#ch: laney

[girlsofthedcu]

@maraonlaidre || Continued from [x]

They had been flirting off and on for months -- something her sisters teased her about mercilessly; and something they clearly resented Mik for. They were supposed to be a trio. A set. And yet there he was, drawing Laney away from the fold.

Yet, somehow, despite that and despite their continual insistence that they were just friends, they found themselves here. Staring across the room at each other, mere moments from the clock striking twelve. And then, as the countdown began, and the moment drew nearer, she looked up to find him striding towards her. Coming closer and closer with each descending number until he was there, tipping her chin for better access to her lips.

All and all it wasn’t a bad way to start a new year. Or to have a first kiss.

As the kiss gently broke and all around them, people cheered, she moved closer, laying her head against his chest as her arms encircled his waist. “I’ve been hoping you’d do that...”

[girlsofthedcu]

@maraonlaidre || Continued from [x]

While Laney didn’t mind the galas (and understood the importance of them both for the company’s own funding and the funding of their various charities), they did get a bit...tiresome. And impersonal. With so many reporters and photographers hanging about, it became almost impossible to have a moment that was just the two of them. Something that was already hard to get given her sisters, his sisters, and their mothers. She was fairly certain that somewhere, there was a binder, already started with wedding plans in it.

She wasn’t quite ready for that binder yet. Soon. But not now.

Accepting the pint and the spoon, she smiled as she took a seat on the ledge. Not the safest place in the world to sit but well...she was pretty good at balancing (thank you, gymnastics) plus with Mik beside her, falling wasn’t really a fear. Still...she couldn’t help but tease. Uncapping her ice cream, she looked over at him, spoon working to free a small chunk of cookie dough. “Soooo...if I fell, would you catch me?”

[girlsofthedcu]

// @maraonlaidre -- just gonna leave this here.

[girlsofthedcu]

@maraonlaidre​ is getting a starter since Mik demanded Laney

Taking a bite of the paper wrapped confection, Laney couldn’t help the little sound of absolute joy that escaped her at the taste. “I know they said this was bread... Or at least I think they said this was bread. St. Honore...but this is so much more than bread. You have to take a bite...”

Okay. So maybe she was waxing poetically about pastry. But they were in France. And wasn’t that what one did in France?

[girlsofthedcu]

i think being yourself—your true, entire self—is always going to feel like you’re swimming upstream. (Mik to Laney)

"Is that how it feels for you?" She was genuinely curious -- sitting crossed legged on the couch of their Star City apartment, eating pad thai out of one of the many takeout containers scattering their coffee table.

She knew their situations weren't exactly similar. She was trying to break the hold her family (mostly her sisters) had on her while Mik...Mik had to hide who -- what -- he was for his own safety. And the safety of his family. So that people like her family wouldn't try to harm him. Or use his power for their own gain.

But the distance helped. Getting out of National and starting anew. Even the insanity of Mik's "cousins" via Oliver was starting to seem...feel...normal. Comfortable.

[girlsofthedcu]

[girlsofthedcu]

"Happy kiss-aversy." Mik grinned as he came up behind Laney, resting his hands on her hips and dropping a kiss on her shoulder. "Are we sure we want to go to Ro's party?"

She knew it was super cliche -- their having first gotten together on NYE, the two of them sharing a kiss on the dance floor before sneaking away. But she didn’t care. To her, it was perfect. Just like him.

Leaning back into his embrace, she smiled at the gentle touch of his lips to her bare shoulder. She knew a strapless dress had been the right choice for the evening. Especially as she wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to wear them. Or at least this particular cut.

“I do. But first...there’s something I need to tell you...” Then they could go to the party and tell the rest of their crew.

[girlsofthedcu]

Laney, does it bother you that Mik is coming between you and your sisters?

“I don’t think Mik’s coming between me and my sisters; I think my sisters are coming between me and my sisters. We’re supposed to support one another and yet…here I am happy and they’re…they can’t handle that.”