callmeemily | We's goin' on a date, son. (Jason)

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We's goin' on a date, son. (Jason)

To say that Raleigh was nervous would have been the understatement of a century. Nevermind that she saw Jason every day, nevermind that she basically now had a tiny budget item actually set aside for Alfredo because there would be dog biscuits in his future pretty much every day - this was a date, which meant it was different from the other times she'd actually hung out with Jason, and so... she was wearing a dress. She curled her hair, borrowing the curling iron of the woman who owned the boarding house she was renting a room in. She was wearing a black sweater (which had a couple of flour-y handprints on it) and flipflops, and surprisingly...

She wasn't wearing pants. No leggings, no pants, no nothing, which meant that the scars on her leg were actually visible - but she figured if she was going to the effort of wearing a dress... whatever. Whatever, it wasn't like he didn't know there was something going on, at this point.

There's groceries, there's a plan (make dinner, go get Alfredo, go walking for a while), and jesus, she's even wearing makeup. It's like she's an actual grownup, and she leans against the wall of the bakery and for once, she really wishes for a cigarette even though she's only smoked every once in a while and gave them up when she ended up here without an ID and the fact that she doesn't look her age.

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He's surprised when Raleigh presses her lips to his, and he's smiling already when she pulls back, because she got him--he's wasn't expecting that and he's not against it at all. She's definitely full of surprises, something he catches himself liking more and more. He enjoys getting to know her.

Jason leans back in to kiss her properly, resting his forehead against hers after he breaks away from her lips. It's that moment, resting his head against hers, the sound of the waves brushing against the beach, and the feel of the warm summer wind in his skin that he realizes how alone he's been and how much he craves human contact. She's soft and kind, a fixed point in his rather chaotic life, and he cups her face, kissing her deeper.

It's that second when their foreheads touch that something just sort of clicks into place. That this place - not the beach, not with him specifically, but this place, Siren's Cove... it's home, now. It's home, and for all that she hates what brought her here, that she's afraid of what the future might bring... she's not unhappy. She's far from it, because she's actually getting to have a life, here. To have friends and a job that's what she wants, not what's best for her family, and... whatever this is. Whatever this is that's good and sweet and blue eyes and a smile.

She smiles before he moves to kiss her again, and she's leaning heavily on one hand because the other's skimmed up his chest to find the side of his neck. She feels like she's somehow both flying and completely still as her lips part under his.

Raleigh gives herself to the kiss, and when finally she just barely pulls back to catch her breath, her eyelids are heavy and she catches her lower lip between her teeth. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," she scrunches her nose as she shakes her head slightly, her thumb smoothing an arc along the edge of his jaw without her thinking about it.

He's smiling when she pulls away because this is nice. It feels great actually just to be close to not only another human, but Raleigh in particular. He chuckles, thankful it's getting dark out, because he's pretty sure he's cheeks are warm. She's wanted to kiss him and he can't even picture for how long. Jason's always had a problem realizing when someone's interested, usually brushing it off with some excuse. He kisses her cheek softly.

"I really do have no idea," he admits, licking his lips. He repositions to sit closer to her, enjoying the comforting feeling of something close.

Raleigh knows that she's blushing, but she doesn't mind - and when he kisses her cheek she smiles - it's all she can do to not kiss him again, to not pull him close yet again for another kiss. Another moment.

He shifts closer to her, and at this point she's half facing him instead of the ocean. "Since the kitchen, the first time - I was hoping that you weren't seeing anybody, because I didn't really know." She murmurs the confession, making a face. "You're... special, and i just- I didn't think this would happen, but I was definitely thinking about it, then."

She shrugged her shoulders once, and she finally let her hand slip from his neck. How she felt - how brave she felt, really, it went in waves. She'd impulsively jump for things, and then just... see where that went, possibly backpedaling on her way there. That's sort of where she was now - kissing him (which went well) and now admitting how long it'd been, and a little bit of why, and she doesn't quite know how to react.

"Really? I thought I felt something there, but I brushed it off." He always brushes things off. That's the night she called him charming. He did test the waters, in his own way, but he backed off immediately, not wanting to take "advantage" of something as innocent as a dinner with a very kind person. He shifts a bit when she calls him special, something he's never heard in his life. He's been a nobody, made a living out of blending in. And here's someone who hoped to get to know him and hoped he was available.

He leans back on the sand, resting his weight on his arms. "I can say the same about you. You felt like someone who would understand. And you asked me a lot of questions," he grins. "But I like that."

"Hey, where else was I going to find a world's information about squid?" She grins down at him, and she reaches out to skin her fingers over his beard, wrinkling her nose as she makes a face - it's just at the texture, because she likes that he's got one.

She's got these thoughts - ones that she doesn't really think that are going to happen, of her bending down and kissing him and maybe them making out on the beach like it's some kind of movie, but she's okay with it not happening. She's okay with them just talking, because she actually does want to hear what he has to say. "You've asked me..... Well. Less questions then I've asked you, I think. Am I just mysterious?" She's teasing, and she leans on her hand as she looks down at him with a smile. "I mean, if you like that, I can ask you a ton more. I've got a million of 'em."

He smiles when she brushes a hand against his beard, the sensation of it intimate and comforting. It has to feel weird to her, beards are just like that. "Internet? Might learn more than me that way."

"Very mysterious," he teases. "I'm always good with you asking questions." People don't ask guys like Jason questions. They make up stories and explanations for him and mold him into their expectations. Raleigh genuinely wants to know about him, about what he knows. "I don't know if I'll have answers for all of them, but I can definitely make it up for you."

"Eh, get a bunch of people who don't know anything saying they're experts, and besides, I don't know them." She likes the thought, maybe, of her being mysterious - when it's done on purpose, when it's that someone actually thinks of her as mysterious and also that they'll learn more about her. There's a difference between hiding, and that - and she loves the fact that with Jason? She doesn't have to hide.

She trusts him. Raleigh's brows shoot up and she laughs. "You'll make it up? So, wait, was the stuff you told me real, or did you make it up, too? Next thing you know, octopus aren't all the stuff you said, they're just like normal people, living normal lives. My knowledge of.... blobby things with a bunch of legs-" Her brain's saying crustaceans which is obviously wrong - "Is now forever a lie!" She rolls her eyes and shakes her head as she teases him. "And look at me, poor and naive. I trusted you, and look at the fool I've been."

"Oh shit, I've been caught," he laughs. "This whole time I've been lying to you. I don't even fish. I've never been on a boat in my life. I'm sorry, Raleigh, I was just trying to impress you." He shakes his head solemnly. "I'm sorry, I should just leave." He acts like he's leaving, pushing himself up to his feet as he looks at her sadly.

"You realise I'm devastated, right? That I'm going to sit here and cry until the tide comes in, and let it take me out to sea? That's what lying about squid does to people. Crushes their soul." She speaks matter-of-factly as she teases him, her head tipped back to look at him as he goes to stand.

"Looks like I'm going to need saving, but man, all that's here is a guy who lied about being a fisherman, I dunno...." She shakes her head. "Probably pushes paper at a desk somewhere, doesn't even know what to do with a girl if she's all tell me about squid and maybe kiss me a little. I guess I'm doomed."

"I'm sorry I've disappointed you, Raleigh," he nods as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. "Actually I sell paper. See? That's why I lied. I'm painfully boring."

He shrugs. "I mean, I can't tell you about squid but I can kiss you a little?"

"Well, I mean, what can I expect? It's not like there's a guy around here who actually works on a boat with lobster pots for a living or anything. I guess a paper salesman's gotta do." She holds up her hand - she can't really get up from the sand on her own without risking her falling on her face, and she's not willing to do that right now.

"You're a good liar, at least." She pauses, and then- "Well, I mean, if you're making up for the lying, you might have to do a little better than kissing me a little. Maybe kissing me a lot?" She raises her brows as she poses it like it's a negotiation.

"Paper salesman's gotta do. That's the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me." Jason takes her hand, helping her to her feet and making sure she's stable, but he keeps his hold on her hand, smiling down at her.

"You drive a hard bargain," he makes a face like he's considering the deal. "A lot of kissing and you'll forgive me for the lies?"

"Hey, just call me Juliet or something. I'm downright charming." She can't stop smiling even though she was trying to keep her face stern.

"Lot of kissing, forgive the lies. And hell, if you bring your A-game and really wow me? I'll never ask you about squid ever again." She's solid on her feet, and the crashing of the waves was a good counterpoint to her words. The tide is coming in; it won't get to where they are for quite a while, but they could hear it, even and steady.

She had no idea what she was doing - if this made any sense, or was taking the joke too far, or what, but she just sort of went with her gut, and if it backfired... well, no one could say she hadn't tried.

Edited 2014-06-21 04:23 (UTC)

"I thought I was supposed to be the charming one," he questions, but then he nods his head in understanding. "Oh right, I'm a liar. Not so charming anymore."

"What if I want to be asked about squid? I'm kind of a squid fan here, Raleigh," he smiles. His captain probably thinks he's an idiot now. Since he met Raleigh, he's kept an eye for trapped squids in the pots, kind of wanting to show her one if she'd be up for it. When he didn't see any, he started to ask his captain questions. Most of the hires ask when food is or how long they have left of a shift...Jason started asking how deep do squids live in the water, what do they eat, what's the biggest they get? Every question the captain answered with a "You okay, boy?" kind of look.

Jason stands closer to Raleigh, smiling as he brushes her hair out of her face as the wind off the waves picks up. "I can negotiate lots of kissing and wowing, but I need the squid talk to stay. Those are my terms," he grins.

"That's what lying gets you. All charming privledges transfer to the nearest available person." She's smiling up at him, until he talks about squid and she can't stop herself from laughing, the sound bright and airy.

"You are? Is that why you lied?" She tips her head back to look up at him as he comes closer. "I.... You drive a really hard bargain, but I guess we have a deal. I guess. You can tell me all about squids that you want - take me to look at them, bring one back.... as long as you earn it." She's all but leaning up on tiptoe to get closer to him, her words softer, even as her lips quirk up at the corners. "Who am I to say no?"

"I'll earn the charming title back," he promises, grinning down at her as she inches closer to him. "Hey, squids are a very serious subject," he teases when she laughs at him.

"Deal. I think I can work under these terms." He cups her face in his hands, leaning down to kiss her again, softly at first before deepening it.

She tries, for just a second, that she'll think up a question about their favorite tentacled ones. She tries, for just a second, before Jason ducks his head and she leans up on tiptoe and he kisses her - first tentative, but then the flicker flares to a flame, and she's shifting closer, her hands slipping up so one's in his hair, and the other finds the belt loop on the waist of his jeans.

She makes a noise, actually - just this side of indecent, and he's the only one who heard it. She doesn't stop herself this time - because he's the one who made the move - maybe she teased him into it, and maybe her cheeks were warm, but the only reason she pulls back - and not far, her lips an inch from his - was to catch her breath.

He takes the little noise she makes as encouragement, especially now that her hand's in his hair and she's tugging him closer to her. His hands find her waist, and he's kissing the corner of her mouth as she breaks away, nuzzling against her cheek.

He enjoys this, being close to someone, joking around with them. She's warm and encouraging and Jason feels close to her. He's moved her backwards a bit as they kissed, closer toward the wooden posts of the pier, and he gently pushes her against the post. He kisses over her jaw and gently down her neck, enjoying the warmth of being near her.

It's definitely encouragement, and she's pulling him close by both his hair and his belt loop. She's weirdly thankful for the post at her back - it meant she didn't have to keep a part of her brain reserved for keeping steady, although she apparently did need a chunk of it free for both processing what he's doing to her neck - and to tip her head back so that he doesn't have to bend as far.

She can't stop the half-chuckle that sounds suspiciously like his name slipping from her lips as she finally shifts so she can catch his lips again, her mouth hungry on his. She hasn't been keeping track of what her own hands have been doing - the one on his belt loop's slipped up under his untucked shirt, and her hand's flat on his back, both of them warmer than the night itself.

He grins when it sounds like his name passes her lips and Raleigh turns to catch his lips again. Her hand finds its way under his shirt and he presses into her, his own hand wandering up her waist.

Jason's breathing a bit heavily as they pull apart again and he rests his hand against her cheek, smiling down at her. It feels good. Tonight feels good.

She's staring up at him like he's all she's wanted, and her own breath's definitely heavy, her lips swollen from kissing him. She can't not smile, and she's absurdly glad that he's still close, that he's not pulled himself physically away.

She turns her head to press a kiss to his fingers before her eyes flick to his again. "I know I should be asking you something about squid right now, that's the plan, but.... thinking isn't really the highest on my list right now." Her fingers skim his back as she loosens her grip slightly, and her other hand slides down to his chest, so if he does want to take a step back.... he actually can.

"I'll make it up to you. Find out lots, sometime."

Edited 2014-06-22 05:19 (UTC)

Jason laughs before kissing her cheek. "It's okay, Raleigh, I forgive you. This time. Don't let it happen again though," he's smiling too much to be taken seriously. His hand falls down to grab hold of hers again and he pulls her gently along to follow him.

It's late, and he'd like to stay on the beach with her longer, but he has an early morning and he's not sure if she does as well. "Can I walk you home?" It's something he wants to make sure to do for multiple reasons. Because it's just right after a nice date, and because it's late, dark, and though he knows she can take care of herself, he'll sleep better tonight if he knows she made it home safe and sound.

She's weirdly glad it didn't go further, right now. Not that it didn't go on longer -she could have handled longer, but it'd been a sort of overwhelming if fantastic night. They both had ridiculously early mornings, and he offers to walk her home and she feels a little bit like she's in a movie.

"Yeah," she says with a slow smile. She doesn't actually know his living situation - she still thinks he sleeps in the cabin, the way he'd implied it when they first met. If she had, she'd do... well. something, about it. She'd do something.

But right now, ignorance is bliss, and they hold hands as they move back towards the grass, and she leans her head on his upper arm as they walk. "This is... nice, Jason. Can't think of someone I'd rather be doing all this with." She's honest as she says it, because that's sort of who she is - and she thinks that you should say those kinds of things aloud, because that makes them more real.

"It is," he agrees, smiling as he looks down at her. Jason's more following her since he has no idea where this boarding house she mentioned when they first met actually is. They walk a bit slower than usual, just enjoying the quiet of an otherwise busy and dramatic town.

When Raleigh stops in front of a building, Jason glances it over. He's never stayed in a place like this so he doesn't exactly know how it operates. So he stops with her at the door and smiles. "Thank you for the meal. I really enjoyed tonight." And just from the need for both to sleep, he doesn't linger too long. He kisses her again, giving her a quiet goodbye before going back to the cabin to grab Alfredo.

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We's goin' on a date, son. (Jason)

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