Summer Soldier

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             ❛    I feel like we just ate.    ❜     In truth, that is how she feels. It’s not a complaint. Sally, who is not completely sure of how hungry she is, is charmed anyway.    ❛    Is that fudge?    ❜    Well, to hell with doubting her lack of appetite.    ❛    Let’s dig in,   ❜    suggests Sally, for no particular reason other than she WANTS to indulge herself even more on her birthday  –––––  and Mal is doing a pretty good job of continually indulging her so far. It’s perfect, this kind of set up. She reaches for a slice of fudge and her eyes lower over its sides. Sally, starstruck and alert, takes a bite. It’s decadent and extra rich from the creamy marshmallow inside. She loves marshmallow, so that makes it even better.

             Sally breathes a little sigh, a happy smile pressed to her mouth. She finishes it and reaches for another piece. Mal sits beside her, eating, their movements constant. Sally’s fingertips encircle the water bottle for a drink and sips. She sets it back down and goes for the sandwich. It’s vegetarian, with slices of tomatoes, hummus, avocado, lettuce and green apple tucked between the bread slices. There’s a constant flow of more, food and drink, filling and delicious. Dark eyes are warm with contentment, burgeoning with adoration and appreciation for him. So far he’s given her the gift of adventure and a languid, wonderfully romantic picnic at the beach. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Sally wonders if she can love him more than she already does. No matter how hard she tried to avoid it in the past, she couldn’t catch herself from falling. It happened before she could realize.

             Sally’s gaze wavers when she finishes. She’s full, but not too full to move.     ❛    I’m going to get dressed.   ❜    She breaks the quiet, words dangling in the space between them. Sally stands up and moves over toward the pile of her discarded clothes.

             Back turned, she isn’t plotting or being coy, nothing about her movements choreographed. Even so, she possesses the sort of effortless, glowing beauty of a young woman in bloom. Sally is deeply concentrated, lips pursed as she busies herself with tossing straps of fabric and shimmying into others. Cold air brushes exposed skin.

The calming effect of the beach left each to their own thoughts. With lunch placed out, both Sally and he ate at their own leisure. It wasn't like earlier with breakfast where the warmth and spices brought about heavy gazes or playful words. Instead, it was relaxed, the soft wind stealing away their words before they could be spoken and leaving only smiles of delight. Mal himself was happy that the food had stayed as fresh as it had after being outside for hours. And the hot chocolate was perfect for immediate drinks instead of waiting for it to cool. But most delightful of all was watching Sally indulge  herself in the food he had made.

Taking a sip of his water to wash down the last few bites of the sandwich, Mal watched as Sally rose and walked towards her clothes. There was no intentional sway of her hips or coy looks as she removed the swimwear. Yet, Mal took in every sight, every movement with a lustful greed. Never would he say he had seen a more beautiful woman, for such a statement would be an utter lie. In clothes or out of them, he desired the sight of her. Even as hooded eyes watched her pull up her underwear, an idea formed in his mind.

Quietly, he moved off of the chair, his hand sliding down to the small box that had been out of sight. Flicking it open, he removed its contents and stood up. The sand masked his footfalls as he approached her from behind. Settling his free hand on her waist and his closed hand against her other side to keep the surprise from jolting her away, Mal tilted his head and kissed her on the neck. The first one was soft and chaste, but just the heat of her skin against his lips begged him for more. So another was placed, and another, each one longer and more sensual. Desire nearly swept him away and he found his free hand traveling further around to her stomach and rising up until just under her covered breast. Breathing hard, Mal pulled his lips away from her neck and moved them to just outside her ear.

“Birthday present number two,” Mal said softly, his tone still husky from the numerous thoughts swelling in his mind. Dangling now in front of her was a necklace of similar design to the hairpins. Shaped in a glass cone was another dried flower, this one a deep violet lavender. Petals of the thin flower decorated the sides while in the very center was a partial stem with more of the petals. Regretfully removing his hand from her skin, Mal maneuvered his hands over her shoulders so that he could latch the thin chain around her neck. “You look more an more beautiful every day, Sally Owens,” Mal whispered into her ear before finally backing up a couple steps.

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

          Closing her eyes, she freely submerges herself into the cozy intimacy ensuing. Can she believe he’s real? Sometimes, Sally can’t. Contentment spreads over them like a soft, long blanket, settling over everything, calming all wayward thoughts. Lashes lift as she receives an answer she should have expected. Eyebrows raise, chilled knuckles resting beneath her lowered chin. Her interest in finding out about the chest’s contents and her boyfriend’s vagueness does that. Sally’s smile is RELAXED, apart from the nip of teeth into a plush bottom lip, and her curiousity only grows. If there ever is a day ripe for new possibilities to be explored, this is it, and Mal has been devout in his adoration.

           ❛    Do I have any guesses? Hmmm. A few, yeah.    ❜    Sally has already spent half the time she’s been seated making lists of what could be inside. A cooler filled with beers, food, another birthday present  ———  only she’s not too certain on the specifics. Sally is just testing Mal, but evidently he is keeping his surprises concealed until the time of their unveiling. She stretches out in the chair, soft, thick fabric slipping down the length of her arms. Then it settles, and she tugs, bundled back up to her swan-like neck for warmth. Like Mal, she could easily fall asleep like this, feeling like she’s slipped into one of her best daydreams. A sleepiness pulses through Sally’s sluggish form, eyes falling closed again. It’s not a dream, and that’s the best part. Things like this are her reality.

             In golden slices of moments like the one she is dozing into, Sally remembers her mother. Don’t live a little. Live a lot. Sally has grown up from the small girl she used to be when Regina whispered those meaningful words to her. That much is clear. She feels a smarting, familiar pang of ache start in her breastbone; sometimes, she can hold so much bitterness toward the woman in her memory. It’s swiftly chased away by a stronger gust of emotion, like a sharp sweep of a bird’s wing. Sally thinks she would be proud.

Sally's simple answer to his question left Mal amused. Surely what was contained within had sparked her curiosity, but Sally was unwilling to name all her guesses. He had stated that it was full of surprises, as much of the day had been planned out in that way. However, by the chest being in plain sight, it forced her to think just what might be inside. Knowing this, Mal let time linger on, the warmth of the blankets keeping them comfortable as the sun rose higher into the sky.

“Well, I guess I can reveal one more surprise for now.” Shrugging off the layers of cloth, Mal reached to the chest and picked up his shirt to put on. There was still a light chill in the air and he didn't much care for letting his teeth chatter as he set up the area. Standing up, Mal rearranged his chair and the wooden box so that it sat between both of them. Flipping open the lid, Mal began pulling out their lunch and setting it momentarily on his chair. A smaller box was pulled out as well, but placed on the sand next to the chest outside of Sally's sight.

Closing the chest, Mal looked up towards Sally and said, “Time for lunch.” Placing a water bottle for both of them on either side of the flat chest, Mal also sat down a mug. Into each mug he poured mint hot chocolate from a thermos. It had cooled somewhat in the long time waiting, but small wisps of steam still rose occasionally. Next a plate was placed with a premade vegetarian sandwich for both of them. He still ate meat, but not as heavily in front of Sally. A lunch suited for her made solely by him was all he wanted to do for the afternoon. Finally, in a small container to the side were numerous pieces of chocolate marshmallow fudge. Naturally, the container was adorned with childish looking witch stickers. “Hungry?” Mal asked as he sat back down.

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             What does that make her? Isn’t he a smart aleck? Isn’t he a silver-tongued show off? Sally doesn’t retract her trembling hand.   ❛   Mmm. C-C-Crazy for you, I-I guess.   ❜   Neither of them care about the outside world, but they do care about the cold, or at least their bodies do. Sally can’t deny the thrill induced by it, the scent of salty tang lapping all around them. The water is frigid enough to really make you feel it, enough to make your skin pale and turn to blue. They don’t really have any defenses against it. It’s dangerous business, too cold to be in the ocean during this time of year. She thinks at once that both of the aunts would approve of what they are doing if not because of that fact. 

             ❛   I-I can a-agree with….  ❜  The wet air bounces around Sally’s frame as Mal’s rowdy and fluid energy takes control. She blinks twice, mouth falling wide open.

             ❛   M-Mal, NO!   ❜  A trill of shrill laughter escapes. Regardless of her girlish protests she’s quick to cling, arms reflexively falling around his neck. It isn’t the first time for him to surprise her by sweeping her off her feet. Sally focuses on holding on. Being this close to him makes Sally’s chest tighten and quaky. He makes her feel delicate in a way she rarely feels  ———  burdened as the older sister as she can be. For the longest time she didn’t think it was possible she could get what she wanted, but Sally knows she can count on Mal to make her remember she’s still young. She noses into his cold shoulder and can’t make eye contact this close; she might have been drunk off the romance of it all, but she’s focused on returning to the beach. Not that he minds, he moves like he’s a driven madman, which he’s prone to do. He’s always very clearly known what he wanted.

             Mal slows his steps on the sand, and she draws back and turns a fraction to gaze around. He could have set her down as soon as he reached the beach, but Mal waits until they reach the pair of chairs left purposefully out. She stares up at him like he’s a mystery to be solved. She’s lost herself in him, in this. She’s let it happen. Sally has to smile because everything about Mal is carefree even as he bundles her up. This is him being a caring boyfriend. It doesn’t feel like gloating now. It feels like security, which is a homey thing to take comfort in. Silence falls. Sally sits back in her cocoon and peers over at the box and Mal. A flash of warmth flickers despite her shivering, lips tilted for a long moment.

              ❛   What’s in the chest?  ❜   Sally shifts to tenderly stare at him. She’s just watching him, chilled cheek pressed to blanket. The wind isn’t cold, but it has a bite to it.

Finally nestled into the blankets, warmth stole into Mal's core. He hadn't realized just how insanely cold he had been until the stabbing pain of nerves rejuvenated started pricking his feet and ankles. Drawn up around his neck, the desire for sleep started to ebb into his mind. It wasn't a horrible idea really. Sitting on the beach bundled up with his girlfriend and taking a short nap. Who would disturb them? Honestly? But he had plans. And those were a rarity, yet when he did have plans, he followed them through. Well, unless Sally chose differently. This was her day and regardless how much preparation he had made, he had no intention of denying what she wanted. Her curiosity was another matter.

Turning his head to the side to regard her, Mal simply smiled. “Surprises.” That was all he was willing to give in answer to her question. She would find out soon enough once they were both warm, but until such happened, he intended on drawing out the unexpected. Eyes glinting with bemused mirth, he turned back towards the sea and watched as waves crashed against the shore. Up above them, the sun was slowly continuing its slow ascent in the sky. Morning was beginning to give way to noon and soon lunch would arrive.

Eyes closing, Mal let the serenity of the beach suck him in. It was relaxing here, on the beach with the woman he loved. School was an afterthought. Life with his aunt was far, far away. Even days on the farm were pulled away by the ocean breeze. Only the times spent with Sally, the nights spent staying up too late, the early morning cuddle sessions, the walks through town holding hands, only those remained. A smile held on his lips as he thought about the girl to his side and the memories they shared. And today, well today would be one of his most treasured. “Think you can guess any?” Mal asked after a time, eyes still closed and spirits high.

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             To Sally’s surprise, she’s standing on the beach on the last day of October, her birthday. It’s chilly out but that doesn’t stop her from agreeing to do this. That’s Mal’s secret power. He doesn’t have magic sizzling in his blood like an Owenses, but he’s a boy who does as he pleases, and he can easily convince Sally to follow his lead and nearly do anything. He builds her up, with every ridiculous plan he concocts sparked by a love for wild fun. His introduction into her life has given the aunts exactly what they have always wanted for her. She’s not like her MOTHER, but Mal keeps Sally from staying cooped up inside the house on Magnolia street. He’s the reason she’s been drawn out here and is readying herself to do something so utterly crazy. Well, to hell with practicality, apparently.

             A familiar, dubious gloss tints her eyes, but despite her current disposition she says,   ❛   No.  ❜   Her hand twines more with his. She’s thinking about just how true his words are; even with all the trouble he’s been in, he’s never done that to her. Ever.

             It’s like being poured out of a spout with the open sea lying before them. That’s Sally’s first thought as she feels the rush of speed and energy blowing behind her. The wet grittiness of the sand gives away underneath their racing feet. Then there’s the rustling of wind and cold water, the taste of salt spray as they charge into the dark ocean together, splashing and stepping forward into the surf. Sally can’t believe how cold it is; it nips and bites at her skin everywhere it touches like freezing liquid fire, sending a giddy spike of endorphins flooding through her  ———   like when you’ve been awake for too long or had too much caffeine. Mal is beside her, smiling even as he shivers. He has a rakish charm that pulls her in, his thick hands take her form and pulls her flush against him.

             Sally feels an inflated, ardent adoration as he presses a kiss to her lips. Warmth. Her body floods with it as strong hands brace her body. Sally meets his gaze with a smile that presses full over her mouth, a tender hand lightly cupping the line of his jaw. Another kiss is granted. She breathes in a shuddering breath, dark brown eyes swimming in love and adrenaline as she clings onto him for heat. Gaze glistens like jars of honey left out on a windowsill in the sun as Sally tips her head, teeth chattering.  ❛   Y-Y-You’re crazy.   ❜ 

Every logical thought within Mal's body screamed for him to return to shore. To run as fast as he could to the nearest house and drop in front of the fireplace with blankets covering him. His body protested the absurdity of standing still as waves lapped against his legs. But Mal wasn't one to bow down to the needs of rational reasoning. He was dating a witch after all. No, he didn't care how much the cold bit at his skin or how the feeling in his toes was starting to be replaced with numbness. Well, maybe a little on that last detail, but he could wait it out for a few seconds longer.

“A-And what d-does that sa-say about yo-you?” He asked through shivering lips with a smile spread from cheek to cheek. He couldn't remember a time he had been so cold, as if ice was spreading through his veins. Yet that ice was being met with fire, warding off the chill through a joy that could never be frozen. Pulling back to stare at her trembling form, Mal could see her own rush of blood fighting against the oncoming paleness. At one point, before his feet had actually touched water, he had considered splashing her. That idea was abandoned in favor of a much better one.

“I thi-think we shou-should return to sho-shore, Ms. Owens.” Giving her no time to fully process her words, Mal crouched down to dip one hand underneath her legs and the other against her lower back. It had happened enough that he knew she would latch on, either through instinct or a primal desire to be away from the freezing ocean. And even as his feet shifted beneath the sand, Mal was hoisting Sally out of the water and hugging her tight. Droplets slid down her leg to his arms sending warning signals to his brain, but he pressed on, carrying his girlfriend towards the beach where the two chairs sat.

Pace quickening once he had reached dry land, the chill of the water had been replaced with the biting wind. Yet he had been prepared for that. Setting Sally down on one chair, Mal immediately turned towards the large chest and pulled forth a towel for each of them as well as some blankets. Draping the towel across her legs, Mal started to bundle his girlfriend in the warm fabric to return heat to her body. Smiling at his work, he bent down to kiss her forehead and turned towards his own chair to repeat the process for himself. Talking could be done once they could both speak without their words coming out in fragments.

[supagirl]

[normalwitch]

@freecaptain

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             She stands there for a few moments, by herself, as Mal struts forward. Tilting her head, arms wrapping tightly around her breasts, she’s weary. Sally has a pretty good feeling she knows what he’s doing, but did he really…? Certainly enough, he pulls out matching slips of white, flowery patterned fabric stolen from her dresser. He really loves that bikini. She can tell  ———  he NEVER hides it. A scoffing, soft little chirp of laughter issues from Sally’s lips.   ❛   I never said yes.  ❜   She begins to walk toward him. He’s a smug maniac and she’s a sucker for him. He’s doing what he’s always done, making up his own agenda and carrying her along for the ride.  ❛   You really think of everything,  ❜   she says. Her haughty tone is snuffed out by telling words tossed out of his mouth like butter.

              Sally stops in her tracks.   ❛   Oh,  ❜   she lets out.  He really is shameless. Sally sees him through a pair of dark eyes, watching at first, flickering to the side. She sees his bared skin and his honeyed gaze and the tiny smirk on his lips, and she is determined to not give him the satisfaction. When he comes toward her he walks like he is on a summertime stroll. His hair is disheveled enough to give him a ROGUISH appearance.

             Teeth tease her bottom lip. Don’t think, just act. Get it over with. There’s nowhere else to go, no NEED to analyze every step along the way she takes, since he’ll do it for her. She takes his place next to the chest, and shucks off her boots first. Then she drops her wool coat, pulling it off her shoulders. Slender digits slowly hook into the straps of her navy blue dress. She drops that too, over her coat. Divesting herself of her bra and panties, there’s a little sway of her hips. Milk smooth flesh is revealed, awareness crowded in her downcast features as she avoids looking at him for a handful of moments. Mal is good at making her feel paid attention to. He’s like that, burning her in a way that burrows into her skin and makes her bloodstream surge and flow with adrenaline. When she’s finished, her girlish bikini clings to each soft swell and curve of her willowy form. This is it.

             Digits curl into his. Hands linked, she faces the water with him. It’s October, and the churning dark waters will be freezing. This all feels so crazy, but she guesses that’s the point. She still doesn’t want either of them to catch pneumonia, so her hair stays pinned up. Getting it wet is out of the question.   ❛   You BETTER keep me warm.  ❜

She had watched him momentarily before embarrassment took over. Even as he undressed, he had observed her reaction, relishing every minute of it. Yet, his pleasure intensified as she agreed to undress here on the beach as well. There had been a second of doubt as to whether she would run off to find cover, but instead, she began to shrug off each item one by one. Greedy eyes devoured her figure, and the pace at which she removed her clothes left him yearning for more. The water and breeze may have had a chill to it, but his body was burning as she stood nude in front of him. And even as the bikini top and bottom were pulled on, his lust hadn't abated.

Breathing in shakily, Mal accepted her hand and looked towards the water. However energized he currently felt would evaporate the moment his feet dipped into that dark blue liquid. Yet, standing next to Sally, after having gotten her to skip, to follow him all the way down to the beach, to change into a bikini so that she could run in with him, well...there was no backing out. Not that he had any intention of doing so anyway. Mal well knew the dangers of staying in such a cold water for too long. They would likely get no further than their waist and be back out within a minute or two. But the wildness of it, the insanity of running into such cold water together was a memory that would just pile onto today's adventure.

“Have I ever broken my word?” Mal asked with a smile. Then he was jogging forward, running next to Sally as the water came closer and closer. The wet sand was the only warning of what they would be stepping into, but that only had seconds to register until the waves were hitting toes, ankle, and shin. Still, Mal kept trudging forward, his pace slowed from the uneven footing, but relentless. He wasn't about to send them both plunging into the now murky waters and fully drench themselves. Mal wanted a memory, not a cold. So as the water reached up past his knees, he stopped and pulled Sally into an embrace, planting a shivering kiss against her lips with far more enjoyment than one person should be feeling at that very moment.

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             The house on Magnolia is in FULL Halloween regalia as they step out. Jack-o’-lanterns line the path from the front door down the steps; each are of varying size and displaying uniquely carved expressions. Orange twinkle lights are suspended over their heads in a canopy and hanging from the wrap-around porch. At night, it’s even more clear of the effort gone into the autumnal decorations. The path Mal leads her on away from home gives Sally time to appreciate the beauty the season brings. Red and yellow leaves swirl loosely all around them. It looks like the world has been browned and roasted until it’s been made soft and tender. It’s not her favorite time of year, but it is gorgeous.

        Today isn’t so different from the day she first arrived amidst falling leaves hand in hand with Gillian. The difference is that in spite of everything, she is leaving hand in hand with a boy she loves, and she’s not uncertain of the power that nestles in her palms and flows through her blood. He’s seen to that, stubbornly so, and that’s why she loves him.

             Sally is contented by his company, relaxing even more during the length of their unhurried stroll. She begins to wonder what she will make in the coming weeks, if she has time for it. Maybe fig and date bread, because she’s been thinking about it. Sally first learned to cook out of a feeling of NECESSITY in her youth, but over the years it’s been remarked her magical touch extends to the delicious food she prepares in and out of the kitchen. And Mal continues to lead her on a journey, over winding curves, sloped earth, black and twisted trees with their fingers spread and reaching to the sky. She’s no longer afraid when birds take flight and pass over her head. The dark and shivery feeling she used to get in her breast is gone, chased away by the enthralling warmth Mal offers her.

             The beach is expansive and empty. She doesn’t know what time it is, but it’s getting closer to the afternoon. Sally has come out to the shore with Mal before  ———  the Victorian manor looks toward the ocean from their backyard. But Sally stares forward, trying to grasp at what it is she is seeing. Oh, oh. It’s awfully romantic. A happy squeeze of his fingers is given as she observes the pair of chairs set up next to a mysteriously beckoning box, and a vase of beautiful flowers positioned on top of it. She wants to go forward and investigate, but he stops her with his words. Pop! And it’s all over, this bubble of a joy ride.  ❛   What? No, we can’t. We can’t,   ❜   she emphasizes.   ❛   It’s OCTOBER! The water is freezing. Why can’t we sit on the beach and admire the ocean? I don’t even have a bathing suit, Mal.  ❜

He expected her reaction. The surprise and confusion that comes with such an outrageous idea. The sun had risen and warmed them now, but one second inside the water would undo all of that. Furthermore, she hadn't brought anything to change into, a detail he had intentionally left out when talking about their adventure. After all, convincing her to bring her bathing suit would have distracted both of them from the pleasant stroll they just had. Now that she was here though, he could focus on the idea and without fail, would execute it.

“I wouldn't be so quick with your words,” Mal offered as he grinned and released her hand. Striding over to the chest, he flipped the latch and raised the lid so that she couldn't see within. Reaching inside, he pulled forth a bathing suit for Sally and a pair of trunks for himself. Naturally, he had raided her room a previous day knowing full well she wouldn't go looking for a bathing suit. And, having the chance to select the one he liked the most, Mal had chosen a strapless top with with shades of blue and white petal symbols and a bottom piece that matched. “See? One issue resolved,” he stated happily as he closed the lid, replaced the vase, and sat her bikini on the top.

“Now though, to change...” His words drifted off as he looked around. Setting his own trunks down on the sand, he shrugged off his jacket and gripped the hem of his shirt. In one fluid tug, the shirt was over his head exposing his muscular chest to the elements. “Well, since no one else is around.” And just as quickly as his shirt had been removed, so too were his pants and boxers. Now, it was almost tempting to convince her to skinny dip, but rushing into the cold water would be difficult enough. So, taking his time, Mal gripped his swimming trunks and pulled them up.

Picking her suit back up, Mal walked it over to his girlfriend with a large smile. “Your turn,” he offered while holding out the two piece. Granted he had seen her naked before, even outside in nature, he still enjoyed the experience. Honestly, how could he not? “And we'll go hand in hand, of course. You'll be right next to me so I'll make sure you stay warm.”

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             It isn’t her intention to start this. It’s supposed to be a brief pause in their day, hand extending to grip softly at his arm  ———   but the sugared touch of her lips pressing against his transforms and melts. A curious sensation bubbles up in her chest. Mal’s hand is on the bare skin of her neck, fingers burning. In a matter of seconds his mouth is moving languidly against hers. Sally allows herself to dissolve quietly, SWEETLY. He’s kissed her before, many times, and she finds herself in need of his closeness. His ministrations are enough to have her reeling, heat nipping at her heels. She longs to chase that feeling all the wat down to its depths, hot and vital. Her heart is throbbing and beating harder against her breastbone. Sally finds herself thinking, she can wait for the rest of their day to begin.

             He leans BACK, and his gaze falls onto hers with a heated scrutiny that sinks into her core. Her chin lifts, long lashes fluttering, dark brown eyes boring into his own. This close, Sally notices the ragged rise and fall of Mal’s torso. It’s evident in the watch he watches her in restraint he wants more. How does he manage to stop?

             Sally nods her agreement, gathering her better sense.   ❛   I think we should. We should go,  ❜   she agrees. He’s interested in drawing his plans out, and she’s interested in seeing what they are and where they will lead. A smile breaks over her mouth, a hand twining through his with no explanation. Sally leads him from the expansive kitchen and to the front door. She puts on her old black wool coat, and she steps OUTSIDE with him.

Still attempting to slow his pounding heart, Mal smiled as Sally's hands intertwined with his. Following at her side, he released her hand only for a moment so she could put on a wool coat. October weather could occasionally be windy and chilly on the small island, but the sun would be out all day today meaning warmth would come soon enough. With his own light jacket on, Mal took Sally's hand again and together they walked out the front door.

The next destination was already set and prepared for, but he had little intention of heading straight there. He had successfully gotten Sally to skip and he intended to use all the time of the day to be spent with her. Besides, simply walking next to her was its own form of enjoyment. More than once, his eyes left the calming vista before them to look at her, to see the wind attempting to pull free her hair, watch as the sun glittered in her eyes, and most importantly, to bask in her presence. Of course, he chose to lead where they were walking as he had scoured the area days before to choose the right path.

More than once in their stroll, the couple had come upon patches of flowers. Most would be dying soon with winter on its way, but plenty still held their beautiful color. At each collection, he would ask her the names and what they might symbolize. Some he still knew from previous conversations in their time spent together and would describe them proudly. For the ones he knew nothing about, he would ask their uses and if she had used any in spells before. Outside her family, only with him was she so open about magic and her own skills at witchcraft. He could not deny the satisfaction at holding such an important place within her trust.

Time passed as they walked together, occasionally sitting on a downed log to just let the world go by or watch small animals scurry about their business. Slowly and surely, his destination was made clear. Gulls cried out in the air as waves brushed up along the sand. He had already been here early in the morning to set up the area, confident that no one would mess with his supplies. Sitting idly on the beach was a large trunk with two chairs next to it. The large box was weather proof and what was held within was untouchable by the elements. On top of the box stood a heavy vase with a variety of flowers that they had passed by during their walk.

Turning towards Sally, he waited a few seconds for her to see his plan and then offered, “Care for a swim?”

[theinsatiablevoid]

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             Being close to Mal is like being in another world. What she sees when she looks back at him is a man who can’t take his eyes off her. She’s given herself completely to him in so many ways, but it still feels like there’s a piece of her he can take when he looks at her like that. No, a piece of her left that she can still give. EVERYTHING that has happened to her before she met him is apart of a ghost life. It’s not, the sensible part of her says, but that’s what it feels like. THIS moment they are sharing together is real and beautiful. Sally knows the rest of the day will have many others like it. God, that’s why she couldn’t keep him away for long. This is exactly what she has always wanted deep down.

              Sally feels a little rise of pleasure spread. He is laying it on thick, but he means every word.  ❛  That’s good because it’s only PRACTICAL that you listen to me, ❜  she says in an important sounding voice, but she’s keening forward in response to his praise and smile. It goads her on to leave her stool at the table. While Mal sets into motion, picking up the dishes and covering them one by one, she stands back and watches him. It isn’t her for once who has to do the clean up after a meal, so she turns and leaves to climb the stairs. Her footfalls are sharp and quick on the ascent, a newfound energy rattling and bouncing around inside of her. Her reservations about skipping school for the day are long gone out the window. She’s ready to see what the day will bring, what Mal has planned.

             There are no mirrors in the house, so Sally grabs a comb from her dresser and stands in her bedroom, pulling her hair back into a bun. The pins glimmer against the strands of her hair like fine crystal when she’s done, wispy locks and strands framing the sides of her face. Sally’s fingers linger against them for a moment.

             When she returns, she finds him standing and leaning against the kitchen table, the surface spotless and clean. She walks up to him, tips her chin back, and softly grips his arm and rubs. Sally beams girlishly and leans up to smooch him on the mouth.

Mal watched with avid pleasure as Sally came down the steps. He had been excited to see her reaction to the gift, but even more excited to see her wearing it. His eyes shone with an unshielded enthusiasm as she came closer to him. And then he saw that look in her eye. A gentle, but intent gaze he had seen throughout their relationship. He always got what he wanted, but Sally, when she finally let down the barriers and chased after what she wanted, would get it as well. So with that barest touch, he leaned into her lips.

The kiss wasn't a light peck on the cheek like earlier, or even some chaste morning kiss. This was a kiss with heart and soul added into it and he gave back just as much. With one arm held by hers, he slid his other hand up to caress her neck. The touch sent his mind reeling, a heat he had rarely felt exploding through his body. Without his vision, he focused on every other sense available. The smell of her left him intoxicated, the touch of her hand burned against his skin, hearing each breath she took as he kissed more left him hungry for more, and finally, the sweet taste of her lips. Just one action from her had him nearly abandoning all the plans he had created for the day.

Breaking the kiss, he pulled back with a barely controlled lust. His eyes blazed with unrestrained desire as he looked at her face. Breathing in, he shuddered slightly at denying his own bodily wants. “Another kiss like that and we won't make it outside. Or at least very far.” He offered a slight grin at the statement, confident in her knowing just what he meant. Taking one more deep breath to control himself, he asked, “Shall we continue the festivities?”

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

              The morning after, she doesn’t think about him, nor the following mornings after that. Sally returns to her old life like clockwork. It’s fairly simple, now that she mulls it over. She walks along behind the aunts, taking breaths of crisp, fresh air and holding them deep inside her lungs. Sally doesn’t NEED anymore than she has, but she wonders when her life will open up into something more than dreaming in a garden and cleaning in an old house where the dark woodwork always smells fragrant and never needs polishing.

             Down at her side she’s holding onto a post card. It’s from her sister, Gillian. There’s no forwarding address. She wishes she could see her, but Gillian has traded the dark afternoons and even darker, starry nights of their childhood for the scintillating heat of the desert and sun. Gillian left the Victorian mansion on Magnolia with her first husband and has been traveling ever since, breaking hearts and promises everywhere she goes. The post cards she receives occasionally are physical mementos and proof of that. As different as the two sisters are, it doesn’t stop Sally from MISSING her. Gillian, with her refusal to settle for one man, and Sally, stuck in this town but yearning for something deep and true, are as different as night and day. Over the years that fact has never changed.

              ❛   I really, REALLY miss her,   ❜    Sally says to Frances as the three of them cross the street. She isn’t outraged or resentful of the mistreatment she and her aunts are receiving in the form of whispers and nosy stares. She’s kicking at stones and wondering what exactly Gillian is doing all the way in Memphis. She’s remembering the inky blue sky they stood underneath on the balcony as her sister cut both their palms with a knife and held their wounds together so their blood would mix and their promise be true. Being as practical as she was, she didn’t even stop and tell her how unnecessary it was ( they were sisters! ) She had been as swept away as Gillian by the urgency and conviction of the moment.

              ❛   Sweetie, wasn’t he the one to drop by our house the other day?   ❜  

             Sally blinks as the words sink in, and Frances is beaming and calling out a cheery hello. She traipses after Jet to link their arms together, and Sally sees him with her own eyes. He doesn’t LOOK like the sort of man who would steal something from your home and walk out, but then again she doesn’t fully know what sort of man he really is. As Sally passes by him, she doesn’t watch her step  ——— and stumbles and trips.

Those still left cowering in the market watched with an intensity to not get noticed. They wanted no part in the three women, but wanted to know if an interest was taken in them. Yet Mal stood with a curious stare. Yes, he had heard the rumors that the three were witches and could bring about a myriad of misfortune, but there was little cause to believe in such superstitions. In fact, they looked virtually harmless, incapable of doing anything but bluffing with the belief made manifest. These were the two he had stolen from that brought such fear to the owner of the bed and breakfast.

“Ma'am,” he offered in return as the cheery lady strode by with a greeting. He could practically hear the hiss of breath by the stall keeper he had been about to purchase food from. In fact, the tension seemed to almost thicken across the outdoor market at seeing his acknowledgment. Either he had just become rather popular or become someone to be wary of from that point on. The latter seemed more likely after his next action.

The woman who had caused him so much grief during his theft stumbled and began falling. He didn't even process his reaction as he surged forward. Bending at his knee slightly to get beneath her, he gripped her waist on both sides and pulled up and towards him. In mere seconds, they were standing together, his body close to give her something else to hold onto and catch her balance. There was a gasp from one lady holding the cabbage mere seconds before it dropped to the ground. Eyes locked on the woman just a breadth away, Mal released his hands and stepped away. “You should be more careful, Ms. Owens.”

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             The sky was getting darker, and Sally stared at him standing in front of the door. She was well aware of what he wanted from her. Well, OF COURSE she was, he spelled it out for her. The truth of the matter was, the aunts encouraged the girls to practice their spells inside the house. This boy reminded her of a cat hurrying after a piece of string. No, she was mistaken  ——  more like a puppy dog with its tail wagging. She FINALLY rolled her eyes, as if she’d just had her own silent argument with someone and lost. Sally was worried she wouldn’t finish her meal in time. She was worried about when the aunts would be back.  They didn’t force her to cook, but after the first week of nothing but sugars and chocolate and Yoohoos there was only so much a child’s stomach could take.

              ❛   Magic isn’t JUST spells and potions.   ❜    It was the truest, purest statement she could speak, pushed out from deep inside the core of her heart.   ❛    Food do witches eat? Which foods do you think?   ❜   She didn’t answer his next question. Sally was on a roll. She was going to have to get past him soon. He had come with a confidence and presence that she hadn’t faced before and caught her off guard. He wasn’t scared of her, either. Maybe it was simple. He felt a need to see proof for himself that there was magic.   ❛   You want to see a spell? Okay, not until after dinner.   ❜

“Deal!” He blurted out enthusiastically. She had given him an opening and he was taking it. Sure, that meant he would have to wait till after dinner, but she had agreed to show him magic and that was precisely what he had come here for. His aunt wouldn't be happy with such a late return, but he could always give an excuse that he had found some other boys to play with. Even he knew better than stating where he had truly went. Doing so would earn an immediate grounding and probably a quick call from his mother.

“Wait...” He started, thinking about any fairy tales he had read as a child. She had been rather vague on what witches eat. “What exactly are you planning on making for dinner?” Head twisting slightly as his eyes narrowed on the girl, Mal thought about his next move quickly. “Cause...I can help.” Did real witches eat little boys? Helping might give him an idea of what to expect in case they planned on tossing him in a cauldron with onions and carrots. Regardless of that possibility, he was a strong, healthy boy and no witch would eat him without a fight.

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

              Pink lips spread over the pretty purse of her mouth into a grin at his words. It’s discernible in the clear, delicate set of her features. Sally is enthralled by his outgoing nature. She hums between spearing more bites of her pumpkin pancakes. She loves the spices used in these. They make her feel SURE of herself.   ❛   Hand in hand, hmm?  ❜   The pitch is sweet, but it’s the way he says it that has Sally snorting lightly. Cheesy and cute lines like that and he never falls to even the littlest mortification after delivering them. It’s admirable in its own right, but Mal won’t hear her say it. He has so much energy and so many ideas percolating inside his head that a band of orange light snaps and pops off him. He’s up to something, but she didn’t need to have a gift to see that.

             Sally brushes back a wispy tendril of her hair from her face. It’s as long as it’s ever been, draping around her shoulders in a thick, glossy shawl. She used to need it for protection growing up, but not anymore. Dark eyes are guided down to the gift box set between them. She meets Mal’s stare, then lowers it again. She’s taken by surprise, though his comment registers.    ❛   Well I guess that COULD be counted as a present.  ❜

            She is especially reverent and ginger as she unwinds the silver string to open the box. She has no taste when it comes to presents and jewelry according to her sister, but this is far better than all that. It’s unique and special, and Mal has gone to an awful lot of trouble to get it. Sally can already tell that as she goes to lift one of the pins into the direct sunlight.   ❛   Oh. Oh, these are beautiful.  ❜  Crystallized inside hardened sap are petals and parts of a familiar plant her eyes can recognize. She asks the name in question,  ❛   Honeysuckle?  ❜  It’s not the kind of flora other girls would go crazy for, but there’s a story here. Sally smiles at her boyfriend like there’s a secret joke in there somewhere.   ❛   Thank you.  ❜

He had been waiting for what felt like ages to see her open the present. Mal was not the type to sit back patiently and watch as pieces finally came together. To hold onto that gift, not just since it had been made, but from the very moment she had woken up had been a struggle. And now getting to see the surprise and curiosity fill her expression gave him boundless joy. He was confident she would like the present. Doubting she would hadn't even entered his mind. So the satisfaction at her pleasure made all the waiting, the constant urging to spring the gift on her worth it. There was no denying the smile that spread across his cheeks as she looked upon the hairpins.

“They are. But I see something more beautiful.” He stated, looking at her with a singular focus. Of course he would love to see her wear any gift he gave her, but no matter what, she would always stand out. The accessory was merely that, one extra piece to bring out her beauty. And she wasn't the one being held within the sunlight, striking a rainbow across the table. No, when Sally stepped into the light, she looked more like an angel. A witchy angel, now wasn't that a fun thought.

“Mmhmm, honeysuckle. I may not know as much about plants as yourself, but I remember what you tell me. How could I not with a voice like yours?” He asked, his smile turning into a small grin. A second later, he was breaking eye contact and looking at the table. “Now, if you will, try that on. In the meantime I'll put away the food. Wouldn't want all this hard work to go to waste. Besides, with such a busy day ahead of us, I doubt you'll be in the mood tomorrow morning to cook breakfast.” Grinning a second time at her, Mal slid back his chair and stood up to begin covering the food.

[mossofthewoodsjewelry]

Here’s a slightly better view of the Nightshade hair pins, taken outside!

I was thinking it would be fun to do sets, like, “healer’s herbs” or “witch’s herbs”, or putting like… the flower of a plant in one larger pin and then the berries or leaves or some other part of the plant in two or three smaller ones.

I also thought some nice big, wispy moss would look stellar inside them.

[mossofthewoodsjewelry]

This is the promised crisper shot of the actual pins themselves. They’re fully cured now and nice and sturdy.

I am not quite sure how I’m going to price and group these going forward as this is the first time I’ve done “set” pieces so for now I am putting them up fairly cheaply. If you’re interested, they’re available right here at mossofthewoods.com!

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

             Sally thought about calling his words out. It might even be worth it. She gave him a look; it was halfhearted.   ❛  You do NOT. Not…always.   ❜   But it was mostly true. Mal was the kind of guy who could get away with anything because he had no boundaries, what with his smart mouth and immovable bravado. She had learned that firsthand over the years as he had been brazen with his words and intention since he was a child. Mal had a way of crowding into your space. His palpable presence could make you feel like your clothes were slippery things, as transparent as fresh air. Like heat from a fire, the closer you were, the stronger you felt it. Things weren’t unsaid and left stewing. There wasn’t any second guessing his desires. It was all out there. Sally used to leerily glare at him for it, yet in her heart of hearts, she liked that about him. His energy and aggressive restlessness.

             From almost the very beginning, she’d known Mal had liked her, liked her in that way boys like girls. She hadn’t really minded, as long as it didn’t interfere with their friendship. She told herself she couldn’t love this boy. Mal was, quite obviously, nothing like Sally. He was bold and forward, daring to do exactly what he wanted. But she had no armor against the bloom of invasive feelings. They slipped straight to her as if through flimsy mouse holes. Mal had worked his way to reach inside of her, and there hadn’t been any real way stopping it. Mal had stepped onto their property and filled that part of her daily existence ever since. They had been inevitable since the day they met.

             Like a wheel in motion, she kept eating, lifting more forkfuls of the celebratory breakfast the aunts had evidently prepared up to her mouth. Sally chewed and swallowed. Seeing that his gaze had come to rest on her, Sally felt that small flutter under her skin, and wanted to almost touch her breastbone, but didn’t. Unabashed warmth flooded her insides, honeyed and golden, and Sally brimmed with a quiet, girlish delight. No one looked at her like he did.   ❛   Mmm.    ❜   Sally smiled  ——  it was mirrored in appreciative eyes, the upward curl of a pink mouth. She was so infatuated with this boy and she knew it. Sally leaned in closer to plant a fond, sugary smooch to the side of his cheek. Mal was a far better boyfriend than she EVER imagined a guy could be, and she thought that while still liking to occasionally tuck herself behind her dreamy paperback novels.   ❛    I love you, too.   ❜

             More of the pumpkin spiced pancakes with syrup and the scrambled eggs were eaten, along with slices and pieces of the fruit salad.   ❛   This is all really good,   ❜   Sally said, in case it wasn’t obvious by her voracious appetite. And then: adventure. The word came spun to to her before she could stop it. He had used that descriptor yesterday to describe his plans for her birthday. Sally felt a small THRILL from this first real act of rebellion, and a small change suddenly came over her.   ❛   So you’re  ——  dragging me out of the house for an adventure?   ❜   Sally nudged..

The press of Sally's lips against his cheek sent warmth through his skin. It was nothing to be embarrassed about or bring any redness to is cheeks, but he always appreciated the feel of her against his skin. Just the lightest touch, whether it be from her mouth or her hands left him warm and energized. He adored the woman next to him more than he had any other woman in his life. He had fallen for her fast early on and that love had only continued to increase. Whatever roadblock had come between them had been brushed aside, though not always with ease. Still, as he had stated, he always got what he wanted. And Sally Owens was what he craved.

Smiling at her question, Mal took a few more bites of his food to draw out the question. His plan had been in the making for months now. It was rare for him to think as far ahead as he did for today, but she was worth it. He wanted to make this birthday extra special and all about her. “Drag? Not at all. I intend on us walking out of here hand in hand.” The line was corny, even for him, but he couldn't resist. The portions on their plates were getting smaller as the time went on and as good as all the food was, he didn't want either of them stuffed. “But there is some wind out this morning, so I think you'll need something to help.”

Sliding his right hand into his pocket, he pulled out a small, rectangular box and placed it in between them. “Your first present of the day. Well, besides waking up to me that is.” Held within were three crystal hairpins. The largest of the three held a dried out honeysuckle flower that could be seen clear as day through the clear structure. The smaller two held individual parts of the flower as well as droplets of the nectar. It had taken him a while to find the perfect flower as well as someone skilled enough with glass-making to create the artifact. Still, he was happy with how the gift turned out.

[thesaltyspice-deactivated201901]

I’ve been seeing a lot of anti-Nazi ones, which is great, but I felt like we needed one to show our support for the Jewish community.  

[freecaptain]

normalwitch:

        ❛   Ain’t it funny?   ❜   Sally said, not even joking.   ❛   Because that almost sounds like something the house would actually do.   ❜   She wasn’t kidding. When Sally first started dating Mal, the house itself started to change. It was like it held a life of its own. Out of nowhere, the bats flew right out of the attic to nest near the garden shed. A sunny aura had filled the house, warming it with cheer. The draft in the parlor was GONE, and once when they were kissing there she swore she saw the crystalline teardrops of the chandelier move back and forth all on its own. She didn’t have to pull out ragweeds from the porch railing , since if any grew there, they were quickly choked out by the climbing roses. Throughout the day, when the house was still and quiet, it sounded as if windchimes were tinkling on a breeze carrying right through the manor; the noise was so tranquil and so beautiful that the mice came out to check that the house was standing and they weren’t on the outside looking in.

             And if these occurrences were UNUSUAL, the aunts had nothing to say about them. Or they never admitted it, out loud, to anyone. They went right ahead and invited Mal over more often to play gin and rummy in the kitchen. Mal had gone looking for magic the first day they met so it wasn’t a surprise he caught on. Truthfully she didn’t think the house viewed it as anything to hide.

            ❛   Yeah, I guess you got exactly what you wanted, huh?   ❜   Sally had no interest in arguing against it because as it turned out, he really had. Mal did that, acting all show boating and flashy with his confidence and doing exactly whatever he wanted  ——  no reasonable explanation required. His actions weren’t thoughtless though, so she forgave him for it. Still. After taking out five scoops of fruit for herself, she picked up the bowl. Sally held it there and out of his reach for several moments, on purpose.   ❛   Can you be more cocky? Don’t answer that.    ❜   Then she handed it to him and turned her attention back to her food. There was A LOT of it, and she was hungry enough to dig in.

            Sally cut up her pancakes and poured a generous heaping of dark maple syrup on them. In this house they made their own from scratch. Sally was eighteen, and she didn’t believe carbs would kill her. Spearing the first piece with her fork, she took a bite. When she chewed, she could feel a strange heat along the back of her neck, something she hadn’t felt in a while. It was almost exotic, like tasting cayenne or cilantro after months of eating white bread. There was a bite amidst the flavoring of pumpkin. A spice and a crunch. It wasn’t exactly how she made it, but Sally ate more.

Being in a relationship with Sally Owens meant adjusting to a different point of perspective on life. Before, it meant seeing the word in the way he had been raised, through his mother and the church. The two didn't always intersect and more than once he had been sat down on a warm Sunday afternoon to discuss what was talked about in mass that morning. His mother was an unwavering Christian, but wasn't a blind follower and he had become the same way. Faith in his religion was an integral part of him, but he questioned details held by the majority.

Arcane magic was one such detail due to its connection with the devil. Many on the island held to that belief, including his own aunt. Mal, in his defiance and curiosity, had sought it out, not to use it, but to learn if it was real. The answer to his question that day in the kitchen had been one of astonishment. Rather than fear the Owens as many did, he watched them with amazement. The aunts were morally dubious, but were not bad people. Sally and Gillian were not some demonic children that spread terror and were like any other kid their age. He had seen much of the family, but more was revealed to him the longer he interacted with the Owens.

The house was special. He had seen small details that in other circumstances might have been brushed off as an oddity of old structures. It didn't speak or feel in the natural sense of how people did. Instead, it adjusted to its own accord, reacting to its inhabitants. When Sally had come home one day with a scrape from some thrown rock, he felt the unnatural pressure, the growing anger. And when he returned with his own bruises from putting the group of kids who had thrown the rock in their place, that pressure had lightened, almost as in appeasement. From that day forward, he had paid closer details to the house, never saying them out loud, but marveling as changes happened.

Looking at the food after her words, he wondered how long it had sat here, untouched by the cats and still warm. It could have been minutes since the aunts left, or it could have been an hour. Regardless, he was happy for it as the food tasted delicious. Just the first few bites of pancakes had left him both relaxed and energized. His eyes watched everything as if they were greedy to see all, but most importantly, he stared at Sally. He saw her resign to her fate and verbally accept it allowing his smile to grow. “I always get what I want,” Mal stated confidently in response.

As her hand held the bowl, he looked at her more, eyes traveling up the length of her arm until stopping to look directly into her own beautiful eyes. She knew no answer was needed to that question. Of course he could be more cocky. For Sally alone did he reign in his cockiness. With a grateful nod, he took the fruit bowl and moved a few pieces onto his plate. Returning his attention briefly to the plate, he took a couple more bites and then finished off a bacon strip. Only his mother's cooking could compare to this spread, but the flavors were different, distinct. They both tasted delicious in their own ways.

Dabbing a napkin to his mouth, he sat his utensils onto the plate and brought his gaze once more up to Sally. Smiling with a general mirth as opposed to his smug arrogance, he announced calmly, “I love you.”