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His green eyes took her in as she did him. How many times had she given him that look for them to be wrapped up in each other moments later. That spitfire playfulness had been so much what drew him to her when they met. She made him laugh. She challenged him. And with every little quip that left her lips, he fell in love. There was no one that he had met that could drive him so crazy and yet he fell into step with so seamlessly. "Oh, sweetheart. I don't think you are ready for those consequences." His voice was hushed, a spark of humor lit his eyes but there was also a part of him looking for her to take the bait. To let themselves continue to push this until they let themselves forget the complications that went along with it. Murdock's brow rose at her confession. Maybe it shouldn't have been all that surprising. They had lived together. They shared a child. Their possessions became each others but picturing her in his shirt... Knowing there was a part of her that still clung to a part of him in some way filled him with hope and broke his heart all at the same time. "I didn't know you still had them," he admitted with more of a heaviness than he meant so he tacked on, "Maybe we need to go through that closet of yours so I can see how deep your thievery goes."

"Can't blame a girl for trying." She hummed, a soft smile tugging at her lips even as her eyes fluttered shut for a moment. That laugh, it did something to her, stirred up feelings she would swear up and down she'd gotten over. Such a simple sound and yet it brought back memories that warmed her heart. Flora hated that simple things Murdock did could elicit a reaction from her, remind her of why at times she found herself missing what they were. And then kicking herself for thinking such things, they weren't together. But oh how she wished they were. The mischievous glint in her eye only seemed to sparkle more when his eyes drifted her mouth, Flora trying desperately to not let her mind wander. But who could blame her? "And what if I don't? Hmm?" She stepped just a touch closer in a challenge, letting her eyes move over his face for a few moments too long. "If it means stealing your things? Why not, you always did have the fun things to swipe." Flora chuckled, before she had to swallow at his next words. She hated how her heart twisted just then. "That's probably why I still have some of your shirts, then. I always did like stealing your flannels, they were far comfier than mine." They smelled like him, too.

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"You wanting to take charge just more so makes me have faith in your abilities. And if you are so sure you wantonly one time, I don't think you'd do this just for me to be left thinking that you are a bad lay." Priestly reasoned. He didn't have really any set expectations other than with their obvious attraction and the heated phone sex, he didn't think the desire would just stop. "Baby, I would have been on my knees months ago. All you had to do was ask," he smiled even though she couldn't see it. "After. Can't have you tiring me out right away."

"I think you might be giving me too much credit," she spoke softly. "You haven't slept with me yet and you're already worried you might not get enough? Remember I'm calling the shots, P. You might not like it." She was smiling as she spoke. The thought of him surrendering to her something she never thought would happen. It wasn't like she had any sadistic rituals she wanted to perform, and she was certainly not going to go all Christian Grey on him. But she had a little idea of what she was going to do. "Mm, clearly. Who knew phone sex would bring you to your knees?" She chuckled softly. "When I come home, then? Before or after first shift?"

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"And yet that doesn't stop you from trying," he laughed gently. There it was. One of the stings that would come when they talked. It was subtle but that pang in his heart always showed up eventually with her. That reminder of what they weren't. He sometimes was delusional enough to believe it wouldn't happen. Either because he could make himself believe he was over her or other times because when it was like this; So wrapped up in their little flirtations, it could still feel like nothing ever changed. But it did and he hated himself for it. His eyes drifted to her mouth. That little smirk always having its effect. He had seen that look so many times and it had such a way of leading him to trouble. With how he felt right now, it still could. "Be a good girl and behave yourself." Murdock gave her a playful, flirtatious warning. He leaned a bit to see the bandana in her hair. "And you are just so proud that she is following in your footsteps as a thief?" His face pulled into a faux disappointment when really it pulled at him to see her in something of his again. Even if it was a silly scarf. "If it didn't look so good on you I'd have it in my mind to take it back."

“You always have, yea. Which is incredibly maddening at times. I can’t get anything past you anymore.” She chuckled, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. It was maddeningly true. There always had been a thing between them, being able to see through the other. Whether that was the mask they might try to put on or the half truths they tried to tell, it wasn’t easy getting it past the other. Maybe that was one of the reasons why it was hard to move on from Murdock. To have someone know you so well, and visa versa was rare, even in long term relationships. And still love you despite it all? His words brought a devious smirk to her lips. “Now see, just saying that has me wanting to test the theory though.” Flora mused, tongue between her teeth as she toyed with a lock of his hair before her hand dropped. A laugh escaped her at his response. “So that’s where she’s been getting those, I was starting to get concerned she’d been lifting them from somewhere less than legal.” Flora joked. “Takes after her mom in that way I guess, I swiped a few from you in my time too.” She pointed to the blue one keeping her hair back from her face in proof. “Kept a few, even.”

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Fuck him and leave him. It was the plan she had made. Somehow Mya had convinced herself one last time with him was what she needed to have closure on this whole messed up situation. The wine helped aid her through the night, and the sex was just good enough for her to hit pause on her thoughts. But that high she so desperately wanted to feel after being with him was nowhere to be found and she was left feeling not only disgusted with him, but herself. The mask had slipped and the graceful exit she had planned was tossed out with his smug questioning. "I don't know, Julian. You must be a pretty shitty detective if you can't figure this one out," she revealed that she knew and it felt like the dam had broken. Mya got up, going back inside to look for her clothes instead of the shirt of his she wore. "I gotta say it surprises me just how bad you are when you are so fucking committed to getting to know your... What is it that I am? Your subject? Target?" She looked over at him as she switched his shirt for her own. "Tell me, I just have to know... Did he pay you extra to cum inside me or was that already included in the package?"

open to: anyone.

featuring: julian thoreau, forty-two, bisexual, private detective.

plot: julian has been getting close to your muse for weeks now per the request of his client, a family member/friend/ex-lover of your muse who hired him for whatever reason. just as things had begun to edge towards something romantic, they figure out who julian is and they aren't happy about it.

"you look so moody." julian shot a toothy grin across the top of his cigarette before raising it up to his lips. it was a cold night, far too cold for them to be huddled out on the balcony of his tiny apartment but they'd had a bottle of wine and a night was never truly finished without a smoke, no matter the weather. he leaned back against the railing and cocked his head, curious like a dog, then exhaled a steady puff of smoke alongside his cold breath. "that frown, it's so- ive never seen you so grumpy." something deep in his gut, an intuition of sorts told him that there was something off about their demeanour but it had been such a lovely evening that he pushed the feeling aside. it was just the wine, he could get paranoid when he was tipsy, usually he knew better than to drink when he was on the job but he'd been forgoing a lot of his rules in their company. "tell me what's wrong, mm?"

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His eyes met hers as she shifted in his arms. He had adjusted to the dark and the curtain over his window was thin enough that some of the moonlight and streetlights casted a subtle glow. Todd listened as she clarified things on her end as well and it caused some tension to release that he didn't realize he was holding onto. Like he had been worried that in restricting themselves he would cross a line without even realizing it. It wasn't that he felt pressure with Amara, but he did feel a responsibility this time around. "Hey," he spoke up quietly. "You didn't lose me, okay? I know it felt like it, but there was never actually a minute in any of this that wasn't wanting this. Wanting you." He took her hand in his, placing a kiss on the palm of hers. "And you're not going to lose me. I'm not going anywhere. You have me, Amara."

Her smile stayed on her lips as he listed everything he wanted to do. It was all rather cute. "I get that," she assured him, biting the inside of her cheek. She agreed with his point, they shouldn't limit themselves simply because it was more appropriate. Turning her head, she rested her chin on his chest as she looked at him. "I don't want us to put any limits on us. That's not what I mean with slow," she assured him. "I'm just not in a place where rough fucking is at the top of the list of things I want. Sex at all, really. Maybe I'll be tomorrow, but right now it's not what I want." Holding hands did sound good though. "I just want to us to enjoy our time together. Take our time getting to know each other. Both physically and mentally." Placing a soft kiss to his chest, she smiled slightly. Fingers reaching up to brush some of his blond hair away from his eyes. "I know that we cannot go back on the things we've done, and I wouldn't want to either. But my brain isn't really caught up yet, with you coming back for me. Part of me is scared you'll disappear again. And in my head slow means careful. I wanna be careful so I don't lose you again."

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Just hearing the other man's name brought on the bitter taste of jealousy though he tried to swallow it down. Deacon didn't know how to do this. He didn't know how to manage his grief with these new feelings. Not just the ones that he was trying to deny for Tristan, but now this instinctual need to compete. To be what Tristan wanted more than this Dani guy or anyone else. He didn't know how to do that though when he had nothing to offer than what was already there.

"Nice, lovely..." Deacon repeated back the words he was hearing. "That all just sounds like one step up from boring. Is that really what you want to settle your night for?"

It was extremely complicated and messy the way they had found each other with lips one another. They both mourned, and somehow the mourning became a kiss. Somehow a kiss became more. They found solace in one another and Tristan wanted to be strong for Deacon. They had both crossed the threshold together in become something far more complex than friends, yet something that wasn't quite enough either.

Tristan scoffed, mouth agape at the way Deacon was speaking to him. "You-" He had to stop so he could gather his words. "I am on a first date, Dani is a lovely man who I am trying to get to know over a drink. Forgive me if I don't look like I'm on a bloody rollercoaster thrill-ride."

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He laughed at her words. The idea of her already restricting them not surprising but maddening all at the same time. "You can't be serious? You think that one fuck will get us out of each other's systems?" If it had been this hot on the phone, he didn't see one and done being that easy. "Should I have a safe word ready?" Priestly joked, as he hardly had many limits that he could see being a worry with her. "I'm under your complete control, babe."

Priestlys laugh made her smile widen into a grin. She liked hearing it, even if it was in a situation as vulnerable as this. "Mm, promise me you won't want more than one night with me." It would be easier that way. If she agreed to one night with him then they could both move on. Though she was honest with herself, she liked the attention he gave her. She just hoped that it wouldn't be too awkward around the firehouse. More to her surprise, he agreed to let her take control. "Wow, you must really want me." It was meant as a joke, but there was some truth to it. "I can do what I want?"

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"Except that I don't care about the other guy." Indie felt no assurance in his words or in his smile. A smile that she would usually do anything to see, but as much as he wanted to pretend she couldn't. Seeing him like this made her heart heavy in a way she knew their casual label didn't make sense with. Without a word she went to grab some first aid things from her bathroom. Instructing him to sit down as she came over. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

Connection (f only): fwb, bff, friend, girlfriend, co-worker, ex, /whatever Muse: Damien Turner - The Hustler

"It's not a big deal." Damien hissed as he stretched his fingers, bloody knuckles aching at the movement. His gaze dropped to the injured hand, cracked skin a pretty clear indication that he'd been in a somewhat severe altercation - as if the split lip and the brand new shiner didn't do that already. "Seriously," he raised his gaze to hers, a crooked smile on his lips, "you should see the other guy."

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The warmth of her body was welcomed as he pulled her tightly up against him. One arm was around her lower back, securing her like any inch further away was too much. His other hand caressed her arm up and down, eyes on the ceiling. "More of this," he started out, thinking on it. "Holding your hand whenever I want. Touching you whenever I want. Kissing you whenever I want. Or whenever you want," he added on with soft laughter. "I want to do right by you. And I want to do whatever it takes to make this work. I want you to feel good about us and what we do. But I don't want to just limit the way we are with each other because it's deemed more appropriate if that's not really what we want."

Amara scooted into his arms, her head and a hand on his chest. Moving her leg over his, she breathed him in. This was exactly where she wanted to be. Eyes fluttered closed as she listened to him. A light smile on her lips. "And what are such intimacies?" Maybe they would fail at taking things slow, but Todd was right. They were further along than what they would have been if they were just starting to see each other. They had done things together that they couldn't take back. But Amara didn't really feel at her sexiest. The thought of proper fucking someone was far down on her list of things she wanted at that moment. Part of her simply wanted to hide out with him forever, never leave his place again in case they ran into someone they knew. Everything was easier when it was just the two of them.

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At her answer Todd went over, turning the fan on low before he hopped over to bed crawling in. "I kind of just assumed that cuddling was part of you coming over," he admitted with a smile. Getting in a comfortable position he opened up his arms for her to go against his side before his arms fell over her. He was eager to hold her again. He hadn't told her but there were so many nights he started to text her, call her. Wanted to come over and see her but thought he would be pushing again. "You know, this slow thing is good, but I also don't want to fight what's natural. And I'm not talking about having sex," he was quick to clarify making sure she knew that was not what he was aiming for. "I just mean that we're just getting to know each other, but we're further along than just going on a first date. I think it's okay to give in to some intimacies as long as we are also focused on getting to know each other and being on the same page."

Dark hues moved to the door as she heard him come through. The smile on his face made her smile herself. "Yeah, of course." She had a playlist of songs she would listen to as she waited for sleep, herself. Besides, if they were both going to be dressed under the sheets, the fan would probably be a good idea. Pulling back the covers for him, Amara made sure to stick to one side of the bed. Part of her was excited for him to get in next to her, the other was unsure of how to act. How much should she act on her desires? "We can cuddle, right? You're okay with that?"

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Her sudden cockiness caused him to genuinely laugh, something more rare for the man. He didn't doubt she was good in bed. It took more than being beautiful for why he wanted her in that way. She was alluring in many ways. "I don't think you need to worry about that, sweetheart," he assured her. "But I can make you a promise if it makes you feel better," he teasingly offered." Priestly had to think about her proposal. He liked to have control in every aspect of his life. Sex was no exception, but she had never gone this far in talking about it before. "You know how to test me, don't you?" There was another pause before he responded. "Okay. Yes."

Hearing him talk about being inside her made her stomach pussy clench. Damn him. "Nah, I think I could be top 3 best you've had," she assured him with a soft chuckle. "But I also don't want to risk you falling in love with me if you ever came back for seconds. And thirds." It would be a lie if she said she hadn't thought about what it would be like to be with him. To agree just for herself. Besides, she had texted him first earlier that night, right? So clearly he was on her mind. "Will you let me be in control? Show you just what you've been missing?"

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While he didn't usually sleep in anything more than his briefs, Todd opted for some shorts and a t-shirt. He wanted to make sure they were both comfortable. A smile came to his face as he brushed his teeth, seeing her things by his sink, knowing it was something he could easily get used to. He wasn't in there long as he popped out of the bathroom. The smile reappeared as he saw her in his bed. "I like you there," he admitted with a fondness in his voice. "You good if I just put the fan on low?" He gestured to the fan in the corner by the window. "I like a little noise at night."

A shiver ran down her spine at his whispered compliment. Her heart beating hard against her chest, she turned to look after him as he walked past her. Even in a situation like this, where she felt panicked, Todd had the ability to turn it around with just a few words. Waiting for him to get ready, Amara climbed into his bed and lay her head on the pillow. She wasn't sure if he had a side he preferred, but she would move if she was in his spot. Her phone was in her bag, but instead of going to get it, she simply let her fingers play with the edge of the duvet whilst she waited. The bed smelled like him, already bringing her comfort.

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In truth,.he wouldn't have blamed her for being skeptical. He had definitely tried to constantly push the lines in their time together. Feeling like a bit of an ass that as connected as he felt to her he had been more involved physically than getting to know her. Todd nodded as she explained glad to hear that she trusted him. "Okay," he gave her a small smile. Walking past her to get into the bedroom, he stopped beside her, leaning in to whisper. "But you are dead wrong about you not being sexy in that," he commented, handing her a water with a little smirk before he put his own water down on the nightstand to go and get ready for bed.

Amara smiled at his compliment, but as he continued to talk, her smile turned into a frown. "No! Nono, that's not-" she shook her head, a slight panic settling in. "I'm not wearing it because I think you might take advantage. Todd, no!" Was that what he thought? That she would think that he would do something like that? She rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "I trust you. Of course I trust you." Pulling back, she cupped his face. "I'm wearing it for me. I don't really feel sexy right now and so wearing anything else just kinda feels wrong. It has nothing to do with you and your restraint. I trust you, fully. No part of me is even thinking you might try something, okay? I'm wearing it for me."

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This was crazy. Yet, he never felt like he was making such a sane decision in his life in securing a future with her. "If that is what you wanted," he nodded. "I can get us tickets." Bowen hardly had money to spare, being a grad student, but he knew he could pull from his savings. He rarely ever touched it and it would be enough to at least start them out right. She was all he needed as far as he was concerned. His smile grew at her explanation. His heart rate picking up at the thought of seeing her dressed in white. "Yeah," he nodded. "Next week then. What do you say?"

The smile lit up his whole face. It was the best thing she had ever seen. His words causing her to giggle against his lips. "Depends, are we running off to vegas?" She doubted there was enough time and money for a big fancy wedding yet she knew she didn't need all of that. She just needed Bowen by her side. A white dress was something she wanted, though, if she was going to get married. With. her arms around his neck, Esmeralda played with the hair at the back of his head. "I'd marry you tomorrow. I'd like to say today, but I am a girl so a dress needs to be prepared and so does the lingerie for the wedding night." A light smirk spread across her lips. "You're alright with that, right?"

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"Going to bed at a decent hour might actually be good for me," he reasoned with a smile, wanting her to feel comfortable. She was tired and worn out from everything. If he could give her some rest and peace for the night then he would happily lay there. He went to the couch, killing time on his phone to give her some space as she got ready for the night. When he heard the sink running, he grabbed some water from the fridge, in case she got thirsty overnight. At her voice, he looked over, a soft laugh falling from his lips. "You look very cute," he assured her. "But you know if you get hot you can take something off and I promise to be good." He held up a free hand as if vowing. "I know my track record with you isn't very good but I actually am capable of restraint. Nothing will happen tonight."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to just lie there, looking at the roof." Still, she appreciated him more than she thought he realised. "I'll go change, though." She brushed the pad of her thumb over his bottom lip before she headed for his bedroom. Closing the door she changed into her pjs, folding her clothes up neatly before placing them back in her back in her bag so she wouldn't make a mess. Taking her toothbrush to his bathroom, she brushed her teeth before braiding her hair so it wouldn't be everywhere when she shared a bed again. Walking back out, she leaned against the door. "I hope it's okay that I sleep in this?" She looked down at her longsleeved shirt and pants. "It might get hot, but I also felt it was the most decent thing to do considering our situation.."

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Todd couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be regret for her. She said no, but because of them she had lost her best friend and other friends as well as sides were taken. He hadn't loss anything that wasn't already gone, being his old relationship. His close friends were still there for him. He wanted to be there for her and he would be in however she allowed but maybe there were ways that he couldn't that she would have had before. "Maybe it's not the conventional way of doing things slow, but this is what feels right. I wouldn't have it any other way than having you here with me." His thumb brushed her chin. "Let's get you some sleep," he nodded towards his bedroom.

His comment drew a soft chuckle from her. She wanted to kiss him, feel the safety that kissing him brought with it. But they had agreed to go slow and for now she wanted to try and stick to it. Even though spending the night with him probably didn't count as going slow. "I know," she assured him. "Thank you." Talking about things had always been hard yet Charlotte had always been the one she went to as she thought she could trust her. But Charlotte had just thrown so much of her secrets in her face just to be cruel and so talking about personal things weren't high on her list of things to do. Even though she knew Todd and Charlotte were two different people. Lifting her head, Amara ran her fingers through her hair. "Thank you for bringing me here. I know spending the night isn't really going slow but I do sleep better when I'm with you. So thank you."

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"Personally I wouldn't argue against one," he commented with amusement, but he let his lips kiss the top of her head lightly. It seemed like he was getting through to her and he was glad. He understood that she had her own inward battles that he couldn't help her get over. They both held blame for what happened with Charlotte, but there were clearly insecurties at play that were there beforehand and Todd had every intention of getting to understand them with time. "Everything I said I meant, but I don't just want you to feel like you have to push the feelings down either. I am here. You can talk to me whenever." He wanted to reassure her that he didn't just want things to be fun and easy. That he could be the guy that was there for the messy. "But I'm glad this is making you feel better. Intentional or not. I never want to be a cause of putting you in that place."

Amara simply listened and kept her mouth shut. Again, she felt like the one who was making it into a mess and Todd had to be the one to drag her out of it. Out of her own head. She needed to get her shit together if she didn't want to end up losing him again. His words brought out a light smile on her lips, the hand cupping his cheek moving down to his chest. Her forehead resting against his jaw. "How am I meant to not kiss you after you say something like that?" He seemed to have a lot of faith in them and so she needed to have the same faith. She wanted him and he had been making it clear all night that he wanted her, too. "I know my head is a mess right now, but I'm gonna try and not let if affect this," she assured him. He wasn't going to be the only one holding them together. She wasn't putting that weight on him. "I know I just need to get over it and move on. And being here with you is helping me do that. Being here with you is clearing the fog in my brain."