this is my happy face

Hektor - fae - lightening magic - owner of a diner

[hektrslightening]

"What are you doing?" he questioned groggily as she started tilting his head. It soon became evident so he didn't question further or fight it. Even in such an innocent thing as inspecting his head for injuries he couldn't help but be hyper aware of the way her delicate touch felt.

Hektor frowned when her sentence cut off, wondering if she'd found something. But that catch in her breath. Instinct told him it didn't have anything to do with potential head injuries. He turned his head back to look at her, his own breath not wanting to stay normal anymore either when he did. He was definitely wide awake now. She was so close. And the way she was looking at him instantly added fuel to a spark he'd kept trying to put out since they'd become friends. His hands moved a fraction of an inch higher before he managed to stop them. Friends he reminded himself. They were friends. Just friends. But friends didn't look at each other like this.

"Fuck it," lifting his head he closed the distance and kissed her.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie’s eyes flitted down to where Hektor’s hands rested on her thighs, a light shiver running through her as he’d moved them. This was dangerous territory, with temptation steadily taking the wheel. And when she looked back at him, at the newfound haze she couldn’t ignore in his eyes, she had already lost.

His words barely had time to register for her before he’d kissed her. Hektor had kissed her, and that changed all the rules—every preconceived notion of their friendship, of her supposed mishap of a kiss at Christmas. He shattered the last barrier of self control she had. Cielo ayúdame.

Josie gave into the kiss, molding her body against Hektor’s—her hand moved from his chin to hold the the spot where his jaw met his neck, with her other one now properly lacing through his hair and tugging it between her fingers. “Hektor…” She breathed against his lips, all the while relishing the taste of him, relishing the feeling of being intertwined. If she’d thought her body to be on fire before, this made that sensation pale in comparison. Because her very being now felt alive with the likes of his lightning, the electricity that had been hiding under the surface of their previous actions which had all been far more innocent than this. But that shock was addictive and oh so overdue in its release. Josie pulled back ever so slightly, her breath more akin to a gentle panting as she looked into his eyes. Because even if she didn’t want to, she needed to see if he wanted this to stop.

[hektrslightening]

His eyes closed as she kissed him back. Without hesitation. The dance they'd been doing pretending that neither of them felt anything more than friendship was finally at an end. Because in this kiss he had all the confirmation he needed that he hadn't been alone in his feelings, in his desires. The way her body seemed to mould to his was electrifying. Every point of contact, her fingers in his hair, the way she gripped where his jaw met his neck. It all felt so natural. Kissing her felt natural. Like it was what his lips had been made to do. He couldn't get enough of it, of her.

The way she said his name sent a shiver down his spine. Gods how had they managed to resist this for so long. "Josie..." he whispered back, chasing her name with another kiss.

When he felt her pull back a little, his eyes open. As much as he wanted this, if she wanted to stop then he would. His breath seemed to match hers, coming in heavy pants. Even so he could see the question that had come to his mind when she'd paused reflected back. She was making sure he didn't want to stop. It made him want to worship every inch of her all the more.

Slowly, keeping eye contact, he trailed his hands the rest of the way up her thighs. Under his t-shirt she was wearing, over her hips and up to her waist. Gripping gentle, he manoeuvred her so that as he sat up she ended up straddling his lap. Loosening his grip he spread his hands across the bare skin of her back. "I want this Josie, I want to be more than friends," he confirmed "I want you,"

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie’s internal clock, it seemed, won out even over the late hour she’d drifted off to sleep at. Because she was all too convinced certain it couldn’t be much later than 8 AM, if that, and yet she was wide awake and seemingly already past her drunken stupor. Shifter metabolism was something to be grateful for after nights like that. But as she came back into her conscious body she was also reminded of the fact that she hadn’t made it home last night. No, she was currently snuggled up in Hektor’s bed. Alone. She flushed with embarrassment, mostly for the sake of having gotten that drunk as to warrant a pity offer to steal his bed for the night. And she really tried to coax herself back to sleep, or to not be restless over her current circumstances. But the reality was that she was too caught up in the fact that he was sleeping on the couch. And she could also only venture to guess how small the couch would be in comparison to him, whereas she was practically swimming in his bed.

“That’s it,” she said to herself after awhile. Josie got up from the bed, tucking back the covers in such a way that she would be able to tuck Hektor back up in her place. She didn’t really look around his room much either, feeling that even that much would be a little too intimate of an action. Instead she crept out into the living room, where she confirmed that the couch was not much bigger than Hektor and that the blanket he’d grabbed as his makeshift bedsheet was certainly smaller than it ought to be. She had to hold back a bit of a laugh at the way that his current circumstances would make him scowl if he was awake, but in reality he looked so… peaceful.

Josie moved to where she could slowly move her arms up under Hektor. It wouldn’t be an impossible act, given her inherited strength, but she was aware of trying to balance herself before she attempted to lift him. Although evidently not enough, as she only managed to lift him for a few moments before losing her footing in such a way that they both tumbled onto the rug, with Josie landing on top of a now awake and now groaning Hektor. “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry! I’m sorry,” she said, although her second apology merged into a mild fit of giggling.

@hektrslightening

[hektrslightening]

It had taken Hektor a long time to get off to sleep last night. He hadn't quite been able to stop thinking about the fact Josie was sleeping in his bed. Even the prospect of it had lead him to not linger to say good night. It felt so intimate a thing. So instead he'd laid on the sofa that was barely long enough for him, kicking himself for being so rude. It did mean though, for once, he'd managed to sleep in a little longer than he usually did.

After finally getting to sleep the next thing he was consciously aware off was his body colliding heavily with something, his head knocking against it too. He groaned, blinking his eyes open in shock and confusion. A feeling that wasn't lessened as he found Josie on top of him. Laughing. The confusion etched a frown into his features. Slowly more of the picture worked its way in. He was on the floor. That at least explained the impact he'd felt. And she was apologising. It took a few moments more to come to a suspicion of how this might have happened. "Did you try to pick me up?" he questions, his hands coming to rest on her thighs without him really being aware of it.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie quieted her laughter as the evident frown formed on Hektor’s face. That made her mellow into more of a mild amusement in the form of a smile. She was concerned too, given that he had fallen in rather a heap thanks to her. The question was first answered with a nod as she leaned further down towards him, with one hand coming up to gently tilt his chin and jaw to one side as she brought her other up to trace her fingertips along the back of his head to inspect for any bumps. “I just thought you ought to be sleeping in your own bed. But evidently I’m not steady or strong…” Josie trailed off as she spoke—a result of the sudden awareness of the heat she felt on her thighs from Hektor’s hands. Her bare skin nearly felt as if it was aflame with the contact, and it awakened every inch of her now. She noted everywhere their bodies were connecting, of the way she’d subconsciously readjusted herself to straddle him in her inspection efforts, of the way his hair was ever so gently laced through her fingers, and the mere inches that separated their faces.

It was one of those moments where Josie knew very well what she ought to do—get up and off Hektor, distance herself physically, be a friend. But that conflicted very much with what she wanted to do—tilt his chin back to have him face her properly and kiss every inch of him she could lay claim to. And those treacherous thoughts only sufficed to make her breath hitch, as if somehow he might hear them even when left unspoken.

Because even if Josie knew what she should do, she couldn’t move away, not even an inch.

[hektrslightening]

"What are you doing?" he questioned groggily as she started tilting his head. It soon became evident so he didn't question further or fight it. Even in such an innocent thing as inspecting his head for injuries he couldn't help but be hyper aware of the way her delicate touch felt.

Hektor frowned when her sentence cut off, wondering if she'd found something. But that catch in her breath. Instinct told him it didn't have anything to do with potential head injuries. He turned his head back to look at her, his own breath not wanting to stay normal anymore either when he did. He was definitely wide awake now. She was so close. And the way she was looking at him instantly added fuel to a spark he'd kept trying to put out since they'd become friends. His hands moved a fraction of an inch higher before he managed to stop them. Friends he reminded himself. They were friends. Just friends. But friends didn't look at each other like this.

"Fuck it," lifting his head he closed the distance and kissed her.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie’s internal clock, it seemed, won out even over the late hour she’d drifted off to sleep at. Because she was all too convinced certain it couldn’t be much later than 8 AM, if that, and yet she was wide awake and seemingly already past her drunken stupor. Shifter metabolism was something to be grateful for after nights like that. But as she came back into her conscious body she was also reminded of the fact that she hadn’t made it home last night. No, she was currently snuggled up in Hektor’s bed. Alone. She flushed with embarrassment, mostly for the sake of having gotten that drunk as to warrant a pity offer to steal his bed for the night. And she really tried to coax herself back to sleep, or to not be restless over her current circumstances. But the reality was that she was too caught up in the fact that he was sleeping on the couch. And she could also only venture to guess how small the couch would be in comparison to him, whereas she was practically swimming in his bed.

“That’s it,” she said to herself after awhile. Josie got up from the bed, tucking back the covers in such a way that she would be able to tuck Hektor back up in her place. She didn’t really look around his room much either, feeling that even that much would be a little too intimate of an action. Instead she crept out into the living room, where she confirmed that the couch was not much bigger than Hektor and that the blanket he’d grabbed as his makeshift bedsheet was certainly smaller than it ought to be. She had to hold back a bit of a laugh at the way that his current circumstances would make him scowl if he was awake, but in reality he looked so… peaceful.

Josie moved to where she could slowly move her arms up under Hektor. It wouldn’t be an impossible act, given her inherited strength, but she was aware of trying to balance herself before she attempted to lift him. Although evidently not enough, as she only managed to lift him for a few moments before losing her footing in such a way that they both tumbled onto the rug, with Josie landing on top of a now awake and now groaning Hektor. “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry! I’m sorry,” she said, although her second apology merged into a mild fit of giggling.

@hektrslightening

[hektrslightening]

It had taken Hektor a long time to get off to sleep last night. He hadn't quite been able to stop thinking about the fact Josie was sleeping in his bed. Even the prospect of it had lead him to not linger to say good night. It felt so intimate a thing. So instead he'd laid on the sofa that was barely long enough for him, kicking himself for being so rude. It did mean though, for once, he'd managed to sleep in a little longer than he usually did.

After finally getting to sleep the next thing he was consciously aware off was his body colliding heavily with something, his head knocking against it too. He groaned, blinking his eyes open in shock and confusion. A feeling that wasn't lessened as he found Josie on top of him. Laughing. The confusion etched a frown into his features. Slowly more of the picture worked its way in. He was on the floor. That at least explained the impact he'd felt. And she was apologising. It took a few moments more to come to a suspicion of how this might have happened. "Did you try to pick me up?" he questions, his hands coming to rest on her thighs without him really being aware of it.

[hektrslightening]

That damned purr in her voice again. He couldn't stop the shiver that ran through him at it. It was like her voice was a physical thing. Like she was running her fingers along his spine. He found himself lifting his eyes sky wards, a habit at the mention of the sky god and a plea for mercy. From the god himself for the comparison but mostly from the effects Josie had on him. He certainly wasn't going to be able to stop it himself. Nor, in truth, did he want to.

--

Hektor was feeling pleasantly tipsy. Not something he usually let himself do in public. Here with Josie though it felt safe. Fun even. He'd fallen into a pattern of refilling their glasses each time they were empty. Loosing track of how many times he'd done it in the back ground of their easy conversation. And it was easy. Talking with her, spending time with her. Gods how he'd missed this. Not that they'd ever done exactly this before.

And it was hard to focus on anything but her, especially when she'd moved to his desk. Moved to lean on her knees so their gaze lined up. So the hours ticked by without him really noticing. It wasn't till her comment about leaving that he glanced up at the clock. The smile he'd had from her giggle that had followed her comment about her drunkenness slipped at his surprise at how late it was. He felt more than saw her stumble. His body reacting before his tipsy brain had caught what was happening. But he'd only just caught her, still leaving them mere inches away. The memory of the last time they'd been this close flickered across his mind and he could stop his gaze dipping to her lips momentarily. He cleared his throat before replying, his gaze now safely back to her eyes. Though now it was there he wasn't so sure that was safer. "Don't worry about it,"

Helping her upright, he stood up himself. "Maybe you should stay here tonight. My apartment I mean, it's upstairs," he said, gazing down at her. "Only the dodgy taxi's will be out this late and neither of us is in a state to drive," and maybe he wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. Maybe he rather liked the idea of her being her in the morning. "You can take my bed, I'll sleep on the couch,"

[jealous-of-josie]

Even in her inebriated state Josie was almost certain she'd caught Hektor looking at her lips then. In truth, she was fighting the very urge to do the same, so her vision might be all the further influenced by wishful thinking. But his eyes were stormy seas to her then, leaving her hopelessly lost under his gaze. She wanted to freeze time and live in little moments like that. Another drop in the bucket for Hektor, she was sure, but to her? An eternity. And an incredibly perfect one--those prolonged moments in his presence that made her heart flutter. And each one had left her wanting all the more. It seemed she'd grown all too tired of denying herself just that.

She was grateful for his steadying hold setting her right again, even if it did mean they were no longer face to face as he stood to his full height again. Josie could feel her eye widen a bit, almost involuntarily as Hektor spoke. It wasn't as if it wasn't a perfectly logical offer. It wasn't as if it wouldn't be the exact thing a friend would say or do... and yet it felt so weighted with connotation. She shook her head after a moment too long of being silent, the action making her sway a bit on the spot. "No, really, I'll be fine," she tried to offer, starting to walk towards the office door before catching herself against the edge of the desk. She quickly steadied herself, catlike reflexes still kicking in to keep her from falling over. "Damn it." The words were barely audible, less frustrated and more filled with a near meekness now as she slowly turned to glance at Hektor. "I'd say you're right... but I don't think stairs and I are a recipe for a safe night either," she replied sheepishly, still holding the edge of the desk for her balance. But her gaze remained fixed on his now, searching his expression for signs of regretting the offer or not meaning it. "And you should be in your bed--I can take the couch... well, if I make it that far."

[hektrslightening]

The edge had worn off his haziness. Sharpened by the need for alertness. Alertness to make sure she was ok he realised. To make sure she didn't fall and hurt herself. Like that need to protect won out over the alcohol he'd consumed. He reached for her when she stumbled but held back when she caught herself. In most situations she could take care of herself, he wouldn't patronise her by pretending she couldn't. Still, it was becoming clear to him she'd struggle to get up that stairs in her current state. He met her gaze as she turned, glad she seemed to be coming around to the idea of staying. "I'm not letting you sleep on the couch," he said, crossing his arms. But he soon uncrossed them, his expression softening a little. "Will you let me carry you up there?"

Stepping forward he put one arm behind her back, bending so her could scoop her up with his other behind her knees. Her scent quickly filled his nose with her so close, and he was painfully aware of every place they were touching. It was all he could do to stop his arms pulling her closer. From burying his face in her neck and breathing her in. But he resisted, just about, and started the short journey up to his apartment.

Once there he headed straight for his bedroom, holding firm on his decision that she should take it. Ever so gently he set her back on her feet beside the bed. "Bathrooms through there," he pointed to an open door in the corner. "I'll get you some water," he had to focus on the practical things because otherwise his mind was likely to wander to dangerous places. He couldn't quite stop it though, not with her in his bedroom. Her about to be in his bed. Even if he wouldn't be in it with her. "And you can borrow this to sleep in if you want," he continued after clearing his throat as he went to grab a t-shirt from his draws.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie’s nose scrunched up in the way that it typically did when she was lightly frustrated. It felt like a massive imposition to stay at all, let alone to kick him out of his own bed, even if he was the one being so insistent in his offer. She was almost tempted to point out that there was nothing stopping him from also sleeping in the bed with her if it was big enough, as she rather suspected it would be. But then again, that wasn’t exactly a typical arrangement for friends. And beyond that fact, Josie knew well enough that she was hardly in a state to keep herself from cuddling up to him if they did sleep in the same bed. She shook the thought from her head, focusing instead on the way that Hektor’s expression had seemed to change. And that question. Well that certainly made her cheeks burn again. She wanted to argue really, to insist that he didn’t have to offer or that she didn’t need the help. But she’d just demonstrated—and even said—that she very much did need the help where the stairs were concerned. “I… um… Sure,” she replied, although she accentuated it with a subtle nod given the way her words came out as not much more than a mumble.

The color and temperature of her cheeks in combination threatened to betray her thoughts entirely as Hektor stepped closer to her—and neither compared to her fluttering heart rate. It didn’t keep her from lacing her arms around his neck, hugging herself closer as he lifted her off of the ground. It took everything in her not to tuck her face into the crook of his neck though. Because even from this close vantage point she was all too focused on his warmth and his scent, both of which were highly… distracting in their intoxication. Josie held shockingly silent as Hektor carried her up the stairs, and even as they entered the apartment itself. She didn’t trust herself not to say or do something incredibly wanting.

Josie bobbled just a tad as Hektor set her down again, though almost in a way to snap herself out of the daze of that walk. She’d been caught up in controlling herself, but also committing the entirety of it to memory, even with the added haze of drink. She glanced in the direction of the bathroom door as he indicated it, but her gaze came back to Hektor not long after, frowning a bit as he moved further away and continued to speak. Because he wasn’t looking at her now. Was it awkward for him? Or unwelcome and now he was regretting the offer? She bit her lip, trying to determine a way that maybe she could convince him to walk back on his prior insistence. Josie allowed her fingertips to trace the edge of the behind her as she watched him, still deep in thought when he reached out to offer her the shirt. She stepped forward then, taking the t-shirt from Hektor’s hand and allowing one of her hands to rest atop his in hopes she might catch his eye again. “Thank you. Do you want me to wait out here while you get ready for bed?” She questioned, nodding in the direction of the bathroom since she was assuming he’d be going in for his own sake of winding down—and then that thought caught her focus a little too much, allowing certain images of Hektor to cross her mind… not the sort one should imagine of a friend. She ducked her head a bit then, taking the t-shirt properly now and hugging it against her chest. “It’s not too late for me to sleep on the couch either… I feel bad taking your bed from you.”

[hektrslightening]

The lingering touch of her hand sent warmth radiating, a hyper awareness of the point of connection. It had been like that with her for a long time now. That sense of being more aware of her than other people. Not just when they touched but even when she was just in the room. It didn’t seem to matter what he was doing, it was like he wasn’t capable of not having a least a little of his attention on her. And this touch now was no different. It pulled his gaze back to hers which did nothing for trying to keep his mind safely in friend territory.

“Uh, sure,” he nodded, not lingering before heading into the bathroom. He wasn’t long in the shower but as he finished doing his teeth he realised he hadn’t brought and bed clothes in with him. Cursing under his breath, he tightened the towel round his waist before stepping back out into the bedroom. “It’s all yours, there’s a clean towel on the rail for you,” he said, trying to be nonchalant as he headed for the chest of draws.

[hektrslightening]

That damned purr in her voice again. He couldn't stop the shiver that ran through him at it. It was like her voice was a physical thing. Like she was running her fingers along his spine. He found himself lifting his eyes sky wards, a habit at the mention of the sky god and a plea for mercy. From the god himself for the comparison but mostly from the effects Josie had on him. He certainly wasn't going to be able to stop it himself. Nor, in truth, did he want to.

--

Hektor was feeling pleasantly tipsy. Not something he usually let himself do in public. Here with Josie though it felt safe. Fun even. He'd fallen into a pattern of refilling their glasses each time they were empty. Loosing track of how many times he'd done it in the back ground of their easy conversation. And it was easy. Talking with her, spending time with her. Gods how he'd missed this. Not that they'd ever done exactly this before.

And it was hard to focus on anything but her, especially when she'd moved to his desk. Moved to lean on her knees so their gaze lined up. So the hours ticked by without him really noticing. It wasn't till her comment about leaving that he glanced up at the clock. The smile he'd had from her giggle that had followed her comment about her drunkenness slipped at his surprise at how late it was. He felt more than saw her stumble. His body reacting before his tipsy brain had caught what was happening. But he'd only just caught her, still leaving them mere inches away. The memory of the last time they'd been this close flickered across his mind and he could stop his gaze dipping to her lips momentarily. He cleared his throat before replying, his gaze now safely back to her eyes. Though now it was there he wasn't so sure that was safer. "Don't worry about it,"

Helping her upright, he stood up himself. "Maybe you should stay here tonight. My apartment I mean, it's upstairs," he said, gazing down at her. "Only the dodgy taxi's will be out this late and neither of us is in a state to drive," and maybe he wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. Maybe he rather liked the idea of her being her in the morning. "You can take my bed, I'll sleep on the couch,"

[jealous-of-josie]

Even in her inebriated state Josie was almost certain she'd caught Hektor looking at her lips then. In truth, she was fighting the very urge to do the same, so her vision might be all the further influenced by wishful thinking. But his eyes were stormy seas to her then, leaving her hopelessly lost under his gaze. She wanted to freeze time and live in little moments like that. Another drop in the bucket for Hektor, she was sure, but to her? An eternity. And an incredibly perfect one--those prolonged moments in his presence that made her heart flutter. And each one had left her wanting all the more. It seemed she'd grown all too tired of denying herself just that.

She was grateful for his steadying hold setting her right again, even if it did mean they were no longer face to face as he stood to his full height again. Josie could feel her eye widen a bit, almost involuntarily as Hektor spoke. It wasn't as if it wasn't a perfectly logical offer. It wasn't as if it wouldn't be the exact thing a friend would say or do... and yet it felt so weighted with connotation. She shook her head after a moment too long of being silent, the action making her sway a bit on the spot. "No, really, I'll be fine," she tried to offer, starting to walk towards the office door before catching herself against the edge of the desk. She quickly steadied herself, catlike reflexes still kicking in to keep her from falling over. "Damn it." The words were barely audible, less frustrated and more filled with a near meekness now as she slowly turned to glance at Hektor. "I'd say you're right... but I don't think stairs and I are a recipe for a safe night either," she replied sheepishly, still holding the edge of the desk for her balance. But her gaze remained fixed on his now, searching his expression for signs of regretting the offer or not meaning it. "And you should be in your bed--I can take the couch... well, if I make it that far."

[hektrslightening]

The edge had worn off his haziness. Sharpened by the need for alertness. Alertness to make sure she was ok he realised. To make sure she didn't fall and hurt herself. Like that need to protect won out over the alcohol he'd consumed. He reached for her when she stumbled but held back when she caught herself. In most situations she could take care of herself, he wouldn't patronise her by pretending she couldn't. Still, it was becoming clear to him she'd struggle to get up that stairs in her current state. He met her gaze as she turned, glad she seemed to be coming around to the idea of staying. "I'm not letting you sleep on the couch," he said, crossing his arms. But he soon uncrossed them, his expression softening a little. "Will you let me carry you up there?"

Stepping forward he put one arm behind her back, bending so her could scoop her up with his other behind her knees. Her scent quickly filled his nose with her so close, and he was painfully aware of every place they were touching. It was all he could do to stop his arms pulling her closer. From burying his face in her neck and breathing her in. But he resisted, just about, and started the short journey up to his apartment.

Once there he headed straight for his bedroom, holding firm on his decision that she should take it. Ever so gently he set her back on her feet beside the bed. "Bathrooms through there," he pointed to an open door in the corner. "I'll get you some water," he had to focus on the practical things because otherwise his mind was likely to wander to dangerous places. He couldn't quite stop it though, not with her in his bedroom. Her about to be in his bed. Even if he wouldn't be in it with her. "And you can borrow this to sleep in if you want," he continued after clearing his throat as he went to grab a t-shirt from his draws.

[hektrslightening]

The contact between them as she leaned against him on bred the desire for more contact. To keep her that close. Keep a part of them connected. Even if it were just their pinky fingers. Though he'd be lying if he said it didn't tumble into that familiar desire to run his hands over ever inch of her body. Did she know what she did to him with such a simple thing as leaning against him just a little. He pushed it aside, or at least tried to. But it lingered in the corner of his mind as the evening continued on. And so when his hand brushed hers as he took the bottle of Scotch, and again when he passed her a glass, it might just have been on purpose. Even if it was subconsciously done.

"Of course," he grabbed two glasses from his desk, putting them on top on the filling cabinet to pour. The call back to word she'd spoken to him months ago wasn't lost on him. And her calling him handsome had much them same effect this time round too. He spared a quick glanced at her as he poured instead of replying to it. This part, the flirting, had never felt like it came naturally him like it did his brother. Though Helenus had always been better with people in general. His distracted thoughts lead to a rather more generous pour than he'd meant but he matched the other glass before passing her one. There was a light zap as their fingers brush this time, though it would feel nothing more than a tingle. The result of a tiny piece of lightening arched between their fingers as they moved apart. He cursed under his breath. "Sorry,"

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie bit back a cheeky grin as Hektor glanced at her. He was still rather awkward with compliments or flirting, which was as amusing as it was endearing. But she was reminding herself not to get too caught up in the giddiness of the moment, in feeling that achingly pleasing comfort between them again. It was easy to be swept up by that, in the way he smelled, the way his voice washed over her like midday sun. She tried her best to snap out of such thoughts, especially as he turned to pass her the glass of Scotch. What she didn't expect was the small hum of tangible electricity she felt as his fingers grazed hers. Her eyes widened ever so slightly at the sight of the small lightning bolt between them--there and gone in an instant. And then he cursed and apologized, which only made Josie tilt her head in further confusion. Because that meant she hadn't imagined it. And it wasn't mere static either. Then it clicked. His magic. She'd never once asked Hektor about it, not for a lack of curiosity, but in being more than content with what he wanted to tell her himself. It made her break into the grin she'd held back before though, looking up at Hektor as she raised her glass to him. "Salud, almighty Zeus," she teased before sipping her Scotch.

--

Losing count of drinks wasn't something Josie was given to doing. No, even at her worst at the larger parties and gatherings she normally had the sense to keep track of that much at least. But here, in the comfort of Hektor's office, with him continuing to pour for the both of them, it was easily forgotten in the spirits of enjoyment and indulgence.

At some point she had moved to where she was sitting atop the edge of Hektor's desk, facing him where he sat in his chair just ahead of her. All in all, she was practically in his lap... not that it would be the first time if she actually was. She downed the last bit of Scotch from her most recent glass, the warmth only adding to the heady such feelings she'd long since surpassed. She found herself swaying back forward again after the fact to where she was leaning her elbows onto her knees and meeting Hektor's eyeline. "I... am more drunk... than you--" She accentuated the word with a gentle poke to his cheek. "--have ever seen me." A bit of laughter escaped her then, more of a giggle than anything. But then she caught sight of the clock on the wall, and even through her heavily blurred vision could catch the fact that the hour hand had drifted past midnight some time ago. She bit her lip. "I probably need to get home." She slipped off of her spot on the desk, although the speed of even such a small action sent her head spinning in a way that made her stumble forward. Hektor had caught her just before she fully fell against him though, leaving their faces just inches apart. "Sorry..."

[hektrslightening]

That damned purr in her voice again. He couldn't stop the shiver that ran through him at it. It was like her voice was a physical thing. Like she was running her fingers along his spine. He found himself lifting his eyes sky wards, a habit at the mention of the sky god and a plea for mercy. From the god himself for the comparison but mostly from the effects Josie had on him. He certainly wasn't going to be able to stop it himself. Nor, in truth, did he want to.

--

Hektor was feeling pleasantly tipsy. Not something he usually let himself do in public. Here with Josie though it felt safe. Fun even. He'd fallen into a pattern of refilling their glasses each time they were empty. Loosing track of how many times he'd done it in the back ground of their easy conversation. And it was easy. Talking with her, spending time with her. Gods how he'd missed this. Not that they'd ever done exactly this before.

And it was hard to focus on anything but her, especially when she'd moved to his desk. Moved to lean on her knees so their gaze lined up. So the hours ticked by without him really noticing. It wasn't till her comment about leaving that he glanced up at the clock. The smile he'd had from her giggle that had followed her comment about her drunkenness slipped at his surprise at how late it was. He felt more than saw her stumble. His body reacting before his tipsy brain had caught what was happening. But he'd only just caught her, still leaving them mere inches away. The memory of the last time they'd been this close flickered across his mind and he could stop his gaze dipping to her lips momentarily. He cleared his throat before replying, his gaze now safely back to her eyes. Though now it was there he wasn't so sure that was safer. "Don't worry about it,"

Helping her upright, he stood up himself. "Maybe you should stay here tonight. My apartment I mean, it's upstairs," he said, gazing down at her. "Only the dodgy taxi's will be out this late and neither of us is in a state to drive," and maybe he wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. Maybe he rather liked the idea of her being her in the morning. "You can take my bed, I'll sleep on the couch,"

[hektrslightening]

He sighed, unable to stop it, before he answered. "Very old," It was natural that she'd be curious and he didn't hold it against her. But how to tell her just how old he was without it just bringing up more questions. He wanted her to know. Wanted her to know everything. But there was still that voice of fear whispering away. What if she was put off by how old he was. What if it was something she couldn't get passed. It had been little surprising thoughts like that that had made him realise that it was more than friendship that he felt for her. More than friendship that he hoped for between them.

There was, had always been, something about her that made him not want to lie to her. So he didn't try to deny the accusation of letting her win. And at the smile that broke over her face he found himself smiling too. Actually smiling. It had become a reflex that usually he fought but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he didn't.

Locking the door behind them, he followed her into the diner. Stopping, again, when she did. The way her breath caught ever so slightly made him all too aware of their proximity. Of how little it would take to reach out and pull her to him. Her gaze shifting to his lips really wasn't helping matters. Clearing his throat he stepped away, in the direction they needed to go. "It's this way," he finally spoke as he carried on, heading round the counter.

The office was off the back on the small, spotlessly clean, kitchen. He held this door open for her too. It wasn't a big space but contained a filing cabinet, safe, wooden desk, wooden desk chair and a wingback chair tucked into one corner, with a threadbare Turkish rug covering the floor. Going over to the filing cabinet, he pulled open the bottom drawn. "I'm afraid there's not much variety," There were a couple of bottles of wine in there, a bottle of Scotch and and bottle of Narince.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie caught the sigh easily enough, let alone the way he seemed to withdraw into himself. It wasn't as often that that would happen between them anymore, but both Hektor and her certainly had their moments of secrecy. Of course, it didn't help her curiosity in the slightest. But even while tipsy, she wouldn't be the sort to be a hypocrite over this instance. "Well, I knew you were older than me, at any rate," she teased, her expression shifting back into that playfulness that seemed to be a frequent occurrence in her interactions with Hektor. But he brought out the joy in her, as well as the desire to flirt even despite it all... and thus she was left with this dynamic as the bridge. "But I'll spare your vanity with regard to the specifics if you'd like."

She was glad, really, that Hektor didn't try to pretend he'd slowed up. Obviously they both knew she could be a great deal faster in different circumstances, so it put them on equal terms. And beyond that she found it endearing in a way, especially after the distance she'd put between them lately. Because Josie was able to take comfort in the fact that everything was continually pointing to the fact that she hadn't ruined anything with the kiss. Although, that realization was dangerous enough with the hazy desire to repeat the act.

She let out a faint sigh as Hektor made his way around the counter. It wasn't out of relief though... or maybe it was? It was so hard to tell. Because one part of her very much wanted him to be the responsible one and keep any more kiss slip ups from happening, but the other much more vocal part of her brain at the moment was wanting him to encourage far more than just a kiss. And that was distracting, to say the least. Her cheeks were still burning a bit, the evident blush there being enlightened all the more so as he let her step through the door to the office. Josie walked over beside Hektor, leaning against him a bit and humming to herself as she examined the options. She would normally feel a bit bad about picking a proper Scotch with the intention of the two tucking into the bottle and depleting it to some degree, but she also knew that Hektor had more of a preference for that in the past at least. And, well, that really answered it for her. She delicately lifted out the Scotch from the drawer, directing her gaze up to meet his again. "I assume you're having some as well?" She offered the bottle to him, in any case, so that he could pour. She didn't want to be too greedy or anything. "You know, so I can spend my night sharing a drink with a handsome not-so-stranger." The reference to her words all those months ago was much more bold now given the evolved context since, but she couldn't quite resist it.

[hektrslightening]

The contact between them as she leaned against him on bred the desire for more contact. To keep her that close. Keep a part of them connected. Even if it were just their pinky fingers. Though he'd be lying if he said it didn't tumble into that familiar desire to run his hands over ever inch of her body. Did she know what she did to him with such a simple thing as leaning against him just a little. He pushed it aside, or at least tried to. But it lingered in the corner of his mind as the evening continued on. And so when his hand brushed hers as he took the bottle of Scotch, and again when he passed her a glass, it might just have been on purpose. Even if it was subconsciously done.

"Of course," he grabbed two glasses from his desk, putting them on top on the filling cabinet to pour. The call back to word she'd spoken to him months ago wasn't lost on him. And her calling him handsome had much them same effect this time round too. He spared a quick glanced at her as he poured instead of replying to it. This part, the flirting, had never felt like it came naturally him like it did his brother. Though Helenus had always been better with people in general. His distracted thoughts lead to a rather more generous pour than he'd meant but he matched the other glass before passing her one. There was a light zap as their fingers brush this time, though it would feel nothing more than a tingle. The result of a tiny piece of lightening arched between their fingers as they moved apart. He cursed under his breath. "Sorry,"

[hektrslightening]

He gave a nod to her question. "In London," he added, half his attention now going to being ready to grab her if she fell while walking backwards. Hektor shrugged, "It's never come up," mostly because his past never came up. "I've had it since the late 1500, The Prospect of Whitby," talking about himself and his past wasn't really something he did. Nor liked doing for that matter. But with her it felt like the most natural thing to do. He would have frowned at the words about him hiding the good stuff if he wasn't so busy trying to hide the effect the way she said them had on him. The purr like tone running through him like a caress.

The alcohol could well be blamed for how relaxed she was being with him, the way she brushed against him as she turned. And maybe when she'd sobered up it would go back to how it had been. But by the gods he hoped it wouldn't. With every passing moment he was more painfully aware of just how much he'd missed this.

He stopped too when she did. Frowning at her taking her shoes off on the dirty city street but he didn't comment on it. Though part of him would rather carry her than have her walk barefoot in the city. He blinked at her words and cursed under his breath as she started to run. But as he started to run after her he couldn't deny the lightness he felt in his chest. And he didn't make an effort to over take her, more than happy to let her win. To always let her win. He had to fight a smile at the thought of it.

He only slowed when they reached the diner, not even out of breath. "You could of given me more of a warning," he grumbled but there was no heat in it as he unlocked the door and let her go in ahead of him.

[jealous-of-josie]

"Oh, that makes more sense," Josie remarked, both of the pub being in London and him not having mentioned it before now. Only, when he talked further she found herself staring at him in a sort of spellbound wonder. Of course she'd known he was fae, but to hear Hektor speak so nonchalantly about years she could only fathom from the pages of a history book really put it into perspective. Her life would likely look like a drop in a bucket to him. She was rather caught up on that fact, barely catching sight of a lightpost before she would have bumped into it. She put her focus back into walking again, although she couldn't help the question that tugged at her mind. "How old are you anyways? If I'm allowed to ask."

Josie didn't run with all of the speed that she might have alongside one of her packmates, not quite wanting to leave Hektor behind entirely. But she was aware of her being a little too conveniently ahead of him even with him having caught up rather effortlessly. When they came to a stop in front of the diner, she leaned back against the window beside the door, tilting her head towards Hektor as he spoke. She softly glared at him, crossing her arms. "But getting a head start is part of the fun--and you let me win anyways," she pointed out before breaking into a grin again in spite of her attempts to look annoyed. It was too hard to maintain that sort of thing with him, particularly when she was far from in a bad mood to begin with. She hadn't really allowed herself to be this happy, this free since Christmas. And she was all too aware of Hektor being the reason why. Because if she was being honest with herself she knew that he would always be able to make her feel that irreverent joy.

She caught herself staring at him again then, caught in a daydream of her and Hektor, years from now, running and then dancing in a sunlit meadow. Those sorts of visuals had populated her mind all the more so since the two had gotten close, and had become almost constant since their kiss. Only when Hektor looked up at her, clearly holding the door open for her to go in ahead of him, did Josie snap herself out of it, ducking her head a bit in vain hopes to hide the fact that she was blushing. She made her way towards the counter, trying to school herself and her expression but knowing all too well that she was a bit too far gone to manage to.

Josie paused in her tracks, realizing she'd never gone into the back of the diner before. "Are you going to lead the way then?" She questioned, turning just as Hektor walked up beside her. Her breath caught a bit at the proximity, the way his scent washed over her. Far gone was definitely an understatement as she was certain her cheeks deepened to a shade nearing crimson. But she didn't hide her face again, unable to help herself from meeting his gaze, or the way hers briefly shifted to looking at his lips. "I have to pick my prize, after all."

[hektrslightening]

He sighed, unable to stop it, before he answered. "Very old," It was natural that she'd be curious and he didn't hold it against her. But how to tell her just how old he was without it just bringing up more questions. He wanted her to know. Wanted her to know everything. But there was still that voice of fear whispering away. What if she was put off by how old he was. What if it was something she couldn't get passed. It had been little surprising thoughts like that that had made him realise that it was more than friendship that he felt for her. More than friendship that he hoped for between them.

There was, had always been, something about her that made him not want to lie to her. So he didn't try to deny the accusation of letting her win. And at the smile that broke over her face he found himself smiling too. Actually smiling. It had become a reflex that usually he fought but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he didn't.

Locking the door behind them, he followed her into the diner. Stopping, again, when she did. The way her breath caught ever so slightly made him all too aware of their proximity. Of how little it would take to reach out and pull her to him. Her gaze shifting to his lips really wasn't helping matters. Clearing his throat he stepped away, in the direction they needed to go. "It's this way," he finally spoke as he carried on, heading round the counter.

The office was off the back on the small, spotlessly clean, kitchen. He held this door open for her too. It wasn't a big space but contained a filing cabinet, safe, wooden desk, wooden desk chair and a wingback chair tucked into one corner, with a threadbare Turkish rug covering the floor. Going over to the filing cabinet, he pulled open the bottom drawn. "I'm afraid there's not much variety," There were a couple of bottles of wine in there, a bottle of Scotch and and bottle of Narince.

[hektrslightening]

He'd felt every small point of contact between his arm and her hand as they walked out. As if the contact was burning through his shirt. And still he felt the ghost of her touch when she let go. So much that he half wondered if he'd see her hand print etched into his skin if he rolled his shirt sleeve up. It was that that made him realise that as well as not seeming quite as at ease with him over the past months, she also hadn't really touched him.

That smile did something to him, as did the fact that she didn't seem to even need to think twice about what direction to go. She knew how to get there even from a place she didn't usually go to it from. There was a brief moment where he just watched her heading off before he started walking too. "Why would I need a speakeasy when I own a pub?" sure it was on a different continent but it ticked the box. And he was quite glad he didn't have to deal with drunk strangers every night any more. "No speakeasy," he confirmed, "but I do keep a couple of bottle in the office," it felt good to be talking like this. Natural and a little more relaxed again.

[jealous-of-josie]

"You own a pub?" Josie questioned, spinning to where she was walking backwards--which was about as ill advised sober as it was for her being nearer to drunk and in heels. "Why didn't I know that?" She questioned quietly, more to herself as she tried to puzzle if in fact he had told her that at some point and she'd just forgotten the detail. But then she was too aware of her feet as she started to slow up, with Hektor falling in step with her again in the lapse of her forward motion. "Hmm, just like a guy to hide away the good stuff in his office," she mused, her words almost like a purr in that instinctive way that seemed to overtake her at times.

She spun on her heel again to right her direction, brushing against Hektor in the process. It wasn't that Josie wasn't clumsy, since everyone who knew her would jump to that as one of the first words to describe her, but around Hektor she was almost strangely steady. Apart from now in her not so graceful or winning attempts to avoid making contact with him. But it was almost impossible now that she had. Because it was like he said... she'd missed this. Missed even the freedom of allowing herself to bump into him, as silly as it felt to admit.

She stopped in her tracks for a minute, slipping off her heels much in the way that she had after the gala. When she looked up again, it seemed Hektor had noticed her pausing. But even the butterflies that flitted about in her ribcage couldn't quite keep her from flashing him a wicked sort of grin as she issued her challenge. "First one there gets to pick the bottle!" She didn't even finish the phrase before she took off in a sprint, her animalistic qualities luckily winning out over any tipsy missteps in the effort to run.

[hektrslightening]

He gave a nod to her question. "In London," he added, half his attention now going to being ready to grab her if she fell while walking backwards. Hektor shrugged, "It's never come up," mostly because his past never came up. "I've had it since the late 1500, The Prospect of Whitby," talking about himself and his past wasn't really something he did. Nor liked doing for that matter. But with her it felt like the most natural thing to do. He would have frowned at the words about him hiding the good stuff if he wasn't so busy trying to hide the effect the way she said them had on him. The purr like tone running through him like a caress.

The alcohol could well be blamed for how relaxed she was being with him, the way she brushed against him as she turned. And maybe when she'd sobered up it would go back to how it had been. But by the gods he hoped it wouldn't. With every passing moment he was more painfully aware of just how much he'd missed this.

He stopped too when she did. Frowning at her taking her shoes off on the dirty city street but he didn't comment on it. Though part of him would rather carry her than have her walk barefoot in the city. He blinked at her words and cursed under his breath as she started to run. But as he started to run after her he couldn't deny the lightness he felt in his chest. And he didn't make an effort to over take her, more than happy to let her win. To always let her win. He had to fight a smile at the thought of it.

He only slowed when they reached the diner, not even out of breath. "You could of given me more of a warning," he grumbled but there was no heat in it as he unlocked the door and let her go in ahead of him.

[hektrslightening]

As the silence stretched out between them he started to believe he'd really put his foot in it. Well he'd come around to thinking that talking about it was the right thing to do, he was kicking himself for bringing it up at a party. He hated parties. At least he used to. Still did most of the time but if she was there it had simmered down to a mild dislike. Because she made him feel comfortable. Maybe too comfortable if he'd been fool headed enough to bring up Christmas at one. Especially when he hadn't even told his siblings about it. They'd only have made too much of a fuss of it.

Hektor blinked at her in surprise when she finally spoke and then let out a sigh. Not of disappointment but of relief. Because the comparison to how they'd left the gala made him feel she wasn't actually annoyed at him from bringing Christmas up. "Yeah," he confirmed, though he was already getting up from his seat.

He fell silent again as they headed out. Cassandra clocked them leaving but mercifully she didn't say anything or make any move to come say good bye. Once they were out on they street he took a deep breath of the cool evening air. "We could head back to the diner?" he offered.

[jealous-of-josie]

The small sigh and near smile from Hektor soothed at least some of Josie's increasingly frayed nerves. She wasn't nearly drunk enough for this conversation... or maybe she wasn't sober enough. But she was overall just grateful to be soon abandoning an audience to her likely embarrassment. No, nobody needed to witness that. But hopefully it could just slip back into their old dynamic without necessarily having to say anything more than they already had.

Josie had still been making a point of not touching Hektor, as had been a guiding rule of the last while for her, but maneuvering through a crowd apparently resulted in a bit too much stumbling and one too many bumps into him that she gave up on her principles to grab his arm. Just for the sake of steadying herself on the walk to the front door, or so she told herself.

Even before they stepped out into the air the spot on his arm seemed to burn under her touch, or was it more of a spark? She couldn't quite tell before she relinquished her hold on him when he spoke, as if it was a reminder that this wasn't all in her head. But still, she smiled at the offer, genuine and maybe a touch too giddy. "Really? Are you hosting a speakeasy there that I don't know about?" She mused, already walking off in the direction of the diner. It'd become as much of a haunting ground for her as the office or the pack house, what with her being around for his little closing routine more often than not, so she knew it wasn't too far of a walk from here. "You can tell me, you know. Attorney and client privelege, and all that jazz." She tossed him another smile over her shoulder, reveling in the fact that at least she felt comfortable to joke with him if nothing else.

[hektrslightening]

He'd felt every small point of contact between his arm and her hand as they walked out. As if the contact was burning through his shirt. And still he felt the ghost of her touch when she let go. So much that he half wondered if he'd see her hand print etched into his skin if he rolled his shirt sleeve up. It was that that made him realise that as well as not seeming quite as at ease with him over the past months, she also hadn't really touched him.

That smile did something to him, as did the fact that she didn't seem to even need to think twice about what direction to go. She knew how to get there even from a place she didn't usually go to it from. There was a brief moment where he just watched her heading off before he started walking too. "Why would I need a speakeasy when I own a pub?" sure it was on a different continent but it ticked the box. And he was quite glad he didn't have to deal with drunk strangers every night any more. "No speakeasy," he confirmed, "but I do keep a couple of bottle in the office," it felt good to be talking like this. Natural and a little more relaxed again.

[hektrslightening]

He half grumbled something about not really lying but he didn't really have a leg to stand on. Because he had been staring. He tried not to but every time she was in the room his attention gravitated towards her. Even now he couldn't help meeting her gaze as she brought hers back to him. Even though it came with another statement he couldn't deny. Not many people would have noticed the difference. His siblings maybe but most of his friends wouldn't have. It somehow didn't surprise him that she had though. But what could he say to that? He took swig of his drink. It was there, right on the tip of his tongue. The subject he wanted to bring up. But he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. On the other hand maybe it was better to get it all out in the open, to clear the air, get on the same page. But what if they weren't on the same page? What if she truly did regret the kiss and by saying he didn't it pushed her away once and for all. He took another, long, swig of his drink. "I've missed this," he finally said with the help of the faint buzz from his fae strength drink. He couldn't look at her when he continued though, "Things have just felt....off..between us....since Christmas,"

[jealous-of-josie]

She knew she'd caught onto something the second that Hektor deflected to his drink before answering. Liquid courage. Even to talk to her? Josie paused at that thought. As if they were uniquely close to make her his secret keeper or some such thing... but they were close, very very close by most people's standards, as the pack girls loved to frequently point out about the pair. Her flurry of thoughts came to a halt at his initial reply though, taking her breath away somewhat involuntarily. Because on one hand she'd been missing him to, even despite still seeing him just as regularly as she had been... so had he been picking up on the slight distance in her demeanor since then, at least in her physicality with him? But then he said the word that all but confirmed it, simultaneously turning her cheeks a near shade of crimson and bringing her attention back to her own drink as she opted to take a generous sip of it. Christmas. She couldn't avoid talking about it forever, could she? Of course not... but what was she meant to say? 'I'm sorry for kissing you, but I'm also not sorry at all really. Because I think you're handsome, and funny, and utterly perfect. And isn't that just the sort of person someone should want to kiss?'

Josie became aware of the long pause falling between them and cleared her throat as she forced herself to look up at Hektor again. Only that when she caught his eye, she felt all of the right words fall out of her head... if there were ever any to begin with, that is. And instead she found herself saying. "Do you want to get out of here?" She glanced around at their nearby company at the bar, scrunching up her nose a tad. "Like we did before Christmas" she added, hoping maybe he'd see the peace offering in them similarly slipping away as they had at the Velvet Room gala.

[hektrslightening]

As the silence stretched out between them he started to believe he'd really put his foot in it. Well he'd come around to thinking that talking about it was the right thing to do, he was kicking himself for bringing it up at a party. He hated parties. At least he used to. Still did most of the time but if she was there it had simmered down to a mild dislike. Because she made him feel comfortable. Maybe too comfortable if he'd been fool headed enough to bring up Christmas at one. Especially when he hadn't even told his siblings about it. They'd only have made too much of a fuss of it.

Hektor blinked at her in surprise when she finally spoke and then let out a sigh. Not of disappointment but of relief. Because the comparison to how they'd left the gala made him feel she wasn't actually annoyed at him from bringing Christmas up. "Yeah," he confirmed, though he was already getting up from his seat.

He fell silent again as they headed out. Cassandra clocked them leaving but mercifully she didn't say anything or make any move to come say good bye. Once they were out on they street he took a deep breath of the cool evening air. "We could head back to the diner?" he offered.

[hektrslightening]

He'd been thinking of a great deal of things. Like how this was maybe the most relaxed she'd been around him since Christmas. Since that kiss. He'd wanted to talk about it but after the first attempt when she'd changed the subject he'd taken the hint she didn't want to. Things since then had been....different. He also couldn't help but think about how beautiful she looked, and how good she smelled. And how he so desperately wanted her to go back to being comfortable around him. The kiss had taken him by surprise. It had made him realise several things. Made a small ember of hope start to glow. But he'd take it all back, have it not have happened, if it would make her more comfortable. But he was going to admit any of that. "I wasn't staring,"

[jealous-of-josie]

The immediacy of the denial only made her smile descend into a bit of laughter. "Mhmm, and I'm not tipsy. See? I can lie too," Josie replied, tilting her head as she now became the one staring. Then again, she often caught herself staring at Hektor. At the way his eyes seemed to be an indescribable combination of colors, at the way the corner of his lips seemed to occasionally tighten in his effort to hold back a smile. At his lips in general, really, especially after Christmas. But she'd been so careful since, so guarded but not quite able to separate herself from him completely. She forced her gaze back up to meet his eye line again, an edge of curiosity entering her expression. "You're quiet tonight too. Or... I guess I should say more quiet than usual."

[hektrslightening]

He half grumbled something about not really lying but he didn't really have a leg to stand on. Because he had been staring. He tried not to but every time she was in the room his attention gravitated towards her. Even now he couldn't help meeting her gaze as she brought hers back to him. Even though it came with another statement he couldn't deny. Not many people would have noticed the difference. His siblings maybe but most of his friends wouldn't have. It somehow didn't surprise him that she had though. But what could he say to that? He took swig of his drink. It was there, right on the tip of his tongue. The subject he wanted to bring up. But he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. On the other hand maybe it was better to get it all out in the open, to clear the air, get on the same page. But what if they weren't on the same page? What if she truly did regret the kiss and by saying he didn't it pushed her away once and for all. He took another, long, swig of his drink. "I've missed this," he finally said with the help of the faint buzz from his fae strength drink. He couldn't look at her when he continued though, "Things have just felt....off..between us....since Christmas,"

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie broke into a small but clearly tipsy smile after a moment. "Why are you staring at me like that huh?"

[hektrslightening]

He'd been thinking of a great deal of things. Like how this was maybe the most relaxed she'd been around him since Christmas. Since that kiss. He'd wanted to talk about it but after the first attempt when she'd changed the subject he'd taken the hint she didn't want to. Things since then had been....different. He also couldn't help but think about how beautiful she looked, and how good she smelled. And how he so desperately wanted her to go back to being comfortable around him. The kiss had taken him by surprise. It had made him realise several things. Made a small ember of hope start to glow. But he'd take it all back, have it not have happened, if it would make her more comfortable. But he was going to admit any of that. "I wasn't staring,"

[hektrslightening]

Hektor didn't miss the way she leaned against his chair. She was definitely drunk and he found his body preparing to catch her if she fell.

The trail of her fingers threatened to send a pleasant shiver through his body. It was an effect she seemed to always have on him. One that always had him having to restrain himself from pulling her closer. His grip tightened just a little on a glass in an effort to do just that. "I had to close up the diner for the night," he found himself explaining, almost feeling the need to apologise. The fact she felt that being right about him being late was unfortunate felt like he'd disappointed her. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

[jealous-of-josie]

Josie’s fingertips continued on their path until her hand came to rest against Hektor’s chest—or, more accurately, both of her hands came to rest there after she’d somehow rather swiftly managed to seat herself on his lap so she could look him in the eye. She hated when he felt the need to look away from her, although she wasn’t quite sure why it bothered her so much. Even still, she was staring straight at him now with a slightly mischievous smile, though her eyes held a touch of concern that might be easily missed. “Hey, I was only teasing. I knew you’d be closing up… I just wish I’d been there too. I’ve gotten so used to that routine,” she replied wistfully, swaying a little bit as her eyes drifted shut in thought. “Although I’m sure it probably takes twice as long with me there distracting you.”

[hektrslightening]

Hektor's arm reflexively came round her as she seat herself in his lap. Just to stop her falling off the other side he told him self as his hand settled on her waist. The surprised of having her so close had him drawing in an extra breath. And where he had been trying not to look at her before, he now couldn't look away. Even without that mischievous edge to her smile he was sure he wouldn't have been able to. Or that note of something else he could see in her beautiful eyes. He'd met plenty of beautiful and stunning women in his long long life of course. But there was something about her, some spark in her that had him feeling impossibly drawn to her. In that moment he had to restrain himself from giving in to that magnetic pull. Had to stop himself closing the distance and just kissing her right there. "A party is much more fun that watching me close up," he replied, feeling sure of it. "Have you enjoyed it so far?" he then found himself asking. "It's fine," it did take longer with her there but not just because she was distracting him. Maybe he took his time with certain tasks. Maybe he did ones he used to leave for the morning. Maybe he did it just to spend a little extra time with her. Maybe it had become his favourite part of the day.

[hektrslightening]

"If you thought I'd dress up then you clearly don't know me,"

[jealous-of-josie]

"I didn't think that..." Josie trailed off, having to stifle a giggle as she leaned against his chair for better balance.

"I'm surprised you even brought a mask," she teased, reaching out to trace it with gentle but wayward fingertips that wandered down his jawline. "But you did get here late, which I was also right about... unfortunately."

[hektrslightening]

Hektor didn't miss the way she leaned against his chair. She was definitely drunk and he found his body preparing to catch her if she fell.

The trail of her fingers threatened to send a pleasant shiver through his body. It was an effect she seemed to always have on him. One that always had him having to restrain himself from pulling her closer. His grip tightened just a little on a glass in an effort to do just that. "I had to close up the diner for the night," he found himself explaining, almost feeling the need to apologise. The fact she felt that being right about him being late was unfortunate felt like he'd disappointed her. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

[hektrslightening]

"If you thought I'd dress up then you clearly don't know me,"

[hektrslightening]

Morning @ Hektor's Diner

"You'll have to wait a few minuets for coffee, it's still brewing," he said to the person he'd found waiting outside when he opened up.