All is for the best in this....

[terry_cassidy]

Cassidy Keep gets lovelier every day, from the gardens to the great hall. Her friends and family circulate between its rooms and grounds in a neverending cascade.

Old friends, new friends ... and best of all, teammates.

"Berto!" she greets the Brazilian with a smile. "How are you?"

Comments

[ponto_do_sol]

"Alto vermelho!" His typical grin crosses his face as he scoops her up for a big hug, no simple smile was greeting enough for him.

"Nice place you have here. You trying to make me feel bad about my place in Rio?"

No, he's not letting go.

[terry_cassidy]

"Saints, would I do that?" she teases back. "At least we've proper seasons here! Tell me you'll join us for Christmas."

[ponto_do_sol]

He sighs, looking upwards.

"Well, let me think about that....I don't know...Christmas is so busy for me....Jessica Alba invited me to Sweden after all..."

Of course his fingers are lacing together behind her back.

[terry_cassidy]

Terry scoffs. "Sweden. What's in Sweden? Wouldn't ye rather have a holiday here?"

She isn't fighting his embrace.

[wadewilson]

Suddenly, a figure cuts a striking silhouette in the doorway.

"Careful now, Da Costa," comes that sultry smoothed-over gravel of his voice.

"I don't think I like the way you're eyeballing my sweet baboo."

[terry_cassidy]

"Wade!" She jumps to her feet and runs over to the doorway. "You're back early, love. How was Costa Rica?"

Oh, she's missed him. But a warm embrace and a kiss or six will help make up for that.

[ponto_do_sol]

That voice might do something for Terry, but it only stiffens Berto's spine, makes him instantly cross his arms and puts a hint of jealousy into his eyes.

She's happy, though. He can't deny that. He'd just much rather that it was with someone a bit more...not Wade. Still, like the rest of them, he promised to try to see what she does. So far so good, but he, like the rest of them, has his reservations.

He doesn't defend himself or make hollow excuses. They'd be a lie anyway, so what would be the point. He just watches the reunion silently, ready to leave if things get a bit too warm. Maybe the stables wouldn't be a bad idea after all.

[wadewilson]

The kisses are deep - those of a couple crazy about each other, and kept apart far too often.

In fact, she'll have to be the one to remember she has guests, and thus, they should show a modicum of decorum.

[marvel_citizens]

Brightwing's actually sharing a stable without frightening the other horses. Sometimes, Dani wants to just move in here.

For the horse.

Honest.

Nothing to do with the gorgeous weather or the sexy accents or the cooking. Oh, yes, the cooking.

No, no, just thinking of what's best for Brightwing. Honest.

[ponto_do_sol]

He's been leaning against a post watching her for a little while before one of the horses gives him away, snorting at him as the little mare's nose stretches towards him in a desperate search for a treat. He gives the mare a look to wither grass before turning his attention back to Dani.

"Keep this up, pele da sombra, and soon you'll be eating grass and oats."

[marvel_citizens]

She breaks into a wide smile at the sound of his voice.

Berto.

Her heart skips a beat before she forces the smile into her a subdued, friendly expression.

"We've eaten worse. There were times with the New Mutants when you would've broken Brightwing's leg just for a horse steak."

[ponto_do_sol]

He takes the last few steps towards the stall she's working on, shoving at the mare's nose as she decides his hair looks good enough...or maybe she's just pissed he doesn't actually have a treat for her.

"Sure, but then you'd have taken a crop to us for even thinking it."

His brows lift a little bit and he points at her then scritches the tip of his nose.

[wadewilson]

It's dark, up in Theresa's room. The only lights are from the warm fire in the fireplace, and what the moon will allow in through the window.

It's often like this, after they've welcomed each other home for a few hours.

Peaceful.

Serene.

They don't even need to talk sometimes. Being near each other is enough.

It's been a long while since either of them said anything. His finger still traces through her hair, sometimes just gazing into her eyes. Sometimes just gazing at the ceiling if she dozes.

Every once in a while, one of them will say something like this.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

[terry_cassidy]

"I'm the lucky one."

The traditional response.

She turns and props herself up on one elbow, looking at him. "Penny, love."

[wadewilson]

"Price went up. I need two pennies now," comes the quip.

[terry_cassidy]

"I could offer ye two kisses," she bargains.

[wadewilson]

His head bows, and he looks back down to the photo album.

That first picture - it's no longer him making that rude gesture to the camera.

It's an image of Wade's face, and the expression he had the very first time she saw him unmasked.

Scared and harried. Nervous and angry. Terrified and desperate.

[terry_cassidy]

She starts rubbing his shoulders, not paying attention to his gaze. "Why don't you stretch out, let me give you a proper back rub?" she suggests. "You're so tense, love."

[wadewilson]

He's slow to respond, but he nods.

"That sounds good," he whispers, before untangling from her and stretching out, lying on his chest.

"Maybe that's the problem. Still need to unwind after Costa Rica."

[terry_cassidy]

"My poor Wade." She plants a kiss between his shoulder blades. "Maybe next time I should go with you?" Without waiting for his answer, she leans over to the bedside table and grabs the bottle of massage lotion. Time to work out the knots in his back again....

Not that she minds taking care of him. He does the same for her, after all. He can be so kind and gentle ... being cherished by him is quite an experience.