(Untitled)

[not_that_spike]

The sounds are different and the smells are different and the language is different. By now he's used to only hearing female voices; he doesn't really miss the sound of other men but that's mostly because he hasn't had the luxury to miss a hell of a lot of anything. This has been the most perilous part of their travel, getting across the damn ocean

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[not_that_spike]

Kiss me again just like that, and it will tide me over for months.

Yeah, he's starved for her. It's such a temptation to kiss the hell out of her right now, return her favor, but he knows where that's going to want to lead and even though Hero's being a great babysitter, this isn't the time for too many overt demonstrations of desire.

It'll have to wait, and... that's okay, in a way, even if it doesn't necessarily seem fair. Because when they finally do get their moment -- in the rain or not -- it's going to be so damn nice.

Still... the cloak's right there; it covers two really well. But...

No. Not now. Not yet.

Some day.

Soon.

When that kiss is finally over and they're forehead-to-forehead again -- a little breathless, a little flushed, just like a pair of kids on their first date who don't know how far they're allowed to go -- he lets out a small happy sigh. "Here's a little story for you, Slim. Once up on a time, there was this guy who thought he didn't need another damn soul the whole rest of his life. Yeah, he went through the motions of living. Every now and then, he actually did a pretty good job convincing himself that everything was cool, that he liked things the way they were. And then he stumbled into the arms of this beautiful, smart, brave, sexy woman. The very first time their hands touched, he knew he was going to fall for her. Hell, she'd already picked him up when he stumbled. And it ended up being the best damn decision he ever made. He'd go anywhere for her, do anything for her. Follow her from world to world to world and love her a hell of a lot no matter what."

It's been a long time since he had a few minutes for sweet-talk; he's missed that, too. Yeah, it's corny as hell, but so what?

He loves her.

A hell of a lot.

No matter what.

[stbethadettes]

It's been a long time since he gave her an impromptu story like that, and she rests her hands on each of his shoulders.

"This guy sounds like a hell of a romantic. Maybe Paris is right up his alley after all."

Letting her hands move up from his shoulders to rest on either side of his neck, she has to lift her chin for one more kiss. She is feeling better for having said the things she has, and she didn't even really think she had anything to get off her chest.

"We should go back soon."

But she could stand to stay out a little longer.

She could stand to stay out a lot fucking longer, but she'll take what she can get. Once they get to Paris, she might manage to grab a little more time alone with him from time to time.

Or... alone with him and Junior, and she'd be good with that.

[not_that_spike]

She's right: they should go back soon, although Hero's pretty damn good at finding them when she has to. But still, Beth was only supposed to be going out for a walk. Not a walk and an hour's worth of storytelling and supposition, although odds are no woman in their travel group is going to begrudge her as much damn time to herself as she wants.

He'd steal her away if that was possible, but then he'd kind of have no choice but to go back for Junior, and that'd cause a stir if he just waltzed in with his cloak on and took her out of there. Yeah, that would raise a couple eyebrows.

"Yeah. We can go whenever you want."

(Just a couple more minutes.)

"Think of it this way, Slim: in a world full of women with imaginary boyfriends, you've got a real invisible guy by your side." That's something; it makes him grin and at the same time he reaches for that cloak. This isn't the first time he's given a silent blessing -- as much as he ever does that kind of shit -- to Tom for lending him this thing. If they do meet up with Yorick, he'll pick the guy's brain on how the hell he's managed to stay alive and largely unnoticed all this time without a cloak of his own.

And then he'll compliment him on his taste in women.

Yeah, just like that.

"Just one more thing before we go, Beth." With the cloak draped over his arm, he takes both her hands in his. "I never thought I'd go to Paris; the thought never crossed my mind. I can't imagine anyone I'd rather see it with, though." His voice softens and he gives her one of those smiles that's nothing but appreciation. "I love you. I never thought I could love anyone like I love you, and every day I wake up and realize I love you even more. The past couple months haven't been easy, but one thing's never changed: I'm still that guy who stumbled into your arms that day and I haven't regretted it for a red hot second."

This has been... really nice. A rare moment that's pretty relaxed; he could get used to having these again some day.

"You're something else. There may be a world full of women out here, but I only see one." Leaning forward, he kind of has to give her one more kiss and he does. Then it's time for the cloak; he disappears into it but reaches for her hand.

Invisible or not, she's stuck with him... to the ends of the universe and back.

[stbethadettes]

She does roll her eyes affectionately, but she can't help grinning. And when she feels his hand, she lets her own close around it.

"I love you, too."

She hadn't said it yet -- she's always slower to say it -- but it's no less true now than it's ever been.

Her hand doesn't let go of his until they get much closer to joining the group again, and when she steps back inside to discover a barely sleepy baby still awake and playing with an indulgent Auntie Hero, she smiles all over again to see Junior's arms held out for her almost immediately.

It's pretty fucking great to feel wanted.