The next day, she slept in until late morning; A welcomed change to the early mornings. And, because of the night before, she’d had sweet dreams so she felt rested.<br/><br/>A nice change to say the very least.<br/><br/>Padding into her shower, she went about her usual routine in slower fashion, taking her time and enjoying the water while simultaneously eating up some time. Then, once out of the shower, she continued to get ready. While she had no set plans, she didn’t know what she’d be doing if anything, so she thought to cover her bases. Another glance at her clock after drawing out her time to get ready, and she saw it was about time for his lunch break so she figured it’d be safe to call. At the very least, send a text to see if he was available.<br/><br/>*How’s the lush doing today? No unpleasant hangover, I hope?*<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> On air, that was how he felt when he went to bed and it continued when he woke up the next morning. Despite the comments about him and how much he had drank, Elijah was pleased to wake up and feel just fine. In the shower he sang some nameless tune that continued until he was out of the house and became a low hum all the while he worked.  <br/> <br/>Not a word he had heard from her yet, but she had the day off and he expected her to get some rest and enjoy herself.  <br/> <br/>As his lunch rolled about, his phone went off and he smiled when he saw the message. Instead of texting back he merely dialed her number instead. “So, I'm a lush now?” he asked when she answered.</span><br/><br/>Her phone ringing was expected, so she answered it on the first ring, the smile in her voice readily apparently. “Yes, yes, you’re a lush,” she replied in greeting. “With all that drinking you did, I’m surprised you could handle going into work…Pretty buzzed when I left you last night, did you manage to make it to bed, or conk out on the couch?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I made it to bed just fine and had some wonderful dreams to boot,” he added with a smirk. “So, can you be bothered to meet me for lunch?” he asked, already in the process of looking up places for them to eat at on his computer.</span><br/><br/>“Can I be bothered?” she repeated. “Hmmmm….” Admittedly, she was already putting on her shoes and gathering her things, but she wouldn’t admit to it. “Possibly…it would depend on the place you feel like going to for your hour.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “More like an hour and a half,” he stated. “I came in early so I get a longer break. There is a burger place down on 2nd that has some good reviews. Meet me there is ten minutes? It's called Five Guys and Fries,” information passed on as he stood from his desk to gather his belongings before he left.</span><br/><br/>Closing the door behind her, coat already on, she made a “hmmm” for a second time before finally conceding. “I suppose I can meet you for lunch. See you in ten on second,” she replied before hanging up the phone and making her way over. This time, it took her a little longer to get there, if only because she had to call a cab service to drop her off, which resulted in her getting dropped off right around the ten minute mark. Stepping out of the cab, she paid the driver and meandered up, catching sight of Elijah with a smile. “How’s about that? You must’ve teleported this time around. How’s it feel to be faster than I?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Surprisingly not as good as I thought,” he teased and gave her a warm hug. “Maybe I am not doing it right?” a shrug was given before he took her hand into his own. “So, what have you been doing on your day off?” he asked while he opened the door to the restaurant for her.</span><br/><br/>The hug was returned, her smile broadening before it turned into more of a grin. “Clearly not doing it right,” she replied as she gave his hand a squeeze, moving into the restaurant. “As for what I’ve been doing, important things.<span style="font-style: italic">Very</span>important things. Sleeping…showering…subsequently getting dressed. And then I texted, you called, and here we are. As you can see….very important things.” Another squeeze of his hand. “And how’s working on the project going?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Nice to see that I made it on your list of <span style="font-style: italic">very</span> important things,” he remarked with a smile and brought her hand to his lips so that he could kiss the back of it. Now in line with her his eyes took a gander at the menu, “The project is actually going really well. I think that I could get this done early, but don't want to rush it. You know?” he looked back at her.</span><br/><br/>Her eyes followed her hand being raised, and remained on it even after the kiss had ended, still burning into the back of her hand. Forcing herself to focus on the menu now, she squinted it at it, debating on what she wanted. “Understandably so,” came her reply with a nod. “But it also means you’ll have more time to test it and find bugs, right? Which means it’ll be even better for the client in the long run.” Looking over in his direction with a smile, she leaned a bit more into him. “Just…don’t burn yourself out? How early did you head into work this morning, anyway?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I got there at 6:30,” the remark given as if it were not that early. “No worries on the burning out thing, as I have someone who deserves my time more than just some program,” the look given to her a knowing one. “So, what are you thinking of getting? I am aiming at the double with cheese and grilled onions. Oh and some of the fries,” mind made up and aware that he had skipped breakfast this morning in his eagerness to get to work, so his stomach already growled at him.</span><br/><br/>The look earned him a hint of a blush painting her cheeks, but nothing was said toward it. Instead, she skipped to what she was going to order. “I think I’ll just go with a regular cheese burger with lettuce, and a few fries, of course.” And, after a pause, she narrowed her eyes at him just a touch. “So…6:30…that’s a bit early, isn’t it? I’m surprised you’re able to function.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Not that early for me actually and honestly I woke up in such a good mood that it was hard to stay in bed,” he explained and gave a squeeze of her hand. He placed their orders and went with her to get their prospective drinks. When the meals were ready the sat down together, “Ok. The reviews say this place is really good.” Burger lifted up for inspection he peered at it, then shared a look with her before he took a bite. A few careful and thoughtful chews, followed by a smile and a soft moan.  <br/> <br/>“Mmm...ok....this is so good....” he managed to get out.</span><br/><br/>Only moments before, she’d had a hint of a blush, a blush that quickly subsided when she’d allowed the conversation to move passed its instigator. Now, it made a reappearance, chewing on the inner of her lip while her mind prayed he didn’t notice it too much, simultaneously telling herself to stop acting like a school girl and relax. Drinks and food gotten, she followed him to the table, and removed her coat, settling into her seat and inspecting her own burger.<br/><br/>That inspection stopped however, when he took his own bite, and the soft moan escaped. Those moans were quickly becoming something that she focused on far more than she should have, often wondering what the difference would be in other circumstances. Pushing that to the back of her mind, once again, she took a bite of her own burger and nodded emphatically with a smile. “Definitely good,” she agreed, following the first bite with a second.<br/><br/>“So…” A pause was given as she nibbled on a fry. “Woke up in that good of a mood, huh? What time did you end up falling asleep?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Took about an hour to fully relax and fall asleep,” he admitted. “I was a bit....excited,” he blushed a bit and focused on his burger and fries for a bit to give himself some time to get his blushing under control. “How about you? When did you get home?”</span><br/><br/>“It took me a little while to walk it myself, half-an-hour, and then it took me a little bit to relax…so I didn’t fall asleep for…another hour after I got home.” Shrugging a bit, she took a sip of her drink. “Now…how excited are we talking? And what were you excited for? We don’t have a set next date…we have a possible.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Just you....and the kiss....” he managed to get out before he focused a bit more on his food.</span><br/><br/>Another blush, that left her turning her attention to her food for a bit. She’d almost hoped he’d drank more than she thought he had, that he didn’t remember that kiss…the kiss that had been on her mind for the whole walk home…then while laying in bed…in her dreams…and all of that day. Part of her didn’t know if it’d have happened without the use of wine which had her worried about it, and feeling guilty that she’d kissed him while he wasn’t fully with it.<br/><br/>“And you had…no hangover…no…issues today after thinking about last night?” she asked as cautiously as she could, hesitant but needing to know.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “None at all,” he began. “In fact I remember everything we did last night and everything that happened last night. Including my question to you, which I still would like an answer to....” he last part he said with a coy smile at her before his eyes focused on his fries.</span><br/><br/>Her eyes widened a bit, foot doing a nervous tap on the floor. “You remember that?” she asked. “You meant to ask that? Didn’t ask that in the heat of the moment? I’d have felt bad giving any answer if you hadn’t even meant to…broach the subject.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I very much meant it and still mean it...” he said eyes finally back on her own. “We enjoy spending time together and last night that kiss was....I could not forget it and I dreamt about it...” he paused to gather his thoughts for a moment. “I would like to try and make it official....to be in a relationship with you.”</span><br/><br/>She didn’t know what to say, really. On the one hand, this was what she wanted, to be in a relationship with him, to be around him (even if she wouldn’t openly admit it). But, on the other hand, being in a relationship with him would solidify exactly what she didn’t want to happen.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">I could always…look for someone else…come up with an excuse as to why he’s not suitable…</span>came another thought, a hopeful thought.<span style="font-style: italic">That could work…</span><br/><br/>“…Would anything change?” was her next question. Where this…official relationship thing was a new step for her, she figured she’d ask.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> His hand reached to take her own, “I think more of this would happen. With less hesitation and worry....” Voice soft, his other hand lightly ran along the back of the other. “We would not be pretending when we were staking a claim in front of strangers...there is nothing that would really change but more that would just improve....”</span><br/><br/>Her eyes dropped to their hands, the light touch burning into her skin. She remained silent for a while longer, though, content to watch their hands a bit longer before figuring her answer. “…If you’re sure…I don’t want you to do something you’re not comfortable with. I may sound like a broken record, but that talk in the kitchen, it…I don’t know…I just don’t want to make you feel obligated or rush you.”<br/><br/>A pause as she slowly slid her eyes back to his. “…But if you’re sure…then yes…I want to try…to be in an official relationship with you…” Shy, though wholly genuine, a smile pulled at the corners of her lips. “Yes, my answer is yes.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> The smile on his lips broadened and he brought her hand to his lips again for another kiss, “This is exciting and I feel like I have more to prove or at least higher standards.” A nervous tone given as he gave her hand a squeeze, “So, um...maybe you want to go out this week?”</span><br/><br/>Blushing, she found herself enjoying the touch of his hand holding her own, of his lips on the back of it, the way he squeezed her hand.<span style="font-style: italic">Adorable…</span>she thought with a smile and a nod.<span style="font-style: italic">This could work…I could find someone else.</span>“Maybe…Did you have something specific in mind? Or a day you’d like to go out on?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> A slight shake of his head, “Can't say that I have thought of anything in particular, but that does not mean we can't figure something out. Right?” The thought to call his grandmother later came to mind, he had missed time with her this past weekend, so he owed her a phone call at least. But, he wanted to call her and tell her about Chrystal. His....girlfriend. A word he honestly did not think he would have with anyone, not with how he was and how hard it was for him to even begin to talk to the opposite gender.</span><br/><br/>“Hmmm…” came her usual sound while thinking, this one lighter in tone. “What about…” Nibbling on a fry while she continued to ponder, she looked thoughtful. “Well, there’s always the option of a second night in the book room, so you can continue looking over<span style="font-style: italic">Don Quixote</span>, or we could go for dinner somewhere. Depending on the weather on whatever day we decide, we could go for a walk in the park, or even sledding over one of the hills. Ice skating a second time, without receiving any burns…We could rent a carriage or something through the park, too? Or go out dancing? We could even just stay home, do the cooking in thing (or takeout since I can’t cook to save my life), build a pillow fort and go from there! Sky’s the limit,” she listed off with a smile and a shrug.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Is it wrong that I want to do all of those?” he asked with a purely childish grin on his face.</span><br/><br/>“So wrong,” she replied with a laugh. “I’ve got other ideas, but if I listed them all off, (with you wanting to do them all) the date would never end, and there is the need to do work and things.” The smile on her lips turned into more of a grin at his childlike expression before she added, “Is there anything you’d rather do more sooner? It’s not as though we’re lacking in time at the moment.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “The carriage ride actually sounds nice,” he said. “We can get a tour of the park, stop of some hot chocolate or even icecream and then walk home. What do you think?”</span><br/><br/>“Sounds like a plan to me!” Squeezing his hand as she allowed herself to just feel, and not overthink for the time being, she felt honestly happier. Like a weight had been lifted. “I think I’d favor ice cream over hot chocolate, though, since that won’t burn…but if you want hot chocolate, then I’m fine with that! I’ll bring the blanket and you bring yourself?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Perfect!” his excitement clearly evident. “Now let's finish lunch and then maybe take a walk through the park before I have to leave and head back to work. We can possibly reserve a carriage now and pick out which horse we want and all that,” he felt like a kid in a candy store. Excited and unsure of what to do or say first.</span><br/><br/>Another nod and smile, and her hand was withdrawn back to her side to finish eating. Admittedly, she knew she wouldn’t be able to finish what she had, but she gave it the ol’ college try regardless. Not too much more was managed, though she ate a good portion of her burger was eaten and a dent was made in the fries. Pushing back from her seat, she gathered up her trash. “Want me to take anything for you while I’m going?” she thought to ask, a hand held out for anything he may want tossed.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> Unlike her, he had managed to eat all of his burger and nearly all of his fries. “Just the trash,” he smirked. A napkin was snagged to wipe his hands and mouth with as he waited for her to return back to him. Already up from his seat when she returned, “Ok, so time for that walk.” His hand was held out for her own, the smile never left his face not since he had first talked to her earlier and it only seemed to grow every moment they were together.</span><br/><br/>With a shake of her head and a grin, she took his trash with her to the garbage, tossing it and making her way back in short order. Though she didn’t take his hand initially, she took a moment to pull on her coat and fasten it before taking hold of it. “How much time do we have before you have to be back?” she asked, while taking the lead to walk with him out of the store, opening the door for him before following suit. “Wouldn’t want to make you late, after all.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “We didn't take too long to eat,” he said and glanced at his watch. “I have about another forty-five minutes before I have to leave to head back,” he brought her hand to his lips for a kiss, it seemed to have become the thing that he did now. “So, more than enough time to walk and enjoy one another's company.”</span><br/><br/>Another kiss on the back of her hand, and she was growing more and more fond of the gesture, glancing over in his direction before slipping her other hand across to hold to the crook of his elbow. “Sounds perfect,” came her reply with another smile, leaning her head on his shoulder. “It’s a shame you have to go back to work…” A pause for dramatic effect. “…Otherwise, I might have the urge to pelt you with a few snowballs.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Oh? Is that a fact?” he asked with a grin. The sensation as she leaned just a bit more into him, the fact that this was real and that they were together meant the world to him. “Tonight, I was going to make my rounds after work. Want to come with me? Keep me company?”</span><br/><br/>“I wouldn’t be opposed to that; It would make up for that night we were supposed to and it fell through,” came her next reply. “When do you get off work and where do you want me to meet you? That is, of course, if you can keep me safe. After all…you have the penis. I’m just some poor, defenseless woman walking around at night…”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> At that he rolled his eyes, “Want to just meet at my place? I get off at six and would probably get home at about 6:30, so you can just meet me there and we can leave from my place. Sounds good?”</span><br/><br/>She shrugged, following that up with a nod. “I could do that. Do you want me to aim for that time, or another? Give you time to de-workify and such?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> "Here I thought you might enjoy to watching me de-workify? You know with my whole work out thing," he teased her.</span><br/><br/>“Oh, you’re doing a workout prior to going on your rounds? How ever will you keep me safe if you’re tired from all that…muscle building? Not that I’d mind watching and all…we’ve established my like of…” She glanced down at his body momentarily before looking ahead once more. “…All of that.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> "I am sure I will be able to still protect you," he released her hand to slip his arm about her shoulder instead pull her closer into him.</span><br/><br/>Nestling into him, she looked thoughtful. “Well, if you’re offering, who am I to turn down an opportunity to watch you workout? Meet you at your place at 6:30 then!”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Then I guess that would be a date, huh?” he leaned over as if he were to give her a kiss, hesitated for a moment but then gave her a quick peck on the lips.</span><br/><br/>For a moment, she didn’t know what he was going to do, the way he hesitated. Her eyes widened for a split second, but then the gap was closed and a peck was given. For a moment, she said nothing. But…she couldn’t resist a comment…or two. “My, oh my, I do declare! Moving in for a kiss already, Elijah? What ever will my proper sensibilities do when being tempted with such things?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> The blush that came to his cheeks was hot and a bright red, the sudden case of embarrassment. “I just...well I figured....that would be ok given what we are now...and....” he stammered even though he knew she was teasing him.</span><br/><br/>Shaking her head with a smile, she pressed a kiss to his lips. It was a short kiss, but a sweet kiss, pulling back after a few moments. “Really, you need to relax…” she pointed out. “If you’re going to blush after every time I poke fun at you, then you won’t ever<span style="font-style: italic">stop</span>…since, you know, we’re in a relationship and all…Fair game all the time.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> The kiss soothed his nerves, even if it did make him blush even more. “I will have to learn how to control it,” he remarked and pulled her in a little closer. “So, relationships are about teasing and poking fun at one another?” he asked after a moment.</span><br/><br/>“Anything with me revolves around teasing and poking fun at you,” she replied coyly. “You could<span style="font-style: italic">try</span>to tease me back, but I’m not sure you could. You spend far too much time blushing and stammering when I do it to get a word in edgewise.”<br/><br/>Nestling in closer to him, she felt her phone go off in her pocket.<span style="font-style: italic">Nope! Not dealing with that right now!</span>came an emphatic thought as her arm wrapped about his back. “Now…Anywhere in particular you’d like to walk? Or would you like to just wing it?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I will have to work on my anti-blushing technique,” he remarked with a smirk. “Winging it seems to be the best bet. I mean, the park is not too big and we can just head to the other end and that should be about the time that I have to get back to work,” a simple plan given. “Now, exactly how much teasing can I expect? I want to crunch the numbers and maybe write a program to factor in the non-teasing time versus the teasing time and choose the optimum time to give and/or receive kisses,” he grinned at his own humorous remark. At least it was funny to him, though people rarely followed his brand of humor.</span><br/><br/>“You can’t come up with a formula to figure such things; if you could, it’d be boring,” she replied with a laugh. “Besides…Kisses and such aren’t factored into any optimum time slot. You just go with feel. If I decide to give you a kiss, hopefully it’s a good time to do it, even if you’re in the middle of talking…Which could happen, on occasion, like if you’re overthinking…” A coy smile was given as she held him a smidgen tighter.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “A pleasant surprise then?” he asked, even if he knew the answer. Then, because it felt right, he stopped them both then. At the question in her eyes, he turned her toward him and kissed her. Soft, slow and lingering, he allowed himself the time to indulge and enjoy the feel of her lips against his own. When it finally did end he just smiled, “Like that?”</span><br/><br/>“Of course a…simple…” Her words wavered as he slowed them down to a halt, glancing up at him with confusion. Had she missed something? Said something? Why were they stopping when they were on a schedule?<br/><br/>Her mind didn’t have time to continue thinking on it, as he turned her into him and kissed her. Her eyes widened briefly, but then drifted closed, enjoying the kiss, relishing in it for the duration it lasted. Even after, she didn’t open her eyes right off; They remained closed as she just continued to breathe, tongue slipping out over her lips subconsciously. “…Like that,” she finally replied, voice quiet. “Yep…I could get used to that.” A smile pulled at her lips as she met his gaze, “Now…shall we continue our walk? Or are you going to keep taking my breath instead?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Is that what happens?” he smirked and kissed the back of her hand. “I think I like that reaction,” another kiss on the back of her hand. “Quite a bit.”  From shy to confident he seemed to slip between the two in just the blink of an eye and he did not seem to notice. “Is it wrong that I am highly considering skipping work and hanging out with you instead?”</span><br/><br/>Each kiss on her hand burned just that little bit brighter, just that little bit more intense. But, what overshadowed that was the confidence he suddenly exuded. It was intriguing to her, how he could just flip that switch in the blink of an eye. “Very wrong…” Chrystal tried to admonish as seriously as she could. “You’ve a client to keep happy. Skipping on account of myself is deplorable.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I am of the mind that anything involving you is definitely worth it,” he remarked and kissed her hand once more. “Though, the whole client thing is somewhat of an issue,” he mock grumbled and resumed the walk with her.</span><br/><br/>“Well, on the one hand, you said you’re ahead of schedule, which means you’ve time,” she started to reason, looking thoughtful. “On the other hand, the sooner you get it done and tested, the sooner the client will be satisfied. …On the first hand, I, too, am a client…” Another pause. “But, I’m canceled out by the latter as I’m not a paying client…”<br/><br/>A glance over in his direction with a perked brow. “What do I know, though?” she added innocently. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate. For both sides.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Oh, but you see, it could be argued that you are a paying a client. Only that what you pay in is, well, more physical and definitely more appreciated,” he smirked. “Sadly, though I would like to just skip work, I do want to make a good impression with this client who may want to use me again in the future. When words like “Money is no object” get thrown around, you want them to like you,” he chuckled.</span><br/><br/>“I wouldn’t consider giving you kisses, poking fun, and holding hands to be payment for anything, since it’s equal parts you and I; to each their own, though,” Chrystal replied with a laugh, resting her head back on his shoulder. “Besides…if money’s no object, I’d likely be at work day and night to make sure I made a good impression, but I’m the type to lose myself in work and lose track of the time anyway…” Then, as an aside, she added (in her usual teasing fashion), “…Though, the way you word it, you sound like a prostitute. Should I be paying you for your time with me, then? After all…our currency is no object…” Looking up, she gave him a wink, and then nestled back into her previous spot.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> That made him arch a brow and then out of character and bold for himself, “If that was the case, then maybe you should pay for your time? Not opposed to kissing and further physical attention....” he smirked, his eyes quick to glance down as if to indicate a certain area for her to pay some attention to.</span><br/><br/>To his comment, she followed his gaze down and then back up. “Oh, you’d not be opposed, huh?” A glance around of her own, this time for those who may be about, as though seriously considering such a “payment”. “Well, if that’s the going rate…then I do need to pay up my tab to this point, right?” A shrug as she pulled away from him to stand in front of him, eyes expectant down at his waistline with a nod. “So, let’s do it.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> A glance of his own given to the area around them and he went to undo his belt, “Sure you want to be knelt in the cold snow?” he asked and undid his zipper.</span><br/><br/>Not to be outdone, she lowered in front of him with a shrug, knees making themselves at home in the snow, adjusting her sweater dress as she needed. “The cold doesn’t bother me,” she answered simply, looking up at him from her new, lower position. “Won’t it bother you? I mean…cold and the family jewels don’t mix…”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> There was the thought and even the desire to see just how far this would go, but the upbringing his mother and grandmother gave him were enough to put a stop to it all. Zipper was pulled up and belt redone, as he assisted her back to her feet.  <br/> <br/>“You are a stubborn one, huh?”</span><br/><br/>She took his assistance, letting go of his hands to dust the snow off of her knees, noting the redness of what she assumed would have been the usual cold for another, rubbing them a bit longer to go along with the illusion that she was truly affected. “Stubborn is my middle name. You hadn’t learned this by now?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> All he could do was shake his head and give her a quick kiss, “Come on. Let's enjoy the rest of our walk before we are forced to part.”  <br/> <br/>The walk was enjoyed, with a few more jokes and passing comments, but enjoyed none the less. When they were finally forced to part it did take him a bit of effort to do so. The kiss they shared lasted a bit longer than the last and he felt himself on cloud nine. Back at work his mind shifted from the kiss and the fact that she had taken their little game so far. It would appear that she had “won” the first competition they had in as a couple. Of course he did not think it was fair, but there was no way he could argue the point and not lose even further. Instead he pushed the incident from his mind and tried to focus on work. By the time the end of the day rolled around he had only verbally abused himself for a good four hours or so.  <br/> <br/>A light skip was in his step as he head home, as per the arrangements he expected to find her there waiting for him and given her impeccable on time nature he was sure she would be waiting for him.</span><br/><br/>The grin she held after that first kiss lingered long after they’d resumed walking. And, it continued to stay even after their prolonged kiss when he had to go back to work; A kiss that left her breathless and tempted to argue that he should skip just this once.<br/><br/>But, she resisted, walking back home to spend the rest of the afternoon wondering if she should change, what she should be wearing for their walk about the city. Phone going off about the time she got inside, she looked at it, not bothering to check who it was from, only to raise a brow.<br/><br/>Annelise. She should have known it’d be from Annelise. Shaking her head as she read it, the simple text of<span style="font-style: italic">“Looks like you’ve got things well in hand, huh?”</span>having more impact than she thought her friend realized. Another shake of her head, and she put the phone down to go through her wardrobe. For the next four hours, the debate of what to wear was her core focus, along with casual thoughts of “what ifs” parading through her mind.<br/><br/>“What if he’d wanted to continue?”<br/><br/>“What if he’d been serious?”<br/><br/>“What if he’d wanted that?”<br/><br/>Wondering over the “what ifs” wasn’t getting her anywhere, though, so she focused on the clothing. And, after those four hours, she decided to continue with what she had on, with pants in her purse to change into before they went for their walk. Since she was going to be watching him workout first, pants weren’t really a requirement.<br/><br/>True to form, she was waiting outside his complex, leaning against the side of it when her eyes met his with a smile. “You should take up teleporting,” she quipped, smile becoming a grin. “It’s far faster.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I would, but I feel that you plan on keeping that one a secret for just a little longer,” the tease in his tone even as he hugged her in greeting. “Hope I did not keep you waiting long?” he asked, keys already fished out of his pocket and the door unlocked then held open for her to enter. “I did try to rush just a bit,” which was the truth. So excited was he about this evening that it took all that he had to not run over.</span><br/><br/>Hugging him back, she shook her head with a smile. “You didn’t keep me waiting long…Truth be told, it took a lot of restraint not to get here early; Not that it’d have done me any good, but…I was a little excited…” An admittance, genuine, she felt he deserved to hear, the lightest of blushes creeping into her cheeks.<br/><br/>Stepping through to the apartment building itself, she waited to the side so that he could walk in easily. “So, how was the rest of work?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Excited? To see little old me?” he asked with a grin. “And work was good, if I was a bit distracted thinking about our encounter in the park,” he admitted with a blush of his own. Past the elevators he led her to the staircase, “I am about six flights up, think you can handle that?” it was tease, that he would of course change and use the elevator if she really preferred. However, as his usual rule of fitness thumb, he took the stairs every day in his building and whenever possible.</span><br/><br/>Without even answering, she went up the flight of stairs, walking ahead of him with a grin over her shoulder. “You were thinking about our encounter in the park, hmm?” she repeated, raising a brow. “Any particular thoughts about that encounter in the park?” It was at this point she stopped, and turned to look at him as opposed to continuing with the walk, a look of humorous curiosity in her eyes. “Do share.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> Throat cleared and he stepped past her to continue up the stairs, “Why would I share? Not like that changes the outcome.” Onward he continued up the stairs, up to the next flight and then to the flight after that. “How was the rest of your day?”</span><br/><br/>“Didn’t you learn sharing is caring in school?” she asked with a shake of her head and followed after him, not pressing it further even if she were curious. “My day was alright. Completely uneventful and boring, if I’m honest. I spent the majority of my time cleaning…”<span style="font-style: italic">Cleaning up after tearing apart my wardrobe,</span>she amended quietly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Cleaning? Make a mess or something?” he asked and just continued up the stairs to the next two flights at the door he opened it and waited for her.</span><br/><br/>“Not a mess,” she replied to that, stepping passed him as he opened the door with a small curtsy. “Just a routine clean up.”<span style="font-style: italic">Even if it looked like a tornado had gone through my bedroom.</span>“So, what does this routine normally consist of?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Well,” he began as he followed here into the hall. “I go to my apartment,” he nodded to the door right by the stairs and proceeded to unlock it. Ever the gentleman he allowed her to enter first, followed behind to shut and lock the door.  <br/> <br/>“There is my kitchen straight there and then though it to the other side if the livingroom, down the small hall is a door to my bedroom and a door to the bathroom,” he explained with his short tour while he removed his bag and then coat. “I generally get some water then go and change into something to work out in,” as he explained, the top layer he wore was removed and a couple of the buttons of the button up were undone. “Want some water? Or a snack?” he asked.  <br/> <br/>The apartment was nice, decent really. Just enough for him and he did not really seek anything more. It was sparsely decorated with various posters from movies, comic books or video games; all very much nerd in theme. The furniture was worn, but clean and looked like it belonged to someone who was older in terms of the style. Which was accurate as it once belonged to his grandmother. Scattered about are piles of books, comic books and computer parts/programs. Amongst that clutter are a few free weights and weighted belts.</span><br/><br/>Going through the door he held open for her, she took in his apartment and thought it looked…exactly like she’d pictured. Based on his story and what she’d witnessed of him thus far, she figured he’d have pieces of furniture that were from owner’s past: used, still in good condition, and not quite the style that he’d likely have picked out on his own.  He seemed more the sort to take what was offered him, or wander to a Goodwill to buy one at a low price so that his money could go toward things, people, that he deemed needed it more.<br/><br/>And the comics. She’d anticipated there being comics given his affinity for superhero underwear, but to see the stacks laid out with a few scattered…it was adorable, even if he’d likely not have appreciated such a description. Only when his question registered did she stop looking around, and focus more on him. “I’m all set, thank you,” she replied, instead picking up a comic at random and thumbing through it. “Where can I be so I’m not in your way? I don’t want to interrupt your flow.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Couch is fine,” he replied with a bottle of water in his hand. “I mainly use the floor and the pull up bar over there,” he gestured. “Thinking about reading that while I change?” he asked with a grin and walked past her to his bedroom.</span><br/><br/>“The thought crossed my mind,” she replied as he walked passed her, settling into the couch. Shoes slipped off so as not to get his couch a mess, she brought her legs up onto it, one leg over the other while resting her back against an arm rest. The one she’d happened to pick up was<span style="font-style: italic">Superman</span>which, in her mind, was fitting. She didn’t know much over all when it came to the overall story, but it looked interesting overall, only halfheartedly keeping her interest while she waited.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> A quick change and he came back out in a pair of blue track shorts, nothing else.  <br/> <br/>“Alright, I have to stretch and then get my cardio up,” brief explanation given then he started to stretch. First his arms across his chest, then he bent at the waist and touched his toes and stretched out his calves. When he felt loose and limber he picked up the jump rope that had been on the floor. Deep breath taken, he held both ends together the rope brought over first to the left and then to the right. As if came back toward the left he took a handle in each hand and started to skip rope. <br/> <br/>Slow at first, arms kept at his sides, so that it was only his hands moving and barely at that. Over the course of a few moments the speed would pick up, and his steps would vary between a couple of different steps. Sometimes he moved from side to side, or he made as if he ran in place, high knees, and criss cross; the rope swing ever used to transition from one exercise to the next.  <br/> <br/>When he stopped there was a nice sheen of sweat on his body and he could feel his heart rate up to where he needed it.  <br/> <br/>“Now for the weights,” he said a bit out of breath though he stopped to hydrate before he picked up his weights, did some arm curls and then some various lifts for his chest, shoulders and back. The reps came and went, which then found him with a weight belt about his ankles and at the pull up bar. It began with a few pull ups, then chin ups and lastly legs lifts which were to focus on his core. The added weight about his ankles caused him to strain a bit more, but he could feel the satisfactory burn of his muscles as he lifted his legs. His routine ended after he hung from the bar upside down and performed a series of stomach crunches.  <br/> <br/>“There,” he said with a slight grunt as he lowered himself back to the earth. “All done. I hope you were not too bored watching?”</span><br/><br/>Just like that, she was a teenage girl, heart racing a mile a minute while she watched him come out of his room. The comic book, though still in her hand, was completely forgotten as her eyes followed his movements, wandering over the entirety of his form. Careful not to linger on the shorts (tiny things that they were, leaving hardly anything to imagination), she followed each and every muscular contour on his torso, his arms, his legs.<br/><br/>And, as he started his routine, that focus didn’t waver as much as she tried to keep from staring like a crazy woman. The sweat that caught the light over his skin…it just made everything stand out all the more, which had her biting back a groan and forcing herself to look away on occasion. What really got her, though, were the crunches…The way his abs shifted and clenched, and his back, his stomach, the entirety of his torso had her nearing the edge of her seat.<br/><br/>Glancing away as he lowered, she went back to the comic in her hands, not really seeing anything at all that interested her as she wanted him over the top of it. “No, not bored at all,” Chrystal replied as casually as she could, looking up at him for a moment with a smile before looking back at her comic. “You look…thoroughly worked out, and I enjoyed watching you work out…” A shrug, as though that were the most normal thing to say, was given, flipping another page until she couldn’t feign interest it in anymore. “You do that nightly?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> He grabbed up his towel to towel off a bit, “Um...yeah. I do a brief workout in the morning and then do something a bit more involved when I get off work. If I don't workout here, I load up a backpack with some weights and go for a run to the park, then workout there. Really only do that in the warmer weather though,” explanation given as he put away his equipment after wiping it all down.  <br/> <br/>“I have to get a shower now, but then we will go out and do my rounds. We can grab something while we are out and bring it back here if you want?”</span><br/><br/>“So I have outdoor workouts to look forward to?” she teased with a grin before standing and stretching, adding, “That sounds fine to me.” Then, with a smile and a glance at her bag, she looked around. “Is there anywhere you’d prefer me to change? I just figure wearing a dress out for this walk probably isn’t the best idea…so I brought pants, but didn’t want to assume it was okay to shimmy into them out here while you showered.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “You can change in here,” he said without hesitation. “I should only be a few minutes; I don't expect to shower for long. Just help yourself, my house is your house.” With a departing smile he left her to her own devices to disappear into the bathroom for a shower.</span><br/><br/>Nodding as he left her to go shower, she started perusing his apartment, flipping through a few of the comics he had. But, what caught her eye, was a picture of him from when he was little. He was with a woman, the two smiles happy even if hers looked tired, worn.<span style="font-style: italic">His mother…</span>came a thought while a frown moved over her features, lingering on it as much as she wanted to tear her eyes away.<br/><br/>Forcing herself to look at something else, she went back to the couch, taking her pants out of her bag and slipping free of her shoes. Stepping one foot in and then the other, she did her usual shimmy into her pants, hopping just that little bit to get them all the way up before buttoning them and slipping her boots back on. Then, she made herself at home on his couch again, trying to get the guilt quelled. Yes, she’d decided to try and find someone else…but, Annelise was well apprised of their situation, which meant the rest of the coven was, too.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Relax, you’re fine. He’s fine,</span>she told herself.<span style="font-style: italic">You’re overthinking again.</span>With that sentiment in mind, she waited for him to come out so that they could leave, and so that she could have something else to think about.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> The shower was meant to be quick and in truth he had washed and rinsed not shortly after he entered the hot water. However, he wanted the time, or more like he needed the time. Time to relax, time to calm down and not think about the few glances he had stolen of her while he worked out. The way she looked at him and how much it affected him.  <br/> <br/>It took a bit, but once he felt he was ready to face her again he exited the shower. A quick towel off before he wrapped it about his waist and exited.  <br/> <br/>“You decent?” he asked her before he took the few steps that would allow him to view the living room.</span><br/><br/>His voice pulled her out of her thoughtful state, turning toward the direction of his voice. “Yep, decent,” she replied, the smile evident in her voice before a blush replaced it and her eyes averted, in quick succession. “…But it looks like you aren’t…” Not looking in that direction, she took a shaky breath and added, “Did you…um…forget clothes?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I am wearing just about as much as I had while I worked out,” he said with a smirk. “I just wanted to make sure you were ok and did not need anything?”</span><br/><br/>“Yes, but your shorts were…firmly in place…whereas the towel could…fall?” she stammered out, a hand pushing some of her hair aside and wishing she’d just not even commented. “I’m good; Don’t need anything…Just going to continue…perusing your comic collection…yep.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> The blush and slight stammer made him smile, “If you say so. I'll be just a minute.”  <br/> <br/>Again he left her to her own devices while he figured out what he would wear tonight. In the end he settled on a purple pinstripe button up with jeans and boots. The shirt was only mostly buttoned as he came from the bedroom, fingers at work to complete the task.  <br/> <br/>“Alright. Ready to go?” he asked just as he finished with his shirt.</span><br/><br/>When he left, she let out a sigh of relief and told herself to relax. He’s just a man…with a great body…no big deal.<br/><br/>And, it was when she’d gotten a grip on it that he came back in, turning toward the sound and being met with…more muscle. Covered, mostly, but still enough to make her linger on it.<span style="font-style: italic">He asked you a question, dumbass,</span>she chided herself. “All I need to do is pull on my coat and I’m golden,” came her reply with a nod, shrugging it on as he finished his shirt. “I should be good in just this, right?” A normal question to ask, given the time of year.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Yeah you should,” he replied and got his own coat. “If for some reason you get cold, I can always give you mine,” the offer genuine and sincere. A quick check for his wallet, keys then to restock his duffel bag and Elijah felt good to go. “Alright. Let's go and meet my friends,” he opened the door and allowed her to exit before he shut and locked the door behind them. <br/> <br/>“So, which one of the comics did you end up reading?” he asked to make small talk as they walked down the steps together.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">If anything, I’ll be giving you <span style="font-weight: bold">my</span> coat, not the other way around,</span>she amended mentally.<span style="font-style: italic">But the offer is a nice one.</span><br/><br/>Walking out ahead of him, she had to think about how to answer. Which ones had she “read”? “Superman, Captain America and Flash were the three I perused. I’ll admit, though, I couldn’t get into them as I seemed to keep picking issues that were later in the series.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Is that an open invitation to have me get you first editions of things?” the soft laugh there on the end of his question.</span><br/><br/>“You mean you don’t already have them?” she teased, nudging him with her elbow. “I think I’ll just peruse your collection when I wander over from time to time. If you don’t mind me thumbing through your things, of course.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Wander over from time to time, huh?” he asked with a smirk. “How often do you see yourself being over?” he asked out of curiosity. The thought of her being around and being around often was something that he wanted, even looked forward to. This was a relationship, a partnership and he could not even begin to explain how much that meant to him.</span><br/><br/>“Hmm…not sure,” she replied to that one with a shrug. “Firstly, we both have jobs, so I’m sure there will be days we’re just exhausted. Then comes whether we’re hanging out at one of our apartments or going out…Really depends on what we end up doing most.” Glancing over at him with a perked brow, she asked, “Why? Tired of me nosing about already?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Not at all, but I wanted to know whether or not I need to like set up a personal stack for you to start reading for when you are over. Your own little section as it were,” he explained. Out onto the streets he turned left and headed back to the highway overpass. He had heard from that family that everything went well and were on their way to getting back on their feet. With that family taken care of that meant that another had likely moved into the spot they once called their own. It was a prime space with more than enough room for a small family to set up in. He hoped that he could help them get out of their before that spot began to be called “home.”</span><br/><br/>“My own personal stack…” she repeated, not sure how she felt about the idea of already figuring how often she’d be over when they’d only started dating earlier that day, officially. “Not sure I’ll need a personal stack as comics really aren’t my thing, but you could always make a ‘recommendation’ stack for me to look over when I pop over? That might get me to find something I like, based on things you like or think I should read.”<br/><br/>Following after him, she wasn’t sure how tonight would go. The one night she’d wandered through the tent city, before meeting Elijah, it was…incredibly uncomfortable. She got looks, none too kind, that she assumed was due to her appearance. Now, she was going back with him, and she just hoped everything went off without a hitch. And that seeing him help more people wouldn’t make anything worse down the road.<br/><br/>A quick glance around to see if she could spot her constant tail, she came up empty, letting out a mental sigh of relief.<span style="font-style: italic">So long as Lis doesn’t see this…we should be good. But I doubt my luck will be that good.</span>