etrayalogs | count me in as i do it--closed.

Entry tags:

count me in as i do it--closed.

WHO: Vander and Maria
WHEN: After the mission
WHERE: Their apartment
WHAT: Post mission talk
NOTES\WARNINGS: Discussions of death, murder, and trauma. NSFW.

[Maria had warned Vander that as soon as the mission was over, she would be seeking him out. and that had been before he died from what should have killed her. Vander didn't stand a chance of escaping her if he'd wanted to. the day they were returning, Maria found him and took his hand. squeezing it as tight as she could which probably felt like nothing to the much stronger man but it had to count for something. show him that she truly had no plans of letting him go.

going back, it was tense. not uncomfortable but all Maria wanted to do was be with him. hold him close and kiss him and tell him she loved him. the vision of his death, his last words, still kept playing in her mind. Vander coming back, soaked with blood, was not a sight she ever wanted to see again. but they had to behave. they had to talk about things, about them, and there was a lot to do. a lot to discuss. though the only word in her mind was his name, home, and how much she loved him.

Maria feels like she's basically jogging to get back to their apartment as soon as they land in Etraya. she doesn't want to talk to anybody else right now or see anybody. maybe it's selfish of her but she's held back so much when it comes to Vander, she's tired of doing it. after that mission, Maria doesn't plan to behave. Vander doesn't need her to behave anyway. he needs to know she's there for him, be held, and know just how much she understands him.

when they are back at their apartment, Maria is opening the door as quickly as she can and trying to pull him inside. her arms wrap around him and her head rests itself against his chest.]

I don't want to leave the apartment for a couple of days at least. Is that okay? I just don't want to lose sight of you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Maria can't miss the reaction and it's just the little things you pick up on living with someone for months. even if they had been just friends, they had never been normal roommates. it was hard not to notice things. and while she hadn't magically learned to read his mind, she knew there was more to his answer and whatever laid in his past.

she wouldn't pry...but she would see what else she could learn. they would be talking. there was just no point in ruining the mood right now. not when they both wanted the distraction.

the kiss was a great one. his touch was as well. everything about Vander could make her feel like she was so far away from everything. as she held onto him, as she kissed him, and even when he did talk to her she still felt so dazed. there was a breathless laugh against his lips.] We have sex against the wall after a mission, too. It's a trend and tradition. Not one I mind.

[certainly not when he worked so hard to make it good. the illusion of slamming her into the wall made her gasp and the experienced thrust of his cock into her and how his body knew how to move made her groan loudly into the kiss. she would have been crying out nonsense if he hadn't kissed her. her body had still been coming down from her orgasm and she was sensitive, very sensitive, and every touch had her reeling. she was glad he knew she could kiss well under other circumstances because right now she didn't think it had any finesse to it at all. it was messy without any grace to it. as if she just wanted as much of his mouth and tongue as she could have.

certainly her body seemed to be saying the same thing, she moved her body so he could feel the fullness of her breasts against him and her legs moved so he could push deeper into her. it felt like she couldn't have enough of him and she wanted to feel all of his body.]

And you're amazing. [there was a keening cry that escaped her and she thought to the untrained ear, it might sound like she was in pain. but no, she was in bliss.] Shit, you're so amazing...

[Vander was assured that they would be talking, and there was a little trepidation to what it was that she might say. Yet, they had confessed their feelings, so it seemed more of a formality of what it was that both of them were looking for going forward. He was already formulating what he was about to say. For now, he wanted to enjoy tradition and be close to her, seemingly welcomed home into her arms after a mission.

He smirked against her lips as she confirmed their ongoing post-mission antics. He enjoyed it, the challenge, the feel of her pressed to some horizontal surface and trapped between that and his body. He enjoyed hiking her up and feeling her legs around his waist or just parted to let him show that he was fully prepared to support her weight for anything and everything, including these moments of intimacy. He craved letting her know that he would hold her up similar and also differently than she did him on a daily basis.]

Think we should keep it ongoing for all such future moments and post-mission dates? [His smirk grew against her lips at his own tease before he concentrated on kissing her properly. He turned his head slightly so the side of their noses could rub and his tongue delved into her mouth to taste her and attempt to steal the very air that she breathed from her lungs. More than that, he swallowed down every pleasured sound that she made as his fingers dug into the back of her thighs as he set a quick thrusting pace that was powered with emotional enthusiasm.

By now, he was intimately aware of her body, of the angle best suited to pleasure her and wring sounds out of her. He knew she was wet and raw from her previous orgasm, and he made a point and ‘crushing’ her half-clothed body against the wall so she slid up and down it and even banged her shoulders against it lightly. It was rhythmic enough that people in the hallway would know exactly what was happening.

Much like Maria, he felt the layers of emotional bond between them enhancing this intimacy they shared together. He issued his own growling groans and moans in response to the feel of her heat welcoming over and over with each thrust and the bunch of her dress against his belly as he pulled their mouths apart so he could kiss down her neck then setting his teeth to the choker she wore to tug on it as a reminder that she still had to add a similar addition to his own neck.]

[for once, Maria had no concerns over what the conversation might be once they discussed their feelings. Vander had told her again and again he was loyal, it would just be her. not hard to imagine what he might want and really, Maria thought she didn't care at all as long as he did love her. and he did. it didn't seem like much else mattered in that regard.

Maria did like being on top when they had sex. she enjoyed riding him and having him watch her. but she couldn't deny that she did enjoy this as well. the feeling of him holding her up, fucking her up against a hard surface. they really had had some of their best sex this way, always the most emotional at least.] Usually not one for tradition but this one? I think I can make work. [not much else can be said as he kisses her so deeply and the kiss alone could make her moan.

but it's all the details. it's Vander's fingers on her thighs, the way he moves her body so they make more of a racket up against the wall, and the way he simply moves inside of her. if anybody else was around, it would be obvious what was happening. especially as she helps with the noise, moving with him so expertly so he can get as deep as he can while her body does slam against the wall. usually, Maria didn't care much about that detail. what her and anybody did in private was their business. but for once, she thinks she wants everybody to know just what her and Vander are doing. if anybody walks by their door, she hopes they know how well they are fucking each other.

and for once, Maria wants everybody to know just what happened later. even days later. when his mouth is on her neck, tugging at her necklace, she knows what she wants. people will know he belongs to her when they see the choker on him. but she wants more than that and so the moment she can, one of her hands tugs at his hair so she can bear his neck for her mouth and she is biting him there. she's always nibbled and scraped her teeth, put soft kisses, but she's always been mindful of marks. Vander never said anything, had come back with marks on him, but Maria always felt like she shouldn't leave any. he never did on her. now? well, he was hers. that's what the voice inside of her mind tells her. Vander was hers and she could show that. she wanted to show it. her teeth mark the skin of his neck so hopefully, the collar can't even hide all of it.]

[This was their first intimacy since returning to Etraya after both the emotionally charged confessions that they had made to each other and the death that he had suffered to protect her. He had come back and found her, and that too had been emotional but the mission always took priority over the emotions that they laboured under, good or bad. That was their commitment to each other on Earth, and both of them stood by that without regret.

So now it felt as if he could fully unleash the weight of his adoration and love of her against this wall he had her trapped against. They were so intimately familiar with each other that it was easy to support her weight as she liked it, drove himself up against her over and over rhythmically and listen to the sounds that both of them generated for each other. His teeth tugged more on the collar, and he issued a low playful growl at her that he did not reserve for anyone else.

Yet, his adam’s apple bobbed with a swallow as her fingers found his long loose hair and used it to pull his head back. He saw no benefit in resisting, though his eyes followed the line of temple to her ear as her face disappeared against his neck, and he inhaled sharply as he felt her teeth against his skin, his hips stuttering momentarily at the unexpected gesture.

As a rule, he and Maria never marked each other out of respect for their pursuing other people for pleasure. She had never commented when he arrived home marked now and again, and he provided her the same respect. That she decided to mark him sent a thrill through him and he slammed her a harder against the wall and pressed his neck to her mark in encouragement. He began to thrust harder and as deep as he could safely go.] Janna’s tits, Maria… warn me before you do that. [No, don’t. He liked the spontaneousness of it, and it showed as he bounced her with a new vigor and intent to drive them both to their end point together.

She loved him. He loved her. They weren’t hesitating in showing that anymore. It was like the restraints they put on their relationship were gone and it was no holds barred.]

[Maria would always respect her place in Vander's life. even now she knew that when a mission came, even with their relationship changing, they would have to consider the mission first. Maria understood this fact even when she found it hard. being told about Solmara and she had given him her support. this mission when he came back from protecting her and she'd wanted to cling to him, hold him tight, and never let go. but that wasn't how things were and she wouldn't ask it of him. just like how he wouldn't ask it of her.

and it was why she had wanted this moment with him now. to feel his love in so many ways, to be able to return it, and know he was here. alive and with her. safe.

maybe to others it would sound lewd, less loving, as he thrust into her again and again. as her body found his again and again. they helped each other with the rhythm and pushing, and maybe to others it would sound lewd but Maria loved the sensations and the sounds they could make. they'd always known how to find the right pace and movements that brought them to the highest peaks of their pleasure.

it was funny how he told her she should warn him before she did that while he thrusted into her so deeply she thought she saw stars. the pleasure was blinding and she panted against his neck.] Speak for...yourself... shit, Vander. Shit, shit shit...[she worried the skin of his neck between her teeth as she felt her climax rising, her body clenching around his cock as her nails dragged down his back as her legs squeezed his hips and her orgasm hit with a loud moan. ]

[He did idly wonder as she took him through the portal back to Etraya if things in future missions would change for them because of how their relationship was developing. They claimed they would put the mission before what they had, but also, he knew from experience that they could work well together and he wouldn't want to see her hurt. That was a discussion for another time because this post-mission tradition took his attention.

He valued these moments where they met up and let the emotion boil up. This mission had similar accelerated results as Aphaia had. He wouldn't question it.

As they fell into the moment more and more, always meeting each other as they knew one another enjoyed through repeated experience, he felt no need to change it up as her body rode and clung to his own. He drove up into her and did actually make certain she was both stabilized and making noise against the wall as promised. No buckled gyprock yet, but it was shuddering with the vigor of their passions.

He smiled at her repeated cussing, though she managed to drag out more growling groans with her teeth against his skin. His own climax was rising fast thanks to a combination of their actions, and he concentrated on driving them both to the peak. He pressed her harder to the wall, using his body to trap her even if he took a half step back so his hips continued to have free motion to drive himself inside of her until his rhythm lost smoothness and he chased that final bliss.

It came with a loud call of her name, his hands dropping to her hips so he could drive her over the edge as close to being with him as possible as he came inside of her and the edges of his vision darkened with the potency of it. He experienced the sting of her nails leaving welts on his back after he could see again, could breathe normally even as he kept her pinned against the wall.]

...you okay? I didn't hurt you?

[maybe it had always been obvious where they were leading to. that they had made it a habit to always meet up after a mission to comfort each other. a month ago and Maria would have said it was obviously just their friendship and how it worked. but now? now it was obvious this was how they had started to grow closer.

and yes, there were things to discuss, to think about, but Maria didn't think anybody could do so when they were in the middle of mind-blowing sex. certainly she couldn't and she could only think of him, how good he made her feel, and how much she loved him. not only for this but for everything. he was fucking her like she had wanted, like he always did. Vander had never not been a thoughtful lover, a thoughtful friend, and Maria had always adored him for it.

when he came inside of her, as her own pleasure had peaked, Maria had made sure to move with him so they both feel as good as possible. and when she felt her body begin to calm, she pressed open mouthed kisses to his neck and her fingers softly rubbed where the welts were rising up on his back. his question made her laugh and her teeth nipped where his shoulder met his neck.]

How considerate of you to ask. [she sounds teasing but it is very sweet of him to think of her.] You didn't hurt me. I'm feeling very good. [she affectionately kissed at the bruise forming on his neck.] You feeling good, baby girl?

[They'd always said they were friends for the longest time, which kept the pressures off and also allowed them the time and space to build trust and experience with each other. He still was concerned that he would be bringing her down, that his grief remained too raw and suffocating. However, he recognized that she had been dealing with it since the day that they had met, and she navigated it with support and care. If it was too much, she would have distanced herself previously.

So, as he leaned heavily on her on the wall, panting and satisfied from an amazing orgasm, experiencing the pleasure of her mouth against his neck, Vander was content and happy. Her laugh was airy and pretty, and he closed his eyes as he just basked in the afterglow for the moment.]

Good, I wouldn't want to let you down so quickly after a love confession. [He rumbled in his chest and shifted to pull them both off the wall so he could gently set her feet back on the floor.] Very good thanks to you.

[Instead of pulling his trousers back up, he leaned over so he could tug off his boots and remove them the rest of the way. They were in the safety of the apartment, so clothes seemed about optional at this point. He happened to choose the naked option. He did fold them neatly over one arm after removing them, leaving his boots by the door and then picking up her discarded underwear and offered it to her.] I doubt you're going to need those the rest of the day, but if you feel differently, here.

[Vander's grief had never scared her. maybe partly due to her being born from grief herself. maybe because she had been born to comfort one man's grief even if he'd never wanted her for it. but nothing about Vander made her worry. from their first meeting, all she ever felt was sympathy that Vander had to not only sit with his grief but deal with the pressures of knowing what his own future held and that he had to fight for his universe and the chance for his daughter. and from what she gathered of the man, it seemed he had always been the one to shoulder the troubles of others. to always be there for everybody else. the only thing Maria wanted to do was give him a shoulder to lean on sometimes.

and she knew he wanted to offer the same to her though she never quite gave him the chance. Maria knew she'd have to talk more about herself if a relationship was going to work and it made her nervous but she wasn't afraid of doing this for the first time.

the love confession comment made her smile more and she kissed his cheek before he moved away and made that impossible.

she looked at her underwear and then at his naked body, her eyes taking him in and openly checking him out. her answer? making sure the bunched up dress she had was completely off of her before she took her underwear.] I won't be needing them but there is something you're missing. Sit on the couch like a good boy.

[she gave him a smirk before sauntering off with a sway of her hips towards their bedroom. finding the collar she had gifted him (truly just a joke at the time, just a play on the fact she'd teased about putting a collar and leash on him), she returned with it and showed it to him.]

Need to tame you, yeah?

[Maria was someone who held back with even him, and he knew it. He accepted it without judgment, recalling her cough, recalling her panicked alarm as her final memories were broadcast, and recalling how they had lay in the too small bed comforting each other. Or the bar when he had come to distract her. He had his moments with her vulnerability, and they were always enough for him.

So, he accepted her kiss to the cheek and peeled himself out of his shirt afterwards, eyeing as she replied in kind but with her dress. He was familiar and comfortable being nude with her, and there were only certain items he did not remove: his leather brace, her friendship bracelet, and the bracelet that had once been Vi's necklace.

He huffed softly, rolling his eyes playfully as she told him he was missing something, and he did wonder if she managed to find yet another unique gift for him. As he walked to the couch, his gaze remained on her as she sauntered off. He actually considered following her and hugging her close from behind.

No, he dropped his clothing on the back of the couch and stepped around to seat himself upon the cushions. He raised his eyebrow as she returned with the leather collar, smile appearing on his lips. He never could live down the hound title, could he?]

You did promise to collar and leash me, so... it does seem about time. [He turned on the couch so his back was to her and lifted his hands to gather up his hair so she had clear access to his neck.] You sure that's big enough for me? I've got a spare wrist or ankle otherwise.

[Maria had learned it wasn't good for her to be vulnerable and being here, meeting so many people, she began to realize certain things. what she wanted, what a relationship (either platonic or romantic) meant. when she had realized her feelings about Vander had become romantic, she had been so scared to tell him. fearing rejection and their friendship being ruined. a shared fear she had learned. but trusting someone meant opening up to them and she would do that for him.

when he turned his back to her, she laughed and walked up behind him.] If it didn't fit your neck and fit your wrist then that's hardly the same sentiment, isn't it? [she did see if it would close comfortably on his neck before she did lock it up. if anything, it was looser than it was tight. didn't press into his skin too much. not a perfect fit like her own was. she smiled and wrapped her arms around him and his shoulders from behind, her breasts pressing up against his back.]

I know a lot of your sizes but gotta admit, don't know your neck width as well. But I did okay, I think. [she pressed a kiss to the collar and then another.] All mine now. Any second thoughts? [it was half a joke, half serious. she was testing the waters, trying to see how he felt about talking. if he even wanted to right now.]

Edited 2025-09-06 21:53 (UTC)

[There was a lot of ground that they needed to cover with the evolution of their relationship now that feelings were out in the open now more than ever. This was simply the start of something he hoped would be good and happy for them, but also he looked forward to supporting and protecting her.]

Well, yeah it would be different. You don't claim someone quite as easily with a wristband. [He waited patiently for her slip the leather strap around his throat and work it closed at the back of his neck. It wasn't too tight and it wouldn't restrict his neck movement, but neither was it loose like a necklace. It was a good fit, though still an addition to his person that he would have to grow used to. He couldn't recall when he had worn anything around his neck.

He dropped his hair down once it was attached and reached backwards to rest his palms against the back of her neck in response, thumbs stroking the choker that she wore.] It's not exactly subtle to wrap a measuring tape around my throat, I'll agree. You did a good job.

[He hummed in pleasure and amusement at her claim, shaking his head slightly so as not to dislodge her lips from the collar or his neck.] No second thoughts. You? [He sensed the weight to the question.] Though... I think we should take the plunge and talk about how our relationship will evolve now and what we both want and expect in it. You want to do that now? [He decided subtlety would only hinder them.]

[it would be a lie to say she wasn't worried but she wasn't afraid. that was a step in the right direction. Maria knew whatever would happen between them, they'd weather it. no matter what, they were dedicated to their friendship and they did love each other. she wasn't going to give up on them.]

Also doesn't exactly go with the original intent of the collar either. [which had been a joke, a play on the dog theme she'd been going with.] But I think we're past joking around.

[even if he did make that measuring tape comment because he did follow it up with getting straight to the point. she sighs, just letting out a breath she didn't quite realize she'd been holding, before she moves to sit down next to him on the couch.]

Straight to the point. Nice approach. [she looks to him when she can and shakes her head.] No second thoughts. I still want to be with you and I do want to talk about this. So lets get to it. [if he would be straight to the point then so would she.] We're dating exclusively now, yeah? [they had said they were dating and Vander had told her after the mission, it was just going to be her. the more it sat with Maria, the more she found herself happy about it. to know he only wanted her and she'd have that in return.]

[Vander hid his own fears that this revelation between them would change everything and potentially become the downfall of their friendship. He was experienced enough with people to realize it was nonsensical since they both felt the same way. They simply needed to determine where comfort levels started and ended.

As she came around the couch to settle herself, his fingers traced the collar around his neck even as his eyes tracked her. He turned to face her, drawing one leg up to rest on it as he looked at her head no now.]

You know me, I'm a straight shooter. [He flashed her a charming smile which turned impish as she followed his lead and drove right into the crux of the matter. He slid his arm along the back of the couch, fingers stroking lightly on one of her shoulders.] I would like to date exclusively, yes. I want this to be about you and me building something together, which means everyone else is strictly friends now.

[He had a few that he would have to talk to about that, and otherwise, it was more reigning in his own open behavior. He had no issue doing that.] However, you and I are flirty people; it's part of who we are and our jobs. So what are you comfortable with?

[Maria had had her concerns as she thought more about it during the mission but ultimately decided to remember that Vander was always going to be her friend. she wouldn't give up on them and she knew neither would he. after everything they had both seen about each other, they had never shied away. if they could see each other as monsters, know the other's tragedies, they could stand together during this. especially if they were trying to make a romantic relationship work.

she wanted to move closer but knew right now, they needed to be able to have this conversation and it seemed like eye contact was the best for it. when he told her he only wanted everybody outside of them to only be friends, she didn't predict she would be so happy about that particular detail until he said it.] Then we're on the same page for that.

[the other detail was tricky. it was true, Maria didn't think she knew how to stop flirting. and Vander was a natural flirt as well. but flirting didn't always have to lead to something. sometimes it was just part of the job as well. especially hers.] Friendly flirting is fine with me if it is with you? And things like hugs I don't think would be a problem. Kissing...[she doesn't think she'd care but if she thinks about it more then she knows it might give the wrong impression and might imply being interested in more.

and that she doesn't like.]

We keep it to cheeks? Some pecks? As long as people know the deal then I don't think I mind. What about you? I did just open up Heaven's Night again. [and he wouldn't be the first man to have a problem dating one of those.]

[He found comfort now that they had things rolling because a lot of their previous interactions when it came to the development of their relationship had been unspoken. From friendship to having a fling to her moving in to him requesting she not move out to them distinctly not being just friends with benefits had largely been without conversation.

It told him that both of them were serious about this change, that they were invested in making it work and to do that, they had to lay out the ground rules they might otherwise overstep on. He didn't want that.] Friendly flirting is fine by me. Hugging, friendly pats and playful banter is fine with me too. [He thought for a moment about kissing, aware it was close to a line.] Pecks fine, no lips and nothing with intention.

[He nodded as he considered Heaven's Night, aware of the purpose of the place. He would never, ever deprive her of her own spaces to be herself.] I'm glad you did. I'll bartend there if you want me to? Means I get a free show. [He supposed there still should be stipulations even if he was not worried.] Do you normally give lap dances when you work or just take to the floor and pole?

[Maria knows they probably should have had plenty of conversations before now. Vander had told her from the beginning he simply wanted something casual and she had wanted the same. at the beginning. but it had been obvious things had been changing ever since Aphaia, ever since she'd moved in. there had been an attempt before Solmara, after Solmara, but there had been a lot left unsaid between them. the tension had been growing and Maria hadn't known what to do about it.

yet here they were now. talking so simply and getting to the heart of the matter. it made her happy but also it seemed so ridiculous they'd put off talking for so long.]

Sounds alright to me. Kind of hard to kiss platonically, huh? [the first time in this conversation she had made a joking comment at all.]

You should tend the bar there. I want you to. You'd be great to have. [it also meant more time together and she didn't say that part just yet.] Like you don't get free shows all the time. Or the shows aren't technically free for that matter either. [no money, after all.] Lap dances were a thing. [in Silent Hill, the life story she had never actually lived. but there had been signage that lap dances were something she'd given.] I'm not that interested in giving them to people here if it was something that would have bothered you.

[He had wanted casual. He had wanted to protect her with casual, but well... that didn't work out. It seemed stupid now that he looked back on it, but then again, they both had people they bonded with and spent time with. They both needed the freedom he thought, and perhaps this was better for them now that they had explored and made their way through their feelings.

He felt relief laying everything out, talking about the things that went unsaid so much of the time. The looks, the partial conversations, the fact he came back with marks now and again. Yeah, it was overdue, but he felt himself relax as they navigated this. His fingers continued to lightly stroke her arm.]

I mean... you can kiss platonically, but most people I've met would consider it overstepping. Tongue is definitely not platonic where I'm from. [He smirked at her, and he made a point of giving her a kissy face at her joke.] Practice platonic kissing on Vincent and watch him implode.

[He was pleasantly surprised by the offer.] You just want me there because you know I'm world class and it means you get to dress me. [His own tease right back at her. He thought it would be fun, especially if it turned into a lively place.] They aren't free, okay? I have to have restraint which is hard work, you know. [He shrugged at the lap dance topic.] It doesn't bother me. I trust you.

[there had been more than one moment where she had reminded herself to be prepared for Vander to tell her they needed to put an end to their situation. that she would have to move out and Maria had tried to prepare herself for it. when Vander had told her that might never happen, Maria had wondered if they should have talked right then and there. but he had just come back from Solmara and she had already asked him about the boundaries again. it'd seemed pointless to open up another conversation about the same topic.

it did seem stupid now that they hadn't looked at the situation and saw what was happening. or maybe they had and that was why they hadn't talked. who knew? but it had ended up here, with them knowing what they wanted from each other. Maria couldn't regret anything if it meant them being here right now. and she couldn't regret the times she'd spent with other people. things had worked out how they should have, she thought.

there's a huff of laughter.] I think he might scream if I tried to lean in to kiss him. Like some offended old lady. [it would be very funny. she leans in when he makes that face to be the one to kiss him.] I'll just stick with kissing you if that's okay with you. [she kisses him once more before returning to the conversation.]

I can dress you, I get the best bartender Etraya has, and more time with you. Plus I get to show off. Who would complain? [Maria wasn't about to.] I'm not that interested in offering lap dances so we'll just keep them off the list. But you? You can get them from me all you want.

[They probably thought that they were funnier than they were honestly. It seemed that they had a common target in Vincent, though he would eventually have to ask about the man from Maria. She clearly had some read on the man that Vander was only starting to learn through the two interactions that they had.]

How many offended old ladies have you met? They are vicious, so you better watch out if he goes granny on you. [He briefly closed his eyes as their lips met, enjoying the contact. His hand stroked down her arm affectionately even as they pulled apart.] As if I'm about to put up a fight over you kissing me. Any day, any time, Pupa.

[And that's what this conversation was about. No more dallying with others, just each other. They were settling in, and he appreciated that. He felt this stupid boyish smile appear on his lips as he gazed at her. His lady, as it were. He vowed to treat her well.]

Sounds like I'm going to be putting on a show at your place. I figure the only complaints we receive are how good we look together. [He made a point to run his fingers through his hair, pulling it up off the back of his neck.] I'm liking this deal already. It's been some time since I had a lap dance. [He watched her a moment then nodded his head as if he had decided on something.] One meal a day. It doesn't have to be the same one each other, but I want at least one meal a day with you.

[no, they were very funny if you asked Maria. but Vincent would probably disagree. during her stay in Etraya, her opinion on the man had changed more than a few times but she thought she understood him well enough now. at least well enough to know she couldn't accurately predict Vincent. other than the fact she could get away with more than most probably could. and she was going to include Vander in teasing the man. Vincent needed it even if he didn't see the need. she thought Vander would come to the same conclusion.]

Okay I admit, not that many. James's eternal punishment didn't involve many of those. [she could include a joke about her actual past more recently nowadays.] But Vincent can be very dramatic like one. [she did know that much.

his nickname for her made her smile. originally she hadn't thought it was that cute but it had grown on her fairly quickly. she liked it a lot now and it felt special. she kisses him again and then laughs, kissing him again. simply just because. simply just because she could kiss him without any thought at all now. with the way he smiled, it seemed like he felt the same.]

We already got the matching collars. [she pressed a kiss to that and then her fingers were brushing through the strands of his hair, smiling. she was about to joke about lap dances when he made the comment about having a meal together and then her smile felt more goofy on her face. it made her feel special he wanted that with her and she nodded.] You're sleeping so well in the mornings sometimes it feels like a crime to wake you up. [especially if she knew he'd had a tough night. best to let him have a reprieve of his own problems.] Breakfast may be out. But lunch and dinner, we can make those work. I'll always be in the deli with Heather during the day and I can always come hunt you down with a sandwich from there.

[If anything, their being together more with their guards down was actually them cooking on their humours together. This place had better watch out, especially Vincent who seemed to be someone they both currently had on their radar. The man needed to be reintroduced to actual society, and who better than them? In fact, they could probably expand their talents well beyond one man.]

If his eternal punishment wanted to be just that, it probably should have had him caned by a grandma at least once. [This coming from someone who had definitely been caned by a grandmother once or twice in his lifetime when he was being a little shit. Not that Zaun had many, which was all the more reason to watch out for them.] I haven't seen that side of him yet, but I'll take your word for it.

[He smiled as she kissed him repeatedly, leaning closer to her in return each time. He bowed his head to her fingers in his hair before his arms were reaching out to gather her up from the cushion nearby she was seated on and pulled her around and into his lap. He rested his chin on her shoulder after kissing her own choker in return, spying his own mark on her neck.]

I'm always willing to be woken up by a beautiful woman who I also happen to share the bed with. [He hummed, not particularly committed to any particular meal, as long as they had one. He learned from experience that meals together were important, a fact he imparted on his children by forcing them to have one meal with him each day. Usually breakfast but sometimes lunch.] Heather is going to threaten me again once she finds out about us. I hope she lets me keep both of my kidneys.

[there were enough antisocial people in Etraya who needed their help. Vincent wouldn't be the first nor would he be the last. though he may possibly be their favorite. or at least become it.

once she was in his lap, she settled her arms on his shoulders and kept combing her fingers through his hair. she'd always liked it longer, didn't know why. but she thought it suited him.]

If you ask nicely then I'm sure she will let you. [Maria was glad to know it seemed like Vander and Heather were getting along well enough that she had made that threat. the fact that Heather cared enough about her to make it in the first place said a lot and wasn't missed by her.

though it does make her consider something else.] I know it goes without saying but I want you to come home every night. I want to wake up with you in bed. [Maria hadn't had a problem with the times Vander hadn't come home at night and turned back up obviously well fucked. it had never been her place to be jealous and it wasn't like there hadn't been times where she didn't come back for the night. but she'd always liked waking up to him being there. Maria wanted that to continue.]

[At least this way they could claim that Maria was only returning the favour to Vincent for the card reading. That seemed to be a worthwhile price for them to finally drop pretenses and start dating. That kind of love should be spread, right?

His arms slipped around her waist loosely, grasping one wrist with his other hand as he drooped his shoulders under her arms. He closed his eyes, savouring the close contact and the warmth of her body settling in closer to his own. They hadn't been able to do this as much on the Earth mission, not with little Fio to consider, so it was nice for so many reasons that they could do this.]

You think so? It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. [He hoped that Heather would be happy for Maria at least. They seemed close, and not just because they came from the same world.] Clearly I'll have to drop by the Bodega more often now.

[He smiled at her ask, nodding his head in response. Yeah, he'd be coming back to the apartment every night then, had no reason to stay out anymore either.] Alright, I'll come home every night, and if I can't for some reason or another, I'll call to let you know why. [At this point, he did not know that Silco and Jinx were gone, so he assumed continued contentiousness with the other man would continue. However, he valued how much Maria wanted him home and how they both wanted to cuddle in bed together every night.]

[Maria still wasn't positive if the Earth mission had needed to be so dedicated to playing mother but even if it hadn't been, she wouldn't regret it. Fio had needed the support, so clearly needed an adult to be there for her, that Maria didn't think she would ever have changed her mind how she spent that time.

she knew if Vander had been in her situation, he would have felt the same as her. maybe done the same things. maybe that was why they were here now because in so many ways, they were alike. they understood each other on levels she hadn't thought possible.

but she was happy they could have this moment now.]

Give Heather the right inspiration and she isn't so quiet. [she loved her dearly and was glad to know that two people who meant so much to her could get along. she hoped that would continue to be the case.]

Sounds like a deal. I've always liked it when you would come home and hold me, you know. I don't care if you wake me up. I'd never care about that. [she'd been afraid to tell him how much those moments had meant to her, that sometimes she looked forward to him holding her more than she did the sex. but now there was no holding back.]

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