MHA #6, Sunday Morning

[firstofitskind]

Over the last few months, Liam had fallen back on a number of old habits, including the one where he only bothered with sleeping the few hours a night that his body required. Instead, he kept busy doing other things, including regular runs around the island. He was on his way back to the apartment for a shower after one such run just now, as a matter of fact.

After that (and making sure the mice- and squirrel!Verity- had breakfast), it was probably tea and a breakfast sandwich at the Perk. What an exciting life he led.

[ooc: for the wiiiiiife.]

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[arboreal_priestess]

Verity was waiting for him.

Chittering.

She was hungry! She wanted breakfast!

...This, at least, was no different than regular Verity.

[firstofitskind]

Liam had also gotten pretty good at interpreting those chitters. There was a distinct difference between the ‘hungry’ noises and the ‘check the window to make sure it’s secured properly’ noises, for example.

(It was a toss-up as to which he heard more, honestly.)

Anyway, he was already heading to the fridge, yes, and eyeing the contents critically.

He really needed to do a grocery shop, but at least there still was-

“Bagels with cream cheese?” he asked the room at large.

[arboreal_priestess]

Chitter chitter!

She was amenable.

Chitter chitter!

Though peanut butter was better.

Chitter chitter!

Also, she missed coffee.

Chitter chitter!

Actually, she missed a lot of things.

[firstofitskind]

“You know what happened the last time you tried drinking coffee like this,” Liam admonished.

He’d had to pry her off the ceiling. Which wasn’t actually all that different from a normal day with squirrel-Verity, but she’d been vibrating. Tiny flying squirrel hearts and caffeine did not mix at all.

[arboreal_priestess]

Chitter chitter! she admonished, from her perch on the table. Chitter chitter! Chitter chit-- "and, honestly, for the indignity of being a goodamn squirrel for months, I should be allowed both coffee and booze!"

Oh. Um. Hi naked-Verity, still sitting on the table.

[firstofitskind]

“Oh, pardon me, I was just, you know, expressing concern that your heart might explode...,” Liam retorted, not entirely registering the switch from agitated chittering to agitated English.

“... Oh. Hey!” and then he was grinning widely at her.

What, like she’d never been naked on the kitchen table before?

[arboreal_priestess]

"Huh?" Verity looked down at herself; human limbs, pale skin instead of fur, a complete lack of tail... "Hey!" she beams. "I'm back."

And she was leaping off the table and flinging herself at him.

[firstofitskind]

“Oof!” Liam exhaled as she collided with him, arms coming up automatically to encircle her. “Welcome back, love,” he greeted, absolutely beaming.

[arboreal_priestess]

"Oh god, I missed you so much," Verity says, trying to pull his head down for a kiss. "I know I was right here, but it didn't count, I couldn't do this..."

She rises up on her toes, presses her mouth firmly against his.

[firstofitskind]

Yeah, she really didn’t have to try very hard. As with just about anything where she was involved, even without having gone without this for so long, he went willingly, kissing her back fiercely.

He’d missed her too, in case she couldn’t tell.

[arboreal_priestess]

Seemed real, but clearly some further experimentation was necessary. For science and all.

Which would have to wait until she was done kissing him like she needed his mouth more than oxygen. Which didn't seem like it was going to end any time soon.

[firstofitskind]

The moan he let out that was both an expression of relief and months of pent-up frustration was more evidence in the ‘missed her’ column.

And pfft, what was air, anyway?

[arboreal_priestess]

AN INFERIOR CONCERN IS WHAT.

The kiss lasted until Verity literally could not hold her breath and she pulled away, reluctantly. "Hi," she said softly. "I missed you."

[firstofitskind]

“You said that already,” Liam teased, voice soft and full of wonder as he took in the fact that she was back, properly. “I missed you too,” he added, reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and then cupping her cheek in his hand. “So much.”

[arboreal_priestess]

"I said it twice cause I mean it double," Verity said, wrapping her arms around his waist and holding him tightly.

"HAIL TO THE RETURN OF THE ARBOREAL PRIESTESS!" cried one of the mice who had come in to check on breakfast. "HAIL TO THE GLORIOUS NUDITY THAT HERALDS HER RETURN!"

"HAIL!"

[firstofitskind]

“Hail,” Liam agreed fervently. “I should get you some breakfast. Or some clothes.”

Not that he showed any signs of moving to do either just yet.

[arboreal_priestess]

"...Breakfast would be good," Verity said, though she wasn't letting him, either. "Snuggles are better."

Look, curling up on his shoulder as a squirrel was not the same!

[firstofitskind]

It absolutely was not. “What do you want?”

For breakfast, he meant.

Sure, the fridge was looking a little sparse, but that was what delivery was for.

[arboreal_priestess]

"One of everything?" Verity said with a laugh. "Enough coffee to drown in? Excessive amounts of protein?"

To stay right here forever?

[firstofitskind]

"I can make that happen," Liam promised. Except he was leaning down to kiss her again so it might be a minute or twelve before he got on that.

At least he was making good on the answer she hadn't actually voiced?

[arboreal_priestess]

And, honestly, that was the most important one. And she didn't seem to be in such a hurry for breakfast that she was about to complain about more kisses.

It had been a long time.

[firstofitskind]

"Waffles," he murmured against her lips. "With sausage. And bacon." Not that there had been anything but plant-based proteins in their house for... a long time, but they were getting this delivered and anyway, he would've happily grilled her a steak without a second thought right now.

[arboreal_priestess]

"You do love me," Verity sighed. Her arms tighten around his waist and she tries to get get closer still, like any space between them is too much.

[firstofitskind]

"A chuisle mo chroí, remember?" he told her. The feel of her pressed up against him was good, perfect, everything.

[arboreal_priestess]

"Say it again," Verity sighed. "It's been months since I heard it last."

She tilted her head up to look at him, resting her chin on his chest. "I love you, too."