half-eaten burgers fell onto the floor. scavengers took note, cubchoo dragging off part of one into a corner before a bat descended upon it out of sight. snorunt left as well. for one who did not have a grasp on personal space, it seemed surprisingly capable of reading the room.

for a moment, lulu was offended that he had done this, but her thoughts clouded and all defiance subsided when he lifted her onto the desk. her legs settled on either side of him, and she let slip the smallest sound that she’d not been so comfortable to let him hear last time, encouraging. her fingers found the hem of his shirt and began to pull it gently up his back.

THEO BECKETT

☉

he paid no attention to the scavengers who quickly came for their food, not even registering their presence as he remained enthralled by her. his shirt was pulled and he soon helped, discarding it onto the floor after, revealing his scarred body that was still wet from the rain.

he pulled at hers as well, far less gentle than she had been with his.

Lulu Flint

☉

he was hot stone under her fingertips. something sturdy enough to trust, at least like this. it was a rare relief to relinquish the control that she lived to wield. to give in, and become like a wave according to the gravitational pull of another, was like a soft dream.

another wet shirt was peeled off, and she felt his skin against hers. she explored more this time, trailing kisses down his chest, showing appreciation to him that she never had before. her legs pulled him closer, and she breathed warmly into his sternum, “i like you like this.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

appreciation and affection — he found himself longing for them, as though they had been missing for far too long. it was why he leaned into her with ease, why he reached a hand to stroke the back of her head, returning the gesture.

like this.

"do you?"

his hand brushed over her collarbone, dragging up to her neck.

he smiled.

Lulu Flint

☉

his gentle touches in return gave her a painful rush of memories—of rinc, and then of Sabine Calcifet . she closed her eyes a moment, feeling utterly sad despite the rush his body gave pressed up against her.

no, not that.

amber eyes opened again at his voice, drawing a warm glow to her cheeks. she peered up at him, finding herself without a response under the romance in his fingertips. his smile wasn’t returned. she looked a little more like a deer in headlights.

would he lead her like last time, or was she to drown in this new territory?

THEO BECKETT

☉

he would lead.

the smile faded as he leaned forward to dote kisses against her neck. it was with the same hand that pushed her onto her back, and slowly, hungrily, he moved down her body, exploring, admiring.

Lulu Flint

☉

his lips on her neck caused a shiver, and as they moved downward, they raised goosebumps from her skin. the cold air of the lighthouse whispered over the parts he’d tended to, and her spine arched over the desk, hypersensitive to him in her anticipation.

THEO BECKETT

☉

control tilted in his favor, and he relished in it, utilizing it with ease. he took note of every reaction, every push and pull she gave, and remembered it for the next time. last time, he hadn't been sure if there would even be a next.

this time, however, he was certain.

"lulu."

Lulu Flint

☉

she felt safe with him, at least in the throes of passion. finally, a moment to allow herself to be vulnerable. in those moments when she gasped for breath, her soul relaxed.

in the end, she found herself in a similar state as last time. uncertain, and withdrawn. warmth faded from her too quickly. she’d be the first to begin to pull her clothes back on, not meeting his eyes for a time.

finally, she gave the smallest snort.

“you remember when you asked why we slept together or whatever?” she didn’t wait for an answer. “it was funny, because i don’t ever sleep.”

maybe in that moment, it felt like a bit of a shame, if only because the presence of another person close at night, and the warm feeling of falling asleep next to them was a human experience she only now realized no longer applied to her. perhaps it never would again.

THEO BECKETT

☉

he felt safe with her even after passion and adrenaline subsided. he continued to be vulnerable, though only to her, and as he watched her pull her clothes back on, he sighed, content.

her admission was met with a small chuckle. he couldn't imagine not sleeping.

"do you miss it?"

Lulu Flint

☉

her short hair bounced around the collar of a black turtleneck when her head pulled through. eventually, she willed herself to turn and look at him again.

“yes,” she admitted, surprising herself. the rest took another moment or so to consider, before she added, “i don’t regret it, though. i get a lot more done this way.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

briefly, he thought of what he would do if he didn't have to sleep. with all the extra hours in the day, what would he do? what more could he achieve?

he found the answer to be boring, and sad in a way he can't quite describe. maybe even lonely.

"i know you don't sleep, but do you ever rest?"

Lulu Flint

☉

rest. before their romp on the desk, when had been the last time she’d even lied down? she couldn’t quite remember.

“no, not really.”

before, with Sabine Calcifet , she’d spend hours lying there while she slept, but those days were in the past. when she’d had a bed, and a lover.

her eyes hung on him, still processing the events. last time, she’d obeyed, but she’d been cold. this time, she’d become utterly lost in passion. it had felt… different; unlike nights with silph, and even unlike those with the princess.

though she’d surely never admit it, a craving seeded.

THEO BECKETT

☉