#dearests

Riley watched as Diane went about herself in the book store, the rows and rows of books making the place nearly a maze. They'd come here with intentions to find books for themselves, but all Riley could really do was stare in marvel as Diane navigated the vast space with ease. He couldn't look away from the way she'd grab a book and read the back or inside slip with a small pinch of her brow, lips twitching as she read to herself. He knew this wasn't the place to find her ungodly attractive but it was impossible not to, especially with the knowledge of what laid under her layers of clothing. Not to mention he knew what those lips and hands were capable of. Newly so, but enough to make his body want to combust on the spot the longer he followed her around even though he'd taken on the task of carrying books. He had a cloth sack with a slightly hard bottom hanging from the crook of his elbow, several soft cover books already layered within it. He'd noticed a few covers that suggested something more romantic and he wanted to ask her teasingly if it was research for her own novel in the works, but he bit it back. As much as he wanted to be an alluring thirst trap in that moment.. this wasn't the place-- again.

He was doing his damned hardest to behave as they walked about. He'd even reached to higher shelves for her to retrieve and return books she either wanted or didn't care for after a review of it. He was being good. He was being such a good b-- NO. Don't go there, Riley. Not here. Not now. Not when anyone could round a corner and find them in whatever embrace he wanted to put them in. Still... he was chomping at the bit for some reason. It wasn't like they hadn't spent the night together either! He was just going through something feral and the more he followed her around the more his eyes fell to her long skirt brushing her legs. It wasn't tight, but he knew what was under it. The toned legs, the curve of her ass, the warmth at her core--

She founded a corner to another area of the bookstore and Riley followed after, hurrying his steps in order to stay close. She stopped by a shelf and pointed up at a small soft cover book barely sticking out noting she was interested in it. So he stepped over, but not without pressing to her frame and leaning into her-- arm stretching and hand securing the book. When he brought it back down their eyes locked and he couldn't stop the way his lips pressed into a crooked little grin. He held the book level with the side of his head and waited for her to reach for it before he brought his other hand up. It caught @dearests by the chin and he used the hold to gently tip her head back, stepping closer until she was pinned between the shelving of the books and him. His dark hues dragged from her gaze to her lips then back up, thumb lifting from her chin in order to press to her bottom lip. He brushed over it then tugged down on it lightly, exhaling a small breath as he shifted against her. He kept his eyes on her face wanting to watch her reaction to something so simple yet so... notable. She'd catch on to it rather quickly if he wasn't careful-- tension rising through his frame and threatening to dip to his groin.

running their thumb against the others bottom lip and watching their face for a reaction . . .

lips pursed, jay sighs from behind the screen, mic swinging away from his face. ❛ god -- i can't believe i died again. ❜ the words are a little tired, laced with a tinge of frustration. ( not at @dearests, of course -- they're in the same hellscape together. they've been working on this dungeon for what feels like hours, and they've made little to no progress. it sucks. ) ❛ do we need to get someone else in here? is that the problem? what does connor always say, ❜ he trails off, head shaking. ❛ strength in numbers, or whatever? ❜ ( ♥ )

@dearests​

eleanor is a demon summoned by wizard declan to do their bidding. rio saved wendy’s life. wendy is honorbound to return the favor. cheryl frequently has dreams or nightmares about lyra. thor and aurora are the leaders of rival gangs. judy is a barista at jordan's favorite coffee shop.

Theo had tried to stay with his parents. He'd tried so damn hard, but his dad was on his ass about his job choices and his mom was saying nothing to defend him. There was always something to say about the fact Theo was only doing part time jobs and doing things at the theater when he wasn't working. Something something about never being ready for the real world like he wasn't when he went to New York or even Santa Fe-- no wait, didn't even make it there fully, did ya? God. He hated his dad and by proxy his mom who would turn her nose up at everything or just ignore Theo's presence. The only time she seemed to care about him was when he was dating Celia, but even then she didn't care for their theatric choices. His parents would be better off without Theo and he knew that too. It's what led to him finally just saying whatever and shoving what he could keep/wanted into bags and leaving the house altogether. His father had practically told him not to let the door hit him on the way out--

He'd wanted to find a place to live before he stepped out the door, but he hadn't been able to. No place was available at the price he needed and truly it seemed his best bet was the Motel 6. It was cheap and it would do until he could figure something else out. Now of course this fucked with him and his ability to really do anything beyond work meaning he wasn't at the theater nearly as much. He hadn't even auditioned for the Fall musical which is probably what led to Jean showing up at the motel. He had been surprised to see her, but she was quick to explain that his parents had no problem boasting about how terrible he was doing and where he was. She'd narrowed down room by shoving a twenty at the person behind the desk. Place really felt safe, huh?

@dearests had stepped into the room after he moved aside for her, walking in with her sweater sleeves over her hands and picking at the ends of them. She asked how he was doing and he had shrugged a shoulder murmuring he'd picked up a different job to make up for the hours he wasn't getting. How he was busy and just overall tired. too tired for me? The playful question made him snort an amused sound before he was stepping over to where he could sit on the edge of the bed. She had paused before joining him where they fell into a silence, one he wasn't sure how to break. Prior to all of this and leaving his house, he'd been seeing Jean. Sort of. The two of them had been making out back stage or in his car, hands wandering but never dipping beneath clothing. He wanted to. God did he want to, but she was always slipping away before he could dive in. Truthfully he hadn't been thinking much about what she was doing with all of this going on.

At some point she murmured a small hey and he looked at her, bags under his eyes and a tired frown on his face. Their gazes locked and for a moment he wondered what she was thinking, but before he could ask she was leaning in. Her lips brushed his in a soft gesture and he found himself melting, unable to stop the way he relaxed at her touch. How long had it been since their last kiss? How long had it been since he just let the tension wash away?

sender kisses receiver in a motel suite.

eyes scan over her as he approaches, quick search of his bag for first aid supply. nothing looked life threatening at first glance. pressing gauze to the cut above her brow, he guided tiffany's hand to hold it in place as he knelt to examine her ankle. bruising already began to blossom under her skin & it did look a bit swollen to his eye. " you think you can hop along if i hold you up ? " he pulls his makeshift mask down to expose his face. to show her he was a familiar one despite the fact he wasn't supposed to be here at all. " hospital's full but they set up a clinic at the middle school . . . "