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Post by Orfeo on Jul 22, 2019 21:13:02 GMT -5
For the third time in the last ten minutes, Heathen checked his watch. He had expected the time to have jumped forward a whole half hour, and yet again he found himself in a state of surprise when the hand hadn’t even ticked forward a couple of minutes.
His eyes roamed around the bedroom, looking at every piece of furniture and every corner of the room while sitting at the edge of the bed – barely sitting; had it not been for his feet supporting most of his weight, Heathen would have fallen already.
The room was spotless; the cleanest it had been for a long, long time. Heathen personally made sure of it. The rugs had been vacuumed; the walls were washed of stains and grime; the white bed sheets were cleaned and had been meticulously set so that not even the smallest wrinkle could be seen; and every countertop, vase, lamp, and whatever other object was out and visible had been dusted not once nor twice, but three times.
It was a state of being that mirrored the rest of Fallyn’s home: cleaned and tidied up. It almost gave the impression that nobody actually lived here for quite a while. It was immaculate, but it still wasn’t perfect.
Heathen wasn’t one to obsess over something as insignificant as the state of his home – he wasn’t one to obsess, period. Yet it all started just the night before, sometime while they were preparing their dinner. He remembered how, like the flip of a switch, he’d gone from relaxed and laid back to tense and nervous. Fallyn, casual as could be, had asked him if he had some nice clothes cleaned and ironed out. Nothing too fancy – more like for a semi-formal get-together.
“Why?” he had questioned, his curiosity taken. She turned with a small smile and gave him the simple reply that her family was coming to visit for dinner at their home.
They wanted to see her, and they wanted to meet the man she’d only ever talked about over the phone.
Family, like mother and father? He had to clarify, already confused and already wondering if he really did have some nice clean clothes. Fallyn shrugged all the while cubing a half an onion and stated that it could be just her parents, or it could be more people. The truth was that she wasn’t sure at all. She’d forgotten to ask. All she knew for certain was that her family was coming over for dinner and that they would be here the following night.
This was the source of his obsession. Heathen got up way too early and got to cleaning the house. Together they planned what meal they’d be having and what ingredients they’d have to buy, and while Fallyn went out to buy what they needed Heathen was busy cleaning the rugs and washing the sheets. Was anyone in her family vegetarians? But, no. Why would they be? They were werewolves. And what if they asked him questions of a past that he couldn't even remember properly? What then?
These preparations and inane questions absolutely dominated his day.
Now? The only think that was worth doing was to wait. Her family was going to be here in the next half hour, and if they were anything like Fallyn then punctual was probably one of their more well-known traits.
Tired of sitting and waiting, Heathen stood and turned to look toward the bathroom. She was in there, behind the closed door, probably getting some makeup on or fixing up her hair. Over and over she told him not to worry about this little event. Her family was nice, and as a matter of fact they would probably more nervous about meeting him than he was of her. Before he knew it, they'd be gone and it would just be the two of them. Things would be fine.
The sentiment was appreciated, but not exactly believed.
He paced toward the bathroom, stopping only to look at the reflection of himself in the mirror on a wall. He’d buttoned up a white dress shirt up save for the two buttons that started from the neck down. It was form fitting, but not tight. He squared off his shoulders and straightened out his back then tilted up his chin. Much like his shirt, the slacks he wore had been ironed and fitted him just as well. He had forgotten to polish his shoes, but it wasn’t something he was ready to stress about, not when it was so late. Heathen had insisted on a tie, but she shut him down quick.
“Semi-casual,” she repeated, even though he looked just about ready for a job interview.
With a couple more steps he was by the bathroom door. He could hear her on the other side; probably not as well as she could hear him, but that’s a fact he’d grown used to by now.
“Hey, Fall?” He reached up and placed a hand on the door, then sighed. What else was there to say? He’d already bothered her all day and all of last night with technicalities and nervousness and a plethora of questions that were more than likely unnecessary. What were his own insecurities but just another one of his annoying questions?
Heathen let out a shaky breath and pulled the hand close to his chest, continuing to speak just moments after he had started. “I’m gonna be in the kitchen, just to make sure that everything is good and, you know, tasty.” He pulled back from the door. “Don’t be too long. They’re going to be here soon.” But she already knew that better than he ever would.
Opening the door to their bedroom brought a cascade of wonderful smells. One of the few things he was happy with tonight. A dinner of seared steak finished off in an oven until it was juicy and tender, seasoned with a number of herbs and spices to give it a distinctly rustic taste. A red wine sauce would complement the meat. What wine was left that they had used for cooking he’d turned into a reduction for a set of roasted vegetables – cooked to the point that they’d still be crisp when bite down into, but still hot and with a savory taste for the palate.
It might have seemed pretentious, but Heathen was proud of their cooking. If anything was going to win him points, this was it.
So, he smiled a little, sighed, and leaned against the kitchen counter once he got there, his back to the bedroom door. For the rest of the half hour wait – which in truth was nearer to fifteen minutes before they were supposed to arrive – Heathen settled his thoughts on the food in front of him.
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Post by Ventia on Aug 1, 2019 18:32:21 GMT -5
Today was the day.
Her mother had called her just last week to tell her that it had been way too long since she's seen her youngest and that the family was coming over for a visit. Fallyn was a child of three, her being the youngest while her brother was the oldest. However it was her sister who was the one with children: five of them. Although three were pass their teens and in the young adult part of their lives. The other two were recent she had learned, being under the age of ten.
Fallyn herself hadnt met them yet. She wondered if Zoey would be bringing them along if she decided to come. She had asked her mother who was going to come but her mother had ignored her question on the phone and prattled on about family and how it was important to be involved in each others lives. Fallyn had listened, apologized, and welcomed any who wished to come. Her mother, having gotten the response she wanted, told her that she'll see her at seven, one week from now. Then Ilona told her daughter that she loved her and hanged up, leaving Fallyn alone with the knowledge that her family was coming over.
She decided to not to say anything to Heathen for that week, she knew he would freak and get nervous when he really shouldn't have. It was her family, not the President or something. So she had waited until the last day and casually mentioned over dinner. Fallyn remembered the sight of his eyes widening just a little, taken aback. He had food in his mouth at that moment and she watched, humored, as he struggled to swallow the piece of meat and then once he had nothing blocking his mouth, came the questions.
She had knew his reaction would be like this and was amused, her eyes had lit up and for a moment she wanted to tease him but no. So Fallyn reassured him that all was alright and that no, she didnt know who was coming but it would fine. It was a family visit, he had nothing to worry about.
It wasnt no surprise when she woke up in the middle of the morning to find his spot in bed empty. She listened then, to the sounds of someone tidying up, and then went back to bed-a smile on her face.
Now she was in the bathroom, fidgeting with her hair and looking at herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked back at her and she could hear footsteps coming closer. She listened, quiet, as Heathen called out to her. She hummed loud enough for him to hear, letting him know she was listening.
"It smells divine so I'm sure it'll taste plenty tasty." She said as she curled one red lock of hair around her finger and added, "I'll just be a minute."
She decided on a white dress tonight and just now realized that it was the same dress she wore on her first date with Heathen. She even had white lace undergarments again and smiled just a bit to herself at the thought of that day. Like that day, she let her hair loose, its wavy locks curling slightly down her back, some curlier than others, other more wavy, it flowed down to her hips. She wore light makeup, some eyeliner, some mascara, and lip gloss. Instead of heels, she wore white sandals that she could easily take off and walk barefoot around the house.
Fallyn gave herself another look and then left the bathroom, went past the bedroom and paused once she saw Heathen. She wondered if he was fretting about the food again, but it smell even better by being closer and her mouth watered just a little. She was hungry and was quite happy that they would soon serve dinner.
But she had a few minutes before anyone would come, and she loved being alone with Heathen. Fallyn moved from the door, his back was to her and although she was quiet, she knew he could sense her. Yet he didnt turn and Fallyn reached for his arm, fingers brushing cloth and she missed the heat of his bare skin.
"What are you brooding over now?" She asked, pushing herself close to Heathen, her chest to his arm, her stomach to the side of his body, her thighs pressing to his hip and upper thigh, snuggled like this Fallyn could now feel his warmth. Like a kitten, she snuggled closer, rubbing a little here and there, and stared up at him, adoration in her gaze.
"Are you a little nervous?" Fallyn's voice went low, a little hint of lust filled the air just then, coming mostly from her.
"I know a few tricks that'll calm you down Heathen." She drew out his name, savored it, and gave him a sly look upwards, rocking a little against him, her body silently demanding attention as she waited for his reaction.
"We could," she added as a afterthought, smiling now wide to herself, "go downstairs to the basement for a few minutes or so..."
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Post by Orfeo on Aug 1, 2019 22:24:35 GMT -5
Fallyn was the quietest person in his life. She walked on air when around him - he was sure she did the same even when alone. The few times he could hear her approach were the times that she wore heels, making the unmistakable audible clack unavoidable. Fallyn had made the conscious effort of teaching him more about how to live like she did. Enhanced touch, smell, taste, and hearing was part of that life. What came naturally for her was difficult for him, even after so long since the first shift. She had the patience of a saint. For that, he was thankful. She made it key to note that he should be more aware of his surroundings and taught him a couple of tricks along the way. At least it made it a little easier to know when she was near.
It was more like he was aware of a presence; the best way Heathen could describe it was being in the same room as a ghost. He wasn't physically aware of Fallyn up until the moment that she was standing beside him - by then, she had practically wrapped herself around his body.
"Brooding?" He echoed softly, turning only his head to look down at her. It gave him pause to see that strongly contrasting red of her hair against the pure white of the dress. There was no way to describe it, other than it being beautiful. He collected himself, flashed her a small smile, and continued; "No, no. Not brooding. Just thinking about..." And what had he been thinking about? "a couple of things." Too many things to list right now, many of them questions he had already asked.
There wasn't sense in prodding her mind anymore either. Whatever he would have wanted to know her family and their habits, he'd learned about from her. Any info she might have left out he'd learn from the arrivals sooner or later.
A meek smile twisted his lips. Even with the two being alone, Fallyn's suggestion felt awfully private. He turned his head away to hide his quickly growing grin, stifled a small bout of laughter, and then finally turned again so he could properly regard her. The purple eyes looked especially bright tonight. Maybe it was just how she'd done her makeup; maybe there was more than met the eye. Like the rest of her, they were distracting in all the right ways.
"I am a little nervous," he admitted in a soft voice, unable to do anything but hold her close to his body, "and that's a dangerously tempting offer."
Standing face to face now, Heathen silently brought a hand around and gently pressed it against the small of her back. "But you know me and I know you. One of us, not naming names here, likes to get a little greedy." Holding her by her back, he reached with his other hand and lightly rubbed his thumb against the side of her neck. She had silk skin, muscles seemingly devoid of tension or strain.
"And that beautiful dress?" he continued not a moment after, momentarily pulling back to unabashedly ogle her body. To Heathen, it fit her form perfectly. The dress accentuated all her curves and molded her into a figure he could only have ever conceived in his dreams. "Wouldn't want to get it all wrinkled up before your family gets here, yeah? We need to look our best, Princess."
His two hands moved again. The one on her back shifted even lower, lightly rubbing up and down the curve of her spine. His other hand, which up until now had been teasing her nape, now cupped one of her warm cheeks. He flashed her an innocent smile, reaching with his thumb to rub her brow, as if he was wiping away a bead of water from her skin. His touch was soft, as if her were handling a porcelain doll.
There he stared, for a moment once more. No more than a second at best, but to Heathen it felt like his gaze had lingered for longer.
"Talking about looking our best," he smiled wide again, a small blush forming on his cheeks while his fingers played with Fallyn's hair, following the twists and twirls of her curling hair, "you're perfect." Like the night of their first date, and the second, and third, and every other time the two of them had gone out. How many times was it now that he'd said those exact words to her? He hoped the sincerity wasn't being lost to her.
Heathen pressed up against her, one leg snaked between her thighs, her body up close to his chest. What little pretense of innocence there was fell away on his part as the hand on her back fell on her ass. To his credit, he didn't linger for long. He groped her cheek and gave her a mild spank - that was tame for him. Heathen followed up with a small kiss against the top of her head, then followed with another teasing peck against her lips, smiling all the way through. He brought his head back a little, again to get another look at her, but he didn't dare let go. His heart beat hard against his ears, his breathing quickened, but he wasn't going to let go yet.
What little his fractured memories could forge up from before he woke up in her arms, it was the memory of what it was like being around her when he was just Heathen. The Heathen that hadn't been turned and didn't have much in the camp of "special" going on for him. If it was wonderful back then, the feeling was euphoric today. Another reason to keep her close for as long as possible.
"Just don't leave me alone with them for too long, yeah? I'll think I have it under control, then I'll stumble into my words; end up saying something that won't make much sense. Don't want to ramble too long and -" Heathen forced himself to pause. "Uh... yeah. You get it. It'd be helpful if you introduced them as they arrive. You know how I am with names and faces - a little reminder won't hurt."
He went down for another soft kiss to her lips. "I'm nervous, but things are going to be alright with you here." Heathen grinned. "Imagine their faces if they walked in on us wrapped around each other like this."
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Post by Ventia on Aug 9, 2019 19:44:59 GMT -5
"Brooding." She agreed instantly, a little smile tugged on her lips and Fallyn couldn't bring in her to hide it, so she smiled just a little as she watched Heathen. His reaction? Just like all his reactions when they spent just a little time away from each other tugged at her heart. That smile widen when he gave her one and Fallyn felt some butterflies in her stomach. Even now, he still gave her butterflies. She loved it.
"You're always thinking." she told him but the way she said it made it seem like she didn't mind. And Fallyn honestly didn't because Heathen ended up thinking for the both of them about things that Fallyn wouldn't remember or care to much to do. Plus Heathen was adorable when he was lost in thought or panicking over the house being clean enough or if the food was tasty. It was a plus plus situation.
She nodded, feeling just a little nervous herself because well it had been a while. But it was her family and she missed them and she wanted to introduce Heathen into the family-it was way past time. She giggled a little at his comment, "Very tempting." Fallyn hummed, enjoying his warmth as he held her close. She could have stayed in his arms for entirety and be satisfied.
His hand was warm against her back now and Fallyn frowned at him a bit, a pursed look on her face. "I'm not greedy, you're greedy." But then Heathen was touching her and she paused for a moment to enjoy his touch against her skin. Fallyn loved the feel of his hands against her throat and she curled into it a little, exposing her throat more. A small telltale sign of her submissiveness towards him. Not that she didn't like to dominate him either but she liked being dominated too.
When he pulled back to look at her, she stayed where she was, looking back with bright violet eyes, and promptly blushed at how he stared at her. For a moment, Fallyn thought she was naked with how he looked at her with such voracity. As if she were the most beautiful thing in existence. A lazy smile spread across Fallyn's face, "We do, don't we? And it would be a shame if the food went cold."
She added, a little slow, as she enjoyed his touch along her body. Heat followed Heathen's fingers, sliding against her cheek, back and forth across her back, making her want to purr and rub up against him. Her fingers were pressed against each side of him, holding on as he did whatever he wanted to her. Feather like touches that sent exciting shivers all through her. She really should have woken up earlier and gotten Heathen out of her system for the evening.
"Hmm?" She said, a little distracted from his touch, and glanced up at his face. At his eyes. She was captivated by Heathen's chocolate brown eyes, always has been. She saw his blush next and her heart skipped a beat. He had called her perfect and looking in his eyes, Fallyn felt perfect. She shuddered before he moved closer and shuddered again at his leg between her thighs, heat closing around her.
She sighed into him, her arms wrapping around his waist where she resisted the urge to untuck the shirt and press her hands into the shirt and feel his skin on hers. Although hugging him as he fondled her was at the top of the list as well. Fallyn jumped a little at the smack, a soft accusing "Heathen!" came out of her lips automatically but she had grinned widely for a heartbeat, pleased not offended. A little too pleased, as always.
Fallyn leaned into the peck, making it last a little longer and pulled away so she could regard him now. She gave him a little look and then laughed a bit, "I'll try my best baby although I'm sure you're be fine as long as you're yourself." She hugged him again, just because she could and she wanted to. Fallyn breathed in his scent, let it roll through her, and listened to him again. When he was done speaking, she nodded, and lifted a little to meet his lips.
"You'll be fine, hush." She kissed him as he grinned down at her, loving his smile and joining it. "It would be a fun story to tell later on." She mused, her arms still wrapped around him, their lips only a fraction apart. "They'll never let you live it down, that's for sure." She closed the distance and kissed him, not a peck like he was teasing her with, no, she wanted a kiss.
Her lips parted against his a little bit and she licked his lower lip, getting just a hint of his taste. It was then that she could hear a engine's purr in the background, getting louder with each passing second. Within moments she could hear tires scrapping against the road and then another engine sound, a little rumble and then car door's opening and closing.
They were here.
Sadly. She licked Heathen's lips again before stepping down from her tippy-toes. Her breath a little catchy as she hummed in his arms. "They're here."
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Post by Orfeo on Aug 11, 2019 18:09:30 GMT -5
Very little needed to be said for them to understand one another. That's how Heathen understood their almost symbiotic relationship. With few words and a couple of expressions, Fallyn seemed to understand his worries and moved to work on them. By this point he wasn't sure if what they did was intentional or instinct, but he didn't mind it either way. She listened, she reacted, and she spoke. If she weren't here, now, then he'd probably be having a harder time getting himself together.
He wanted to protest when she told him to hush; to tease her a little more, and to continue their little verbal bout, but Fallyn knew him too well it seemed, and knew just how to keep him quiet. She held his undivided attention as she spoke, her soft breath against his lips reminding him that he really was alive and awake and this wasn't all some kind of dream. It was real. He held Fallyn in his hands almost as support as she got on the tips of her toes, mesmerized, and moved to close that insignificant distance between the two of them as a short shot of electricity coursed from her tongue to his lips.
Right now she was holding him by strings. He didn't consciously realized it. Like a puppet master controlling a marionette with her fingers. Fallyn could have told him to lie down and bark and he probably would have made some attempt at it. His only other want was to reply to her soft comments, but even that was beat down by his own desire to simply take her in and enjoy this moment for as long as he could.
He'd so easily become so engrossed in her, he didn't hear her family approaching until after Fallyn had told him they'd arrived. "Mm. Yeah," he murmured casually, his eyes only widening a little as her words sunk in. The world around them rushed back into focus in the snap of a finger: the boiling pots in the kitchen; a gentle ticking of the oven's timer nearing its end; footsteps crunching gravel outside, coming closer to the front door.
"O-Oh. Oh!" He almost yelled, eyes wide as grabbed his girlfriend by the shoulders and looked at her dead in the eyes with a seriousness that wasn't all there just moments before. "You mean... you mean your family." Parents, siblings, and maybe others. Fallyn didn't make it all clear on who exactly was coming along for the dinner. "Fallyn they're here!" he exclaimed in a hushed shout that rang with a mix of different emotions, reiterating her comment as if he had been the one to have made the initial observation.
His heart hammered hard, but he couldn't help that feeling of exhilarating excitement that gave him a wide toothy grin, and yet his brows furrowed in what was best described as worry, and his eyes held and unsure look about them, but he moved quickly and with purpose . There was newfound vigour to every bounding step.
The food was ready, the table was set, and they'd be greeted to the cleanest home they'd probably ever see in their lives. Heathen had gone over this one part of the house a dozen times and yet he still felt the need to give it a quick glance once again. A couple of his paintings hung on the walls as decoration, placed up there at Fallyn's behest despite his apprehension. The flowers were all watered. The windows were cleaned. Curtains were drawn. Heathen's eyes darted to and fro as he went through that mental checklist he made this morning.
A loud ring rang through the home, cutting his list-taking in half. He looked quickly to Fallyn but his body moved before he could think, and made a beeline for the front door. He only paused briefly to breathe and to straighten out his back and lift his chin up high.
With squared off shoulders, Heathen loosed the bolts to the door, opened it, and blindly stuck his right hand out to the first person unfortunate enough to be closest to the door.
"Hi! I'm Heathen. Fallyn's... Boyfriend." Tense and rigid, but the smile he held was as genuine as the excitement taking control of his body.
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Post by Ventia on Aug 13, 2019 13:07:38 GMT -5
She thought it would take a second longer for Heathen to realize what she had said but his eyes had widened only a mere second after she had spoke, and she pursed her lips, a little disappointed that he hadn't taken longer than she had thought. It was stupid she supposed but then again, it reminded her of that slight difference of him, of Heathen being more sharp minded.
Fallyn's disappointed faded into amusement with his exclamation shout and she giggled at the crazed look that shown through his gaze. "I know!" she exclaimed, raising her voice a little to match his high pitch, smiling at him. She would have jumped up and down like a kid but she thought that would throw him off his game which she wouldn't do right now but Fallyn would tease him about his behavior later on, privately and in bed.
Heathen was adorable when he was excited, especially when there was a bit of hysteria in that excitement. Fallyn watched as he looked all around the room, as if mentally checking off items off his list, she could almost hear him thinking. Food? All set. Is it clean enough? Check. She watched him look at the walls and Fallyn frowned, looking at his paintings. Are the paintings ok? ...check? She laughed to herself and heard the door bell.
Their eyes met and Fallyn took one step but Heathen was already halfway towards the door, the sight caused another giggle to escape her. She tried to keep it under-wraps, not wanting to have a laughing fit the second her family comes in, but if Heathen kept acting so adorably panicky she might not make it to the door.
She stifled the next giggle that tried to come out when he opened the door and she saw a little girl, pause and stare up at Heathen, her head going up slowly and slowly until she found his face.
Nora's mouth opened a bit, finally seeing the giant's face, and then her head came back down, but not that down because the hand was about a foot above her head. She peeked around the man and saw another person, her Aunt she was told, and from the pictures she was showed, it was her.
"Momma, we're here." She called to her momma that was still by the cars and turned to the man again. "Hi! I'm Nora, I'm six." Footsteps came up behind her and Nora turned to see her grandparents.
"I'm Fallyn's father, Walter, its about time we met you." Walter reached over Nora's head to shake Heathen's hand while at the same time, Ilona frowned at her husband and added just a breath after he spoke, to Heathen.
"We've been dying to see just who our dear Fall has been cooped up with these days and I must say Heathen," She smiled, patting Nora's head and giving her the go signal which was shooing her inside the house, and continuing all in one breath, "You've been holding out. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Fallyn's mother, my name is Ilona, yes you can call me Ilona, that's fine, no need for a Mrs. Caine, we're practically family now. This is my husband Walter, he's harmless, dont worry, that was Nora, she's my other daughter's daughter, her forth one actually, Zoey's getting Remy out of the car but she'll be here in a giffy." Ilona breathed, looked past Heathen and saw her daughter.
Her heart tightened a little and Ilona smiled, wide.
At the same time, Nora was introducing herself to Fallyn.
Fallyn's heart squeezed at the sight of the little girl with red wavy hair and violet eyes, Nora she had said, and Fallyn listened to her mother speak, knowing she had to go save Heathen now but...Nora was just too distracting to do just that.
"Do you know who I am?" She asked, her mom still speaking, and Nora nodded.
"Momma showed us your pictures, you're Aunty Fall right?" Nora asked, watching her with big eyes. Big lavender eyes that made Fallyn weak in her knees. Fallyn's hand absentmindedly went to her stomach and she nodded at the little girl.
Nora smiled and went off to the living room, towards the inviting couches and Fallyn slowly approached the door, finally looking up and seeing her mother staring at her, smiling at her.
"Mom." She breathed, saw a look flash past her mother's gaze, and found it easier to exhale. "Mom!" She repeated, happiness flooding her now, that moment of sorrow gone. She made it to Heathen who was shaking her father's hand and she looked towards Walter.
"Dad!" She exclaimed, to which he let Heathen go and Fallyn stepped forward and ended up in her mother's arms. The scent of lilies filled her nose and Fallyn found herself closing her eyes and just hugging her mother. It had been so long now. So much had happened. She hadnt realized how much she had missed them up until this very moment.
Tears burned at her eyes and she hugged her mother a little harder, the lily scent so peaceful and familiar-so safe. She laughed a bit and pulled away, tears in her eyes, and in her mother's as well. "How have you been?" Fallyn breathed, turning to her father who was watching her with hooded eyes.
"Oh Dad!" She shook her head and wiped the tears away. "Happy tears!" she reminded and hugged her mother again just because she could. Then her mother let her go and she hugged her father.
"Really? Couldn't have done this in the house? Hurry up please, this baby-seat is heavy." A annoyed voice came from the back and Fallyn pulled away from her father and saw Zoey in the back, a car-seat in her hand, a smile on her face despite the earlier tone in her voice.
Their eyes met and Fallyn stuck her tongue out at her sister and hugged her father once more before stepping back to Heathen, smiling wide now, and moved out of the way while also raising a hand towards the inside of the house welcoming them in.
"Come on in then, Heath, this is my mom, Ilona which she really doesn't mind if you call her by her name, and my father, Walter." She turned to her parents, "Mom, Dad, you can go join Nora on the couches if you want."
They entered the house and Zoey followed them in, while Ilona and Walter stayed close to Fallyn and Heathen, Zoey bypassed them all, smiling at Heathen as she passed him. "Sorry, sorry, heavy." She apologized sweetly, making her way towards Nora, and placing the car-seat on the floor gently.
"That's Zoey, she's my older sis." Fallyn told Heathen by the door and then glanced outside, then back towards her family. "Is that all?"
Ilona turned from looking at the house when Fallyn spoke and nodded, a smile on her face. "For now, Jace is running a little late but he said he'll show up soon. And I must say, it's a very beautiful house and something smells so good." She breathed in the air and turned her gaze towards Heathen and then back at Fallyn, then back to Heathen to which she decided she'd stay on.
"Heathen, it really is a pleasure to finally meet you. Thank you for having us over for dinner, it's much appreciated."
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Post by Orfeo on Aug 14, 2019 20:42:56 GMT -5
Heathen expected the whole family to have already been standing by the door but being so caught up in the anxiety and excitement, he didn’t stop to think of what he was doing. His hand to the open air, all he could do is feel like an idiot as he watched Fallyn’s parents still walking toward him, a few ways off from the front door.
He must have looked like a fool. The little voice below got his attention. “Hi… Hi Nora.” Heathen gulped. They must have sent her up ahead, or maybe she just rushed to the door in excitement much like he had. Heathen near almost started to introduce himself again, but once more he was caught off guard as a strong hand clasped his own for a shake. Walter was a tall man, right about Heathen’s own height. Right away he could tell that this was a man who had a whole life of experiences under his belt. His own handshake felt weak compared to Walter’s and it wasn’t for any lack of attempt. With the way Walter spoke, Heathen couldn’t outwardly tell if he should have been happy or concerned at his exclamation. For one, though, he was right – it was about time that they should meet one another. The benign assault of words and attention by both Walter and Ilona forced him to only nod and smile with his heart at his throat and a tightly-wounded ball of knots in the pit of his stomach. But something in him did tighten when Ilona said that they were practically family. Heathen couldn’t describe the feeling well enough and didn’t really understand it either, but it made him smile all the wider at the sincerity of her words. He’d have to bring it up with Fallyn later. “It’s nice to meet you,” finally replied Heathen softly as the little girl Nora pushed past his legs to get to Fallyn, who must have been getting a kick out of all of this. “Uh, both of you. Mrs. – Ah, Ilona and Mr. Walter. I-I’m glad we could all finally get together. Fallyn’s always saying really, well, wonderful things about both of you.” He cut his conversation short when Fallyn came up to them at the front door. She sounded a lot… happier. So much more than she usually was. Her joy was enough to distract him on just how sweaty his hand was after shaking hands for what felt like an eternity. With the attention of Fallyn’s parents back on their daughter and away from him, Heathen took a step a little to the side and simply watched the moment unfold, a silent observer on the sidelines. A happier family he wouldn’t have been able to find. Ilona embraced her daughter in what Heathen thought was the maternal love only a mother could have while her father stared down at her with a proud look about him; at least this was all how it looked to Heathen, who was busy filling in the blanks in his head between the stories that Fallyn would tell him of her family and the reality that stood before him. And then there was the sister, Zoey was her name, who seemed to share that contentious sibling love with Fallyn that he’d often read about in books or see in television. Honestly, it was a touching moment. Heathen wished he could have immortalized this scene with oil and canvas, but a good part of him felt like some things were better left in the privacy of the mind’s eye. That quote he got from the poems Fallyn’s got him reading was oddly fitting. He smiled at Zoey as she passed him by and muttered a brief welcome to her, his attention back on Fallyn as she introduced him to her sister. He glanced back along with her almost in synch and once he recognized that there was nobody else outside, he closed the door behind them and locked it with a single latch. He set his eyes on Ilona and Walter and started to see just where Fallyn got all of her looks. It made him smile all the wider as he gently eased his hand against Fallyn’s to hold. “No, please, the pleasure is all mine. You’re welcome here a-any day. Whenever. I know she’s happy to have you here and I’m, well, I’m excited to get to meet you all.” He turned his attention to Walter, Fallyn’s father, and then regarded Zoey, her sister. “I hope all of you came hungry. Fallyn and I, ah, we made this delicious dinner for such a special occasion. You guys are going to love it.” His foot was tapping. He felt like he was rambling. He lightly squeezed Fallyn’s hand and then let go. “Oh! Ah, please make yourselves comfortable.” He motioned with his free hand to the couches where Nora had made herself comfortable. “Let me get you some drinks.” It was something of an excuse to busy himself and while also working on the impulse of making them feel as comfortable and welcomed as he could. Fallyn could surely do it all by herself, but even a small part of him wanted Heathen to stand out a little too. Good first impressions, he kept telling himself. Make a good first impression. He couldn’t help but keep talking as he gathered up a stack of dark mahogany coasters he’d bought for tonight’s dinner. “The house is all Fallyn’s handiwork, really,” he stated, setting one for each of the adults on a table near the couches. “She’s the interior decorator maestro, really.” He glanced in her direction and flashed her a cheeky smile as he poured out five cups of wine, just enough to savor it and open the appetite for the main meal, and in turn moved to bring each one to each of the coasters he’d set down. “If it was up to me, well, I don’t think this place would look half as good.” He hoped Nora liked apple juice, because besides a soda that’s all they had. He got a glass, some ice cubes, poured it in, and brought it to the girl. “Here you go, buddy. If you want any more you just let me know, alright?” Turning back to the rest of the family, well, he didn’t know who to regard right now. It was all so much easier when it was just him and Fallyn. But he still couldn’t help his toothy grin, and joined them all by taking his spot beside Fallyn, where he felt most comfortable.
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Post by Ventia on Dec 4, 2019 20:18:25 GMT -5
Fallyn gave Heathen's hand a little squeeze when he reached down for her and rubbed her thumb along the side of his hand. His touch was comforting as always and she hoped that all of this wasn't too much for him for she knew that her family was definitely a bit more extra than others. Thankfully Heathen had survived worse and a little house party shouldn't scare him off. At least, she hope not. Even if it did, Fallyn wouldn't let him go so easily. Not after they were finally back together.
Ilona smiled at Heathen, a newfound glint shining in her eyes. "We'll take you up on that offer! I loved the drive over here, such pretty landscapes this New Dawn has. Pray tell, I'd say they'd give us a run for our money." She laughed a little to herself and gave Heathen another wide grin.
"You might be regretting those words Heathen in about a month or two but we'll be best friends by then and well there's no escaping from this family." She winked at him and felt Walter's arm wrap around her waist.
"It does smell pretty good," Walter grumbled to Heathen to which Fallyn inwardly laughed at. Her father was quite the cook himself and knew a good meal when he smelled one.
"Doesn't it? And despite what Heathen just said, it was mostly all him. I just helped a little here and there but he takes control of the kitchen." She watched Heathen go into the kitchen to get the drinks and then regarded her family.
Her mother reached out for her and Fallyn stepped forward to hold on to her mother's hands. They both squeezed each others hands and turned towards Heathen's voice. He was praising Fallyn about the house at the moment and she felt her face growing hot, blushing. Fallyn smiled back at Heathen, blushing more at that cheeky smile that she loved so much and whispered to her mother.
"He was the one who went on a cleaning spree this morning. Isn't he cute?"
Her mother giggled and said in a equally quiet voice, "Most definitely. He's nervous, its absolutely adorable. I remember when Walter used to be that nervous around my parents."
Fallyn's eyes brightened and she glanced at her father and then at Heathen, "I love it."
Walter rolled his eyes at the two of them and moved away from his wife, looking around as he moved closer to the couches. He hadn't been that nervous...he glanced at Heathen and raised a eye. Had he been like that when he met his in-laws? He tried to think back and remembered Ilona and her own mother giggling together in hushed tones. Maybe he had been.
He relaxed then and took a seat on one of the couches, watched as Heathen poured the wine and as Zoey started to settle in the seat.
"I'm surprised it looks so good, she used to have such bad fashion taste back in the day. You should have seen it. Matter of fact, I might have some pictures in my phone." Zoey laughed to herself and took her designated glass, sitting back and sipping. She swallowed and smiled, "Mmm yummy, thank you Heathen, Nora what do you say?"
Nora took the cup from Heathen and stuck her tongue out at her mother before turning back to Heathen. "Thank you! And I will!" She took a sip as well and hummed in delight. She loved apple juice, why it was her favorite juice of all.
By this time Fallyn and Ilona had made their way towards the group, they had been giggling about something else but their voices had gone quieter. Ilona sat next to her husband and Fallyn went over to Zoey.
"No hugs?" She accused her and hugged her sister, Zoey made a noise and one arm went around Fallyn and they squeezed.
"Is this little Remy?" Fallyn asked as she pulled away from Zoey and looked down on the still sleeping little boy in the car seat. He had a head of red hair and for a second, a sharp pain filled her chest. But then it eased away and Fallyn found herself moving towards Heathen, sitting next to Nora and reaching for Heathen's hand, wanting that comfort that only he could give her.
"That's him." Zoey smiled down at her sleeping son, took another sip of her wine, and turned to the two of them.
"So Heathen, I'm surprised you haven't tried running for the hills yet with this one." Zoey teased.
"You think she would let him?" Ilona laughed and accepted the glass that Walter had given her, taking a whiff of the wine before tasting it.
"You guys are mean." Was all Fallyn said and leaned a little against Heathen.
"Should we wait for Jace to eat?" Fallyn asked next and a chorus of no's filled the room.
"I'm hungry!" Nora whined.
Zoey rolled her eyes, "We can just save him a doggy bag and he'll be happy."
"No need to make the food go cold." Walter stated, sniffing the air once again, suddenly very hungry. It did smell really good, he had to admit.
"We'll leave him just enough." Ilona winked at both Heathen and Fallyn and then stood up. "Well Heathen, I dont think any of us can wait even a minute more for your meal. Do you need any help? We're at your disposal my dear boy."
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Post by Orfeo on Dec 7, 2019 20:59:17 GMT -5
Heathen was grinning, both inwardly and outwardly, like a child in a candy store. First it was their remarks on how good the food smelled. Then it was Fallyn murmuring things about him to her mother. It was how the little child, Nora, showed little hints of defiance toward her mother, only to end up obeying to what she'd asked her to do. It was one big family, and he could tell they were trying their best to make him feel welcomed, even in his own home.
How much had Fallyn said about him to them? Every once in a while he'd catch her in a phone conversation with someone from her family. He'd hear her laughing with her sister, gossiping with her mother, and recounting stories to her father. Heathen didn't like to eavesdrop on Fallyn's conversations, so it was all just whispers and murmurs. Still, these people all seemed to act like they'd known him for a very long time.
He looked toward Fallyn and silently thanked her for making this little transition a lot easier on him. It's not like he was a surprise to her family; not something to be kept secret and hidden until the very last second. On instinct, he took a hold of her hand and sat just beside Fallyn, sparing a glance in Remy's direction to have a small look a the baby. He was cute, almost said so too, but withheld his comment.
It was the first baby he'd seen that was also a werewolf. That's what he expected the kid to be, at least. Heathen didn't know why, but he kind of expected a little something else. The baby just looked really... normal. He scolded himself internally, knowing that it was a good thing that the baby was healthy, yet still unable to shake that near-childish notion he had in his head that werewolf babies should've been born with fangs and tails.
"Running away?" he commented, reflecting her question out loud to himself, as he glanced toward Fallyn and took a firm hold of her hand. He almost laughed out at Ilona's remark, knowing well and good that if he had ever tried running away, he wouldn't make it two feet out the door.
Not like he didn't mind, either.
"I... I wouldn't call them mean until they show me those pictures of your messy room." Heathen giggled softly, amused at the thought, somewhat remembering the slight disarray of her home the first time he ever came over to stay for the night. Heathen leaned forward a little to get a look at Zoey and flashed her a friendly smile. "Maybe later you can show them to me? Next time she complains about my laundry," he nudged his head in Fallyn's direction, then quickly added, "I'll have something to buy some time with."
Heathen pulled back, playfully pinching the inside of Fallyn's hand just as everyone started talking about food. he leaned in against her as she did, closing the distance some more, focusing on her more than anyone else. He didn't know if she could tell just how nervous he really was. He wasn't sure if her family could really tell either. Heathen was trying hid damned best to hide it. But this was Fallyn, and they were her family. Sometimes she knew him better than he did himself; read him like an open book. If it was so easy for her, would it be as easy for them?
As if on cue, his stomach growled loudly. He hadn't eaten all day, just waiting for this moment. Not even a snack. Being reminded of what was ready to serve just beyond the counter, and taking a whiff of that aroma that filled the, almost drove him to insanity.
He stood up, almost a little too quickly, and motioned toward the dining table with his arms. It was awkward and clumsy and all he could do was flash Fallyn's family his most winning smile before stating "The table's all set." He turned to Ilona; Fallyn's mother seemed all the more eager to help. As friendly as ever, it seemed. He almost took her up on her offer.
"No, no!" Heathen paused, suddenly terrified that he'd come off as aggressive, or rude. "I-I mean, really. You're our guests here. Make yourselves comfortable, please. I'll get your dinner ready." Heathen turned to Fallyn, gave her hand a tight squeeze, and let go as he spoke to her in a low whisper. "You too, Fall. I know you're starving." He leaned in and gave her a very quick kiss on her cheek and moved to the kitchen.
The table had been set hours before and had been left untouched until just this moment. A couple of candles were set along the length of it - just a little mood lighting for the evening. He'd gone out and gotten these metal plates to serve as the base for the actual plates they'd be eating from. The table even had a brand-new cloth linen that he'd draped from one end of it to the other.
Heathen had this whole ambiance envisioned since last night: a silence that was only broken by the mellow conversations between the guests and the clinking of glass and ceramic.
Sure, it was an idealistic outcome that was partly influenced by all of the movies and television shows he'd watched with Fallyn, but if even a quarter of his vision came to fruition, he'd be able to sleep tonight a happy boy.
"There's plenty for everyone, and then some. I, ah, I think we might have made a little too much, actually." He laughed lightly to himself as he weaved his way around the living room and quickly stormed his way toward the kitchen. He wasted not time, getting all of the plates and checking out the food one last time to make sure it was all good and ready before he got to serving up each plate one by one. The steak had the drizzling of red wine sauce over it, and the roasted vegetables sat right besides, still steaming hot from the oven.
Mom and dad were the first ones to get their plates, followed quickly by Fallyn's sister, and then little Nora. It took a little longer than what he would have liked, but he also wanted to make the plates look nice. Steak tucked away at one end of the plate, roasted vegetables on the other, a vibrant sauce drizzled in an almost zigzag pattern over the whole meal. Nothing too fancy... but fancy enough.
He found his spot once more next to Fallyn, almost feeling like a puppy with the way he constantly sought her out tonight. He plated her food last, before getting something for himself last of them all.
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