personal away for later, June settles into the banter that is seemingly more comfortable for both of them. "I do play a little bit of the fiddle, okay? Yes, I know its a cliche." She holds a hand over her heart in mock anger at his questioning. "I'd be in the wrong field if this accent was fake. And yes, she does have an emerald ring." At the mention of her mother, June gets an incredibly nostalgic look on her face, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "An heirloom, of sorts. I used to steal it from her jewelry box all the time when I was little. She caught me once and I was so upset. She promised me then that whenever I found someone to spend my life with, she'd give it to them when she felt like the time was right." Her gaze focuses back in on him, eyes still slightly far away in her memories. "I can understand familial... obligation. I grew up listening to my dad talk about all of his travels before he met my mom. I think I always assumed that they assumed I'd just stay in Georgia. I definitely play the part of a Southern Belle well." Her smile turns sad as she continues, "I miss them a lot. My parents. And God, my brothers. I'd never tell them that. But I do. I've been meaning to visit home." When she finally stops babbling, her smile is almost shy. Its clear (to her, at least) that the tension simmering between them was something that will continue to be unspoken. Shit, she didn't even know if she'd ever see this guy again, or if that was something he even wanted. The thought made its way into her body language, her posture going slightly rigid again and a small crease forming between her brows. @ficklethcrns

Ezra could only grin as he listened to her talk. He tried to picture it even, a smaller and younger version of June having an all-out wail because she couldn't have something she wanted. It wasn't difficult considering just how colorful of a character she had played by his side all evening, and it almost made Ezra chuckle out loud. And then when she spoke about understanding obligations, his face shifted with hers, to one of slight rigidness. "...You should," Ezra gave after a long pause, his tone soft to match the earnestness June was showing in her words and what she shared. While it wasn't exactly the same, he of all people understood better than most what it was like to have limited time with loved ones. "Visit them, I mean. If tonight's any indication of how fun you are - and I'm still not convinced you're not pulling a fast one on me and you're a double agent or something - I'm sure they'll be glad to see you. Obligations and expectations and assumptions or not,". " It didn't go unnoticed by him that June's posture is a little more rigid in his hold, and her brows scrunched a little. So he offered a teasing lilt in his voice. "Who knows, maybe you can knock a cake or two over in Georgia. Or are pies more common of a pastry at risk for your destruction?".

"Hmmm well you don't seem to really be seeing any of those ones so I would consider that rare. Or that you need better taste" She mentioned to the woman as she looked at her and shrugged her shoulders. "I'd love to be a fairy godmother and make all of your dreams come true but they don't exist unfortunately otherwise I would be hogging the hell out of one." Madi laughed at her friend before nodding. "Yeah, totally." She said to her. "Well.. I wouldn't worry about that really." @ficklethcrns

"Oh?" Alex quirked a brow, finding within their chatter a point to tease Madi about. She never let those go too easily because it was always fun - but it came from a place of genuine care and concern for her best friend. "And what exactly would you be hogging the Fairy Godmother for? Should I not worry about the sex thing -" Alex leaned in to whisper because she wasn't crazy - this was still Madi's work place. "-because it's happening, or are you telling me not to worry cause it's not happening?".

"I don't mind," Ayla assured the blonde, shaking her head. Anything that got her out the house right now was needed, and hearing about someone elses problems not a screaming baby? Even better. "Honestly, I'm kind of avoiding going home right now so let me get my good deed out of the way for today and listen to you?" @ficklethcrns

Maddie shook her head with a laugh, because she still felt ridiculous recounting her own issues to someone else even at the open invitation. The idea of burdening anyone - how inconvenient. "Alright well..." she shrugged and sighed in one go. "...it's work. Or all the different jobs I'm doing. They're all fine, it's just a lot on the go at once, all the time. Sometimes I think my sister might be right about settling down and getting myself one of those career things,".