LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Lingering Desire)

Raivh · Nov 28, 2011

Locked Out Love: Repair My Broken Heart

The rain had started falling twenty minutes into Aric’s run that evening after class. It came down in thick, wet torrents, and ran down the streets into the storm drains where it crashed about. His breath came in opaque puffs that disappeared when he ran through them, only to appear once more with each exhale. Despite the cold temperature, his body was hot, steaming beneath his currently drenched navy blue jacket. Each step he took slapped at the water on the road, splashing it up past his knees. The shorts he’d put on before going out were soaked, and so were his boxers. It was the most uncomfortable he’d been on a run in a long while, and the urge to scratch at the chaffed area between his legs was almost overwhelming. A few more blocks and he’d be finished for the night. Then it was time to head back home to take a nice hot shower and eat some dinner.

Grunting when a car flew past him, he glared at the driver and plodded on. There was no point shouting at the fellow behind the wheel. It wouldn’t do Aric any good. Staring over his shoulder, he watched as the car skidded around a corner, the tires squealing. With a shake of his head, he faced forward and kept running. It wasn’t long after he’d seen the car that he rounded the corner of a block and spotted the figure of a young woman up ahead. She looked cold, and he was cold, so he had no doubt that she wasn’t. Picking up his pace, he caught up within a couple feet of her and kept back. The smack of bare feet on the sidewalk was enough to tell him she’d lost her shoes somehow, somewhere. And as dainty as her feet looked, he doubted that they weren’t frozen to the bone already; she wouldn’t make it far, wherever she was going.

“Hey,” he said over the rain, jogging to her side. “Aren’t you a little cold?” Looking her over, he frowned, noticing that the shoulder of her outfit was torn and sagging. There was a bruise on her chin, as though someone had grabbed her and forced her to look their way. A cut under her eye caught his attention. It was fresh enough that blood still beaded to the surface to be washed away by the rain. He’d seen this girl before. He couldn’t recall her name, but there was no forgetting that face of hers, or those baby blue eyes. He’d never had a class with her before, but he’d seen her walking around with friends, talking, laughing. Even around town, and he could have sworn she had a boyfriend. Where was the guy now?

Shrugging out of his jacket, now in just the light gray T-shirt he had on, he tossed it over one of her shoulders and glanced at her again. “Why are you walking in the rain without a jacket? Do you want to catch pneumonia?” he asked. A teasing smile was painted on his features, and he spiked his hair unconsciously when he ran a hand back through it. Furrowing his brows, he took a few longer strides and came to stand in front of her. He walked backwards, letting his gaze flit about that damaged face of hers. “You’re hurt.” Lifting a finger, he pointed first at the cut under her eye, and then at the bruise on her chin. Reaching out, he attempted to touch the dark bruise; it looked painful. “Did you fall or did someone try something?” They weren’t far from his apartment. Maybe she would accept an invitation to warm up.

Talin · Nov 28, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Oakley sat next to him, though she didn’t feel like she belonged there, Kyle just had this way of climbing back into her life whenever he felt like it. Long white blond hair was worn down, as was his preference and her outfit was simple. Skinny jeans on her already skinny frame and a black tunic, the sleeves were pushed up revealing pearly white skin. Her soft blue eyes took in the fact that he was having yet another beer when he swore ten minutes ago they were leaving in two. Sighing heavily he gave her the eye and muttered something she couldn’t hear to the brunette female next to him. Rolling her eyes she stood. “Ky, I’ve got class tomorrow, I’m outta here.” Turning to the host, a man shorter and smaller than she, she smiled, “It was nice to meet you, but sorry I have to go.”

She heard Kyle shouting at her over the music thumping in the back ground, she shook her head and left anyways. She’d had enough, moving away from him her heels clicking on the stairs as she moved ignoring the male trailing her. “Go back to the party Kyle.” she kept her tone even, she knew how his temper could and she was sure it was already spiking.

“You always fucking do this, Oak, always. I want to have a little fun, lighten up and stop being a bitch.” He sneered at her knowing which buttons to hit, but on she walked. He picked up his pace grabbing her arm on the landing. “Look at me when I‘m speaking to you!” He thundered in her face shoving her against the wall.

“Stop Ky you’re drunk! Go home and sleep it off, I’ll walk.” She shoved off the wall and moved down the stairs, she was over half way down when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She felt the air caressing her pale shoulder as he drug her back to him. She wasn’t even sure what happened, his face got red and he screamed at her, so much so she tucked away back into herself. Jerking her head toward him with enough force she knew he’d leave prints. Something he said must have caused her to roll her eyes that bit of teenage defiance she never truly lost, because next thing she knew he’d slapped her. The corner of his watch catching her skin, scraping it enough to make her hands fly up in her defense.

“I’m not fucking drunk enough to deal with you, it’s over Oakley.”

Another shove and she stumbled back breaking the heel on her favorite pair of stilettos. She watched as he fled, he wasn’t getting away with it, not this time. Tossing her heels inside she stepped out onto the sidewalk, into the rain and lifted her voice to scream at him, “I hate you.” Somewhere in her mind the door clicking shut registered, but not soon enough. “The only reason I ever dated you is because I felt sorry for you. You don’t love me; you treat me like your possession. You don’t deserve me…” She hadn’t even noticed him approach, but he did. His hand landing on her jaw, the bruise already there, now intensified. She flinched moving away from him, back to the building, as he scurried to his car. “Go to hell,” she muttered as tears mingled with the rain already streaming down her face. She didn’t know if it was finally over. Closing her pale blue depths she began moving in the direction of her dorm. the rain pelting her hair making the white tresses appear more opaque than they were. The cold didn’t register until now, bare feet moving over the cold cement sidewalk.

Oakley didn’t notice the man until he spoke; turning blank eyes to him she ignored his statement. Of course she was cold, but what did he care. Looking forward again she tried to move quicker to get away from the man. Feeling his eyes on her she adjusted her tunic and crossed her arms over her chest, trying in a feeble attempt to capture the heat that was rapidly leaving her small body. Continuing to press forward when all she really wanted to do was fall apart. Hold it together Oak, your almost there. You can do it. The stupid voice inside her head said, shaking her head she ignored the man hoping he’d take the hint. The instant the warmth of his jacket touched her she tensed, what the hell was his problem. “I’m fine really it’s nothing,” she stated with a shake of her head trying to avoid his touch.

“No, nothing happened, please just go.” Ripping his jacket from her shoulder she shoved it at him. “Take your jacket and your concern elsewhere. I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone.” So close to a break down, her breaking point and she didn’t want to lose it in front of this guy. “No one tried anything and I didn’t fall.” She stopped walking and closed her eyes her shoulders heaving with each intake of breath. Opening them she met his dark brown. “Go away, just turn in…” Lifting a shaky finger in the direction of his back, “That direction and keep running, I’m nobody special and I can take care of myself, thank you.” Her lip twitched, but she stayed firm in her decision to send him packing.

Raivh · Nov 30, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Aric caught her vacant stare, as if she’d either not heard him or thought him stupid. His brows knitted into a crease when she turned away, and he continued after her. The woman was rigid beyond belief, tense as a kid waiting for the doctor to show. Despite what she may have thought, however, he wasn’t ignorant. That bruise on her cheek wasn’t nothing. It was obvious someone had grabbed her, the fingerprints were clear as day, and judging by their size the owner had been male. Her boyfriend? He grunted when she shoved his jacket back at him, wondering why she was so snappish toward him when he hadn’t done a thing to harm her. He certainly hadn’t been the one to damage her that pretty face of hers, or to put a cut under her piercing blue eyes that seemed ablaze when she spoke, but dull when she fell silent. She looked close to tears, as if she was struggling to keep them at bay. Stopping when she did, his gaze fell to her slender shoulders, watching as they rose and fell heavily with each breath she pulled into her lungs.

“Across the road? There’s quite a bit of traffic to go running across there, don’t you think? Besides, if I go that way I’ll be stuck in this shit longer than I’d like.” His eyes were locked on her face, noting how stern her expression was. In her effort to mask whatever it was she was trying to hide, he only became more persistent. And a little arrogant; he stepped forward, a crease between his eyes and a frown on his face. “You’re not taking proper care of yourself right now. You’re out here barefoot, in the rain, without a jacket. Your face is all beat up and bruised, you look like shit.” Pausing, he arched a brow. “Maybe you don’t want to tell me what’s going on. You don’t know me. I don’t know you. But I know a damsel in distress when I see one, and to me, chivalry isn’t dead.” He moved quick, sweeping her off those bare feet of hers and into his arms. From how she talked, he knew she wouldn’t be willing to follow him back to his apartment, and he didn’t doubt she’d fight.

His hold on her tightened, and the heat from his body seeped into hers. She was light, felt about half of his weight. What he was doing was essentially kidnapping. When a car slowed beside him, asking what was going on, Aric simply shouted back that she was a little crazy. “I mean, look! She’s not wearing any shoes; no coat or jacket.” The woman in the car looked Oakley up and down, then Aric, who was smiling. There was suspicion in the woman’s eyes, but she drove on. He watched her glance back in her mirror, and let out a shout when he lost his grip on Oakley. By the time he got the young woman to her feet, she was a wet and muddy mess. Grimacing, he apologized before snatching her again. It was half a block after that they reached his apartment, and the front door swung open. A large, lean male loomed in the doorway, shaking his head.

“No, no, nononono!” Aric shoved past the man, telling him to fuck off. Leaving a trail of mud and water on the carpet to be cleaned later, he carried her into the bathroom and kicked the door closed behind them.

“I’ve seen you around, but I don’t know your name,” he mumbled, sitting her down carefully on the counter. His dark eyes met with hers, calm, collected. There was a grin on his face. “You can borrow some of my clothes after I patch you up, because I can almost see straight through that top you’ve got on.” He couldn’t really, and he wasn’t looking. Spinning the lock on the door, he could hear his roommates hollering at him, shouting that she couldn’t stay, they had plans already. Aric muttered to himself and reached toward her with less apprehension than the first time. His hand brushed along the side of her face, sidling damp blonde hair behind her ear. One large thumb slid under the cut below her eye.

“Looks like someone clocked you,” he murmured, the corners of his lips turned down. His hand slid lower, and he fit his fingers to the marks on her chin. Exhaling, he fixed his gaze on hers. “Now I definitely don’t believe you, but I won’t press for details either. I know you didn’t fall, unless you fell into a hand.” He released his hold on her chin and let his hand fall to his side, before opening a drawer and pulling out a tube of ointment and a bandage. His voice deepened in command. “Hold still.” Squirting a bit of the translucent ointment on the tip of his middle finger, he smeared it under her eye. After setting the bandage in place, he took a step back and leaned against the wall, studying her countenance. “Better than before, but you still look like hell.”

Talin · Nov 30, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Oakley sighed and glared at him a moment before speaking. “Yeah I really meant run in the road and get hit by a car,” She said rolling her eyes at him. “Dammit just pick a direction and go, just NOT my direction!” Visibly she flinched when he stepped closer. She’d have answered him but next thing she knew the maniac had picked her up. Jaw clenching she snarled, “Put me down you psycho! I’m not a damsel and you sure as hell aren’t a knight.” she didn’t have the strength to hit him. “Just please, please put me down…” her voice shrank in tone and volume. Why couldn’t he just see she wanted to be left alone? Her black shirt slid off her thin shoulder and the rain pelted the already chilled flesh sending chills down her spine. Struggling she saw the car stop and screamed before he could speak to the woman that peered at them. “He stole my shoes, threw them in the alley.” she kicked her legs the lady giving HER the crazy eye, “Yeah well thanks for nothing.” She yelled as the lady drove away.

Leaning away from him, she felt his hands loosen and SPLAT. The warmth of his chest was lost to the mud beneath her rump. Gawking at him she smacked his hands away and tried to get up flopping onto her belly, “OW, No get off of me. Get away.” She attempted getting up again and slid, groaning she took his hand and got to her feet. Mud covered her middle and ass and she had it in her hair and smudged on her cheek. Moving away from him she attempted to get away before, “Shit!” The word left her mouth as his arms came around her again. “This hero complex of yours is not sitting well with me. Whatever you think this is going to get you, this saving me, is only a sad lonely night, with YOUR hand!” Her light blue eyes flamed with anger as she glared at him hard. Her wrist hurt, but she refused to mention anything she was clamping her mouth shut. Anger, pain, embarrassment, and frustration, these were the emotions that filled her as he walked. If she wasn’t so small she’d have been able to escape.

A rapist wouldn’t have waited this long to act, not when they passed so many alleys and places he’d could have taken advantage of her but he didn’t. Hero, knight, chivalrous none of these words described him better than arrogant busybody. Hearing the repeated no’s she didn’t look up, she knew what he’d see if she did. She wasn’t as pathetic as she looked or felt. Oakley shrugged as her sore backside slipped, because of the mud, on the counter in the bathroom. Not looking at him until he mentioned seeing through her shirt. Blue eyes flashed as she drew her arms up around her chest shielding it from his eyes. The browns of his eyes, this close-up, looked like melted pools of chocolate. Tearing her gaze away when he locked the door, she shivered behind his back. “I don’t want your clothes and I certainly don’t need your help!” Though she sat still as he inspected her wounds, maybe he could look them over, what would it hurt? Avoiding his eyes she looked at her feet, stared at them as though they were suddenly very interesting while he worked.

When he stepped back she moved her eyes to his, “I could have you arrested for kidnapping, you know that, right?” she challenged. “But I won’t.” She stared at him for a little while longer, she wasn’t sure what to do. This man was obviously not very capable of reading people and had no boundaries. “Look whatever you think you are doing, it isn’t going to help. I am not…” she stopped talking. Her tears burned at that back of her eyes, “You can’t do what you just did. You can’t run around town picking up girls like that. I told you no, said I didn’t want your help and I don’t!” She slid off the counter leaving a muddy trail. Wheeling on him she approached and poked his chest with each word to emphasis it. “You are not a knight, they aren’t real. There are no happy endings. Real life isn’t like that, like this, where you can come in and just make everything better.” Her face crumpled, “You can’t, no one can.” Turning from him she finally allowed herself to cry. “Just leave me alone.”

Raivh · Dec 2, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Eyes on hers, he lifted his shoulders in an almost indifferent shrug. The point she was making was moot, because she clearly had no intention of having him arrested. A quick smile flashed over his features when she confirmed his thoughts. The longer she stared at him, the greater the silence seemed to be, captivating them both, making the atmosphere rigid. He didn’t know her. She didn’t know him. But what Aric did know was that she was hurting. Making her pain most obvious were her eyes. What should have been a brilliant blue appeared dull, listless, as if she couldn’t care less what happened to her; as if she’d closed herself off. Taking in a deep breath, shoulders rising as his lungs and chest expanded, he let it all out on one, whooshing breath when she said that what he was doing wasn’t going to help. Maybe she couldn’t see it—his eyes flitted over her face—but he was pretty sure that ointment would do her some good—physically, at least.

Each jab of her finger for emphasis forced him to suck more air in, rather than let it escape. He watched her face, saw the anger swirling in her eyes, and knew that it wasn’t directed at him, but he remained silent as she continued spouting out that there wasn’t anything he could do to help her. From what he could recall of their encounter, he’d never said he was a knight, and he didn’t remember donning any shining armor that morning. He licked his lips. And unless she considered that jacket of his a sword for her protection he couldn’t think of what weapon he wielded to slay the dragons that had burned down her happy village. When her face fell and the tears that had brimmed in her eyes finally spilled over, he turned his gaze away from her. There in the seclusion of the bathroom, he listened to her cry and tell him to let her be. It had to have been an hour that he stood there with his focus pinned to the door. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. A puddle of water had formed at his feet. The bathroom was a mess, and he was going to have to clean it up later.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, still facing the door, he cleared his throat. His free hand fell on the doorknob, and he spun the lock to open the door. “No one ever said I was trying to make everything better,” he mumbled, finally casting a glance her way; however, it was brief. He turned his head to meet he irritated stares of his roommates. The two males were lean and fit, his cousins as well as roommates. “And look, if you don’t want my help, that’s cool.” He looked over his shoulder at her face, noting the channels her tears had created on her dirty face. She looked cold and dejected. His first instinct was to turn around completely and wipe the mud from her face, but he didn’t. If he did, she would only stab him in the chest with that finger again, telling him how knights and fairy tale endings didn’t exist.

“But at least let me take you back to campus. I’ve seen you walking around before.” Dark brown eyes roamed slowly over her solemn expression. Even covered in mud, he knew she was beautiful. He felt bad for dropping her. She’d already had such a clearly shitty day, and now it was nearing night. She was probably tired, too. “Wait here.” Padding down a hall, he opened a door and vanished. When he returned, he had a dry jacket in his hands. Another glance at her attire told him she would need it. “You don’t have to give it back. It’s an old one, and I don’t even use it anymore. Keep you warm until you get inside.”

Swinging the jacket around her shoulders and over her head, he draped it across her back, leaving her to choose whether to zip it up or not. “Come on, I’ll take you home before it starts raining dinosaurs and elephants out there. I think this storm’s beyond cats and dogs already.” He put on a smile and caught her eyes. Holding her gaze for a brief moment, his kind smile faded some, and he turned to lead her to the front door.

“Aren’t you going to clean up this mud, Aric?” one of the two males shouted, a blonde. “You better clean it up before you leave!”

“Shut up, Terrance,” Aric retorted sharply, jerking his head back over his shoulder to glare at his cousin. Grumbling to himself, Terrance shook his head and returned his attention to the television. Opening the front door, Aric stepped out and lead the way to his car. Keys in hand, he unlocked the doors, and opened hers before rounding the front to climb in behind the wheel. Once she was situated, he shifted into reverse and backed out of the driveway. It was about a ten minute in silence from his apartment to the university, and when he pulled up in front of the dormitories, he cut the engine. Shifting in his seat, he glanced at her. “I’ll see you around.”

Talin · Dec 2, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Sliding her hand along the counter on the sink she gripped, the mud that coated her no longer mattered, none of it did. Her pale lids were closed over her even more pale blue eyes. She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, didn’t know if he stayed. Oakley wished have left her alone. Telling herself in the silence that he’d left she trembled as his large olive toned hand pressed to her shoulder. The anger was gone, it wasn’t for the knight only the evil prince that had damaged her and left her hurting. His words moved over her, he was correct. His line about her being the damsel is what drew the knight imagery out of her. In reality she adored fairytales, but knew that they weren’t true. Nothing like what happened in those stories ever happened in real-life. “Then why did you…” His next statement cut hers off. Clamping her lips tight, the one that wanted to help, or at least act like it suddenly didn’t. “Help? OH I’m sorry you said you aren’t in the business of making things better so just forget it!”

She pushed past him, only to come face to face with whom she assumed to be his roommates. Oakley froze in her spot; the two had glares on their faces, turning her back to them, her dirty feet grinding into the carpet as she spun. “Yeah so much chivalry in here,” she mumbled, wrapping her arms around herself again. Dropping her head her white blonde hair fell around her, the muddy and tangled ends laying in disarray over her slim shoulders. Might as well give up in defeat, the little voice inside her head piped in. Rolling her eyes at her own silent statement and not his, she stayed in the spot not because he asked, but because his roommates were so menacing looking. Bobbing her head she moved her eyes away from his, the chocolate depths pulling at her until she looked away as he led her to the door. The statement was funny; maybe under different circumstances she would have graced him with a genuine smile. The words of his roommates stopped their progress in getting out of there. Taking the break in movement to slip her arms in the jacket sleeves and zip it up. It hung off of her , but it was warm and provided her a bit of modesty.

His name was Aric, it was better than calling him the “knight” in her head. She slid into the car and closed the door. Stifling a yawn she buckled her seat belt and waited, it wasn’t long before they were off. The silence in the car was deafening, but it was better than having to talk and actually think about things. Dorms in sight she hoped to hop from the car and leave him sputtering, she knew it was wrong and she wasn’t that sort of person. Waiting, he cut the engine; her roommate was staying with her boyfriend tonight so she’d be alone in the dorm. Glancing back at him after he spoke, her face was a mask and void of anything except mild relief. “Oakley Wyatt.” she stated simply. Grasping the cold metal handle of the door she popped it open, “Damsel out.” Slamming the door behind her she ran toward the building. A hot shower and a long sleep would do her nicely. She glanced over her shoulder at the car as she moved to open the door. “Fuck me upside-down,” she grumbled. Her keys were in her purse, tucked in Kyle’s car. Slamming her hand on the door the people inside basically ignored her, a girl coming in laughed and shook her head letting her walk inside too. Without a second glance behind her she ducked into the building.

Tasha came home to find Oakley asleep on the floor leaning against their door. After a shower she slept the rest of the weekend away, Tasha knew better than to ask right away what happened and stepped back giving her time. Relaying the whole story Tasha didn’t see how Oakley despised the guy and thought of him as a creep. “Stop saying he sounds like a nice guy Tash, he picked me up and carried me to his cave like a Neanderthal. I’m just glad the ape didn’t club me beforehand,” She tossed her grape stems in the garbage can and padded down to her room.

“Maybe he should have,” came her roommates retort.

“I heard that.”

~~

Oakley spent the first part of the week being paranoid, she wasn’t really afraid that the knight, Aric, would show up. It was more of dread, she had been a little mean and the need to apologize her hit her strongly. So she did the smart thing and attempted to spot him first and avoid, avoid, AVOID. Thankfully she never saw him and, if, he saw her she never knew. Classes on Wednesday seemed to drag on and left her with a slight headache. Rubbing her forehead she stepped out into the courtyard, the slight breeze moved her flannel tee-shirt dress, but the thin brown leggings she wore beneath kept her warm. The multi-blue colored garment’s sleeves were pushed up and a trio of books was pressed to her chest as she walked. The brown leather satchel strung across her thin frame was open and ready to receive the books should she choose to place them inside. Flipping the ends of her side-swept ponytail she laughed at a side comment recalled from one of her friends. Her blue gym shoes kept her pale feet from contact with the cement this time. Having given up on looking for the male she walked with ease, not a care in the world or at least she put on a good front.

Glancing up she smiled at him before recognition buzzed in. Tasha gave her a questioning gaze and only chuckled realizing the man they were approaching was none other than the famous “knight”. Elbowing her roommate she turned her head slightly set to avoid him. The irritation on her face was obvious and put there by his presence. Under the guise of putting her textbooks away she stopped, shocking herself she looked up at him. “Fancy seeing you here with no danger…” She paused and held her hand up, “And no rain. To what do the damsels owe this pleasure?” Her tone was teasing; her eyes even shone a bit brighter. Deep contrast to the night they first met. The mask she owned was thick, impenetrable, and kept her safer. Kyle had apologized and dropped off her things, but she brushed him off and said she’d found someone else. It was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that. “So how have you been?”

Raivh · Dec 5, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

He nodded, repeating her name after she’d finally granted him with it. “Have a good night, Oakley.” A grin spread wide over his face when she got out of the car, slamming the door behind her before running off toward one of the dormitories. His eyes followed her, watching until she reached the door, and then as she tugged open the door. Raising his eyebrows, he wondered if she had her key, but ceased his curiosities when she began beating on the glass pane. His chest jumped with a single, amused laugh, and he shook his head. About to get out of his car, fingers curled around the handle, he settled back in the driver’s seat when the assaulted door swung open and Oakley vanished inside.

The drive back home was just as quick, and when he arrived and walked inside, his cousins were already digging into a box of pizza. They stared at him as he shut the door and crossed from the entrance to the kitchen. Grabbing the box, he ignored their grumbled protests and went to sit down on the couch. The pictures that flickered on the screen held no real interest to him; his mind was elsewhere. Taking a large bite from the end of a piece of pizza, the cheese oozed down his chin until it broke. He chewed slowly, savoring the greasy, somewhat spicy flavor of pepperoni and mozzarella.

“So, what’s your girlfriend’s name, Aric?” the blonde, Terrance asked, clearing the back of the couch easily and flopping down beside Aric, who turned his head and growled deep in his chest when the other male reached for a slice of pizza. Snagging it despite Aric’s threat, Terrance laughed, smirking in his cousin’s face. “You better keep that cat chained if you even come close to dating. They won’t find it appealing when you imbed your fangs and claws in their skin during mating.”

“That’s fine. I don’t plan on fucking someone else’s girl. She’s got a boyfriend, Terrance. An asshole, obviously, judging by the cuts and bruises on her face, but she’s not single.” Aric had about had it with his cousin, and when Terrance slipped his hand into the box for yet another piece, the couch flipped. Unleashing a flurry of strength behind each blow, Aric had his cousin pinned within minutes, and was panting over him, teeth bared to show off his long canines, a growl still thrumming in his chest. Ian broke them up, and passed the remaining two slices of pizza to Aric, who stood naked as the day of his birth.

Wiping his mouth of a bit of blood, Aric smirked at Terrance who was just getting to his feet. “Just because you’re a wolf doesn’t make you an alpha.” Box of pizza in hand, he closed it and tossed it at Terrance.

Despite their fight, the other male wore a grin as well. “Yeah, well, twenty bucks says that girl shows up here again. Fifty says you wind up sleeping with her.”

“I’m not taking that bet,” Aric snarled over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hall.
Terrance looked to Ian, who shrugged. “I’m in. She’ll be marked ‘property of Aric Harley’ before Christmas, and if not then, by New Year.”

--

Walking along one of the many sidewalks that led from building to building and all over campus, he’d smelled and seen her before she’d seen him. There was no mistaking that sweet, rain scent of hers. The night he’d found her he thought the storm was why she smelled of rain, but it was just her natural fragrance. As she drew closer to him, smiling at him, he returned her smile with a laidback one of his own. She turned her head, and his eyes glinted mischievously, not about to let her pass by without at least saying hello. When she finally decided to greet him, however peculiar and humorous a greeting it was, he laughed and lifted his broad shoulders in a shrug. His dark brown eyes met the brilliant blue irises that stared back at him. She seemed happy enough, comfortable even, or at least she made off to be. Something hovering over her, a dark cloud of sorts, led him to believe otherwise.

“Perfect. I actually received a medal for saving you the other day. Didn’t you read the headlines?” he retorted, challenging her tease with one of his own. “It was titled: ‘Handsome knight rescues crazy, barefooted girl wandering the streets.’ I have to admit, I was pretty impressed they came up with something so creative.” Her friend laughed, and he nodded his head once in her direction, appreciative of the short applause she gave him. “I’ve got class, and I’m already late, so I’ll have to save you two damsels another time. Meanwhile, I advise staying locked up in your keeps. It’s safer up there.” Adjusting the straps of his pack, he stepped to the side to let them pass, a grin still plastered over his features.

“So why not skip it?” Tasha asked with a cheerful smile on her face, giggling and glancing over at Oakley. “Oakley’s been paranoid about you, or at least about apologizing. Don't you think the least she owes you is a bit of gratitude?” Aric arched his eyebrows and looked from Tasha to Oakley, seeming surprised. Staring at her, he shrugged his shoulders and turned, waiting for Tasha to lead the way.

“Paranoid, huh?” Aric questioned as they walked, a smirk spread over his features. His arm brushed against hers with every step. Now that he thought about it, he could practically taste the tension pouring off her. And he’d known she’d tried to avoid him, before greeting him. “I hope you keep your room clean. I’m not abusive like the guy who left you on the side of the road, no doubt, but I have been known to pull a few pranks before. And panties make very good flags, or so I’ve heard before.”

Talin · Dec 5, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Oakley raised a brow and shook her head at his quip, the light blue irises dancing as she closed her bag and readjusted the strap. “Funny I read it as crazy oaf and barefoot hottie…” she mumbled. Glancing at Tasha as she laughed and clapped her hands, shaking her head no, she attempted to cut off Tasha and her crazy sense of humor. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she gave a little wave and stepped away in the opposite direction. “See you around Aric.” Oakley released a breath of relief until she heard Tasha. Her head snapped back so quickly she was sure she had gotten whiplash. What the hell are you doing? her eyes questioned Tasha. Turning toward Aric she smiled, friendly upturn to her pink lips. Groaning at what she was hearing, she wanted to open her satchel and shove her text books in Tasha’s mouth to keep her from talking. “I’m sure he is busy…” she trailed off as his eyes met her. She’d forgotten the melted chocolate pools that were his eyes. Actually she hadn’t. She’d spent hours in class, and in bed, thinking of those orbs.

Licking her lips nervously she walked next to the man, she wanted to rip the smirk off his face, turning her head to face forward she shrugged at his remark. At least facing forward she didn’t have a direct reaction, that is, until his arm brushed hers. Electricity, no, it was something stronger than the small jolt it gave her. “Power surge,” she mumbled lifting her hand she grasped her lips clamping them closed. The realization that she’d said it out loud hit her strongly, as strongly as his cologne. Sadly she recognized it from being trapped in his car with him, even as short as it was, the scent still permeated her nostrils and was burned into her memory. Her mind was spinning, wait… did he just say panties? Her light, yet piercing blue eyes, went wide as she stared at him, still unsure if she heard him right. Oakley listened in disbelief as Tasha laughed heartily; yeah he was so full of funny. Giving him a sidelong glance, sure enough the smirk was still plastered to his face. “And here I was hoping a good ass whooping would be had for a dirty room,” she responded dryly.

Tasha shook her head, “Don’t mind her she is ALWAYS like this. Oak be nice to our guest, he did save you.” She heard the growl and rolled her eyes. “Here we are,” she lifted her hand to the building, swiping and hold the door for the other two. Glaring at Oakley as she passed to lead up the stairs, “Don’t act like you don’t know where our room is.” Shaking her head she let out a breath and smiled at Aric. “I swear she usually has better manners than this, besides if she isn’t on her best behavior…” she paused, a devious smile on her lips. “I know which drawer she keeps her panties in!” Tasha giggled stopping in front of a door and slid her key in the lock.

“You wouldn’t dare?” Oakley said her eyes going wide and wider still when Tasha gave her a look that said try me. Huffing she pushed past the other two into her room. tossing her satchel on the bed she bent and quickly retrieved every bit f clothing that she’d normally leave scattered around her room, she was taking no chances. Dropping the clothing in her closet or in the hamper, depending on the degree of dirty, she slammed her closet door shut. “There, now stay away from my panties.” Tasha stifled a laugh from the kitchenette. “I heard that!” Oakley stated glaring at her through the doorway.

“Good, I wasn’t hiding it!” She came back with a few bottles of water, handing one to each of them she smiled. “Come in, Mr. Knight; have a seat and a drink… would you like a refreshment? Those are the questions we ask guests Oakley.” She smiled at Aric and shook her head at Oakley.

Oakley scoffed, “He’s not my guest! YOU invited him here!” Letting out an exasperated breath, she knew it was a no win battle. “Fine,” she turned to Aric and moved toward the couch and sat curling her legs under her. Taking in a controlled breath she let it out slowly and motioned him to sit. Closing her eyes she waited a moment, he’d either sit or not, still he’d hear her of this she was certain. “I’m sorry at how harsh I was with you the other night, it just wasn’t a good night,” She opened her eyes, light blue meeting deep brown and she lost her train of thought. Clearing her throat she shook her head, “Um, but that is a chapter of my life that is closed and well I should need no more rescuing.”

“God would you just be nice and take him to dinner,” Tasha said coming from her room, ignoring Oakley’s glare. “Kyle was scum; at least this one had the decency to bandage you up… even if he left a bruise on your ass.” Tasha laughed and ducked back in her room as a fluffy pillow went flying through the air and landed harmlessly against the closed door.

Oakley chewed her lower lip, why did Tasha have to be right all the time? Uncurling herself from the couch she sat the bottle of unopened water on the table in front of them and pulled her hair free and ran her hands through the white blonde strands, detangling. “So… if I asked you to dinner, would you go?” She asked nonchalantly, she was on pins and needles. Not sure why she felt this nervousness around him, it built up and took over. Keeping her eyes trained on her sneakers, which she now had perched on the edge of the table, waiting. Sighing she turned and faced him once more, “I can say please if it’s necessary?” Smiling at him she teased before blushing and looking away again.

Raivh · Dec 6, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

The lackadaisical grin on his face only spread wider when her bright blue eyes widened at his remark. An air of triumphant arrogance swirled around him, darkening the devious look in his eyes at her retort. She didn’t seem to believe him, which was probably for the best. It would make snagging her undergarments easier sometime, if he felt the need or want to do so. He could only imagine the look on her face if he were to show her his loot after pillaging her room. Glancing from Oakley to Tasha as the conversation was passed from one girl to the other, Aric arched his brows in reaction to Tasha’s comment. It was the only return he gave before following her into the dormitory. A foreign world to him, the building smelled of feet, urine, and just plain peculiar—like a petting zoo. The hairs in his nose curled against the smell as he followed the girls down the hall and to their room.

When Tasha stopped in front of the door, he glanced down at Oakley, that same cocky yet kind grin turning up the corners of his mouth. He laughed at Tasha’s exclamation and expression of her knowledge on the whereabouts of Oakley’s panties. He was still chuckling to himself, when Oakley challenged Tasha, huffed, and swept past them both. Tasha shrugged her shoulders and motioned for him to enter. Stepping inside, he turned his head in the direction of the sound of movement, catching glimpses of Oakley as she hustled about in her room. He caught sight of one thin bra strap and cleared his throat, glancing away with bright red ears. The few times he’d been with a girl in the past four years, he’d always stopped her from taking her clothes off in front of him, never let her kiss him, and never kissed her in return. To kiss a woman for him meant to take her; and to take her meant to make her his mate for life. He would have no decision but to be bound to her, while she on the other hand would be able to walk away out of anger or frustration or for any other reason.

Aric’s eyes followed Oakley as she stomped back out into the kitchen. He accepted the bottle of water offered to him by Tasha, spun the cap off and took a long drink as the two girls argued about what it meant to be a good hostess. His gaze, previously on Tasha, shifted to Oakley when she shouted out that he wasn’t her guest, and he pulled the water bottle away from his mouth. Apparently, he was, and she conceded defeat, before moving off and sitting down on the couch. When she gestured for him to join her, he stood in the kitchen for a moment as if deciding whether he would or not, and then crossed into the room and sank down beside her on the couch.

His head was turned to face her, his body only inches away from hers, knees angled out comfortably. She apologized for her harsh behavior on the night they met, stating that it wasn’t a good night, just a bad chapter of her life. He nodded, brown eyes trained on the light blue eyes below each of her slender, blonde eyebrows. “That’s good,” he said, but before he could say anything more, Tasha was interrupting and inputting her own comment. Eyebrows raised, he glanced from Oakley to Tasha, and then back to a very distressed looking Oakley.

“Kyle’s her boyfriend?” he asked, taking advantage of the momentary break of chatter to figure out who this fellow was.

Tasha shook her head, lips pursed tight together, fleeing after she finished commenting on the bruise Oakley had received from the fall Aric allowed her to experience, however unintentional it had been. “No. Was her boyfriend. The asshole’s her ex now.” The door slammed shut and the pillow that had flown through the air moments before flopped on the floor.

Laughing, Aric’s attention shifted once again when Oakley stretched her legs out, jostling the couch a slight bit, and placed her water bottle on the coffee table. He took another swig of his as she spoke, asking him if he would go to dinner if she asked. That smile crept over his features again, curling the edges of his lips, and he arched his brows at her apparent nervousness. Leaning forward, staring at her face though she kept her eyes trained on her shoes, he held his expression. When she turned, bringing up manners and the fact that she could say please, his grin broadened. She smiled, her cheeks flushed, and when she looked away again he sat back, chuckling to himself.

“I don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into, asking me to dinner,” he replied at last. There was mischievousness about him and glinting in his eyes. He heard Tasha’s door open, and glanced down the hall as the woman poked her head out the door. She stuck her tongue out at Oakley, mouthing, ‘Don’t pull that let’s be friends card, Oak.’ Registering the words meant for Oakley, Aric shook his head. His expression has assumed a serious look, no longer grinning in a flirtatious manner. “As friends, and you let me pay. Tasha can get in on this, too.” The other woman frowned before closing her door, leaving Aric and Oakley to themselves. “We’ll eat here in your dorm. My cousins won’t let anyone eat if it’s my apartment. Next Friday alright?”

--

“I can’t believe you didn’t just take her out on a real date,” Tasha said, shaking her head. She was seated in her boyfriend’s lap when Aric entered the room, a pan of lasagna in his hand that he’d fought to keep his cousins out of. Setting a box of garlic toast on the counter, Aric asked Oakley for a sheet to cook it on, and when he received it, began putting the slices of frozen toast on it. He slid it into the oven along with the lasagna when the box was empty. “I mean, look at her. She’s hot as hell. Why wouldn’t you want to take her out?”

Glancing over his shoulder, Aric smiled at Oakley and caught her eyes. “Maybe next time,” he said. A grin stretched over his countenance, and a devious spark lit up his deep brown irises. “She’s not exactly my type. Maybe too hot.” Chuckling, he walked past her and caught her scent. It flooded into his nostrils and deep into his lungs, giving him a sort of intoxicated high. He stumbled into the edge of the counter on his way to the living room and cussed under his breath. Tasha huffed from where she sat, shaking her head in disbelief as Aric flopped down in one corner of the couch. He could feel Tasha’s eyes burning into the side of his skull. He could smell alcohol on her and her date. The idea of a beer was too inviting to avoid, and he got up off the couch to go seek one out. He’d be fine driving back with a little buzz. Alcohol never lasted long around Terrance and Ian.

“Get one for me, too,” Tasha called, still obviously coherent. There were only two cans setting on the coffee table in the living room, and he assumed one was her boyfriend’s. “And Oak’s going to need one, too!” Smiling at her roommate, the girl rested her head against her boyfriend’s shoulder and kissed his jaw, sliding her hand along the waist of his pants. Aric could already smell sex in the air. Either they’d had a round before he’d arrived, or they were both mentally and physically aroused to the point he could sense it himself. Opening the fridge, Aric pulled out four beers and returned to the living room.

“Here,” he said, tossing one to Oakley, and handing two to Tasha. She took them and placed one in her boyfriend’s hand. Popping the tab off his can, Aric flopped onto the couch. Tasha leaned at an angle to grab the remote, dialing up the volume on the television show that was on. There was a movie coming on soon, something that Tasha had picked up, and based on the content on screen now, it was going to be bad. His attention moved from the flickering light of the T.V. to Oakley. There was a pile of what appeared to be homework—a mess of papers regardless—opposite the corner he was sitting in. His leg brushed against Oakley’s, no space on the couch to spare for extra room, they were shoulder to shoulder.

Brown eyes flitted about her face, and he lifted a hand. The tip of his index finger brushed over the healing cut under her eye. “How’s the bruised ass?” he teased, an airy laugh bursting from his chest. His hand fell back to his lap as he took a swallow of beer.

Talin · Dec 7, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

It was unnerving to say the least, when she turned to look at him and -BAM- there he was. God he was so annoying, she thought. Yet here she was, asking him out. HER, asking HIM out. He was kinda cute, like those ugly puppies, they are still puppies so they kind of have to be deemed cute. She lied to herself, ignored the attraction she felt pulling at her. Her cheeks flushed when his grin broadened, hearing his cocky chuckle she wanted to backhand him. To keep everyone safe, she crossed her arms over her chest. He was right she didn’t, this was new territory for her. Glaring at Tasha, she narrowed her eyes and prayed he hadn’t seen her, like she could get so lucky. She noticed his mood change, gone was the playfulness he’d had and in its place, a more serious tone. “Oh-ok?” she questioned and answered. She found it odd, but said nothing as they sat talking, but only a while longer.

Once he’d left she felt, disappointed mixed with a touch of confusion? She wasn’t sure, shoving it aside, Aric, dinner, Kyle and Tasha she strode to class. She’d never been good at reading people’s feelings; she’d never really been good at a lot of things. Except, music, it was the one thing she understood. She was gifted with the natural ability to pick up a microphone and belt out the notes. She couldn’t explain the euphoric feeling being on stage gave her. It was like the best sex ever and combining it with the rush you get from riding a rollercoaster. It made her body quake with anticipation waiting for her next show or set. Probably a reason Tasha drug her to the bar every so often, it was an outlet, of sorts, singing always made her feel better.

--

Oakley wasn’t dressed up, they were staying so she figured,what’s the point? loose fitting jeans hung low on her hips and a soft grey tunic with a pink graphic splashed over the front. Her pale locks were pulled back into two braids, one on each side of her head and a thin headband with an attached pink flower. Tasha had said she looked nice, now she just felt silly when facing him. She shook her head and Tasha’s lament, she was drunk and it was embarrassing her. Handing him the baking sheet, she smiled. “I’m sorry, she has a tendency to speak her mind when she is drunk, I’m fine staying in… honestly.” She nodded at his statement and blushed at his comment to Tasha, looking over her own shoulder at him; she smiled and let out a soft laugh. The man was ridiculous, incorrigible, and yet she still felt a pull on her heart strings.

Shaking her head she leaned against the wall momentarily, staring blankly at the TV screen. She watched him sat and stared down at her sock clad feet for a moment, Tasha was killing it. Knowing Marc was probably staying quiet since Tasha was covering all bases, well enough, on her own. She shook her head; he was their guest let she had put him to work as bartender. Catching the can she popped the top, it wasn’t too often she drank. Tasha knew how bad she held her alcohol, probably the reason she had insisted Aric get her one. Watching Tasha she knew she’d better take a seat or become the talk of a lot more horrifying things. Taking a sip of the beer she moved to the couch and sat between Marcus and Aric. She was small but the fit was tight, glaring at Tasha she dared her to say, what she knew, she wanted to.

Ignoring the screen and everyone’s glances she studied her sock clad feet once more. Not that they were interesting. The pink fabric matched the rest and gave her a bit of warmth, seeming to be cold by nature. Her head popped up from her thoughts on Kyle and torn shreds of hope for things to even happen with Aric. She smiled and was thinking about turning away when his fingertip traced the fading signs of Kyle’s wrath. She opened her mouth to answer, expecting the body part to be, said eye and not her posterior. Blue eyes twinkled a bit as she looked away briefly, “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she quipped.

Tasha laughed and shot Oakley a look, like maybe she shouldn’t say what she thought, but shrugged it off. Pushing her hand into the blonde’s shoulder she teased, “Play your cards right Mr. Knight, she may let you check and have a “flag” in the process.” Tasha’s laugh was unmistakable as Oakley knew she was too drunk to even be around.

Oakley wanted to die; preferably, the way to go would have been to be swallowed up by the couch. If that didn’t work, she wasn’t sure. Keeping her head facing front she stared at the movie on the screen, yeah it was a lame romantic movie, but at this point ANYTHING was better than looking at the male next to her. Cheeks flaming red, she sipped at her beer. She stared at the screen, not even seeing what was happening. Hearing a moan her eyes shot up to the screen and watching the main characters go at it like wild animals, much like the duo next to her were on the verge of. Standing abruptly Oakley crossed in front of him and moved to the kitchen area. Finishing her beer she tossed the can and returned. Standing she stared at the door, “Um I think I’m going to go for a walk,” she chewed nervously at her lower lip. “Aric, would you like to join me?”

She didn’t have to ask twice, she watched as he stepped into the kitchen and fiddled with the food and off they went, like prisoners escaping their cell. Wrapping her pea coat around her slim frame she buttoned and belted it then placed her hands in her pockets. Smiling up at him she walked, unsure of where to go, they both needed out of there. “I’m sorry about that; I don’t know why I let her choose movies. Tasha does stuff like that to me ALL the time.” It wasn’t that she thought it was intentional, she just thought perhaps Oakley needed to be brought out of her shell more. Smiling at his response she gave a light laugh. “So that lasagna looks and smells good… did you make it yourself?” Oakley wasn’t as great a cook as she was a singer but she could mix up a mean pot of semi-spicy chili. Aric held her interest, it was easy and she didn’t feel the need to try so hard. Her walls remained intact and had no intention of falling anytime soon, no matter how nice he “appeared” to be.

Raivh · Dec 10, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Reading the atmosphere was difficult. There was tension yet it seemed relaxed; they were able to joke with each other as if they had all their lives, when they had only met not long ago. The grin on Aric’s face seemed as if it would never recess because of the way she responded to his teasing question. He glanced over at her with that slanted smile spread over his lips, his brows arched, sensing a challenging nature about the young woman. She was playful, and so was he. When Tasha inserted her own comment, pushing Oakley into him, Aric cleared his throat. His eyes were on Oakley’s face, watching her already pink cheeks go cherry red as she seemed to sink further and further into the couch. The chatter between the group quieted after that, and Aric shifted his focus to the television screen, staring at the figures moving around in the film but not really monitoring what was happening. It wasn’t until the woman in the movie jerked her top over her head that Aric registered what was happening. Before he could react, Oakley hopped to her feet. Her arm brushed against his, and if that wasn’t enough to make him stiffen with the heated scene on screen and the one beside him on the couch, her scent that wafted to his nose was.

Rising to his feet, he downed the rest of his beer and shuffled a few steps from the couch. His eyes were on her when she spoke, mentioning a walk and asking if he would join her. A nod was all he gave in response before stepping into the kitchen. Turning off the stove, he followed her out the door, zipping his jacket up on the way out. They walked down the halls in silence, and when they stepped outside, cold air cut through their clothing. He had just stepped down off a curb when she spoke, and he laughed, feeling just as awkward as she did. “Don’t worry about it, but I wouldn’t advise walking back in there for a while.” When she changed the subject after apologizing, he ran with it, and glanced her way. There was a large smile on his face, bright and reflected by his dark brown eyes. He liked that little laugh of hers.

“Yeah, I did, but I don’t think you’ll be trying it until later,” he replied, shifting away from her to put a few inches of distance between them as they walked. Every time he brushed up against her, his sense of smell was assaulted with her sweet fragrance. It wouldn’t have been problematic, except that it affected him, made him want to stop her in her tracks so that he could breathe her in. They weren’t that close. In fact, they barely knew each other. All he knew was that her boyfriend was a heavy drinker and an abusive asshole. His stomach growled, insides raking over each other. “Why don’t I take you to my apartment? I’ll make something for dinner there, and then I can take you back to your dorm.” There wasn’t much to argue, they were already passing by his car, and he gestured toward it with a nod of his head.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured, turning the key in the lock to the passenger’s side door. Lifting his head, he caught her eyes and smiled. “I won’t toss you out on the side of the road.” A few snowflakes fell from the sky, flitting down to the ground below and flecking in his hair and hers. He opened the door for her, and then rounded the front of the vehicle to slide in behind the wheel. The leather seats were cold, and when he turned the key in the ignition, starting the engine, they were met with a blast of frigid air. He let out a shout, brows furrowed as he laughed, scrambling to cut the chilly gust from its source. “Sorry about that.” A hand behind the headrest of her seat, he glanced behind him and backed out of the parking spot he’d occupied. When he slid his hand back, the tips of his fingers brushed over her shoulder before landing on the stick between them to shift to drive. Pulling toward the exit of the lot, he glanced out her window to turn left and his brown eyes lingered on her for a moment. He laughed, removing his stare to look right, and slid the nose of his car onto the road.

The ten minute drive to his apartment was spent in idle chatter, and by the time he parked in his driveway and got out, the falling snow had thickened. Squinting, he turned his nose up to the sky. “I bet I get you back to your dorm and you’re snowed in by morning,” he said, letting his gaze drift down and land on her. There was only a slight smile on his lips, but it quickly grew to that lackadaisical grin, white teeth revealed. His keys jingled in his hand as he stepped toward the walk leading to the front door. “At least you won’t go hungry, between the lasagna and garlic toast.” Unlocked the door, he spun the knob and entered, stomping the small amount of snow off that had collected on the bottom of his feet. Terrance and Ian were seated on the couch, and both glanced away from the game they were playing on screen to the two that had just entered the house.

The slow grin that spread over Terrance’s cocky expression made Aric want to snarl and lunge at his cousin, however, he refrained. Wandering into the living room, Aric sank down on the other couch. “Did you two order anything for dinner yet?” he asked.

Terrance shook his head, enunciated his single word response. “Nope.” Aric gritted his teeth when the other man turned his head, that same irritating smirk on his face. I thought she had a boyfriend.

Aric took a deep breath and shifted in his seat, leaning back further against the couch. She did. Moving his gaze to the television screen just as an explosion in the game lit it up, he then looked to Oakley. “Why don’t we have tacos for dinner?” he suggested and got to his feet. Shuffling into the kitchen, he pulled out the hamburger meat he hadn’t used in the lasagna and set it on the counter. Pots and pans clanked together as he sought out a skillet, and when he found it, he placed it on a burner and turned it on, dialing up the heat. “I don’t think we have lettuce or tomato, but we’ve got cheese, sour cream, and salsa.” The meat flopped into the skillet with a thwap, and Aric grabbed a spatula to separate it into smaller bits. Scanning the counter, he found a pile of seasonings and snatched them, setting the spatula aside just long enough to find the taco packet. He poured the spicy-smelling powder over the sizzling meat, and then tossed the empty pouch into the trashcan.

Wooden legs scraped over the tile floor, and Aric turned his head to see Terrance pulling a chair from the table into the kitchen. He sat in it backwards, gray eyes locked on Oakley, a smile on his face. “So you decided to come back, huh?” he inquired. “Got a case of Stockholm Syndrome?”

“She’s not a captive, Terrance. I took her back to her dorm,” Aric stated flatly, only to receive a chuckle out of Terrance. It was clear the male was amused that Aric had, once again, walked inside with the same woman from before. “You know I’m not making anything for you two, right, Terrance?” Smirking, he shot his cousin a glance, enjoying when Terrance furrowed his brow, got up, and walked off, leaving the chair where it was. Aric laughed and glanced over at Oakley. “At least you can say you’re not related to your roommate.”

Talin · Dec 12, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

“With those two, I’ll never see it. They’ll come out of their “cave” for nourishment and go right back at it.” She shook her head and looked down at her feet as they walked. Oakley felt his arm, or shoulder, brush against her every once in a while and tried shoving it out of her head. Opening her mouth to comment about how cold it was getting, filling the silence with predictable weather talk. Looking up at him she smiled softly while her light blue eyes flitted over his face, “That sounds like a plausible plan to me.” Shivering slightly she moved to the car behind him and moved to his side. Tilting her head, brows furrowed in confusion. Attention captured by the falling flakes, her voice quiet, “I’ve never been tossed from a car and I certainly hope you won’t be the first.” Sliding into the cold vehicle she shivered a bit more, as he moved around to his own side she closed the door.

The cold blast caused her to laugh again, it wasn’t expected nor was his shout of surprise, which made it funnier. “It’s ok,” she sobered quickly and went to work on her seatbelt. Now, she knew the touches were on purpose, but why? Casting him a sideways glance as he concentrated on exiting the parking lot, what were his intentions? Quickly she turned her head to the window as he checked for traffic, to avoid looking him directly in the eye. His constant looks caused her a bit of aggravation, she wasn’t sure why. It was a minor source, but the care she saw in them made her uneasy. Not to mention she sensed something else, not desire or lust, just something else. His laugh informed her that she’d been caught. She turned back to face him with a small sigh. The conversation was idle, just bits and pieces of meaningless fluff, nothing really, just something with which to pass the time.

It seemed as though she blinked and they were pulling into his driveway. Her eyes flitted down the street over the hood of his car, through him. The night they’d met they’d come from that direction, she remembered it, as well as him. A slight frown caressed her lips as she stood staring, as if trying to see something that didn’t exist. Blinking she looked at him, as though focusing on him for the first time. A blush tinted her cheeks, “Yeah, but then at least I’ll be able to build a snowman.” Oakley loved winter, preferred it to all the other seasons. Shaking her head at him and the almost bored grin that was plastered to his lips, she couldn’t help the smile on her own. Shrugging she followed him hesitantly, remembering clearly the tension her mere presence brought last time she was here. She tugged free of her coat and followed Aric’s lead, sitting on the same couch, but the other end. She stared at her hands, shoes, the walls, anything, but the two males and their quizzical looks in her direction.

Nodding her head she met his gaze, “Sounds good, need help?” Oakley pushed off the couch and scampered after him, she wasn’t that handy, but they gave her the creeps. She perched on the counter and watched him work. The slab of ground beef no match. Hoping that by sticking with him the other two would leave her be, she knew there was no chance as the sound of wood on stone hit her ears, lifting her gaze to the man, Aric, called Terrance. Her eyes were flat, though inside she was amused. “Ye..” Her flippant remark silenced as Aric spoke up. Oakley stifled a laugh when Aric informed him that no dinner was coming their way. “True,” she said agreeing with him. Certain they wouldn’t eat it all but still she noted the disrespect of the others toward Aric and didn’t blame him. Stockholm, she snorted. Blue eyes went wide as what she’d just done had registered in her head.

Ignring his gaze and his subsequent laugh, she hoped down from the counter and put the chair back at the table where it belonged. Moving back to the kitchen she leaned against the jamb her back flat against on and her feet touching the other as she crossed her arms. “I was going to tell him we were plotting together for your next victim… You didn’t have to speak for me. I don’t mind them as long as you are close by.” She dropped her gaze to the toe of her black sneaker. He made her feel stronger, but only because they were his roommates, she didn’t want to give him the impression that she was relying on him. Clearing her throat she moved to the cabinets and found everything she would need to set the table. She turned once and her shoulder grazed his back. The slight touch causing her to jump away from him, recovering she mumbled sorry and moved to the table. What the hell is wrong with you Oak? she silently asked herself.

Absently she ran her hand up her arm to the offending shoulder and rubbed. It wasn’t like her to get squirrely at an innocent touch. Her gaze settled on Aric a moment, before turning back to the task she’d claimed as her own. He was the cause, each slight touch and every glance sent her mind into overdrive. Yet, here she was, she’d agreed to come here with him. He made her uneasy and calm, free and grounded. It was perplexing the hell out of her. She wanted to know more about him, yet she didn’t. The odd mix of confusion scared her and left her heart pounding. She knew she wasn’t ready for a new guy in her life, perhaps he knew that and had decided, without her knowledge, to give her time. If this were the case, he was a rarity, no guy she’d ever known had ever allowed her to become their friend first. Having always jumped from one relationship to the next, the need at having that other person in her life was strong. She could play independent and make everyone think she was strong, but the reality was, she wasn’t.

Her task of setting the table done she headed back into the small kitchen and her forsaken spot on the counter. She passed it and got all the things he’d mentioned before and took them quietly to the table, her mind still reeling. Turning and churning her thoughts around until perhaps, like cream, they would come together and form a solution. “Table is ready when the meat and shells are.” She stated crossing her long legs at the ankle, maintaining her spot on the counter with her backside. “What’s you major and what year are you?” she asked timidly. Though the real question remained unspoken, why the hell do you keep smiling at me like that and why do I want you to keep it up? Her legs swung slightly as she sat and watched him.

Raivh · Dec 14, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

Aric’s eyes moved to her once more when he heard her feet land with a gentle thud on the tile floor. His gaze followed her as she went to pick up the chair and carry it from the room, a smile on his face. She seemed to be comfortable. More than she had been the first time he’d brought her to his apartment. Then again, the circumstances were quite different. She’d agreed to get in his car and come with him, whereas when they’d first met, he’d simply hoisted her into his arms and hauled her here. Returning his focus to the cooking beef, he glanced at her again when she returned, her form framed by the doorway. He listened as she spoke, a grin spreading slowly over his features at her joke. Arching his eyebrows, he fixed his dark brown eyes on her; he hadn’t thought anything of speaking for her. His only intention had been to shut his cousin up.

“Alright,” he replied simply, scraping the spatula over the bottom of the skillet. That same lopsided grin graced his features the longer he dwelled on her wording, watching her gaze drop to her feet. “As long as you’re comfortable countering their bad manners.” She was cute to say the least. He could hardly picture her as a verbal sparring partner for Terrance, and he didn’t particularly want her to wind up in a position that would require her to stand her ground. The interaction that had just happened and how quickly Terrance had dropped the conversation to go and sulk was rare. As she cleared her throat and stepped into the kitchen, opening cabinets and gathering plates, glasses and utensils, he turned his attention back to the hamburger. It was nearly finished, so he moved it off the burner to focus on something else. Snatching a block of cheddar from the refrigerator, he glanced over his shoulder when he heard her footsteps behind him. He felt her shoulder brush against his back, and laughed when she jumped away, apologizing quietly.

“For what?” he asked, a grin turning up one corner of his mouth as his eyes trailed her all the way to the table. Furrowing his brow, his shoulders and chest convulsed with a short, explosive laugh. He set to shredding the cheese, letting his thoughts wander on about the accidental collision than how humorous her reaction had been. The longer he replayed the scene in his mind, the more his heart rate started to pick up. Peering behind him into the dining area, he watched her back as she set the table. A knot formed in his throat the more he stared, eyes beginning to drift down from her shoulders, to her waist and hips. She had a slender waist; it would be the perfect fit in his arms. Holding her, however, at least in the intimate manner he had unconsciously envisioned doing, was a bad idea.

Her scent was inviting, and if he embraced her, he had no doubt that his nose would bury itself in those blonde tresses of hers to breathe her in. Once he got a good whiff, he would want to taste, and tasting was worse than smelling or holding. His jaw was clenched, brow formed into a crease; when she told him the table was ready, he startled. He hadn’t realized she’d wandered back into the kitchen, or that she had taken up the spot beside him once more. Warm brown eyes dove into the blue depth of hers, searching them as she questioned him about his major and year in school. Her voice had taken on an apprehensive tone, and he couldn’t refrain from presenting her with a smile. She had a beautiful voice, and he wondered whether she invested time in singing.

Sucking in a breath of air, he dispelled it, pulling out a box of taco shells, and looked over at her with a raised eyebrow expression. The grin was gone from his face for a moment, and silence loomed between them, building tension before he cracked a joke. “‘Wouldn’t you like to know,’ Miss Bruised Ass?” Smirking, he transferred the taco meat into a bowl, eyes dancing over her face. “Photography, and this is my last year, so a senior.” He swept past her, carrying the meat and shells into the other room, where he placed both on the table and took a seat. “Maybe you can be one of my models sometime.” Looking from the meat he’d just placed in a taco shell to her, he grinned playfully. She would make an excellent model, but he wasn’t entirely sure that he would want to share any photos she might allow him to take of her. Reaching in front of her, he retrieved her plate, switching it out with the pre-prepared plate he’d already done up.

“How about you?” he asked as he added cheese and sour cream to his tacos, taking a bite, chewing and swallowing, before he said anything more. “Your major and year?” Sliding his chair in and his feet out, his foot bumped against hers, and he lifted his gaze, chewing, as he set his half-eaten taco down. In the other room, he could hear Terrance snickering, and shifted his eyes from Oakley to him. Aric’s brow was furrowed, and he picked up his fork, aware that he wouldn’t be needing it. Nothing ever fell to his plate. Chucking the four pronged object at his cousin, Aric smirked smugly when the object scraped the sensitive cartilage at the top of Terrance’s ear, evoking a shout from the man. Terrance got to his feet after that and began striding toward the dining area. “Food’s done. You can eat.” The irritated look on Terrance’s face dissipated, replaced with an expression of gratitude. He wandered into the kitchen to grab a plate, and then was back at the table grabbing a couple of taco shells and spooning meat into each.

After dinner, Aric lead Oakley back into the kitchen and was daring enough to hand her a towel. “Mind drying these for me?” Turning on the water, he added soap, and soon had a basin full of steaming, foamy water. Each dish he washed and rinsed, he passed her way. When he finished and began draining the sink, he waited until the water was nearly gone before he grabbed a handful of bubbles and brushed his palm lightly down the front of her face. “That’s a good look for you compared to the mud from the other day.” His tone was teasing, as were his words, and he laughed in good humor. Standing in front of the sink, he blocked it from her reach, and with the sprayer nozzle held behind his back, cleared the silver basin of anymore remaining bubbles. By the time he stepped past her, his brown eyes were bright, jovial. “Feel up to watching a good movie before I take you back?”

Talin · Dec 14, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

She’d caught his face without the goofy grin plastered to it, oddly enough, in that moment she wished it had been on his face. That moment allowed her to see something different, dark and hungry. Turning her eyes away, he blinked and it seemed the moment had passed. She wondered what he’d been thinking of and dismissed any ideas of herself. He was annoying as hell and loved crawling under her skin and nesting there. The silence as she waited for his answer made her stomach knot up, was he doing this on purpose? Nervous energy filled her as their gazes collided. She’d figured out what it was about his gaze that she didn’t like long ago, it made her feel like he could see her soul and it was disturbing.

Rolling her blue eyes at him she laughed, “It’s not bruised, it never was…” her voice was soft. Following him out she felt every bit like a lost puppy dog. She sat next to him at the round table. Photography, she repeated in her head, it explained why he was so… she thought of several words to fill in the blank. Finally she settled on observant. She looked at him skeptically, “Sure if you want your camera to break.” A slight smile graced her lips as she saw he was serving her, “You don’t have to do that…” She blushed, he took care of her, in a way and it freaked the hell out of her. No one had ever taken the time to care. Not like this, it was different since he didn’t seem to want anything in return. “I wouldn’t care if you wanted to take my pictures, just none of my bruised ass makes your project, I don’t care if the subject IS bruised asses and their owners!” She doctored her tacos up, she was trying to work on putting herself down, it was a hard habit to break.

She took a bite of her taco and raise her slim brows at his question, swallowing she wiped her lips against the patterned napkin. “Musical Education is my major and I keep flipping my minor between performance and composition. I love the stage but well I dunno writing sometimes comes easier. The way I see it, is I can teach and if a song comes out of here,” she pointed to her head with one finger. “Then great, and if not, my students will still walk away knowing something. At least I hope so.” She took another bite and her eyes went wide, she chewed and swallowed quickly but held up three fingers. Pale blue eyes went wide as the fork went across the room, her hand went up to her mouth and she dropped her taco to the plate. The fork throw was very accurate, “remind me to hid the utensils or keep my mouth shut,” she said dryly, though her eyes were still round and wide.

Leaving her opinions and rude thoughts to herself she carried on a polite conversation; absently she gathered things and headed to the kitchen. Once those were away she took the towel from his hand, “Got to earn my meal one way or another,” she said with a smile at him. The process was quick with the two of them working side by side. Her body stretched to put away the last cup when his hand brushed her face, leaving its foamy trail. “Aw how sweet, you slimed me… and it’s not EVEN our first date.” She moved to reach some for her own but saw his stance, eyes narrowing she lifted the towel and wiped her face. When he moved she looked into the sink expectantly, only to be disappointed. “You think you are so cute don’t you?” she lowered her gaze. She’d answered her own question in her head, and she didn’t like what was said. Lifting her eyes to his cousins she shrugged. “What about them?” She knew he didn’t care if they sat there and watched or not.

Nodding she bumped her shoulder into his bicep, “You mean a real movie, no more porn?” Laughing she shook her head and blushed when she saw his roomies looking at her. Instead of answering them she turned her back on them. “We could take a walk in the snow instead or go to an actual theater,” She glanced over her shoulder then back to him, “No offense since they are your cousins, but they make me nervous.” she reached her hand out and grasped his, the first time she’d ever initiated a hand to hand contact. Lifting her gaze to his she watched as he looked to them, she tugged on his hand a bit to get his attention, “So?” Turning to look at his cousins she saw the door closing. Blinking in surprise she smiled and released his hand, “Problem solved.” She shrugged and moved to the shelf, “High Fidelity or Princess Bride?” she asked sliding onto the couch and tucking her feet under her.

“You choose,” She said quietly, folding her hands in her lap. Sitting on the middle cushion she watched as the goofy grin returned. Rolling her eyes she shook her head and smiled. The opening trailers began just as he was sitting. she leaned a bit away from him and watched the movie. Her mind moved over her actions. Why did she feel so comfortable around him at times and at other times so shy, he’d found a way to wedge into her impenetrable wall of defense. He was annoying and cocky and semi-arrogant, yet she found herself starting to like him. Not in a way that would make her do something stupid, but as a friend. The slight melting was comfortable; maybe what he wanted from her was friendship and nothing more. Focusing on the opening credits as she smiled, she could wait around and see what it was he wanted exactly. At least he was sweet.

Raivh · Dec 19, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

“Not at all.” He wore a broad grin showing his white teeth at her rather sarcastic question. But you are. Aric slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “What about them?” he replied, shrugging his shoulders. She was right to think that he didn’t care whether the two misfits sat on the couch and stared at the television screen, as long as they remained quiet—both vocally and mentally. Feeling her shoulder collide gently with his arm, he quirked both brows and looked down at her. His lips parted into an amused laugh. “Yes, a real movie, no more porn.” Terrance and Ian peered over the back of the couch, smirking and obviously struggling not to comment on that out loud.

Why watch porn when you two are so close to making your own, bed’s in the other room. Terrance’s voice rattled inside Aric’s mind. Both men locked gazes, one more than pissed off, the other satisfied and challenging. Aric’s eyes dropped only briefly to Oakley when she brought up taking a walk in the snow or going to a theater. He had a fleeting thought that a theater wasn’t an option; he’d be too prone to talk to her, make her laugh. They’d get kicked out of the theater before the movie got fifteen minutes in. With a shake of his head, he returned his stare to Terrance, who rose to his feet, followed by Ian. He didn’t register her hand at first.

You hear that, you make her nervous, Aric returned, watching the two as they moseyed toward the hall and wandered down it. Terrance glanced over his shoulder and grinned, shrugging his massive shoulders in a “she’ll get used to it or leave” motion. Aric cleared his throat to keep from snarling in irritation. Unconsciously he gave her hand a squeeze when she tugged it, finally noticing that the warmth pressed against his palm was her own. Her small hand was soft and fit perfectly into his, something he wished he wouldn’t have picked up on. Ian’s door closed.

Terrance’s door followed, rattling in its frame, but not before he shot one final message to Aric. Let us know who’s one the bet, alright?

“Yeah,” Aric muttered, “problem solved.” Sucking in a breath to try and sidle some of his aggravated nerves, he shuffled after her and pulled one of the movies out of her hands. “I choose, huh? How about Princess Bride, then?” Flashing a smile to her, he moved to the player and placed the disk inside, fiddling with the television a moment to correct the contrast, before having a seat beside her. His legs were comfortably and naturally placed apart at an angle, his arms stretched out along the back and armrest of the couch. With a long sigh, he leaned forward and snagged the remote, switching to the menu and selecting play, before settling back once again. Letting the movie play and the puns role, he cast a sidelong glance her way. The smile on her face was warm and inviting, and he couldn’t stop the half-smile that appeared on his own features in response. She was a pretty girl, shy and sometimes cunning, and the combination was dangerous. If he wasn’t careful, he had no doubt in his mind of what he would want from her and it was a commitment he knew she didn’t want to make. Not only that, but he would probably scare her off. And that was the last of his objectives.

After a while of sitting there in silence, he shifted on the couch. “I’ll get us something for dessert.” Rising, he gave her no time to protest whether her stomach was too full or not and sauntered into the kitchen. Drawers and cabinets opened and closed as he moved about the tile floor, gather two bowls and a pair of spoons. Moments later, he returned to her, wielding bowls filled with rich vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup. He set one in her lap before sinking down on the couch, the cushion giving beneath his muscled weight. Offering her a spoon, he kept his and used it to scoop up a bite of the frosty treat, followed by a second and a third.

Finally, after swallowing, one corner of his mouth arched in a smile, and he released a burst of air from his nose as a laugh. “You mentioned a first date earlier, and you were right. This isn’t a first date.” Although there was a smile on his face when he turned to her, it was slight but pleasant, and the spark in his brown eyes was friendly. “I’m not looking for a girlfriend.” He paused, contemplating how that sounded, and lifted his eyebrows. “No matter how cute you are and how tempting it is to ask you.” A platonic relationship with her was best. Developing feelings for her and an uncontrollable need to protect her and know she was happy amongst other aspects of his nature was not a good idea, and he had to keep reminding himself of this fact.

“So if I flirt with you, don’t take it to heart,” he said, dipping his pinky finger into his vanilla ice cream and swiping it over her nose. “Sorry. You just looked to clean after soaping your nose.” The grin on his face couldn’t physically get any wider. A playful twinkle lit up his brown gaze as he chuckled in good humor. He couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering over her slender face, or his mind from unintentionally memorizing every contour in her light complexion. Her blue eyes and how they shimmered were something else and impossible not to stare at, into. Reaching a hand out, he brushed a knuckle of her nose, clearing away the dab of melted cream from her nose. Without thinking or hesitance, he licked it away and shook his head, still smiling.

Talin · Dec 19, 2011

RE: LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Talin)

She relaxed against the couch, arm curled on the edge of the cushion hand against her hair and the other resting idly in her lap. “Ok..” she said absently turning and watching him. She blushed almost immediately it was such a silly thing to do, she was at a point where only friendship would be wise and she knew this. Listening to him rummaging through cabinets and drawers she smiled, he was nice, but things were just better this way. Her thoughts were interrupted when he came back. She’d been so into her thoughts, trying to figure out how he got so deeply to her that she didn’t hear him heading her way. Gripping the bowl she smiled, “Mmm thanks, I love ice cream.” Shoving a spoonful in her mouth just as her inner voice started laughing at her almost ramble. She made a face and swallowed her ice-cream without complaint. It was, after all, her fault for shoving that much in her mouth. Oak brought her legs out and sat Indian style on the cushion angled toward him.

A first date, this was not… her mind stopped computing and her mouth dropped open as he voiced what she’d been thinking. Spooning in another bite she closed her mouth and savored it. Listening to him talk she smiled back at him, they both felt the same. WAIT… did he just say she was cute. She swallowed the whole bite of ice cream and almost choked as he wiped ice cream over her nose. Her eyes went wide and crossed as his knuckle went over the same. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Taking another bite of ice cream she contemplated how to deal with what he’d said. She could go shocked and pretend she was hurt, giving him tears. But she went the other way.

“I did mention it and you are right this isn’t, because… I require flowers and charm.” She smiled at him and stuck out her tongue. “Payback for the ice cream AND soap bubbles. Besides when I go looking for a boyfriend, or rather IF… he will have to go through an extensive screening process.” Another bite of ice cream in she smiled, “But I’m not looking, and won’t be for a while.” She turned back to the screen and watched for a few moments. “So you think I’m cute, I’ll have to remember that…” she leaned over and swiped the finger she dipped in her ice cream along his jaw. Smiling devilishly she sat back and popped her finger into her mouth to clean it then smiled at him. “I’d clean that up for you but I fear I’d tempt you.” Stretching forward she placed her bowl on the table.

Raivh · Apr 23, 2018

Careful Aric. Terrance's tone was taunting as it swirled around Aric's thoughts.

Without warning, when she reacted as she did with that wide-eyed expression, his heart started pounding, galloping around his chest. Fuck, his cocky asshat of a cousin was right. He needed to get his emotions under control. The smile faded from his face as he turned to face the television. He could still taste the sweetness of the cream against his tongue, but there was something more. It was better than ice cream, a more rich and full flavor, and he wanted more.

She was talking, the words filtering in through is ears but not quite registering. A weak smile toyed as his lips when she stuck her tongue out, but he was lost in his thoughts to pay much more attention to it.

The clank of her spoon drew his focus back, and he gave her a sideways glance, his brown eyes flooded with self-doubt. Could he really maintain this composure and a friendship for much longer than tonight? The tension in his body left in a low sigh when she shifted her stare from him to the screen and the movie playing out as the light flickered softly in the dark room.

Suddenly, he realized just how alone he felt without his two pain-in-the-neck cousins there to interrupt and check him. He stiffened again when he felt the cool, creamy substance glide along the line of his jaw. Anxious teeth ground together as his chocolate brown eyes locked on her, watching her finger slip between her lips and then as she spoke. He was quiet as she leaned forward, setting the bowl down on the table.

“Nothing you could do now could tempt me,” he said, trailing off as he wiped the back of his hand along his jawbone. More than I'm tempted right now

You're losing it, cousin. Rein it in. This time it was Ian's voice. Although Ian could be equally as devious as Terrance, he was by far the more levelheaded of the two.

Aric's eyes glazed over, staring down at the dribble of cream running along the backs of his knuckles. Inhaling slowly, his chest rising, his gaze returned to Oakley. I'm keeping it reined in, man.

The cheerful, boisterous grin returned to Aric's features, and he laughed. “I'm not prone to seduction!” His tone was light, fun, teasing. Still, the tension in his body was evident, pouring from him. He brought his knuckles to his mouth and licked them to clean away the sticky mess. Flopping back against the couch, he brought his feet up and propped them on the table, causing the bowl and spoon to clatter gently against each other until they settled. He drew his arms up and folded them behind his head.

LingeringDesire · Apr 23, 2018

((Taking over responses on this roleplay, with permission from the original author))

--

"Now? So I've tempted you before this?" Oakley asked, amusement flitting into her eyes as she gazed at him. No, she wasn't looking, but when she decided to look he would be the first she could see herself attempting anything with. Though he was very different from any of the other men she had dated. Aric was kind, caring and playful and Oakley needed someone she could count on like him.

Light blue eyes watched him from her spot on the couch as he seemed to tense up more than before. For a moment, she thought he was angry with her, however he had started it with the soap bubbles and then the ice cream on her nose. It was a streak and was not a reason to be truly upset. His chocolate gaze rested on her and she bit her lower lip, nervously. That is, until his lips parted into the familiar smile and he laughed.

She slid her hand against her head and rested her elbow on the back of the couch as she looked at him. "I wasn't trying to seduce you. Like I said, I'm not looking for anything. I kind of need to just do me for a bit. Though I'm really not good at being single." She turned her head toward the television once more. Deep inside, she knew that she was very attracted to Aric, even if she didn't want to be. It was rather confusing and she couldn't even focus on the movie for thoughts of him.

Oakley stretched her own legs out and turned her body to face forward as well, her knee bumped into his leg as she settled. She wondered where his mind went as he tensed earlier, but she didn't know him well enough to ask, nor did she feel comfortable asking.

Raivh · Apr 25, 2018

His sideways glance met her eyes as she propped her elbow against the couch and her cheek pressed against her palm. Without realizing it was happening, he found his thoughts swimming in the blue depths of her eyes, flying high as a cloud against the sky. She was a breath of fresh air to him, a sweetly succulent reprieve compared to women of his species. It wasn't often he got the chance to interact with women outside of his species. The reason behind such a rare encounter was simple, and it was a continual struggle for him to ignore it.

Her words slipped in one ear and straight out the other, and he nodded absently as her focus was absorbed by the low flickering light of the television. The longer he sat there, watching her from his peripheral, her words started to sink in, and he felt a sudden pang of realization thump against his chest.

He studied the side of her face as she settled in, trying to get more comfortable beside him on the sofa. Her leg brushed against his and he felt his throat constrict and his pulse quicken.

“Your bruise,” he said. His arm nearest her unfurled from behind his head and stretched out behind her, reaching to brush his fingertips gently over her cheek. The mark Kyle had left was still evident on her slender face and adjacent to a small cut. “Please tell me you at least slapped him when he did this.”

His eyebrows were drawn together in concern. There was a mix of emotion on his face, from concern, to anger, to relaxed bliss at having her near. While she brought to surface every wild instinct that drove him mad and sent his thoughts bouncing every which way, she also made him feel like he could keep those instincts in check. If a friend was what she needed most right now, then he could be that for her. At least he'd be close enough to protect her from another strike like she'd so clearly experienced the other night.

Shifting his gaze from her to the window across the way by the front door, he could tell the snow had really picked up. The flakes were thick and swirling outside the glass panes, collecting en mass on the ground to form a heavy winter blanket. His train of thought was drifting like the snow outside as his eyes returned to hers. His body felt light and in a trance.

He hadn't realized that he held a few soft tendrils of her blonde hair between the pads of his fingers, stroking them gently. His lungs dragged in a ragged breath of air, which was expelled in an airy, almost nervous laugh. Heat began to pool and spread in his chest, causing his neck to turn red.

“Sorry,” he murmured, moving his hand away from her. He scratched the back of his head with both hands and swung forward, getting to his feet. Standing in front of the couch, he turned to face her and slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “The snow. It's, uh, outside...it's getting thick. Any chance you want to go wander around in it? I get it if you don't, but I think I'll step outside for a minute, even if you'd rather stay here and watch the movie.”

LingeringDesire · Aug 7, 2018

Though her eyes were trained on the television set before them, her mind was far from processing the sounds coming from it. She was puzzled about the male beside her, he literally perplexed her. She felt him move, her face turning his direction. Oakley chewed her lower lip, “I didn’t even get the chance…” her voice was soft, his fingers causing her heart to race as they traced over her skin. His eyes were so intense, though they never met her own. At least, not until focusing on the window. She sighed, unable to keep his attention worried her. Though she remembered that they were just friends, now.

Turning to watch him, their eyes meet, and her heart skips a beat. Her lips spread in a soft smile as she realizes he is caressing her hair between his long fingers. Then a soft apology, though she isn’t sure why, especially as he rises to his feet. Her blue eyes flow to the window, away from him as he rises over her. Resisting the urge to pull him down and snuggle. She gazed up at him, her eyes flitting to the thick flakes floating from the sky and past the window.

She smiles, the action causing the corners of her mouth to lift. The idea of trampling through the snow and perhaps tossing a few snowballs his way makes her happy. Though the idea of the cold doesn’t appeal to her as much. However, she knows he wouldn’t let her grow too cold, her knight in jeans and gym shoes. “I think I would love that… to uh, wander around in the snow and catch some on my tongue.” She shimmies to the edge of the couch, her feet touching the ground as she rises next to him. Sliding her own fingers into the front pockets of her jeans to keep from touching him.

A shiver moves over her as she thinks about the cold. “A short walk would be nice, clear the fog in my brain…” She mumbles as she moves past him to slip into her coat and tug on her fuzzy hat. She turns in his direction as she finishes tugging on her tall boots. “I’m ready, Aric!” She says, holding out a gloved hand to open the door and lead the way. She feels lighter already, the cooler air breaking the tension that seemed to have built up between them in the last few moments. “You think we can build a snowman?” She asks, stepping out.

LOL: RMBH (Raivh and Lingering Desire)

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Supernova

Old dog

Pulsar

Old dog

Pulsar