fightlikehell | (no subject)

Smiles never came around that often in her life. She doesn't know what to do with them. Not even her own, sometimes. Just look at her, smiling like an idiot when he says that. "Right where I am?" There are so many possible meanings in what he said. Lots of nice possibilities.

She can't help being sensible. Sometimes she can ignore it, for a while, but it always comes back. Maybe that's not so bad; maybe it's a good thing she knows how to temper life with practicalities. But it's less fun. "You're only noncommittal if you refuse to tell them you know you're at your limit. Being self-aware is a good thing."

Honest for its own sake is best. Something they can both agree on. "Well, yeah. I'm not that broken." At the moment, she's feeling almost normal. And then embarrassed by the toast. "Me? Oh. Uh, thank you." She looks down at her drink and tries to will the blushing away, because that ever works. "And to you, too. And the pursuit of happiness."

The way that her tone of voice brightens tells Matt that her smile is beautiful, not idiotic. She should sound like this all the time. Perhaps there will be more of them, so much more. The possibilities and opportunities for a new year are so close. "Right here in Nexus." Matt licks his lips and continues with caution. "Right here with me." If they're going to talk about the moment at least. His own smile is full blown.

"...Well..." What a guilty admission already. "I feel like I never get the chance to explain in time." Foggy has learned. Karen will. And Verity? She doesn't want or need empty promises, nor does she deserve them he thinks.

Glasses clink softly, carefully for the sake of her dress and because that's all that it takes to make a toast real. "Gently worn but not broken." Matt takes a sip. Verity's warm, glowing face is again a treat to his senses. Maybe sometime he'll have to tell her. Would it make it more uncomfortable?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe this is why people who smile all the time are considered less intelligent; all this smiling is making it harder to think. Worse, she doesn't really want to think. She just wants to enjoy the moment without worrying about the next one. "Both of those sound pretty good right now." Maybe if he smiled like that all the time, she'd sound this happy.

She hums at the admission, understanding but not exactly approving. He could do better, but it's not her place to judge. And now's not the time. "Maybe we'll have to work on your timing. You've got it for dancing, you'll figure it out for the rest." No empty promises for her, thanks. She'd rather not have any. But she needs real promises, the kind hope can thrive on, as much as anyone.

She sips her wine after the clink, but her eyes never leave his face. She wonders if he can feel her watching him. "Not broken," she agrees quietly. Not quite, but some days she feels dangerously close. He could tell her how much he enjoys the way she lights up his world. It'd make her blush, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't like it.

Smiling means you feel better. And happy people don't seem to have worries. Those may stem from doubt, from awareness and possibly thought. All Matt's thoughts right now are on this moment and how to have more like this. Her response keeps him grinning like a boy. "I'm glad it's not just me." The scotch is rich and it's sharpness can only do so much to cancel out the sweetness.

With the lack of Foggy in Nexus, someone needs to set him straight when he's wrong. Matt can do well enough on his own. He nods at the thought. "Timing to the other steps in life, that's a better way to look at it." Smooth talking lawyers do have their shortcomings. And wouldn't you know that sometimes Matt's own hastiness to skip out on day to day for night time activities also have a sway in this issue. Throw away conversations. Carefully crafted agreements to meetings in a tight wire between truth and lie. It might come as a surprise but Verity is getting so much more honesty and frankness out of Matt than many will. And no, it's not because of the curse. Attraction can bright out better qualities in people.

Her gaze only is something he has an awareness of when her eyes or head move. The weight of her eyes are nothing. He can't find himself to mind one little bit. Matt gives her waist a careful squeeze. Her dress fabric rustles and whispers against his pant leg the way they stand so close. His eyes aren't capable of gazing back in adoration but he sure as hell can bask in her presence. "Is the wine good?"

"Not just you. I'm right here." Sometimes the literalist can make a joke. Maybe she can even learn to be happy. The carefree, trusting and delirious kind of happy. The real trick will be if she can learn to not be afraid to approach it. Life can't pull the rug out from under her every time she approaches it, surely.

They'll help each other stay within throwing distance of the straight and narrow. Her kinds of mischief are innocent, and she's not one to fall for a smooth-talking lawyer's tricks. His charms, maybe. Everyone has shortcomings; they'll learn to navigate those as well. Another dance. "It's easy if it's all dancing. Once we've got you doing it backward and in heels, there'll be no stopping you."

She wouldn't be surprised to learn he's less honest and forthcoming back home. The need for secrecy is one she understands. She might not like it, but there's a lot she doesn't like about the world, and the fact it's necessary isn't his fault. If attraction helps coax him into being honest with her, there are worse reasons. She'll have to hope it becomes a habit before the initial rush of wanting wears off.

The squeeze is unexpected and she gives a little squeak of surprise before leaning closer to him. He's welcome to bask in her attention for as long as he likes. She can bask in the attention he gives her, too. "Mm-hmm. Everything's good."

A man without fear can give a few lessons to not being afraid. First though is to take each and every small step. They're important. Matt chuckles at her joke. "Yes. And it feels good." That part he won't let slip away.

"I dunno about the heel business. Is that a don't knock it until you've tried it thing? I'm no Ginger Rogers." Though he can dance. And thus far Verity's most outstanding of problems aren't even her fault. The curse is out of her hands. The fate of her world too. It's just having all of that and trying to get by. A helping hand or two with the load would do her a world of good.

Wanting has been burning pretty steadily. Slow, consistent heat like a lantern in the dark. Maybe it was in October but it was sure something. And really it's not so simple as attraction. Matt knows how she moves and the sound of her voice. Those could possibly be found on someone. Paired with Verity's mind and personality it's been a winning combination even in her sorrow. Her sadness is just as important to him as her happiness. It may not go away. But it may get easier to deal with.

The little squeak makes him still, thinking somehow she might have been stuck with something. "...Good?" He chuckles. "Did I startle you?"

It's a misnomer, but she'll take any advice he has about being fearless. She might not ever be willing to jump off buildings the way he does, but jumping into life would be a good start. No slipping away, she's happy to stay where she is with him. For now. His chuckle makes her smile grow even wider.

"Well... you're tall, I suppose the heels can be optional." He's welcome to knock it, she doesn't always love them either. She still has a collection of them at home. Her back problems will be at least half her own fault; she maintains that society is half to blame as well. There's just no escaping it. (Except she did.) Helping hands sound good, and she remembers talk of a massage. That's going to sound really good by the end of the night. "You'd look so cute in one of those sparkly dresses, though."

Such a long time to want something and not pursue it. But maybe for the best. Fate or God or something kept him away until she was almost ready to start thinking about a future. Long enough for the worst of the pain to heal, not so long that he wouldn't be able to help. Perfect timing, in its way.

"Maybe a little," she admits quietly. There's no hint of discomfort in her voice, only the lingering edge of surprise and the delight of being with him. "You're a surprising man. I like it." Every surprise so far has been a good one.

There's time enough for more speculation on exactly the kind of dance wear Matt may or may not ever attempt in his life. And lets just say that a lack of vision does really do something for his sense of what should and shouldn't be allowed. And time to finish drinks and dance. Such dancing. It reminds Matt that he shouldn't have kept away so long and taken so long to invite Verity anywhere like this. There is a kind of perfect timing for these things.

One of the event coordinators or maybe someone who is all too into the occasion shrilly announces the time. 11:58! Already the anticipation has been in the room, in Matt himself and surely in Verity. Out of nowhere there's a bevvy of new champagne bottles popping, glasses clinking, someone is really trying to push all those horrible noisemakers.

"You mind if we kinda... step that way?" Matt nods his head to the large set of double doors leading to some kind of courtyard. "We can still say inside." Ever since she let him, he's hardly stopped having an arm around her or her hand in his.

The dancing is easier tonight when neither of them is trying to pretend. She doesn't have to put on a happy face, and he doesn't have to put on a clumsy blind man routine. For dancing like this, he could wear whatever he wants; she wouldn't complain. But there will be no 'finishing' the dancing: only postponing when the rest of the world intervenes.

Verity's been keeping an eye on the large clocks placed strategically around the space. Around 11:30 she started getting nervous; just butterflies in her stomach at first, then a little tension and hypervigilance. The first pop of a champagne cork makes her jump, and then she realizes how soon it is... and there she goes blushing again.

"Oh. Okay." She hasn't tried to far enough away from him to be out of reach; the touching is just fine with her. "We can go out for a minute if you want. It's, um, pretty warm in here."

Maybe only twice that Matt's aware of he's thrown some people off. The rest of the time he's just... forgotten that he's supposed to be another way. It's so easy, so freeing and it doesn't matter.

Matt's arm goes around her at the pop. She hasn't been too jumpy outside of squeezes. Her heart and her face are really giving tells. Some air would be good for the both of them. "Yeah. It is. On the loud side." And going to be louder. He could deal but he really would prefer to just mellow out. It'd be good for the both of them.

They're already not too far. The first new breath of night air has him sigh. Much cooler here than among the moving bodies. "Are you okay?" If she wants to spend the last two minutes or so of the year talking it out. "I know this kind of thing has an expected moment. And I think you do too." Matt looks to where he knows her face is and slightly licks his bottom lip in thought.

She'd like to say she's not a jumpy person by nature, but she's got her limits like anyone. The warm weight of his arm around her is reassuring and she relaxes into his hold again. He's been so good to her all night, so strong and attentive. She doesn't understand it, but she can't deny that she's been enjoying it. "Very loud," she agrees. Better for them both to step out into the quiet calm.

The chill sets off her goosebumps and sends her cuddling against his side for warmth. The juxtaposition is pleasant, in its way, and the quiet is a welcome reprieve. "I'm okay," she assures him. "I just... I feel like I should apologize in advance for not being better at these things. I don't want your new year to get off to a bad start because I'm a bad kisser."

This is a rather big excursion for one who usually keeps indoors and in more sedate environments. Sure, it's no frat party but it has it's bevvy of stimulation. And then there's Matt added to the mix. Every new tension in her has Matt reacting to lessen it best he can. No trouble tonight.

There's enough quiet that they could hear crickets off somewhere. If she gets chilled enough, he'll offer her his dress jacket. Behind them someone announces one more minute. "I feel like you should cut yourself a break and not worry about how bad anything you think you are. ...And I don't remember it being bad at all." Was that a month ago? Feels like too long. He rubs up and down her arm to try to smooth out the goosebump chill.

Changing her old habits has largely been a good thing, she knows that. Frat parties will probably never be on her 'to do' list, but she doesn't think that's such a bad thing. Besides, she's too old for that kind of thing. Matt's been doing a terrific job of both being the cause of some nerves and the relief of some others. Another delightful juxtaposition.

Why would she take his jacket when he can wrap it around her while he's still wearing it? Besides, she's not thinking much about the cold anymore. The soft line of his lips is far more fascinating. "You don't?" It was a week ago, or two, or a lifetime. She dimly wonders if he can feel her tattoos through the goosebumps. "Well. Don't say I didn't warn you."

When the countdown starts she moves to stand in front of him, facing him fully, with her hands on his shoulders and her face tilted up to his. He'll have to either close the rest of the distance himself, or leave her wondering why not.

Frat parties aren't on anyone's to do list. They just keep happening. Matt felt too old for them even in college. Staying in is his own plan at most times. Nexus and Verity have brought new opportunities, a new look. Something to fill the nights that isn't punches and bruises. Still exciting and relaxing. How many bits of duality can they collect?

"Thank you for warning me." His lips pull into a smile. That count down comes up fast. Matt gently reaches out to touch her face. For a second he almost says something else. Something like he wants to do right by her good or bad. Or tell her that he wouldn't hurt her. What use are words really right now? His heart is beating faster. Oh what the hell! Matt closes the distance between them and starts off slow, much, much slower than before. Ten seconds to fill and they're starting into a new year. He's going to make it count in the way that his lips and tongue carefully open up hers.

The Nexus brings so many opportunities. It brought her to him, and him to her, and new ways to spend the night for both of them. They'll have time to collect all sorts of things together. If they're lucky, they can weave all those strands, the old and the new, that don't seem to go together into a whole.

"No problem," she murmurs. He doesn't need to tell her those things. She already knows. Her head tilts into his touch but she doesn't close her eyes until he's leaning in and then he's kissing her, soft and slow and in a way she's never been kissed before. Gripping his shoulders and leaning against him when her knees weaken unexpectedly is the only way she can feel steady. Her lips are pliant beneath his, and part slightly at the touch of his tongue to let a soft sigh wash over him.

Right now it seems to be very close together if not woven. A whole shining new year, a whole world of opportunities. It's no wonder at all people get caught up in this.

Matt wouldn't say she's a bad kisser. Her mouth is responsive and sweet. It's just steps to a dance she's learning. He holds her tighter about the waist with one hand and lightly touches her neck. Sounds reach a climax all around them as the clock chimes. Poppers, screams and shouts with cries of "Happy New Year!" clatter all around them. Where they stand it's just far enough to register. Matt's whole attention is wrapped tightly around this small space. He can taste her sigh and slowly sweeps his tongue between her parted lips to coax her own.

It's easy to get caught up in all of it. The changes, the possibilities, the strange new worlds. Getting caught up in the kisses goes without saying. Verity's barely aware of the sounds and celebrations around them. Her world has narrowed to the places he's touching her. His hand on her neck makes her shiver again, not with cold, and she shifts a hand to mimic the touch. Is his neck as sensitive as hers?

The sweep of his tongue coaxes her lips to part further and the tip of her tongue just barely brushes against his. He tastes so good, a little bit like scotch and mostly like himself. It's worth exploring further, just, slowly. Patiently. (Yeah, right.) The hand on his neck travels up into his hair. She has no intention of letting him out of this kiss any time soon.

Out of one year, into another. This is so new as it is. May as well be another world from even Nexus. This isn't a lonely planet.

Her shiver is noted. Staying slow and easy is possible. He just has to remind himself every few seconds. Good thing he doesn't need to remind himself to breathe. Verity's fingers at his neck are a pleasant surprise. A rumble in his throat will soon be in hers the way they're exploring one another. Matt tilts his head just so under her hand and leans further. And what do you know this allows him to somehow pull her closer to him. No letting go now or even soon. There have been a decent number of kisses in his life up until this point. Right now absolutely none of them had this kind of achingly slow and perfect progression. Verity's wine, lip product and whatever else is a wonderful flavor.

The tune of "Auld Lang Syne" is going far away. It's short. Everyone seldom remembers the words anyway. God only knows that Matt wouldn't know it right now. Chances are he wouldn't know who is president for that matter.

No lonely planets, no lonely people. They're the only ones left, as far as she's aware, and there's no loneliness between them.

The rumble in his throat is answered with a soft moan from her. She feels it too, whatever this wonderful weightlessness is called. Her lips follow his when he tilts his head and her body follows his direction when he pulls her closer. When her lips catch his again she takes the lower one between hers, sucking lightly before flicking the tip of her tongue against it. There have been no kisses like this in her life; she didn't know this was possible. Whatever he wants is his for the asking, so long as there's more of this kissing.

Just them and sensation. It's like a waking dream state, isn't it?

At the sound and feel of her moan there might as well be fireworks. This is heady stuff, at this rate he'll be drunk on her love faster than the scotch or wine. Already he's developed some skewed perception that this small new place they've found is without flaw and everything is a marvel.

Matt finds that the height difference needs some help. His hands are slow and purposeful slipping around her waist to lift her up oh so very carefully because he likes feeling every flick of her tongue. Jeez she's taking his breath away. A few steps and he finds a place to perch Verity. He'll lean to the side of her thighs or...perhaps a little forwardly...between them and wrinkle her pretty dress. Behind her is the garden and the night. At Matt's own back is the party. Weak knees shouldn't be a problem now that she's sitting right. He can focus on trying to coax her tongue into his own mouth this time.

Wow. How long have they been kissing? Not long enough and too long at the same time.

She wouldn't know, her dreams aren't this nice.

Everything is marvelous and tender and new. There's been no time for blemish and no place for shadow, and she would be happy to dwell in the pure light of this moment until it consumes her.

Alas, she is short, and he's so wonderfully tall. The movement of his hands around her waist gets another pleased sound from her and there's no struggle when he lifts her aside from the struggle to keep kissing him while they're moving. When he sets her down again she breaks the kiss, only drawing back far enough to take a breath before shifting her focus to his upper lip. She has a burning need to know if it tastes different. It'll take a moment for her to figure out what he wants when he tries to coax her knees apart, but she doesn't much care about the dress right now. A little shift lets her brace her feet against... whatever she's sitting on, she can't even tell, and set her knees on either side of him to hold him in place. No worries about weak knees now.

Is it even possible to kiss for too long? She doesn't think so.

It's about time she has some manner of experience to compare things to. With any measure of luck it may get into her subconscious in a positive way.

Her shortness hasn't been a problem and Matt isn't about to let it be a problem. In fact it's only made her more physically endearing. Her weight is as slight as he had thought it would be. Seating her on the marble railing that lines the porch of this...wherever they are is sturdy if not on the cool side. Matt's feeling warm and it might be contagious. Verity's adjusted position still keeps them close. It'd be compromising to anyone with sensitive sensibilities.

Their brief time apart almost has him speaking. Language hasn't been reinvented in this new reality. Verity's determined exploration of his mouth disconnects the effort. The taste isn't different. Just the texture. Slightly more bristled if she strays too far. Settled still now, between her knees and face to face properly Matt for the numberless time reminds himself to take it slow. Slow motions with his hands up her arms and behind her back. Somewhere in it his eyes have shut. It just feels right. No use for them here anyway.

He can't slow down his heart. Some things are beyond control.

Edited 2016-01-18 03:11 (UTC)

If she could dream about these kisses, she'd never want to wake up.

Slight, but she's pretty solidly muscle under that dress. Long months of long mornings with Samus. Nothing to him, but more than might be expected. The marble is cold beneath her, but he's so warm. Dimly, very dimly she's aware that it's freezing out and she's barely dressed. She's going to pay for this later. Shifting again, she pulls him closer so he's up against her again. Purely to keep warm, of course.

No talking yet. Talking will lead to thinking and confusion. Just kissing and enjoying for now. The bristles are a surprise, and she breaks off the kiss again to nuzzle briefly against his cheek. It makes her giggle. It's a good chance to catch their breath, but she's not going anywhere yet. There will be more kisses.

Firm, yes. And soft too. A healthy mix of both. Having a better idea of Samus in general, Matt knows what kind of a sensei she is. Verity also shows how good of a student.

Purely for warmth or whatever else, he's just as willing. His searching fingers don't feel a difference between soft flesh and tattoo. They skim up from one arm back to her neck and jaw, admiring the bone structure of her face and how it moves as she does. She has a beautiful face. It's been decided long ago but this confirms it.

Bristles to soft cheek is a very new sensation. He nearly giggles too with his smile as big as it is. Matt has a freehand to take one of hers and put it to his face.

Healthy is the goal. Everyone's a good student for Samus, or they're not a student anymore. She's got better things to do than waste her time on the unwilling and unappreciative. Verity, being both, has managed to work off the excess softness from her couch-and-wine days. Just in time, it seems, for someone else to enjoy it too.

She'd wonder what his fingers are searching for, if she were willing to think that much. For now, she intends to enjoy the ride and let him make it clear in his own good time. The touch on her neck has her shivering again. He might almost think she's very sensitive there. She moves her cheek away from his again to let his hands explore, but that's a good time to get back to kissing. Her opening is still soft and sweet, but she's less hesitant now with a hand cupping his cheek and her thumb rubbing along his cheekbone.

Edited 2016-01-19 02:28 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

bit.ly/1ZlKgDc

that is so cute omfg

Nothing says "cute" like a CR 13 monster in love.

the heart eyes, so many heart eyes. :3

I think it got you with its Charm Person eye beam.

http://bit.ly/1GQZEC3

I'm not sure if that's sweet or weird. O.o

a bit of both!

The best kind I suppose.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

bit.ly/2070vGI

http://bit.ly/207tSsj

Aww, that's cute. <3 bit.ly/1ZEv49O

http://bit.ly/1llEe8g your kitties trump this but i thought this was cool

It is! It's what good kissing feels like. :)

sign me up aw man

My husband might object, sorry bb.

lolol if the universe at large if it wanted to know and present me with opportunity I'm interested.

That's fair. ;) It's worth the wait to find the right one.