#˗ˏˋ ᶜʰᵃᵖᵗᵉʳˢ ic ﹕ master of disguise.

[wovetalesarc]

for   the   first   time   in   what   feels   like   far   too   long   ,   the   agent   slept   soundly   for   longer   than   just   a   few   hours.   he   stirs   slowly   as   his   arm   remains   draped   over   another   figure   ,   the   fogginess   of   the   morning   taking   it's   hold   until   he   can   focus   on   just   who   slept   beside   him , blue eyes widening at the side of his familiar partner.   the   cat   looks   peaceful   as   she   slumbers   in   a   rare   show   of   peace   ,   &   all   loid   can   do   is   smile   at   the   sight   ,   content   in   knowing   they   could   entrust   one   another   to   keep   this   moment   sacred.   rather   than   get   up   &   begin   his   day   ,   the   agent   opts   to   settle   back   in   &   lay   beside   the   cat   comfortably.   his   arm   remains   around   her   as   he   presses   a   kiss   to   the top of her   head   ,   moving   then   to   her   shoulder   , lips worshipping her skin , in   addition   to   some   playful   love   bites   ━━   payment   for   her   actions   the   evening   prior.

loid will   wait   patiently   for   her   to   awaken   ,   as   he's   certain just like him ,   felicia   hasn't   had   much   time   to   enjoy   sleep   like   him   before.   until   then   ,   he'll   have   the   rest   of   the   morning   to   enjoy   being   beside   her   ,   with   the   best   possible   view   of   the   most   beautiful   woman   he's   ever   been   blessed   to   lay   beside. ❝ felicia . . . ❞ he mumbles with a low , yearnful sigh. how badly he wants her to look at him with her bright & beautiful , maskless eyes. he wants her to return from her dreams & indulge in this dream with him together , the one that they've managed to make a reality after what felt like a lifetime of waiting.

˗ˏˋ     ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ��     dear   reader   ﹕  @bllakcat   as   felicia   hardy.

[wovetales]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·      tags      ﹕      part   two.

[wovetalesbye]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ      tags      ﹕      part   three.

[wovetalesarc]

❝   thank   you   for   meeting   me   at   the   park   ,   emily.   i   hope   you   don't   mind   that   anya   &   bond   joined   us.   ❞   the   master   of   disguise   pats   the   spot   on   the   bench   next   to   him   while   his   eyes   keep   looking   back   to   watch   his   daughter   run   around   in   the   grass   ,   their   family   dog   not   too   close   behind   ,   happily   chasing   her.   he   hadn't   intended   to   bring   them   along   when   he   made   plans   to   speak   to   emily   alone   ,   but   he   had   no   babysitter   to   leave   them   with , his usual people still recovering from their summer vacation in london.   he's   sure   this   whole   scenario   probably   looks   like   a   cover   for   them   to   talk   about   work   or   their   next   assignment   ━━   he   &   emily   never   really   meet   in   person   unless   it's   to   talk   business.   however   ,   in   this   instance   ,   he   isn't   here   to   speak   about   work.   in   an   odd   turn   of   events   ,   loid   wants   to   talk   about   personal   matters   for   once   ━━   matters   that   he   never   thought   he'd   be   brave   enough   to   venture   ,   especially   with   how   busy   he's   always   kept   himself   since   joining   WISE   all   those   years   ago.   silence   falls   over   him   as   he   waits   for   emily   to   join   him   ,   struggling   for   the   right   words   to   say   ,   clearing   his   throat   but   nothing   comes   out.   SILVER   TONGUED   AGENT   IS   SUDDENLY   SPEECHLESS   .   .   .   no   one   has   ever   managed   to   make   him   question   himself   before   ,   but   then   again   ,   that's   what   makes   emily   so   special.

❝   look   at   how   peaceful   they   are.   ❞   loid   tilts   his   head   toward   anya   &   bond   ,   who   have   now   taken   to   jumping   over small sand piles in the sandbox.   one   part   of   loid's   mind   cringes   at   the   sight   ,   since   he   just   did   anya's   laundry   the   day   before   ,   but   the   other   part   of   him   is   incredibly   touched   by   the   sight   ━━   he   loves   seeing   her   so   happy   &   carefree   without   a   worry   about   the   dangers   in   the   world.   ❝   it's   moments   like   this   that   make   the   work   we   do   all   the   more   worth   it.   if   i   can   make   anya   feel   safe   ,   then   i   know   i've   done   my   job.   ❞   loid   takes   a   deep   breath   ,   body   turning   to   face   emily   completely   ,   giving   her   his   full   attention.   ❝   i   would   like   to   have   some   semblance   of   peace   too   ,   believe   it   or   not.   i   have   given   myself   fully   to   WISE   for   so   long   that   i   hardly   know   what   it   truly   means   to   have   joy.   to   have   peace.   for   the   first   time   in   my   life   ,   i   think   i've   come   close   to   finding   it.   anya   helped   me   open   my   eyes   ,   but   she   is   not   the   only   one   i   refer   to.   ❞   the   bold   agent   takes   over   as   he   reaches   for   emily's   hand   ,   resting   his   hand   over   hers   ,   blue   eyes   sharp   &   staring   right   at   her   ━━   he   wonders   if   she   can   sense   how   fast   his   heart   is   beating.   ❝   emily   ,   ❞   he   begins   softly   ,   voice   dropping   low.   ❝   before   i   say   anything   ,   i   must   know ━━ are   you   currently   seeing   anyone   at   this   moment   ?   ❞

˗ˏˋ     ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·     dear   reader   ﹕   @satellitewar   as   emily   kelso.

[wovetalesarc]

IT'S    IMPERATIVE    TO    TWILIGHT TO BECOME    THE    BEST    &    PERFECT    FATHER FOR THIS MISSION.    that    is    what    loid    tells    himself    as    he    watches    anya    run    around    the    park    with    bond    right    on    her    tail    ,    almost    unbothered    by    the    heat    that    plagues    his    now    sweaty    brow.    he    hadn't    intended    to    make    a    stop    at    the    park    ,    but    he    could    not    resist    anya's    demands    when    she    asked    if    they    could    play for a bit    ,    immediately    allowing    her    to    expel    whatever    energy    she    had    left    after    their    rather    long    &    tiresome    outing    ,    or    ❛    ooting    ,    ❜    as    anya    so    affectionately    ﹙    &    wrongly    ﹚    calls    it.    loid    does    his    best    not    to    appear    bothered    by    the    heat    ,    but    even    someone    with    as    much    skill    as    him    can    crack    under    such    temperatures.    exhaustion    spreads    through    his    whole    body    the    longer    he    sits    on    the    bench    &    as    much    as    he    hates    to    admit    it    ,    he    feels    he is growing    faint    with    each    passing    minute.    it    would    be    best    to    call    it a day    &    have    anya    cease    her    chase    so    they    can    go    home    ,    but    he    knows    there    will    be    disappointment    &    resentment    on    her    innocent    face if he were to do so.    TO    BE    A    GOOD    FATHER    ,    YOU    MUSN'T    MAKE    YOUR    DAUGHTER    CRY.    that's    what    he    tells    himself.    that's    what    he    needs    to    remember    to    continue    pressing    on.    he    has    to    keep    her    happy    ━━    all    for    the    sake    of    the    mission.

❝    i    got    us    both    ice    creams    !    ❞    @fablelike    [    as    yor    briar    ]    's    voice    rings    through    loid's    hazy    exhaustion    like    a    bell    ,    forcing    him    to    turn    to    her    as    she    holds    out    a    rather    large    ice    cream    cone    ,    anya    eating    a    similar    one    already    while    bond    drinks    water    from    a    bowl.    it    takes    loid    to    realize    what    was    happening    before    taking    the    cone    into    his    hand    ,    a    few    licks    &    suddenly    he    feels    a    bit    less    weary    ,    the    cool    sensation    of    the    treat    helping    to    heighten    his    senses    once    more.    it's    moments    like    these    that    loid    finds    himself    fortunate    to    have    yor    here    beside    him    ,    a    woman    who    is    both    kind    &    selfless    ,    always    thinking    of    those    around    her    without    fail.    he    was    faltering    &    allowing    exhaustion    to    overcome    him    ,    but    she    persevered    through    this    heat    &    got    them    all    something    to    help    cool    them    off , despite possibly feeling faint herself.    for    the    first    time    in    a    while    since    the    day    began    ,    loid    smiles    as    wide    as    he    possibly    can    ,    turning    his    full    attention    to    yor    so    she    knows    that    it    was    an    expression    all    directed    towards    her.    ❝    this    was    a    great    idea    ,    yor    ,    ❞    he    says    with    a    chuckle    ,    another    few    licks    of    ice    cream    taken.    she    even    got    him    his    favorite    flavor    .    .    .    never    has    he    met    someone    as    attentive    to    detail    as    he    was.    A    PERFECT    MOTHER    TO    BE    CERTAIN.    ❝    you    are    always    thinking    of    us    &    we    are    always    going    to    be    grateful    for    that.    ❞    anya    seems    to    agree    amid    her    ice    cream    ,    which    is    now    staining    her    once    clean    face.    bond    seems    to    take    this    as    a    task    &    begins    licking    her    cheeks    ,    the    display    making    loid    smile.    WHAT    A    CHARMING    FAMILY    THEY    MAKE.    ❝    once    we're    done    ,    we    should    perhaps    head    home.    i'll    make    your    favorite    southern    stew    tonight    ,    yor.    my    way    of    saying    thank    you    for    all    that    you    do    for    us.    ❞

[wovetalesarc]

it's   customary   for   WISE   agents   to   meet   with   their   handlers   in   an   open   environment   to   avoid   suspicion , usually a nice little café just outside of the city.   their   conversations   would   appear   pleasant   as they drink their coffees , but   within   the   words   lies   a   secret   code   stashed   between   each   verb   &   noun   ,   allowing   for   the   passage   of   information   to   safely   cross   one   another   without   anyone   else   knowing   any   better.   while   their   meetings   are   work   related   ,   twilight   would   not   be   able   to   deny   that   he   does   enjoy   these   moments   spent with   @satellitewar.   in   between   their   secret   messages   are   real   conversations   about   who   they   are   outside   of   their   work   ,   what   it   was   like   working   with   sebastian   at   treadstone   before   she   became   apart   of   WISE   &   vice   versa.   slowly   all   the   pieces   of   the   puzzle   that   is   emily   kelso   is   finally   coming   together   &   loid   rather   likes   that   she's   the   one   handing   the   pieces   over to him one   by   one   each   time   they   meet.   he's   a   master   spy   ━━   he   could   easily   retrieve   her   file   &   figure   out   everything   about her for   himself   ,   but   that   would   be   less   enjoyable   for   him.   the   fact   that   she   herself   is   telling   him   these   things   means   there   is   trust   between   them   ━━   one   that   goes   beyond   their   work   partnership.   he   covets   that   trust   more   than   anything right now   &   he   plans   to   keep   it   sacred   for   as   long   as   she   decides   to   keep   trusting   him.

today   they   are   speaking   about   their   humble   beginnings   ,   already   having   finished   going   over   intel   about   his   latest   mission.   emily   speaks   about   having   been   in   the   field   herself   once   upon   a   time   &   loid   hides   a   smile   as   he   drinks   his   coffee   ,   listening   earnestly   to   her   past   adventures.   ❝   did   you   think   i   had   it   in   me   ?   ❞   emily's   coy   &   teasing   lilt   is   admittedly   music   to   loid's   ears.   his   smile   comes   easier   whenever   he's   around   her   &   it's   becoming   harder   to   keep   his   stoic   persona   intact   whenever   they   meet in person.   one   sentence   from   her   &   his   walls   come   crumbling   down   ,   but   rather   than   try   to   hastily   build   them   back   up   again   ,   he   allows   her   to   do   this.   these   feelings   are   dangerous   .   .   .   he   shouldn't   allow   himself   to   enjoy   their   meetings   ,   but   he   hasn't   had   this   sort   of   happiness   in   so   long.   perhaps   sebastian   is   right   .   .   .   he   should   allow   himself   something.   perhaps   someone.   ❝   oh   ,   i   have   no   doubt   you   were   brilliant   in   the   field   ,   ❞   loid   offers   politely   ,   his   smile   gentle   &   soft   ━━   a   rare   sight   to   be   seen.   ❝   i   do   think   you're   much   better   suited   at   the   computer.   you   have   an   intelligence   that   is   unmatched   by   other agents.   you   see   things   that   i   cannot   &   have   saved   me   countless   times.   i   wouldn't   be   here   with   you   if   not   for   your   guidance   ,   honestly.   ❞   another   sip   of   his   coffee   ,   surprised   by   how   easily   compliments   leave   his   lips   whenever   he's   around   her.   ❝   is   this   what   you   plan   to   do   for   the   remainder   of   your   career   ?   please don't   see   this   as   me   wanting   you   to   leave   ,   i'd   never   want   that   .   .   .   ❞   absolutely   not.   ❝   i   only   mean   that   .   .   .   you're   so   smart   ,   miss   ━━   i   mean   ,   emily.   you   seem   much   better   suited   for   bigger   things.   better   things   ,   if   you   don't   mind   me   saying.   ❞

[wovetalesarc]

he   hadn't   meant   for   ted   to   find   out   this   way.   originally   ,   he   wasn't   supposed   to   know   at   all   ,   but   that's   the   thing   about   matters   of   the   heart   ━━   once you   open   a   bit   of   yourself   up   ,   eventually   everything   else   comes   spilling   out.   loid   was   aware   of   the   possible   falling   out   of   his   &   ted's   relationship   should   he   discover   the   secret   he's   kept   from   him   ,   which   is   why   he   hesitated   to   say   anything at all.   of   course   ,   the   longer   he   waited   ,   the   worst   it   would   become   &   now   he   must   stand   &   deal   with   the   mess   he's   made   ━━   the   pain   that   is   now   clearly   visible   in   his   boyfriend's   eyes.   he   thinks   he   just   broke   ted   lasso's   heart   .   .   .   that   is   an   unforgivable   act.

❝   i   do   love   you.   ❞   loid   takes   a   step   forward   ,   if   only   to   show   that   he   means   what   he   says   ,   blue   eyes   locked   onto   soft   hazel.   ❝   i   cannot   change   your   feelings   about   my   profession.   it   was   wrong   of   me   to   lie   &   to   keep   things   from   you.   if   you   choose   to   leave   me   ,   i   understand   your   choice   ,   but   do   not   think   for   once   second   that   my   love   wasn't   real.   ❞   the   agent   takes   a   deep   breath   ,   his   nerves   visible   in   a   rare   show   of   anxiety.   he   has   no   mask   to   hide   behind   ━━   he   must   face   this   as   himself.   his   true   self.   ❝   i   love   you   &   i   love   henry   &   i   have   enjoyed   our   time   together.   you   brought   me   a   normalcy   i   never   thought   i   could   enjoy.   you   brought   me   happiness   ,   ted.   it   was   selfish   of   me   to   keep   on   as   if   i   didn't   have   secrets   to   share   ,   but   i   was   .   .   .   afraid.   ❞   his   voice   waivers.   twilight   ,   the   best   agent   in   the   world   ,   wavers   ━━   a   rare   sight.   ❝   to   have   something   so   beautiful   ,   so   wonderful   .   .   .   i   didn't   want   to   watch   it   slip   through   my   fingers. i didn't want to lose you.   ❞

so long london - taylor swift featuring @wovetales's loid forger

" you swore that you loved me but where were the clues? "

[wovetalesarc]

˗ˏˋ      ᵖʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ·            out   of   character            ﹕      part   two.

[wovetalesbye]

funny   how   things   have   changed   for   the   two   of   them   ,   once   playing   a   game   of   tag   with   the   intention   to   kill   . only   to   fall   in   love   despite   the   universe   saying   they   shouldn't   be   together.   a   fervent   rule   follower   ,   this   was   one   rule   the   hunter   refused   to   follow   ,   unable   to   resist   the   allure   of   the   vampire   as   they   began   their   surprising   &   intense   romantic   affair   ,   addicted   to   the   taste   of   her   love   &   the   sting   of   her   bite when she drew from him.   they've   continued   their   romance   in   secret   as   best   they   could   ,   but   loid   was   aware   there   would   be   a   time   when   they   would   need   to   have   a   more   serious   discussion   about   their   dynamic.   aside   from   being   a   hunter   ,   loid   is   also   a   human   man   as   well   ━━   doomed   to   age   &   one   day   pass   on   into   the   next   life   ,   leaving   his   immortal   lover   behind   to   mourn   after   another   partner   once   again.   of   course   he   doesn't   want   her   to   suffer   ,   but   what   could   they   do   to   fight   against   time   ?   then   genevieve   presents   him   with   a   possible   idea   ,   one   she   doesn't   straight   out   say   ,   but   she   gives   him   enough   clues   that   he   knows   what   she   means   to   say.

their   hands   clasped   ,   loid   ponders   the   idea   for   a   moment   before   allowing   himself   the   chance   to   speak.   to   become   a   creature   of   the   night   goes   against   everything   he   was   ever   taught   when   becoming   a   hunter   ,   but   things   have   clearly   changed   since   falling   in   love   with   his   intended target.   would   becoming   a   creature   like   her   truly   be   as   bad   as   he   was   once   led   to   believe   ?   he   looks   deep   into   her   violet   eyes   ,   a   gaze   that   can   easily   hypnotize   him   if   he   isn't   too   careful.   ❝   you   wish   to   turn   me   .   .   .   do   i   have   that   right   ?   ❞   loid is   certain   genevieve   can   sense   the   uptick   in   his   pulse   due   to   this   conversation   ,   but   he   doesn't   stray   away   from   her   touch.   in   fact   ,   he   craves   it   ,   gently   stroking   the   top   of   her   hand.   ❝   how   would   that   work   exactly   ?   ❞   curiosity   gets   the   better   of   him   ,   wanting   more   details   before   he   makes   a   decision   that   he   can't   turn   back   from.   ❝   is   it   painful   ?   is   the   transformation   .   .   .   what does it feel like   ?   ❞

watching someone you love and knowing they would someday grow old and die is nothing less than heartbreaking. their relationship was still fresh and young, in the grand scheme of things, but once they had put aside their differences, genevieve had fallen hard and fast for the hunter ( she didn't know how to love any other way ). now that she had come to terms with her feelings, she must face the fact that loid was human — a mortal; someone who could easily be wounded or killed, and taken away from her forever. genevieve sits with loid, holding his hand in both of her own, glancing down upon them and knowing his would someday show wrinkles and vibrant, blue veins. 'do you know that vampires — we bond for life?' lilac eyes glance up at loid, gaze earnest yet somewhat distant. 'when we lose our love, it is like a part of us goes with them. my kind rarely recovers from such a loss,' genevieve knew this from experience — she felt as if she could die after losing rose. loid had shown her that love could regrow, if watered correctly. but if she lost him, too... hands move to rpess loid's palm against her chest, holding it tightly there. 'it is my fear every day that you will die and i will have to live on without you. i do not want to be selfish, but... not having you by my side for eternity seems unbearable,' brows furrow at her own words, eyes meeting his once more. 'do you understand what it is that i am trying to say, mon cher?' @wovetales.

[wovetalesbye]

&   there   she   is   in   all   her   splendor   ,   finally   granting   the spy   the   attention   he   had   so   anxiously   been   vying   for.   even   in   her   sleepy   state   ,   the cat   manages   to   remain   witty   &   playful   ,   her   gently   caresses   along his arm enough   to   make   loid   shiver   in   response   ,   hoping   there   will   be   more   as   the   morning   progresses.   amazing   how   one   woman   can   do   so   little   &   yet   greatly   affect   him.   as   a   spy   ,   he   knew   how   to   keep   his   emotions   hidden   ━━   to   appear   heartless   no   matter   what   the   situation.   felicia   didn't   seem   to   like   that   aspect   of   himself   &   eventually   her   own   poking   &   prodding   led   to   the   successful   capture   of   his   heart   ,   a   victory   that   is   rewarded   with   the   loyalty   of   forever   being   hers.   well   .   .   .   at   least   for   as   long   as   she   will   desire   him.   ever   the   practical   thinker   ,   the   agent   knows   there   is   the   possibility   that   this   may   not   last   forever.   the   nature   of   their   line   of   work   makes   that   almost   an   inevitability   ,   but   even   so   he'll   so   what   he   can   to   cling   to   this   romance   close   ,   desperate   to   enjoy   every   waking   moment   he   gets   with   her.

felicia's   sleepy   response   garners   a   soft   chuckle out of him   ,   his   hand   resting   on   the   back   of   her   head   &   slowly   guiding   her   into   a   needy   kiss   ━━   the   first   of   many   of   the   day.   ❝   mmm   .   .   .   i   couldn't   agree   more   ,   ❞   the   agent   hums   against   her   lips   ,   his   hands   now   diving   to   caress   her   body   as   she   did   to   him   moments   before   ,   finding   himself   particularly   fond   of   her   legs   &   the   curvaceous   nature   of   her   hips.   ❝   we   could   turn   this   into   something   more   ,   you   know.   ❞   the   agent's   turn   to   purr   now   ,   eyes   falling   shut   as   the   warmth   begins   to   bring   sleep   back   to   his   body   ,   but   he   fights   it   with   another   kiss   &   a   gentle   sigh.   ❝   a   vacation   of   sorts.   i   have   an   assignment   in   rome   in   a   few   days   .   .   .   you   could   join   me.   stay   in   my   suite   &   explore   the   city.   ❞   another   kiss   ,   his   body   now   moving   to   pin   her   to   the   mattress   ,   the   action   no   doubt   surprising   ,   but   his   touches   remain   gentle   &   soft   ,   desiring   nothing   else   but   to   worship   her.   ❝   we   can   enjoy   the   nightlife   together.   eat   at   the   finest   restaurants   &   then   come   back   to   the   hotel   &   sleep   .   .   .   or   make   love   ,   if   you're   in   the   mood.   ❞   a   kiss   is   gifted   to   her   neck   ,   nipping   the   soft   skin   in   his   desire   to   bite   ,   but   he   refrains.   ❝   look   at   me.   you   have   me   asking   you   to   come   with   me   on   my   mission.   i'm   supposed   to   go   alone   &   yet   i'm   asking   you   &   considering   breaking   the   rules.   felicia   .   .   .   the   effect   you   have   on   me   is   absolutely   astounding.   ❞

A SWEET CAT - NAP, : BUT A SWEETER REALITY THAT SHE WAKES UP TO. ... a soft purr, siren - like tune murmuring with the loving sensation of his lips pressed against her skin. &. lips curl automatically, satisfied with the feeling, &. GROWING GREEDY FOR MORE. what a thief! ... but it is that, mixed with familiar voice calling her name, &. she shifts slightly, ❝ hmm, ... ❞ acknowledging hum, LETTING THE AGENT KNOW HE SUCCEEDED! position shifted, she turns to her other side, WITH THE GOAL TO FACE HIM. ... long eyelashes flutter, as slowly jade hues become visible to him, &. the sight before her stretch that enchanting smile, ❝ morning. ❞ to that smooth, captivating voice, there was embedded signature felicia - like playfulness.

HIS WARMTH RADIATES TO HER FAIR SKIN, : &. SHE NUZZLES CLOSER, ... her eyes never leaving his. ( if not only to steal a glance of his lips! ) tenderily, almost gracefully her finger trace his arm, to his neck, to his jawline. ❝ you know, i could really get used to waking up like this. ❞ she muses, &. while her tune may sound teasing, there is truth to it all. @wovetales

[wovetalesarc]

if   he   had   it   his   way   ,   he   would   have   opened   up   this   conversation   with   his   feelings   for   her   &   what   emily   means to him   ,   but   he   also   wanted   to   remain   respectful   ,   just   on   the   off   chance   she   was   already   seeing   someone   privately.   the   last   thing   he'd   ever   want   was   to   put   her   in   an   uncomfortable   position   ,   so   he   simply   waits   to   see   what   her   answer   may   be   &   he's   incredibly   relieved   when   the   answer   is   no.   thank   goodness   he   doesn't   have   to   amicably   bow   out   of   this   conversation   &   make   this   outing   more   awkward   than   it   needs   to   be   ,   but   clearly   emily   struggles   with   the   reality   of   their   conversation   ,   almost   as   if   the   very   idea   of   loid   asking   her   out   like   this   is   not   at   all   a   possibility   that   crossed   her   mind.   if   that   was   the   case   ,   she   was   sorely   mistaken.   how   could   he   not   notice   a   woman   like   her   ,   someone   with   his   similar   values   &   love   of   what   they   do   ,   all   while   keeping   their   morals   intact   ?   &   of   course   ,   there's   also   her   humor   &   how   she   manages   to   remain   so   true   to   herself   ,   not   to   mention   her   absolutely   stunning   beauty   ,   something   that   loid   isn't   privy   to   thanks   to   the   nature   of   their   missions.   emily   kelso   is   everything   he   could   have   ever   wanted   in   a   woman   ,   &   funny   enough   ,   he   didn't   even   know   that   about   himself   until   she   made   an   appearance   in   his   life.   poor   emily   rambles   a   bit   as   she   explains   her   answer   ,   thankfully   it's   a   yes   &   she   wants   nothing   more   than   to   attempt   a   date   to   see   how   things   go   &   if   loid   doesn't   find   that   so   incredibly   endearing.   if   anya   &   bond   weren't   here   ,   he'd   take   the   chance   to   kiss   her if only to reassure & possibly calm her rambling.   instead   ,   he   takes   her   hand   &   brings   it   up   to   his   lips   in   a   soft   show   of   affection   ,   smiling   as   he   keeps   her   hand   ,   unable   to   resist   one & then two   kisses to her knuckles   before   releasing   her   from   his   grasp.

❝   don't   worry   ,   emily   ,   ❞   he   says   gently   to   her   ,   scooting   in   closer   now   that   the   nature   of   their   relationship   is   slowly   shifting.   ❝   i've   spoken   to   anya   of   the   prospect   of   me   possibly   dating   &   she   is   more   than   welcome   to   it.   in   fact   ,   she   is   excited   at   the   prospect   of   me   ❛   finding   a   new   mama. ❜ ❞   he   chuckles.   ❝   her   words   ,   not   mine   of   course.   once   i   received   her   blessing   ,   i   wanted   to   ask   you   right   away.   i'm   .   .   .   i'm   honestly   so   glad   to   hear   that   you   want   to   give   us   a   try.   truth   be   told   ,   i   never   imagined   i'd   ever   give   dating   a   chance   ,   but   you   truly   make   me   want   to   find   happiness   with   another.   i   think   we   could   make   a   wonderful   pair   ,   honestly   &   truly.   ❞   loid   turns   to   look   over   at   anya   &   bond   ,   both   who   are   completely   clueless   of   what's   happening   between   loid   &   emily.   good   ,   the   agent   thinks   ,   turning   his   attention   toward   his   handler   again.   ❝   you   are   a   wonderful   woman   ,   emily   ,   &   someone   who   never   fails   to   make   my   heart   soar.   i   realize   i   don't   necessarily   show   my   emotions   as   openly   as   most   ,   but   please   know   that   from   the   start   of   our   partnership   ,   you   have   held   my   heart   in   your   hands   in   more   ways   than   one.   ❞   loid   leans   in   closer   ,   voice   now dropping   to   a   whisper.   ❝   if   we   didn't   have   an   audience   ,   i   would   absolutely   love   to   kiss   you   right   now.   ❞   he   smiles   ,   pulling   away   from   her   if   only   to   not   tempt   them   with   that   possibility.   ❝   but   i   suppose   it   would   be   best   i   save   that   for   when   our   first   date   goes   well.   ❞   not   if   ,   but   when.   ❝   is   there   anything   you'd   prefer   for   a   first   date   ?   i   know   i   usually   am   good   when   it   comes   to   figuring   out   the   perfect   way   to   woo   a   woman   ,   but   that's   only in   terms   of   a   mission.   for   you   ?   well   .   .   .   i   want   you   to   tell   me   what   you   want.   ❞

she was understandably shocked when the request came through, but what's a quick trip to new york between friends? what's the harm in a professional rendezvous in a park? it's casual. it's devoid of any expectation — it's probably loid's way of communicating some issues they've had with their work. maybe she's not doing a good enough job at coordinating his location. the possibilities for this conversation are endless, and emily, an already anxious thinker, has internally charted the direction of every option. even as she sits there now, resting on the bench beside her blonde haired agent, she stares off at anya and bond running around and wonders which angle he'll take. what will loid bring up? maybe he's leaving wise. maybe he's met someone. god, there's too much indecision in her to let emily stay silent for long. whatever he plans to talk about (as serious as it must be), emily braces for the inevitable let down or disappointment. those are the most logical steps here, the more understandable piece to loid forger's mysterious puzzle. this will be bad. this will go poorly.

loid seems to struggle with dialogue at first, and emily, eager to help and get this over with, gives him a slow nod of encouragement in reply. she smiles. it's weak. "you have a beautiful daughter, loid. you should be proud of yourself, raising her alone like you are. i'm glad she has bond to run around and play with, too — i figure you might not be a run in the grass type. god knows you'd just die if you got grass stains on your clothes."

she's still smiling as he slowly carries on, wandering them down a path she wasn't expecting. there's the allusion that he might leave wise (she anticipated that) but the angle is wrong. the way he's talking about it is wrong. surely @wovetales means to refer to something else, or approach this subject in a different way. he's not...

oh. the second loid touches her hand, emily is frozen in place. her heart stops, then leaps into her throat and makes it painfully hard to breathe. he stares at her then, blue eyes in a firm lock, and she's drowning. silent. jaw, slack. she's unable to process this, and doubly unable to predict the next question — are you currently seeing anyone at this moment? oh my god. full of fluster and red-faced, emily ducks her head, lets her brown hair fall into her face, and tries to get herself back on track. "i... no, no, i'm not... currently dating at all, actually. haven't been on a date with anyone in months, to be honest. are you..." when she looks back up at him, her pink cheeks are even pinker, and her grin, toothy and wide, is as bright as the sun above them. "if you're about to ask me on a date, loid, the answer is yes. the answer... will always be yes, so long as you forgive my complete shock." her eyes dart to anya. "is... would she be okay with seeing her father go on dates with someone new? is that — i don't want to offend you by asking, but i just want to ensure she's okay with it. and... you... are okay with it."