#cloudboxing

     LACONIC  query spared no trace of magniloquence to cushion its execrable connotation, unindicative of a mordant sense of humour or an innocuous upsurge in wanderlust. the conceptual scenario was intentional in its singular diction, and from its portentous undertone did chagrin's black mass burgeon within. tension stiffened stance and jaw, tautly clenched behind a sneer which bespoke both aversion and exasperation. too many hollow threats had defanged her of menace yet the question still gnawed at him to an irritant degree. the novelty of alt's dramatics was only as effective as his willingness to volley her verve and tonight's theatrics had already staled.

you can't. you won't.

     ❝  so what if ya did ?  think you'll be happier, more fulfilled after a change of scenery ?  gonna save you some time 'n clue you in now: doesn't matter where you scurry off to or how far that intercity bus goes. it's the same shit, in slightly different piles. you'll be nothing to no one all over again. ❞  the hand supplied a voice to occupy the silence, a perfect mimicry of his own and ripped just as raw from the throat. often was his chrome at odds with him but not this time; for once, they were aligned in their sentiments — desperation dressed in ire. ❝  ghost off if you wanna make some bullshit point, fine — just don't expect to feel any more seen. ❞

     unceremoniously was the stunted cigarette dropped onto the back alley's concrete and resolutely stubbed out by his combat boot; a replacement had already been pledged to himself in recompense after their squabble naturally fizzled out. silver digits flexed out an impulse to close the distance between them, to forcibly seize and moor her to him lest the fantasy had even a suspicion of reality. no such action came to fruition but gait showed no initiative to abandon the netrunner in the throes of a schism. until the supposition's uncertainty was resolved, there was no intention to sever himself from her presence or trust her to renounce the notion unaided.

“  heyyy,  @cloudboxing...  heh,  thanks  for  pickin'  up !  i  know  it's  stupid  late,  i'm  sorry.  's  starting  to  drizzle  out  here.  uhm,  are  ya  home  by  any  chance ?   i  got  donuts…  ”

she had no idea the stress shawn must have been under. it almost made her a bit nauseous. was this what she wanted long term?

‘ i love watching you work, ‘ aspen heard @cloudboxing, peering over her shoulder at the rancher. the brunette smirked and placed the hay on an organized stack before standing to her full height. 

pulling a wired earphone out of her ear, aspen approached a bench and stretched her legs. “yeah? i’m listening,” grateful for the distraction, shoulders relaxed as she looked towards him. 

     near the tattered couch across the room was she spied, wraithlike in the dim lighting and mute of enamored  greeting which may've better honoured their amatory exploits. the inattention was initially requited as the nearby guitar case's clasps were thumbed open and its vacancy was filled, mindful of the instrument's deposit into its makeshift coffin while opening pleasantry warmed his tongue; the first word of their reconciliation was claimed for himself, not unlike the final word of their latest feud.

     ❝ well, fuck.  look who waited up for me. decided to call the  lover's quarrel  off early ?  must'a been a slow-ass day at work. ❞

     proposed prescription for her tedium presented itself as an unlit cigarette, affixed in mouth and brought to life by lighter's flame. leisured strides closed the distance between them until a seat was taken beside her, liberally spread and wide enough to assert entitlement to the weathered cushions. bare knees tested the integrity of damaged denim as she gravitated closer and leaned, ambiguous in intention until her thumb was dampened and purposefully scrubbed against cheek; only half a drag had been taken prior to her spontaneity yet consent was still proffered via absence of complaint.

@xitmusic: 「SMUDGE」 alt cleans lipstick off his face

     ❝ what, did one of 'em get me in the crossfire ? ❞   burnished touch glided slow along the outside of her thigh until hip's curve, firming its hold to coax leg higher and over to maneuver her into a straddle. imbalance was remedied with applied pressure downwards, upholding the guise of a more advantageous position for the undertaken task; its benefit was well-received. ❝ bet it's that one broad from the  fan club,  the one that camps out for hours to secure that preem spot in front. gets her kicks from seein' her lipstick on my cheek and calls it a night after rubbin' one out. harmless, though. maybe not the best person to get'a hold of my dna but definitely not the worst. ❞

     a lopsided smile softened countenance and eye contact was sought, a wink quick to follow while the offending mark was purified and wiped clean. the cigarette awaited her as both reward and truce, a means to curb her occupational stressors and certify conflict resolution. even at its worst, alt's company did much to ameliorate the racket outside the walls.

     ❝ chick's got nothing on you, alt. ❞