if ares is the god of war, why do we shrink so from aphrodite?  (l.d.)

@corruptedones

(via daonnachaill)

Mae had just finished clocking out when she all but bodily ran into Moran who was coming in as she was heading out. It took her a minute to realize what had happened but when she did, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Fancy meetin’ you here.” It was only a little while but I missed you.

Moran grinned when he realized who had bumped into him, stepping outside of the shop before collecting her into his arms snugly and holding her tight. “Come here often?” he flirted, kissing the top of her head affectionately. It had felt like the meeting went on forever.

A happy hum left her when he kissed her before turning to leave. “I’ll hold you to that!” She called out to him as he left. When the chime above signaled his departure, Mae let herself pout a moment then returned to work. It was easy to slip back into the routine and it helped her lose track of time.

The next time she looked up for the time, there was flour in her hair and it was two and a half hours later. “Time really does fly when you’re havin’ fun.” Even if she had multitasked and daydreamt about kissing her husband in her office.

Her cheerful comment as he left made him smile as he departed the shop, hands shoved into his pockets as he wandered down the street. His smile melted off when he focused on the report for M, the debriefing that he was meant to give.

The meeting went well and M had released him quickly after he had explained that he wanted to go see Mae. With a small smile and a nod, she had dismissed him after hearing a promise for a full write-up within three days. He had given her the necessary details, though, and she was satisfied. He made his way back to the shop as quickly as he could.

In that moment all she really wanted was for them to be alone. Mae was half tempted to take him to the apartment. Or pull him into her office. Something. So when he pulled away her sigh was equal part relief and frustration that quickly ebbed away in time for her smile to answer his. “See to it that you do, darlin’. I’ll be awful chilly without you.”

He smiled at her use of their stand-by ‘I love you’ metaphor. He had used it enough when figuring out whether saying ‘I love you’ was appropriate that it was nigh synonymous in his mind. He bent down to drop a kiss to her lips before turning away, towards the door -- the sooner he left, the sooner he returned. “I’ll be sure to keep you very warm tonight.”

“Sebastian Moran.” Again his name slipped from her lips not as a curse but an almost moan. Mae quickly stifled the sound but some of it still came through. Luckily there hadn’t been anyone close enough to hear it besides Moran. “I don’t think she’d like it at all.” When he spoke so close to her ear she laughed. “I do. All of the time, actually.”

He dug his fingers gently into her hips when he heard the way she said his name, then forced himself to step back a little, to prevent himself from taking her to the apartment upstairs and giving her a proper ‘hello.’ “I’ll make sure she knows I have other...pressing matters to attend to and try to make sure it’s a fast meeting.” He grinned.

Somebody I Almost Know

Winter nodded, committing it to her memory. “’S nice to meet you, Moran.” Though she noticed the slight change in his demeanor, she didn’t comment on it right away. Feeling fairly at peace, especially considering he might buy some cookies for his meeting, she hummed to herself as Moran walked away.

After another rush there was, thankfully, a lull. She flopped herself into one of the overstuffed chairs towards the back. The man–Moran–was still there and looking rather perturbed.

Moran hadn’t gone back to talk to Mae since their previous conversation. He was confused to say the least, and slightly concerned. When she went to a chair in the back of the shop instead of coming to his table when she was taking a break, he furrowed his brow, but focused on his laptop, typing out a report for his most recent job for M - she required a report for each. 

He reached for his mug, draining the last bits before glancing up and accidentally catching Mae’s -- Win’s -- eye. 

“I swear to someone that you’re tryin’ to tempt me into leavin’.” And she was becoming more and more welcome to that idea. Mae tilted her neck some for him and snorted out a quiet, amused laugh. “You already know what I want.”

Moran grinned wickedly, nipping at the edge of her earlobe as she stretched her neck. He pulled back before he was tempted to ditch the debrief as well, but kept her tucked closely against him. “I’m very tempted to just kidnap you, but I’ve a feeling M wouldn’t be terribly happy about it.” He smirked before running his lips along the shell of her ear. “You want me.”

“Bastian.” Though it should have sounded like an admonishment, his name came away sounding more like a breathless sigh. “If you aren’t careful I’ll be tempted to beg out early.” Mae nodded in understanding, no matter what M needed to have priority. “Pad Thai? If you’re feelin’ it, I mean.”

He shivered at the sound of her voice, more moan than voice. He smirked at her reply, though, pleased that she was more inclined toward takeaway than actually cooking, as it would take less time. He nuzzled into her neck, wanting more access to her. “Aye, whatever you wish, bird. I’ll give it to you.” It had a double-meaning for them, as he knew she’d read into it.

Clubbing aus for your clubbing au needs

- I’ve been touching your butt for the past half hour but I swear the first five minutes were accidental

- you’ve been grinding on all my friends but not on me it’s been four hours I’m drunk my ego is hurt I want an explanation

- you’re obviously interested in me but I am a socially awkward person who doesn’t even dance please stop touching my butt

- I didn’t know it would be a fancy dress night

- I didnt know it wouldn’t be a fancy dress night

- I am interested in you but you are surrounded by hyper protective and slightly scary Drag Queens with very high heels

- we’ve been taking turns at the pole and end up dancing together and it’s quite a bit indecent

- this fun-ruiner has been obviously bothering you all night and you don’t have anyone to give you a way out so I’ll make out with you in the name of Justice

- oh man I love this song so much lemme sing it dramatically at the top of my lungs while standing in the middle of the dance floor

- you keep taking me back to the dance floor but I really need to pee — I end up dragging you with me to the toilets to explain the situation and you start passionately making out with me —- I am really enthusiastic about this development but am also about to pee on myself —— Is2g if you’re not there when I get out of the loo I’m gonna be pissed off ——- I am pissed off

- all my friends are leaving and we all came in the same car but I don’t wanna let go of you

- you???! here??!?!??!? what how

- I thought you came in with a significant other but apparently it’s a platonic significant other

- I came in to get my friend/sibling to come home but I saw you (long time crush/very positive first impression)

- you keep knocking down stuff and people let me be your support

- you’re drunk or high or both and keep saying things

- your fake id looks so fake I can’t believe you paid someone for that

- I’ve known you for years and have never ever seen you moving like that I feel betrayed

- we came here on my suggestion but apparently you’re on a first name basis with every staff member

- I was supposed to chaperone you but I apparently am your kryptonite; I would like to be sorry but I really am not

- getting out to make out properly and ending up engrossed in a very deep conversation until 7am; the club is closing and all our friends are various shades of worried and pissed off

“That’s kind of where my mind had been goin’ with that but I’ll happily wait until we’re alone again.” She leaned into both his hands and the kiss to her forehead. A little shiver went through her at his touch. “A couple hours from now. You have anythin’ you need to do?”

He laughed, ducking to press a kiss to her neck when she agreed. He was pleased at that. While Moran was happy to be near Mae no matter what, he had missed being intimately close. “Aye, I can debrief with M and make sure I’m home by dinner-time. Do you want me to bring home some takeaway?”

Somebody I Almost Know

Her smile grew broader. It was always nice when people paid attention. That thought had her worry at her bottom lip before throwing caution to the wind. “Y’know I’ve been yammerin’ on this whole time an’ I forgot to ask you what your name was. ‘M sorry. ‘M normally not so rude.”

“Fire at a meetin’ probably wouldn’t make it too sucessful,” Winter commented almost absentmindedly. “Cookies usually help but sayin’ so probably makes me seem a bit biased.” Which I am.

He paused, a little baffled. Suddenly, he felt the need to reevaluate her interaction with him. While she’d been sweet and open to him, she hadn’t had her normal feeling of warmth and love. And now...His name? “Moran. I usually go by my last name. First is okay, but I prefer last. Much like you with your first.” He forced a smile. 

“Aye, most meetings are quite stressful, but a fire would make it tip into terrifying territory,” he obliged. “Maybe I’ll order some cookies after this cup.” he nodded down at his hands before flashing another smile and wandering back to his table, confused.

Somebody I Almost Know

“You’re a sweet fella.” Winter grinned at that. “I appreciate that an’ thank you for humorin’ me.” Part of her wanted to ask about his name since they’d just been talking about her own. Then again that could be considered a little rude. “Win ‘s just fine.”

When he looked around she had to work to keep from laughing again. “…That’s true. I might have to invest in a pair myself. It’d probably be less of a fire hazard than candles.”

He nodded, making a note as such. “Win, then,” he smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” It would be hard to make the transition, but he was glad he at least hadn’t tried to call her Mae while in the shop today. 

“Aye, considerably given that it doesn’t involve fire in any way.” He snorted. “Even a flashlight may be less of a fire hazard than candles, depending on how old the flashlight is.”

Never Too Late

Kazara didn’t have to look back to know he was still there. She’d started to give up on the idea that he was possibly a coincidence, just a strange guy who happened to be headed the exact same direction, even when she took a slight detour before ducking in to Theory. She didn’t want to risk her friend or her business, but when the guy didn’t follow her in she felt a little less guilty.

But not any less tense.

Her order was ready for her, as usual, so she paid quickly and chatted with Mae for a few minutes, not mentioning her brief stalking incident. It wasn’t worth anyone else getting involved. Especially if it turned out she was wrong. That wasn’t likely, considering her track record, but it wasn’t impossible. Kazara stayed awhile in the back corner of the cafe: with the best view of the shop and a wall behind her back, she felt safe.

But eventually she had to leave, and it was cowardly to linger any longer than she already had. So she bought another of her signature drink and left with a short goodbye, alert and on edge as she headed for the safe house she called home.

Moran knew that Kazara could tell he was there - he knew when a mark knew that they were being watched. He texted M as much and got a response: 

M: Tail her anyway. Step back a bit but keep her in your sights. Make sure she’s ok. - M

And so he did his job. Tailed her, followed her to Theory, stayed outside while she chatted with the lass he (thought? he) was dating, then continued after. He’d stepped back slightly, just the way that M requested, grabbing a street hot dog from a vendor that he knew well - as he’d kept an eye on Mae not long ago for the same employer - and ate it while he watched Kazara from rooftops.

He was most comfortable up in the air somewhere, in rafters, on the roof, things like that. So it helped that this was also where it was less likely that she would see him. He sent a sweet text to Mae (”Hope your day is going well. Drinks tonight? SM) while he followed Kazara, then glanced through the virtual folder Mae had sent him about her. 

Lost Souls

It was kind of hilarious to see a man like Moran blush, but she refrained from laughing. It was one thing to giggle about someone getting your accent ridiculously wrong, and another to laugh when another person apologised. To ease any potential guilt he might have, she waved a hand dismissively. “Dinna fash yerself. ‘m no’ over-offended – Mae’s no’ a bad person t’ be compared to.” She grinned again, nodded as she shifted her weight from one foot to another, getting ready to leave. “Aye, tha’ we are. But dinna worry: ‘m sure I’ve made jus’ as many jokes about your lot as you ‘ave o’ mine.”

Another little laugh escaped after her last little tease and she made quick work of unlocking the door for them to go, knowing he was likely as anxious to get home as she was.

What she didn’t know is that Moran blushed all the time, but he was good at hiding it around people who weren’t Mae. But he did appreciate her not saying anything. Her accent made him feel as though he were slipping further into his own - almost at home. “Aye, she’s a lovely bird, that’s for sure. I’m quite lucky to have her around, as you know. And ‘s long as yer not wearin’ a kilt, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.” 

He followed her out the door, shoving his phone deep into the inside pocket of his jacket. It was likely the most expensive thing that he owned, and his link to Mae and M, so he wanted to make sure that it stayed dry. He walked quickly behind her to her vehicle, jumping into the passenger’s side and letting his collar flop down with a sigh. 

#me in every conversation

Call It Mistaken Identity

wingsandtinkering: 

He frowned. “She does? That’d explain why she said that she hated her middle name - my wife doesn’t particularly love her first name and goes by her middle.” He sighed, then perked up slightly. “Aye, she’s told me a bit of it. Not all, because that’d take eons to tell but. Some.”