bakerstreet | The Mistletoe Meme

[Tony's happy to have Phil's group over for well deserved breaks. And hey, scientists! His inner geek is pleased. He's had some friendly conversations with them, a lot of them incredibly geeky, and he loves Jemma's enthusiasm. She's just so into her field.

So he's so busy bringing her some files to go over he doesn't notice the mistletoe above them until he's under it and she's come over to take the files. Smiling, he points up above to the mistletoe.]

Merry Christmas, I guess.

[ She's actually quite fond of Tony despite Phil's best warnings. He's interesting and she's rather enjoying picking his mind on certain things. In fact her drink has been abandoned by her side for most of the night as they talk, her hands moving in animated circles. ]

Ah.

[ She looks up and then back at him, eyes a little wide. ] Mistletoe is poisonous you know.

[He grins at her.] That's probably why the tradition is to kiss under it, not to kiss it.

[That said, he leans in and kisses her before she has time to counteract that argument. It's not a lengthy thing, but it's sweet, and he doesn't put too much force behind it. This is his geeky friend, not some model he's having an affair with. She means more than that. He pulls away with a smile.]

So. Where were we, again?

[ Jemma blinks, once, twice, her brain whirring in that pretty head of hers. Of course she's been kissed before. But she'd been expecting them, nervous anticipation making it an anxiety ridden affair. That's why she likes her lab. She can control so much. ]

You were telling me about the greenhouse in Madrid. [ She lifts her glass, takes a sip, then smiles and it's brisk and happy. ] With the cannibalistic flower?

Cannibalistic flowers: the most Freudian horror ever encountered.

[He slips his hand into her free one.] So the moral of the story is that when you read that something might have magical properties if put beneath plants, don't assume 'magic' equals 'positive outcome'. Sometimes the resulting mutations are only good for band names.

[ She looks surprised at that. But maybe all she's heard about Tony Stark is hearsay. Perhaps he's a genuine kind of man and she's reading into his press too much. ]

I've learnt never to really trust magic. I much prefer things I can learn to understand in the lab.

I want to study it. Magic is just a science we don't understand yet. It's not something I understand, but that just makes it more of a challenge. And I like challenges.

I don't trust it, but I'm not really known for my self-preservation.

[ She smiles. ]

Well, when you're ready to start do give me a call. I think it would fascinating to watch you trying to harness the arcane arts. And it's always helpful to have someone else on hand.

[Tony lights up at her, visibly.]

It'd be great to have you on hand for that. It's not really Bruce's field, and I need someone smart to look over the results with, you know? Besides, I like being around you. You're a lot more genuine than most people.

[ A flush. ]

Well I do try. It would be a shame if everyone acted the same.

I know, but so many scientists put on this air, you know? This fake 'distinguished and serious' face that I just hate - call me unprofessional, because I am, but I really prefer it when people aren't afraid to just be who they are and cut the bullshit. It's like a breath of fresh air, honestly.

[ She nods with earnestness. ]

I know exactly what you mean. And it's terrible. Why do so many people in the profession think that means the end to all fun?

I got into the profession because it was fun, and exciting, and damn satisfying to make something out of nothing or discover something new. If you're not happy as a scientist, then hey, go do what actually makes you happy, you know? My mother was a Science major who switched to Art mid-college and was a helleva lot happier for it.

[ ELSAAAAAAA. You get a kiss on the cheek because wow no they are sisters, but Anna luvs uuuuu. ]

Merry Christmas!

[Kiss happily received.]

It seems like you're enjoying the festivities.

[Hot chocolate, ice skating, mistletoe, the works. Arendelle is decked out in time for the holidays.]

[ Decked out due in no small part to Anna's enthusiasm for parties and celebrations, I'm sure. ]

Yes! It's the best Christmas ever! Perfect snow for snowball fights, and ice skating, and the gates are open, and you're here!

Don't forget the chocolate.

[tons of it.]

[ little happy squee ] So much chocolate.

I still want to know where you found strawberries to dip in it at this time of year!

That's a Queen's secret.

[Oop. here's a devious little smirk.]

Have you managed to get Kristoff to stand under the mistletoe, yet?

[CCBBBBBBB]

[ a;goiha;slfdj ELSA omgblushing ]

Not yeeeet but he seems to be favoring a couple of spots. I'm thinking of just setting up an ambush.

Need any help?

[COME ON. SHE WANTS TO PLAY]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell...

[ OH LIKE SHE IS GONNA TURN DOWN A CHANCE FOR SISTER SHENANIGANS. ]

I could always use some help distracting him so I can hang the mistletoe and plant some bait.

[ Carrots. ]

I could always make some ice sculptures.

[he did seem to enjoy all of her ice creations greatly.]

Or just ice over the entire floor so he can slide his way over.

[ That gets a giggle ]

Ice under his feet and a bit of wind, just send him gliding gracefully across the courtyard!

I'll try my best. Maybe we can wrangle Sven and Olaf to help us as well.

[Have a nice loooong kiss there. Things getting steamy? Maybe a little.]

You know, you really should be careful about what you're standing under, Queen Elsa. That mistletoe is dangerous business. Anyone could kiss you.

[....~~Well Shit.~~]

Like you?

[Firm and not giving any ground. She's trying the indifferent approach.]

(ooc| didn't know if you wanted it post movie or not, so I left it open just to make sure :] )

[Hans is used to her playing hard to get. She's the Snow Queen and all, so suffice to say, she's a bit on the cold side of the scale.]

Well, now that you mention it - yes, like me.

[...Okay. She gave him room to back out, and now he hasn't. It was a slim possibility after all. She takes a breath of air to try and keep herself level before responding again.]

Fortunately, you've decided not to and I'll be on my way.

[Okay, this really is her last ditch effort. She can only hope that he doesn't enjoy her company so much to insist that she stay. Because she can't make a huge scene, especially in the middle of a party in Arendelle. We all know how that went ~last time~]

[Hans must have a death wish, because he's not backing down.]

One kiss won't kill you. I'm aware it just might kill me, however, were you to decide to freeze me, but... I guess I'm willing to take that chance.

[Cue smile. Hey, he could be a changed man. Sorta.]

Edited 2013-12-08 05:20 (UTC)

[Using her ice magic is tempting. It really is.

But she is a Queen. And she has to behave like one. There's a sigh before she continues]

Then you had better make it good.

[:T Yup. She refuses to make the first move. Cold as Ice man.]

[That was easier than he'd feared it would be. Hey, maybe time does heal all wounds. She couldn't hate him forever, right? Yeah? :D He's certainly encouraged, even if he's half-expecting her to do something to him.]

I wouldn't have it any other way, your majesty.

[You could almost forget the kind of guy he USED to be. But he's not afraid to make the first move. Stepping closer, he takes a little mental breath... before leaning down and in. Cupping a gently hand about her cheek, he presses his lips to hers. The next move will be hers.]

[She doesn't forget, not for a moment. It takes concious effort to not just reel back as soon as he touches her and punch him much like her sister did.

Instead she stands her ground, sucking in a breath, and only trusting to close her eyes at the very last moment. Her hands will find their place on his forearms, less a sign of affection, and more for her own security, if she wanted or needed to throw him off.

Guarded doesn't even begin to cover it.

As for the kiss itself? It's.... nice. Gentle in it's own way, he's not pushing it and showing good manners. She supposes that would be part of his "charm". However, to keep up appearances, to be the gracious host who forgives and opens doors, she'll do him the honor of kissing him back. Hopefully, just this once.

...And maybe he won't notice the frost which seems to emanate from where she stands, to surround them. Sucks to have ice powers connected to your emotions and then get kissed by someone you hate, ammirite?]

[He didn't expect Elsa to be overjoyed about the prospect of kissing him. Hans had hoped to "warm" her to the idea, no pun intended, but he hadn't thought he'd actually be all that successful.

The kiss does start off gentle, because hey, he really doesn't want to get hit - or worse, knowing what she can do. But it's a strange sensation, feeling the cold surround them like that. Even her lips are a bit on the frosty side of the scale, but not unpleasantly so.

So, he pushes his luck just a little, and deepens the kiss a bit. His free hand encircles her slender waist, making as if to pull her closer, but in a gentle-ish sort of manner.]

[Once he deepens the kiss her fingers curl into his arm, not hard, more just to brace herself. She will allow him to deepen the kiss, even let him pull her against him, but she'll hesitate before returning the sentiment.

Thoughts and feelings are whirring through her mind. How much she really shouldn't do this-- but really. What favors was she doing anyone? Allow her emotions to get the better of her and potentially hurt someone?

Or just roll with it?

There's only a moments more hesitation before she allows herself to relax just a bit and press back into the kiss more fully. Her fingers let go of his arm to slide up higher and rest just around his shoulders. She won't take any more initiative at the moment. He's the one who wanted this. He gets to see it through. ]

[To be perfectly honest, Hans is surprised she hasn't done something to him yet - at least pushed him away, if not used a bit of her icy powers against him. She could easily pierce his heart with ice, and unfortunately for Hans, there's not many "true love" options out there that could save his life.

But she doesn't. In fact, he's pretty sure she's kissing him back. And for all his charm and charisma, he hasn't actually kissed lots of princesses. He never even kissed Anna - it was only too easy to charm her without ever truly kissing. But this is... sort of nice.

Hans seems to come back to himself, however, and he finally breaks the kiss, pulling away. The look of surprise and almost awe on his face is quickly changed to a much more indifferent expression.]

Well. Thanks for the kiss, Queen Elsa.

[When they part she doesn't even notice the ice she's created around them at first, nothing too terrible or extensive, just a dusting of frost within the immediate vicinity. Still, her cheeks are a bit pink and she presses her lips together, doing her best to maintain composure for the slightest of royal formalities.]

You're welcome, Prince Hans.

[Some form of pride would rather he be the one to leave first, she refuses to back down.]

[ Yue had been standing in this same spot for a while now. She couldn't seem to get another person's attention and for some reason she just couldn't get out of this spot. With a sigh she was about to give up, when all of a sudden she spotted Haruka. Haruka would help her right? She smiled brightly and waved her hand way above her head. ]

Haruka! Haruka please! A moment of your time?

[ Haruka knows no one at this party. She doesn't mind, but that also means tonight is going to take forever....Maybe she'll leave early.

Or, wait, she could see Yue. That's much better. Haruka wanders over, looking dapper in a dark green tux. (Tis the season.) ]

You can have all evening. What's up?

[ Yue blushed a little at the comment and gave Haruka a small smile. ]

I'm sorry to pull you away like that. It's just I can't seem to move from this spot. I'm not certain if my shoes got stuck to the floor or something, but as hard as I try I just can't move.

[ She gives her a worried smile. ]

Could you help me out?

That's bizarre. Did you try taking them off?

[ Haruka furrows her brows. It sounds like you've made a good effort yourself, so there's nothing amiss about her stepping in to give you a hand....

Something feels weird about stepping this close, but Haruka blinks off the feeling. She loops one arm around your waist while the other hand takes one of yours and tugs. ] Let's see...

[When Haruka tugs on her she ends up slipping out of her shoes but now seems to be stuck pressed against her. ]

Hey! You got me free!

[ Or so she thinks. She smiles up at Haruka.] I knew you could help me.

[ Haruka chuckles, glad she was up to the task. ] Anything for an elegant damse--

[ Wait a minute. Haruka puts her hands on Yue's shoulders and tries to push, if gently. Uh oh. ]

....You're not doing that, are you?

Not that I know of...

[ She tries to pull away as well and it doesn't seem to be working. ]

Oh dear... it looks like all I managed to do was get you stuck too.

Stay calm. [ Her first reaction to any strangeness, that. And now she feels stupid - she'd sensed something was off over here and did nothing about it. Another blue ribbon for Tenoh Haruka.

She looks around, concerned. Her first thought in these situations is always "enemy", and Yue is too sweet a girl to get caught up in any Nefarious Plots. But even if the reason's benign, well....there still has to be one. ]

Did you notice anything strange over here? Before you'd realized you couldn't move?

[ She was a little nervous when Haruka turned so serious. Were they in danger? She really hoped not. ]

Not really... I was admiring the scenery like those peculiar plants on the ceiling. I've never seen them before.

On the ceiling?

[ Haruka looks up and narrows her eyes. Why would there be plants on the -

Recognizing the species, she swallows. Oh. ]

How....about that.

Is... something the matter, Haruka?

[ She gave her a curious look. ]

It's nothing. [ Yeah, right. Haruka looks back down at Yue, solemn and intent. In that case, there's only one thing to do....

And that one thing apparently isn't "explain herself properly". Because why would she ever, ever do that. ]

I think I figured out the problem. Do you trust me?

Of course. I trust you more than anything...

I'm glad to hear it.

[ That intense expression suddenly softens. ~~Into pastels, in fact.~~ Haruka reaches to cup Yue's cheek with her hand, glad she's retained some mobility. They didn't seem pressed quite this close together before she figured out what was going on...well, that will help her do what has to be done.

And Haruka is determined to make it pleasant. ] Breathe slowly.

[ She nods her head and sort of leans into the hand on her cheek a little. She was trying to keep her cool and seem calm and collected, but her heart was racing and her face was heating up quite a bit. ]

Slowly...

[ Haruka's fingers caress Yue's cheek. She begins to lean in, her own breath soft against the other girl's face. The world is shrinking. There's just her and Yue. It's actually quite pleasant. ] And don't move away. I'll be gentle.

[ If it's possible to smirk gently, too, that just happened. Haruka's head tips forward a little more. This is nice...

She also doesn't seem to realize things other than lip-kisses count for mistletoe, from the way she's aiming. ]

[ Yue was practically putty in her hands right now. She never expected to get a kiss like this, but she wasn't about to start complaining about it. She slowly started to kiss back and Haruka might even notice she was wrapping her hands around her neck. ]

[ This is the surest way Haruka can think of to satisfy that mistletoe. If she says so herself, however, it's surprisingly enjoyable.

She's an extremely good kisser, Yue. And though she'll keep her promise - it's a gentle kiss, without a hint of tongue or anything more daring - she's also getting a bit more into it. You're sweet. She likes that. ]

Mmmn.

[ This is certainly going to be a day she never forgets. She will happily be melting right here in Haruka's arms.]

[ Haruka takes her time. When she pulls away, it's just as slowly. A little smile tickles her lips, and her voice is husky when she speaks. ]

Can you move?

[ Yue attempts to pull away and it's pretty obvious she could if she wanted to but she leans back into Haruka. ]

I think maybe it might need another kiss...

Again?

[ Haruka smirks, suspecting something's amiss - but doesn't pull away herself. ]

That's greedy mistletoe.

Very greedy... It's so silly how it wants more...

That attitude might get it in trouble.

[ She smirks, eyebrow arching, and moves to try and maneuver Yue against the nearest wall, smiling like a daredevil the entire time. ]

[ Her cheeks manage to turn an even darker shade of red as she slowly and stumbly walks backward to move as Haruka wanted her to. ]

Trouble? Sounds... dangerous.

[ Very good. Haruka flaunts her height slightly as they hit this wall. But that's accidental, right? ]

No more than being trapped like this.

Close your eyes.

[ She flushes and nods her head. ]

A-alright...

[ She closes her eyes and waits. ]

[ You can hear this smirk, Yue. Haruka voices her breath as it escapes from between her lips.

Lips which are now, as both her hands move to your shoulders, moving down, down - ]

Whoops. [ Haruka gives you a peck atop your head. And then she's backing up. ] Look at that. We moved.

[ Far from seeming upset, however, she's grinning. ]

[ ..... Yep she should have seem that coming. ]

O-oh... it seems like we can. How wonderful.

[ It was a nice try, though. Points for effort and ingenuity! ]

Will you be okay now?

Yes... I think I'll be fine now. Thank you for helping me.

It was my pleasure.

[ There you go. A smolder to remember her by. ~~Haruka, this is not how you discourage such behavior.~~ ]

Edited 2013-12-11 14:16 (UTC)

A-and... thank you for indulging me a little as well..

[ Haruka shrugs. No big deal, really. ]

What are friends for?

[ Turning to walk away, she blows a kiss over her shoulder. ]

There's one for the road, Princess.

[ Cue rose petals and freeze frame. ]

[ She laughs a little and grabs the kiss in the air and stuffs it in her pocket. ]

[ Haruka may consider their business concluded with that, but you've made her night. Good times!

~~And good thread. Thanks for tagging!~~ ]

[Eheheheheh.]

Long time no see.

[ Provided you recognize her out of uniform, and don't mistake her for a guy or anything. What are the odds of that?! Crazy, right? ]

Uhmmm... Have we met?

...Because I'm positive I would have remember running to into a dashing man like yourself.

[Give her a second to realize she's embarrassed herself.]

I mean nice! A nice man like yourself.

[ Fortunately, the nice man doesn't seem phased - by Ruby's adjectives, anyway. Instead, after a pause, "he's" shrugging. ]

Who knows? Maybe I've been looking out for you from afar.

What's your name?

[ This smile could melt a blizzard. ]

[Phew, She's really glad that she didn't scare "him" off.]

R-Really? Me? Well it's always nice to know someone's got my back.

[Oh wow. That is one nice smile. It's even managed to get through Ruby's dense skull.]

Ruby, and who are you?

Tenoh Haruka. It's nice to meet you, little jewel.

[ She dips her head in a tiny bow. Okay, so her standard diminutive is "kitten". But when you hand her a name like "Ruby", what else is she going to do? ]

N-nice to meet you too, Haruka

[Okay. She's certainly blushing at the little jewel comment now.]

[ Oh goodness, you really are cute. Haruka steps forward to better hold smalltalk, completely oblivious to what's hanging overhead. (There is a strange energy in this area, but given the circumstances of their first encounter she thinks you're the source.) ]

What brings you around these parts?

Oh you know, just passing through, minding my own business. Stuff like that.

[Firat impressions aren't one of Ruby's strong points, at least not until she's gotten to know who she's talking too. She'll glance around a nervously for a moment until she catches sight of some strange plant above them.]

Oh would you look at that, isn't that plant kind of cute?

[She'll point up to the mistletoe, unfortunately she has no idea what it's for.]

[ Haruka glances up, narrows her eyes, and smirks. Oh, cute. As if she'd partake in such a hokey tradition....

She shrugs, carefree. ]

It's poisonous. Why don't we -

[ She's about to guide Ruby elsewhere, stepping forward, and then she realizes

she can't move her feet.

Shoot. ]

Why don't we?

[Uhm? What's going on here? It looked like Haruka was about to take a step forward but then didn't.]

Something wrong? The plant didn't poison you, did it? Does it paralyze people? I don't want to be paralyzed!

[panic mode on]

It's fine. [ Haruka looks around. Is there anything else that could be causing this? Anybody suspicious, any weird auras, any -

Oh, why does she even bother. She knows what's up. Haruka takes Ruby's hand and squeezes it. ]

Jewel. Bear with me for a moment.

[And that panic is quickly washed away once Haruka takes hol of Ruby's hand. Her face flushes red when she's called jewel again and she'll slowly nod in response.]

O-okay.

[ This is so silly. Haruka can't believe she's ended up a victim of this absurd a joke. Still, it's not like the punch line is all that unpleasant - she just questions the taste of whoever set this up in the first place.

Besides, Ruby's counting on her. She smiles. ]

This'll be over soon. I promise not to hurt you....

[ Yet although she's trying to sound reassuring, she ends up producing quite a different kind of whisper, instead. One that goes quite well with all those diamonds randomly hanging in mid-air all of a sudden. ]

[Ruby's heart flutters at the sound of Haruka's voice. There may some rose petals gently drifting from the ceiling to the floor. What ever's doing this to them is going all out.]

O-of course not, I didn't think you would.

[Phew, this is a little awkward, but nice. She really wishes she could move her feet right about now.]

[ Just leave it all to Haruka, Ruby. She'll take good care of you. ]

That's a good girl.

[ But she shouldn't leave you hanging. Haruka's fingers gently splay beneath Ruby's chin, tipping the other girl's face up as her own begins to descend. If it's mistletoe at fault, there's a good chance nothing will satisfy it but a proper, lips-to-lips kiss....so for brevity's sake she'll skip right to the main event. ]

[She needs an adult.]

[She'll let out a slight gasp as Haruka's fingers tilt her face upward in a nervous and slightly startled reaction. She doesn't have much time to do anything though as Haruka's lips soft lips touch against hers. At first her eyes are a little wide, this wasn't exactly how she had expected to get a kiss, but it doesn't take long for her relax and maybe even lean into the kiss a little more.]

[ Haruka smiles against Ruby's lips as the other girl cooperates. This situation is troublesome enough as it is - she doesn't want Ruby to feel uncomfortable.

And since her companion seems okay with it, she'll drag this moment out, nice and slow. This girl really is cute. Haruka can't help but be fond of her. ]

[Ruby may have been a bit nervous at first, but now she can't help but let out a content mumble as Haruka doesn't let up on the kiss quite yet.

Ruby's hand hand might slip over toward Haruka's, her small fingers moving to slide between the other girls']

[ The motion surprises Haruka. Though on instinct she grips the other girl's hand right back, her eyes open slightly and she sighs, a little sadly, into the kiss. There's only one other person in the world who takes her hand like that.

She won't break off the kiss suddenly or anything, though. But when she does ease out of it, it's with a wistful, fond smile. She doesn't regret this. ]

You're sweet.

Edited 2013-12-14 14:26 (UTC)

[She'll give a happy little hum when as they break off the kiss.

She'll blush and smile at Haruka's comment.flattery will get you everywhere.]

Well you aren't so bad yourself.

...Can you walk again?

Thanks to you.

[ Testing her feet out does yield positive results, too. What do you know. Grinning, Haruka puts two fingers against Ruby's lips - after pressing them to her own. There you go. A bonus, indirect second helping. ]

Let's not make this the last we see of each other.

[Ruby'll blush brightly and take a step back now that we can move.]

Of course not! It better be sooner rather than later though, okay?

Naturally.

[ She wouldn't mind hanging out a bit more, period, since they did get interrupted by Ruby's noticing the mistletoe, but first they'd better get far away from that plant. Haruka offers Ruby her arm. ]

Shall we take this outside?

Edited 2013-12-16 14:37 (UTC)

[Ruby had to say she didn't expect soon to turn into right away, but she had no problem with that either. She'll wrap her arm around Haruka's and smile.]

Let's.

[And away they go!]

[ Haruka can afford to spend a bit more time in this charming young girl's company, she figures. At the very least, she can leave her somewhere comfortable - and learn a little more, too. So she pushes a side door open and lets Ruby out onto the patio first, like a proper gentleman.

Once they're outside, she drinks in the breeze. ]

The wind's much better out here.

[It's a little chilly outside, but far from unbearably cold, Ruby will fold her arms and keep them close to her chest to keep warm.

She'll look and nod.]

Yeah, it was getting a little stuffy in there.

You never told me what you do for a living. Are you a student?

[ They got interrupted by kissing, and all. But Haruka does seem honestly interested in getting to know Ruby better. And, far from being bothered by the chill, she's undoing the top button on her suit jacket. ]

I am! I'm in my first year at Beacon, I'm training to become a Huntress. So that I can fight monsters and help people and great stuff like that.

What about you, What do you do?

[ At that description of Ruby's school life, Haruka pauses in the act of settling her jacket around the other girl's shoulders. She shrugs soon enough, however, and lets it touch down. That ought to help this ally of justice fend off the cold. ]

Nothing as selfless as you.

Can you get - homework - about defeating monsters?

[Even allies of justice need to stay warm! She's a little surprised when Haruka lends her the jacket, but she smiles warmly and proceeds to put her arms through the sleeves.]

Well I'm sure whatever you do is pretty cool, regardless.

You wouldn't think so, but they certainly find a way to make it happen. Biology, history, they know how to pile it up on you.

All focused on the Huntress thing?

[ That would explain why you so openly attack enemies....Haruka's trying to picture a whole school focused on defending Earth. It's an interesting idea, though she can also think of a whole slew of ways it could make matters worse. ]

Edited 2013-12-19 14:57 (UTC)

Yep. Well we kind of have to know how the world works if we want to protect it, right? There's a bit more to it than just showing monsters who's boss.

...Though that's the part that I'm actually pretty good at.

[ Haruka listens, almost impressed. Which is rare. ] Not a bad approach.

[ When she smirks, for a moment, she looks almost like that Sailor Uranus woman you ran into once. Crazy, right? ]

[For a second Ruby almost notices that connection, but she's quick to dismiss it. Haruka and Sailor Uranus the same person? That's nuts!]

You never answered my question though, what exactly do you do?

[ A chuckle. ] You really are persistent.

[ Enough so, in fact, that she'll answer your question. ] I race, sometimes. Motor sports. It used to be the only thing that excited me...

[ And it still does. She's just picked up a few more hobbies, like defending the world. ]

Maaaaaybe just a little.

Oooooh! That's cool, what kind of vehicles do you race?

Heh. The only thing that excited you? I'm kind of the same way, well with weapons that is.

Want to see for yourself, then?

[ She just happens to have these tickets to a motocross expo in her pocket. Her sponsor had given them to her earlier in the party, and she wasn't sure what to do with them....So maybe Haruka should pull them out now! (It would also be a good opportunity to keep tabs on you.) ]

I'd hate to hand these off to someone without a passion in life.

Really? I mean yes, I'd love to!

[What could possibly go wrong?]

Well you don't have to worry about me, I like to think I'm pretty passionate about stuff.

[ She chuckles. ] I don't doubt that. Here you go.

[ It's a whole bunch of tickets, actually. ] You can invite your schoolmates if you'd like.

Wha-!? Wow. I mean really? That's so awesome.

Hmmmm... I'm not sure how many of my friends will like the idea, but I know my sister would love to.

Thank you so much!

[You can have a hug now.]

[ Whoa, a hug! But that's okay. Haruka softens after the surprise fades, patting Ruby on the head. She murmurs, almost to herself: ]

You're too sweet to fight.

[She might throw in a quick little nuzzle before she pulls back.]

Who? Me? Well, maybe a little.

Is there anything I can do to return the favor? I wouldn't feel right just taking the tickets.

[ Haruka really needs to stop brooding out loud. Ruby doesn't seem to suspect anything, though. (A nuzzle, really? That's absurdly cute.)

So when the contact breaks, Haruka shrugs. ] Just have a great time and we're even. I mean...

[ Winking, she taps her own lips. ] You already gave me something nice, right?

Edited 2013-12-21 15:48 (UTC)

[Ruby will look a bit confused, sorry, she doesn't get subtlety.]

Uh... I did? What did I give you?

[ What, did you already forget - oh, no, wait, Haruka gets it. She laughs. ]

Don't worry about it. Just enjoy yourself.

[ As you stand there on the balcony in her jacket....adorable kids are so much fun. ]

Edited 2013-12-22 16:44 (UTC)

[Wait, why is she laughing? Oh well, it's probably not that important.]

That, I can do! I'll find someway to thank you too, I promise!

[ When Haruka smiles like this - warmly, but tinged with a bit of mischief - the scent of roses, the song of angels, and the glittering of diamonds fill the air.

To some people, anyway. She's just focused on Ruby. ]

I'll look forward to it.

[ Guess who looked up everything about Christmas and found out what Mistletoe is? If you guessed Lioriley, then you'd be right! She's not entirely certain why a plant hanging from doorways would have magical properties that demanded two people to kiss, but hey, humans were weird so she could just chalk it up to that.

The problem with Lioriley learning new things is that she likes to share what she learns, and she is either a mischievous little shit all of a sudden (haha, that's a funny joke) or she genuinely wants to kiss a certain ladyfriend of hers. Whatever the reason, she's standing on a chair in the living room whenever Haruka comes waltzing through, holding the mistletoe above her head as if she had planned it perfectly.

she didn't, but that was some pretty sweet timing, right? ]

Ah-- Haruka, there you are!

[ Haruka comes bearing cookies. ~~It wasn't her idea, but certain people she lives with love domestic traditions.~~ She's not sure whether Lioriley celebrates Christmas, but even if she doesn't it isn't likely anyone would turn down free dessert, right? So she waves with her free hand, slouching on in. ]

Hey! Sweets for the sw--

[ Are you putting up what she thinks you're putting up? And do you know what it means? Haruka doesn't want to have to explain this, so she shakes her head. ]

...isn't that pretty.

[ She is, and she knows exactly what she's doing. She smiles brightly, up on her tiptoes as she finally hooks the stupid mistletoe up onto the doorway and then leans down, long white hair falling over her shoulder as she eases her face toward Haruka's. ]

Have you never seen a Mistletoe before, Haruka? I read up on human traditions in my time here, and I found that hanging mistletoe was one of them. Did you know that if two people meet under one, they are meant to kiss?

[ starting to lean more toward the 'lioriley is actually a little shit' option here. ]

[ Haruka is suddenly reminded extremely strongly of Michiru, which is about the last comparison she ever intended to make aside from "they share a maternal streak". It's not a bad impression, it's just surprising.

But when that moment fades she's laughing - mostly in disbelief. ] Where'd you read that?

[ It's quite obviously a rhetorical question. She drops the cookies off on the nearest table. ]

I cannot quite recall which book it was, but there are many that detail human traditions. Mistletoe being one of them.

[ she chuckles, glancing up at the plant above their heads. ] I am not mistaken, am I?

That's still a funny tradition to pick.

[ Unless Lioriley....no way. Haruka looks from her friend to the plant and back. Really?

All right then. Her next glance for the other woman is slightly flirtatious. ]

Though it is more charming than nailing socks over fireplaces.

Well, there were certainly worse ways to be held hostage.

A particularly troublesome Daimon with a holiday theme was running amok, terrorizing the citizenry with similarly themed gimmicks and trinkets. One of these 'gimmicks' was cursed mistletoe, which Neptune had unfortunately found herself stuck under. It was like her heeled feet were glued to the flooring.

'Ha, Ha, Ha!' Neptune had remembered the Daimon taunting, 'If you don't get a kiss from a from a lovely miss by midnight you'll be trapped under there forever!!' Or something to that effect.

Luckily, the Daimon had the 'courtesy' of setting the trap in an indoor area with a clock; a clock that said 9:30 PM. Although annoyed that she was out of the fight, Neptune was still relatively tranquil about her fate. She had the utmost faith in her lover Uranus, and was certain she'd hunt down the wretch and come back in time to free her.

"Though, I'm fairly sure she'll never stop teasing me about this..." Neptune mused, doing her best to make herself comfortable. A Senshi's endurance meant that she had no issue standing straight for a long as needed.

"Aren't you missing something?"

That damn creature had mocked her with its dying breaths. Until then, Uranus hadn't been worried Neptune had yet to regroup with her; chances were she'd just beaten her partner to the enemy and the other woman would be showing up soon. That was how they approached their mission. They could fight apart, without worrying about the other's safety, because they trusted the other would be okay. She had fullest confidence in Neptune.

Confidence which had hardly been shattered by the Daimon's words, but alerted her to the idea that even with the enemy defeated, they weren't done here just yet.

"Neptune!" Uranus banged open the door, having systematically tried floor after floor of this building. "Neptu--"

Wait, what was Neptune doing just standing there? Uranus exhaled, then headed over to clap her partner on the shoulder from behind. "Waiting for someone?" she asked, walking closer. "There's nothing to see here anymore..."

Sailor Neptune had a sixth sense when it came to her partner, so the aqua-haired girl knew she'd emerge from any confrontation with the Daimon triumphant. So when she heard the banging on the door, Neptune was hardly shocked or surprised.

Though she did feel a little sheepish at having gotten herself into this situation to begin with...and something else? Why did her cheeks feel so flush all of a sudden? Did the mistletoe that had her trapped have some sort of secondary effect on those near?

Neptune pushed those thoughts down, for now; though she *did* appreciate Uranus's gloved hand on her shoulder. "Actually, I suppose I'm waiting for you." Neptune explained cryptically, before gesturing up to the cursed mistletoe. "This plant the enemy made is preventing me from moving...and in about two and a half ours I'll be fixed here permanently." Then, Neptune's eyes gained a twinkle as she looked back at her partner. "Unless a certain someone would be kind enough to free me with a splendid kiss."

Wait, a k--

Well, compared to lots of other potential outcomes, that one was pretty tame. Uranus only blinked once before readopting her usual smug attitude. This was almost funny.

"What, a half-baked kiss wouldn't cut it?" she teased, flicking a stray curl off Neptune's shoulder. Really, in light of everything she'd been worried about, a kiss was nothing. And two and a half hours.....did they really think it'd take her that long to find her partner? The enemy'd underestimated her from beginning to end. A lesser person might feel insulted. "Did you try shooting it out?"

If not, she might. Not that Uranus was opposed to - the other proposed solution - but eliminating the source seemed like the most direct method of trap disposal. Besides, she wanted to hear how Neptune would reply.

"Apparently not!" Neptune responded, Uranus teasing -and the slight touch of Uranus's gloved fingers on her hair- helping to ease her frustration. "Clearly, if you're going to set a trap like this, you might as well go all the way."

Then, Neptune got a bit more serious when Uranus asked about the possibility of shooting it down. "Actually, a strike was the first thing I tried." Not that standing around and waiting for her partner to 'rescue' her wasn't a totally unpleasant thought, but Neptune wasn't willing to let a Daimon dictate the terms for her if she could help it. But alas;

"To no avail, unfortunately. Turns out the silly thing doesn't take to attacks." Neptune mused, remembering how the cursed mistletoe simply absorbed her Deep Submerge. Uranus's attacks would certainly have the same lack of effect. "Perhaps if we strike together...we might make a crack in it's defense."

Neptune then turned her head slightly, attempting to make eye contact with Uranus. "Or if you prefer, we could..." Neptune left that sentence hanging, but it was certainly clear what she meant.

Uranus studied her partner's face for a long, slow moment before hanging her head and grinning. "You're incredible," she remarked, onto the other woman's game - as she had been, honestly, from the beginning, but this cemented how seriously Neptune had decided to play it. "All right. When it comes to damsels in distress, there's only one cure."

Itself a joke. No matter what the enemy saw fit to do to her, Neptune was always in possession of herself and the situation. She would never, ever be a damsel. Uranus admired that.

So she stepped closer - as close as she could manage, right until her own motion was impeded and she found herself unable, no matter how she strained, to move her legs. She'd seemingly crossed the trap's perimeter. No going back now.

"Close your eyes," she instructed gently, the hand on Neptune's shoulder moving to cup her cheek, stroke it slightly with one gloved thumb. If she played this suave enough, it wouldn't matter that her feet were stuck. And then they'd come undone and Neptune would never need to be the wiser.

A damsel? No. But even so, she didn't mind Uranus being her Knight in Shining Armor for this situation.

Neptune closed her eyes as she was told to do, happy to play along with this scenario. The blue-haired woman waited with quiet anticipation as Uranus cupped her cheek with her gloved hand. Neptune certainly felt a little blush at her partner's touch.

The Ocean Senshi couldn't help herself...gently reaching out and grabbing her partner's arm in kind, and moving her smooth glove over the skin. Other than that, she waited patiently for her 'Knight' to make her move. After all, as Uranus herself thought, two and a half hours was plenty of time.

This was turning into quite the production. Uranus smirked, breathing lightly against Neptune's face before her lips slid into position. Her fingers curled against Neptune's cheek, and she let herself relax, focusing only on the moment. The woman's cheek was warming at her touch. That was so cute...

It was funny. She didn't usually think of Neptune in those terms. The other woman wasn't something to belittle with fond diminutives. She was a fellow warrior - a warrior Uranus admired, respected; a role model. She was someone Uranus never had to exchange words with, because she'd know just what Uranus meant every time....she kept Uranus humble and focused. She gave her direction. She'd given her everything.

Lost in her thoughts, Uranus failed to notice just how into this kiss she was getting. But that was all right. She didn't mind.

Sailor Neptune's emotions and feelings swam around her as Uranus's warm lips pressed against her own. Here she was, pressed against this strong and handsome woman...her warmth intermingling with her own; the entire world outside this moment seemed to be forgotten.

But in the back of her mind, Sailor Neptune hadn't forgotten that this was ultimately a trap. During a break in the kiss, Neptune ventured the question, "Haruka..." Her voice was so quiet it was practically a whisper. "...your feet, are you able to move them?"

The secondary effects of the cursed mistletoe coupled with the touch of her partner made Neptune hesitant to break off contact. And the mistletoe 'reset' quickly, ready to re-trap them if they stayed underneath. But increasingly, Neptune found it hard to care.

The question roused Uranus from her reverie - probably just in time; if she'd slipped any further there might have been no going back. Her heart pounded in her throat for very different reasons than those that'd been increasing her pulse just moments before, and despite taking only a moment to process the question she still had time to wonder: how had Neptune known?

"...what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her tone light but the question coming just a second too late, yet sounding a second too hurried, to be completely innocent. "Here, speak for yourself..."

And she nudged Neptune's legs with a knee, gratified her own feet had moved (though they felt weighted down - this trap was tougher than it looked!). She kept herself pressed close to Neptune, though, even through her nervous chuckling. Good, she'd fixed it. That was...that was good. They could...move. That was good.

Once they felt like it, anyway.

The blatant sensuality of the moment had let Neptune's guard down, and she let the knowledge slip before she could think on it. Certainly, she hadn't intended to reveal such a thing in such a circumstance as this. And yet...

"I think you know, Haruka-san."

...there wasn't anyone she'd rather be in this situation with. Neptune dutifully moved her leg back slightly once Uranus bumped it, though her legs too felt heavy. But movement wasn't on her mind right now.

A light smile playing on her glossed lips, Neptune reached up and brushed her hand against Uranus's cheek, feeling the warmth of the skin through her glove. In spite of it all, Neptune couldn't help some good natured teasing. "You know, I've always liked it when you smile like that, Haruka-san." She whispered, leaning in close and letting her heated breath blow against Uranus's skin.

By now, the mistletoe had re-trapped both of them...heels and boots affixed strongly to the floor.

"H-hey..." Caught just as effectively by Neptune's knowing smile - and feeling quite a bit more in the hot seat for it - Uranus blinked and tried shifting her weight, only to find her legs frozen in place again. Shoot. While they'd been busy making light of their situation, the enemy's trap had...

She couldn't even have the satisfaction of tracking down the guilty party afterwards; for once, she'd been too efficient. Payback wasn't supposed to operate in reverse. It almost felt like letting the enemy have the last laugh.

Blinking again, she rested her hands on Neptune's hips - to steady both of them, she told herself, staring into the other woman's eyes in grim determination. "Anyway, we've got a time limit," she reminded her partner, resolute that she was not re-finding her focus just because Neptune had discovered her slip-up. "Let's finish this up and get out."

And without further ado, she planted a rather more urgent kiss on Neptune's mouth, holding on firmly. The moment they could move again, they needed to be on their way. This was no time to be forgetting they were soldiers!

The kiss was no less passionate for all that. She wanted to smile some more at her partner, too - once they were somewhere she could take her time.

Seeing the determination in her lover's eyes sparked something in Sailor Neptune too. Like Uranus, she allowed herself to get carried away in the moment...but her partner's determination quickly brought her back into focus. 'You're right of course, Haruka...' She thought to herself as Uranus pressed her warm lips against her own. '...we can't let the enemy have the satisfaction of getting the better of us like this. Using our love for each other against us...'

And for a moment, Neptune felt a spring of anger well up within her. Not at Uranus, but at herself. By fault or no, she let her feelings get the best of her; something she'd swore to avoid especially in battle. And now she had revealed certain truths that might make her future with Uranus/Haruka a bit awkward to put it mildly. Like Uranus, Neptune wouldn't mind some payback against the Daimon herself. But of course he was dead and gone...certainly.

The kiss was ended, and Neptune gently pushed Uranus back, a steel in her gaze. She was determined to regain control after the Daimon tried to wrest it from her. But even now, it wasn't easy.

Knowing that you were under a spell didn't make fighting it a breeze. A lingering need to touch Uranus was ever present in her mind...no matter how hard she tried to fight it down. She could move her feet, but they nonetheless felt like lead weights were attached to them...and getting more magnetized to the floor by the second.

"We've got to hurry Uranus.." Neptune spoke, formal determination clear in her voice. "...it looks like this creature won't let us go free so easily!"

There they were. Those were the eyes that had first captured Uranus's attention; despite the way they urged caution, maturity, and self-denial, the emotions they masked made her long to embrace the other woman all the more. But Neptune was right. This was no time or place to be dawdling.

Nodding in agreement, and with a quick peck on the cheek to make things easier - "Yeah" - Uranus wrenched herself free and leaped forward, out of the mistletoe's reach. She trusted Neptune would do the same.

Once safely freed, Uranus turned to both check on Neptune and assess the "souvenir" their fallen enemy had left for them. "Might as well clean up the mess," she decided. Her right hand flexed in its glove. "How annoying. Some idiots just don't know when to quit!"

The kiss was appreciated, and in it's own way helped reaffirm Neptune's determination to escape. With a surge of strength in her lithe body, the blue-haired woman bounded from the trap in perfect unison with her partner.

Her head immediately began to clear as soon as they left the trapping field. Neptune couldn't help but let a sigh of relief escape her lips. Whatever pleasantries were enjoyed due to the trap, they were best experienced under less dire circumstances.

"It appears that way. Some creatures are hopelessly stubborn like that." Neptune agreed, getting into a stance. "And I agree, clean up would definitely be the most appropriate course of action in this circumstance, Uranus!"

Eliminating any trace of this near-defeat was right up her alley. "Although, this plant absorbed my power when I struck at it earlier so it might not be as easy as all that, I'm afraid." Neptune thought for a moment. "Perhaps what I suggested before...a combined strike with our powers. Such strength might overwhelm whatever defenses it has."

Uranus smirked. If Neptune said that was what it took, it'd be her pleasure.

"Aren't you bossy," she sighed, raising her hand. Light arced from between her fingers, but she wouldn't release it until Neptune's attack was ready, too. Then they'd finish this up and be on their way. "Let's get this over with. World..."

Neptune gave a brief nod of acknowledgement to her partner, then prepared her own attack.

Feeling her power well up within her, Neptune took special care to ensure that her energies and aura was in tune with Uranus's own. Combining attacks successfully took special attention and focus, but for a team as practiced as Neptune and Uranus it was practically second nature.

In short order, Sailor Neptune was ready strike at their captor along with Sailor Uranus. A swirl of water-like energy coalesced into an orb over her head, and with hardened determination she let the energy fly in sync with Uranus's strike.

"Deep Submerge!"

"...Shaking!"

The two attacks merged, slamming into the mistletoe with a window-rattling explosion. When the light cleared, a few charred leaves drifted down from a smudge on the ceiling. Nothing else remained.

Uranus smirked, relaxing. Not bad, for an evening's work. They could take their time sauntering back to the car...

And then the ceiling cracked.

And the mistletoe was gone...all major traces of it. Neptune once again felt the grim satisfaction of an enemy destroyed. But with the immediate threat gone, another potential issue began to bubble up in her mind.

'Now I just need to figure out how to handle the issue of Uranus's identity.' Neptune thought, her glossed lips turning into a slight frown. 'I imagine Haruka and I will have plenty to talk about once we...'

However, Neptune's thoughts were interrupted by the ceiling cracking, something her keen senses were quick to pick up on. Immediately, her thoughts turned to protecting her partner. "Uranus! We should withdraw! The room might collapse!" The blue-haired Senshi had already tensed her body to dart towards an escape route.

Uranus was right behind her - and then right ahead of her, opening the door to the stairwell. "Never a dull moment, right?" she asked, grinning over her shoulder. They'd have to both remember to avoid indoor fights from now on, however. Neither could afford the distraction of worrying about property damage...especially not the thought that the property might damage them right back.

They also should probably vacate the premises even if part of the ceiling didn't end up collapsing. So although Sailor Uranus had entered this staircase, it was Tenoh Haruka who, like the consummate gentleman that she was, held the door open for her partner at the bottom. Her convertible was parked not far away, in the adjacent parking lot. By all means, Michiru. After you.

[ f/f preferred but f/m okay ]

Clint watched from the doorway as Natasha danced and laughed with their ‘coworkers’. He probably shouldn’t be staring, but if anyone caught him... well, who could blame him?

It was one of those rare cases where they both got to be undercover on the same mission, but it hadn’t started out that way. Natasha had gone in first, but after a few weeks it was clear they needed another body, preferably a male to cover all their bases. She was an admin assistant, he worked in the stock room, and rarely did they cross paths. They kept up appearances, and it was easy when they didn’t work in the same vicinity, but it was the company’s Christmas function and everyone had been invited.

Would it be too suspicious if he talked to her? The other warehouse workers were mingling well enough. He just had to keep it casual, that was all. Casual, casual, casual.

Or he could just continue to linger in the doorway, drink, and watch her like a creeper first. Just for a little longer. He didn’t want to interrupt in case she was actually getting some useful information. Alcohol did have the uncanny ability to make people loosen up and talk.

Natasha was, as usual, playing her role very well. It hadn't bothered her that Clint had been pulled on board, yet nothing really phased her in that sense. In her mind, even though they were supposed to be complete strangers, it was nice to have a familiar face around.

The man she was currently conversing with had been plying her with glasses of wine all evening, and it was only now that her cheeks held a pink tinge yet she managed to keep the Russian accent from keeping up on her by pursing lips around the glass and smiling as if she had half a brain.

Tasha could feel him watching her, the familiar gaze weighing heavily on her skin as she looked around the room. Inconspicuous to those around her but searching, she caught his gaze, gave him a smile and returned her eyes back to Greg, or Dan, whatever his name was, he wasn't exactly important. The boss was far more important, but since Natasha couldn't spot him in the crowd she made do with idle small talk.

She drained the glass and instantly he was leaving her to get a refill. No more wine, Natasha hated wine. Seeking out Clint again with her eyebrow raised as if questioning why he was staring so much. It was innocent enough and nobody seemed to care as the drinks were flowing.

Clint had been nursing his drinks and was barely feeling the effects of them yet, and it certainly hadn’t escaped his notice that John had been working very hard to get Natasha drunk, clearly hoping it would increase his chance at getting lucky this evening. Boy, was he in for a disappointment.

For a brief second Natasha met Clint’s gaze and he could tell the the alcohol had started to take its effects but she was certainly far from gone. Not if John could help it! Clint rolled his eyes when the man scurried off to get Natasha another drink and when he looked back to find her watching him, a questioning expression on her face. He answered by yawning, clearly indicating he was bored. He should just go talk to her, that’s what people were supposed to do at these parties, mingle with those they didn’t normally mingle with, and if it meant they could start socializing a little more at ‘work’ once in a while that would only be a bonus, right? He just didn’t want to interrupt, or cause any unneeded friction with John the jerkoff.

Natasha had no interest in going home with anyone, not unless their boss turned up and she could charm her way into his house, other than that there was no chance. The cosy little suburban home SHIELD had set her up with was on her mind, including the bathtub, and the bed which was surprisingly comfortable even if the wardrobe suited her alias more than herself.

Natalie was a god damn admin specialist, in her brief time working with the company she'd all ready made an impression in completing all assignments efficiently and even rearranging the file room. The boss had been impressed and unfortunately so had the no-name currently filling her another glass.

Maybe she'd just set it down somewhere and accidentally forget to pick it up. She held Clint's gaze for a moment, let a coy smile wash over her face before her eyes slipped away back to a conversation close by. She saw lips move but the information coming out of them wasn't worth the effort of paying much attention and listening.

This was a damn bust if ever she'd seen one.

Instead of waiting she drifted away, patent heels clicking against the floor as she smoothed the dress over her curves and made her way towards a nearby chair, seating herself down and carefully crossing her legs. Hopefully she could avoid her new best friend, hopefully she could avoid another glass of terribly cheap wine.

Clint too had been doing his share of lipreading before he’d gotten sufficiently distracted, but it seemed everyone really was just here to have a good time and nothing useful was being discussed.

Noting the smile Natasha threw in his direction, Clint visibly perked up. Watching her snake her way through the joyful guests, clearly looking to ditch What’s His Nuts before he got back with more cheap wine, he pushed away from the doorway and headed in her direction, just narrowly avoiding an encounter with Edith from HR. That woman made up any excuse she could to visit the warehouse, and had been coming on pretty strong all week leading up to the party. There was very little chance he would be getting out of here tonight without submitting to at least one dance.

Approaching Natasha’s chair, he stopped just beside it and turned to look back at the room. After a moment he offered a shy smile. “It’s Natalie, right?”

It was really no surprise that Clint came forward, he was the one who circled after all and Natasha was certain he could read her body better than anyone, the way her shoulder rolled, the bored look under the surface, the way she was humming energy that screamed this was fruitless.

That being said, Natalie smiled back with that same coy perk of her painted lips, a flutter of eyelashes and a slight twist to her body. "Yes, I'm sorry, I can't put a name to your face," Natasha knew, Natalie was oblivious to everything that didn't happen on the comfort of her floor.

She motioned to the chair opposite, crossed her legs carefully and smoothed her dress down. "I'm really sorry, there's just so many people who work here I loose track."

Her eyes slipped to Edith, something shifted but remained hidden as she gave the other woman a small smile.

Clint tried to look a little disappointed that she didn’t know his name, but then visibly shook it off at her smile. He waited until she invited him to join her before taking the seat opposite her.

“It’s fine, I mean it’s not like we actually work together together, right? And I’m still pretty new,” he said. He noted how her eyes drifted and took a glance in the same direction only to find Edith practically glaring back at Natasha. Well, this could get interesting.

“It’s Chris. My name,” he said, holding his hand out for her to shake. “I hope I’m not interrupting. If you came here with John…”

He let the words trail off. For anyone listening it was a harmless conversation, he was simply asking if she was here with a date, but of course there was more to it. Clint was pretty sure he knew the answer, but if Natasha actually thought she could get anything out of John then now was the time to tell him and he would back off and let her work. If not… well, this would be an excuse for Chris and Natalie to get to know each other so if people saw them together in the future then the groundwork would already be laid.

Natalie wasn't meant to know his name, Natasha did, but administration and warehouse rarely had moments where they could hook up and chat. She watched him with a placid expression until he sat down, tilted her head and let her eyes follow the curve of his arm down to his hand, reaching forward to take it in a light grip.

Edith could go to hell, Natasha had heard rumors spread like wild fire about her and her appetite for new blood and both Natalie and Natasha were indifferent to her actions.

The main concern was her new admirer, let alone keeping a man eater away from Clint, Natasha had to stop Johns attempts at trying his damnedest to get her drunk. luckily They both were able to help each other out.

"Well Chris, it just so happens that I didn't come here with John, in fact if you were a gentleman you'd save a damsel in distress. If he makes me drink one more glass of wine I may end up on the floor." She laughed softly, giving him the hint he was after. John had nothing, no information, no insider secrets, nothing.

"So Chris, how are you enjoying the party?" He own way of asking if he'd overheard anything while he'd been busy watching her work the room.

Clint wasn’t sure exactly what cover Natasha was playing this go around, but at the way she was eying him he had a feeling Natalie had a good helping of smoldering vixen going on. He had a feeling that Edith was far from impressed nor happy right now, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away to look. What man could?

Settling back in his chair after releasing her hand, a wide smile spread across his lips when ‘Natalie’ told ‘Chris’ that John definitely wasn’t her date. “You don’t have to drink it,” he said, a gentler expression taking over. “But, I mean, of course I’ll help.” Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees. “To tell you the truth, I don’t like the guy, so the fact that you put up with him as long as you did deserves a medal or something. I woulda needed to drink a lot too,” he said in a low, conspiratorial tone before grinning again.

“It’s, uh... it’s kinda boring,” he looked a little nervous to admit it. “All the interesting people must be eluding me.” Nothing to report, no interesting conversations.

Natalie was supposed to be professional, she was only supposed to smoulder when the Boss walked in the door, but honestly? How could she resist toying with her favorite partner when there was nothing he could do.

After all, this had been her operation and Natasha was still certain that she was calling the shots.

She laughed, mirroring his actions, leaning forward on her own elbows as if they were sharing a secret, ironic that they were currently talking through riddles. "But not drinking it is impolite, and also, as you said, I need vast quantities to help me through this tough time." Her head tilted slowly, curls of red falling around her face before she straightened slowly, leaning back in her chair.

"Well Chris, maybe you just need to meet the right people."

And that innocent expression was right back on her face.

When Natasha mirrored his actions Clint’s smile was genuine. Spy work wasn’t really his forté, not like it was Natasha’s, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t enjoying this. The day to day grind got really tedious, but moments like this made him forget that, if only for one night. “Then I, uh... should I be flattered you’re not drinking in my presence?”

He had to admit, though: Chris was a bit of a drip, but for his role in this it was better to be shy and invisible when he could.

Watching her lean back again, it was not his turn to follow her lead as he did the same. “Maybe you’re right,” he said, glancing sideways to find that Edith had crept a little closer, clearly eavesdropping. “Though I thinks, maybe, that things are starting to look up...” He looked at Natalie with a nervous smile, as if worried he was about to be rejected.

"That depends on what your intentions are Chris," lips pursed, eyebrow curved into a fine arc while she eyed him carefully. This was different, nice almost, to be in the company of a friendly face, someone she didn't truly need to keep up appearances with. Natasha could give him hints, could drop the cover when no one was paying attention but right now this was fun, and it certainly beat fighting off advances from the wine merchant.

Natasha could feel Edith's eyes on her, smoothing down her dress and placing her hands on her knee, "well Chris, I'm glad I'm making this more tolerable for you, although I may take my leave soon."

If boss man hadn't turned up by now Natasha guessed he wasn't turning up at all.

He put on a mask of surprise. “Nothing! I mean... it’s not... nothing bad,” he stuttered, completely worried that Natalie might think he had untoward intentions like John with all his wine. Clint could see that Natasha was enjoying this little game of charades, and he would be lying if he said he wasn’t as well. It was certainly making the night much more interesting than it had been so far.

“Oh,” Chris sounded disappointed that Natalie might be leaving soon. Clint accepted the information as it was. This was Natasha’s show and if she felt they were wasting their time here tonight and that the boss wasn’t likely to show, then he would follow her lead. “How are you getting home? I mean, I assume you’re not driving.”

Out of the corner of his eye he could see John cutting through the crowd, glass of wine in hand as he searched for Natalie again.

A flutter of eyelashes as a look of disappointment played over her features. No, Chris certainly wouldn't do with this attitude. "Shame," her voice was low enough so only they could hear, not even Edith with her craning neck could hear that simple word and the way it was said, and sure Natasha was playing with fire, but he'll, she'll just blame it on the wine.

"I was planning on getting a cab, or walking depending on the weather," she eyed him carefully, smile on her lips, "unless you want to share a cab?" The question was innocent enough even if the glint in her eye was all Natasha's doing.

No, Natalie needed to get the hell out of there before John spotted her, it wasn't like she was hard to miss.

Clint’s brows lifted just the slightest bit. That one single word was clearly meant only for him and he wasn’t sure how to take it so he just scratched his chin and glanced quickly around the room. John had spotted her and was on his way over, though he faltered when he noticed she wasn’t alone.

“You shouldn’t walk, it’s pretty cold out,” Clint said, meeting her eyes again. Noticing the glint there he felt his stomach tighten slightly. The plan had been that if they found nothing of interest she would leave first and twenty minutes or so later he would do the same, but it seemed the plan was changing. He knew he should refuse, but how suspicious would anyone really be? It wasn’t like people didn’t hook up at these sorts of things all the time. Chances were that nobody would even notice.

“I was thinking of leaving soon myself, so uh... yeah. It would make sense. Splitting the cab... I mean, if we’re going in the same direction...” As close to anything less than gentlemanly that Chris had managed, and he looked nervous for even suggesting it, and ready to play it off as innocent if he had read too much into her own comment.

Natasha almost felt sorry for Clint,playing this role had to be hard when he was faced with Natasha and her many changing faces. Yet something inside of her ached, something inside of her gloated at making him just another fool. Maybe she could trick herself into thinking that this was right; playing him just like she'd played all the others. Maybe.

Nick, Steve, no Daniel approached, and Natasha had eyed his hands long before he'd made tracks in their direction, holding out the sprig of green and white and she'd merely perked an eyebrow at it. But with John creeping closer and Edith still hanging around it seemed right.

"Are you going to indulge me before we leave Chris? It is Christmas after all..." Not that she would wait for an answer. When they were back in work Natalie would blame it on the wine. She lent forward on her elbows, inching closer as she stared at Clint across the gap, not Clint, not her Clint. But Chris.

She blinked at him, eyes fleetingly casting upwards at the sprig of mistletoe. "You're keeping a lady waiting Chris..."

Clint had been tracking the progress of John and his alcohol and hadn’t noticed Daniel approaching from the other side, clearly half in the bag and making the rounds of all the unsuspecting duos littered about the party. When Natasha spoke, pulling Clint’s attention back to her, he found her leaning closer again, but he didn’t follow her words until he followed her eyes upwards to the mistletoe held over their heads.

Well, this definitely wasn’t part of the plan, but Clint was never one to back down from a challenge, and Natasha was clearly posing a challenge right then. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the point of view, Chris wasn’t so bold. Clint would have made a show of it and kissed her so thoroughly it made her hair curl, but Chris leaned in a little hesitantly. “Oh, uh, well, we can’t have that,” he said. Shifting ahead in his chair he placed his hands on his knees, his fingers brushing her knee as he did so. “And it’s tradition, after all.”

Sometimes Chris really talked too much, so he finally silenced himself by pressing his lips softly to Natalie’s.

Plans were supposed to be their for a reason and usually Natasha wouldn't go against the plan unless hers was a much better option, but this, this was all for amusement, something she could look back on and smile to herself about when she was bored in her office shuffling papers.

Poor Clint, being used like a pawn in her game, still, she'd doubt he'd truly mind.

If they had been alone and not sharing false names Natasha would have made sure his lips were on hers a long time ago, but since Chris was a little slow on the uptake Natasha would just have to be patient.

She just kept a smile on her painted lips, kept her head tilted as her eyes fell from the mistletoe back to Clint across the now small gap and when he finally plucked up the courage to kiss her she smiled, her fingers twitching to find his, just brushing along the back of his hand.

When they finally parted she swore the sound of breaking glass came from behind her where John had been standing, and Natasha could guess her glass of wine was now painting the floor. Oh well.

"Not bad Chris, you get an E for effort."

There was a part of Clint that thought this was a very bad idea, but as her lips moved so softly against his, tasting of wine and seduction, he had a hard time identifying why. It certainly felt like a good idea, though it was pretty damn hard to stick to character and keep the kiss fairly chaste when what he really wanted to do was tangle his hands in her hair and explore every inch of her mouth with his tongue.

Licking his lips when the pulled away, he didn’t lean back from her, keeping up the close proximity. “Don’t you mean an A?” he asked, his eyes darting behind her for a split second to catch the murderous look John was throwing at him. Whoops. This probably didn’t count as keeping a low profile. He was supposed to be Natasha’s backup, little more than wallpaper unless she needed him and getting what information he could while remaining fairly unnoticed and forgettable. Kissing the hottest woman in the room in front of everyone was not the way to remain unknown.

“You still wanna get that cab?”

Neither was being seen leaving with her.

Natasha would let him, he could do whatever he wanted to her and she wouldn't bat an eyelid, but Natalie well,for her sake it was probably best they didn't get into a heated match of tongue hockey. Neither could pass that off as a quick party hook up, Natalie wasn't drunk enough and Chris certainly wasn't that bold.

Her eyebrow raised slowly, giving him a smile as a slender shoulder shrugged, "no, I meant the E. You may upgrade depending on how much you let your hair down." She lent back slowly, raising a hand to her head and feigning fatigue. "Well, the wine has certainly gone to my head, yes, I think it's time for a cab before I'll have to ask a polite gentleman to carry me home." One effortless girly laugh as she smoothly stood, looking down at him with that same pleasant smile on her lips. All an act, her words had been loud enough for those around to hear, the perfect alibi for leaving.

Natasha turned slowly in her heels, facing John with a sudden look of confusion to the spilt wine. "John!" The look of surprise on his face was nearly priceless, considering it was the first time she'd addressed him by his name all evening. "Thank you for the hospitality but I'm afraid I'm turning in, lots of work to do and Chris here has offered to split cab fare." Well, that was him taken care of even if he was still glaring at Clint from over her shoulder as she hugged him carefully.

“Ouch, you’re a harsh judge, Natalie,” he replied, wincing a little at her comment though clearly still interested in upping his grade. When she finally leaned away he shifted in his seat, watching her carefully. She was good, speaking loud enough for those nearest to them to hear but not too loud to be obvious or one of those attention seeking drunks.

Getting quickly to his feet after Natasha stood, Clint looked sufficiently uncomfortable when faced with John, though inside he was laughing at the guy’s expression, first the surprise and then the evil eye he quickly went back to. “Yeah, uh, it’s on my way so I figured it made sense,” he said, shrugging sheepishly. John looked like he was about to say something, probably offer a drive himself, but while Natalie was hugging him Edith took the opportunity to pounce and anything the man might of said Clint missed completely.

“Don’t tell me you’re leaving!” she trilled, wrapping her hands around Clint’s bicep. “I never did get that dance you promised me.” She tried to pout alluringly but the effect was completely the opposite.

“Oh yeah, sorry, I... I’m not much of a dancer...”

Natasha simply gave him a look, and it was truly meant for Clint, a smouldering gaze full of promises and lust but the look disappeared as quickly as it appeared. No use in over exciting their fellow colleagues, some things were better left out of common knowledge.

John was like a squid, Natasha had had her fair share of men who kind of, just clung on, but this was awkward to say the least. She could feel the mans gaze and knew the look directed at Clint was one of drunken hate. Oh well, the man would get over it eventually.

As she finally shook off his grip she turned to be faced with a quite amusing site, arms crossed and foot tapping her heel into the floor. Edith was a tricky customer and although Natasha only knew her by file she also knew the woman had access to information that could be key to their mission objectives. Maybe she should let Clint take her home to do the bedroom tango.

Naw.

"Edith right?" She approached carefully with a cheerful smile under flushed cheeks. "Natalie, I just came over to say that John thinks your dress is wonderful and he'd really like to talk to you but he's playing coy..." And with that she reached behind her to pull John forward, eyebrow perking slowly at Clint. "I'm sorry to steal your dance partner, but he's promised me a cab ride home and no lady should be left wandering the streets on her own this day and age.." Even though Natasha was no ordinary lady.

Clint knew he should probably humour Edith more, maybe spend more time with her considering her position in HR, but she was so grating. He was glad for Chris’s shy persona so he could dodge her advances easily, and he was even more glad in this moment for Natasha’s help. She could have thrown him under the bus, could have left him to deal with this on his own, but when she practically threw John at Edith he was entirely grateful. Amused as well, but mostly grateful.

And from the look Natasha had given him a moment ago it was looking very likely that he’d get ample opportunity to show her just how grateful he really was.

Edith, for her part, was not happy with the introduction and sized Natalie up like women do their competition, but the line about John caught her by surprise and soon her face lit up as she seemingly forgot that she wasn’t supposed to like this woman.

“Well, I suppose I could let him go if John will dance with me instead...” she said, releasing Clint’s arm and holding her hand out to John.

Oh Natasha would have found it amusing to watch Clint pony trot around the room with Edith on his arm, but alas that's not exactly what partners did and she did owe him for saving her from John and his squid like arms.

Watching the woman pull John off she smiled, gave Edith a convincing look of happiness and turned back to Clint. "Well Chris, your grade just dropped to an F, I do hope you're going to put in the work desired to bring your grade up to the mark." Her eyebrow raised, giving him a look meant for Clint, not Chris and brushed past him to acquire her coat.

The night had been a bust, the best she could hope for was getting him alone for some much needed TLC, and to see if he would work on his grades.

Natasha’s plan worked perfectly, managing to rid them both of the clingy coworkers they had been trying to escape. Smiling over at her, the smile dropped at her words. “Wh-what? What did I do wrong?” he stuttered, though Clint was pretty sure that letting John grope her while being distracted by Edith had been his downfall for sure.

That look, though, made his stomach tighten a little. The closer he got to getting her alone the more his desire grew. These past few weeks of working in the same building with her but not being able to see her had been torture, and more than once he had been tempted to come up with some sort of excuse to talk to her, to bump into her somewhere outside of ‘work’. The party may have been a bust in terms of the mission, but considering where it was heading it was a success as far as Clint was concerned.

Chris moved quickly after her and managed to get her coat before she could, holding it out like a gentleman for her to slip on and clearly trying to win back some points.

Another look, one that suggested his thoughts were correct, not that Natasha could read minds, obviously, but standing around while she was cajoled by John? Instant points loss.

Still, he had plenty of time to make it up to her and by god she'd make sure he did.

The coat was a nice start, allowing him to act this way was certainly more Natalie than Natasha. For one Natasha was her own brand of independence, and the mere thought of Clint holding out her coat would have made her double with laughter. No. That's not how the two worked in terms of their partnership.

She stepped closer, hand smoothing a crease out of his shirt. "Oh Chris, you're going to have to try harder than that to get back in my good books."

Clint had never been the best at spy work, he was better when he could keep his distance from a target, and playing a gentleman was a definite stretch for him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t hold coats or doors for a lady, but he was more likely to make a crass joke and go for a laugh than shower on the compliments. The fact that this was Natasha he had to act like someone else around just made it worse because she knew how fake it all was and was probably going to rib him for it later.

Looking down at her hand on his shirt, he smiled a little. “It’s just a start,” he said, collecting his own coat. Fishing his cell phone out of his pocket, he called for a cab before turning back to Natalie. “It’s a bit icy out there. You might wanna hold onto me. I, uh... I doubt those shoes get much traction.”

Rib him? Certainly. The joke would give her at least an hours worth of entertainment, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

A laugh, a lovely chime which brought along a smile with it, "is that a promise Chris?" Another laugh at his suggestion, a fleeting glance down to her heels and yes, he was right, if she wasn't careful she may just lose her footing, not even Natasha was immune to heels on ice.

"You really are a gentleman aren't you, just make sure I don't fall because if I do you're coming with me." Of course Natasha looped her arm through his, fingers grazing the palm of his hand softly, brushing against the calluses on his skin. Of course they were from his many intimate hours spent with his bow, although for cover sake.. "They must push you hard down in the warehouse, your hands are like stone."

Of, if that didn't just give her a lovely image of his smoothing her curves, and the shiver that ran down her spine certainly had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the memory of his hands working her skin.

Clint usually loved to make Natasha laugh. It wasn’t something she often did around other people, so when he managed to win one it always felt like a victory. Natalie’s laugh sounded different, though; not nearly as satisfying. To everyone else it probably sounded carefree but to Clint it was completely fake. Still, he put on a shy grin, looking rather pleased with himself. “Well, I mean, I can’t accept an F, right? I need at least a passing grade.”

His skin was rough but her hands were smooth, soft, just like the rest of her body. “I won’t let you fall,” he said quietly, and for a brief moment both lives bled together. He wondered if she knew he had fallen long ago.

“It’s not easy, lots of boxes to move, supplies to unpack and shelf... just as exciting as it sounds, really. Means I don’t gotta go to the gym all the time, though.” Reminding her of the physique his dress shirt and jacket were hiding certainly couldn’t hurt his case.

When the cab pulled up out front he opened the door for them with one hand, keeping hold of her arm with her other.

She was supposed to be fake, everything about this persona was almost fake, almost. Natasha sometimes wondered if she blurred the lines, if she sometimes slipped and fell into another name just because she could, if she'd ever done it with Clint. Made him feel like the mark she was trying to seduce or kept him at arms length because, just because.

Because one of her personas could.

The hushed words didn't escape her and for a moment it hit too close to home, it made those lines blur and hard to separate and she slipped, Natasha flooding back into her own body with eyes giving him a look as if she'd never seen him before.

She knew what he meant, she just didn't want to wholly believe it. Maybe because of her doubts, how could a man fall for her with all her debts and all the blood and the smell of death following her where ever she went?

Natalie came back with a smile and a toss of her hair. "Well Chris, all that hard work is certainly paying off and I for one would be far more appreciative if the goods were fully on display..."

She'd blame the wine, completely.

Following him out, keeping close to his side and careful of her foot steps somehow, someway she made it into the back seat of the cab without falling flat on her ass. "You've upgraded to an E again.."

Clint caught the look she gave him, but it was gone again so fast he couldn’t be quite sure it had been there at all, let alone what it really meant. Every once in a while he wondered if she was just playing with him, but he never truly believed it, refused to let himself. She wouldn’t do that to him, not to him, not on purpose. He just kept telling himself that.

Tonight he didn’t dwell on it, though. Tonight he didn’t want to complicate things, he just wanted to feel her touch, to run his hands and his tongue over every inch of her and reacquaint himself with the body he loved so much.

“I, um...” Chris stuttered, eyes widening, clearly not sure how to respond. “It’s a bit cold for that...”

What an idiot.

Helping Natasha to and into the cab, Clint climbed in beside her, and after she’d given her address to the driver he settled back in his seat. “I’m on the right track, then,” he said, smiling at her. Christ, he wanted to jump her right then and there. “Was it the helpful part or the talk of my, um, working out?”

Was it possible for Natasha to play with him? The man she'd grown to trust and care about, the man who saved her when she was so lost, who pulled her from the dark and into the light? Could she play him like a fiddle? Like she'd done to so many men and women over her life time?

Of course she could, but what she could do and what she would do were two separate things. Natasha wouldn't do that, not to him.

She laughed, another melodic chime and shuffled instantly closer to his body once they were seated in the cab and moving.

"It was both, just a shame about the cold." She flashed him a teasing smile, hand moving to rest itself on his knee. "So do I really need to invite you in for coffee?"

Even despite the cold her hand felt warm on his knee and Clint felt his mask slipping. They were away from their coworkers, surely they didn’t need to keep up appearances anymore, right? He really wanted to believe that, but this wasn’t exactly a big city and for all they knew this cabbie played softball with Daniel or drove Joan’s drunk ass home from the bar every Saturday night. Word got around, and until they were safe behind closed and locked doors they had to keep up appearances.

“Well, it would... it would help with the cold,” he said. “And, I mean, I gotta walk you to your door anyway to make sure you get in alright.”

And he would be lying if he said it wouldn’t be tempting to push her up against that door the second they got inside and have his way with her right then and there.

She saw him start to blend back into Clint and it couldn't happen, because this cabbie could know someone from their office and Natasha was certain she couldn't talk her way out of something that big. So she squeezed his knee, lent in closer and let her lips brush the side of his face.

Okay so she wasn't making it easy, but honestly she was having a hard time too.

"Can't let you go home without being the perfect hostess, plus you're right, it would warm you up, or there are other ways if the coffee doesn't work." Whispered words against his ear.

No, she was evil, dangling herself like a carrot in front of him.

No, she certainly wasn’t making this easy, and Clint’s eyes slipped shut as she moved closer, her lips brushing his cheek.

Mind on the mission. Mind on the mission, he repeated in his head but it did little to help.

He should probably refuse her; Chris was a gentleman and she had been drinking, but Clint knew Natasha could hold her liquor and it was hard to even think of her as having had so much to drink that it would impair her judgement in the least.

“If you want,” he said, voice barely a whisper. “If you’re sure you want me to come in.”

There was no way he was going home at this point, even if he had to sneak back under the cover of night on his own two feet.

Natasha would have apologised but it seemed she was just as geared up as he was. Funny how being separated did that and she shouldn't let it happen. She shouldn't have gotten this close to the point where being apart from him did strange things to her. She shouldn't miss him, it was dangerous territory.

"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have instigated..." She smiled, pulling back enough just so he could see it, coy and innocent. "I'm blaming it on the wine though, if anyone asks." And they were bound to.

Even if that was an excuse, Natasha certainly wasn't drunk, just an excuse for a lapse of Natalie's judgement when people questioned her at the water cooler.

"Plus my house is warm, so it may be a opportunity to see if this warehouse work has really paid off."

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it definitely made a lot of other things grow too. Despite his preference to not actually get involved in spy work often, Clint had been happy to get the call to back Natasha up on this mission. They had already been apart for longer than his liking, and even though he knew she could handle herself he never felt quite right when he wasn’t there to have her back.

He had missed her, and he was very much looking forward to the opportunity to show her just how much.

“As long as it’s not really the wine,” Chris said, looking worried that it might be.

He swore this was the longest cab ride ever. Maybe the cabbie was a pervert and was taking them on detours in hopes he’d have something to watch, but more likely it just felt like it was taking forever since Clint was highly anticipating it being over.

“It has. You can see for yourself. I’ll show you,” he said rather quickly, his eyes dropping to her lips so tantalizingly close to his.

Not the wine. Heavens no, but for the sake of playing up the game it was, completely and totally. She lent closer and squeezed his knee again, eyebrow curling with a smile. "I don't know if it's the wine or the gentlemanly demeanour. Either way, you've got me Chris."

Her eyes darted towards the windows, checking their surroundings as yes, they were on the right track, not long before they reached the fake home she'd been forced into. It was nothing like her style.

"Well Chris I look forward to giving you a check up." Eyes moved back to his face, taking in the lines and look and god, she really had missed him.

It was hard to play the perfect gentleman and turn Natalie down like Chris probably should have, especially since Clint knew it was all an act. And really, what man in his position would really say no to such an offer? She was still speaking coherently and her motor skills were fine. Maybe Chris was a gentleman, but he was no saint.

“Maybe a mix,” he said, as if that made it able for him to accept, able to continue without feeling he was taking advantage.

So far he’d been very careful about not touching her, but it was too much and he couldn’t resist anymore. Lifting one hand he ran it back through her hair, the fiery red strands just as silky as he remembered. “How close are we?” he asked, impatient and almost breathless just from her proximity. He was still putting on a decent front, but when he met her eyes again the desire and longing in them was all Clint.

"A good mix, a very good mix meaning this is a very good idea. Chris, stop questioning this," Honestly, She could appreciate good values and morals but here she was, practically throwing herself at Chris in the comfort of a cab and he was still questioning it. Underneath Natasha knew Clint wanted this more than anything right now, all he had to do was let his socially awkward persona go with it.

And there it was, the push. Her head tilted slightly into his hand, a breath slipped past her lips along with a laugh at his question. "Not close enough.." Her eyebrows wiggled, eyes slipping to the window, "Not far. Couple more streets."

“Right, a good idea,” he said, nodding. “A very good idea.” He certainly couldn’t think of a better idea at the moment. In fact, he was pretty sure this was one of the best ideas ever. Sure, they would probably have some explaining to do to Fury if they became the talk of the rumour mill instead of the barely acquaintances that they were supposed to be, but Clint didn’t give a damn about that right now.

Licking his lips, his free hand moved to her thigh, squeezing just slightly through the smooth material of her dress. He had been trying to hold off until they were inside, away from prying eyes and able to drop all pretenses, but she was sitting so close and looking so sexy and smelling so good he felt himself being drawn in like a magnet until his lips were just a hair’s breadth from hers. “Not close enough,” he echoed before crushing his lips to hers in a bruising kiss.

Fury could bite her. Natasha had no loyalties to that man, not to him and not to SHIELD. Not really. Her loyalties lay with Clint considering he was the one who spared her. If word got around then so what? They were two grown assed adults and as long as they got the job done what did it matter if they were caught making out in the back of a cab?

Her eyes dropped to the hand on her thigh, raising them slowly just as he'd lent in closer and she could practically feel the air between them move. Electricity. They'd both somehow riled each other up, Natasha had been the obvious antagonist but Clint and his coy, shy persona had done something strange to her.

She kissed him back with a neutral ferocity, her hand reaching up to tug the collar of his jacket until she was pressed against him and just as her other hand found his on her leg the cabbie coughed and halted. Worst timing ever.

She broke away, lips swollen and a giggle leaving her lips in way of apology, fumbling with her purse produced from her coat pocket and stuffing bills through the hole in the window.

It could jeopardize the mission, making themselves the centre of attention and putting their relationship on display, but Clint didn’t care about that right now. They could deal with it tomorrow, spin it positively, but right now he couldn’t even think about it. Right now all he could think about was her body pressed against his, her mouth hot and welcoming.

When they were interrupted he let out a loud groan, his head dropping back on the seat behind him. He tried to find the words to protest against her being the one to pay, even fumbled for his wallet, but she already had the bills out before he could find his. “I can get that,” he still said a little late, pulling out his wallet needlessly. “Or, I guess, I can... breakfast. I’ll spring for breakfast.”

It could jeopardise more than the mission, it could jeopardise their relationship, their dynamic. It could single them out, it could ruin them but Natasha couldn't care less. He's right here, on her mission. Natasha trusts him with everything, she wants him so badly it terrifies her. Fuck everyone else and fuck what they think. It's taken her years to get to this point and she doesn't want to waste a second.

Life is too short.

She climbs out of the cab and sighs, waving him off and saying her thanks to the cabbie. "Breakfast is certainly on you Chris, somewhere nice too, with good coffee." She throws a smile over her shoulder, fumbles for her keys in her pocket and finally gets the front door of her fake home unlocked.

It's spare and unwelcoming but it's Natasha's style, she could leave here if their were her own possessions scattered around, instead Natalie has made it hostile and bland. Either way she pads into the hallway, drops her coat to the floor and works at the zipper of her dress until that pools into a puddle at her feet. Her heels remain on and she's left standing there in a matching set which is all black lace, definitely Natasha.

Clint wasn’t thinking about how dangerous this could be for them, wasn’t letting himself think beyond the immediate repercussions. He had lost himself to her long ago, and there was no point trying to deny it. He would take whatever she was willing to give him, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to deny her tonight.

As the cab drove off Clint didn’t bother to reply; there was nobody left to keep up pretenses for. Following Natasha up the walkway, he stepped into the house behind her and turned to close and lock the door. The click of the lock was loud in the otherwise silent house, and he let out a breath as he was finally able to fully drop the persona he had been wearing for the past few weeks.

“That had to be the longest cab ride...” he started to say, turning as he spoke, but the words died on his lips when he caught sight of Natasha again, confidence, black lace and fuck-me-pumps. “Christ, I’ve missed you,” he breathed, letting his eyes travel over every inch of her. All these years and she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Silences she loved it. Sometimes it got lonely but then Natalie had plenty of interests to keep her satisfied. The easel in the dining room, the expanse of books and the kitchen fully equipped with baking supplies. Natalie was apparently one of those women who brought cakes in to the office on Fridays.

Her eyebrow cocked as she rested a hand on her hip, one knee bent, shifting weight in her heels while she stared at his across the gap. Sexy and confident. Wrapped up for him in red, black and white. She was danger personified.

"Have you? And yet you're gawking like a fish." She turns slowly, giving him a show, letting him see every inch of her. Pale skin in sharp contrast to black underwear, thumbs running over the band of the lace panties, "I missed you too."

Natasha knew exactly how to stand, how to hold herself, to best show off her assets, and Clint felt his mouth go dry just looking at her.

“Not gawking, just... appreciating,” he said as she pivoted in place, making sure to show off every angle. It was her words, though, that had him moving forward, dropping his coat as he went. Closing the distance between them, he grabbed her hips to pull her flush against him as his kissed her, deep and hungrily; a kiss that spoke of countless lonely nights.

She had missed him too.

"Appreciate if you must, I'd rather you show me instead of just looking though.." Not that Clint needed any prompting. Natasha's eyes followed the discarded coat and all ready she was imaging those arms wrapped around her. If she had one weakness it was Clint Barton's arms.

Not that she'd ever admit that to anyone.

Standing together flush like this made her realise just how damn much she'd missed him. She'd spent lonely nights wrapped up in nothing but her sheets missing his comfortable weight and she shouldn't have let it happen. She sank too deep, got too far into something she swore she'd never do again.

She couldn't afford to feel, feeling made you weak, it cost you your life.

But it felt good, it made her feel real, human. Why shut off from something that made her feel whole?

Her hands moved to his neck, fingers carding through the hair at his nape, kissing him back with the same ferocity he displayed, lifting a leg to wrap it around his waist, heel of her shoe gently scraping the back of his calve and this was dangerous and toeing so many lines.

What the hell, Natasha was never one for playing by the rule book.

She kissed him back with passion and need that equaled his own and Clint was lost. He could taste her, breathe her in, feel her skin under his fingers still cool from the winter air outside. He was drowning in her and he didn’t want to be saved.

Moving his hands down to cup her ass, he lifted her up as if she weighed nothing, holding her there as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took one step forward but didn’t know which way to go so he turned to press her back against the wall instead, press himself hard against her.

His lips never left hers.

He might be lost but Natasha was sure as hell that she'd find him every time. Like now, her kisses read that she's in this with him, that this is more than just affection or reaffirmation. Natasha knows, she just doesn't want to believe that someone could love her nor that she could love someone back.

She knows she trusts him with her life, she knows she'll protect him and in return he'll protect her too, she knows there's no one else on this earth that means this much to her.

If that's love then she's just as lost as he feels.

She felt the corded muscle in his arms flex as he lifted her and she did immediately wrap her long legs around his waist, legs that have killed more men than any other weapon. Her deft fingers work at the buttons on his shirt, popping them open one by one until her hands found his skin and she slowly glided her hands over every inch.

A groan into his mouth as her back hits the wall, one hand presses onto the nearest surface, scattering oddities that only make sense in Natalie's life. A lamp hits the floor and glass smashes but it's insignificant to the feel of his lips and the muscle working under her hand.

It’s more than distance and time apart; when she kissed him he felt weeks worth of unspoken words and emotions... maybe even years. This wasn’t just an itch to scratch, not even just about having missed each other. There was so much more in her kiss, more than he could let himself believe or hope for in that moment.

Her hands on his skin felt like fire and he leaned into their warmth, savouring every second. He doesn’t just hear her groan but he can feel it, and it made him push harder against her, his growing need more than obvious at this point. Only when the lamp his the floor did the intensity of the situation shatter along with it causing him to chuckle against her lips. Setting her on the edge of the small table where the lamp had previously sat, he took the opportunity to toss his shirt aside, but his arms weren’t gone from around her for long. He only managed to draw his lips away from hers so he could kiss a trail down her throat. “I wanna fuck you on every surface in this house, but we’d probably end up destroying the place,” he said in a gruff tone, smiling against her skin. His hands slid up to fondle her breast through the thin, lacy material.

But maybe the distance and time apart did her some good. The lines weren't so blurred, things seemed to be slipping into place, like how when he kissed her her stomach flipped, like when she knew he was in danger her heart raced. It was a scary thought, one she couldn't afford to act on. Love. Natasha wasn't wired to love, she was wired to kill, destroy, seduce. But love?

She became the ornament to replace the lamp, eyes flickering to the shattered remains with a sigh. Oh well, not like SHIELD couldn't afford replacement lamps. Eyes moved back to him when the shirt disappeared and her smile widened, kicking her legs softly from her position. Head tilted back, letting his lips work as she sighed, hand coming up to tangle in his hair. A chuckle, gripping his hair tighter and pulling his head up so she could lock eyes with him, "I didn't just bail on a party for us to play vanilla. Every surface sounds like a challenge, I want to know if you're up for it."

Of course she had to go and lean in, teeth finding his lip, biting it hard enough to leave little indents.

Moving to stand between her knees, Clint worked his way down her neck, over her collarbone, before she sharply pulled his head back to meet his eyes. The movement was rough, and something flashed in his eyes as he held her steady gaze, the air between them once again electric. Then she was moving in and he let out a small grunt when she bit his lip.

Good thing they had left their fake personas at the door. Clint had had enough of playing the shy guy, and he certainly had played the gentleman enough for one night. Grabbing Natasha’s hips he pulled her forward to the edge of the table, pressing her hard against him. “Honey, I am up for pretty much anything,” he said, his voice low and rough, before capturing her lips in another bruising kiss.

That's what she wanted, that flash in his eyes, give her something more. After dealing with idiots the entire time she'd been undercover Natasha really wasn't looking for something normal and boring, didn't want to end the night making a mess of. Natalie's sheets, but the thought of destroying pieces of this house well, it wasn't like it was either of the twos personal place, so fuck it.

She laughed, the table rocked at his roughness, slipping her legs around his waist again, hands sliding back down his chest to his belt, snapping it open with a perked eyebrow. She was about to respond, about to bite at the endearment but instead pushed herself into the kiss, nails biting into his bare hips.

Damn, he was catching on.

Clint would have been content just taking this to the bedroom, but by the time they had gotten into the house and she had stripped down right there in the entranceway all thoughts of trying to make it that far vanished. Now she had upped the stakes and he was more than willing to comply.

Sliding one hand up her back to unclasp her bra, he felt the bite of her nails into his skin and groaned. It took him a second to realise that it wasn’t actually him but the table beneath her that was groaning, the whole structure shifting sideways, clearly not built to sustain such abuse.

“Maybe not every surface,” he muttered into the kiss, hands moving to grab her ass and lift her up again. “Wall’s a surface, though, right?” He was already turning to press her back against the wall once more.

The bedroom. They spent too much time in bedrooms and Natasha was, well, not bored by it. Clint didn't bore her, not in the least but tonight after weeks of playing another person she wanted more than some roll around in the sheets. Maybe later.

The table groaned and creaked and she laughed, shaking her head. Not the first time. They come together like waves on rocks. It's messy and dangerous, they celebrate life by destroying each other, knowing they can take it.

She brushes her bra away, hangs it by its strap on the coat rack, making a sound in the back of her throat as her legs returned back around his waist. "Walls are definitely surfaces Barton."

Leaning her weight back on the wall, using it for leverage as hips rolled against his, hands on his shoulders. "You have no idea how many times I've thought of this moment since the job started."

It was so good to hear her laughter, her real laughter, not the fake kind she put on as Natalie. It was definitely one of Clint’s most favourite sounds in the world, especially when he had any hand in making it happen. Another of his favourite sounds was the one she had just made when he’d pushed her back into the wall again. So fucking hot.

“Good, good, ‘cause it’s gonna have to do,” he muttered, pressing himself harder against her. Running his hands over her hips, his fingers traced the hem of the little, lacy panties she wore. Damn, he really should had gotten rid of them before saving the table from total decimation. He was just wondering how partial she was to them when she arched back against the wall and ground against him.

“Why don’t you tell me,” he replied, ducking his head to her breasts and closing his lips over one hardened peak. He had definitely thought about this too. He didn’t get to see her at work often, but when he did catch a glimpse of her in those formal skirts and blouses he’d wanted nothing more than to drag her into a closet somewhere and fuck her senseless.

Well, being with Clint was the first time she'd ever had a reason to actually laugh and mean it. So many years spent flitting between one persona to the next, too much time wasting false laughter on ears of men who were going to die by her hand. And Clint? Well, he gave her a real reason to laugh.

Her fingers rested on his jaw, stroking the soft stubble while he slowly unravelled her steel and broke down the walls Natalie had been forced to out up. Another huff of laughter, "don't even think about ripping these.."

Her fingers closed softly around his neck, pushing his head back enough so he could see just how he was affecting her, eyes glassy, chest heaving, hips grinding against him. "From the minute I got here. Imagined you bending me over the dining room table, riding you on the couch," she lent forward, lips coming to his ear and smiling slowly against his skin, "pressing me up against the shower wall, it's huge by the way."

When she seemed to read his mind Clint pouted against her but he couldn’t keep it up for long, couldn’t hold it when she was laughing. He couldn’t not smile when she laughed.

Suckling at her skin, he dragged his teeth lightly over her nipple before she pushed his head back, urging him to look up at her with her hands around his neck. What he was was pure and utter lust, but it was more than that. She wasn’t just horny and looking for a good lay; this was for him, it was all for him, and it was he who had turned her on so much that he could feel her pressing hot against him. She was beautiful, breathtaking, and fuck if her words weren’t just turning him on more. Her breath against his ear made him shiver and he pressed his lips to her shoulder, trying to take a deep breath.

“Mmm, sounds good. Let’s do them all,” he said, reaching one hand down between them to open his button and zipper, trying to rid himself of his pants. There was still far too much clothing between them.

Clint wasn't like any other guy she'd been with, for one he didn't make her skin crawl and for two it was Clint. They had a bond after all. There was no Barton without Romanoff.

Her hand slipped down, batting his away and working at his pants until they were loose enough for him to shuck them off, not that Natasha had any kind of patience, too many nights spent alone, as she slipped a hand down the waistband of his boxers and stroked him softly. "Oh please, hopefully you're well rested, don't want your batteries running out on me."

Clint chuckled when Natasha impatiently swatted his hand away to get at him herself. Moving his hand instead to her ass and adjusting her position, his fingers dug into her soft flesh. She had the most perfect body he had ever seen; she was slim but not skinny, toned but not too muscular; her breasts were amazing, her skin soft and smooth, and she was just so confident and sure that she carried it all in a way that he couldn’t help but stop and marvel at her sometimes. How he had ever got so lucky to end up like this with here he’d never know, but he wasn’t about to question it.

Letting his pants drop down around his ankles, he groaned at the first touch of her hand, involuntarily pushing against her. “Not a chance,” he breathed against her neck. “I’m good to go all night.” Though he was ready to skip all the foreplay for this first round and get right to it. It had been far too long.

The question was more to do with how she'd got so lucky. Reality was Clint had been her saving grace and that debt still hung in the air between them. She still owed him for taking her out of one life and helping her live another.

She teased him, wanting nothing more than to sink down on her knees and use her mouth rather than her hand, but they had all night and tomorrow morning before they had to return back to normality, back to Chris and. Natalie.

She wiggled out of his grasp, setting herself on the floor, slipping her panties down her legs and kicking them off a heeled foot. "I want you to fuck me now Clint.." She looked at him through her lashes, teeth worrying her lip as if she was shy to ask even though it was less of a question and more of a demand.

Clint preferred not to think about the debt, because if he let himself think about it then his mind would start to wander and he would start asking himself if that was all this was, her way of repaying him what she felt she owed him. The very idea made his stomach twist so it was best not to think about it at all.

Fortunately Natasha was very good at distracting him.

He murmured some nonsensical protests as she wriggled free from his arms, but they quickly died on his lips when she was suddenly standing there before him in all her naked glory, wearing a pair of fuck me pumps and nothing else. Then she had to go and say those words and he felt himself twitch in anticipation.

“Yes ma’am!” Clint replied, quickly ridding himself of the remainder of his own clothing before moving in again, his hands grasping her waist to lift her almost effortlessly so she could wrap her legs around him again.

Maybe at the beginning, maybe at the very start that debt weighed heavily on her mind and had some sway, but that was at the very start. Now what they were, what they had become had nothing to do with debts or ledgers and if he was to bring it up Natasha would simply tell him he was being beyond stupid.

She laughed at his eagerness, wrapping her legs back around his waist, arms braced on his shoulders, "You've upgraded to a D, let's see if you can persuade me to give you an A Barton." Nails raked over his skin, one hand trailing down his chest. Damn she really, really missed this, being here like this with him, just having him around, a steady presence.

Every time she laughed his heart soared, and he didn’t care how ridiculously cheesy that sounded. Maybe he would never admit it aloud, but still; it didn’t change how he felt.

For a brief moment he’d completely forgotten about the whole game earlier regarding grades, but he chuckled when he remembered. The chuckle turned into a hiss as she raked her nails over his skin, and when he pressed her back agains the wall again it was none too gently. After her order earlier he wasted no time in aligning himself at her entrance and burying himself deep inside of her with one swift thrust.

And his grade was about to rise again when he finally fell over that threshold. Natasha didn't so much as scream, instead his name slipped past her lips buried in a whine and a growl, her legs tightening around his waist to keep him there, just for a moment while she surveyed the situation.

Evidently it didn't matter how many times she told herself that Love didn't exist for women like her, that Love was all a game, a trap. That feeling in her stomach had nothing to do with Clint suddenly being inside of her nor pressed so close. It was something more, deeper and a long time coming.

Her lips sought his, kissing him softly, nipping at his bottom lip, hands slipped up to thread fingers in his hair. This was Love. Didn't matter how many times she tried to tell herself it wasn't.

Clint buried his face against her shoulder, grunting in pleasure when she locked him in place, his name on her lips sounding heavenly and oh so filthy at the same time. He felt complete again for the first time in weeks, any stress and anxiety that had built up in him fading.

He didn’t move, just let her hold him still as she adjusted to him, his breath huffing sharply across her skin until her lips found his. The kiss wasn’t rough, or fast, or desperate, and it was more than an expression of how hot she was for him. She kissed him softly, tenderly, and Clint instantly melted into the kiss, taking his time to explore but never deepening it. His heart was pounding, and he couldn’t recall a time she had ever kissed him quite like this, so full of affection. It was all he had been longing for for months, and otherwise he didn’t move, afraid it would end.

Complete wasn't the word, something to that effect but deeper. Natasha could honestly say she'd never felt like this with anyone else, never felt so connected as she does with Clint. It's a dangerous trait to have given somebody control over your emotions and it's even more dangerous that she considers him her right hand rather than an insignificant pawn.

Her breathing stuttered against his lips, trying to steady herself and bring things back to reality and quickly. He'd read things she wasn't ready to divulge, he'd read things she couldn't afford to spill. She chased that from his mind by sinking teeth into his bottom lip softly, her hips chanting against his until she broke the kiss to out enough distance between their mouths, "Couch..." Just one simple word as an instruction.

He was just letting himself believe it, just letting himself hope when she broke the spell. He couldn’t be too disappointed, not when she was moving against him like that, and while he would let his mind scour over it later for now he was quick to obey and let it go.

One word was enough, who really needed words anyway? Wrapping his arms around her to hold her tight, Clint turned away from the wall. To his left was one door and he could see a hint of tiled floor, and to the right a larger door which he banked on as the living room and headed toward. His assumption, thankfully, turned out correct and he proceeded to carry her across the room, his lips working on her shoulder as he peered over it to at least have an idea of where he was going. When he reached the couch, though, and tried to squeeze in between it and the coffee table he lost his footing and ended up falling onto the plush surface with Natasha beneath him.

God she wished it was a spell, she wished she could be indifferent, that she didn't care about him or feel for him. It would be easier, in the long run, for it to be some kind of enchantment, but it wasn't. It felt real. Right down to her toes, in her bones, in every pore and scar. Natasha had committed the cardinal sin and fell in love with the man who'd taken her away from the Union in the first place.

If her instructors and tormentors could see her now they'd be in a state of complete and utter rage.

Natasha didn't exactly help guide him, oh now, far too busy biting his lips between her teeth or winding fingers into his hair.

As they neared the correct room curled into him, forehead pressed against his shoulder, every footstep brought a wave through her body and when they finally reached the couch he went and, well, he went and tripped over.

It was a good job Natasha wasn't made out of glass, but the way he fell on top of her both made her want to gasp and laugh, so she sank teeth into his shoulder and whimpered into his skin.

"Jesus, you know how to make an entrance Clint..."

Every step had been a mix between pleasure and pain, and his ungraceful fall certainly didn’t buck that trend, especially when Natasha sank her teeth into his skin. Yelping and cursing against her neck, Clint tried to catch his breath and reorient himself. That had been far from one of his smoothest moves nor his best ideas, but at least they’d ended up in the right place.

“Yeah, well, I was well trained,” he muttered against her skin before placing a soft kiss against her neck. “You okay?” he asked with genuine concern. Sometimes they got more than a little rough, but if he ever actually hurt her it would be hard to forgive himself.

Your majesty. [He's not sure what protocol is, so he starts off with a bow and a kiss to the back of her hand.]

So tell me again, dear Alice, this is a tradition where you are from?

Of course.

[She glanced up at the mistletoe hanging above their heads, grinning widely]

We're supposed to kiss once we're caught under the mistletoe plant.

[glances up again then wraps an arm around her to pull Alice close]

I think I like this tradition, very much

[She let her arms wrap around his shoulders, but purposely kept her lips just out of kissing distance]

Now, you're only supposed to take one kiss.

[She teased, knowing very well that Cyrus couldn't stop at one]

[chuckles and drops their foreheads together after kissing her again]

Where is the fun in that?

Well, one kiss is given without second glance. Another encourages us to be wed.

[ Not that he hadn't already proposed to her. She leaned forward to purposely steal the second kiss from him, her hands cupping his face, as if she cared more about him breaking their kiss than society itself]

Edited 2013-12-08 04:11 (UTC)

Who needs encouraging? Didn't I already propose?

[Of course he had to tease her a little before he moved in to kiss her again, holding her close as he didn't want to break the kiss anymore then she did.]

[She was reluctant to break the kiss, but air was becoming a necessary thing to have. So when she finally pulled away, she was breathless and smiling]

I was teasing, Cyrus. You can have as many kisses as you like.

[he keeps her close, heads resting against one another]

And I will take all I can because I can never get enough

And I you.

[She let her hand slide through his hair]

I can't believe in all your travels you've never encountered mistletoe before, but then again I guess that's a good thing.

[Leans his head into her head, much like a dog]

I've encountered traditions like it. There is an artic world where it is an insult not to sleep in a pile. And in another there is an entire romantic language spoken in fan positions.

But I think I prefer discovery this particular tradition with you.

[Alice laughs when his head follows the touch of her hand, sliding her fingers through his dark hair, even ruffling it just a little bit]

I'm glad you think so. I wouldn't want to be caught under the mistletoe with anyone else.

[Grins at her laugh, loving both the sound and the fact he had the ability to make her do it.]

Me either. Tell me, what other holiday traditions do you have from home? Perhaps we can find their equivalent here in Wonderland.

[Of all the things to be caught by, mistletoe is the last on Rod's list. At least the company is attractive.]

...it could be worse. Eyes up, princess, I don't bite.

[This is what happens when you strike a deal with a dark wizard for the sake of going after a common enemy. It's bad enough they had to play this game, this undercover "dress up all nice and fancy and accompany one another to the target's Christmas party" game, but there are some lines Gretel just isn't willing to cross no matter how great the bounty.

She throws a glance up at the mistletoe above before fixing him with a look that was less than pleased.]

Don't push your luck with me. Remember, I know exactly what you are.

How could I forget, when you mention it at least twice a minute. [He'd roll his eyes, but they're supposed to be dating, if not in love (and he laughed himself stupid the moment she left the room after they struck this deal), so instead he lets them smoulder a little as he leans down.] Just think of all the other things I could be pushing, instead.

[Repulsive. It takes every strand of her being not to recoil when he leans in, but really, this is what she signed on for. Well, maybe not this, exactly, but nothing would draw people's attention faster than a woman glaring at her "beloved" under the mistletoe.

With the end goal in mind, she lets his comment roll off her back. Lets the tension fall from her jaw as she forces something akin to a smile, then leans up to gently (barely) press her lips to his.]

[He loves watching her fight the situation. He can see her revulsion warring with their cover, and when her lips make the poorest attempt at a kiss ever, he chuckles.]

Pathetic. No one will believe that.

[So he kisses her properly, a hand on her back and one under her chin, the kiss deliberately slow and sensuous.]

[Very properly. It takes a lot to catch Gretel off guard, but Rodolphus does it with this kiss. Seemingly without even trying, he manages to make it captivating and very real. Before she knows it, she's entangled in it, with nothing to do but close her eyes and nudge further into the kiss with a slight part of her lips.

Somewhere, her brother is either laughing or gagging. Likely both.]

[Somewhere, her brother is keeping a sexy little secret of his own and has no room to argue. But here, Rodolphus is quite thoroughly kissing Gretel the Witch Hunter, his lips and tongue teasing hers, begging for entry to her mouth, and when it's granted, he wastes no time in deepening the kiss further. Pulling her closer, he lets his fingers move gently from her chin to her jaw, before sliding back over the smooth skin of her neck to delve into her hair.]

[His lips and tongue are more persuasive than she cares to admit, and by the time his hand drifts to her hair, her own hands venture to rest low against him, fingers gently pressed just above the place where his shirt tucks into the waistband of his trousers. His taste is a perfectly intoxicating mixture of wine and spice, and it isn't until she needs to come up for air that she remembers where they are. Who they are.

They have a job to do.

Her lips fall from his yet she remains close, eyes heavy, breathing labored.]

We...need to split up. See what we can find.

[Her fingertips are hot through his shirt, and he's glad he wore his jacket open, the better to feel the eight tiny points of heat where she can't keep from touching him. Rod smirks as her breath comes too fast against his lips, and he moves his mouth to her neck, tasting her skin. When he speaks, it's low, his voice rumbling beneath her ear.]

We certainly do, sweetheart. Smile for the other guests, that was quite the performance.

[His tone tickles her ear, sends tingles down her spine as she puts on a smile that actually, surprisingly, looks quite genuine.

It isn't. Still, it remains in place as she pulls back enough to run a soft finger along his jawline.]

You work the crowd, darling. I'm going to the ladies' room.

[An excuse to snoop around upstairs while putting enough distance between them to get her head back in the game.]

[She might feel his jaw tense at the falsely tender touch, but his smile is as much for show as hers, and there's a hint of something dark beneath it. He's not a nice man, but he's very good at his job.

His hand lingers on her ass in a possessive gesture, before he lightly pats it to send her on her way.]

Hurry back, angel. We've got people to meet.

[Starting with the blonde in the red dress that's just slightly out of date.]

[It's a small victory, knowing her touches could make him bristle. Of course, she isn't surprised when he rebounds by putting a hand on her ass. If they didn't have eyes directly on them, particularly those of the striking blonde, she would have shoved him away, job or no job.

Instead, she lets him have his handful before she pulls away to set about her business. She (very loosely) trusts him to keep the woman preoccupied. After all, it was his clout and charm that successfully got them through the door. It'd be her stealth and guile that would successfully get them out.

She's back ten minutes later, idling up beside him, the pilfered stone tucked away on her person as she slips a hand between his.]

Miss me?

Desperately, princess. [He drops an apparently affectionate kiss on her temple as large fingers curl around her hand, squeezing twice - one short, one long. Outcome?]

This is Avalina, our lovely hostess. I was just complimenting her on her beautiful home - did you know she has an entire library of rare texts? [Really rare. The sort he wouldn't mind getting his hands on.]

No, I had no idea! That's fascinating. [Except it isn't. At least not tonight. She squeezes back once in response. Yes, I got the stone. And then another longer, harder than necessary squeeze. We are not here to steal books. Let's GO.

Whether or not he would capture all that from a rough squeeze is anyone's guess. Avalina, for what it's worth, appears to be none the wiser as she launches into a pretentious rundown of her library's history. Little does the hostess know she's got quite the audience in Lestrange.

The worst part is, Gretel knows she can't leave without him. While she's got the stone, he has the magic needed to tap into it and destroy it. When Avalina turns to gesture in the direction of the library, Gretel takes the opportunity to shoot a look up at her companion. Come on...]

Indeed. [Rod nods in all the right places, making sounds of approval as Avalina waxes lyrical about her library - and yes, there are things in there he'd really, really like to see.

But he's not stupid, and the tightening of his fingers around hers says, We just got here. Do you want to raise suspicion? Play along. He catches her look, pulling her closer to his side.]

Perhaps you'd be so kind as to allow us to view it? I've heard wonderful things about your collection; it's hardly festive, but when a woman such as yourself throws open her home, it seems a shame not to avail oneself of the opportunity.

[Flattery, the chance to quietly copy a book or two, and maybe to piss Gretel off more. She looks stunning in her dress, it shouldn't be wasted.]

[Okay, fair point. Now that the hostess has given them the formal introduction to her home, to turn around and suddenly disappear would be worse than if Gretel had continued to bicker with Lestrange under the mistletoe.

And as she's tucked against him, her mind can't help flashing back to that particular moment from earlier. All heat and tongue and sensations she has no explanation for other than the fact it had been a very long time since she'd gotten that close with anyone. And now even his cologne is messing with her senses. Christ...

By the time Avalina had given them her blessing to explore her collection, Gretel's actually grateful to have an excuse to drop out of the spotlight. Once they're in the library, she presses her back against the large, wooden door and casts a daunting look up at the endless rows of shelves.]

Well. Good luck trying to find whatever you want in here. Do you even know where to begin?

[It would look worse, at any rate. Whether it would actually be worse would depend on her opinion of angry men. Most people don't like him when he's angry, but there are one or two who do. And she stays next to him, which is interesting...]

Princess, you picked me for a reason. I know exactly where to look for what I want.

[He turns to face her, palms flat on the door on either side of her shoulders, and gives her very thorough once over. Blue eyes rake over her, taking in every dip and swell of her body, and by the time they lift to hers, they're dark with lust, and he's leaning in to kiss her once more.]

[If ever there was a strikingly handsome man, it was Lestrange. It was evident even from afar, but having him close like this made it undeniable. But if there's anything that could send Gretel springing into action, it's being cornered by a witch. Or wizard, in this case, no matter what desirous feelings may be stirring in the pit of her stomach.

Her eyes are locked on his, lips parting seemingly in anticipation of the kiss that's about to come, before they pull back in a tight sneer. She jerks her head to the right and brings an arm up between them, roughly shoving him away. Indeed, she's well aware of his temper and wouldn't be surprised if he has an adverse reaction to being rebuffed. However, Gretel's been on the bad side of witches and wizards for the better part of her entire life. What's one more to add to the pyre?]

Stop it. Just get the damn books and save the bullshit for your wife.

[Not that she believes for a second that he's a faithful husband. Still, the fact remains: He's married, this is a job, and he needs to stay focused. As does she.]

[His anger at her refusal makes him beautiful for a moment - and then it fades as disgust twists his features.]

Don't talk about my wife.

[Her shove does little but make him shift his weight, and he moves away at his own pace, only his eyes lingering on the curve of her lips betraying where his thoughts still lie.

Pointing his right arm out into the room, Rodolphus casts a silent - and to all appearances, wandless - Summoning Charm, whereupon four very old books come flying towards him. He plucks them from the air with ease, then fishes in the pocket of his sharply tailored suit jacket. Moving swiftly to a desk, he rapidly enlarges four tiny, blank journals with a wave of his right hand (his wand is in a sheath in his sleeve, he knows better than to take it out with her around, and if she tries to take it, she's in for a very nasty surprise) and begins muttering rapidfire Latin over both piles.]

...we have ten minutes for those to finish copying. Do what you like, but don't leave the library.

[She'll can't make an issue of his wand, not when she has her own hidden weaponry - a 9mm strapped to one thigh and a dagger strapped to the other. However, she will make an issue of him thinking he has room to tell her where to go and what to do. A silent issue by way of a nasty look and a deep scowl, but an issue just the same.]

Contrary to what you may believe, I'm not an idiot. Leaving your side once was risky enough, there's no reason for me to do it again. But we do need to get a move on. This thing is starting to burn and I feel like the longer we stay here, the sooner someone's going to catch on to the fact that we have it.

[This thing and it being the stone, neatly tucked away in the bustier of her dress.]

Any ideas on where we can go to destroy it? I'd say do it here if I didn't think it would bring the whole place down on us.

They're not going to catch on, angel, unless you weren't careful. [Murmured in an irritated undertone as he leans against the desk, hands in his pockets. He's the image of relaxed aristocrat, not caring for his suit and completely at home among the rare and expensive. It's not a cultivated façade, he comes from this sort of society, but it's definitely useful, should anyone happen upon them.

Of course, his happy little accomplice probably shouldn't be leaning against the door - it might seem odd to anyone else entering.]

There's an abandoned manor house two acreages over. It has a cellar I took the liberty of preparing two days ago, and no one will hear or see anything. I hope you're not scared of fire, princess.

[It takes heat to kill heat, in this instance.]

Scared? [She couldn't tell if he was joking, considering her and Hansel's fondness of fire was pretty well-documented. Still, she pushed away from the door, a somewhat devilish grin tugging at her lips as she approached.]

I can tell you from many years of experience that the best way to kill a witch or a wizard is to set their ass on fire. So no, I'm not afraid.

[She then moved to walk around him, making it a point to gently brush her arm against his as she passed.]

Glad you prepared the space, actually.

[A joke of her own. Maybe. She'd probably do well not to provoke him with thinly-veiled threats, but she's never been one to mind her P's and Q's with a person of magic.]

I'm aware of your penchant for manageable flames. This is a little more dangerous than that - but I'm sure you're more than capable of... handling yourself.

[He lets her brush past him; there was no need for it, there's an abundance of space, but she's clearly in a mood to play with more than the aforementioned fire. Rod lets his gaze linger on the curve of her ass in her dress, letting the heat of his gaze do his talking.

She's feisty, and he wants her, but taking is no fun. No, she has to give.]

Sweetheart, I know you don't think I'm stupid enough to work anywhere you've prepared. Your exploits aren't exactly a secret among those of us with power.

I'm glad to hear my reputation precedes me.

[A lie. More often than not, the notoriety she and Hansel have among magic types made their jobs more difficult rather than easier. She's surprised no one at the party had caught on, but then again, this is a house of dimwitted demons rather than witches and warlocks. Save for Mr. Pureblood, of course.]

That said, I don't think you're stupid at all. [She turns to face him before moving to sit on the arm of the reading sofa.] Actually, the fact that you don't trust me goes to show how smart you are. And really, I hope you don't think I'm stupid enough to recruit a stupid wizard. I mean, I love a handsome man as much as the next woman, but honestly...

Your body language suggests otherwise, princess.

[Notoriety is correct; he knew precisely who she was and what she did the moment she made contact. He hadn't expected her to be attractive to him - attractive, yes, but not attractive to him. Rod usually likes his women a little more ladylike in their presentation... but he still wants her.

He does like a little bit of danger in his women, too.]

But thank you. [He doesn't bother hiding his perusal of her figure as she sits, sparing a quick glance for the copying process before returning to linger on the curve of her hip. He has no shame in displaying interest, even when it's double-edged.] I really hate to be judged on my looks and not my abilities.

['Ladylike' certainly isn't an adjective that could be applied to Gretel. While she isn't boorish, her lifestyle has left her rough around the edges, slightly foulmouthed and unpolished in her appearance. However, the fact that she's able to pass as one of the prim and proper princesses expected to be on Lestrange's arm goes to show just how nicely she can clean up her act.

At least for the time being.]

Don't thank me, thank Merlin. Or whatever entity you pray to, because if you weren't smart, this would be a different scenario entirely.

[Meaning, they wouldn't be here and she wouldn't tolerate him staring at her like a starved dog after a steak. Although, her tolerating it now says more about her than she'd ever care to admit. She shifts under his gaze in a way that exposes her thigh through the slit of her dress. Whether it's a show of skin or a show of arms is anyone's guess.]

I don't think I've seen the full range of your abilities, though. Unless kissing and copying books are the extent of what you have to offer.

Edited 2013-12-07 23:25 (UTC)

The Mistletoe Meme

( jemma simmons | agents of shield )

Hope this is okay.

totally okay!

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Elsa || Frozen || f/m

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idek

1/2

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Yeaah let's make it post movie? Servant or he just escaped his brothers - whatevs

Awesome :] o7

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Haruka Tenoh | Sailor Moon | Ladies preferred

fancy meeting you here

she does have a soft spot for moon princesses

As she should They are very fun princesses to be around

ain't no party like a moon princess party. the world is usually saved.

for the most part anyway

they try

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