the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

Alanna has a Plan.

Actually, it's less of a plan and more a vague notion of what needs to be done in order to snap Adam out of his cycle of doubt and worry. He is so intent on fixing other people, but he's the one about to drop dead of exhaustion.

Nevertheless, a plan of sorts has been made, and Alanna has been preparing most of the evening. Bottles of Atlantean and wine are near at hand, and the fire flickers cheerfully. Glancing at her reflection on one of her many passes before the mirror, Alanna wrinkles her nose. Her skin is still pink and smells vaguely of honeysuckle after a shower that surely sucked all of the hot water out of the bar. Her hair falls softly around her shoulders, for once untangled.

But it's still her.

Straightening, she pushes her shoulders back and smiles. That may be so, but one didn't spend so much time with Delia without picking up a thing or two.

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*He wanted to stay away, he wanted to come back, and in the end, he waited until it was dark; darker so she wouldn't see the bags under his eyes, darker so maybe she wouldn't notice how tired he was. He pushes the door open and blinks, confused.*

Alanna?

Alanna watches her eyes widen in the mirror, and a multitude of doubts rush through her head. This is a stupid plan. She shouldn't have worn this dress. He'll get suspicious, and then where will they be?

Alas, it's too late to back out now.

Unless she changed... no.

"You're late getting back," she says, wincing at the slightly accusatory tone. Hoping she doesn't look as nervous as she feels, she plasters a cheerful smile on her face and walks towards him.

*He shrugs, and waits for her, putting his hands lightly on her waits. He bites that spot on his lip as he looks at her, brows furrowed.*

Are we going somewhere?

"No," she replies hastily. Taking both of his hands, she pulls him towards the couch, biting her lip in exactly the same spot. As luck would have it, her missing practice sword chooses that moment to reappear. She trips over it and flushes.

Smooth. Perhaps some extra light would not be remiss after all.

"Have a seat, Adam."

She passes him a full bottle of Atlantean.

*He flounders for a minute, torn between doing as she says and trying to make sure she's okay.*

I'm-

*He takes the bottle and looks at it a bit oddly.*

"...still standing."

A light shove on both his shoulders takes care of that.

"It's your favorite, isn't it?" She keeps her voice low and even, reaching for a bottle of wine.

"Not especially for the taste."

It definitely has its uses, though, and he lets out a bit of a smile as he sits, motioning for her to join him.

Alanna pours the red wine in a glass (will wonders never cease?) and joins him, curling her legs up under her.

"How are you feeling?"

*He manages - mostly - to keep the frustration out of his voice as he places a hand near her leg.*

Fine. Tired, I guess.

He's not drinking.

Alanna fidgets, glancing down at his hand and tracing the bones of his fingers. She takes a sip of wine, followed by a healthy gulp.

"I missed you."

I missed you, too.

*No, he's not. He's fiddling with the bottle, watching her drink with a frown on his face.*

You did all this?

A flash of cautious annoyance in her eyes is quickly masked. Nodding, she lifts his hand and plays with his fingers.

"Aye, I did. It seems I'm bound and determined to help you relax any way I can."

You're not required to do anything.

"Who said anything about requirements?"

The corner of her mouth twists into a half smile as she kisses each of his fingertips in turn.

*He shrugs, and closes his eyes, huffing as her tries to work at the top of the bottle one handed.*

You want me to drink, I'm gonna need that back for a minute.

Not letting go just yet, Alanna quirks an eyebrow.

This might prove more difficult than originally anticipated.

She slowly sucks one of his fingers into her mouth and flicks it with her tongue, nipping the tip. Smiling, she moves his hand and drops it on top of his bottle.

"All you had to do is ask."

*He catches his breath short and closes his eyes, his hands clenching into fists once she's let go.*

Right.

*Forcing deep breaths, he opens the bottle and looks around for a glass, finally settling on using the bottle. Alanna's seen worse from him. One sip, two, three at least has him worrying more about the taste of the Atlantean than why he's drinking it.*

Watching him, Alanna wonders if it's entirely too early for a celebratory dance. She tucks his hair behind his ear, making sure to let her fingers dance over sensitive spots. It's good to know he's not entirely immune.

"I have cider, if you'd rather that."

Of course, cider wouldn't have the desired effect. In the hopes that he won't want her to move, she kisses his ear, breathing against his neck.

*His eyes fall shut, and he takes another sip or twelve.*

Alanna-

"Adam?"

Courage restored, she finishes her wine and pours another glass, but not before catching his earlobe between her teeth. She's not sure how far she should push him just yet. Too much, and he'll get angry. Too little, and he'll fall asleep. Timing is everything.

Alanna decides she's rather enjoying herself.

"Are you too hot?"

Yes. No. I mean-

*He sees the glass of wine, he sees the look on her face, and he falls back, arm over his eyes.*

You shouldn't-

Alanna rolls her eyes. Dipping her finger in the wine, she traces his lips and leans over to get him a light kiss. As she pulls back she brings his arm with her, a determined to look in her eye.

"I'll decide what I should and shouldn't do, thank you very much. Now stand up."

*He opens his eyes, startled, and starts in with a-*

But-

*and stops when he sees her face. One last sip from the bottle, and he stands, eyeing her warily.*

The wine and his bottle are quickly set aside. Alanna smiles innocently, standing on the sofa and grasping his shoulders. It's the work of mere seconds to spin him around.

"Relax," she insists.

Gently pushing his head forward, she rubs his back, trailing kisses along his neck and up to his ear.

I am relaxed.

*But his voice and his body have possibly never been less so. He hangs his head forward as she starts and, remembering yesterday and how he doesn't want to fight anymore, a thousand questions and problems and accusations fall dead on his tongue.*