Which trials and triblulations? [rp for lapsedsaint]

[aesthetic_mojo]

The Salem tourist witch culture was cloying, laying over everything, making it impossible to avoid even when trying to enjoy the historical sites. Below that were the modern Neo-Pagans who got so much right but were afraid to take the last step. The combination made Charlotte more inclined to shield John than tease

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[lapsedsaint]

John was quiet on the drive back, leaving her to her thoughts. When they got back to the house, he let her in and watched her, shaking his head a little. "You know, no one is going to steal that stuff from you. You don't need to hang on to it for dear life."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She held the bags more tightly, growling in uncanny imitation of Vivianne protecting her share of the treats. Her eyes twinkled and she shook her head. "Mine."

She set the bags in the middle of the coffee table and turned to him with her hands on her hips. "Hey, I don't know. Maybe you are craving mugwort and can't wait to dig in there."

[lapsedsaint]

He walked up to her and put his hands over hers on her hips, pulling her closer. "I don't even know what that is."

He slid his hands over her hips and around to her ass. Pulling her closer, he kissed her neck and purred roughly. "I'm not going to steal it."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She wrapped her arms around his waist, letting him support her as she leaned back to give him more of her neck. "Traveler's herb, used to enhance dream states and precognition. Also good as a general sleeping drought."

She shrugged. "Probably better for you than the whiskey."

[lapsedsaint]

"I like the whiskey." He whispered against her neck before he started kissing up to her ear. "Did you have fun today? Even though you didn't get the cauldron?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

"I like the whiskey on your lips." She pressed her hips into his. "I liked that cauldron, you know. It's the perfect size."

She ran one hand up his back, nails pressing in hard. "I did. It was fascinating for me. Thank you for it."

[lapsedsaint]

He shook his head slowly and laughed. "Well, we know where to go, if I ever change my mind."

"I'm glad you had fun, baby. It's important." He pulled back a little and smiled at her before giving her a soft, slow kiss.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She drew the kiss out, teasing his mouth open so she could nip at him. "Best part was having your hand in mine most of the day." She put her head on his shoulder. "Did you have fun watching me buy out half a store?"

[lapsedsaint]

He pulled her toward the couch with a chuckle. "You scared the crap out of me. Especially that cauldron."

[aesthetic_mojo]

Rather than sitting beside him, she put herself in his lap with an arm around his neck. "It's just a cast iron pot." She brushed her lips over his, smiling too broadly to kiss him more firmly. "I didn't buy the chicken's feet or the big pentacle. You should be proud of me." She'd had no intention of buying either.

[lapsedsaint]

He shifted her in his lap some and rolled his eyes. "We are spending all of Sunday in church."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She laughed. "Mass, lunch, Mass? Good thing I brought my hat."

She nuzzled his jaw, then down to his throat where she nipped him lightly. "What bothered you most? Besides that darling little cauldron."

[lapsedsaint]

He leaned his head back against the back of the couch and smiled as she nuzzled at him. "Surprisingly, it was the amount of cliche we saw today. I don't think I was quite ready for that."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She raised an eyebrow, not slowing her attentions to continue quizzing him. "At least you recognize it for cliche. Why would it bother you, though? I'd think you'd rather that than the real thing."

[lapsedsaint]

He took a deep breath, trying to decide how to answer her. Finally, he went for the simplest truth. "It just struck me as disrespectful. I don't have to agree with you, nor you me, but I'm not going to disrespect your beliefs."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She pulled back to meet his eyes, pleasantly surprised by his response. Using the back of her hand, she gently caressed his cheek. "On behalf of those who surround their practice with that kind of faith, I thank you."

She rubbed her thumb over his lips. "I do what works, that's all. I look at so much of that and think that it's like a cartoon version. The feeling is there, but it's just the feeling, not the function."