For just_1_word | 37.3 Match
Co-written with tacticalmind
Despite technically still being on leave, Rob had to report for duty for the last two days for some intense training sessions, again to prepare him for possible deployment again. Of course his heart was in his service when he had to do it, but he found himself hoping desperately that getting shipped out real soon wasn't on the cards. He just wanted some more time. More time with Leila. He was only just starting to feel comfortable with the dating thing. It didn't feel like he was doing something wrong dating without being divorced and he wanted to spend more and more time with her. Bottom line was, he couldn't get her out of his head.
Which is why he got into his car late that afternoon from training to drive into the city to see her at the bar. He was still in his camos and heavy army boots, but he didn't really care. He knew if he went home to change, he would probably crash on the bed and then he couldn't be sure when he would see her next. He felt out of place entering the bar in his uniform, but he just smiled back politely when the the patrons greeted him with typical respectful smiles or salutes he received when he was dressed like this. He was used to it, it was just all part of the deal being military. He didn't have to look hard to spot her at the bar and he waited for the crowd being served to disperse before going up to her with a smile. "Well, hey there, darlin'," he said in his soft Southern drawl. "Fancy meeting you here."
Leila glanced up, still in autopilot mode from taking orders. "Hey, can I--oh, hey." She broke out into a huge smile, the blonde leaning forward to grab the back of his neck and pull him into a kiss. She'd been thinking about him non-stop, so now that he was here she just wanted to kiss him. "Thanks again for the flowers. They were beautiful." It took Leila another moment to realise he was in his camos. "Wow... you really are my own personal soldier."
Rob laughed as the kiss eased off and smiled at her. "I didn't even steal them to make an impression, either," he joked and pointed to his name badge on his chest. "I just thought I would drop by to see you for a lil bit before I head home. But if you've got your hands full, I don't want to get in your way. This place seems popular with the knocking off crowd."
Leila kept a hand on him as she glanced along the length of the bar. With a nod from her co-worker she was climbing up and over it to be with Rob. She gave him another smile, and tugged his hand in the direction of Luke's office. Her boss-slash-cousin was out the back dealing with inventory which left Leila free to commandeer the small room for her own uses. "I wouldn't have thought badly of you if did. They make a seriously fucking cool impression. Now I just really want to do you in them, but I'll behave. Just need somewhere a little quieter." She pushed him into the office and shut the door behind them. Leila was soon up against him, pulling Rob into another kiss. "The place is very popular, and I was due for a break anyway. I missed you. Hi."
"Oh, I don't think your cousin would appreciate us tainting his bar, would he?" Rob laughed as he followed her lead. He wasn't familiar enough with the place to know where she was taking him, but once the were in the office, he looked around after the kiss with another smile, his tongue resting between his lips. "Or his office," he added and then looked back to meet her eyes. "I missed you too. Hi back." He picked the kiss back up where it left off, deepening it this time and letting it linger as his fingers brushed over her hips and he held her close against him.
Leila smiled against his lips, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush as she felt a giggle rise up inside her and threaten to erupt. She managed to keep it inside, focusing on Rob and the kiss as she let her hands roam over his uniform. She hoped he didn't mind her ruffling him up a bit. She nipped at his bottom lip as the kiss eased off, tugging it slightly as she pulled back and looked up at him. "He'd be fine so long as we don't leave wrappers around just in case Wee Campbell finds himself at this bar. Still, I guess we shouldn't. So you have to go back to the barracks tomorrow? Maybe I could come stay over tonight... if you wanted."
"Wrappers?" Rob laughed. "What sort of wra- oh. Ohh, seriously? Who would leave that around a baby anyway? Assume Wee Campbell is a baby and not a huge middle-aged bagpiper with an interesting Scots nickname." He shook his head, holding her in the embrace with his strong arms. "No, I'm done with the training for now. I'm still technically on leave until... until they need me," he added wryly.
Leila nodded her head slowly as she watched the comprehension dawn on his face. "And Wee Campbell is definitely a baby. A Christmas Miracle baby, actually." Leila looped her arms around his neck, slowly moving to music she could hear from in the bar. She tried not to acknowledge the flicker of sadness that happened every time he mentioned leaving. She'd known what she was getting from the beginning. "Good. So, sleepover? Or are we supposed to wait for a second date?"
Rob smiled. "Kids are always fun. I ain't been around an awful lot of babies, but I like to think one day I might be," he admitted and turned his head to kiss her upper arm. "I ain't really sure, to be honest. As terrible as it sounds, a sleepover sounds much better. I'm in the mood for just chilling and relaxing. It sometimes take a lil while to switch off, you know? Sure your cousin can spare you for the night? It seems real busy out."
Leila's eyebrows went up, but she nodded. Kids had been something to consider for other people, not herself. She hadn't been ready at any stage to consider them. "Our group should give you a head start. It's going through a baby boom right now." Leila smirked. "Maybe the second date can be the sleepover? I don't think there's any rules about going out to have a date. We can just watch a movie, and stuff. And that's why I was thinking I'd come over after work, but you might be asleep."
Rob nodded. "Yeah, I probably would have been, but there you go. Think you're up for the challenge of keeping me awake?" he asked, smiling mischievously. "I can't remember the last time I just hung out with someone and enjoyed their company. A lot has to be said for a date that only needs a comfortable t-shirt and sweat pants. I think I might be extremely tempted, Miss Jackson."
"You're going to have no choice if I'm banging on your door. You might need to keep me awake too, if tonight keeps going like this. That's Friday for you. Everyone wants to kick start the weekend with lots of drinks. No one considers that the bar staff might actually have plans." Leila pressed her lips to his for a soft kiss and winked. "I am all for a date that involves very little in the way of formal clothes, and lots in the way of comfort. Although I might be more about the underwear. I don't want to waste time going home to grab sweats. Still tempted, Sergeant Laird?"
Rob hummed softly in agreement. "You know, I think I just might be," he told her, moving with her as the music slowed down beyond the walls of the office. "Could take a nice, long, hot shower... to help the aching muscles, of course. First and foremost, anyway. Sounds more and more tempting the more I think about it, I believe."
"Definitely have to take care of the aching muscles," Leila echoed with a smirk. She rest her head against his shoulder, dancing with him. "I think there needs to be some takeout involved, too. Something we can feed each other."
Rob raised his eyebrows. "Pizza? Really, really greasy, hot cheesy pizza," he decided with a laugh. He rested his arms around her, enjoying the closeness. He had told himself that he wasn't going to keep dwelling on when he might have to go away. Maybe it was just time for him to suck it all up and actually enjoy his life for a change. Enjoy a relationship and not spend the time analysing it. "We should probably talk a lil bit, too. Just about things in general."
"Is there any other kind?" Leila asked with a grin. She lifted her head again, and looked at him, her blue eyes fixed on his face from behind her glasses. Since Rob had told her that he liked her with glasses, she'd been wearing them more and more instead of going with the contacts. "Like what?"
"Us? If there is an us... or maybe if we want there to continue to be one if there is..." Rob explained and then scrunched his nose up. "How fucked did that just sound?" he laughed and shook his head. "I guess I'm just looking to see if we're on the same page, and what that page is. Without making it some big analytical piece of shit. That's not my intention. I just think talking is important. I want to know what you're thinking, how you're feeling."
"Oh, that kind of talking." Leila nodded as she tried not to make a face. She wasn't always good at talking about her feelings. "Well, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I find myself grinning like an idiot when I get caught. Luke keeps giving me this look, but I don't care. I like you. A lot. I think there is an us, and I'm okay with there being an us. I guess it's just if you want to give us a title beyond the dating thing."
Rob shook his head. "No, no. This isn't about labels. I'm not that anal or obsessive. I just don't want to push you into anything you don't want, without even really being sure what either of us are supposed to want." He paused and wet his lips. "I don't want to miss anything this time around," he added, finally putting his finger on what he was trying to say. "Which is why I'm trying to figure out if this - us - is a second chance or just a bit of fun."
Leila's eyebrows crept up. "You're asking me if we're serious?"
Rob's forehead creased and he shrugged a little. "No? Yes?" He bit down on his lips and then let out a rush of breath. "Maybe?"
"I thought... didn't we already--okay, maybe we didn't. I remember the dating conversation. I guess dating isn't always serious." Leila glanced at the door, and sighed as the song switched to something fast. She stopped dancing, and looked back at Rob. "It's not just a bit of fun to me."
Rob cupped her face in his hands and tipped it up so she was looking at him. "I'm sorry. I'm shutting up now. I didn't mean to put you on the spot," he told her and kissed her softly.
"No, I'm sorry. You should be able to talk if you want to. I just never really thought of it as a bit of fun. Not after the other night." Leila rest her hand on his arm and rubbed it up and down. "I really liked waking up to you. And I liked... I liked making love."
Rob nodded. "Me too. I just, um... the whole just a bit of fun, it didn't really come into it for me. I guess you had me hooked from the start," he admitted with a soft laugh. "I just didn't want to scare you away. You know, the whole almost-divorcee, got fucked over by his ex, not sure if he should try again thing... it could have been quite daunting. Only, with you, I don't think I was ever that."
Leila shook her head. "No, you weren't. I've never felt uncomfortable with you. I don't feel pressured. I know we kind of have a clock ticking over our heads, but I never notice it. All I ever notice is you." She blushed a little, and bit her lip, wondering if it was too corny.
Rob looked at her for a moment and tilted his head a little. "It might not be a clock. I might not get sent away again. Sure, there is a high chance I will, but I just want you to know it's not completely inevitable. They might keep me here to run drill sessions, or I might get posted somewhere else in the US." He drew a heavy breath and let it out slowly. "Do you want us to be serious?" he settled on asking her outright.
Leila looked at him. "Yeah, I do. I really like you. I want to keep spending time with you. Is that okay?"
Rob broke into a smile and nodded. "Yeah, of course it is. You just made me a really happy guy, you know," he told her and pulled her into kiss.
Leila kissed him back, her fingers still wrapped around his arms. "I'm glad, because you just made me a really happy woman, Littlerock. I can't wait until later when I get to curl up with you."
Rob laughed, looking down at her as he brushed her hair off her face. "So, when do you get off? How many rounds of hard liquor am I going to have to see through to the end of your shift? Or are you going to stick me with Diet Coke so my, uh, anatomy keeps working later tonight?"
"Do you want your anatomy to keep working?" Leila asked as she looked up at him. She turned her head to look at her watch, and sighed. "Ah, I have four more hours to go. Are you even going to want to sit through that many rounds? I could just call you when I'm done to make sure you're awake."
Rob shook his head. "Nah, I'll stay. Feed me Red Bull, and I should be able to hold out. Oh, and comfy chair would be appreciated, if there is one. Unless you want me to get out of your hair, in which case, I'll go home and watch The Simpsons or something."
Leila smirked. "Red Bull? Should I get worried you're going to grow wings and fly away? I don't want you out of my hair. I definitely want you in it. Stay. Please. Now it's my turn to ask." She raised up to kiss him. "I get another break later, so we can see what we can do then about getting you through the last part of my shift. There's comfy chairs out in the bar. The booths are really nice. I'll even kick someone out if I have to."
"Oh, really? Is it bad I want to see you get all rough with someone?" Rob asked with a mischievous grin, leaning forward so he could kiss up the side of her throat. "If I fall asleep, you're not allowed to draw a moustache on me. That's my only clause," he laughed, his hand sneaking down to her ass to give it a small squeeze.
"Mmhmm. And probably. You're a very naughty soldier, Sergeant Laird. I'm not sure what to do with you." Her hand moved to his shoulder, and she tilted her head back to give him better access to her throat. "I'm sure I can manage to resist... I'll just find some other way to amuse myself."
Rob continued to kiss softly beneath her ear, trailing the tip of his tongue over the places his lips had just be. "How long do you have left of our break now?" he asked her softly, his breath tickling over her skin. "Do we have time to amuse ourselves a little before you go back?"
"Yeah, this is supposed to be my dinner break," Leila laughed. "Food doesn't really have my interest right now, though." She slid a hand down his side, gripping at his camo pants. "I take it you got something in mind."
"That depends," Rob whispered against her ear. "Location, location, location. Is there any? As fun as it is to think about doing it in public, I can't in uniform," he told her, unable to hide the slight edge of disappoint in his tone. Some covert making out against a wall outside could have been really fun.
Leila smirked, and turned her head to catch his lips. "I think I might know a place, or two."
Words: 2869 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse
Despite technically still being on leave, Rob had to report for duty for the last two days for some intense training sessions, again to prepare him for possible deployment again. Of course his heart was in his service when he had to do it, but he found himself hoping desperately that getting shipped out real soon wasn't on the cards. He just wanted some more time. More time with Leila. He was only just starting to feel comfortable with the dating thing. It didn't feel like he was doing something wrong dating without being divorced and he wanted to spend more and more time with her. Bottom line was, he couldn't get her out of his head.
Which is why he got into his car late that afternoon from training to drive into the city to see her at the bar. He was still in his camos and heavy army boots, but he didn't really care. He knew if he went home to change, he would probably crash on the bed and then he couldn't be sure when he would see her next. He felt out of place entering the bar in his uniform, but he just smiled back politely when the the patrons greeted him with typical respectful smiles or salutes he received when he was dressed like this. He was used to it, it was just all part of the deal being military. He didn't have to look hard to spot her at the bar and he waited for the crowd being served to disperse before going up to her with a smile. "Well, hey there, darlin'," he said in his soft Southern drawl. "Fancy meeting you here."
Leila glanced up, still in autopilot mode from taking orders. "Hey, can I--oh, hey." She broke out into a huge smile, the blonde leaning forward to grab the back of his neck and pull him into a kiss. She'd been thinking about him non-stop, so now that he was here she just wanted to kiss him. "Thanks again for the flowers. They were beautiful." It took Leila another moment to realise he was in his camos. "Wow... you really are my own personal soldier."
Rob laughed as the kiss eased off and smiled at her. "I didn't even steal them to make an impression, either," he joked and pointed to his name badge on his chest. "I just thought I would drop by to see you for a lil bit before I head home. But if you've got your hands full, I don't want to get in your way. This place seems popular with the knocking off crowd."
Leila kept a hand on him as she glanced along the length of the bar. With a nod from her co-worker she was climbing up and over it to be with Rob. She gave him another smile, and tugged his hand in the direction of Luke's office. Her boss-slash-cousin was out the back dealing with inventory which left Leila free to commandeer the small room for her own uses. "I wouldn't have thought badly of you if did. They make a seriously fucking cool impression. Now I just really want to do you in them, but I'll behave. Just need somewhere a little quieter." She pushed him into the office and shut the door behind them. Leila was soon up against him, pulling Rob into another kiss. "The place is very popular, and I was due for a break anyway. I missed you. Hi."
"Oh, I don't think your cousin would appreciate us tainting his bar, would he?" Rob laughed as he followed her lead. He wasn't familiar enough with the place to know where she was taking him, but once the were in the office, he looked around after the kiss with another smile, his tongue resting between his lips. "Or his office," he added and then looked back to meet her eyes. "I missed you too. Hi back." He picked the kiss back up where it left off, deepening it this time and letting it linger as his fingers brushed over her hips and he held her close against him.
Leila smiled against his lips, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush as she felt a giggle rise up inside her and threaten to erupt. She managed to keep it inside, focusing on Rob and the kiss as she let her hands roam over his uniform. She hoped he didn't mind her ruffling him up a bit. She nipped at his bottom lip as the kiss eased off, tugging it slightly as she pulled back and looked up at him. "He'd be fine so long as we don't leave wrappers around just in case Wee Campbell finds himself at this bar. Still, I guess we shouldn't. So you have to go back to the barracks tomorrow? Maybe I could come stay over tonight... if you wanted."
"Wrappers?" Rob laughed. "What sort of wra- oh. Ohh, seriously? Who would leave that around a baby anyway? Assume Wee Campbell is a baby and not a huge middle-aged bagpiper with an interesting Scots nickname." He shook his head, holding her in the embrace with his strong arms. "No, I'm done with the training for now. I'm still technically on leave until... until they need me," he added wryly.
Leila nodded her head slowly as she watched the comprehension dawn on his face. "And Wee Campbell is definitely a baby. A Christmas Miracle baby, actually." Leila looped her arms around his neck, slowly moving to music she could hear from in the bar. She tried not to acknowledge the flicker of sadness that happened every time he mentioned leaving. She'd known what she was getting from the beginning. "Good. So, sleepover? Or are we supposed to wait for a second date?"
Rob smiled. "Kids are always fun. I ain't been around an awful lot of babies, but I like to think one day I might be," he admitted and turned his head to kiss her upper arm. "I ain't really sure, to be honest. As terrible as it sounds, a sleepover sounds much better. I'm in the mood for just chilling and relaxing. It sometimes take a lil while to switch off, you know? Sure your cousin can spare you for the night? It seems real busy out."
Leila's eyebrows went up, but she nodded. Kids had been something to consider for other people, not herself. She hadn't been ready at any stage to consider them. "Our group should give you a head start. It's going through a baby boom right now." Leila smirked. "Maybe the second date can be the sleepover? I don't think there's any rules about going out to have a date. We can just watch a movie, and stuff. And that's why I was thinking I'd come over after work, but you might be asleep."
Rob nodded. "Yeah, I probably would have been, but there you go. Think you're up for the challenge of keeping me awake?" he asked, smiling mischievously. "I can't remember the last time I just hung out with someone and enjoyed their company. A lot has to be said for a date that only needs a comfortable t-shirt and sweat pants. I think I might be extremely tempted, Miss Jackson."
"You're going to have no choice if I'm banging on your door. You might need to keep me awake too, if tonight keeps going like this. That's Friday for you. Everyone wants to kick start the weekend with lots of drinks. No one considers that the bar staff might actually have plans." Leila pressed her lips to his for a soft kiss and winked. "I am all for a date that involves very little in the way of formal clothes, and lots in the way of comfort. Although I might be more about the underwear. I don't want to waste time going home to grab sweats. Still tempted, Sergeant Laird?"
Rob hummed softly in agreement. "You know, I think I just might be," he told her, moving with her as the music slowed down beyond the walls of the office. "Could take a nice, long, hot shower... to help the aching muscles, of course. First and foremost, anyway. Sounds more and more tempting the more I think about it, I believe."
"Definitely have to take care of the aching muscles," Leila echoed with a smirk. She rest her head against his shoulder, dancing with him. "I think there needs to be some takeout involved, too. Something we can feed each other."
Rob raised his eyebrows. "Pizza? Really, really greasy, hot cheesy pizza," he decided with a laugh. He rested his arms around her, enjoying the closeness. He had told himself that he wasn't going to keep dwelling on when he might have to go away. Maybe it was just time for him to suck it all up and actually enjoy his life for a change. Enjoy a relationship and not spend the time analysing it. "We should probably talk a lil bit, too. Just about things in general."
"Is there any other kind?" Leila asked with a grin. She lifted her head again, and looked at him, her blue eyes fixed on his face from behind her glasses. Since Rob had told her that he liked her with glasses, she'd been wearing them more and more instead of going with the contacts. "Like what?"
"Us? If there is an us... or maybe if we want there to continue to be one if there is..." Rob explained and then scrunched his nose up. "How fucked did that just sound?" he laughed and shook his head. "I guess I'm just looking to see if we're on the same page, and what that page is. Without making it some big analytical piece of shit. That's not my intention. I just think talking is important. I want to know what you're thinking, how you're feeling."
"Oh, that kind of talking." Leila nodded as she tried not to make a face. She wasn't always good at talking about her feelings. "Well, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I find myself grinning like an idiot when I get caught. Luke keeps giving me this look, but I don't care. I like you. A lot. I think there is an us, and I'm okay with there being an us. I guess it's just if you want to give us a title beyond the dating thing."
Rob shook his head. "No, no. This isn't about labels. I'm not that anal or obsessive. I just don't want to push you into anything you don't want, without even really being sure what either of us are supposed to want." He paused and wet his lips. "I don't want to miss anything this time around," he added, finally putting his finger on what he was trying to say. "Which is why I'm trying to figure out if this - us - is a second chance or just a bit of fun."
Leila's eyebrows crept up. "You're asking me if we're serious?"
Rob's forehead creased and he shrugged a little. "No? Yes?" He bit down on his lips and then let out a rush of breath. "Maybe?"
"I thought... didn't we already--okay, maybe we didn't. I remember the dating conversation. I guess dating isn't always serious." Leila glanced at the door, and sighed as the song switched to something fast. She stopped dancing, and looked back at Rob. "It's not just a bit of fun to me."
Rob cupped her face in his hands and tipped it up so she was looking at him. "I'm sorry. I'm shutting up now. I didn't mean to put you on the spot," he told her and kissed her softly.
"No, I'm sorry. You should be able to talk if you want to. I just never really thought of it as a bit of fun. Not after the other night." Leila rest her hand on his arm and rubbed it up and down. "I really liked waking up to you. And I liked... I liked making love."
Rob nodded. "Me too. I just, um... the whole just a bit of fun, it didn't really come into it for me. I guess you had me hooked from the start," he admitted with a soft laugh. "I just didn't want to scare you away. You know, the whole almost-divorcee, got fucked over by his ex, not sure if he should try again thing... it could have been quite daunting. Only, with you, I don't think I was ever that."
Leila shook her head. "No, you weren't. I've never felt uncomfortable with you. I don't feel pressured. I know we kind of have a clock ticking over our heads, but I never notice it. All I ever notice is you." She blushed a little, and bit her lip, wondering if it was too corny.
Rob looked at her for a moment and tilted his head a little. "It might not be a clock. I might not get sent away again. Sure, there is a high chance I will, but I just want you to know it's not completely inevitable. They might keep me here to run drill sessions, or I might get posted somewhere else in the US." He drew a heavy breath and let it out slowly. "Do you want us to be serious?" he settled on asking her outright.
Leila looked at him. "Yeah, I do. I really like you. I want to keep spending time with you. Is that okay?"
Rob broke into a smile and nodded. "Yeah, of course it is. You just made me a really happy guy, you know," he told her and pulled her into kiss.
Leila kissed him back, her fingers still wrapped around his arms. "I'm glad, because you just made me a really happy woman, Littlerock. I can't wait until later when I get to curl up with you."
Rob laughed, looking down at her as he brushed her hair off her face. "So, when do you get off? How many rounds of hard liquor am I going to have to see through to the end of your shift? Or are you going to stick me with Diet Coke so my, uh, anatomy keeps working later tonight?"
"Do you want your anatomy to keep working?" Leila asked as she looked up at him. She turned her head to look at her watch, and sighed. "Ah, I have four more hours to go. Are you even going to want to sit through that many rounds? I could just call you when I'm done to make sure you're awake."
Rob shook his head. "Nah, I'll stay. Feed me Red Bull, and I should be able to hold out. Oh, and comfy chair would be appreciated, if there is one. Unless you want me to get out of your hair, in which case, I'll go home and watch The Simpsons or something."
Leila smirked. "Red Bull? Should I get worried you're going to grow wings and fly away? I don't want you out of my hair. I definitely want you in it. Stay. Please. Now it's my turn to ask." She raised up to kiss him. "I get another break later, so we can see what we can do then about getting you through the last part of my shift. There's comfy chairs out in the bar. The booths are really nice. I'll even kick someone out if I have to."
"Oh, really? Is it bad I want to see you get all rough with someone?" Rob asked with a mischievous grin, leaning forward so he could kiss up the side of her throat. "If I fall asleep, you're not allowed to draw a moustache on me. That's my only clause," he laughed, his hand sneaking down to her ass to give it a small squeeze.
"Mmhmm. And probably. You're a very naughty soldier, Sergeant Laird. I'm not sure what to do with you." Her hand moved to his shoulder, and she tilted her head back to give him better access to her throat. "I'm sure I can manage to resist... I'll just find some other way to amuse myself."
Rob continued to kiss softly beneath her ear, trailing the tip of his tongue over the places his lips had just be. "How long do you have left of our break now?" he asked her softly, his breath tickling over her skin. "Do we have time to amuse ourselves a little before you go back?"
"Yeah, this is supposed to be my dinner break," Leila laughed. "Food doesn't really have my interest right now, though." She slid a hand down his side, gripping at his camo pants. "I take it you got something in mind."
"That depends," Rob whispered against her ear. "Location, location, location. Is there any? As fun as it is to think about doing it in public, I can't in uniform," he told her, unable to hide the slight edge of disappoint in his tone. Some covert making out against a wall outside could have been really fun.
Leila smirked, and turned her head to catch his lips. "I think I might know a place, or two."
Words: 2869 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse