Pictures in the Dark

[formidable]

General PSL/FUNBOX post for aurajen and formidable. Lots of OC shenanigans. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

Comments

[dilatory]

[If there's one thing universal about most men, it's that words like those are often going to be encouragement enough. He's not sure what it is, but her murmurs are enough to ensure him that he's doing something right, and his kisses become less timid, his lips lowering a little to her collarbone proper.

He wants to enjoy the moment a bit longer, shoving aside his self-consciousness. He always wants to gauge her reaction, felt so easily when she's this close to him.]

[infusion]

Ah...!

[That gives Iona a start and a jolt and with his lips on her collarbone, she makes a noise, but it's muffled as if she's trying to hide her embarrassment, or she's just trying to not be unnecessarily noisy. Her cheeks are VERY flushed, but despite that she remains close to Michael, letting him continue. She'll pull back when she thinks it's enough, but for now this is fine. Good even. Better than good.

She'll even move slightly so that he has more room to explore.]

[dilatory]

[The sound she makes, as muffled as it is, is only further encouragement. He's tempted to break the kiss to look up at her expression, but for now, he decides against it, shifting his weight slightly to move up her neck, along her jawline now. He catches the scent of her hair as he does so, his hands moving from her shoulders to her back.

He breathes out a question somewhere in-between his kisses:] Is this okay?

[He could guess the answer for himself, as her body language could just as easily tell him. Has he grown bold enough to ask such a question in a teasing manner? Or is he asking just to be certain? Maybe both? Difficult to tell, in moments like these.]

[infusion]

[She's smiling and she lets out a chuckle when she hears his question. She grants him a nod.]

More than okay. You're wonderful.

[Iona takes the chance to kiss him on the lips again, rewarding him for his effort and bravery. She pulls back to brush some of her hair behind her ear.]

At this rate, I'll really be tempted to stay here forever.

[dilatory]

[He leans back against the couch after the kiss, straightening and looking at her with a smile. His face is still flush, but at least he appears to be having an enjoyable time. He gives her shoulder a little squeeze before dropping his hand to the side.]

Well, like I said, you can stay for however long you want. This apartment could do for some company once in awhile.

[Until recently, he's rarely had visitors.]

[infusion]

And what strange company you've been getting.

[She does him a favor by getting off and sitting next to Michael again.]

You really have kept to yourself for a while haven't you?

[dilatory]

[He looks at her, furrowing his brow in consideration.]

Yeah. I mean, my family doesn't live out here, and it's not like my apartment is really big enough to host a bunch of people over or anything.

[Which really, is mostly an excuse and nothing else. It's not like he couldn't squeeze in two or three people without much trouble; it's just that he's too used to being withdrawn and isolated.]

[infusion]

[That reminds her, she meant to ask...]

Did you tell your parents about... Well, did you mention anything about us yet? Or that's been on the down low too?

[dilatory]

[He reaches up to rub at the back of his neck.]

Er, no. Not yet. I was thinking, maybe, that I should call soon and get them kind of caught up on what's been going on in my life.

You know, minus all the... unusual stuff.

[infusion]

Yeah... The usual stuff is probably going to give them a heart attack and a bad impression to boot.

[Iona feels a little self-conscious when thinking of the possibility of being known to his family. It's... Weird. And she and Oren will probably have to tread delicately, especially for Michael's sake and theirs.]

Think they'll be surprised?

[dilatory]

Probably. I mean, I really haven't dated anyone since the beginning of college. And even then, it wasn't anything, you know... more than a couple of dates.

[infusion]

[Iona's quiet for a second and then leans against his arm once more, much more relaxed and much more serene.]

Well, call them when you can okay? It'd be nice to let them know you're alright right now.

[dilatory]

[He nods.]

Don't worry. I haven't exactly been good about it in the past, but I can at least do that much.