the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's late when they finally make their way back down to the main bar, heading towards the staff quarters. Alanna is still partially wet from her dunk in the hot tub and the purple streaks in her hair are fading somewhat, but otherwise she’s none the worse for wear. Her arms are loaded with discarded layers, a few bright pieces of wrapping paper, and many gifts she certainly wasn't expecting. As they near their quarters, she starts passing things to Adam.

The paintbrushes are handed over and quickly retrieved, lest Adam get suspicious.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He notices - don't think he wouldn't - but he doesn't say anything. Just smiles as he stands by, letting her open the door and let them into the flat.

"Was it everything you'd hoped?"

There's a hint of laughter in his voice.

After two attempts, she manages to get the door open and walk through, immediately turning around and sticking her head back out in the hallway, eyeing him.

"Was what everything I'd hoped?"

The paintbrushes are surreptitiously tucked under her arm as she smiles with almost convincing nonchalance.

Almost convincing. Almost. He chuckles as he steps in and leans forward to kiss her, his arms full.

"The party. Your birthday."

Foiled again.

She stops short of kissing him, a puzzled look on her face.

"All I hoped for," she explains, "was to spend time with you and Thom. So, yes. This -everything- is far more than I could have imagined. Did you know Thom and I had never had a party?"

A light kiss, and she steps aside so he can come in, kicking the door shut with her foot.

"I think I might remember learning such a thing."

Presents go. . . fuck it. Presents go on the floor, they'll be dealt with later. Or maybe they'll deal with themselves. One of the perks.

Arms, on the other hand, go around Alanna, and he beams at her.

"I'm glad you liked it."

Looping her arms around his neck, Alanna grins and tries not to laugh when one of the presents, a small purple ball, rolls sideways and emits a beautiful, if very Alanna-appropriate song. Arithon is very talented.

"I loved it. Although I'm quite certain I got into a fair bit of trouble."

She frowns slightly, trying to remember just how much trouble.

"More or less than what I walked in on?"

The ball stops playing music after a while; Arithon's not the only talented one. (Don't worry, it'll play again.)

Glancing at the ground curiously, she shakes her head.

"Perhaps more. I made Lucy choke a few times, agreed to take ballet lessons, learned how to tango and arranged to have Goldy flirt with Thom." Guilty silence. "And of course, Raven and I are never up to any good."

"You and Raven shouldn't be allowed to spend time together."

He settles them on the couch and wraps an arm around her shoulder.

"I think that having Goldy flirt with Thom is pure genius, though."

"I rather thought so," she agrees, draping her legs over his with a contented sigh. "It was highly amusing. She touched him, and that was it. Despite that, I think he had fun. Well, as much fun as he would let himself have, that is."

The paintbrushes hit the ground behind the couch.

Will they be there in the morning? Only time will see.

There's a glimmer in his eye, and he knocks her knee with his.

"Think you got enough presents?"

"Enough?"

Surely he must be joking. Confused, she blinks at him, then at the presents on the floor.

"Adam, I didn't need any. Expect any. I got the best present imaginable watching Thom come to grips with the Piccadilly Circus tube station."

Her eyes widen, and her fingers twist in his shirt. It's a fairly decent imitation.

Adam can only imagine, and he laughs.

"I guess you don't want another one, then."

Is that a box in Adam's hand? why yes, it is.

Alanna feels this might be a trick question.

"Um," she starts, leaning forward to drop a kiss on his nose. "I suppose it would be rude of me to say no. So if you wish to give me one, I'll accept it gladly."

She squirms, predictably curious.

"I don't know. Perhaps I ought to put it away somewhere for another time."

He pulls the box back, eyebrows high and a smirk on his face.

"Now is good!" She says hastily, grabbing for the box. Handling this sort of suspense has never been her strong suit. "Definitely now. Besides, if you put it away somewhere, the dragons might get it."

How can he argue with that logic?

Obviously, he can't argue with THAT kind of logic.

"I suppose."

He rolls his eyes, but he's grinning, and hands over the box, bow and all.

Licking her lips, she slowly unties the bow while watching him, dragging it out as long as possible.

"I'm going to hazard a guess that it isn't some sort of animal."

She smiles, fingers fumbling slightly with the box.

"Like we've got room for another?"

That's a wide grin, though, on his face as he watches her unwrap it.

"There's always room for..."

An odd look crosses her face just before she giggles, recalling Lilly's words.

"Right. No animals.

When she finally opens the box, she doesn't say anything, just sits there with an astonished expression.

An emerald necklace; beautiful, but not too fancy. Simple, but sophisticated.

"I thought you could . . . wear it."

"That's what one usually does with necklaces," she says quietly, finger tracing the emerald with near reverence.

Alanna won't look at him just yet, convinced she will burst into delighted and sappy tears. Fingers curling around the box, she hugs him and stares at the necklace over his shoulder.

"I know. I meant-"

He shakes his head and just kisses her.

She's not supposed to like birthdays.

The thought stupidly echoes through her head, and Alanna kisses Adam with no small amount of wonder, crawling closer. She lets go only to stare at the necklace again, her smile widening.

"Goddess, Adam. It's beautiful. I'm not quite sure how to thank you properly." Looking up, she searches his eyes. "What did you mean?"

It's almost an afterthought, and she looks as if she's going to kiss him again in lieu of finding words.

She can kiss him again if she wants, he leans forward and kisses her anyway, bringing a finger up to her neck to run along the charm there, always there.

"That you could wear it instead- when you're ready."