my body is a cage

[She snorts, lips curving into a grin. She’s a naturally positive person, not generally the type to get stuck in a depressed rut, and she’s easily cheered by Phoenix’s presence, is thankful for his absence of curiosity as she lapses into joking— her natural state.] Ah, it’s alright. I think I better jus’ hope for a nicer phone lady, if those are my two options.

Not a bit of church mouse in you, is there? [He asks jokingly, because Maeve seems relaxed and confident, outspoken and at ease in her skin. It makes her easy to talk to, at least on a surface level, because she doesn't seem willing to go into the details of why she's grappling with a "phone lady" at all.]

[And he doesn’t mind, not truly, that Parker’s asking—despite his discomfort, he doesn’t mind, because he doesn’t mind a lot of things that Parker does, that he usually would mine were it anyone else, were the situation any different. That being said, he still prefers to veil his compassion for the blond with a reactionary response of irritability, even if it’s transparent, because it’s easier, to be that, to be classically ‘Noah’ then to present himself as vulnerable, or emotionally accessible.

[Noah's holding himself back, neither pushing him away or tugging him closer, and it's somehow at odds with the way they usually are - Noah hardly ever just accepts Parker's touch, is usually pushing right back and wordlessly demanding more. But it seems like they've been wandering into this kind of territory over and over again unintentionally - loaded, more starkly honest than they're used to, and it seems like it leaves Noah as unsure of how to proceed as Parker is.

[DATABASE SMS: Reply to "Chase"]

A sass-meister?

Yeah. But honestly, I'm probably more likely to call you a shithead. Affectionately, of course.

Well yeah, ‘course, because it can’t be all work now can it? I’ll admit, before Hunt and Owen, I was shaggin’ a lot of escorts. But the temptations there, ya know? Like, they’re all so bloody hot. You were one of my last, to be honest, so feel special. [He chuckles] Well, aside from Taz, but he don’t count, ‘cause he’s my best mate and it’s different.

You've warmed the cockles of my cold and bitter heart. [He grins, choosing not to remark on the fact that he hadn't fucked a lot of escorts, hadn't really been tempted. That he'd come here to get paid, that Chase and Owen were more exceptions than anything else - although Chase had certainly become a friend and Owen had become something more.]

Just how I like it.  [She’s laughing with him, the sheer ludicrousness of their friendship quite prominent.  But considering she nearly got them both arrested the last time they saw each other … it’s good to get back to ‘normal’.]  So now my tongue is metaphorically coming into play too?

I never thought the love of my life would be such a cold hearted bitch. [He sniffs, grinning at her through the playful insult.] Well, if I'm going to be frigid enough to keep it all metaphorical, I might was well not limit the fun to any one appendage.

Touche, my dearest Khal.  Touche.

Bring me my sash, my tiara, and my t-shirt and I will.

Well, shit, what're you going to do if your hands fall off? I hope you're good with your mouth.

[DATABASE SMS: Reply to "Noah"]

Can I not to both?

[DATABASE SMS: Reply to "Noah"]

Hahahaha. I can practically HEAR you pouting through the phone. For fuck’s sake, Goldilocks, keep your panties on. You’re grand, with a suitable vocabulary and a fucking marvelous cock. Happy?

You have no idea. Can you hear me grinning smugly through the phone too?

[Direct Text: Reply to "Noah"]

[Direct Text] Reply to Photo Comment by "Fuckhead"

[DATABASE SMS: Reply to "Noah"]

You always think you should be hurt, you shit head. Such a sensitive bitch. 

And I always should be, probably. Such a fucking asshole.

[He rolls his eyes in a joking manner before shoving Phoenix lightly in the elbow.] Shut up, anythin’ extra is gonna have to come outta’ ya pocket, mate. 

[He lets up on the exaggerated leering, although he still can't stifle his grin.] So stingy. A boy just wants a little ogle, I wasn't even touching.

Is this like Tinkerbell where I need to clap if I believe?  :P  In all honesty, I’m happy for you, heart.  And … thank you, again.  You helped me.

If it is, you better be clapping. Nothing to thank me for, just bumbling and rambling in hopes of being slightly helpful. What're friends for, right?

[Parker’s hands that curl into his sides, drifting over the divots of bone and skin, make Noah shift somewhere behind his ribcage. It’s a touch he’s familiar with now, and yet somehow still finds startling. Because the slide is always gently fond, and the way they settle, curl and grip remind Noah of how often it seems that Parker is trying to keep him, capture him and reserve him for himself. It’s interesting, this pull and push and though they certainly haven’t got a perfect handle on it yet, the banter that’s between them never seems to cease, even in moments so soon after vulnerability. Actually, perhaps especially so, as that seems to be a tactic they both use to get over something difficult, something less comfortable and at arm’s length. 

[His teeth dig into his lip, stifling a bark of laughter as Noah - for once - does what he's told, almost smug in his teasing obedience, his pointed lack of words. And he feels no trace of anger now, nor snarling defensiveness, not lashing out because he's caught out and insecure, unable to hide behind the bravado he typically wears so well. It's all given way and given itself over to heat, falling into this familiar and easy physicality, both a way to reaffirm their connection and a seeming reward for not digging in, squaring off, drawing blood.