#thr: 4fterhours

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours - Jae & Maly

Jae had Maly's full attention as he tried to navigate whatever plans he was trying to make. It was why she was hiding her smile - her enjoyment at his struggle. He always put on the smug charm, and Maly enjoyed watching it fail him. Sipping at her hospital coffee, she extended her free hand to beckon for his, or whatever was in his hand.

"As much as I love to watch you struggle-" The competition from their resident days hadn't died just because of their not-relationship, it simply turned playful. "-why don't you just tell me what you want? No preamble?"

[florxdexcerezos]

He always found the thing to say that made her heart sing. That had her staring up at him with hearts in her eyes. "Perhaps when Rory's older, I'll take you up on that. Maybe we can go to Spain, or Korea, and renew our vows again and again. Until the end of time." It would cost a lot of money, but honestly she didn't care. She would honour her love for him until the day she left the earth.

"It would make for a fun holiday." She leaned in to kiss his lips softly, before pulling back and pressing a small kiss to the top of Aurora's head. At Jae's instruction, she pulled back the covers and slid underneath them, settling comfortably onto a nest of pillows she had constructed. "Thank you, amor." She paused for a moment, thinking of how else she could request affection. Her usual tactic was out while she pumped. "Could you stay, until I fall asleep? Just pet my hair, maybe?" She glanced up at him with big doe eyes, hoping she wasn't too much trouble.

"Baby, you didn't offend me." Carefully he leaned over to kiss her over their daughter in his arms. "And I told you before, Maly. You don't have to apologize to me. Not ever." He knew that his words might be falling on deaf ears but he would say that until he was black and blue in the face from repeating it.

After all the love he had poured into her and the patience she had as he broke from the life he had been raised in. She deserved nothing about everything. He would spend their lives giving her it in anyway he could.

"Nope, if it means we get married again, I'll be cute forever so I can marry you in every state, then every country." Walking slowly towards their room, he made sure to not walk too fast enjoying the warmth of her hand on his back. Once in the room, he stood to the side, making sure to face her again so she could see Aurora in his arms. "Get comfy love and we'll tuck you in."

[florxdexcerezos]

continued from this: x - @4fter-hours

Rodrigo had had enough. He was tired. He was done. He was face first on a counter, regretting waking up and going into work that morning. "Tyler, all I have done today is thinking. and mathematics" He tried not to sound so grumpy as he said it, but by god had he had it with other people. Instead he sounded tired, and in need of mindless entertainment. "I will take literally anything, as long as it's vegetarian."

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours continued from here : x

"Hmmmm~" She mimicked his hum, pretending as if there was much of a choice. While she enjoyed Van Gogh and his works, she was more of a Titian fan. "I'll take the chick with a knife one. I can't use it in a hospital, that's probably not very baby mama friendly. But when i'm feeling feisty -" She turned and poked his side swiftly, over and over with her pointer fingers, until she made her point. "Stab, stab, stab, goodnight Caesar."

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours - Thiago & Nikki

"Give me those." She beckoned, noticing him move towards the sink. Once he was within reach, she guided his fingers to between her lips. Within seconds, the blood was replaced with her spit; and she licked each digit clean with reverence. On her knees at his feet, where she belonged and covered in the blood of another man, a perfect picture of deranged devotion. Nikki was nothing but a slave to her and Thiago's desires. The want for chaos, power, it flowed through them like a life source.

[florxdexcerezos]

Rodrigo agreed with a nod of his head, "Yes, yes, veggie and vegan food can be quite the pinnacle of innovation if you think about it." Many late nights were spent thinking about how to make meat free meals good for the soul. Inspired by the meals of his home without the sacrifice. The instructor coming in interrupted his line of thought, pulling his attention straight to the front of the room.

"Sounds delicious~" Rodrigo wasn't at the classes to learn new techniques, that was a benefit. He was there to fill his belly, make friends and make some snackies. "I knew there was a reason I brought tupperware today. God hath provided." It'd be an excellent lunch to have at the tiny table in the office kitchen.

"Do you think Madam instructor will let us take multiple portions home?" He hadn't been successful previously but every week there is always a chance.

Hearing the other's accent made Mayaken relax instantly. He smiled over at his cousin's friend and said a small hello as he politely greeted the newcomer. While he was not one for making new friends, he wouldn't be rude either. Any friend of his cousins, was welcomed. As he listened to the two he busied himself by making sure the station before them was clean and ready to go for whatever they were making that class.

"That's what I was telling, Mayaken! Vegan can be delicious and maybe incorporating something like that can bring new customers to the truck."

Before Adan could continue on his plans for change, the instructor came in. Clapping her hands she let them know that if anyone had a nut allergy for it to be known now as they would be making a vegan mushroom walnut bolognese for that evenings class.

Mayaken stood at attention, ready to follow instructions to a t, while Adan just smiled at his friend standing between the two of them. "Sounds interesting."

[florxdexcerezos]

continued from here: x - @4fter-hours

She enjoyed gift giving at holidays. She enjoyed the shopping - even as it drew closer to Christmas and the stores were filled with like-minded shoppers. It didn't do her claustrophobia many favours but the payoff was worth it. But her favourite part was the wrapping. Was it mean to think that she wanted her admirers to work for their gifts? Probably, but it was just so much fun.

"Stop with that, thank you." Even as she admonished the use of her full name, she was still smiling sweetly at Kartik. Even though Kartik's wrapping was well skilled, she was able to access the gift with little effort. Something heartfelt, she immediately felt the need to hide it from the others. "Thank you~ Merry Christmas." She elbowed him gently, her own little way to show her affection and gratitude.

"Do you still have yours? I'll show you how to open it."

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours​ - continued from here : x

Nikki had come in early on Valentine’s morning. Mostly so she could arrange Kartik’s present without fuss or questions, but also because if she had to hear Meeka natter on about being in love, or confessing feelings, she was going to want to strangle her. Sisterly love. But the eldest twin had convinced herself, for better or worse, that her present to Kartik was simply because she saw a book she thought he would like and the chocolate bars were good for his stash. 

She didn’t expect anything in return, or even for it to be acknowledged. So she was rather surprised when he popped round to her cubicle, She was staring at her art tablet with a scrunched expression when he found her, though that melted away as soon as she turned to look at him, offering a small smile. “Hey, oh, no problem!” She shook her head to say ‘it was nothing’. 

She gently took the chocolate bar from him, watching him explain his request. It didn’t take her a moment to even consider it.  “Yeah, I’m down. Your mum loves me.” For all her flaws. “And I can give Peter the stink eye if I don’t like his vibe. But he should be fine.” She took a bite from the bar and finished her mouthful before speaking again. “Do you want to help me pick out a bottle of wine or something to bring round?"

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours - continued from here : x

She struggled to sleep, knowing that Charlie trawled through the streets alone. Meeka knew better than to go looking for him, wanting better than the pitiful looks she’d get off of the bartenders whenever she eventually found him. No, she knew that Charlie would come back in his own time. She had made peace with that, and knew that suggesting a different way of processing his emotions was fruitless. 

She woke up in the night, convinced she had heard him come in. She called for him, only to be met with silence. So she tried to go back to sleep. But she hated sleeping alone. She eventually texted the manager at HM, advising at a reasonable time that she wouldn’t be in that day and didn’t explain further. Then she decided to get up and try to do something productive. 

Then she found Charlie in her living room, cradling ice to his face. 

____

She hated that response, and the wounded expression on her face said as much even if she had no kind words to offer him. She didn’t know what to do, he just admitted that he almost didn’t come back. That leaving her, with sorrow in her heart and an empty bed was a viable option for him at one point. 

“So why did you?” Morbid curiosity asked the question before she could shoot it down. Part of her didn’t want to know, didn’t want to think too deeply on it. Of course she didn’t want to be alone, but she wouldn’t keep him if he didn’t want to be with her. Her hands twitched; she wanted to go to him, hold him, hide herself in his chest and forget the rest of the world existed. But instead she pressed herself against the door frame, something sturdy to keep herself in check.

[florxdexcerezos]

She paused in her work to let Alejandra kiss her without obstruction. "Te amo tambien, amor." Meeka's smile remained when Alejandra pulled back. "Let's get your pretty hair washed, hmm? Then i'll get you some comfy pjs, a warm blanket and tuck you into bed." With that, Meeka went back to work.

She took great care, scratching lightly at Alejandra's scalp and giving a little head massage. Once the shampoo was rinsed, she applied the conditioner and worked it in. Stepping away, she found a towel, fluffy bath robe and some slippers and set them close by for Ale to find. "Just like in a hotel."

Meeka then wandered out of the room to go put a blanket in the dryer, the machine beginning to rumble from the utility room. She'd gotten a tune into her head in the interlude, humming to herself and shuffling on her feet as she reentered the bathroom. The humming continued even as she rinsed Ale's hair of the conditioner.

"Hmmm," she hummed listening to her as she tilted her head back, letting Meeka wash her hair. It was just like her to always bring her back down to the now. She tended to worry about what was coming down the road, years from now, keeping her from living in the now.

Hearing that her girlfriend but her above everything else had her feeling full. Full of love. Here she was trying to pamper and care for her since she knew she had been too busy caring for her mother. Turning slightly in the tub so that she faced her favorite baker, she kissed her. "Te amo, fresita."

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours

"Okay, so, this just in, right? God has just informed me -" This could go many places. "that he agrees and thinks you're adorable, and stunning, and phenomenal, and many, many other positive adjectives that cannot quite emphasise enough, just how much you deserve the world."

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours​

“You better not be skipping your breaks, don’t think I won’t hit you with this squishmallow.” Joseph had established early on that he was going to make sure that Chase was getting his five a day, three square meals - the man was going to eat. “I mean it Chase, you can’t save the people of New York if you’re skipping meals.” Slightly aggressive but passionate about his health because someone had to be.

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours​

“God that convention was stuffy.” A rosy flush had crept up her cheeks with the heat of the room. Leadership conventions were not her favourite thing, a necessary evil. But at least she had Chase to come back to. He got a break from the ER, have adventures and explore the surrounding town. “Give me twenty minutes to get ready and I’ll take you out.” She had been promising to take him on a fancy date. It was one of her selling points. 

[florxdexcerezos]

"I have, but not for a long time. My brother used to take me for rides." Kat so rarely spoke of her family, if she could call it that. The circus troupe felt like more of a home than the collection of kids from different states with ill-equipped parents. "I should remember how to do it." They say you never forget how.

"Do you want me to come with you to do the shopping? I can always get it myself if you want." Even with noise sensitivity, being in public wasn't something that overwhelmed her as long as she didn't have to hear her own thoughts.

Tyler was never one for risks, if a risk came up, he would rather take the safe bet unless absolutely needed to the former. Kat wanting to learn how to ride his motorbike first seemed like the safest bet. It would give her an idea of what it was like to command a piece of machine, that could crush you if you didn't make it fast enough in the Death Globe. The thought of her falling off his bike made his stomach fall. The last thing he wanted was for their aerial performer to be out of commission because of him.

❝ Once we're set up let me go into town and get a helmet and some pads. Then we can practice. Have you ever ridden a bicycle before? It's not the same thing but the balance part is. ❞

[florxdexcerezos]

@4fter-hours​

“I’m just glad to be home.” Though he was currently sat on top of his carry on luggage, waiting for his punished suitcase to be thrown onto the belt.  Home was a far away concept. “Technically I still have a lot more shit to do but oh my god, American soil.” He was grateful as well, to be able to travel, to be in a position where the worst thing in his life at that moment was the long travelling times between Porto and New York. “If I get my suitcase unpacked before midnight, wanna get a drink with me?”

[florxdexcerezos]

"You did?" He asked, surprised she had picked something for him. "Thank you." Every gift he was presented with was always met with gratitude and humbled appreciation. Even before he knew what it was. Just the act of being gifted things, of being thought of, brought a tear to his eyes. He reluctantly let her go to find her gift but eagerly waited for her return and her weight to settle back on his lap. Who needed a weighted blanket? Once she was within grasp, he only hesitated to let her pull her dress back up before having her back on his lap where she belonged, tucking his head under her chin and sparing a glance to what she presented.

Quickly pressing a kiss to her neck, he pulled back to inspect the little box. He slowly opened the box and took in every fine detail of the pendants. "They're beautiful, Liz, thank you..." He smiled up at her. "I take it you'll wear my initials? Close to your heart?" Where he could always hope he resided. "May I put it on you? I want you to be close to me forever." That wasn't because he was having a bad day, he was a snuggly man and he wanted his love damnit.

The rumbling of his voice reverberated within her body. He was changing the subject and for now, she would have to accept that. If it was what he was needed, she would give it to him. "Hmm," she smiled, pulling back slightly, she had hoped to keep the surprise she had for him secret until she had to leave for home. Back to New York to convene with Lucius before heading off to another book tour again. "I did and I actually got something for you." Leaning forward, she placed a small kiss on his cheek. "Let me go get it." Her hands took his into hers and gently pulled them off of her. "I'll let right back." Standing up, she pulled her dress down to keep from falling over as it had pooled onto her upper thighs.

As she made her way back to the kitchen she kept talking. "I saw this jewelry maker when I got groceries last week and loved their stuff. So I commissioned them to make us something." Looking through the bag she found the box and with a wide smile made her way back over to him, pulling up the bottom of her dress again to take her seat back on his lap, while she held out the box with her other hand for him to take as she settled her knees on either side of his lap again. "I hope you like."

Once he opened it, he'd find two pendants on silver chains. The front of both had a beautiful claddagh image . The back of one had her initials and the other had his. "It's so we can keep each other close."