au meme } running from the law | blythe

[piqued]

from here.

She isn’t His Consigliere. He isn’t her Soldier. But when it’s time to run, it’s Time to Run, and it doesn’t always get to be Clean and Simple as would be Convenient.

There will be time to sort themselves out properly. Until then, well, at least the di Spade and the Coppe families are more Allied than not these days. It means driving just a Hair above the speed limit down a dark country road with her in his car isn’t a Problem.

Just not the Most Convenient.

“I’m sure we’ll be there soon, Miss.”

Somewhere Safe. Relatively, at any rate.

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[piqued]

There's not a lot of Space in this room. He moves back to lean against the wall beside the door again, eyes focused on her and attention focused on his own cigarette.

Relating to other people isn't Easy for him. Empathy runs Weak in an old family who bred Soldiers rather than sons. That's likely why his own pause drags a moment before he manages to ask, "...to know me better, Blythe?"

[somuchheart]

She nods a little, looking up at him properly. "I really... I really want to know you. And... it's frightening because it's... different than with other people. And because we're probably not going to see each other after tonight."

[piqued]

"...there's so little to know." He pulls the cigarette, has to move closer to knock ash off into the tray on the bedside table. "You-- do, already. For the last month, yes?"

[somuchheart]

"But that was just-- that was- in the context of living together and just... being friends, and this is-- there's a part of me that wants to know..." She trails off, then decides to take the plunge. "I want to know how you look when you're asleep and how your hair moves in the wind and-- really... intimate things, Declan. --I'm sorry."

[piqued]

...ah.

Stillness isn't Intentional so much as Unavoidable, his attention still locked on the ashtray. It takes a few seconds to move, shifting around to perch carefully apart from her on the bed.

What are they supposed to do with That?

[somuchheart]

"I'm sorry," she repeats, turning to face him even if he won't look at her. "I... This month has been like a dream. I suppose... I just didn't want to wake up."

Pause. "I should go."

[piqued]

"Don't." His hand has to move to her knee, to clutch slightly and prevent her Going. "Don't... wake up just yet."

[somuchheart]

She starts slightly, hand hesitating before she reaches to cover his. "Then... then what?"

[piqued]

He doesn't have an Answer. Not really. But his thumb can lift to smooth the back of her hand, breath coming in a slow gasp of smoke. "...we have tonight."

[somuchheart]

Her fingers close around his properly, and she nods hesitantly before inching closer to him. "So... what do you suggest?"

[piqued]

"...that you watch me sleep." It's a small thing, true, but she's right. It's an Intimate thing. It's something he wants them Both to have. He toes off his shoes carefully, gives the gentlest tug to begin moving them more properly onto the bed.

[somuchheart]

She takes a deep breath, then nods. Her eyes don't leave him as she fumbles to slip under the covers, pulls her towel off her dried hair. And when they're both settled, she'll carefully reach to rest her hands on his arms.

[piqued]

It takes a few seconds to actually take off his shirt. His pants will survive the creasing of curling up on the bed, but he needs to save the shirt.

He takes a moment before shifting closer, settling his own arm over her waist. "...all right?"

[somuchheart]

She nods, then can't help a more genuinely happy laugh. "Don't you have proper nightclothes? I think you need me to take care of you."

[piqued]

"...at home." Which isn't here. Which he's trying not to Think about.

[somuchheart]

"I'll iron your pants for you tomorrow morning before you leave." For now, she's shifting closer to him, properly tucking her chin under his jaw and slipping one leg between his. "This... is okay?"

[piqued]

"...it is. It's..." It's wonderful. It's the sort of thing a person doesn't know they Want until they have it. "...comfortable."

[somuchheart]

Her fingers reach around him to start rubbing a soothing patten into his back. "... Good. I'm glad. I was.... convinced I'd scared you away."

[piqued]

His snort is soft, face shifting to settle a little more properly against her hair. "An' I thought you got spooked when I picked you up."

[somuchheart]

She laughs. "I literally asked for that. It was just... just a little close for not having this.... conversation." After a pause, she adds on, "I wouldn't mind if you were to do it again."

[piqued]

"...really?" Even though Tomorrow she'd want him to take her Home?

[somuchheart]

She doesn't want him to. But her people need her. "... yes. Really."

[piqued]

And his needed him. This really would be their Last Moment.

His sigh came soft against her hair, head shaking slightly as his arms curled her closer.

[somuchheart]

She sighs softly, clutching him tighter before reaching to press a kiss to her cheek.

It is their Last Moment. She's trying to keep her sorrow bottled until after they're parted ways. No need to make it harder than necessary.

[piqued]

He shouldn't. He knows he shouldn't. He somehow can't Stop himself from shifting to kiss her cheek firmly in response.