Ric:
We`re not getting married. I don`t do married. Don`t ask. Ever.
Skylar:
Woah! Where the **** did that come from. I hate to burst your bubble darlin’ but I`ve never considered marrying anyone. But you know what. Never say never. You told me you don`t date and look how that turned out. *winks at him* But seriously. The thought hasn`t even crossed my mind. Well... Not till now, since you brought it up. So don`t worry about that okay? Now come here *beckons to him* and give me a kiss.
Ric:
You know we aren`t dating. We aren`t having sex and you said people that date do that. we`re just hanging out, really. And people get married after five months of knowing each other. That is a typical procedure if things are handled like adults? What kind of kiss? * stared *
Skylar:
Urgh. Don`t start that **** again. We are ******* dating so get used to it. And no. You`ve got that wrong. There`s no set month for when you get married. People do it when they think it`s right. And I`d prefer a proper kiss but if you aren`t feeling that then you can just kiss me on the lips.
Ric:
* stared * Where does a proper kiss go if not on the lips?
Skylar:
*smiles* Well I can list a number of other places I`d love for you to kiss darlin’, but that`s not what I meant. When I said proper kiss, I mean a French kiss, as in a kiss with tongues.
Ric:
* stares * Aren`t there other ones? Your tongue is in my space. Inside my space. I might bite you. Or it off. Fine. * grumbles as he leans forward and gives her a proper kiss before biting her lip *
Skylar:
Nope. *shakes head* And you won`t. You`ve managed it several times already without hurting me. You know procrastinating isn`t going to help you, cos I`ll just take the decision out of your hands. *moves over to him and places her arms around his neck as she looks into his eyes* Just for that... *kisses him a second time* You know... You`re not bad at this kissing thing. Makes me wonder if you`d be as disappointing, sexually, as you seem to think it`d be. *smiles, laughs and pulls away* But... Ignoring that for a while... Thanks babe.
Ric:
* Stared at her * You think I`d be disappointing, sexually? You said it for a reason. * Crosses arms at his chest *
They continue the conversation over emails after Ric runs off, like usual …
From: Skylar
Subject: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
Stop doing that. And no. I don`t think that. You told me you`d
disappoint me. Guys don`t usually say that, so it`s not
something I`d forget. I think you`ve just never been with the
right woman. We`ve had this conversation before. Remember?
And I`m not trying to force you into having sex with me or
anything before you accuse me of that. You`re adamant it won`t
ever happen, but I`m pretty sure it will. When you`re ready.
Which isn`t today or any day soon I don`t think, as you still
freak out about the kissing. I told you Ricky. I`m not trying to
make you uncomfortable. I like you and I want you to like me.
Whatever happens will happen when it`s supposed to and not
moment sooner.
xx
From: Roderic
Subject: RE: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
I only said that because I find sex boring. And so you will be disappointed when I don`t react accordingly. Or upset. Pissed off. Whatever.
That and the whole fadebeast thing. I don`t know why anyone would want to have sex unless it`s for nefarious purposes.
♪ Am I strong enough? ♪
♪ I wish you well, but desire never leaves ♪ ♫ Available Melee Weapons ♫
NOTE: Sky has Healthy Complexion
Oh Darlin` when we have sex it won`t be boring. And sex
usually gets better after a couple of times around the block, as
you work out what the other person likes.
I`m pretty sure fadebeasts aren`t created every time Ricky. In
fact I know they`re not. And I don`t want to have sex with you
to try and kill myself. Death by beast sounds messy. I told you.
Sex is fun. But it`s more than that even. It`s connecting with
another person on an intimate level.
xx
From: Roderic
Subject: RE: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
We`re not having sex. And I don`t believe you have to have sex to connect with someone. Where did you hear that garbage from?
From: Skylar
Subject: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
Oh darlin`. Never say never. I swear you almost
sounded offended when I said something about
being disappointed when we have sex. I really
do have some things to teach you don`t I? Lucky
for you I don`t mind a challenge. And jsuk, sex
does help you to connect on a whole different
level, it`s been scientifically proven.
Apparently sex releases oxytocin which promotes
bonding. Anytime you want to try and disprove
that, you know where to find me. ;)
xx
From: Roderic
Subject: RE: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
I read an article that claims sex alters
your perception of the person you are
*******.
From: Skylar
Subject: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
In a good or bad way? I can`t imagine it`s the
latter, so I don`t see the issue. I`ve told you
before that couples are different to friends,
right? And that kissing and sex is part of that
difference.
xx
From: Roderic
Subject: RE: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
The article made it sound bad. That people do things they wouldn`t normally do prior to being `intimate.
From: Skylar
Subject: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
You make it sound like it brain washes you in some
way. Sex doesn`t do that. You know there`s a quick
way for me to prove this, right? Well, hopefully
not too quick. ;)
xx
From: Roderic
Subject: RE: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
I guess. But that means we would have to do the thing I told you we weren`t going to do. Which, we aren`t.
From: Skylar
Subject: RE: Disappearing act
Message:
Why not? You only said you find it boring.
You`re perfectly capable of it. Right? I mean
when we showered together you... well, you
seemed interested. Though you didn`t seem to
enjoy the lap dance I gave you. And it`s bound
to happen sooner or later Ricky.
xx
Back at the flat later that evening…
Skylar:
So... *laughs as she hugs and kisses him* Wanna get it over with darlin?
Ric:
Be quiet. * barked out before wrapping both hands around the back of her head and forcing her to be quiet with a kiss *
Skylar:
*moans against his lips* A little warning would be nice Ricky. *straddles his lap and moves his hands to her breasts as she kisses him*
Ric:
* Just holds his hands there, not sure what he`s supposed to do with them. He inches back a little. * Stop talking. * Removes one hand, uses that hand to fish out a dagger from his boot and presses it to her side. * **** warnings. You don`t give them.
Skylar:
*places her hand over his to try and stop him from using the blade* No need for that darlin’. Just tell me what we`re doing and I`ll be five by five.
Ric:
I was going to prove a point. * Drops the small blade to the ground. * What does five by five mean? * Inches her backwards, to his knees. *
Skylar:
It meant I`ll be all good. Which I am now. So... prove away.
Ric:
* shook his head * Was a stupid idea. Nothing to prove, since you think you know everything about everything. Like what went on in the shower and what did or didn't happen when you gave me a lap dance.
Skylar:
*wraps her arms around his neck* Well I was close enough to feel what wasn`t going on the second time and kinda got a visual the first. Unless you`re telling me there`s more going on behind the scenes that I don`t know about? If you want to prove me wrong darlin’, go right ahead.
--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
Ric:
I just stared at her. "I never said that. I was agreeing with your infinite wisdom and knowledge on all things that were me." I take a hand, wrap it around one of her arms and try to tug it off from around my neck.
Skylar:
I pout as he more or less tries to distance himself from me. “Ricky. I don’t know **** about you. You do my head in if I’m honest. You blow hot and cold on me every single damn day. Now being the perfect example of this. I want to have sex with you. And I think, well maybe I don’t think but I hope, that you kind of want to have sex with me too.”
Ric:
"I wanted to show you that I was capable of having sex. That does not mean I want to have sex. I wanted you to be quiet, but that hasn't happened." I glare at her as I cross my arms at my chest. "Doing something is not always done because one wants to do it. Sometimes things just need to be done. Most people do not work because they want to work. They work because they have to. As an example."
Skylar:
“Great. So you were going to sleep with me even though you didn’t want to?” I mirror him and fold my arms across my chest. I half wish he had my stupid emotion sensing super power then he’d know what he does to me. Though even then he probably wouldn’t give a damn. “Are you even attracted to me Ricky?” The moment I ask that, I regret it. I’m pretty sure I know the answer.
Ric:
I don't answer the first question, but I do answer the second. "You already know the answer. Your evidence suggests I am. I never said I wasn't. You're just being, well, a woman and putting ideas in your head about what is and isn't being said." I move to stand up, which means I'm more or less pushing Skylar off my lap.
Skylar:
“Hey! How about a straight answer for once. You too afraid to be honest with me Ricky?” I’m more or less yelling at him as he pushes me away from him. I should have expected this though and I knew it.
Ric:
"You have admirable qualities. Like your calves." I know I'm pushing my luck with that, so I shrug my shoulders. "Yeah. I guess I am. When you're not being weird."
Skylar:
“Urgh.” I reach out with both hands and take a hold of his t-shirt, the material curling beneath my fingers as I tighten my grip on it and step closer to him. “Then what’s the problem? Why do you fight me on every damn thing?”
Ric:
I just look at her. I fight her on everything? I told her to be quiet and she couldn't even do that. I don't even think Skylar knows how to be quiet. Somehow she's always making noise. "There's no problem. I just don't think there's anything to prove anymore. Since you know I find you attractive." A hand moves to hers and starts prying her fingers off my shirt.
Skylar:
I throw my hands up in the air in a gesture of frustration and start to walk away from him before turning on my balls of my feet. “It’s hard to believe you find my attractive when you moan pretty much every time I kiss you and refuse to have sex with me.”
Ric:
We're at this again. The same conversation as always. "Not every time. Just sometimes. I'm adjusting. To you." I want to tell her I think she's high maintenance and demanding, but I don't think that's a 'nice' thing to say. Even if I'm pretty sure it's true. "I'll attempt to try harder with the kissing thing." I don't say sex because I'm sticking to my guns. Sex isn't essential for vampires to maintain a relationship.
Skylar:
I groan and cover my face with both hands. If I wanted a relationship where I felt like I was repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall, I’d probably date a chick or something. Most guys would have taken me in the shower. But not Ric. He had to be the only arsehole in Harper Rock that didn’t want to take advantage of a woman, even if she were throwing herself at him. I slump down onto the floor, cross my legs, place my hands on my ankles and just stare at him. I have no idea what I’m still doing here. I must really ******* like this guy.
Ric:
She's doing that thing again. Having a Skylar moment. I'm not sure what to call it yet, but that’s the first thing that pops into my head. I sit down across from her and stare right back at her. I figure she has something to say, she's just collecting her thoughts before she vomits them all out at me. So I wait.
Skylar:
He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t react. He just sits down opposite me and the silence continues. I reach out and grab a hold of his hands, entwining our fingers as we sit there doing nothing. My thumbs lightly rub at the backs of his hands and I look from them to his eyes and back again.
Ric:
I let her take my hand and even twine our fingers together. I wait for her to say something after, but she doesn't. She's just looking at me. Parts of me. I see this as her eyes shift from mine to our hands. As the silence remains between us, I feel more at ease. I squeeze down between her fingers, taking in the silence, texture of her hands and the sensations I feel when my hands squeeze against hers and hers against mine. A hand breaks free from hers and wraps around her elbows, before I pull Skylar to me. As I pull her, I get on my knees and when she's close enough, I mesh our lips together. I said I would try harder and she indulged me in my request of silence. She should be rewarded. I should express my appreciation.
Skylar:
I don’t mind the silence. I’d realised the other day at Lancaster’s that Ric might have a sort of calming influence over me. He could be still, while I liked to fidget. Being left alone to experience all that Elliot had to offer was like being handed an emotional grenade. I’m not expecting what happens next, so at first my eyes follow to where he grabs me. Then he kisses me and everything I’d been feeling just melts away. I come up unto my knees, place my arms around him and kiss him back, though tentatively, as I don’t want to scare him away from me again.
Ric:
I don't push her away. Instead, I keep kissing Skylar. I said I would try harder with that. I think she needs reassurance. I wonder if Skylar has low self-esteem. Or if it's an Allurist thing. Needing to know how others feel about them. Me? I don't give a ****. More people should live like I do. I think it would cause less issues if everyone just stopped wondering what everyone thought about them. I break the kiss and move away, but not before grabbing another kiss from her. This one short and to the point. Two was better than one. It seemed to seal the deal more.
Skylar:
I lightly touch my lips with my fingertips as he pulls away from me. It’s not the first time he’s kissed me but it kinda, sorta feels like it. “I’m sorry Ricky. You just kind of make me crazy at times.” I leave the explanation there. If he wants to know more I’m sure he’ll ask. I probably didn’t need to say it, or anything at all really but it slipped out regardless. I probably should have said thank you and left it at that. I mentally kick myself but it’s too late to do anything about it now.
Ric:
I make her crazy? I don't think I'm a complex individual. Skylar's something alright. Difficult to get around sometimes. A lot of times. I just nod my head. I don't really hold grudges against people. If I did, I wouldn't be in Tytonidae. "It's fine. Sorry too." I'm not sure what I'm sorry about, but Skylar said it. It seemed like I should say it too. My hands find their way from hers before I stand. "I killed a lot of people tonight. I'm going to shower and change." I tell her in an informational fashion. "Let's go." I don't really give her a choice. I know she has this obsession with being clean anyways and we've already showered together once before. I head down the hall to the bathroom, turn on the faucet to the tub and strip off my clothes before carrying out the task.
Skylar:
I sit back, my haunches on my heels and watch him walk away. I’m not entirely sure if I heard him right or not, so I just blink. I don’t sit there long though, as the invitation had been extended - kind of- so I scrabble to my feet and follow. When I reach the bathroom he’s already stripping. I have to watch, it would be rude not to. Well maybe not, but I watch anyway. I know I should exercise more self-control but living with Ricky means my reserves on that front are always running low. Once I’ve had the opportunity to drink in the sight with my eyes, I follow suit and start to strip. I know how this is going to go as I step into the shower; this is going to hurt. Being so close to him and not being able to give in to my instincts sucks. But it’s better than nothing.
Ric:
She joins me in the bathroom, maybe a minute after the invitation was extended. She's still not saying anything, which is weird for Skylar. I'm wondering if it's the calm before the storm. I'm naked before she even starts to get undressed, not noticing that she's watching me. The thought never crossed my mind. Why would she need to watch me anyways? We've showered together once before. Under different circumstances, sure, but there's nothing new that she hasn't seen before. Everything is quiet outside the running water. It's nice and rare. Gone is the urge to silence Skylar but now I don't know what we're supposed to be doing. Or more to the point, what I'm supposed to be doing. Here we are, naked, in almost silence. A hand goes to the back of my neck, as I look at her. Really look at her. Last time I didn't really do that. I start to judge her physical appearance, weighing them against other women I've seen walking around on the streets and the strippers at various strip joints. She doesn't really compare to them; the strippers. But that's alright. I don't like strippers anyways. I chalk this up to a good thing. That Skylar doesn't look like a stripper. She's about average in physical capabilities, though her arms are more defined than the average woman. Indicating she had strong upper body strength. I think these things and then stop. Should I be thinking these things? I shrug, which probably makes her wonder why I'm shrugging. "Come on." I say as I grab her left wrist and drag her into the shower. The sooner we get in, the sooner we get out and Skylar can go back to being Skylar. Talking and stuff. At least when she's gabbing, I usually know what she's, feeling. I guess. Chatty seems to imply she's in a good mood. Yelling was an obvious indicator she was less than happy. Silence from Skylar isn't something I'm familiar with. It's something I will have to study more to get a better understanding of.
Skylar:
I blush a little as he watches me. I mean he does that sometimes, watches me, but it’s not usually like this, this feels different. I want to ask what’s going through his head as he shrugs but I figure it’s best not to ask, besides I’m too busy chewing the inside of my mouth. I’m not sure why I’m nervous. We’ve been here before. But after the conversations we’ve been having this seems wrong and yet right, all at the same time.
I smile as he grabs my wrist and step into the shower with him. Ric does this; taking charge of things, or rather me. I’m not going to complain though. As much as I don’t much like being told what to do, I kinda don’t mind it when Ric does it.
I want to touch him. I want to let my fingertips explore every inch of his body, but I hold back from giving in to that impulse as it’s just going to end with me being frustrated. Like before. It is painful. Being this close to him.
“Ricky… Can I kiss you?”
I finally break my silence. I had to. I want to kiss him. I do. I’m just not sure if I should do it or not… all things considered.
Ric:
The water is warm, but I can't gauge how warm it is. Being dead and all. It's warmer than me. I wait for a complaint or comment about the temperature from Skylar when the water hits her after I've pulled her in with me, but what she says, or asks isn't what I expected. I look down at her, drawing out the silence between us as I think about the question. Why was she asking? Normally she just did whatever she wanted to do. That was Skylar. Acted before thinking things through. I shake my head as my hand leaves her wrist and moves to her elbow. I continue upwards to her shoulder, then travel down the length of her spine. I'm absorbing the texture of her skin. More or less. My hand stops somewhere in the middle of her back. Her posture is pretty nice. I've never noticed how straight she stood until now. Again, I question if I should be thinking these things. They seem random at a time like this. The silence has been too long and probably too silent for Skylar by this time, so I kiss her. It buys me more silence for now.
Skylar:
He shakes his head and I take that to mean that I’m not allowed to kiss him. I’d be disappointed but his hand is pretty much caressing my back. It’s hard to feel disappointed when he’s doing that. Ric is so difficult to read that while I know he must have feelings and emotions, I’m not sure if he even knows what they are. The kiss wakes me up. That - not so familiar - rolling fire that I feel when he does this rushes through me and forces me to respond; I wrap my arms around him and kiss him back. He may have said I couldn’t kiss him, but he started this. I barely even notice the warm water as it cascades over us.
Ric:
I stop thinking when Skylar responds to me kissing her. I don't care about her spinal alignment anymore for some reason. I don't even know why I cared about it to begin with. My hand drops to her butt. It's been there before, but in a different situation. We weren't naked and I was carrying her. But this was different. Way different. My hand doesn't stay there, all I do is give it a small squeeze. I think I was sizing it up, but I wouldn't really have anything to compare it to. I don't go around grabbing anyone's and everyone's *** in the city. "This isn't showering." I say as I lean back from her, my hands going to her sides. I hold her away from me at a few inches length and just stare down at her. I'm not sure how we got side tracked from the task at hand.
Skylar:
I laugh. What else can I do? He’s funny and his timing is awful. He couldn’t have waited a few more minutes to figure this out?
“Technically you didn’t ask me to come shower.”
I have no idea why I feel the need to point this out. Apparently my mind and mouth were back to their old tricks.
“And we can multitask. Make out and shower at the same time.”
I shrug slightly, my hands now resting comfortably on the back of his neck, as he’s trying to distance himself from me. I don’t allow that for very long though and since I’ve said everything I want to say about what’s going on, I claim his lips again. The fingers of my right hand tangle themselves in his hair and I grip his shoulder with my left. I know I shouldn’t push him, but I just can’t help myself. Besides. He started it by groping my butt.
Ric:
I try to distance myself more when she mentions making out, only she doesn't let me. She keeps invading my space and it's starting to get to me. I imagine a wolf must feel like this when their back was against the wall. Hackles high and the need to protect themselves. Defend the intruder off. I'm partially resisting Skylar, but at the same time I'm not. There's warning bells ringing in my head. "I don't make-out." I say quietly as one hand pushes her away, the other wraps around her upper arm and keeps her there. She has really nice muscle definition. I can feel it now, instead of just see it as I squeeze her arm. "I do shower." I nod my head, stop pushing her away and grab a bar of soap. I put it against her chest, and hold it there. Pressing it against her flesh, my hand flat on top of the flesh above her ribs and lungs. I stare at where it rests, then let my eyes fall further south before my hand follows my line of vision, exploring the curves of her body.
Skylar:
Ric’s confused. I’m pretty sure of it. Not that my superpower agrees. It’s his actions that give this away. No wonder I never know if I’m coming or going with him, he doesn’t seem to know himself.
“How about we don’t label the activity?”
It’s the best I have to offer. He does make out with me at times, he just doesn’t want to admit it. Showering however, he’s comfortable with. So I let him wash me. At least I think that’s what he’s doing. Of course I’m fighting my own nature again. The part of me that wants to purr and pretty much pounce on him. He really doesn’t seem to get how his words and actions just don’t match up at times.
I let him have his fun and then steal the soap from him and return the favour. I try not to think about the reason for this shower. The killing of creatures of people or whatever it was he’d been doing. I’m pro-life but there’s a food chain I can respect. It’s not like I don’t eat animals. Though Ric’s reason for killing probably doesn’t have anything to do with nutritional needs. I’ve not really questioned it though and I’m not going to start now. I have far more… important things to think about. Like just how far I can push this shower business without Ric disappearing on me like last time.
Ric:
I nod because Skylar caves. I think she is. In a roundabout way. Skylar likes to think she's winning or proving a point, so by her saying I'm right but we won't label it, she gets to keep some sort of 'I'm right,' feeling about her. I've explored just about every inch of her body when she takes the soap from me and follows suit. My entire body tenses and I just freeze up. I guess that's the best word for it. I freeze up.
♪ Am I strong enough? ♪
♪ I wish you well, but desire never leaves ♪ ♫ Available Melee Weapons ♫
NOTE: Sky has Healthy Complexion
--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay-- Ric:
No one's been this close to me in this sense. Intimate, Skylar would call it. I fight it. I don't push her away. Instead, I grab the hand with the soap and capture it more or less, pinning it to the tiled wall in the shower, before shoving her against it. I don't mind her in my space anymore, but this brought a different sort of feeling I wasn't familiar or comfortable with. By keeping her hands off my body, I won't feel whatever it is she was making me feel. At least that's what I figure initially. The other hand is pressed against the wall, at the wrist as I keep on kissing her. With me in control of what Skylar can and can't do, I no longer feel uncomfortable. Mission accomplished.
Skylar:
It’s probably a good thing he has me pinned to the wall, cos I could pretty much fall down with the shock of him acting this way. I don’t much care for the shower at this point. At this rate I’d probably need another one. Wouldn’t even matter if the hot water gave out; it’s likely to be a case of the colder the better by the time we’re through, cos man was I going to be frustrated. Going to be…? Who am I kidding? I’m already frustrated.
I try not to dwell on that, cos that’s just sad. Instead, I focus on kissing him. I don’t mind him keeping my hands from him. For now. But I need him to know he can’t have everything his own way, so I risk him bolting for the door and wrap my right leg around his left and close what little gap there is left between us.
Ric:
And this is how it goes. She pushes and I resist and try to control the situation as best as I can for as long as I can until something changes. At some point I forget about the need to dominate what we do and don't do. And in the middle of that, I cave. Skylar wins and we multi-task as she referred to it. Somehow, after our shower time is all said and done, we end up in my bed. Her on top and me on bottom. I think it was something about her wanting to cuddle. I tell her I don't cuddle, but I don't mind lying flat, doing nothing. I don't know when I fall asleep, probably around the same time as the other nights. When I wake up, I'm nowhere near my bed, apartment or Skylar. I am where I always am.
Skylar:
There’s no need for that second shower. Not after we’re through with the first. Luckily for, well, me - since I’m the one dancing with death at the end of the day - I was kind of prepared for this. It wasn’t a Ric thing, it was a me thing. I was the same way when I was human. Women of this day and age need to be responsible for their own safety. And since I knew I couldn’t control all of my actions after a few drinks, it was always best to be prepared for whatever mistake in judgement I might make. Not that Ric was a mistake. Far from it. He wasn’t even the disappointment he’d told me he’d be. If anyone was going to be disappointed by tonight’s events when all was said and done, it was more likely to be him than me.
I coaxed him into bed with me too. I wasn’t ready to give him up after that and go back to the way things were. And I certainly didn’t want him running out of the door. I didn’t push my luck though. I just settled down with him. Or rather, on him and replayed the shower scene over and over in my mind till dawn came and I passed out.
***
I wake up alone. Which sucks. I pout, push myself up from the bed and forgo my morning routine as I jump up from off the mattress and run barefoot into the front room.
“Ric? Ricky?”
I take a quick look about the place, not that there’s a lot of place to search, and then return to my bed. Or our bed. His bed? I was probably right the first time. Ric had in all likelihood done a runner the second his eyes opened. I sigh and pull the duvet around me.
“Urgh. I fucked up. He wasn’t ready.”
I attempt to bang my head on the pillow but that really doesn’t do much. Pillows were designed for comfort. I half consider pulling myself up and banging my head against the headboard but it seems like too much effort.
I lay there for a few minutes, unsure of what to do. Then I scoop up my phone and text Ric: You tell me not to be a typical girl and then you go and be a typical guy. Disappearing while I’m asleep. That’s really ******* classy Ric. < Sarcasm.
Ric:
I'm used to this. I have a stash of clothes in the cave if I ever find myself without clothes. No matter how many experiments I did to try and not end up here, I always did. I just became resigned to it and did my best and made do with waking up here, night after night. Once I grab out a pair of black pants and a white tank top, I'm on my way back to my apartment. I made a note to put clothing in there that wasn't summer oriented. Walking around in a tank top in the middle of winter got me a few looks. Well-deserved too. I forgot to update the pack as the seasons changed. I never woke up half naked before, because I knew what to expect night after night. This was Skylar's fault. I round a corner and vanish into the shadows of the night to stop drawing attention to myself. I'm gone about an hour because I walk. I don't risk sitting in a train getting more looks tossed my way. When I get back, I instantly head into the bedroom and start digging around for a t-shirt. As I do this, the dog I've yet to name worms its way out from under the bed and bolts for a different hiding place in the apartment. I've never been mean to it, or paid it much attention, but for some reason it just couldn't stand to be in the same place as me. That's when I notice Skylar there. Still in bed. "Hey." I say. I don't know if I should say something else in this scenario. What do people say the next day or night after?
Skylar:
I hear Blackie make a run for it. Nothing new there. The poor thing probably only came into the room after Ric left. There’s something about him that Blackie just doesn’t like. I can’t blame him. I don’t like him myself that much right now either.
Hey? The arsehole never replies to me, comes in looking like he’s been at the gym and says hey. I throw my pillow at him and sulk down in the bed.
Ric:
A pillow gets tossed in my direction and it falls somewhere to my right. I'm really not sure what sort of greeting that is. But I'm not going to toss it back. I don't do pillow fights. "You dropped this." I pick it up after bending down, move to the bed and hold it out to her. Silent Skylar, only this isn't the same as last night. She's defensive about something. "I'm going to shower since I just walked, what feels like ten miles easy. Then we can talk. If you want, I guess." Women liked doing that. Talking. About stuff. I head out of the bedroom, and down the hall to the bathroom.
Skylar:
I take the pillow, begrudgingly and just glare at him. When he leaves, I roll my eyes to myself and follow him to the bathroom. Blackie scampers back to my room and even though I’m not there to witness it, I’m pretty sure he crawls under the bed.
“I didn’t ******* drop it Ric.”
I shove him in the shoulder from behind.
“And hell yeah I want to talk. I know you’re clueless about this stuff and all but running off like that and leaving a girl to wake up alone after… Well after what we did last night. That’s just not cool Ric. Not cool at all!”
Ric:
I hear her and I want to turn around and give her a 'no, really?' look, but she shoves me. I move, barely a little, but enough. She's strong, like I thought last night. I turn as she starts accusing me of running off and wait until she's said her piece. I count to ten, my right hand clenching together, then unclenching. Twice. "I don't know what is typical, Skylar." I start out, because it's true. "And I didn't run out." I leave it at that. "Don't shove me again. Please." I add in because I'm trying to be nice to Skylar. Please is seen as nice.
Skylar:
What the ****? How can he stand there and lie to my face like that. Of course he ran out on me. I woke up and he was gone. The shoving thing seemed to get a response but the hand clenching didn’t go unnoticed and I half suspect he wants to punch me or something.
“Fine. So you didn’t run off. You walked off. Whatever.”
I play with the wording, as really, that’s the only way the guy could be lying. So yeah. Maybe he didn’t literally run out of the door. Maybe he walked. I guess he could have even done his shadow thing but I wasn’t conscious so I’ll be fucked if I know.
Ric:
"I didn't walk off, I didn't run off." I tell her. Every time I talk about waking up in the same place night after night, people look at me like I'm nuts. But I know I'm not. I know because I can feel the dirt under my hands. I can hear the slow drip of water from the top of the cave and smell that damp, musky smell. Every night. "I'm sorry I left. But it couldn't be helped." I say before continuing for the bathroom
Skylar:
I slip past him and block the doorway.
“What do you mean it couldn’t be helped. I know you don’t always favour words Ricky but right now would be a great time to explain in full.”
He’s always so cagey about stuff and rarely gives all the information at once, so if I have to bug him to get to the bottom of it, I was damn well prepared to do it. As far as I’m concerned there’s no good reason to run off and leave me. Not after what we did last night. If he needed to get his head around things then fine, but he could have warned me. He could have replied to my text even.
Ric:
"It mean what it means." I glare down at her. I could get past her if I wanted to, so I don't know why she's blocking my way. "I had to leave." I don't know why she's making a big deal about leaving her. I came back. I didn't break any of her rules in my mind. "It has nothing to do with you. Or us. Why I left." I try and reassure her because that's what Skylar needs and likes. Reassurance.
Skylar:
“Why then? Why did you leave? Cos it looks pretty ******* bad Ricky. Like you woke up, regretted what happened last night and fucked off so you wouldn’t have to face me. And what’s worse, is you not replying to my text. I’m left laying in bed thinking god knows what because you can’t even take two minutes to reply to me. Way to make a girl feel wanted.”
I resist the urge to kick him in the shins but only because I’m not wearing any shoes, so doing it would be kind of pointless. There were a lot of things about Ric I could forgive; him wilfully ignoring me, not one of them.
Ric:
I count, very slowly to ten. "I left. I didn't do anything. I didn't break a rule." I start to talk, only to look at her. "What text?" I reach into my pants pockets, but then remember I just put these on. I didn't wake up with them on. "My phone isn't on me. I think," I pause because I'm sure it's in my coat pocket. I head over to my coat, search it and sure as **** it's in the left pocket. "It's still in my coat. From last night." I toss it to her. "I didn't even read it. See for yourself." If she opened it, she would see that it said; '1 new message.' I cross my arms at my chest. "I left because I didn't have a choice. I always leave." I say as calmly as possible. "Always been this way. Think about it, Skylar."
Skylar:
I fold my arms across my chest and follow him to the front room. So far I’m not happy with his explanation.
I barely manage to catch the phone as he throws it at me but he’s right, he clearly hasn’t seen the text I sent him. So basically I was stressing for nothing. Well. Not for nothing. He still left. He just wasn’t ignoring me. Maybe? I dunno. The explanation that follows makes no sense. I move closer to him and place his phone back in his hands.
“What do you mean you didn’t have a choice. I don’t understand. I mean yeah, you’re an early riser of whatever but you’re not making any sense.”
Ric:
Skylar isn't happy with my answer. Even though I told her I didn’t break a rule. And that I didn't walk or run off. Times like these I want to bash my head into the wall. "And telling you that I never wake up here, ever makes even better sense?" I shrug my shoulders. "Ever since Nix sired me it's been like this. I wake up where I tried to kill her and where she did kill me." I really don't know what else to say, because i know how it sounds. "I try not to, but it doesn't matter. I've boarded up windows. Put stuff under the doors. Doesn't matter. Always end up there." I take two steps back and wait for it. A laugh maybe. Or that look I always get.
Skylar:
I’m not really sure what kind of reaction he expects from me but I just stand there confused.
“Huh… Well that sucks.”
I shrug my shoulders and take a moment to absorb what he just said. It does sound crazy but it does kind of explain why he’s never there when I wake up. I then realise I kind of owe him an apology.
“I’m sorry.”
I give him our usual greeting of two hugs and a kiss on each cheek and then pull away. I want to kiss him properly but I’m not really sure where his head is at.
Ric:
I don't get that look. I don't even get a laugh. She just looks at me and then says something I didn't expect. I nod. It did suck sometimes. But I would rather end up there then in some place no one I knew owned. She apologizes and I shrug my shoulders. "Don't worry about it." I tell her. "Did you think I broke a rule?" I ask her, wrapping an arm around her to keep her close to me. So I can watch her facial expressions.
Skylar:
“Well I didn’t think you were out ******* some other girl if that’s what you’re asking.”
I give a soft laugh and lean into him, since he seems to be in an affectionate mood. Or whatever it is that passes for an affectionate mood for him.
“I didn’t know that was a thing. It sounds like supernatural sleepwalking. Why didn’t you tell me you did that?”
Or more to the point, how had I not figured that out myself. It’s not entire my fault though either. I mean we never shared a bed until last night; he always stayed in the front room.
Ric:
"Because I didn't know I was required to tell you these things." I say honestly with another shrug. She seems satisfied with my answer though. Which is good as I don't have much more to say about the sleep walking thing. She's leaning into me. In my space, but it's tolerable because she's nowhere near the space she was in last night. Now that I'm at home, not half naked and Skylar's 'happy,' I have time to think about last night. Usually when I say I am or am not going to do something, I follow it through. Skylar does something to me. What, I don't know. But I'm not used to it. "I have to shower. Then work." I mutter, drop my hands from her and move around her.
Skylar:
“I think it falls under the no secrets thing, Ricky. That’s a pretty big thing to be hiding about yourself.”
There’s no anger in my voice. No judgement. I just wanted to explain why it was “required”. When he pulls away I’m not really surprised. I didn’t expect things to change overnight. Hoped maybe. But expect. Nope. I’m not that stupid.
I know I should let him get on with things and I don’t want to crowd him but I do have to ask.
“Ricky? We’re all right, right? I mean after last night and well… this just now.”
Ric:
"Oh." I say with a nod of my head. She's probably right, but I guess I never considered that a secret. Not compared to the fact that I've killed a lot of people. Pre-Harper Rock and after Harper Rock. Though the number has certainly dwindled since I've become a vampire. "Right." I add in before stopping and turning around to face her. There's that reassurance thing again. "Yeah. I was just thinking is all." I shrug my shoulders, then reach out for her. "We're not having sex again, but come on." I say as I pull her in the bathroom with me. Reassurance.
Skylar:
“Ever? Or now?”
I can’t help but ask as you never know with Ricky. Though the moment I ask it I realise I probably won’t believe the answer anyway. Well not if it’s ‘ever’ that is. The ‘now’ I was more than willing to accept.
I feel much calmer now. Much happier. Whatever Ric and I have it seems to be sorting itself out. Kind of.
Ric:
I just look down at her. I'm not sure how to answer that, honestly. She says we're dating and people that date do these sorts of things, but I still believe sex isn't essential or required from people. Especially vampires. I don't answer. Instead, I kiss her because it worked last night. Kissing her made her stop asking questions and made her stop talking. Mostly. I don't kiss her too long because I don't want sex tonight and probably won't want it any other night either. Just enough to keep her quiet and her mind preoccupied as I keep walking backwards to the bathroom, her with me.
Skylar:
I don’t get my answer. Instead I get kissed. I don’t mind him doing that. Not now anyway. It’s a step in the right direction at least. Kissing me without me asking that is. Not the not answering. But then if I wanted one, I could always ask again. And again. And again. Until I finally get to the bottom of things, like I’d done with the sleep walking issue. All things considered, a shower, probably wasn’t the worst idea. I follow, my lips barely leaving his and tell myself not to expect anything more. Though of course, one can always hope.
