#thread: dallas & noah (001)

[seolinah]

closed for @mournfulminds // this plot ft. noah + dallas

Flashbacks of her past had her doubting her actions as she walked up her neighbor's front door. This felt like something the old her would do. Getting involved, being selfish in her own desires, going after someone that wouldn't be hers. And yet, here Noah was, about to do as she pleased. But this time felt different. She tried to tell herself it was different. The feelings she held for her married neighbor weren't fleeting. This wasn't some random whim she decided to follow. She had taken into consideration that it wasn't just her neighbor's life she'd be interfering with.

Knowing Dallas's husband and kids were going to be gone for the weekend was what spurred Noah's actions. She had thought this through and she continued to draw the same conclusion -- I could make her happy and if she wants that too then so be it. Sure, it was a risk, a foolish and potentially pathetic risk, but she was willing to risk it. Rejected or not (and god, did she hope not), she at least wanted to see it through. Sucking in a shaky breath, she pressed the bell and waited for an answer.

"Hey," she said warmly once the door was opened. "So I, uh, know everyone's out for the weekend, so I was wondering if you maybe wanted some company? I have, um, a bottle of wine if that sweetens the deal."

[mournfulminds]

The shambles of her marriage were not some well-guarded secret amongst those close to her, but that it seeped its way into her neighbour's purview was almost flustering if it weren't for the fact that Noah was trying to remedy the situation by suggesting an affair. However, she would be a fool to deny that something hadn't been occurring between them all this time, whether she was fully aware or not, she had already confirmed flirting with the young woman. "Happiness, at this age, is a very relative term, I'm content, marriage isn't supposed to be some fairytale ending─" She was being too harsh, there was still time for Noah to find someone and work for that life; if she so chose, the way Dallas used to want to work on her union. "He has his schedule, I have mine, we make it work."

Dark eyes drank in the sight laid out before her; one she was not familiar with and quickly realised she was not pleased to be met with ─ such disappointment and from the one person in her life that didn’t make her feel like just an archetype of a Eugene O’Neill play. In that moment she longed to do or say obstacle that could solve this pitfall they were in. And then Noah had stepped within her orbit and her head spun from the proximity and the wine, as she dared to look up into the designer’s gaze. “I… do, feel something for you, but I don’t know what it is Noah, I’m sorry, and I don’t know if we should be thinking about exploring this. All I know is I do.”

Her gaze lowered to the glass in her hands for a second before glancing back towards her neighbor. Despite the woman's rejection, it didn't necessarily feel like one. Something about the way Dallas looked while she spoke just didn't give Noah the impression that it was a topic that shouldn't be brought up again. But she did fear pushing it too far would leave the pair of them unable to be around each other any longer.

"Are you though? Really?" she questioned softly. "Happy, I mean..." A sincere look came over her face, wanting to make sure she was choosing her words carefully. "I just... We do live next door to each other. And I know I don't know everything about what goes on between you and your husband, but... You don't seem happy."

At the mention of Noah finding someone more suitable, her lips turned down sourly. Boldly, she took a few steps towards the other woman. "I know what I want, Dallas. Who I want. And it's you. I know that probably makes me dumb or foolish or idiotic, something... But I can't change how I feel, and unless you can tell me you feel nothing for me than I'd like the chance to prove to you that this happiness doesn't have to just be a fantasy."

[seolinah]

Her gaze lowered to the glass in her hands for a second before glancing back towards her neighbor. Despite the woman's rejection, it didn't necessarily feel like one. Something about the way Dallas looked while she spoke just didn't give Noah the impression that it was a topic that shouldn't be brought up again. But she did fear pushing it too far would leave the pair of them unable to be around each other any longer.

"Are you though? Really?" she questioned softly. "Happy, I mean..." A sincere look came over her face, wanting to make sure she was choosing her words carefully. "I just... We do live next door to each other. And I know I don't know everything about what goes on between you and your husband, but... You don't seem happy."

At the mention of Noah finding someone more suitable, her lips turned down sourly. Boldly, she took a few steps towards the other woman. "I know what I want, Dallas. Who I want. And it's you. I know that probably makes me dumb or foolish or idiotic, something... But I can't change how I feel, and unless you can tell me you feel nothing for me than I'd like the chance to prove to you that this happiness doesn't have to just be a fantasy."

Any notion that began with "weird" should have been a red flag for Dallas, bracing herself for a request to borrow, or maybe even a loan, but never this ─ an amorous exposal, and one that somewhere in the back of her mind, she might have guessed. Had they not been shy in their flirting over the times they had met, the housewife usually an affable figure, now left to wonder if she conveyed more? Her marriage had discovered an arrangement when Waylon started to travel more; discreet and never with the same person thrice, but Dallas could not seriously consider sleeping with someone such as Noah. Neighbours would be too messy, no matter how flattering it was to have someone such as the designer want her.

Digesting what she had just heard with a much larger sip, a sudden warmth spread across her cheeks, unsure if it was the alcohol or being under Noah's youthful gaze. "Noah, I'm honoured, truly, I am, thank you for your kind words. And I have been flirting with you, perhaps just harmless teasing, I just don't think it can go much more from there. As you said, I'm married, I have a family. I am happy." The last bit came out in a hoarse timbre, disloyal of her own voice as she turned her face to look out the window. Willowy fingers came up to fidget with the button of her blouse before she opened it just a bit to cool down. "I want to make you happy too. And whatever you think you believe, me possibly being the cause of said happiness is just, it's a fantasy, a nice one sure, but still. You can find someone much more... suitable. You're gorgeous, talented, and oh so very lovely, and funny."

[mournfulminds]

Any notion that began with "weird" should have been a red flag for Dallas, bracing herself for a request to borrow, or maybe even a loan, but never this ─ an amorous exposal, and one that somewhere in the back of her mind, she might have guessed. Had they not been shy in their flirting over the times they had met, the housewife usually an affable figure, now left to wonder if she conveyed more? Her marriage had discovered an arrangement when Waylon started to travel more; discreet and never with the same person thrice, but Dallas could not seriously consider sleeping with someone such as Noah. Neighbours would be too messy, no matter how flattering it was to have someone such as the designer want her.

Digesting what she had just heard with a much larger sip, a sudden warmth spread across her cheeks, unsure if it was the alcohol or being under Noah's youthful gaze. "Noah, I'm honoured, truly, I am, thank you for your kind words. And I have been flirting with you, perhaps just harmless teasing, I just don't think it can go much more from there. As you said, I'm married, I have a family. I am happy." The last bit came out in a hoarse timbre, disloyal of her own voice as she turned her face to look out the window. Willowy fingers came up to fidget with the button of her blouse before she opened it just a bit to cool down. "I want to make you happy too. And whatever you think you believe, me possibly being the cause of said happiness is just, it's a fantasy, a nice one sure, but still. You can find someone much more... suitable. You're gorgeous, talented, and oh so very lovely, and funny."

Doing nothing together sounded like a dream if she was being absolutely honest. At least when it came to Dallas's company, Noah wouldn't have minded doing anything with her. "I've had this one before," she answered. "It was at some work event though, that's how I found out about it. Believe me, I'm not usually much of a sophisticated drinker." When it came to her alcohol, she'd never been the picky type - not if it did its job of getting her tipsy (or drunk).

Noah colored slightly, a little embarrassed with the way the question's asked. It only reminded her of their age difference and the fact that there was a high chance she'd be outright rejected for pursuing the married, older woman with kids. "I guess the kind that doesn't feel like a complete train wreck anymore, but still doesn't have everything figured out," she said with a sheepish chuckle.

As the conversation veered to the reason she came here, Noah tried not to tense. Taking a generous sip of her wine, she sucked in a breath. "I know that this will, uh, be a little weird for you - or maybe it won't - but I just have been wanting to say something to you for ages and I thought with you being alone for the night it might be a good time to tell you..." It was a long winded way of starting off what she wanted to say, but she didn't think there was a good way to go about this. Not under the circumstances surrounding Dallas especially. Her expression went somber, nervously fiddling with the glass in her hands. "I just... I care about you a lot. I like you, actually, and I know you're married and have kids and I'm probably overstepping, but I just... I think I can make you happy if you'd let me. I want to make you happy."

[seolinah]

Doing nothing together sounded like a dream if she was being absolutely honest. At least when it came to Dallas's company, Noah wouldn't have minded doing anything with her. "I've had this one before," she answered. "It was at some work event though, that's how I found out about it. Believe me, I'm not usually much of a sophisticated drinker." When it came to her alcohol, she'd never been the picky type - not if it did its job of getting her tipsy (or drunk).

Noah colored slightly, a little embarrassed with the way the question's asked. It only reminded her of their age difference and the fact that there was a high chance she'd be outright rejected for pursuing the married, older woman with kids. "I guess the kind that doesn't feel like a complete train wreck anymore, but still doesn't have everything figured out," she said with a sheepish chuckle.

As the conversation veered to the reason she came here, Noah tried not to tense. Taking a generous sip of her wine, she sucked in a breath. "I know that this will, uh, be a little weird for you - or maybe it won't - but I just have been wanting to say something to you for ages and I thought with you being alone for the night it might be a good time to tell you..." It was a long winded way of starting off what she wanted to say, but she didn't think there was a good way to go about this. Not under the circumstances surrounding Dallas especially. Her expression went somber, nervously fiddling with the glass in her hands. "I just... I care about you a lot. I like you, actually, and I know you're married and have kids and I'm probably overstepping, but I just... I think I can make you happy if you'd let me. I want to make you happy."

Besides her art, which Waylon is careful to point out as a hobby, and always second to raising their two sons and taking care of the house, Dallas did some volunteer work, mostly because her friends started to, and it was a way to get together and gossip. When she met a vaguely familiar face who turned out to be her next-door neighbour, the housewife was stunned. Even more so to find out that she enjoyed spending time with Noah as much as her other friends there, and although she made out to be a troublemaker among her group, for the first time, Dallas would just roll her eyes and ignore their whispers.

Pouring each a sip in their glass, Dallas brought it to her nose to smell, swivel and then clinked it against Noah's, before downing the smooth liquid. "This is good, do you drink this often?" She observed, before pouring them both a generous amount. Wine was all she could allow these days, so she was happy with her neighbour's choice. "I think we will cross that bridge when we come to it, but when we do, I'm buying, I insist, after all, you supplied us with the drinks. Also, you saved me from a night of doing nothing. Now we can do nothing together."

Pliable fingers slid up and down the stem of the glassware, an old habit of wanting earthly materials under her touch as she settled on the next chair. She can't help but laugh alongside the other, as now, she can certainly say though one's younger to mid-twenties feels different from their later, it is really all the same now that she can look back on it. "Oh, so then what kind of young are you now then?" Dallas probed, eyeing the designer with a spirited look. Perking up when Noah brought up a topic she needed to consult her on, the older woman took another taste of her drink before nodding, "Okay, I'm all yours."

[mournfulminds]

Besides her art, which Waylon is careful to point out as a hobby, and always second to raising their two sons and taking care of the house, Dallas did some volunteer work, mostly because her friends started to, and it was a way to get together and gossip. When she met a vaguely familiar face who turned out to be her next-door neighbour, the housewife was stunned. Even more so to find out that she enjoyed spending time with Noah as much as her other friends there, and although she made out to be a troublemaker among her group, for the first time, Dallas would just roll her eyes and ignore their whispers.

Pouring each a sip in their glass, Dallas brought it to her nose to smell, swivel and then clinked it against Noah's, before downing the smooth liquid. "This is good, do you drink this often?" She observed, before pouring them both a generous amount. Wine was all she could allow these days, so she was happy with her neighbour's choice. "I think we will cross that bridge when we come to it, but when we do, I'm buying, I insist, after all, you supplied us with the drinks. Also, you saved me from a night of doing nothing. Now we can do nothing together."

Pliable fingers slid up and down the stem of the glassware, an old habit of wanting earthly materials under her touch as she settled on the next chair. She can't help but laugh alongside the other, as now, she can certainly say though one's younger to mid-twenties feels different from their later, it is really all the same now that she can look back on it. "Oh, so then what kind of young are you now then?" Dallas probed, eyeing the designer with a spirited look. Perking up when Noah brought up a topic she needed to consult her on, the older woman took another taste of her drink before nodding, "Okay, I'm all yours."

The question flustered her just a tad, ears warming. Her mouth opened to answer, but a strained laugh left her lips as Dallas proclaimed to be kidding. She certainly had been keeping tabs, but she wondered how the other woman would take that if Noah admitted to it. Her shoulders shrugged, trying to ease her own nerves. "I'm fine with just drinking wine."

Following Dallas inside towards the kitchen, she paused at the island. Her gaze remained on her as she went around her kitchen. "I can always order us some..." she trailed off as she caught sight of the woman's midriff. Clearing her throat, she glanced away quickly. Her voice caught, but she attempted to finish what she'd been saying so Dallas wouldn't notice. "...Some take-out. I can order us some take-out if we get hungry."

Noah's fingers tapped along the counter top as she slid onto one of the chairs around the island. A small laugh breezed past her lips. "I'm not that young. Kind of left those partying years behind me." Mostly anyway. She did enjoy the occasional night out drinking and dancing, but that was still far and few between in comparison to her early twenties (or even her teen years - the wonders of fake IDs). "I mostly just needed a break from work-related things..." She took in a breath. "And I also just kind of wanted to talk to you about something..."

[seolinah]

The question flustered her just a tad, ears warming. Her mouth opened to answer, but a strained laugh left her lips as Dallas proclaimed to be kidding. She certainly had been keeping tabs, but she wondered how the other woman would take that if Noah admitted to it. Her shoulders shrugged, trying to ease her own nerves. "I'm fine with just drinking wine."

Following Dallas inside towards the kitchen, she paused at the island. Her gaze remained on her as she went around her kitchen. "I can always order us some..." she trailed off as she caught sight of the woman's midriff. Clearing her throat, she glanced away quickly. Her voice caught, but she attempted to finish what she'd been saying so Dallas wouldn't notice. "...Some take-out. I can order us some take-out if we get hungry."

Noah's fingers tapped along the counter top as she slid onto one of the chairs around the island. A small laugh breezed past her lips. "I'm not that young. Kind of left those partying years behind me." Mostly anyway. She did enjoy the occasional night out drinking and dancing, but that was still far and few between in comparison to her early twenties (or even her teen years - the wonders of fake IDs). "I mostly just needed a break from work-related things..." She took in a breath. "And I also just kind of wanted to talk to you about something..."

Her day started with packing Waylon's suitcase for his nearing travels, another South Asian tour with the San Francisco Symphony, but this weekend was just an investment meeting in California. Sending her husband off to the airport and the kids off to school before confirming their respective sleepover plans, Dallas spent the rest of the remaining light in her studio, working on an instrument. The knock on her front door was an unexpected disruption to her routine whenever she was left to her own devices, but a welcome one as she pushed the goggles back onto her head and brushed off her sleeves.

"Have you been keeping tabs or is the absence of surplus noise already that noticeable?" Any company was better than spending the night watching some trashy reality series, especially if it was Noah's, someone she admittedly was curious about. "I'm kidding, come on in, fair warning, I don't have any food, so if you're here for a free meal, or any cheese to go with the wine, you're going to be sorely perturbed," The housewife led her neighbour through the house until they were in the kitchen, grabbing two wine glasses down from the cupboard, her midriff exposed from the crisp white button-up shirt she was donning, before she adjusted the fabric.

Setting the glasses down, Dallas scoured through some drawers, unsure where her husband last left it before finding the bottle opener. "Make yourself comfortable. You don't have anything better to do on a Friday night? No wild club rave, or mosh pit, whatever it is you young crowd do nowadays?" She hated to admit that at Noah's age, she was club-hopping through Seoul, staying out all night, drinking and smoking, and then snacking on some convenience food to sober up.

[mournfulminds]

Her day started with packing Waylon's suitcase for his nearing travels, another South Asian tour with the San Francisco Symphony, but this weekend was just an investment meeting in California. Sending her husband off to the airport and the kids off to school before confirming their respective sleepover plans, Dallas spent the rest of the remaining light in her studio, working on an instrument. The knock on her front door was an unexpected disruption to her routine whenever she was left to her own devices, but a welcome one as she pushed the goggles back onto her head and brushed off her sleeves.

"Have you been keeping tabs or is the absence of surplus noise already that noticeable?" Any company was better than spending the night watching some trashy reality series, especially if it was Noah's, someone she admittedly was curious about. "I'm kidding, come on in, fair warning, I don't have any food, so if you're here for a free meal, or any cheese to go with the wine, you're going to be sorely perturbed," The housewife led her neighbour through the house until they were in the kitchen, grabbing two wine glasses down from the cupboard, her midriff exposed from the crisp white button-up shirt she was donning, before she adjusted the fabric.

Setting the glasses down, Dallas scoured through some drawers, unsure where her husband last left it before finding the bottle opener. "Make yourself comfortable. You don't have anything better to do on a Friday night? No wild club rave, or mosh pit, whatever it is you young crowd do nowadays?" She hated to admit that at Noah's age, she was club-hopping through Seoul, staying out all night, drinking and smoking, and then snacking on some convenience food to sober up.

closed for @mournfulminds // this plot ft. noah + dallas

Flashbacks of her past had her doubting her actions as she walked up her neighbor's front door. This felt like something the old her would do. Getting involved, being selfish in her own desires, going after someone that wouldn't be hers. And yet, here Noah was, about to do as she pleased. But this time felt different. She tried to tell herself it was different. The feelings she held for her married neighbor weren't fleeting. This wasn't some random whim she decided to follow. She had taken into consideration that it wasn't just her neighbor's life she'd be interfering with.

Knowing Dallas's husband and kids were going to be gone for the weekend was what spurred Noah's actions. She had thought this through and she continued to draw the same conclusion -- I could make her happy and if she wants that too then so be it. Sure, it was a risk, a foolish and potentially pathetic risk, but she was willing to risk it. Rejected or not (and god, did she hope not), she at least wanted to see it through. Sucking in a shaky breath, she pressed the bell and waited for an answer.

"Hey," she said warmly once the door was opened. "So I, uh, know everyone's out for the weekend, so I was wondering if you maybe wanted some company? I have, um, a bottle of wine if that sweetens the deal."