#hoap

Hap was hesitant. Prairie could sense his skittishness from a mile off, of course, but there was his sincerity, too. He really wanted her to have this, for her to experience the sun on her skin and the air flowing fresh into her lungs and over her face, just like she’d asked for. She deserved it, he thought.

He trusted Prairie. Half way at least. There was something special about her – she wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t, but something different too. She wasn’t like the others.

There had been some nights since she arrived that Hap had neglected to take his sleeping pills, thinking about her to fall asleep instead. He’d done it too often, perhaps, but it was soothing. He thought about her soft, interested expression when he’d explained his research, the way her hand felt under his when he’d guided it to the fries, the way she’d smiled, awed at the invention he shared with her.

He knew the dangers of allowing thoughts like these to take over but he couldn't seem to deny himself. He’d never felt quite so alive since she walked into his life and straight into his trap, so willingly, so gracefully.

He tore his gaze away from her expectant face and slipped the key into the lock.

Prairie heard the click of the key turning and the latch moving in and out of place. Of course she had the thought Now’s my chance — who wouldn’t in her position? and then, He needs to trust me first. Wait.

The hinges creaked and a sting of fresh air tingled against Prairie’s skin, rippling through her hair while the glow of weak sun wrapped around her like a blanket warming the cool of the breeze and she sighed.

Hap watched her eyebrows raised, her shoulders drop, her jaw turning just a little slack, awed at the way she melted into the simple feeling. He had taken these things for granted every day — could he feel like this too? Could she teach him?

Prairie hesitated now. The rush had subsided and she was able to think completely clearly for the first time since she was brought here. Her stomach clenched and she realised she was hungry — for real food, anyway, and she knew Hap had it within reaching distance. She could smell the warmth of freshly sliced bread in this very room.

Then there was that other, more nagging thought.

She took a small, careful step forward and Hap shifted uncomfortably. She wasn’t close enough to touch him yet, but close enough that she could try to run if she wanted to. She supposed it was only natural it might make him a little skittish.

Hap watched her, eyes wide. For a moment he had to actually keep her from getting out, overcome instead with wanting to reach out to her, pull her to him, hold her there… fuck this was precisely why he shouldn’t indulge in fantasies about his captive subjects, but it felt so good just to imagine. He deserved that, didn’t he? He’d been good to her, so far at least — she hadn’t given him a reason not to be yet.

Prairie took a final step right into the doorway, fresh air all the fresher from here, but to Hap it felt like all the air had been sucked from his lungs. She was so close he could almost taste her.

Prairie reached forward, fingers finding Hap’s outstretched arm holding the door open for her. Pressing her palm down, she slid her hand up slowly until it was at his bicep, then turned to face him. She squeezed lightly. His arms were muscular and she supposed they would have to be, at least a little, if he needed to exert any force to get the others here. 

Her fingers lingered there for a moment too long and he sucked in a sharp breath. Carefully, they travelled further up and traced his jaw, his cheek, his brow, his nose. He was just as handsome as she’d imagined by the sound of his voice. He’d been comforting to listen to, low and calm, and if she was completely honest with herself, kind of sexy, too. Velvety and a little… desperate? It made her wonder how long he’d been living alone here.

Feeling daring with the thrill of the outside world only millimetres away, she pushed her fingers up into his hair and he gasped, immediately snapping his eyes shut in embarrassment. But god it had been a while since anyone had touched him at all, let alone so intimately — or so passionately. And this wasn’t just anyone, this was Prairie. He’d wanted this since he swept her hair back as she listened to his heartbeat on the day they’d met. He wondered if she’d noticed it was beating a little fast then, like it was now.

Sliding her touch back down to his face, she pressed two fingertips to his lips. He parted them without a thought, but she didn’t push them inside the way he anticipated. Instead she traced the outline, lingering on his bottom lip while Hap, breathless, watched her satisfied expression. Did he look the way she’d imagined? Did she like it?

Prairie dropped her hand, and Hap but his lip to keep from whining at the lack of contact. His heart soared, though, when she lifted into her tiptoes, steadied herself with two hands on his strong shoulders, and slowly pressed forward and replaced fingers with lips.

Hap hummed, eyes sliding shut, immediately submitting to her lead. He had always allowed her to lead when he thought about it, and he liked that she had that natural ability, even when he was the one in control. It made him feel safe.

He knew it was technically ethically wrong to kiss the subject of one’s experiment. It was also wrong to allow them to fall in love with you, if love’s what this was, but how could he say no? All she’d done was lightly squeeze his arm, slide her fingers through his hair, trace his lips and look pleased with herself, and he was putty.

This was already better than his fantasies of her. It might be a dangerous game, but it was real, and now she was pressing her body to his, soft and inviting, then drawing her tongue along his bottom lip, and oh shit, he needed to respond, needed to move before she thought he didn’t want this and the moment would vanish forever.

Hap pushed forward, snaking both arms around her waist as they crashed backwards and into the door, and parting his lips again, let her in.

It surprised Hap that Prairie was such a good kisser. He had wondered how experienced she might be and how much he might be able to teach her, but he clearly didn’t need to teach her how to do this. She kissed like she’d known his body’s needs better than he did.

He felt his legs turning weak and held himself up against the door, arms either side of Prairie’s head, freedom all around her while she was trapped right here with him. He smirked against her lips feeling a twitch between his thighs.

He wondered what she’d think of his skill, having kept himself cooped up in the world of his experiment for so long he’d forgotten what it felt like to really want to kiss someone. There’d been one night stands here and there when the opportunity presented, of course; he was only human, but those times had felt nothing like this and had never been at his home or with someone who knew him the way Prairie seemed to.

There was a small glimmer of doubt in his mind. Was she toying with him, weakening him by giving a little incentive so she could get away with more and more until gradually he would let her leave without a fight? He needed to get her inside. Just to be safe. If anyone saw them — if Sheriff Markham of all people made an appearance, Hap would have a lot of explaining to do. And a lot of lying.

But Prairie was tugging his shirt out of his pants and his cock was throbbing for her, and whatever she wanted right now he would give to her without question.

‘Hap,’ she breathed into his mouth, fingers poised at the button of his slacks. 

He pressed his forehead to hers and nodded, taking a moment to really appreciate the air against his flesh the way he’d seen Prairie do it. It would never feel the same again after this.

‘We, uh, we need to go inside first,’ he muttered, but she dipped her head and continued that kiss she’d perfected to hungry yet languid, and when her fingers plunged beneath the waistband of his underwear and grazed the slick tip of his cock, he gave in.

‘We need to-oh, oh god-’

‘No,’ she whispered back, ‘here. I need to feel alive.’

Her touch was so delicate, so tender, it drove him wild. His head dropped to hers again and he groaned so prettily that Prairie moaned too as she wrapped her fingers around his length, quickly finding her rhythm.

Oh it was perfect, like she’d been here before, bringing him off so easily, soft and slow just how he liked it, but he’s been imagining this moment for so long he grew impatient, fast.

He rocked his hips, fucking into her fist and losing himself for a moment, but with a reluctant whine he stilled.

The familiar strength of one of Hap’s hands wrapped around Prairie’s wrist, holding her still. She pushed forward to kiss him again, but he turned his head to avoid it and she caught his cheek instead.

‘Prairie, stop- just-’

Prairie tilted her head. Hap was still hard – god, he was leaking, he’d moaned for her, rolled his hips into her touch. What made him stop now? Some threat? She listened intently, but there was nothing new, nothing external anyway.

Hap carefully pulled Prairie’s hand out of his pants, involuntarily grunting at the friction, and gently placed her arm at her side, stumbling back against the doorframe. He took a steadying few breaths and when he opened his eyes, he saw the way her brow had furrowed, the way her eyes and darkened. He mentally scrambled for something to say, anything other than If you keep touching me like that even for a second more it’ll all be over but I want so much more with you.

‘It’s been a while,’ Prairie said thoughtfully, startling him. It was a statement, not a question.

Hap’s cheeks flushed. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I- I just needed a minute. That’s all.’

‘So what I was doing… it wasn’t bad?’

Hap reached out and gripped her arms. ‘No. God, Prairie no, it was good. It was really, really fucking good, that’s why I- oh, fuck it-’

Hap pinned Prairie to the door again, kissing her with such heat that she moaned into it, hurriedly hitching her dress up and hooking a leg around Hap’s waist. 

He fumbled with his pants, dropping them to his ankles before his clumsy fingers pushed her underwear aside. Taking a moment to relish, with a low hum, how wet she was for him, he slid his length inside. Hap’s eyes rolled back as Prairie sank down, adjusting to his size. It felt to Hap like she was made for him.

Prairie felt his shaky breath against her ear the way she’d felt the fresh air on her face, new and thrilling; he hadn’t even moved yet and he sounded like he was on the brink of orgasm. Prairies core clenched at the thought. 

She pushed a hand into his hair again, soothing and safe. ‘Hap, it’s okay, you can- uhgh!’

While she spoke he slowly pulled half way out then slammed back in, hard. Once, twice, a third time. She held onto him tight as he trembled against her, his fingertips driving into her thigh and waist hard enough to bruise, and with a fourth quick snap of his hips, he bit down on the crook of her neck to disguise his cries of relief as his body convulsed and he spilled into her.

Prairie’s own aching core was left empty when he pulled out, heaving for breath against her shoulder. His shaky hands loosened their grip and Prairies leg dropped down. She could feel his seed dripping out onto her thigh and his tears dampening her chest where he’d sobbed against her.

Prairie watched Hap stumble into the kitchen and sink to the floor in a heap. She straightened herself out; underwear slipped back into place however uncomfortably cool and damp, dress smoothed out, hair flattened back. She could still feel the burn where his size had stretched her, but no one else would know that.

Hap sobbed. He wouldn’t blame her for running now while she had the chance. Who wouldn’t leave after that pathetic display? He swallowed hard, mustering the strength to look up, and when he lifted his head, she was gone. Not outside though. The door to the outside creaked shut, and he turned to see Prairie waiting patiently by the door to the cellar.

The code. She didn’t have the code.

Hap dragged himself up, facing away for whatever paltry shred of dignity it might offer, to hastily pull up his pants. He didn’t bother to smooth his hair or tuck in his ruffled shirt. As soon as he took Prairie downstairs, he planned to come back up here and collapse onto his bed anyway. It didn’t matter if the others saw him like this. Prairie wouldn’t tell them anything.

Forcing his breath slow, he punched in the code and reached for the door handle. Prairie’s hand slipped softly over his, squeezing lightly. She leant in to kiss him on the lips just long enough to make him lightheaded.

She pulled open the door and led the way downstairs. Hap followed.

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