“I can assure you I did not say that and I did not threaten that man, that is absurd! why would I even start a mess like this?”
“I hope you’re aware that my suspicion is not uncalled for?” The Commander gives out a sigh, setting down the recent report. “I am getting too old for this job.”
Her snarky attitude is something that brings a smirk to his own lips. He missed this kind of banter that he can only gain from her. It’s the look that makes him freeze as he watches her slowly eat the fruit. He doesn’t even try to hide in staring at her. Even with her being gone, she still knows how to rile him up. He clears his throat as he looks away and he pushes away the empty little box of raspberries. Listen to him? He side eyes her but he’s interested now. There was no set topper as they liked to give difficulties but he did enjoy being in charge… He leans over, catching her chin in his hand and licked off a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth. Doing her work for this long and his own? Surely he deserved some kind of reward.
‘ —– I did do almost all your paperwork and mine… surely that counts as being good while you were away. I wouldn’t mind getting a reward. ‘
That’s more like it, she thinks; more like Levi she always knew. It brings a grin to her face, and a whole bunch of ideas to her head. She can follow for now, after all that traveling, it’s good to relax a bit. And the look on his face is just priceless. “ Yes, a reward would be in order.” Zoe takes off her goggles, and sets them aside, not removing her eyes off him for a second. This is a game she’d love to play.
“What would you like me to do?” She says, but doesn’t sound tame. There’s a lingering excitement in her voice, from all the possible directions this could go. Time apart has taken its toll on her as well.
This was a dangerous game he was picking to play with her. Slate optics flicker between her mouth and the piece of fruit before he squints at her only briefly. Like she was even one to back down from a challenge. He stares, nearly dead panning at her saying he wanted to refresh his memory — well he wouldn’t mind it. But he knows he won’t get it that easily. Nor would he give in that easily. He in turn picks up one of last few remaining pieces of fruit and drags his tongue over the ridges licking up the chocolate sauce before licking his lips.
‘ —– Even I did, I know it comes with a price. But I’m willing to pay whatever it is. However… You’ve been gone so long Commander, I don’t think I wanna listen to you that easily. ‘
“Even if you did?” She slyly counters, before slowly putting the raspberry in her mouth. Zoe looks at him in a way only he got to experience, hooded and filled with promise. Nothing is for free, he was right, but there’s an old saying she found in books. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. She would love to scratch his.
“Hmm, I have been gone for a while. Perhaps it’s time to listen to you for a bit? After all, my memory also needs some refreshment of… how things are around here.”
It took a while for her to figure out what she meant but once it clicked, Isabel lifted her head, hands on her hips now. “Doesn’t the fact that I’m tryin’ ta find it’s owner mean I have no second motive?” she pointed out. “Tell me what it looks like and I’ll think about givin’ it back to ya”.
“A good reward’s always a nice motive.” She laughs, “Are you asking me to describe the wallet that is right there in your hand? That’s not very effective, now, is it?
Her laughter is something he has missed. Not the one she givens when talking about new findings that are horror ridden, nor ones that she gives when being a true commander. It’s the simple laughter of someone who is his companion. He looks over at her as lips part and he licks off the side of the raspberry before putting it entirely in his mouth. Chewing up the fruit, he licked his lips off before raising a brow at her.
‘ —– It’s been awhile since I last tasted you. Can’t say I re-call you tasting like sugar. ‘
Oh, he’s always had a mouth on him, and she can thank the stars for that. Zoe knows what game he’s playing, and to be fair, it’s been a while. So she accepts it. Brows shoot upwards, as she takes a raspberry, and leaves it hovering in front of her mouth.
“It sounds like you wish to refresh your memory.”
A shrug of his shoulders given as he picks up the raspberry that was still drizzled in chocolate. It’s rare for them to even get sweets but once in awhile he did want to enjoy the tart taste of it.
‘ —– This fruit is more on the bitter side. Guess that’s why I prefer it over the others. Though, the chocolate on it balances out. ‘
Her laughter fills his office. “No, this is where you say that I’m so sweet, I got you hooked on sugar.” Zoe teases, stretching out her legs.
Continued from kaphore here x
“Are you sure? You don’t seem very relieved to have it back?” Isabel asked, folding her arms in suspicion and keeping the wallet out of sight.
“Ah, but if I seem too relieved, wouldn’t you suspect that I have something very valuable in there? Do I know you? Can I take that risk?”
Continued from x with kaphore
Jean turns, realizing all too late what he’s done. “J-Jean Kirschtein, c-cadet,” he mumbles, automatically. His face is hot, cheeks growing more red by the second. “I-I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I-I didn’t…’M sorry.”
“Stand up straight! How are you saluting your commanding officer?! Are you on vacation perhaps, cadet?” Younglings were always all too easy. And he’s gonna learn this lesson well.
pulls her into his lap, face pressing into her crook. No words given at first as he simply inhales her smell before murming against her skin,"I got most of your work done and mine while you've been away."
It’s automatic, the way their bodies fold together, the way he fits there, like a missing piece of the all too complicated puzzle. Commandership took its toll on her, but it’s these moments of peace and tranquility that she let herself breathe. Brushing away his hair, Zoe places a soft kiss on Levi’s forehead. “Hmmm, thank you. You must’ve been really bored.”
“Look out where you’re going, asshole!”
Warm hues turn cold and menacing in an instant. “Name and rank, soldier!”
“Is this your wallet?”
She has never owned a wallet in her entire life. “Oh, yes, where’d you find it!?”
“I realise you don’t know me, but please help me, I think I’m going to pass out.” “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I saw someone put something in your drink. You didn’t drink from it already, did you?” “I got robbed and have no way of getting home. They got my phone, so I can’t call anyone. Could I please borrow your phone?” “Shit! Sorry, I didn’t see you there… Are you okay?” “Charlie! Imagine seeing you here!– Oh. Wait, you aren’t Charlie…” “Excuse me, I was looking to get my girlfriend a bra, could you help me– You’re not the shop assistant, are you?” “Watch out for that truck!” “Is this your wallet?” “You look very different to your profile picture…” “Look out where you’re going, asshole!” “Did you see that?! He had a gun.” “Are you the girl/guy from So You Think You Can Dance?!” “Err– I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was just walking behind you and I think you must have sat in something…” “I know I don’t know you and this might sound really strange, but do you have a room or a spare settee or something I could crash on? I could pay you… I just… I really need someone to help me out right now.” “HELP ME!” “Oh my god, are you okay? I’m calling the police. I think I saw who did this to you.” “Are you alright? You look really pale.” “The whole street is blocked off. The police won’t tell us anything, but I think there’s been some kind of attack… Maybe a bomb?” ”Have you lost something? Can I help?” “Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?”.
He isn’t prone to keeping tabs on his neighbors. Whether they be next door, across the hall or in this case, across the damned building. But this one, she’s been enticing him. He’s been somewhat watching her. From the first time, he’s gathered she’s been working in something fancy. After all, she does wear a suit. Though this was the first time they’ve maintained eye contact. Slate optics linger, gazing at her from where he sat on the bed. He stares at her face, nothing else even those she keeps under dressing. Thin eyebrow is cocked upwards in questioning as he reaches up, removing his cigarette from between his lips. Smoke billows around him and it evaporates as he inclined his head. She really didn’t care about privacy? Or was this to try and see if he’d do something? He doesn’t want to fuck with business women, he knows they well mean business. Instead, he gives a small quirk of his lips, chuckling to himself as he shakes his head and looks away. What game is she trying to play at? He places the cigarette in the ash tray, burning it out before getting up and going over to his window. In the split second he looks over at her again, he takes in the view he’s given. Taunt body but she has muscle. Does she work out? Odd, he’s never seen her at the gym before. Maybe they go at different times. Levi stares at her again, hand on the drapes but he doesn’t yet move to close them. This confused him yet intrigued him. She doesn’t close her drapes but shes the one undressing… yet he will because he feels as if she needs her privacy? Was he wrong in wanting to do that? He doesn’t even know this chick. Fingers twitch in want to wave at her or at least acknowledge her but on a second thought — he’d feel like that weirdo from across the building. He shakes his head, a half smile on his lips as he draws the drapes but he leaves it cracked. If she looked hard enough, which she’d notice, she seems smart, then she can tell she can still him and he can still see her.
Eyes locked to each other, and Zoe wonders if she’s ever seen him before. Surely, such pleasant face, she’d remember, but one can never be too sure. It amuses her, the way he quirks his eyebrow at her, the way his lips curl, and the way the cigarette sits between his lips. Yes, he definitely was an attractive man, all the more reason why she wouldn’t back out now, perfectly aware of her own appearance.
Button after button, she reveals her chest, and stomach, as the white fabric falls to her sides. Zoe looks at the stranger across the street with an arrogant smile playing on her lips, as she lets her hair down. Strict bun spills into wild tangles across her shoulders, as the curtain hides the new-found fascination from across the street. But she’s too confident; or perhaps holds too much pride into her looks to quit just yet.
Shirt slips down from her shoulders, and she flashes her teeth, turning around. Fingers make a quick work of her bra, unclasping it, showing off her bare back. It feels strange, yet oddly exciting… Surely, if it was other way around, Zoe wouldn’t be able to look away from that. One last look behind her shoulder, she pulls the heavy curtain and skips across the room to the shower, wondering if the next day he’ll be there as well. A part of her anticipates so.
