Behind the lens

Getting out of stagnate existence        The name is Avery Hendricks.

[dhyunn]

It still felt odd that he was able to get distracted like this. Normally when he was at home all he had was himself and the silence around him - but now he had her to look at and talk to and be around, although he knew that he would eventually get used to all of that soon enough and it wouldn’t feel so odd anymore. “That’s a silly question,” he stated softly with a grin. There was no doubt in the world that he was his happiest here with her, no matter how little time has passed since they’ve known each other or no matter how soon it probably was in their relationship to take a step this big. “I love it here… I love making you coffee in the morning, and dragging you out places for lunch on the weekends, and unknowingly model for all your photos, and sitting here telling you how much I love it here…”

[averyhendricks]

Avery's smile only seemed to grow as he described some of the many things that had happened since this became a two person household.  His coffee in the morning was what made her ready for the long days ahead of her.  Their weekend lunches seemed to expand her taste buds and give her a whole new sense of adventure that didn't require planes and trains, it just required him. And then there was everything else that made her smile, like the way he chewed on his pens or how the sweats would hang so low on his hips in the mornings he didn't have to get up so early. "Is that all you love?", she asked quietly, her teeth sinking down into her bottom lip as she stared up into his warm chocolate colored irises. She knew her answer, the same one that hung on the tip of her tongue.

[dhyunn]

“Still not my fault!” Nic countered, scrunching his nose up as he was sure they could go back and forth about something silly like this for ages. “Oh, yeah - they adore you. Not only do I never get stuff done but they never have to do work when you’re around ’cause you distract me so much.” While it didn’t sound so pleasant, a smile still crossed Nic’s lips. Oddly enough he didn’t mind all the flustered behavior in the classroom when it came to her - she was a nice distraction, one that he never wanted to get rid of. Setting his pen down completely on the coffee table in front of him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned back against the couch, fully given up on even trying to be productive anymore.

[averyhendricks]

Avery smiled, glad to see that he really didn't mind when she came in to bother him. She knew that teaching was important and that it was his livelihood, so when it was necessary she would stay away and let him work. But right now, in their home, on a early sunday evening, she wanted her boyfriend all to herself. "That's my man", she whispered as he set the pen down, her own arms tightening around his neck and fingers playing with his curly waves. "Are you happy here?", she asked honestly, knowing asking him to move from his home into her apartment was a huge step, and all she wanted was for him to be happy.

[dhyunn]

“Hm… nope, I don’t think so. You’re the one who watches me do that stuff all the time!” he laughed, poking her cheek with the end of his red pen. “Why, of course not. You’re lack of self control is never something to complain about on my part! In fact, it’s actually quite nice.” Placing another kiss, but this time to her forehead, he then pulled away slightly and watched her look at how many papers he still had yet to grade. “All that right there… but something tells me that I won’t be getting that done right this moment.”

[averyhendricks]

"Yeah, but if you didn't do them then I wouldn't sit there and watch them!", she argued, doing her best to find some way to blame the fact that her attention span on anything other then Nic had been extremely short lately. Avery had to smile, unable to help her body's physical reactions to the light kisses her would give her, like he was marking possession of what was his to the rest of the world and assuring her that he was hers all at once. "Your students probably love me by now right? Because I am thinking that you correct on this assumption", she smiled, leaning to press her forehead to his.

[dhyunn]

Nic only grinned, shaking his head once more as she moved herself over and into his lap. It wasn’t unusual for her to distract him while he was trying to get work done and he wasn’t very surprised as her arms wound around his neck this time. “I can’t blame myself for my own face! If anything you should be blamed because you can’t control yourself,” he teased, smirking ever so slightly as he pecked her lips quickly. “It’s cute, though. You’re lucky you look cute with that camera.”

[averyhendricks]

"You can definitely blame yourself for your face! Especially when you put on those glasses or you chew on the end of your pen", she sighed wistfully, gladly accepting his kisses. "You never seem to complain that I can't control myself!", She smiled warmly up at him, turning to look over her shoulder at the pile of papers he had left in his grading stack. "How much more do you have to do?", she asked curiously, that same all too innocent tone seeping into her voice.

[dhyunn]

Nic glanced up from his paperwork and over to the couch a few feet over where Avery sat, camera in her hand and up to her face where she was snapping several photos of him once again. The second time today and the fifth time this week - he didn’t get it; how he could be so picture worthy doing something so boring. But each to their own thoughts, he supposed, as he shook his head with a laugh and looked back down at what he was doing. “I really do hope you’re not trying to be sneaky with that, there, Hendricks - because I’d hate to be the one to inform you that your flash was just on.”

[averyhendricks]

Avery had glanced out from behind her camera as Nic's chocolate covered eyes met hers. As usual, she flashed him her best innocent grin before snapping another few pictures of him. " I am a photographer, Bryar! I know when my flash is on!", she scoffed, before setting her beloved camera on the couch and moving over to him, plopping down in his lap, arms wounding around his neck. "You should blame yourself for that adorably sexy concentrated look you get when you do your grading", she sighed, thumb lightly tracing over the pout in his lip.

[dhyunn]

With the way that Avery described the packaging his belated gift had came in and the way that she hummed so innocently afterwards, Nicolas could start to piece together in his mind what exactly the contents of this pink bag would be - because surely nothing appropriate and PG rated would be presented that way when Avery was the giver, so it was okay for his mind to take that route and jump to conclusions so quickly. Shaking his head, he turned on his heel and entered the bedroom. Just as she said, the pink bag sat on the bed where he assumed she placed it. And it was true that the wrapping did not disappoint as Nic grabbed it and looked inside, the lacy material not even having to be seen for more than a second to figure out that it was indeed what he could guess. A laugh escaped his lips, though, and he shook his head yet again. Looking from the bag in his hand and peering into the kitchen where Avery was, a smirk tugged at his lips. “Dear, God - you’re a trip, aren’t you?” he laughed again, his words loud enough for her to hear before he set the gift down and moved to join her in the kitchen instead. “—— A sexy trip,” he corrected himself, then, that smirk still present across his features as he couldn’t help but to walk over towards her and take her in his arms again. “Thank you, though, babe. As much as you tempt me, I appreciate the spoiling this time around.” He pressed a kiss to her temple before letting her go and allowing her to carry on with whatever she was doing. “And shrimp pasta is fine by me, by the way.”

[averyhendricks]

Avery had to hold back her laughing as she could hear Nic wandering into the room. There was nothing that seemed to peek a man's interest like a pink bag and the promise of sex. And that was something that seemed to come more and more frequently since that first night together. Not that she was complaining one bit. But the sound of his voice had her laughing again, because it was true. He had been in her life such a short amount of time but it was like he was the person who knew her the best. "You know I am", she called over her shoulder, shocked when his arms were around her neck. She had gotten lost in getting ready for the dinner she was making him that she had not realized he was back wrapped around her. "Well, sexy trips are always the fun ones! I mean who doesn't want to have sex in every room of their hotel room and every chance they get?", she laughed, despite the blush that seemed to cover her cheeks as she leaned back into him. "You're welcome, I told you that my little balcony bed wasn't all I had for you! It was all I could do with the mobility of my knee at the time. This is much different now", she smirked, turning her cheek to press a kiss to his, before looking back over at the water as it boiled. "Can you get the shrimp out of the freezer while I make the sauce, please?", she asked, throwing him another one of her not so innocent-innocent grins.

[averyhendricks]

@nicjbryar: @averyzhendricks why, it could have been... :-) if you bring me coffee then you can even hang around for awhile, as long as you aren't too cold.

@averyzhenricks: @nicjbryar I wouldn't be a distraction????

[averyhendricks]

@nicjbryar: Classroom for trade. -16282 degrees daily. Broken heating system allows for frequent use of a warm winter coat. Will take any offer at this point and even provide the winter coat.

@nicjbryar: Woah, guys. Don't all jump at the offer so quickly.

@averyzhendricks: @nicjbryar is this your way of hinting I bring you coffee more often?

[cxnner-ross]

Conner looked over to the sound of his daughter calling him out as the woman she bumped into fell back on the grass. “Fuck.” He stated, getting closer to both of the ladies and taking the leash from Mia’s hands. He helped the woman get up, hoping that she hadn’t gotten to hurt considering that she was already wearing a knee brace. “No, but still I’m sorry. Mia still missing some control lessons.” He stated, looking down at his daughter before picking her up and checking her face. “She’s okay… Er are you okay?”

[averyhendricks]

Avery took his hand and stood up, taking a deep breath to blink away the tears. There was no way she was going to accept being hurt, if anything it was just the fear of possibly being hurt getting to her. "It's okay, I was the same way when I was a kid", she explained, waving her hand ad absentmindedly rubbing her knee. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just scared me is all, I'm glad your daughter is okay."

[sutterxlewis-deactivated2015020]

Sutter was very close to replying something along the lines of how convenient  it really was, because he happened to have a dick, but he stopped himself. Which turned out to be smart as it turns out, the girl in front of him was not single. “Well that means there’s hope for me. Three weeks and you guys live together? Wow. Little fast don’t you think?”

[averyhendricks]

Avery smiled over the rim of her glass, that was the same response she had been getting all week. "I technically have known him five weeks, but yeah, three weeks. I don't exactly do anything slow or with thinking and they end up being the best decisions of my life", she admitted, shrugging her shoulders as she downed the rest of her scotch. "Besides, when you know you've got something, you know."

[dhyunn]

Nic could practically imagine already what it would be like to take on the world with Avery - flying wherever the hell they wanted to go and doing whatever the hell they wanted to do - and, like she said, have all the time possible to do so on a schedule that was completely their own. Not only were there so many lingering promises within those thoughts that made his heart flutter, but there were so many other thoughts in regards to their future like this that his mind had wandered off and couldn’t quite control. “Hm… yeah, I like the sound of that.” He let his eyes fall closed as Avery continued to press kisses to his lips, returning them with ease and no hesitation at all. Staying here like this and just sharing kisses like this was something that Nic had found himself enjoying very much every time it happened - and every time that either one of them went to pull away, he found himself sighing and wishing that they didn’t have to and could just take in the peacefulness for just a second or two longer. And a second or two longer after that, and a second or two longer after that. And now was no exception. Hearing that she had got him something, Nic rolled his eyes and shook his head. “How many times do I have to tell you that you shouldn’t have to get me anything? Besides, my birthday was ages ago! Spending all these nights with you was enough of a belated birthday present.” Though a smile soon poked through his features, curious to know what exactly she had gotten him even though his protests said otherwise.

[averyhendricks]

Avery smirked, it always made her feel just how much he really cared  for her with the way his eyes seemed to flutter shut every time their lips came into contact. It was the same way her's did whenever his lips touched her shoulder in the morning or as he walked out the door to make it to his early classes on time. Those little things were all she noticed, they were her career, but when it came to noticing them in Nicolas it was an art form. She noticed the tired way he'd run his hands through his hair, or the way he'd let his glasses fall to the bridge of his nose as he read over his student's homework assignments. "How many times do I have to tell you that I enjoy spoiling people, but I think you'll choose to love this gift if you would go open that pink bag on the bed", she hummed innocently, walking into the kitchen. Avery had decided that they needed to celebrate this day. She could go get her hair fixed later on or even tomorrow, but for now, she wanted to enjoy the fact that she had dove in head first and not hit the rocky bottom. "Chicken or shrimp pasta?", she called over her shoulder, fishing the large pot from her cabinet. Her hazel eyes would drift up to Nicolas every few seconds, just anticipating his reaction to the gift, fighting the smirk off her face.

[dhyunn]

It was safe to say that Nicolas grew up despising his parents and all that they had done for him - or, more likely, all that they hadn’t done for him. He hated being dragged around like their forgotten rag doll and he hated especially when they showed up on New Years. However, he had to say, that in an odd way his parents were partially to thank for all of this - not only he and Avery growing closer together, but for him getting the chance to stay here permanently. If they hadn’t surprised him and arrived spontaneously to bring him around Seattle, then the man wouldn’t have felt the need to head over to Avery’s house the first chance he got. Avery wouldn’t have offered him the chance to hide out here if he hadn’t came over that night, nor would he have took it and never left either. Because he had stayed over all those nights, the trust between them built up greater and greater, and because of the fact that he never really stopped coming around, the memories they created were indescribable and the love that had sprouted previously had finally started blooming. Not that he thought they wouldn’t have eventually ended up in this situation one way or another - but he was positive that it had happened much faster than it would have if the cards were laid out differently. And he was happier with this way than thinking of any other. “Glad to be here, Avery Hendricks,” he countered, a soft smile that matched on his lips as she drew herself closer to him. Even though he was practically living here before today and getting to experience her love every day, he was sure that this was something that was impossible to get used to - she was impossible to get used to, and he was okay with that. “I’ll gladly see the world again if I could take you with me, you know.” And that was the truth. Nic felt like over the years he saw everything that there was to possibly see, but he wouldn’t mind dropping everything and doing it all again with her - mostly because he was positive that he would enjoy it this time with her by his side. “I happen to think that the purple really sets the mood, actually - but, if we must,” he teased with a small laugh before placing small kisses to her lips. 

[averyhendricks]

Hallie had told her that one day she would find someone that she'd want to see the world with, that those one man adventures she had grown to love would become two man adventures. That there wouldn't need to be any tour guides to fill her needs, there would be Nicolas there with his strong arms wrapped around her and the infectious laugh filling the different memories that they would create. And for the first time in her life, Avery knew that there was nothing else in the world that she could want or need other than this man right here. "Maybe we should sit down ad talk about the possibility of all of that, but I think we have all the time in the world to figure it out", she cooed, raising up on her toes to press and light kiss to the corner of his lips.She took the opportunity to steal just a few more kisses from his ever desirable lips. It was just nearly impossible to pull away, to tear herself from all these different emotions that always flooded her heart whenever he came in through that door. Avery had to laugh and roll her eyes, drawing back from him and taking his hands into her own. "Well, we can figure all that bonding of my stuff and your stuff later. I was actually about to go make some dinner, but there's also something in the room for you. You know, that long lost birthday present I couldn't give you because someone never gave me a heads up that he was having a birthday!", she smirked, taking those hesitant steps back from him, into the direction of her- of their kitchen.

[dhyunn]

As each ticking second passed by in a silence that only confirmed their loyalty to one another, and as Avery’s hands came to rest upon his chest and her eyes continued to dart between his own and the tie strapped to his clean dress shirt, Nic had an inkling that he was starting to understand exactly what this feeling was that radiated through his bones whenever he was with her. The feeling of security, safety, and home. All of his life, the only thing that he ever wanted was the security in knowing that nobody was going to be out of his life as quick as they came. All he wanted was a place that he could call home - a place that he could take pride in, a place that he could fall back upon, a place that he could root for. However home was just some place that he could never have. It was unreachable, and even after all these years he was still thinking so —— until Avery walked into his life. Avery Hendricks was a woman who was capable of making his whole perspective on life flip around. And along with that came the perspective of home. All this time he had thought that home would be a place - a country, a city, a building - but little did he know that home would be a person, a feeling, something that he couldn’t see his life without anymore. Maybe that was why his mind became so eager as he absorbed her ramblings, or maybe that was why he started to feel less and less welcome at his own house and more and more welcome at hers. — At his house, she wasn’t there to sift through his clothing to find her next sleepwear, or listen to him talk on and on about his day every night he came home, or pester him with kisses to his skin while he was trying to finish grading papers; all little things he had long been accustomed to by now and all little things that were just becoming a part of what he expected. Though at her house she was there to do all of those things and more - so that’s where he wanted to be, that’s where he needed to be, and that’s where he was going to be. Because without her and all the little things that she was made up with, he didn’t have home. And that was something he couldn’t afford to do without any longer. “I don’t think you understand how happy I’d be to live with you…” he mumbled, smiling at just the thought of not having to take the extra miles anymore. “Because even though you are a little bit reckless and a whole lot of crazy and you may make stupidly rash decisions from time to time, believe me when I tell you that your question was not as unthought out as you may have hinted at… I mean, I think I’ve thought that out enough for the both of us by this point and I still say yes.” A laugh escaped his lips, before he couldn’t help himself at this point and leaned down to press them against hers. “So you must not be half bad.”

[averyhendricks]

There was once a man in Avery's life that had a file on her, that would sit down and listen to all the things she said as he made notes, and he had told her what h thought her life was worth. He told her how she wasn't ever going to get anywhere in life if she didn't start thinking about the decisions she made and the people they affected. Avery still remembered the day she politely told the psychiatrist to shove it up his ass and walked out. Rash decisions was something that made Avery who she was, and rash decisions were something that she wasn't willing to change about herself. A rash decision brought her into the world of photography. A rash decision has brought her the friends she had left in this world. And now a rash decision had brought someone into her home. It had brought in the one boy who she could see herself with in the future. For years she wondered if she'd ever have a person like Adrian and Hallie had each other, but she never thought she would. Those people were a one in million chance on finding. Never did she think she would run into that person in the hall of her old college. Never did she think that she would be staring up into his eyes, discussing their real shot at a future. And never did she think that he would want it as much as she wanted it. "Well then, welcome home Nicolas Bryar", she smiled against his lips, drawing her body into his. Her hands slipped from his tie and her arms wrapped around his neck. Her home here with her boyfriend, their perfect little start to whatever crazy adventure was calling to them. "I want to see the world with you one day, I hope you know that", she admitted, feeling like now there was no walls standing between them. If anything, the walls were wrapped around them, protecting them from the outside worlds influence. "Does this mean we need to go get a non-purple comforter set?", she asked with a quiet laugh, allowing her forehead to come into contact with his and her lips to lightly brush against his.

[cursethefadingofthelight]

"Being alone’s strange" but perhaps that was because she had gone from having Emmy around all the time to being in a hospital. For a long time the only people who ever really came had been her father and sister, but now there was others and she couldn’t have been more grateful. Especially for Avery. Who else would have cut their hair for hair, and tell her stories about her mysterious mother. "Nicolas… he sounds nice" or at least she hoped he was, but a small jealous side of her hoped it didn’t mean that Avery would no longer have time for her. "Mmhhmm, daddy, my doctor and some of the nurses here" she replied with a smile. Well when you didn’t have a lot to do you did start to pick up on things.

[averyhendricks]

"It is, but it is also nice sometimes, it lets your think", she said, wondering how this young girl was already grasping such important concepts. She was growing up too fast in a world like this and Avery hated it. "He is very nice, and he makes the best damn pancakes in the world. Don't tell your dad I said damn", she laughed, amazed at the conversation they could have together. "Well you are! But I promise you we're all going to be okay", she promised, even if it wasn't a promise she could keep.

[cursethefadingofthelight]

"That sounds lonely…" Erin mused, but then of the two twins she always had been the louder of the two. The one who took after her mother rather then her father in that regard. Erin smiled a little, "you look like Rapunzel at the end of the movie" she said with a giggle. She loved that movie, not quite as much as Emmy though. The thought of her sister made her sad for a moment but hearing Avery mention the boy she gave a small gasp. Turned out her analogy was truer then she realised, "so you have a Flinn Rider too?" she asked with a smile. At Avery’s protest she shook her head. "I know daddy better then anyone. He’s pushing everyone away because he’s scared. Lyvia was his best friend, and Hollie was acting like a different person last time I saw her. You know he doesn’t take loss well, that’s why we moved wasn’t it?" of course no one would tell her the real reason, or any of the above if she was honest. But it take much to realise that the mysterious dead bride the nurses talked about was the same bride who Emmy had been a flower girl for, and that her father was being strange. 

[averyhendricks]

"It was, but I used to like that. Now I am the furthest thing from that, except I do still enjoy being alone from time to time", she admitted, knowing that Avery had always been the black sheep of the family, but it wasn't ashamed of it anymore. What made her different made her who she was and made her strong. At the girl's question, Avery couldn't help but laugh, tipping her head back. "I guess I do have a Flynn Ryder, though I tend to call him Nicolas", she chuckled, reaching up to ruffle Erin's new hair. However, she found herself staring down at the young girl, a confused expression on her face. "Has anyone ever told you that you are way too smart for your own good?", she sighed, cracking another grin. "You are right though."

[sutterxlewis-deactivated2015020]

After pouring the drink, he leaned against the bar, his face sitting in his hands. “Well…don’t get me wrong. I like girls…I love girls…but dating? Living with one? I do not see myself doing that anytime soon.” He huffed out a long drawn out breath, rolling his eyes slightly. “I can barely handle my roommate, how will I ever handle a girlfriend?” Standing up straight again, he flailed his hand back as he spoke. “And well there’s that and the fact that I…well…

[averyhendricks]

"Well what a coincidence we have there because I happen to like it too", she laughed, reaching forward to take the glass of scotch into her hand and sipping it. Avery found herself chuckling at the way this conversation had turned. "You literally sound like me no more than three weeks ago. I loved boys but dating wasn't my thing, unless you call days and nights of meeting up for sex dating. Guess I am one of those cheesy people who met the right person and am now dating and living with someone."

[cxnner-ross]

"Mia, Lady!" Conner yelled, running after his daughter, that was sprinting with a dog leash in her hand. Forcing himself to go faster, Conner managed to see his daughter crash into another person before her while distracted. "Shit." He uttered, catching up and crouching to look at his daughter. "Sorry.. She gets a little out of hand when she holds the leash." He explained, picking up the barking dalmatian and checking his daughter’s face fora moment.

[averyhendricks]

Avery had managed to escape the apartment without her crutches. Sure it was stupid, but she needed to go out and walk. She needed to see the city and the people, to take pictures. Everything was going fine as she limped along in her knee brace, until suddenly it felt like a truck had hit her and sending her falling into the grass. With a quiet moan in pain, she glance dup to the little girl. "It's okay, really, I don't think they did it on purpose", she smiled softly, pushing herself back up. "Is she okay?"