Across the Tracks, Right?

[tamaracorine]

She couldn't help but smile at him. His awkwardness was endearing. She handed him a knife, "Can you chop up the tomato and other vegetables? Nice and small so that it's easy to put onto the pizza..." she looked up at him, "And uh, sorry. I didn't think before calling you 'babe'... won't happen again. Too early for pet names..."

 

[Sero]

He shook his head. "No, I don't mind 'babe' that would be stupid." And weak, that would make him look inexperienced and would make a blow to his ego. He couldnt have that happen could he?


He took the vegetables and looked at the knife. He could use knives. Nice and small? Er, how small. He didn't want to ask so he split a tomato and started dicing it. Did she want it smaller? Was this too small? Was everything going to be cubed?

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie wrapped her arms around him from behind, watching him work. "Perfect." she told him quietly, noticing how tense he was about the process. "You're a natural." she kissed his cheek and removed her arms from him, turning her attention to the oven, setting it to the right temperature before beginning to work at putting pizza sauce on the base, and chopping the bacon up.


"What other experiences do I need to give you?" she asked him curiously.

 

[Sero]

He looked back, blushing at how comfortavle she was with him. He was happy but unsure how to respond as usual. He relaxed a bit only knowing that he was doing something right.


"Other experiences?" He asked before his face went red. He shook his head. "What do you mean...I can't tell what I have no idea about." Pizza was one, was she talking about cooking?

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie fell silent for a while, focusing on what she was doing. Within fifteen minutes, she had slid the pizza into the oven and was sitting contently on the kitchen bench, looking at Quin. She was curious about him, and it showed in her expression. "Do you want to share my bed tonight?" she asked him, a bit of nervousness in her tone. "You don't have to. It's fine if you don't want to. I just... I was... And... you.." she turned bright red and looked away, "Uh, forget it."

 

[Sero]

Whaaaat? How was he supposed to respond to that? Quin swallowed and laughed nervously. "If that's okay with you I guess." He replied softly. Was he supposed to take the initiative here? Or did she mean like, just sleeping. He could do that. Right?


He took to staring at the oven and watching the pizza rise. "I mean, its your bed, so you can do what you want, right?" Was that how it worked?


(Quin needs to man up Jamies beating him xD ))

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie raised an eyebrow at him and laughed awkwardly. She leaned back against the kitchen bench and kept her eyes down, not sure what to do next. She wanted Quin to do something - to take her hand, or kiss her, or even start a conversation. It felt too hard for her. She wondered if he was having second thoughts about her.


"You don't have to. I was just... I was asking." she shrugged, "I was hoping you'd want to. Just sleep. But... I'll set the couch up for you."

 

[Sero]

Quins eyes widened as he realised that he missed something. "No. Jamie, I would be fine with it." Je started moving over to her and grabbing her shoulder. "I'm sorry I'm just really inexperienced, and feel like I'm going to mess this up." He explained, looking her over carefully.


"So, um, I'll try to do better at reading the mood..." God what was he suppossed to do.

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie looked up at him, her eyes curious. She nodded eventually, looking down at the floor. "You don't have to be experienced." she told him, "I just want you to do whatever it is you want to do... And if that's to never touch me, that's fine. If that's to hug me, that's fine too..." she looked up at him again, reaching up to touch his cheek. "What do you want?"

 

[Sero]

Quin flushed before leaning forward. "Then, if you're okay with it..." he played with her hair and kissed her suddenly, wrapping his arms around her and telling himself that this was okay. She was okay with this right? If she wanted him to stop she would tell him.


He drew circles on her back after he stopped the kiss and leaned lightly on her shoulders with both arms. "Sorry...I'm not really good at this.."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie was shocked by his sudden movement, but quickly responded, her arms wrapping around him in return, her lips parting ever so slightly. She blushed when he pulled away, biting her lip and smiling. "Turns out, you are good at this." she mumbled, the dimples in her cheeks becoming more prominent as her smile widened.


For just a moment, Jamie let herself forget how strange their situation was, and how unorthodox these feelings were. She was happy in the moment, and Quin's gentle weight on her shoulders sending chills down her spine. "Never apologise for a kiss, Quin. Never."

 

[Sero]

Quin frowned, still feeling winded by the moment. "Then I won't apologise for this one." He replied before this time going for a deeper kiss. Kind of running on adrenaline and excitement. And perhaps he wanted to prove himself.


"Let's just enjoy tonight, and get ready for tomorrow, alright? I'll be prepared, and I'll trust you and wait for you."

 

[tamaracorine]

She wasn't ready for his second kiss, either, but her enthusiasm in responding made her happiness obvious. She was a little breathless when they parted, looking up at him with a slightly nervous expression and a blush in her cheeks. "S-sounds good..." she mumbled, her arms wrapped tightly around him, not quite ready to part.


Eventually, Jamie let him go to attend to the pizza, sliding it out of the oven and placing it on a cutting board before slicing it and transferring it to a plate. "I don't own a dining table, because... I don't like them... so, dinner on the couch?" she proposed, walking to the couch with the plate and placing it on the coffee table. The meal was peaceful and calm - Jamie was content to make small talk and answer easy questions about her side of the city, and every now and then, their lips would meet briefly.


They fell asleep in her bed, close together and relaxed. An alarm went off just after sunrise and Jamie groaned before getting out of bed and changing into new clothes, looking herself over in the mirror. "See you soon... Let yourself out, Quin, and I'll be back by tonight. Got it?" she leaned over, kissing him for a long while, "I love you." she turned and ran from the apartment, heading to her father's house nervously, knocking on the door and then entering without waiting for a response.


(I think we let their relationship develop a bit more. and then we have their father's connect and decide that the relationship is a problem... and they're the ones who make it end tragically.)

 

[Sero]

((That's a good idea, I would never really think of the fathers working together so its an interesting twist))


Uin nervously watched her go, but didn't waste any time in leaving the area. He would have to wait for Jamie, and this would have to work. It had to. He would do anything in his power to prevent disaster if he could...and that's just what he was going to do.


...


Jamies father answere dthe door himself, which was a little unsual. Releasing long tired and dissapointed sigh before we waved her in carelessly. "Jamie, welcome back, do you know what I came to talk to you about? Give a guess. We'll start there. You've left your father out in the dark for a while haven't you?"

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie walked into the house, her black boots clicking against the floor. She didn't like her father, and the tension between them had existed for a long time. She followed him in and looked around at the walls, shrugging, "I've always left you in the dark, father. It's nothing new, is it? We've mutually agreed that our relationship should be as shallow and infrequent as possible. What's changed to stir your interest in your wayward daughter?"

 

[Sero]

"Oh, yes I quite respect the silent boundry that we've always kept. Seeing that you usually want nothing to do with my existance." He drawled. Looking back dully before sighing. "What were you doing with the mage boy from the other side of the city? What happened when you dissappeared from your apartment and...why are my machines detecting magic on your person. You might not know it but I do....respectfully, have rights as a father...."


He slowed to look her over carefullt, taking every bit of her into examination. "If you want a cleaner version. Although you have little to do with me, people know our connection. People talk. That affects my reputation. So, shall we talk a way to resolve this matter or do you feel like reflecting badly on my position till you drive me indirectly to my grave from starting a scandal."

 

[tamaracorine]

"I'll take the latter option." she told him, raising an eyebrow. "The grave is inevitable for us all, right?" she smirked. "But, seriously, what I do or don't do with boys is none of your business. You have a problem when I date anyone, you always have. Everyone is too lowly or unintelligent, or do you remember the guy with the beard? He was too bearded." she snorted a little, "What do you propose as a resolution?"

 

[Sero]

"You start living with me until he gives up, if....no...because that boy is a mage it will cause us only issues and problems from now onwards. Would you understand that? No, perhaps not. As for the bearded one, his scruffy appearence was unbecomming." He retorted, something like a smile appearing but not really. More of a sneer.


"That or....I go to other extremes."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "Let's settle for starting scandals and driving you to the grave. I'm not living with you. Never." She stepped away from her father, fists clenched.

 

[Sero]

"Then you don't mind what actions I take after this?" He asked, almost chuckling. Almost. "I see that you're as shallow as ever, don't you know what happens to other side stragglers? Did he feel sick when he came here? Hn?" He asked, knowing that she knew probably next to nothing of this.


"It would be a shane if he bit the dust before you sealed the vows, what have you planned, to run away together? To kindle love together....to die together?"

 

[tamaracorine]

She gulped and looked up at him, "we haven't... We haven't talked about any sorts of vows. And of course I mind those actions. But you can't control everything and there are other cities to live in."

 

[Sero]

"Oh yes, that's right I can't! What a shock my dear! .....if that was completely true. You've been away from your father too long my dear, I think you're missing some important information. Well, that's fine, however you'd best start thinking of best ways to fake your death....although you've probably been dead inside a while. How's the weather in there, cheery? Feel accomplished my dear for getting a word in? You're walking...a very thin line, and if you miss a step, you take the boy with you. Think over what I've said...and...hope the hunters don't find any mages today."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie's eyes widened, "what? Hunters?! T-tell me more..." She requested. "I'll... I'll give you something in return."

 

[Sero]

"Oh? Did my lips slip?" He asked, happy she caught a hook. Though deciding to leave her in the dark. "Well, you know, street sweepers....some of the lights have been going out and they just go and...oh well, I shouldn't bore you. I have business not concerning lights."

 

[tamaracorine]

"F-father... Please." She said quietly, staring at him, "I need you to be honest with me. It's important."