Realistic or Modern Spellbound

[Soliloquy]

His devilish words were certainly working their magic on her as the night went on. The intervals between finding a reason to be up against his chest were becoming less and less, molding their flirtatious behavior to fit the mold of each song. He might have been bold, but she wasn't telling him to reign it in.

The abrupt stop earned a yelp from Willow, only calmed with the knowledge that they'd already been slowing down. It was still a jolt that was the smallest dip from their joyous mood, standing at the door watching him as she shook her head. There was no way he was going to change it without catching a cold.

"Of course I don't mind," she insisted, having given up on her earlier attempts of just telling him that he could come by whenever he wanted to. Once he'd crossed the slush of the parking lot and they were both trekking up the two flights of stairs to the third floor, it was apparent that her landlords weren't afraid of the cold in February in Texas. Ignoring the cheap 2 that was once more on the floor, she let them in, quick to give them a light before slipping out of her shoes.

As any good hostess should when bringing someone in out of the rain, she retrieved a towel so that he could try and dry off. "Maybe that's just our punishment for having too good of a night," she suggested with a grin, setting his umbrella near the door.

 

[xrakkax]

Just before they walked into the apartment Theo took out a black duffle bag from his trunk. A change of clothes was inside it. Plus, everything he’d need to stay fresh. Being on-call meant sometimes he had to shower and sleep in the hospital. This bag made it much easier to deal with unexpected overnight stays. Theo always kept it in the car.

Taking in the sight of her meager dwelling Theo got a better idea of her frugal spending. Better to save the extra cent for a better place right away than spend time fixing the ‘2’ outside her door. Still, it wasn’t horrible. And so far there were no more roaches.

“Thank you.” Theo smiled when she gave him the towel. He ran it over his face and arms first. Though it wasn’t going to be a help for his outfit. The umbrella he had only spared his hair. The gusts of wind had pushed the rain sideways, drenching his suit. But changing wouldn’t be enough. The night of dancing had accumulated sweat and the smell of the sea. Theo sheepishly asked, “Can I use shower?”

 

[Soliloquy]

Sometimes an extra body in such a familiar place can throw off that sense of comfort in your own house. Always on alert of what they might need or want. That feeling was long gone when Molly came over for their sleepovers, her friend treating the apartment like her own, as expected. Now with Theo present, there was the same lack of uncomfortableness.

That was until he mentioned wanting to shower.

It wasn't that he wanted to use her shower that delayed her reaction a second longer than it normally might of. It was just that well, that meant he'd be undressing in her bathroom. In her apartment. Which was significantly more enticing of a mental image than Molly undressing, no offense to her.

"Oh yeah, of course," she nodded, tucking away her own thoughts that were a byproduct of someone's suggestive dancing. "Feel free to make yourself at home, Theo."

 

[xrakkax]

Theo noted that they both felt the newness of him in her apartment. He wanted to make himself at home. Or at least feel that way. So Theo took a deep breath and dived head first into the actions of what it would be like at home.

First, Bandit was take out of his jacket. She woke up and sauntered around the room. There were no roaches to eat, so she began to weave around chair and climb shelves. Second, Theo took a trashbag from under her sink without asking if he could; he only asked where she kept them. Third, he left his duffel on the floor by the door of the bathroom and only took the bag with him inside.

Hopefully that got the comfortable feeling started for her. Theo already felt better. Once Theo peeled off the wet clothes and stuck them in the bag he got into the shower stall. Since Willow couldn’t see, he commanded the shower system to adjust to his liking. Fiddling with water like that was annoying when you weren’t familiar with the knobs. Theo noticed a stubborn sputter and weak pressure. So, he fixed that too. Aw, better! Theo took time to enjoy the water before soaping up.

 

[Soliloquy]

Once he seemed to have everything he might need for his shower, she stood back to let him have at it. The little pitter patter of Bandit exploring could be heard as Willow went to remove her own heels, tucking them to their normal place in the bedroom. Assuming he'd be in the shower for at least a few minutes, she swapped out a cocktail dress for a pair of cotton shorts and tank top. If she would have been a little more bold, she might have dug out a little number and pulled the full steps to try and make him true to his words and actions on the dance floor.

As it stood, she'd decided not to put that pressure on him. Just because Molly and Micha might have gotten hot and heavy didn't mean they had to do the same, right? Besides, there was a certain talk she wanted to have before they jumped on that. With her evening rituals complete, save for what needed the bathroom to complete, she had sat down on the couch to relax when nature began to call. At first she tried to ignore it, planning on grabbing the bathroom once he was done with it, but her body had a fair argument that she had been too busy dancing to get rid of a few glasses of wine. Not about to wet herself in her own apartment, she knocked on the bathroom door.

"Theo? Are you almost done?" she called through the door. She waited a few moments, hearing only running water (which did not help the current situation). A jiggle of the handle told her that he hadn't locked the door. After a second of hesitation, she pushed the door in, poking her head in. "Uh, Theo," she called, loud enough she imagined he had to hear it now. "I am going to use the toilet. Unless you're almost done?"

 

[xrakkax]

Here and there Theo saw little things that bothered him about the bathroom. Chipped tiles, a dingy yellow in the upper corner. Most likely a smoke stain from a previous owner. While he had no doubt she did her best to keep her apartment clean, Theo knew she wasn't an Almaeri user who could command improvements. And he couldn't do it without suspicion. Theo got a rundown by Jovan when he overheard Molly bragging about Theo to Micha over his 'mechanic' skills.

So maybe Theo couldn't wave his hand, but perhaps he could fix unseen issues. For one, he began to investigate the piping. While Theo stood there, in his birthday suit, he commanded the tiles to part, the water to curve to fall on him, and observed the landlords neglect of the mold treatments. Theo noticed evidence of mice too.

Time just ticked away. When Theo heard Willow he panicked. With a quick wave of his hand the walls repaired themselves in an instant, leaving the surface just as it always had been, so she wouldn't know a thing.

"Uh, yeah, come in, I just--" Theo, thinking quickly, twirled a finger at his hair, knotting it. "Got a tangle!" He coughed.

 

[Soliloquy]

When he didn't give her a no, she really couldn't have cared what his reason for being in the shower still was. Willow darted into the bathroom and past the shower to get to the toilet in the corner. Shorts and panties were rolled down but as she was poised in the position there was a hesitation. It was nothing against Theo though, it just seemed to be the natural reaction when someone would hear you going about your business. Heck, even in public bathrooms women in particular would freeze up the moment the next stall over was occupied.

But if they were taking a test drive to see if this was what they both wanted, they would have to cross that bridge eventually. After a few seconds, she eased her body into relaxing, another, slower stream joining the bathroom ambiance. She'd be lying to herself if she said she didn't cast a glance toward the shower, mild disappointment to find it closed tight. A milestone between them, she thought as she emptied her bladder, which brought her back to another they'd been skirting around which lead her to a long path of a segue.

"My friend Wesley that D'Lante was talking about that New Years Party with has the cutest kids," it was a painful start but it was all she could think of. "I'll have to show you pictures of them sometime." Okay, easing right into it. "I never would have thought of him as the father type, but he sure loves them."

She was out of reasons to be on the toilet, wiping, redressing and flushing before moving to the sink to wash her hands. "Do you think you'd want kids at all?" There, a perfect disaster while he was cornered in a shower naked. Just what every man must want.

 

[xrakkax]

Now that Theo really did tangle his hair, which only after he realized he didn’t actually have to, he decided his discipline would be to manually unknot it. Theo’s attention had been on his matted tresses. When Willow began talking he simply went with it without question and didn’t think anything of the topic in particular. That is, until she outright asked him a question. Theo just about had his tangle smoothed out. Enough that he waved a few fingers over to do the rest so he could answer without seeming distracted. Didn’t want to be rude about it!

“Yeah, I always wanted to have children. Not as many as my parents, but at least three.” Theo said in a pleasant, unapologetic tone. “What about you?” He wasn’t sure she meant to suggest that they don’t, or not, but he couldn’t see her. It was always easier for him to understand someone when he could look at them.

 

[Soliloquy]

Her hands were cleaned by the time he had answered, dried off as she naturally reached for her toothbrush and toothpaste. She'd already broken his barrier of privacy, so might as well practice good hygiene in the meantime. While he question did answer the one she had voiced, it didn't address the topic she'd wanted to have. The number three was stored though, for personal reference.

"Yes, I do plan on having children," she said as she wet her toothbrush, trying to figure out just how she was going to get him to come out without being blunt. Coming up all but blank, she went on with, "So Molly mentioned that she and Micha had a similar talk. He mentioned that there was a family tradition for the men of the family." Stopping there, she hoped he'd take over and answer, taking the time to start brushing her teeth with the water lightly running in the sink.

 

[xrakkax]

“Family tradition for men?” Theo’s puzzlement momentarily threw him off. What was a tradition they had in regards to kids? Not much they’d say so soon, probably. That had to mean Micha was covering something up. Something magi-- “Oh! I know what he probably say.” Theo chuckled. Thank the heavens Micha had told him about it. It only took a second to recall. “We get the vasectomy at eighteen. Is safe, no accident, and reversible.” There was no apologetic tone here either. In fact, Theo praised it.

Just then the water turned off. His hand reached out to the towel hanging nearby. Theo didn't like trailing water all over the floor. He prefered the initial dab before heading out of the shower stall. It wouldn't take long to do it. In moments Theo wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out beside Willow.

 

[Soliloquy]

She was glad he was the one to say it, especially when he seemed so comfortable talking about it. Willow hadn't wanted to press for a conversation if he didn't want it, so easing into it felt easier. She continued brushing her teeth as he answered, spitting into the sink and rinsing her mouth. Straightening back up, the mirror had fogged over from the steam of the shower, so looking at him through it's reflection wasn't an option.

"Are you worried it won't be revers-" she stopped mid word as she had turned to face him. Of course, what could she have expected to see when he was getting out of the shower. Any expectations couldn't prepare her for his glistening, bare chest right beside her. The sight and their earlier back and forth had her swallowing a bit harder than she had intended. What are you doing? You've seen him shirtless before, don't be an idiot! Sure, it was surrounded by his family at the beach for the winter olympics, but still. "Are you worried it might not be reversible?" she managed to try a second time and succeed.

 

[xrakkax]

“No.” Theo said simply, and with all confidence. Then he studied her face, how she stared. He grinned. “Don’t worry Красивый, if and when we want kids we will have chance.” Theo held her chin steady with his right hand and stooped to give her a kiss. Just in case his appearance wasn’t enough to rile her up. Then he turned to get another towel to help dry his hair. Theo’s black tresses had a bit of a wave to them. The water soaked his hair heavy, pulling them straighter and longer. Theo didn’t mind it. Sometimes he thought of growing his hair to his waist. But it got in the way. So he usually chopped it, then let it grow a whole lot. Then chopped it again. It was going to need a cut soon. Maybe in the next month or two. He’d have to feel it out.

 

[Soliloquy]

"Good," she breathed after his kiss, a grin creeping up on her. Well, that settled it, didn't it? He was confident and so she would be as well. Kids were an option if they decided to get more serious on the topic, which it felt like they would so long as everything continued to work out between them. They both wanted kids and she did firmly believe they'd make adorable ones, but that was a ways of, no doubt. For now, she could only bask in his kiss before slipping past him out of the bathroom; she'd run out of reasons to linger and something told her that if she just stayed there he wasn't going to get far drying off or getting dressed. Not that it'd be the worst thing...

Mindful of Bandit possibly darting around, she returned to the corner of the couch she had occupied before their bathroom conversation. She picked up her book, but quickly found she wasn't digesting a word, merely staring at them. That and she might have been frequently peeking over her book at the bathroom door, unable to shake the image of his physique from her mind.

 

[xrakkax]

Happy to see her at ease, Theo went ahead with his own routine. At first he meant to leave. After all, it looked like the rain had stopped, and he did say he’d fix it before so he might go home. But, oh look, a drop of rain. And another. Theo glanced to make sure Willow couldn’t see into the bathroom. He parted the bathroom window enough to murmur to the sky. Suddenly a deluge began. The clouds grew heavy and grey. A flash of light and a thundercrack later Theo came out of the bathroom wearing comfortable cotton pajama pants and a plain matching shirt.

“So rainy.” Theo quipped. “Maybe I fix tire tomorrow.” And as she had welcomed him to do, he made himself at home. Theo found a kettle for some tea. Then he took two cups to the couch where he sat beside Willow. She could smell the chamomile wafting towards her. “What you reading?”

 

[Soliloquy]

The rumble of the storm did catch her attention for a moment, looking out through the balcony glass doors. She couldn't say she was upset to see the rain coming down, especially when it it came with Theo saying he'd be staying over. It was an unexpected but pleasant first for them, seeing as it didn't seem fair to count the mass Christmas sleepover. Her eyes were relieved to find a reason to stop their pretended reading, she set the book down, accepting one of the cups from him and wrapping both arms around it.

"Nothing," she said honestly, shrugging her shoulders. "The book is called the Thorn Birds, but I haven't read any of it. Something has me rather distracted. Can you imagine why that is?" Her admittance came with a smirk as she sipped the hot tea.

 

[xrakkax]

“Book in different language?” Theo chuckled, teasing.

She shook her head, unable to shake the smirk that had firmly planted itself. "No, but it might as well be when I can't get you off my mind."

Theo sipped his tea, “You know I have same problem at work.” He smiled. “Sometime I see dark hair girl back of head. Wearing something like your clothes. They different sizes--short, tall--but you come to mind always.” Lovingly, he told her, “I think about your patience, your gentle hands. I think about how concern you are for other.” He gave her a kiss on her cheek. “How you cheeks blush when I compliment you.” He chuckled, placing another kiss, but on her jaw. “I think about how hard you work at the pub.” Theo set his cup down without looking. The back of that hand ran up and down her arm while he trailed kisses, saying between each one what came to mind when he thought of her.

 

[Soliloquy]

She could feel the room getting steadily warmer as he began to pepper her with kisses and compliments. Well, maybe it wasn't the room. At some point her own tea was abandoned, miraculously not spilled as he leaned in, wonderfully close. Her gaze grew soft in the increasingly sensual moment, one of Willow's hands sliding around the bend of his neck and nesting in his hair along the base of his head. She knew she was putty in his hands at that point, but something told her that he was no more ground than she was. They could have spent the entire night right there on the couch, exchanging what they admired between hungry kisses, but she had other things in mind.

"Hmm, speaking of hard work," her voice had lowered, the texture thickening while she looked up at him through her lashes. "I do believe I was promised a full-body physical earlier. Or is that offer off the table?"

Theo chuckled and Willow felt the strength of his arms lift her, "Miss Crosse, the doctor will see you now." That was all he said. After that, his mouth met her own, kneading as he walked with her to her room.

 

[xrakkax]

That night Theo and Willow’s romantic evening tied up nicely. They learned each other’s style, testing out their limits, and finding a comfortable, enjoyable medium. Theo was a tender, gentle lover. Quite attentive and patient. When they were spent he fell asleep with Willow in his arms. Lucky too, because Willow’s body had a mind of its own at night. While Theo’s body had the advantage of being bigger and stronger, Willow’s fidgety sleeping woke him enough to realize he was bopped in the face with her head. To compensate the edge of the blanket was stuffed between for a barrier. It didn’t hold. But it got him through the night.

Sunday February 4th, 2018​

Molly and Micha had fussed at each other over whether she should be driving Willow to work now that she’s been bunking in his room lately. It was compounded by the complaint that Molly refused him to help with gas. And she knew when he tried to slip her a few ‘extra tips’. Molly insisted doing so would help Theo and Willow get to the next step. If Molly drove Willow to the pub, she HAD to be driven back home. Molly had hoped at some point this meant she’d get a call saying Theo did more than drive her to her apartment. So she left Micha grumbling in his bed while she got up earlier than usual once more to get Willow.

The Accord, working like a charm, came rolling up to the curb just behind a familiar car. It was still pretty early. So it didn’t click at first. But when Molly got out her suspicious mind studied the car and as soon as it dawned on her Molly practically girl-screamed. She had to cover her mouth in case someone thought she was being attacked.

Molly had to tease. It was too good! So she got back in her car and honked, ignoring the complaints of neighbords, and yelled, “Hey girl, get up and at em!” Impishly she grinned, taking out her phone to secretly record.

 

[Soliloquy]

The late night of the two lovebirds didn't seem to keep Willow from being up with bells on bright and early. Well, awake but stealing a few more minutes of basking in Theo's presence in bed without a care to the rest of the world. In fact, it might have been the hardest she'd had to work to will her out of bed in her life. Still, after quite a few kisses, she was up and getting ready, loving just how comfortable she felt with his presence around.

Since Theo was expected to be at the hospital early, it meant they were both heading out of the apartment, together. Hand in hand. Willow was glowing, as one does after a dry spell has been perfectly thwarted, and in fact had completely forgotten that Molly would be waiting to pick her up. Little details like that or that Theo's tire was flat weren't quite sinking in that morning.

 

[xrakkax]

As soon as Molly saw Theo and Willow walk out, she got out of the car, leaned over the roof, and hollered, “Whoo! I see your face, Willow Mae Crosse! I know what happened here!” She laughed and ducked into her car, locking her phone and stowing the footage. “I got it on video, and I will keep it forever!” She planned on sneaking it in any compilation of Theo and Willow’s memories.

Theo blinked in surprise. He had totally forgotten. The pub, Molly carpool, the tire-- everything. It all melted away with each kiss he had given Willow. Maybe it was a fitting discipline to be filmed walking out, hand in hand, in the early dark dawn, looking like two red-cheeked teenyboppers caught smooching in the bathroom. Though they had the perk of being consenting adults.

“Eh heh, Molly.” Theo rubbed a hand over his face. “What you do with that, eh?” He asked warily, a chuckle through a nervous smile. He wasn’t ashamed of givin’ it good to Willow. It’s just, Molly had her pranks and jokes, and they never knew how far they went until they just happened to you, like how life happens.

“You’ll see!” Molly chuckled evilly and drove off.

Theo paused, then laughed. “I’ll check the tire.” First he stowed his black duffel and then got out the spare for his car wheel. They spent a maybe ten or so minutes on it. Then it was off to the pub. When Theo got into the car Willow noticed a light purple spot on the apple of his cheek.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow jumped, startled by Molly's sudden voice breaking her thoughts. Realizing just what she was shouting about, her cheeks heated, turning a healthy pink shade. Sure, she could go parading about, boasting of just what she and MIcha might do behind bedroom doors, but she had to act like she'd just discovered fire.

"Don't worry, I've got tons of return dirt if we need against her," she reassured Theo with a grin, shaking his head. She was quite the character, but in truth nothing was going to really shake her good mood at that point. She'd watched him dutifully as he changed the tire, offering minimal input since she hadn't been unfortunate enough to have to do the same herself. Knock on wood.

Once they were in the car, she turned to make a comment about Molly when she spotted the spot on his cheek. Thinking he'd managed to get a smudge of dirt on him while changing the tire, she leaned over and used her thumb to try and wipe it away. When the spot didn't move, she frowned at it. "What'd you do to your cheek?" she asked, figuring it was a bruise at that point.

 

[xrakkax]

The tender spot on his face brought back the memories of last night. Theo chuckled, “I slept with a wiggly woman.”

It would be the first of many nights too. At some point Molly and Theo would talk the tea over Willow’s demon possessions sleep, having both shared a bedside with her. But Molly never got the chance to warn Theo that SOMEONE didn’t believe they did fidget during their unconscious state.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow was visibly surprised by his accusation. "You think I hit you last night?" she asked, clear disbelief in her voice. "If you don't recall, someone wore me out quite thoroughly and I slept all night long. I'm pretty sure I would have remembered if I had assaulted you."

She most certainly would not have remembered it, and in fact the only reason she jumped to 'hit' was after multiple conversations similar with Miss Molly Malone, showing a bump, bruise, and once even claiming to have had a bloody nose. All of it malarkey.

 

[xrakkax]

The resistance hadn’t come off sour to him. This had been the first time, so, he only smiled and said, “If you sleep all night of course you not remember.” He told her, in a semi-agreement. But saying so implied that yes, he did think he bonked him. “It is small bump. Is okay.” He clearly was not convinced otherwise.

 

[Soliloquy]

He was in for quite the future of her denial of her sleeping habits, although maybe time would tell that he'd be the first person to get through to her. After all, Molly had a habit of making things a bit more dramatic than necessary. For now, she only shrugged it off, looking over to give him a smirk. "Guess we'll just have to test that theory the next time you wind up with a flat tire and are forced to stay the night, completely against your will."