thoughtformed | The Mother of All Logs

Great. Because amnesia freaks wasn't bad enough, now we have jack-in-a-trees.

[The brunette grumbling to herself more than to the guy she'd dragged into this, Rose watching him through slightly narrowed eyes now, even checking to see if she smelled that bad given his cautious approach.]

Hrmph. They smell like Montana.

[Assuming rightly or wrongly that the distance was a concern for the tree itself, prompted Rose to take another step away from it and towards him, casting one last weary glance at the tree before fully focusing on the stranger.]

You're new. [State the obvious much.] Well... new to me anyway.

[He blinks at her.]

What's Montana?

[He loses interest in the tree for the time being, and takes to studying her instead from where he stands, suspicious. Always suspicious. So many new people in such a short period of time. He was starting to feel overwhelmed.

He nods, stiffly.]

They brought me here a couple of weeks ago. I haven't been able to find a way home yet.

It’s a – wait seriously?

[Shaking her head. She’d given up on people knowing what on earth she’s talking about here long before now.]

It’s where I’m from. A lot of pine trees. Hence – the - smell.

[Voice trailing off as she refocuses on the stranger standing with her, catching him in said moment of study and wiping at some imagined spot of dirt on her face.]

Well, yeah. You and everyone else stuck here. .. What, do I have something on my face?

[Her entire life spent at the Academy with hordes of Maroi and Dhampir boys? She was used to leers, not these kind of looks.]

[He furrows his brow, his eyebrows knitting together. He doesn't really understand the question, honestly.]

No. Why?

[He crosses his arms, closing himself off.]

We don't have trees like this where I'm from.

[Words. He's economical with them.]

[Rose watches him through narrowed eyes for a moment, head tilting to one side as she tries to work out what his deal is before giving it up as too much effort.]

Just... Making sure.

[The brunette still clearly puzzled, seeming more cautious as a result.]

Well... lucky you. The needles get stuck to everything and if you think one smells, you should try living in the middle of a forest of them.

[Rose made up for his lack of communication and it appeared for a moment like she might even be trying to make up for his standoffishness, confusion slowly shifting to intrigue as she took a step closer. Had she looked up, she might have seen that pine trees weren't the only things cropping up in the vicinity, only looking up meant she wouldn't be able to look at his face and she found herself so very taken with it right now.]

It doesn't smell bad. Just strong.

[He's unaware of any other changes in their environment as well, and while normally he might take a step back to maintain that distance, he relaxes some and doesn't seem to mind her getting closer. In fact, he steps forward to meet her half way -- or rather, a quarter of the way. He's still a little timid about getting close to people, even with the mistletoe.]

So you... you lived in a forest?

[He glances in the direction of New Moore's own woods.]

I sleep there. Sometimes.

[Even with the small distance between them Rose found herself feeling more at ease the closer they were, as if his proximity was a balm to her otherwise frazzled thoughts and feelings brought on by the recent changes here.]

More surrounded by, than in.

[Still sounding a little distracted, watching the way that his lips curved as he formed words.]

You... [Shaking her head as if to clear it.] You sleep in the woods?

[It would have been instinct to ask if he was a little crazy but for once in her life, Rose stopped those words from passing her lips, as if ashamed of the fact that she would ever even want to accuse this boy of such a thing. He wasn't crazy at all, he was interesting, intriguing even and the pull Rose felt grew stronger, Rose closing the last of the distance so that she was crossing the line into personal space.]

That sounds... very lonely. Do you ever take anyone with you?

[Her voice unusually gentle, head tilting to one side as she watched him carefully.]

[Normally, his first instinct would be to shrink back, to keep her from being close enough to touch -- or hurt -- but this time, it was different. The closer she came, the more at ease he felt, and any of the tension and hostility that he may have held onto upon arrival now seeped away, releasing its hold on him.

He mirrored her, tilting his head as she spoke, carefully watching her movements, his eyes as sharp and calculating as ever even as his head began to feel a little fuzzy.]

It can be... sometimes.

[He leans a bit closer. There's not much space between them now, and he reaches out to lightly touch the side of her face as though it were something incredibly foreign and interesting.]

I'm used to being alone.

[Rose became hyper-aware of how close he was, of the warmth that rolled off his body in waves, spreading to her, making her skin tingle before she even felt his touch. With that her eyes lifted, the brunette careful to not make any quick movements, as if concerned that she might frighten him off and lose this moment.]

You are?

[Barely speaking above a whisper, Rose leaned into that touch, her hand raising to cover the boys, gently holding it to expose the underside of his wrist. She turned her head to brush dusky lips against his pulse, feeling it thrum as she slowly applied a little pressure, never once daring to break eye contact.]

You don't have to be... Not if you don't want...

[Drawing closer as she spoke, her breath skimming his skin, his wrapping around her. Rose could feel her heart hammer loud and fast behind her ribcage and she lifted her free hand to gently rest against his chest, closing what little distance was between them by allowing their lips to lightly touch.]

[He was uncertain how to respond at first, at a complete loss as her lips brushed against his wrist before she closed the distance between them. It wasn't until their lips touched that something sparked within him, something familiar that had never been given the chance to fully surface. Not in Los Angeles, certainly not in Quor'toth.

He slipped his arm around her waist, fingers spread against the small of her back as he sealed his mouth over hers, unwilling to let the kiss remain as chaste as she may have intended. Whether he realized it or not, he was acting on instinct now, eagerly pulling her against him so that he felt the warm line of her body press against his own.]

[For just a moment there, when their lips were barely touching, Rose thought he might pull away from her, everything leading up to this point so slow, almost timid, like two animals who had crossed paths in the wild trying to work out if they were friend or foe.

A surge of excitement went through her as he pulled her to him, surprise turning to need as the brunette responded in kind. She was no stranger to intimacy so it was not so much the idea of this boy that had her holding her breath, but the idea he might vanish the second she pressed on.

She didn't even know his name and yet that thought was so very far from her mind as she allowed the pressure of his hand on her back to curve her body against his, the hand that had been tentative now moving up his chest, along the curve of shoulder and neck to cup the back of his head. Rose finger's ran through the length of his hair as her lips parted, head tilting as her tongue begged entry, allowing her partner to lead and yet prompting him at each turn.]

[He parted his lips against hers, one hand cupping the side of her face as his fingers threaded themselves through her hair, holding her to him as though he were afraid the kiss might break if he let her go. He was finally forced to pause for air, though he didn't seem particularly pleased about it, gasping for breath before claiming her lips a second time, the hard brush of teeth making itself known against her lower lip.]

More.

[It was a brief, curt command between kisses, simple and yet laden with possibilities.]

[Rose could feel things escalate quickly and it was that out of control feeling that brought with it the exhilaration, like riding a roller-coaster for the very first time, never knowing when it would turn and dip, making her stomach flip over as he grabbed her head, the two becoming a tangle of limbs as the intensity of the kiss grew.

When it broke she whimpered, sucking air into her lungs, her body still pressed to his as she fought to catch her breath. She didn't want to stop, his nearness no longer enough, Rose's body now rolling against his to create friction between them, her fingers curling around the length of his hair as if it might stop him from pulling away from her as her pulse raced and hormones raged.

That one word, though a command, Rose read as a challenge and no longer was she content to just prompt him, her mouth crushing against his again, tongue seeking his, almost trying to steal his breath as a moan vibrated against their lips. The hand that had once so gently covered his now dropped away, grabbing at the hem of his shirt and tugging the material, eager fingertips seeking the brush of bare skin.]

[The kissing ended abruptly, though not for lack of desire, as Connor suddenly closed a strong hand around her wrist, keeping her from pulling at his shirt. He pulled back just enough to catch her gaze, but put no distance between them. His eyes were hard, dangerous, looking at her as though she were some kind of prey.]

Not here. Somewhere else.

[Rose gasped when he broke the kiss again, letting out an almost frustrated huff as she wet lips that felt bruised from the kiss. Somewhere in this, it had stopped being about the mistletoe and started being her own want that had driven her to go on but when he grabbed her wrist, anger flashed in her eyes and Rose twisted her arm in an attempt to regain the upper hand.

There was something hauntingly familiar about the look he levelled her with, Rose reminded of the killer who had worn her former lovers face. He was still so close, their bodies firm against one another and despite her better judgement she couldn't deny the pull to this stranger, moving to kiss him again yet pulling back, her actions mirroring the conflict in her head.

The silence that hung in the air was long, Rose closing her eyes, breathing hard, her forehead now pressed against his as she tried to clear the haze from her head.]

Where?

[He doesn't pull back, leaving his forehead pressed to hers, though he does ease his hold on her arm -- just a little bit.]

Near here.

[His voice was low, demanding. He'd yet to sleep in his apartment, but Jin had showed him where it was. They could have been there in a matter of minutes. It would do.]

I have a place.

[It wasn't exactly consent on Rose's part but it certainly wasn't a refusal either, the brunette still not sure if she wanted this, or if she just wanted something to break up the monotony of being here. Maybe some people found excitement in New Moore, but not Rose. She went from having a purpose, to having a life that meant something and yet now, in this place? The highlight of her day was going for a run or when they had Chinese take-out instead of pizza.]

Okay... [But she needed to say more, to leave herself with the out.]

But I'm not having sex with you.

[Not even sure if she was telling the truth when those words passed her lips but she wanted the out, she wanted to feel like she could walk away any time she wanted to but more than that, she didn't want to stop whatever this was, not just yet anyway.]

Not... not for sure.

[Because a part of her knew that the second they were behind closed doors, the second they were alone and all over each other like before, well there was a point of no return and she'd never been good out stopping before she passed it.]

[It took him a moment to process exactly what that meant. He had been acting on instinct; the thought of actually discussing where this seemed to be leading had not occurred to him. Was it something people normally discussed?

Holtz had never wanted to talk about it. It was something to be brushed aside, swept under the rug, of no use to a boy who lived in hell. He hadn't been prepared for any sort of life beyond acting as an instrument of revenge in the event of their escape.

Slowly, he nodded, conceding.

That seemed reasonable.]

Okay... okay. That's fine.

[Discussing things wasn't exactly a forte of hers either, but neither was stopping long enough to have this kind of conversation, to even consider the idea that doing whatever this was, somewhere not out in the open, was probably a good idea.

They were still close, wrapped up in each other, his body pressed against her own making it hard for her to think clearly.]

Okay.

[Breathing hard still, Rose's fingers ran through his hair, her mouth pressing against his again, as if to see if that rush she felt was still as strong as before. The surge that went through her made Rose groan against his lips and when she broke this time it was to nod, breathing in an out in a weak attempt to cool herself down.]

Okay, lead the way.

[The only reply came in the form of a single, stiff nod. He kept her close as he lead the way to the apartment building, his hand still closed around her wrist, though loosely, occasionally stopping to steal another kiss before walking another leg, not wanting her to stray too far or change her mind about following him.

He shut and locked the door behind them once they arrived. It was more or less as Jin had described it, and he paused to sniff the air once. No Jin. Good. They were alone. Turning to face her, he slipped both wiry arms around her waist and pulled her against him, eagerly crushing his lips against hers before planting a trail of gentler kisses against her jawline.]

You're beautiful.

[Those kisses were the very thing that kept her from thinking too much, like a slow drip feed of lust to keep her thoughts on him and not on what the hell she was doing going to the apartment of a boy whose name she didn't even know.

Roses eyes moved over the scattered belongings, the windows in the room, subconsciously looking for exits, something born from habit rather than a concern for her own safety. You could take the Guardian out of her home but a girl trained from the time she could walk would never be able to relax.

The kiss focused her once more, Rose's hands cupping his face, fingertips skimming cheekbones as they moved back through his hair. She tipped her chin, exposing the curve of her neck, his words sending a rush of excitement that started in her chest and made her stomach swirl, making the brunette turn her head so she could meet his gaze.]

I'm Rose.

[A simple reply, her voice barely above a whisper, made husky with desire.]

Connor.

[It was an automatic response, his own voice low and dangerous as something almost completely foreign began to take hold of him. Lust was a thing he had only ever caught a passing glimpse of, only brushed with his very fingertips before the source had been yanked away so suddenly that he never quite realized what it is he had touched.

He began to kiss his way along her neck as the curve of it became exposed, each kiss warm and lingering just a touch longer than the last. One arm remained firmly around her waist, deceptively strong when one considering how very thin he was, and he used it to guide her towards the couch, doing his best to keep her warmth pinned against him.

He paused for the briefest of moments as the back of his legs met with the sofa, as though something had suddenly occurred to him.]

I promise... I won't hurt you.

[His voice had softened, almost pleading.]

I didn't mean... I don't want to scare you.

[An almost silent warning pulsed in the back of her head, a Dhampir trained to sense danger the way a fisherman could feel their catch before it even took the bait and yet it didn't fit, the near menace of Connor's voice at war with his touch, those kisses making a shiver slide down her spine as he pulled her across the room, her own fingers twitching with a need to touch him as his lips found her pulse.

Nobody had ever spoken to her like that and she very nearly laughed, surprise making her eyes widen as she pulled back enough to look at him.]

You can't hurt me.

[It was a statement of fact, not an assurance, Rose's features relaxing at his change in tone, even a hint of a smile touching her mouth, as if the brunette had a secret that she wasn't sharing. She lifted her hand to brush the hair from Connor's face, her lips brushing his temple, his jaw, teasing at his lips.]

And I don't scare easily.

[Some of that arrogance Rose had always been known for shining through as her mouth claimed his, practically trying to steal his breath as she pressed him back towards the couch.]

[He toppled backwards, all but falling onto the couch and suddenly hopelessly awkward, the adrenaline rush beginning to fade as he let her take the lead for the time being. He returned each ardent kiss eagerly, long fingers tangling themselves in her dark hair as he held her lips against his, breaking only when it was absolutely necessary to breathe and even then, only for the briefest of moments.

He regained some of the confidence that had been inspired by instinct, leaning back so that his head came to rest against the arm of the sofa and putting a hand against her hip to guide her on top of him, blindly, his vision hindered by the fact that he could not brings himself to stop kissing her long enough to tend to anything else.]

Good... that's good. I'm glad.

[They fell to the couch in a tangle of limbs, knees and elbows digging into ribcage and thighs as they tried to find their rhythm, bodies clumsy even if their lips seemed to find their way to each other, the desperation of wanting more making this a flustered frenzy of touches as Rose found her way on top of Connor, her legs sinking into the cushions as she straddled him.

All that was missing was a six foot something Russian storming in like death in a cowboy duster, Rose breaking a second to breathe as that image popped into her head. That day seemed like a lifetime ago and she'd thought she'd changed a lot since then and yet, here she was, only a couple of months in this place and she might as well have been that girl that had been dragged back to the Academy by an army of Guardians and not the one who had grown up fast in the space of twelve months.

Rose pressed her forehead to his, their arms a cage that kept them in this unrealistic haze of want and yet as Rose tried to catch her breath, words that had been spoken to her a long time ago pounded in her head.]

Why are we doing this? Exactly? I mean it's nice, and it feels – really, really good...

[Unsure if she was trying to talk herself into this, or out of it.]

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waywardboy - 2013-01-05 06:07 (UTC) - Expand

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littledhampir - 2013-01-05 22:34 (UTC) - Expand

The Mother of All Logs

Yes. Good.

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