[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]she wastes no time in scrambling forward through the door, her luxray following close at her heels. only when she's through the threshold does she turn her head to confirm he's following her. the sight of him loosens knots of anxiety mildly, not enough to undo them but enough for her to breathe easier.

"i think i see an altar or something?"

it's difficult to tell in the darkness, but she can vaguely make out the shape of one. at least, if it's not her eyes playing tricks.

regardless, with a shiver clawing down the spine, she looks for exits instead of information.

"we should probably head back - this place is creepy."

and she suspects they've overstayed their welcome.

marcus kotov

🗺️ utilize a starter pokemon in an advantageous way.

13 use a light source in some way to distract a swarm of mad megalopolans.

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]she nods, stepping to follow him toward their suitcases. a pair of sweatpant shorts and a tshirt are grabbed, thrown on, and her hands are already reaching to tie her hair up into a loose bun.

"agreed."

but... she's not necessarily the best cook.

"um, not too great, but i can make pasta and rice."

easy, simple things that didn't require much time or ingredients - a reminder of circumstances, she supposes.

"what about you?"

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]whatever qualms she had are gently dispelled enough for her to pad out of the bathroom and leave unease to circle the bathtub's drain.

"umm, dinner and a movie, maybe?"

she can't quite remember if they've had food in the last few hours, truthfully, but her stomach is still growling slightly all the same.

"are you hungry?"

did they bring supplies to cook? or should she browse take out menus?

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]heat and water and warmth all mix until it's a simmering concoction of everything their relationship has ever been - the same thing over and over again. would it ever be different?

would she even want it if it was? or would it scare her into bolting?

the thoughts get buried beneath contented sighs and final brushes of skin against skin before they're leaving the bath behind and drying off with fluffy towels. his lips find her cheek - quick, nothing more than a soft peck - and she flashes a small smile soon after.

"do you?"

she can't help but look for signs of something etched in falsehood. old habits die hard, screaming even.

"does that mean you're ready to call it a night?"

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]she's blissfully unaware of three little words and the weight they'd hold if they were to be breathed into the space between them. they're not there - commitment is a daunting concept for any number of reasons, but it doesn't quite matter for the here and now persists regardless.

and she enjoys the present, the freeness of it all.

it's why she feels her own small, fuzzy smile rise a moment after his does - why she feels her head bob into a slight nod before she's whispering back a soft, "okay," before meeting him halfway.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]all promises are dangerous, in the end - there's no way to uphold them, or to stop life from ending them.

she knows, in some small regard, that this, too, exists in the same territory.

and despite that, despite herself, she shivers as his hands trail up her body. he comes closer and she leans forward, as if she intends to meet him halfway. distance dwindles and her eyes drop for a moment to trace over his jawline, his lips, before returning.

"yeah?"

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]her smile holds firm, even against the concept of months having passed.

"it'll work itself out - i promise."

it's something she can't uphold, surely, but she wishes for it all the same.

he comes closer, then, and she is happy to shift a little to allow a comfier sitting arrangement. the warmth is nicer now that the bathtub's water has slowly become a little more lukewarm.

"thank you for having me."

for not getting tired of her yet, too.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]tentatively, she reaches a hand out toward the one he has on her leg and lightly pulls his fingers toward her, as if the water around them is beginning to cool and she craves the warmth of togetherness. it's a small distraction, perhaps, as well.

"give it time..."

her expression is soft, concerned, and slightly tinged by a wine tinged flush.

"it's still fresh for both of you."

if he tries again, while they're both in a darker place, she suspects it would end as terribly as the first attempt.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]the confession washes over her like a splash of cold water, startling and chilling.

"oh, i'm so sorry."

of course they did, though. it is the price paid for the sole rocket in their midst - the one left behind.

because he had betrayed them, caden had to suffer the consequence of his brother's actions...

her own wine is sipped on, as if trying to rid her mouth of the taste of blood.

"have you spoken to him since...?"

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]a look of concern meets his voice and despite herself, she fears she may overstep her bounds in response.

"why not?"

gently prying, she looks to understand - to study family dynamics for they are a foreign concept to her.

"is there not a way to repair the relationship you have with them?"

she believes if he tries, perhaps, then they'd come around... slowly but surely. they're family, after all.

CIAN MAHER

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i”]while it's a kind offer, it's not one she's willing to accept.

"no, it's okay."

she'd prefer to keep her family - or lack thereof - out of sight and out of mind.

and she feels the tension from the concept start to slowly ease out of her body with each caress of his hand on her leg. it's distracting enough and for that, she's grateful.

"i don't know."

it's odd - she wants to say disappointing, but it's not entirely accurate. there's longing and bitterness and a sadness for a life she never had all begging to be felt.

"it's difficult to describe, maybe, but mostly? a little sad."

CIAN MAHER