Barry's Old Warehouse, Warehouse District, Sunday Afternoon

[spin_kick_snap]

So. The island could turn her back into an ex at literally any moment. That was not a thought that was good for Kathy's peace of mind. Being an ex again, for however short a time, had not been good for Kathy's peace of mind. She hadn't been a mindless husk that had seen everything that moved as 'prey,' no, but that was cold comfort when she had spent the day eating brains.

Sharing brains with other people.

Hunting small creatures to get--

Her stomach lurched again, just thinking about it. She hadn't eat much this past week just for that reason. It felt like February all over again, when eating had been a struggle, the very act bringing up memories she didn't want to relive.

Distantly, Kathy knew she should go home, deal with the mess left in her room, deal with the mess that was her life. And she would! She just--couldn't yet. Not while she still felt like this, ten pounds of crazy in a four pound bag. She just needed to get a handle on it--was trying to get a handle on it--and when she did, she'd go home. She'd apologize for worrying everyone, she'd clean up, she'd be okay.

Soon. Just not now.

[Open]

Comments

[rebelseekspizza]

"And it's gonna keep being what it is."

Dante touched her cheek. "Crying in the shower and shit."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy curled her lip in displeasure, but allowed, "I'm willing to accept crying in the shower so long as there's at least a fifty percent decrease in hiding in the warehouse."

[rebelseekspizza]

"We can work on that," Dante said. He dropped his hand. "But you're doing good, Kat. Even if it doesn't feel like that."

[spin_kick_snap]

Awww, she missed his touch. It was warm on her water-cooled skin. And more than that, she just liked when he touched her, sexy or not.

"I am?" Her smile was rueful before she ducked her head, not meeting his eyes. "I don't suppose you can explain how? I know it's complicated and shit, so it's cool if you can't." That part was said all in a rush before she slowed again. "I just--I'm not seeing it right now. Not at all."

[rebelseekspizza]

It was all right. The dropping was a prelude to him sliding an arm around her.

Touching her was different these days; she felt like home.

"You get through most days just fine," Dante said. "You don't have as many nightmares anymore. You work shifts, you smile, you laugh a lot - more than you cry in showers."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Not so much this week," Kathy murmured, curling up against him and still holding fast to his other hand. She was warm again, both inside and out. "But...setbacks aren't the end of the world. And they don't mean you're right back at the beginning."

Even if the end was still somewhere farther away than she could see.

[rebelseekspizza]

"They just happen."

Dante pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Proud of ya, Kat."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Thanks," Kathy said, turning rosy under his praise. Her toes curled a little under the blankets. "You miiiiight have helped. A little. So...thanks."

[rebelseekspizza]

"No problem," Dante said, tease in his voice. He winked.

[spin_kick_snap]

This time, her kiss was decidedly less sweet. Longer, too; her body pressing against his.

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante slid his arms more firmly around her as he kissed her back.

Not sweet, no. But not trying to start anything either.

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy was tempted; she was tired, yes, but Dante's kisses unfurled through her bloodstream like a drug, heightening her senses and leaving frissons of pleasure behind.

"Were you serious about wanting a nap?" Kathy asked him, pulling away to look at him with heavy eyelids.
"I mean, will you still be here when I get up, or...?"

[rebelseekspizza]

"Yeah, I will," Dante said, patting her hip. "Go sleep. You need it."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Need something all right," Kathy muttered. "Can I ask for one more favor? Can I get, like, five minutes of spooning?" She gave him a small smile. "I know, I'm terribly demanding."

But look! She was drawing her hair over her shoulder so it wouldn't get into his face and everything.

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante blinked. Then he laughed softly.

"Okay," he said. "Scoot."

[spin_kick_snap]

Happy smile! Happy smile!

Kathy rolled over onto her side, folding her arm beneath a pillow and resting her head on that. "Five minutes," she promised, "and then you can roll back over and nap however you're comfortable."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Got it," Dante said. Rolled over on his side too, arm sliding around Kathy. "Good?" he asked, mouth pressed against her shoulder.

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy wiggled in closer and nodded. "Good," she said with a contented smile. "So good." Her hand slid down his arm and came to rest over his hand, lacing their fingers together. "Exactly what I was looking for."

At least for the first few moments. And then she realized her ass was pressed directly against his groin. That was a distraction to say the least; every time she shifted, she pressed right up against him.

"...I've discovered a slight flaw in my plan," she murmured, voice husky.

Was there no angle Dante wasn't sexy from?!

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante chuckled softly. "Can always switch it up," he teased.

Distracting as her ass might be.

[spin_kick_snap]

"No, no, it's fine," Kathy said, with one last deliberate shift of her ass against him. Mmm. "I'm an adult, I can handle five minutes of gorgeous temptation, no matter how good it feels pressed up against me. Might make for some nice dreams."

And later when she woke up, maybe he'd be amenable to having her pounce on him?

[rebelseekspizza]

Always.

"That's what I'm here for," Dante joked. "Dream guy."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Yeah, yeah, don't let it go to your head," Kathy snorted, since she couldn't actually say he was wrong. She yawned quietly and snuggled closer one last time, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stirring with his every breath. "I'll be back to teasing you pretty soon."

[rebelseekspizza]

"When you're ready, sweetheart," Dante teased, kissing the back of his neck.

[spin_kick_snap]

She shivered from his kiss and, mid-shiver, fell into a deep, dreamless sleep for the first time since Halloween.

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante held on for a little while longer until he was sure she was asleep.

Then he moved away gently, not far, and sprawled for a nap of his own.