#ruthworks

Tanner was nervous, maybe even a little uncertain with what was to transpire in a few minutes. He'd driven to the airport that @ruthworks was meant to fly into, the drive a bit annoying but one he was willing to make so he could pick her up and take her to the hotel. A hotel they were planning to share a room at. Maybe that was ambitious of them, but they'd both agreed if it didn't feel right he could just go room with Baron. It wasn't a big deal. It was whatever she felt most comfortable with because this was a big step for her. A very big step. Not only was she an agoraphobe leaving her home, but she was putting herself on a plane to fly away from the safety of it and straight to a place with a bunch of internet strangers. Not that they were strangers, especially the two of them. They hadn't necessarily intended to fall into a relationship with titles, but when a steamy night on mic transpired and conversation followed? It was hard not to get attached to whoever was on the other side of the internet... even without a face involved. Not that they stayed faceless for long. Just a few days after that were they attempting a video call that resulted in blushing and smiles that hurt his face from holding for so long.

That was... two or so months ago? Maybe three? He wasn't too sure. He'd known Sass for a bit longer than that, but all he knew was that the woman behind her? Mallory-- she was a wonder and he couldn't wait to finally meet her. Maybe it was insane to have their first time meeting be at an airport before a game convention, but... it felt safe for her and like something she could always run from. He just hoped she wouldn't want to. But the what ifs and the maybes made him scared. He didn't want to lose her as a girlfriend or as a friend. She was beyond words in ways that Tanner didn't know how to fully explain, but he hoped he could express all of that this weekend in the time they had together. He just hoped when they were standing side by side and face to face that their chemistry would continue to translate.

He'd gotten a few texts from Sinister asking if he was sure he wanted to go alone, but Tanner was certain. He didn't want to overwhelm Mallory. So he arrived about ten minutes before she was set to land, parked in the garage, and made his way to baggage claim. He found a seat on a bench and shoved his hands into the pockets of his Realms hoodie and chewed the inside of his lip, bouncing a leg anxiously. He was staring at the ground when he got a text from her about landing. He told her he was waiting and would be in a green Realms hoodie. She'd hit the LOL on the message and he smiled a little to himself. He stood from where he sat to find what luggage carousel to go to and wandered over, waiting there with hands tense and clenched in his front pocket. And when he noticed an influx of people coming from where folks left the main of the airport he started looking, eyes flicking from face to face until he saw her. Mallory. His breath caught in his throat and his heart started to race, dark eyes watching as she glanced around in search of him. When their eyes met he melted a little, hand pulling from his pocket to raise and give a small wave.

♡

i heard u were wanting sexy pictures pwincess

pwincess i fear you made it too sexy 😏 tell lisa i know how to fight

@ruthworks continued from ✅

He tensed with a scrunch of his features as she rolled back against his groin, hand on her hip giving a short squeeze. He planted another kiss to the area below her ear and chuckled as she mentioned this being a reason she booked for two nights. It felt almost wrong to spend that time in this room rather than working the job he was meant to, but he had his information. All he had to do was report it back to those in wait and he'd be free to do as he wanted until he was needed next. And so he knew he should tell her just a moment before returning to the burner phone on the side table, but he doesn't. He can't bring himself to draw away from her and the soft touch of her skin.

"I'd hate for the second night to go to waste," he murmured before drawing back, shifting to where he could grip her hip tighter and pull her backwards with a move of his frame. He let her fall to her back so he could climb onto her, slipping easily between her legs and moving his hands to find hers. He pinned them back on the bed while ducking in to catch her lips, chasing her with a kiss that would leave them both wanting more.

It was late in the studio, later than Hell. He knew that he'd be feeling it in the morning when he had meeting after meeting with the executives, but for now? He had a job to do. He and Zoe had been working nonstop on her vocal track for this new album and she was determined to get it done, determined to prove she was capable and worth the time still being given to her. He knew she was and he fought for her to have it, but seeing her actually work for it was truly something else. She was a masterpiece when it came to music, her voice and talents unlike any other. Perhaps that's why Richard had stayed with her for so long through all the bullshit and hell she put him through. He knew she had it in her and he wasn't going to be another person who gave up on her.

Which is exactly what more or less led them to be tangled up as often as they were-- physically. Having sex with one of his talents wasn't necessary something Richard ever saw coming down the line, but he'd known her for well over a decade and he saw her. He saw beneath her bullshit and the shitty ex-boyfriend. He knew she was full of life, creativity, and just so much yearning for more. He wanted to give her that. He wasn't the most affectionate person in the world, but he could supply intimacy and hold her when she asked. He knew if the execs found out that it could be a problem, but he... he was almost willing to risk that. She was doing amazing and he was only partially to thank for it.

Zoe was sitting beside him, the two listening to the recent song she'd recorded the vocals for. They'd added it to the backtrack and what they'd gotten from the band earlier. It was coming together. It was sounding fucking good and he was even cracking a small smile over it, "This is it, Zo." He looked over at her to find her already looking at him, "This song-- no, this album, it's your comeback and the world is going to love it." Like I love you. He doesn't say that though, he's not ready to and he isn't sure this is the place. But she's smiling, grinning from ear to ear as she practically jumps at him. Their arms get around each other and their lips meet, kissing in a slow drag of warmth that hummed right through him. It only lasted a few moments before she was slipping away and moving to kneel herself on the ground, pushing his legs apart to give her space. She settled there and he watched her, eyes bright with eagerness as she pulled her hair back into a hair tie she'd had on her wrist.

As she did so, his hands fell to his pants in order to undo the belt and fastens. He opened the front of his jeans, but was quickly batted away from the task so she could take over. Soft hands dipped into his boxers, drawing him from the fabric and giving a few quick strokes. He bit down on his tongue to try and fight the groan that wanted to leave him, but it still slipped through. He watched with hungry dark hues as she leaned in to run her tongue against one side of his dick then across the tip, teasing the sensitive head. She swirled around the area then dipped to wrap her mouth around him, humming as she lowered down after paying special attention to the head. Her hand dropped lower and lower on his dick as she took him in, allowing his length to press fully into her mouth in a way that made her whimper slightly. He let out a low moan at the way she took him, the warmth of her mouth heating through him and flushing his cheeks. "That's my girl," he murmured low, hand reaching out to slide into her hair and curl into the locks. She drew back to pop away, hand stroking in her absence before returning her mouth with bobbing intention. It had his mind spinning and reeling, the way her mouth worked was like a dream and he was never going to get used to it. "Dammit, Zoe," he said lowly, head tipping back against the chair and eyes rolling shut, "Your mouth knows how to piss me off, but fuck do I love how it feels."

for zoe to give richard oral

the words make jay laugh, despite his better judgment. he doesn't mean to make fun of his friend, of course -- he knows connor's been burned before. and he knows how much his roommate likes lisa. he's seen it with his own eyes -- the way they'd be on the phone for hours, the smile on his face when they play a game together. it's sweet. its endearing. ( and, honestly, jay is the last person that should be giving him advice -- his own love life is barely afloat. )

his head shaking, jay reaches out, claps a hand on his shoulder. ❛ i know, buddy, ❜ he says first. ❛ i don't know what i'm doing, either. and i don't know what i can tell you that you haven't already heard from, like, four other people. i'm just as clueless, man. what i do know, however, ❜ he pauses, leans in to lower his voice. ❛ is that i don't think i've ever seen lisa smile like that before. ❜ a beat, his brows furrowing. ❛ or at all. ❜ with a chuckle. he looks across the hotel room, where his friends are circled around a box of wine. ❛ if there's any time to shoot your shot, my dude? ❜ he smacks the center of his chest. ❛ it's now. ❜

jay is quiet as mallory speaks, gets her thoughts out of her head. ( he wants to say that he understands, because -- to a small degree -- he does. however, he hasn't through what mallory has, and his empathy is boundless when she opens up. he wants nothing more than to reassure her that she's more than enough, exactly the way she is. sometimes, however, it's a lot easier said than done. )

with a small sigh, he nods his understand ( though she can't see ). ❛ i know it feels safer to hide, ❜ he starts, tone gentle. ❛ but... you don't have to do that with us. we're your friends. i'm your friend. no matter what. ❜ he's resolute when he states it, teeth worrying his lower lip as he tries to suppress his emotions. ❛ and i know that the idea of going to this convention is... scary, ❜ he presses on, ❛ but -- whatever we can do to make it easier for you -- please, let us know, sass. okay? ❜