Benefits
Title: Benefits - Evening Plans
Characters: C/DG, possibly everyone else eventually
Timeline: Post eclipse
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: M!!!
Disclaimer: I don’t own Tin Man
Summary: DG proposes a change to the dynamic of her relationship with the Tin Man. Adding a few...benefits...to their friendship
Previous: Just Talking | Logistics | Free Time | Goodmorning
A/N: Apparently I didn’t mention that I too found what happened to me to be unbelievably HILARIOUS. I apologize for the lack of ‘lols.’ Let me assure you that you can feel free to chuckle as well.
TMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTM
A few days later found DG getting ready for a Friday night dinner with guests.
“DG ready?” Raw’s voice carried through her door.
“Just a second,” she called, rearranging a curl in her hair for the hundredth time.
Sometimes it was fun to get all fancied up for dinner and other times, like when her hair was giving her trouble, it was just plain bothersome. Luckily tonight’s dinner was just with a few visiting dignitaries and she didn’t need to be in a frivolous ball gown, but it was a dress all the same.
She flowed out of her room as promised, looping her arm in Raw’s as they both turned down the hall.
“And how is Raw today?” she asked, giving her friend a sincere smile. It appeared that only in between engagements was when she was ever really alone with any of her companions. She did miss their company. All four of them, together. Perhaps she could finagle a weekend away for them. She briefly considered a secluded weekend getaway. Maybe not even all four of them.
She pondered finding the free time for both her and the Tin Man and realized it would be quite difficult. He had been away most of the week following that Sunday morning that she snuck out from under his arm. Jeb had been keeping him quite busy out in the city with the Tin Men.
Not that she had gotten to ask where he had been, but she could always tell when he had recently been to see Jeb. He had a slight smile on his face, no doubt from any one of Jeb’s latest antics. The last she had heard about him from Wyatt was that he was attempting to woo a girl. Unfortunately for Jeb, the young woman learned to resist a lot more than most of others while growing up in the Resistance. And according to Wyatt, she was perhaps intent on resisting Jeb in particular just to torment him.
“Raw worn out. Played tag today,” he elaborated with a wry smile. She smiled and tried to refocus on her friend. Raw had become quite the favorite of the palace staff’s children. Somewhat of an appointed-by-force babysitter by the kids, Raw had taken the job in stride.
“That sounds fun. I wish I could play tag with some of my appointments,” she added wistfully. “Then I wouldn’t have to sit through half of them because they’d never catch me.”
“Yes but that means someone else would have to catch you eventually,” Wyatt’s voiced chimed in from around the corner.
“Wyatt!” she greeted him with a smile as he came into view. She hadn’t seen him in three days and was now irrationally glad that she was dressed up for dinner. He looked rushed and was still tugging on the cuffs of his guard uniform as if he had just changed into it. Wasn’t Ernst supposed to be on duty tonight? “Nice of you to grace us with your presence.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re both thrilled to bits at my interruption,” he said dryly, taking her hand as they kissed each other on the cheek as they usually did in greeting.
“Raw missed Cain.” He and Raw put their hands on each other’s shoulder. Raw was good about not putting his hand on people’s skin unless asked for a reading.
“Missed you too, Furball.” He stepped back and held out his hand again. “I’m afraid I have to borrow the Princess for the walk to dinner though.” Raw easily complied, stepping back. “I need to discuss a few things with her before I have to disappear again.”
“Raw will see DG at dinner.” Raw nodded and made his way down the hall ahead of them.
“See you in a minute.” She waved as he left them alone. “Disappear again?” she asked with a frown, looking up at him as he placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Yeah. I’m headed back to Jeb’s tomorrow for a couple of days.” She studied his profile as he guided them down the stairs to the main hall.
“Aaand…?” she prompted him. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye with the smallest hint of a smile.
“Aaaaand I just wanted to say ‘hello’ while I’m here. Catch up on anything that I missed.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure why she was disappointed.
“Oh,” he mocked her. Her eyes narrowed and she elbowed him. He smiled and looked forward again. “So any news?” She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“No, not really,” she said after a moment.
They crossed the foyer to the main dining room in silence.
“I see.” He opened the door for them. DG’s brow furrowed. Was there a point to this conversation? She never did like when people beat around the bush. She tended to just leap over it.
“So are you free later?” While she said it casually and he showed no outward reaction, she could feel him tense under her hand. He arched an eyebrow.
“You know, I just may be.” He sounded intrigued. She nodded thoughtfully.
“I see,” she echoed his earlier indifference. She could tell he was fighting a smile as he pulled out a chair for her. As he pushed it in, he leaned down next to her ear.
“Enjoy your meal, Princess.” A shiver ran down her back and she could only bring herself to smile back at him as he left her at the door and went to stand at his post outside. Perhaps there was a point to it after all.
*************** One hour and a ridiculously long dinner later***************
They collapsed back onto the sheets and lay panting next to each other. He turned his head and looked at her appraisingly.
“What?”
He smiled, shaking his head.
“Just didn’t expect that.”
She let out a husky laugh. Looking at him out of the corner of her eye, she grinned.
“Don’t tell me.” She rolled onto her side, and studied him. He was flushed and looking at her like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep her at arms length or bring her closer. Amused with what she found, she walked her fingers up his arm. “Surely you’ve had someone talk dirty to you before.”
He shifted and settled his head into the pillow more comfortably to look at her.
“Not quite the same.” He nodded at her. “Especially when it’s coming from you.” She tried to guess his meaning.
“Because I’m a Princess?” His lips twitched.
“That’s definitely a part of it.”
“And the other part?” He caught her wandering hand in his, slowly shaking his head. “Oh come on!” She propped herself up on her elbow.
“Nope.” She shoved him.
“You’re not gonna tell me?”
“No way.” She moved to straddle him.
“Not even after everything I’ve done for you?” He gave her a look like he didn’t know what she was talking about. “The nice cushy job, all of the reconnecting with your son, saving your life a few times-”
“When have you saved my life recently?” She reared back.
“Is there a time limit for feeling grateful that I’m not aware of?”
“I’m just saying.” He shifted, getting comfortable underneath of her. “We’re pretty even on that point.”
She frowned knowing he was right. He had saved her butt more than once. She glanced around for a rebuttal, and realizing their current lack of clothes she sensed victory.
“Sex whenever you want?” She tried to sound suggestive, but he just laughed.
“Whenever Iiii want?”
“What?” She frowned. He was deflecting and she knew it, but she couldn’t just let it go. “You make it sound like it’s not your choice.”
“Well it’s never entirely been my choice.” She gave him a look. “Timing wise,” he elaborated with a shrug. “You always choose when.”
“We hardly ever see each other. And I don’t want to make a pass at you every time I bump into you in the hallway.”
“Make a pass?” She batted his chest. Of course he would make fun of her terminology.
“Proposition,” she clarified. His lips twitched.
“You proposition me?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. She deflated.
“Well now you’re making it sound like I’m a prostitute.”
“Yeah that’s exactly what I meant,” he said dryly. “You’re just using me for sex.” She scowled.
“Oh don’t act like you aren’t getting anything out of this.” He pouted.
“Nope. No perks at all. I don’t even get to pick the time or place.” Back to that again. He looked very put-upon. She looked at him sideways, before brushing her fingers through his hair. She leaned in close with a smile.
“Well all you have to do is ask, Tin Man.” The corner of his mouth twitched at her switch to sincerity.
“Is that so?” She nodded. “If I had known that, I would have switched shifts a lot sooner.” She stopped scratching his scalp and looked down at him, confused.
“You switched shifts just to be here?” He smiled and pressed into her fingers again.
“Took a double shift, so I could be off now.” He confirmed, humming as she began massaging his temples. She didn’t know what to do with that information. She was warm and fuzzy yet disconcerted. She distracted herself as another thought popped into her head.
“When do you sleep!?” She meant it as lighthearted banter but he seemed to consider it seriously. He opened his eyes and looked to the side, past her, as if the answer would be found on the ceiling.
“I don’t sleep all that much anyway.” Her eyes softened, feeling the mood permanently shift, and her hand trailed down to his jaw.
“Nightmares?” she prompted hesitantly. He didn’t often mention them. Or his time in the suit. She certainly didn’t want to discourage him. His eyes found hers and he shrugged slightly.
“Something like that.” His voice was barely above a whisper. He moved a hand from her waist up to the back of her neck and then threaded his fingers through her hair. She gave him a small smile, eyes flickering with sadness as she pressed into his hand. His hand moved to her face, cupping her jaw. She closed her eyes and sighed, figuring he would change the subject. “Everything is a hologram,” he said quietly.
Her eyes found him with a frown forming on her face. They looked at each other for a long minute before she finally moved. She turned and kissed his palm, just below his thumb.
“Am I a hologram?” She too, barely spoke. He didn’t respond. Slowly his other hand slid up her side to her shoulder and back down again. She kissed the center of his palm and then met his eyes as she pressed her cheek back into his hand. His eyes studied her face.
“Sometimes,” he whispered.
She laid down completely and settled her weight on top of him. Her fingertips grazed from his forehead and back over the top of his head. She considered him for a moment before pressing her lips to his for a few seconds.
His eyes, bluer than she had ever seen them, searched hers when she leaned away. She couldn’t bring herself to maintain eye contact.
“Sorry.” She wasn’t entirely sure what she was apologizing for. She tilted her head down and looked down at his chest before smiling slightly. “No holograms today.” She met his eyes and gave him a tight smile. She shifted to move off of him and to the side. “Or for the rest of the night.”
She settled against his side and rested her head on his chest, wrapping an arm around his waist. He tugged the blankets up higher around them so they were around her shoulders. Both of his arms came to wrap around her and he pressed his cheek to the top of her head. She pressed her nose to his chest and breathed him in and he rubbed his thumb back and forth over her hip as they lapsed into silence.
Eventually his movements stopped and she thought he dozed off as his chest rose and fell evenly. That was until he whispered.
“Not sure a kiss was the best way to prove the hologram point.”
She growled half-heartedly at the mirth she heard in his voice and snuggled into him further.
TMTMTMTMTMTMTMTM
A/N: OH. EM. GEE. For the last two weeks I have only been able to come up with half-chapters. 3 of them. It’s irritating. I would like whole chapters please and thank you. Sorry about the delay. You all have been awesomely patient. Hope you didn’t choke on fluff/randomness.
Also - I’m considering revamping my livejournal to be strictly a “writer’s journal”. Something more dedicated to the behind the scenes of writing these damn chapters. They’d have updates so you know I’m not dead and just frustrated as all hell with Cain. And things like what happened in my A/N last chapter lol. It would be more dedicated to sharing the motivations, inspiration, and reasons behind this happening and not that as well so I’m not explaining it in 4 different PM sessions with people... That sort of thing. I have NO idea if anyone would actually care to read it either. So…any interest out there? Just curious.
Characters: C/DG, possibly everyone else eventually
Timeline: Post eclipse
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: M!!!
Disclaimer: I don’t own Tin Man
Summary: DG proposes a change to the dynamic of her relationship with the Tin Man. Adding a few...benefits...to their friendship
Previous: Just Talking | Logistics | Free Time | Goodmorning
A/N: Apparently I didn’t mention that I too found what happened to me to be unbelievably HILARIOUS. I apologize for the lack of ‘lols.’ Let me assure you that you can feel free to chuckle as well.
TMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTMTM
A few days later found DG getting ready for a Friday night dinner with guests.
“DG ready?” Raw’s voice carried through her door.
“Just a second,” she called, rearranging a curl in her hair for the hundredth time.
Sometimes it was fun to get all fancied up for dinner and other times, like when her hair was giving her trouble, it was just plain bothersome. Luckily tonight’s dinner was just with a few visiting dignitaries and she didn’t need to be in a frivolous ball gown, but it was a dress all the same.
She flowed out of her room as promised, looping her arm in Raw’s as they both turned down the hall.
“And how is Raw today?” she asked, giving her friend a sincere smile. It appeared that only in between engagements was when she was ever really alone with any of her companions. She did miss their company. All four of them, together. Perhaps she could finagle a weekend away for them. She briefly considered a secluded weekend getaway. Maybe not even all four of them.
She pondered finding the free time for both her and the Tin Man and realized it would be quite difficult. He had been away most of the week following that Sunday morning that she snuck out from under his arm. Jeb had been keeping him quite busy out in the city with the Tin Men.
Not that she had gotten to ask where he had been, but she could always tell when he had recently been to see Jeb. He had a slight smile on his face, no doubt from any one of Jeb’s latest antics. The last she had heard about him from Wyatt was that he was attempting to woo a girl. Unfortunately for Jeb, the young woman learned to resist a lot more than most of others while growing up in the Resistance. And according to Wyatt, she was perhaps intent on resisting Jeb in particular just to torment him.
“Raw worn out. Played tag today,” he elaborated with a wry smile. She smiled and tried to refocus on her friend. Raw had become quite the favorite of the palace staff’s children. Somewhat of an appointed-by-force babysitter by the kids, Raw had taken the job in stride.
“That sounds fun. I wish I could play tag with some of my appointments,” she added wistfully. “Then I wouldn’t have to sit through half of them because they’d never catch me.”
“Yes but that means someone else would have to catch you eventually,” Wyatt’s voiced chimed in from around the corner.
“Wyatt!” she greeted him with a smile as he came into view. She hadn’t seen him in three days and was now irrationally glad that she was dressed up for dinner. He looked rushed and was still tugging on the cuffs of his guard uniform as if he had just changed into it. Wasn’t Ernst supposed to be on duty tonight? “Nice of you to grace us with your presence.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re both thrilled to bits at my interruption,” he said dryly, taking her hand as they kissed each other on the cheek as they usually did in greeting.
“Raw missed Cain.” He and Raw put their hands on each other’s shoulder. Raw was good about not putting his hand on people’s skin unless asked for a reading.
“Missed you too, Furball.” He stepped back and held out his hand again. “I’m afraid I have to borrow the Princess for the walk to dinner though.” Raw easily complied, stepping back. “I need to discuss a few things with her before I have to disappear again.”
“Raw will see DG at dinner.” Raw nodded and made his way down the hall ahead of them.
“See you in a minute.” She waved as he left them alone. “Disappear again?” she asked with a frown, looking up at him as he placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Yeah. I’m headed back to Jeb’s tomorrow for a couple of days.” She studied his profile as he guided them down the stairs to the main hall.
“Aaand…?” she prompted him. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye with the smallest hint of a smile.
“Aaaaand I just wanted to say ‘hello’ while I’m here. Catch up on anything that I missed.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure why she was disappointed.
“Oh,” he mocked her. Her eyes narrowed and she elbowed him. He smiled and looked forward again. “So any news?” She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“No, not really,” she said after a moment.
They crossed the foyer to the main dining room in silence.
“I see.” He opened the door for them. DG’s brow furrowed. Was there a point to this conversation? She never did like when people beat around the bush. She tended to just leap over it.
“So are you free later?” While she said it casually and he showed no outward reaction, she could feel him tense under her hand. He arched an eyebrow.
“You know, I just may be.” He sounded intrigued. She nodded thoughtfully.
“I see,” she echoed his earlier indifference. She could tell he was fighting a smile as he pulled out a chair for her. As he pushed it in, he leaned down next to her ear.
“Enjoy your meal, Princess.” A shiver ran down her back and she could only bring herself to smile back at him as he left her at the door and went to stand at his post outside. Perhaps there was a point to it after all.
*************** One hour and a ridiculously long dinner later***************
They collapsed back onto the sheets and lay panting next to each other. He turned his head and looked at her appraisingly.
“What?”
He smiled, shaking his head.
“Just didn’t expect that.”
She let out a husky laugh. Looking at him out of the corner of her eye, she grinned.
“Don’t tell me.” She rolled onto her side, and studied him. He was flushed and looking at her like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep her at arms length or bring her closer. Amused with what she found, she walked her fingers up his arm. “Surely you’ve had someone talk dirty to you before.”
He shifted and settled his head into the pillow more comfortably to look at her.
“Not quite the same.” He nodded at her. “Especially when it’s coming from you.” She tried to guess his meaning.
“Because I’m a Princess?” His lips twitched.
“That’s definitely a part of it.”
“And the other part?” He caught her wandering hand in his, slowly shaking his head. “Oh come on!” She propped herself up on her elbow.
“Nope.” She shoved him.
“You’re not gonna tell me?”
“No way.” She moved to straddle him.
“Not even after everything I’ve done for you?” He gave her a look like he didn’t know what she was talking about. “The nice cushy job, all of the reconnecting with your son, saving your life a few times-”
“When have you saved my life recently?” She reared back.
“Is there a time limit for feeling grateful that I’m not aware of?”
“I’m just saying.” He shifted, getting comfortable underneath of her. “We’re pretty even on that point.”
She frowned knowing he was right. He had saved her butt more than once. She glanced around for a rebuttal, and realizing their current lack of clothes she sensed victory.
“Sex whenever you want?” She tried to sound suggestive, but he just laughed.
“Whenever Iiii want?”
“What?” She frowned. He was deflecting and she knew it, but she couldn’t just let it go. “You make it sound like it’s not your choice.”
“Well it’s never entirely been my choice.” She gave him a look. “Timing wise,” he elaborated with a shrug. “You always choose when.”
“We hardly ever see each other. And I don’t want to make a pass at you every time I bump into you in the hallway.”
“Make a pass?” She batted his chest. Of course he would make fun of her terminology.
“Proposition,” she clarified. His lips twitched.
“You proposition me?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. She deflated.
“Well now you’re making it sound like I’m a prostitute.”
“Yeah that’s exactly what I meant,” he said dryly. “You’re just using me for sex.” She scowled.
“Oh don’t act like you aren’t getting anything out of this.” He pouted.
“Nope. No perks at all. I don’t even get to pick the time or place.” Back to that again. He looked very put-upon. She looked at him sideways, before brushing her fingers through his hair. She leaned in close with a smile.
“Well all you have to do is ask, Tin Man.” The corner of his mouth twitched at her switch to sincerity.
“Is that so?” She nodded. “If I had known that, I would have switched shifts a lot sooner.” She stopped scratching his scalp and looked down at him, confused.
“You switched shifts just to be here?” He smiled and pressed into her fingers again.
“Took a double shift, so I could be off now.” He confirmed, humming as she began massaging his temples. She didn’t know what to do with that information. She was warm and fuzzy yet disconcerted. She distracted herself as another thought popped into her head.
“When do you sleep!?” She meant it as lighthearted banter but he seemed to consider it seriously. He opened his eyes and looked to the side, past her, as if the answer would be found on the ceiling.
“I don’t sleep all that much anyway.” Her eyes softened, feeling the mood permanently shift, and her hand trailed down to his jaw.
“Nightmares?” she prompted hesitantly. He didn’t often mention them. Or his time in the suit. She certainly didn’t want to discourage him. His eyes found hers and he shrugged slightly.
“Something like that.” His voice was barely above a whisper. He moved a hand from her waist up to the back of her neck and then threaded his fingers through her hair. She gave him a small smile, eyes flickering with sadness as she pressed into his hand. His hand moved to her face, cupping her jaw. She closed her eyes and sighed, figuring he would change the subject. “Everything is a hologram,” he said quietly.
Her eyes found him with a frown forming on her face. They looked at each other for a long minute before she finally moved. She turned and kissed his palm, just below his thumb.
“Am I a hologram?” She too, barely spoke. He didn’t respond. Slowly his other hand slid up her side to her shoulder and back down again. She kissed the center of his palm and then met his eyes as she pressed her cheek back into his hand. His eyes studied her face.
“Sometimes,” he whispered.
She laid down completely and settled her weight on top of him. Her fingertips grazed from his forehead and back over the top of his head. She considered him for a moment before pressing her lips to his for a few seconds.
His eyes, bluer than she had ever seen them, searched hers when she leaned away. She couldn’t bring herself to maintain eye contact.
“Sorry.” She wasn’t entirely sure what she was apologizing for. She tilted her head down and looked down at his chest before smiling slightly. “No holograms today.” She met his eyes and gave him a tight smile. She shifted to move off of him and to the side. “Or for the rest of the night.”
She settled against his side and rested her head on his chest, wrapping an arm around his waist. He tugged the blankets up higher around them so they were around her shoulders. Both of his arms came to wrap around her and he pressed his cheek to the top of her head. She pressed her nose to his chest and breathed him in and he rubbed his thumb back and forth over her hip as they lapsed into silence.
Eventually his movements stopped and she thought he dozed off as his chest rose and fell evenly. That was until he whispered.
“Not sure a kiss was the best way to prove the hologram point.”
She growled half-heartedly at the mirth she heard in his voice and snuggled into him further.
TMTMTMTMTMTMTMTM
A/N: OH. EM. GEE. For the last two weeks I have only been able to come up with half-chapters. 3 of them. It’s irritating. I would like whole chapters please and thank you. Sorry about the delay. You all have been awesomely patient. Hope you didn’t choke on fluff/randomness.
Also - I’m considering revamping my livejournal to be strictly a “writer’s journal”. Something more dedicated to the behind the scenes of writing these damn chapters. They’d have updates so you know I’m not dead and just frustrated as all hell with Cain. And things like what happened in my A/N last chapter lol. It would be more dedicated to sharing the motivations, inspiration, and reasons behind this happening and not that as well so I’m not explaining it in 4 different PM sessions with people... That sort of thing. I have NO idea if anyone would actually care to read it either. So…any interest out there? Just curious.