(Untitled)

[irresoluteness]

I have a feeling you're all wondering why I haven't updated lately with something brilliant and inspired. Let's just say I'll count myself lucky for being excused from the naughty and nice list. Those little adventures I had in university don't need to make it onto the network, and I think I've been a good boy lately. Of course, given the little

Comments

action;

[irresoluteness]

[It's important to note that the condition of the apartment is different this time. Rather than tattered, it's only a little messy, and it's obvious that Lyle has done a good job keeping things together. Now that he's acquired a job (through no one on the network, he went out and tried something a little different), there's actually food in the fridge.

Of course, it's all microwavable, but he's done what he could.

He's a little surprised by the knock so soon after he left an update on the network, but he realizes it might be someone there to worry for him. Or Neil to interrogate him about what he's written. All the same, he puts out his latest cigarette and moves toward the door, opening it after a moment, and finding himself wordless-and a little breathless-at the sight of Anew standing there.

It's not that he didn't expect her to come back. Some part of him always believed she would return to him as long as he spent time in the City. But it doesn't stop the feeling of happiness, nor the surprise at seeing her again-and definitely not the flooding feeling of relief.]

I had hoped it wouldn't be too long.

action;

[innovatorgps]

[She wasn't sure if she'd stopped breathing, when she heard someone approaching the door, or if it had just felt like it. But she knew she had, when he opened the door, and it really was him standing there- waiting, just like she'd hoped.]

... I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

[Wanted to reach out for him, just to remind herself that she did remember how he felt, the warmth of him, but for now, she only looked at him, broke in to that gentle smile. Was it selfish? Perhaps a little, and yet... she couldn't feel the slightest bit of guilt for it.]

Can I come in, Lyle?

action;

[irresoluteness]

[He opens the door wider, stepping aside so she can step in.]

I'd never say no to you.

action;

[innovatorgps]

I hope not.

[She walked in, just enough that he could close the door behind her, closing her eyes at the feeling. It was coming home, wasn't it. Nostalgia, even if, to her... no time had passed, because she had no future to return to.]

You did better this time. I'm proud of you.

[Looked back to him, after she'd opened her eyes to look at the apartment. Heavier things, how long was I gone, how have you been... they'd come soon enough.]

action;

[irresoluteness]

I didn't want you to think I'd always fall apart without you. Though a little part of me always does.

[An admission that's a little too honest, but it's the truth. He closes the door, turning the lock to ensure that no one comes to bother them, before stepping toward her and pressing a hand to the small of her back.]

I gave up on cooking, though. I'll leave the culinary miracles to you.

action;

[innovatorgps]

[A little too honest, but she couldn't think so herself. Not when she tried to imagine how she felt- that sense of loneliness, despite how grateful she was to know he would be safe, that he would carry on.]

... I wish I could say I'd always be there.

[A little too honest. But her voice was soft, confidant, stepping in to that touch, letting her fingers move to trace over his arm]

But I'll always be waiting.

[A single moment, before her smile turned up a little bit]

... with or without a miracle and a spatula.

action; /changes tenses to match

[irresoluteness]

[The idea of Anew returning with a spatula in hand was amusing enough, and he leaned into her touch, as well. It was a bit of a comfort to know that she would be waiting. Though she hadn't returned this time when he did, there had never been a doubt. It was strange, how willing and optimistic he had become about the whole thing, but he had changed.

Really, that was one of the many lessons they were always trying to teach, and Lyle knew he was the living proof of it.

He smiled readily, raising his other hand up to her face to brush his fingertips over her cheek.]

If you don't have a spatula, we'll just have to go pick one up. I can pay for it for once.

action; nfkelwf ack sorry bb

[innovatorgps]

[Turned her face just enough to let a fleeting kiss brush against his fingers, her smile still turning up the corners of her mouth.]

I'm glad you're at least taking care of yourself.

[Stepped that last bit closer, just to reassure herself of the warmth of him, that which she found comforting abouve all else, noticeably relieved in that single moment, relaxing against him.]

If you weren't, I'd have to use that spatula for evil, rather than good.

action; haha, no, I slipped into present tense without noticing you went past first.

[irresoluteness]

[Before, there had always been a fleeting feeling of frustration at the chill of her body, but he wasn't bothered by it any longer. Lyle's hand moved up, pressing at her body to ensure that she pressed against him. He dropped a kiss to her forehead, and since there was hair there, he used his nose to brush a little bit of it away to make things more comfortable.]

I don't think I'd stand much of a chance against an evil spatula. I've heard they can leave welts, and I've never had much of a spanking kink.

action; <3

[innovatorgps]

[There was no real reason for it, some people might think, to feel safe simply by being in someone else's arms. But it's what she felt, there was no denying it, letting her arms slip around him, fingers lacing against his back, tipping her head back, her nose wrinkling a bit in jest.]

You better not.

[But she only smiled, when she looked up at him, even if her concerns still showed through.]

... You have been alright though. Haven't you, Lyle?

action;

[irresoluteness]

[Despite his strengthened relationship with Neil, there was no way of ignoring the fact that he only felt this way around Anew. He felt loved, comforted, as if he had everything he needed in the world. Prior to finding her, he had been so lonely-terribly so-and that all changed when he welcomed her into his arms, when he overlooked any of the problems connected to her because she was his. His woman. That wouldn't change.]

It looks like it, doesn't it?

[He thought to pull away and wave a hand at the surroundings, but he didn't want to release himself from her touch.]

I'll always be all right, but ... I'm perfect now, I think. Only you can make me into a cheeseball like this, Anew.

action;

[innovatorgps]

[She'd wanted him to say it, and just to hear it from him was enough, in the end. There were no tears in her eyes, not like the first time, and yet- the emotion was still the same.]

I'll keep on being yours, if you keep on being perfect like this, Lyle.

[Moved up to her tiptoes, pressing the briefest, gentlest of kisses at his own forehead in turn.]

Even if you turn in to a cheeseball.

action;

[irresoluteness]

But I'm a good cheeseball, aren't I? The best kind of cheese.

[A horrible joke, but he needed to say it, needed to get it out and just be him, even if he was always a little different in her presence. He breathed easily, looking down at her, and there was a constant stirring of happiness inside. Content, ease-though some would argue that his strained relationship with his brother was the most important aspect of his life, Anew would always come before that, somehow. It was just who she was.]

I'd get pretty jealous if you tried to find another kind of dairy product.

action;

[innovatorgps]

[A horrible joke, but she laughed lightly anyway, arms tightening to squeeze him slightly, smiling up at him.]

The best kind.

[Even if it was a joke, she'd mean it in the other sense, she did mean it, whether she was there, in his arms where it was warm, or if she was gone, if he was- she'd still mean it.]

How could I ever find something better?

action;

[irresoluteness]

[This was how they were, able to joke, to talk, to laugh a little-but it was all with that undercurrent of understanding the entire time. They were able to understand one another, and it was the key part of their relationship.]

Hey, I've heard yogurt comes in a few different flavors. You might like the variety.

action;

[innovatorgps]

Mmm.

[She shook her head, nipped lightly at her bottom lip and smiled, letting go of him, but not stepping away, taking another look around the apartment before she looked back to him. It really was still like home.]

I think I like this. Maybe some people think that's boring- I don't.