MHA #6, Friday Evening

[firstofitskind]

It had taken a ridiculously long time to get from the causeway back to Verity's apartment. Mostly because Liam was... let's just say the combination of 'easily distracted' and 'uncoordinated' was working against him in that respect. And Verity's apartment wasn't even that far from the causeway, all things considered.

But they made it, finally, stumbling in through the doorway. Or Liam stumbled, and Verity just patiently guided him towards the couch.

"We're here already?" he exclaimed, surprised. Apparently, it hadn't seemed like such a 'ridiculously long time' to him.

[ooc: for she what's named in the post! also warning for uh. side-effects of drug use? sort of?]

Comments

[arboreal_priestess]

"Yeah," Verity said with a nod, slinging her legs over his lap and resting the popcorn bowl in hers. Mice appeared from nowhere, inching towards the scent of salty, buttery goodness. "Most of my family does."

[firstofitskind]

"I like the way it sounds," Liam admitted. "I like your full name, too, but- I was just wondering if, um, it'd be okay if I did too? Sometimes, maybe."

[arboreal_priestess]

Liam was the fucking cutest. Honestly.

"Hmmm," Verity said, considering him like this was actually something she had to debate. "Are you ever going to call me Very-Very-Quite-Contrary?"

[firstofitskind]

Hey, all he knew was some people considered nicknames Extremely Serious Business.

"Iunno," he said. "Are you?"

[arboreal_priestess]

"Sometimes," Verity admitted because, hey, self-knowledge was important. "Not actually relevant to the question, though."

[firstofitskind]

"If it bothers you? Nope," Liam said, shaking his head. "I would not."

[arboreal_priestess]

"Well, you'd be doing a semi-decent impression of Antimony and that's not a good look on anybody," Verity said, leaning over to give him a salty kiss. "But sure. I think we're close enough for you to call me Very if you want to. My favorites generally do."

[firstofitskind]

Liam felt a warm wave of happiness crash in to him at hearing the words ‘my favorites’, like the way a sip of good whiskey burned pleasantly as it went down. His hand fumbled for hers again, palm flat and fingers splayed; sex (or a Joining) may be off the table tonight, but maybe Sharing would be okay? He just... wanted Verity to know how good she made him feel, and this seemed like the easiest way.

[arboreal_priestess]

Verity pressed her palm to his and was immediately awash with warmth and fuzzy feelings. In the first few seconds, it was hard to sort through what was what: her feelings, his feelings, what each emotion was. She was still new at Sharing and it wasn't like Sarah's or Grandma Baker's telepathy.

All she knew was that she was afloat in care and fondness and it felt really good.

[firstofitskind]

Liam slowly curled his fingers down until they twined with hers, gently breaking the connection.

“S’what it’s like,” he said, with a soft smile. “See?”

[arboreal_priestess]

"I like it," Verity breathed. "It's...comforting. Does it always have to be palm to palm?"

[firstofitskind]

Liam nodded. “Energy flow,” he explained, or tried to. “Goes out from the core. Through shaqarava, the conduit.”

[arboreal_priestess]

"Aww," she teased. "I could think of another couple of places it would be fun to initiate a Sharing from."

Clearly she was talking about innocent things, like cupping someone's cheek, or resting their hand on a shoulder. CLEARLY.

[firstofitskind]

“Like where?” Liam couldn’t help but ask now.

[arboreal_priestess]

"I'll tell you when you sober up," she promised with a wicked smile.

[firstofitskind]

Liam’s reply to that was a huffy, drawn-out sigh. So mean, Verity. SO MEAN.

[arboreal_priestess]

Verity leaned forward to feed him some popcorn. "Do you really wanna know now? All you're going to do is think about it."

You know, until he got distracted.

[firstofitskind]

Liam, who was currently licking butter off the hand not holding Verity’s, paused to blink owlishly at her. “Think about what?”

Case in fucking point, Liam.

[arboreal_priestess]

"How good this popcorn is," Verity sighed, very much not watching him lick his hand. "You did a very good job, watching this popcorn."

She needed a drink.

[firstofitskind]

And now Liam was just going to squint in her direction. "Are you patronizing me?" he asked accusingly.

[arboreal_priestess]

"I am," she said, nodding. And grinning. "Yeah, like 100%."

[firstofitskind]

"Hmph," Liam frowned at her. "Dunno if I should share my popcorn anymore."

First of all, it was Verity's popcorn. Second... he absolutely would continue to share it.

[arboreal_priestess]

She was going to give him sad eyes anyway. "You don't wanna share with me?" she asked, letting her lip tremble.

[firstofitskind]

"I do," Liam said. "But not if you're gonna be mean."

[arboreal_priestess]

Verity sniffled. "I can't believe you would deny me popcorn," she said.