#thread: xander and koda

[lovesspell]

"Sorry, were you saying something? I got kind of distracted thinking of you in that hat and button up. Is it hot up here? I think it's hot," he said with a laugh, making a motion as if he was fanning himself off. Honestly he hadn't expected what was transpiring between the two of them. It felt so silly to be shy around someone who had already seen him naked but here he was. It felt like in a way, Koda had accessed a part of him that he hadn't quite let anyone into in Cardinal Hill and that made him feel vulnerable.

"I'm sure you would have," he told her with complete sincerity. He could understand already that Koda had no problem getting by on her own. But it didn't mean he still couldn't be there. "Oh I know exactly where I'd fly to. I've always wanted to go to New York. I'd give anything to see the Knicks play at the Garden," he admitted. He kind of felt that New York City would probably overwhelm him but that didn't make him want to go any less. "Maybe. I hope we do someday," he admitted. Maybe being this high up was just making him more sentimental.

"Alright, I'll set my watch then." He looked down again, retracing his steps with his eyes as he thought of all the best places to place his feet. "Okay, best option, you gotta wrap your arms around me like a Koala. I'll hold you, promise, just," he shifted so he could stand fully in front of her. "Wrap your arms and legs around me and I'll get us down, okay? Promise."

༝༝🔪 ༝༝

He wasn’t wrong but Koda couldn’t let him have it that easily. Their situationship made it clear that there was a physical attraction, she couldn’t give up her bit without more of a fight. “I don’t know, I kind of think it would look good with my skin tone, especially if I got one of those button-downs.” The outfit was already forming in her head, knowing it would never come to fruition. Halloween might’ve been her best bet but even then, Koda usually had another whole new crazy idea by then. It was her favorite holiday, always had been, and she took it very seriously. Maybe it was to opportunity to be someone she wasn’t or that the occasion provided a day when everyone felt that they could be their true self. “You would look pretty fit,” she eventually conceded with a waggle of her brow. For being as attractive as he was Koda thought Xander to be on the shy side or at least humble enough to not realize the obvious.

The kitten had been her priority, never considering her own stake in the game. That was how Koda functioned. Things were rarely planned out to the extent they should have been, but one way or another, the job got done. "I would've figured it out," the blonde replied with a shrug. To her, it hadn't been a problem but to anyone else, it was an apparent situation she'd gotten herself into. A smile formed at the story he revealed and similar memories came flooding back. There was a time when she was happy before her childhood was tainted by the truth. "No way. I used to want to fly too, didn't know where, but I would've done anything for that view," she reminisced with a click of her tongue. Times had changed. "Maybe one day we'll sprout wings." A delusion she indulged in for the moment, giving him a gentle nudge with her knee and a smile growing to fill her cheeks. Then Koda returned to reality where they couldn't stay in the tree to overlook the town for the rest of the day. "Only for the next ten minutes though," the girl teased before giving a nod of approval. "So I guess that means we're in." Even if the kitten had no say in the matter, she decided they were of one mind with more involvement than only napping in her jacket pocket.

[lovesspell]

"Maybe but then if you're Indiana Jones then what does that make me? Kind of think I can pull off the brown hat better than you can," he teased, not entirely sure that was even true. "I'm always working out," he told her, though he was clearly blushing under her gaze. Even though his athletic days were behind him, fitness and conditioning had always remained important to him. Not only because of his job but because of life in general. He wanted to be able to survive whatever life was going to throw at him and being in strong shape was a big part of that. He wasn't usually vain about it but when people were checking him out, he had to admit he did puff out his chest just a little more. He followed her gaze towards the kitten, having to admit that it did melt his heart a bit.

"I mean I get it. But you save the kitten, who saves you? Without you breaking a bone," he added since jumping down and seeing what happened was definitely not the best option. He looked at the cat again then out at the view, a smile forcing its way onto his face. "I tried to help my Dad build a tree house for us once. It was kind of a disaster but for a very brief moment I got to sit way up high and look out at the city. You could even see the water in the distance. Made me wish I could fly," he admitted, a rare moment of vulnerability and honesty but he felt okay about it when they were this high up. "If you trust me for the next ten minutes, I promise I can get all three of us down safely. I'll even go with you to get this little one some proper care over at the vets. Laz always knows what he's doing. What do you say?"

༝༝🔪 ༝༝

Koda had been smiling before he got there, but it only grew more proud as he spoke. This wouldn't be the last time he found her in a sticky situation, she had a knack for getting herself in trouble, even if it was for a good cause. The girl would do just about anything for anyone in need, including those of the furry variety. In fact, those might be her most satisfied customers. "Not a bad idea. I could go the whole Indiana Jones route, get a whip and a holster. Might be pretty sick." Now that she thought about it, Koda wondered if that was something she could pick up, knowing it could be put to good use. The blonde's eyes watched him climb, admiring the way his muscles looked as he made his it up with ease. "You been working out? That was crazy," she commented with a hint of sarcasm amidst the truth. Her gaze flickered down to the furball in her jacket and her smile lit back up. "How could I not climb up here? Look at him." Koda's bottom lip pushed out into a pout as she gawked at the sleeping kitten, looking up to see if Xander caught a glimpse too. The horizon was the second-best view after that. "My dad used to tell me to figure it out when I got stuck which usually just involved jumping and hoping for the best," she said simply. A glimpse into her past like this was rare but she made sure to keep it general enough to not give a clear view.

[lovesspell]

"You know, I think we're going to have to launch an entire tree climbing team. Either that or I'm gonna need to start making sure you travel with rope." Xander had seen her as soon as she had seen the cat. He had been taking a break from the firehouse, trying some stress relieving tactics Nell had taught him. Instead of eating the the firehouse, he would get lunch nearby, maybe even a coffee and take a walk through the park before returning. He figured if he stayed close enough, he could still run back to join the team for an emergency. His Chief hadn't caught on yet at least so he was enjoying it while he could. It wasn't the first time Xander had found Koda stuck in a tree and he was starting to realize it probably wasn't going to be the last. "It was a cat, wasn't it?" Xander looked the tree over for a second longer before climbing his way up with ease, taking the exact route he hoped to help Koda down. He let out a soft laugh when he made it up to her and leaned against the tree. "Yeah I'm pretty sure I can see my apartment from here too." He had to admit the view was nice but he was too focused on getting her down safely to enjoy it. "Where the hell did you learn to climb trees so well? And why did no one teach you how to get down?"

closed starter for xander (@lovesspell) located in sunny acres park

Koda had taken her time going home from work, hugging the treeline in the park as she bounced to the beat of her walkman. She refused to accept CDs would take over though they were quickly on the rise and it was only a matter of time before she caved to get her own. The familiar mew of a cat in need was what got her into trouble, and convinced she would be able to ascend the three to rescue the creature. That went well to get up but once the small grey kitten had been collected into the safety of her arms Koda struggled to find a route down. Apparently, someone else had watched her attempt and a man was making their way over to her, from the looks of it with the solution to her problem. By that time she'd gotten comfortable, her new furry friend now fast asleep in the pocket of her hoodie due to some calming pets and Koda's eyes scoping what she could with an elevated view. "Bonsoir," she greeted when he got within earshot. "You should see the view from up here. I think if I squint I can see my place."