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Jun 8, 2023

When I'm with you // Ariadne & Wynne

PARTIES: Ariadne @ariadnewhitlock & Wynne LOCATION: Ariadne's car. TIMING: Recent. CONTENT WARNINGS: None. SUMMARY: After having seen Dirty Dancing at the drive-in, Wynne and Ariadne decide the evening is not yet done. They drive to a quiet spot and get closer in all sense of the word. Happy pride!

The popcorn in their mouth had more than melted and so Wynne swallowed it, glancing at the now-dark screen. Here was another experience to add to their ever growing list of things they’d done for the first time. They were glad to have done it with Ariadne, who seemed so naturally understanding while also not asking too many questions. Sometimes they wondered if that was because she had something to hide, too. If it was the case, they found they wouldn’t mind much.

They dug around in the near-empty box of popcorn, feeling mostly unpopped kernels. “I loved it,” they say, glancing at Ariadne before turning in their seat fully. “That final dance …” There had been movie nights back at home, but never many and always with a limited selection. Not a lot of dance films, that was for sure. But there had been popcorn, made from the corn in the fields — it had tasted different, though. “Can you do that?”

“You did?” Ariadne’s face brightened, though she was fairly certain that she’d been smiling throughout the entirety of the movie. Both from the movie itself, and from watching Wynne watch the movie. Not that she’d been watching them too much, because that was creepy and Dirty Dancing was one of her favorite movies anyhow.

“Can I do the jump-move-thing?” She flashed them another smile. “I will admit to trying it as a kid - I haven’t tried it recently, but maybe? It’s a pretty incredible move, and I will fully confess to wanting a dress like the one she has at the end.” Ariadne grabbed a few Swedish Fish out of her bag and offered one to Wynne. “I’m really glad you liked it, though. I had a lot of fun, too. Am having a lot of fun, still.”

While they were often caught in the shame and guilt that came with their abandonment, there were moments like these too. Moments where Wynne was in awe with the beauty of the larger world. Where they were very happy to still be alive and able to see this all. “Yes, I really did.” And perhaps even more because of the good company.

There was a soft laugh, both of amusement and maybe endearment, too. “You should try it in your classes, or something.” If that was even how the classes worked. “And it’s a gorgeous dress. It would be pretty easy to sew.” Wynne took some of the candies, popping one in their mouth. “I’m having a lot of fun still, too.” The sweetness spread around their mouth as they looked at Ariadne. “I don’t want to go home just yet.”

“I’m so glad.” She looked over at them, her expression soft. Ariadne had figured it was a good movie to suggest, but there was always a part of her that was worried about the approval of others. Especially those who she’d grown fond of. Friends. That was what they’d said they were, and she couldn’t have been more pleased about it.

“Maybe I will. Though I think that’d involve a lot more eyes on me than I like, so maybe I’ll just have to ask someone to try it with me separate from class.” Ariadne glanced over to Wynne. “Yeah? I used to do, like, embroidery and small things like that, I don’t know if I could sew that.” Another nod, another smile. “I don’t want to go home yet, either.” She offered them another smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I could drive us somewhere else, if you want? Even just a bit up the road. Up to you. Or we can stay here.”

They didn’t understand why Ariadne wouldn’t want any eyes on them. Not because it was a feeling they were unfamiliar with (Wynne preferred as little eyes on them as possible), but because Ariadne so deserved to be looked at. They thought on the other’s words for a moment, then said, half-joking, “We can try it together. I’ll be Johnny.” Something crept on their cheeks, but they ignored it.

They glanced around their surroundings, at the other cars staying behind. There were couples sitting on hoods and on their own car seats, a few younger boys hollering. A radio played a song Wynne didn’t care to recognize. “Let’s drive off a little. Do you know a place with a nice view, or something? Maybe near the river?” There were too many people here, and they found they’d like to be alone with Ariadne.

“You’d do that?” She looked over at them, the look on her face growing brighter. “You - only if you wanted, though.” Ariadne found herself tapping her thumbs against her forefingers, the offer making her feel something besides dread in the pit of her stomach. Something almost akin to sweetness, maybe. She pushed the feeling away, instead re-focusing back on her friend.

“We can go to the river.” She was relieved that they wanted privacy. Not that it was bad, being at the drive in (not at all, and especially not with them), but the idea of more quiet was welcomed. As was the idea of having them all to herself. Which she’d had, she supposed, but it would be calmer without worrying about others. “I’ll find us a nice spot.” Ariadne turned the car on, pulling away from the drive-in, making her way to Whye River, pulling over once she found a spot that seemed like it would work. “How’s this?”

Wynne smiled a little, shrugging. They felt a little embarrassed, their suggestion so out of their usual comfort zone. “I mean, yes — but I cannot guarantee that I’ll be any good at it.” They danced, back at home, but in ways so different from the movie they’d just seen. Sometimes in traditional clothing from Wales, sometimes in no clothing at all with only the bonfire to keep them warm. But Wynne had tried many things they hadn’t done before as of late, so maybe a dance like this could just be another. If it made Ariadne happy especially, it would be something they’d want to do.

“Sounds good,” they agreed, watching Ariadne start up the car and get going. Wynne found themself looking at her a little here and there as she drove, noting little details about Ariadne. Their mind drifted to her often, but when sharing a small space with her it was hard to think of much else. New friendships could be like that, they supposed. The car halted and Wynne nodded, “Perfect.” They contemplated their next words for a moment, not sure how to go about casual conversation. They didn’t want casual conversation. “I grew up on the banks of a lake, you know? I’ve always felt connected to water. I guess that’s why I like it here.” And you, Wynne couldn’t help but think, make it easier to be here too.

“I think effort counts, and I’m sure you’re better at things than you say you are.” There was something about the thought of the two of them recreating that scene that made Ariadne’s stomach flip-flop, but in a desperately pleasant way - one that she hadn’t felt in an incredibly long time. One that she welcomed - one that she wanted more of. “You can pick something we do, too. Please?” The thought of doing something else - anything else - with them, especially something they enjoyed, made her feel light and happy. A feeling she was becoming far too used to whenever they were around.

A feeling she wasn’t sure she really deserved.

“I’m glad you like the view.” Ariadne looked over at them. They hadn’t been friends for that long of a time, but she felt connected to them. Which had to have meant that they were just meant to be friends. “You did? That’s wonderful - beautiful? Either way, if you want to tell me more about that, you can. Also when summer comes we could come swimming here?” So long as the water wasn’t salty, it would work, and to be around someone who made her practically forget her anxieties? That was a treasure. You mean a lot to me, she almost said, but instead her hand found theirs and she held hers open - an invitation, if they wanted.

They were wholly undeserving of it, this kindness and faith that Ariadne continued to extend. And yet Wynne took it all, smiling as the other spoke and looking down for a moment. They needed these things, the warmth and faith, and they selfishly accepted it while keeping truths of the past and threats of the present quiet. “We’ll see how good I am. It’ll be fun, either way.” They nodded. “Of course. I’ve got plenty of things I want to do with you.” There was a flicker of emotion on their face as they wondered if that was too eager.

“I do want to tell you more. And I want to know more about you, too.” Wynne meant it fully, as they said that. They looked at the open hand, for a fraction of a moment, and then they reached. Pinky finger first, brushing her palm, and then the rest of it. When their fingers intertwined, they looked ahead. “I’d love to swim with you this summer.” It’d mean they’d still be hanging out, and right now there wasn’t much else Wynne imagined themself wanting to do. They looked at Ariadne and felt incredibly alive, which meant their heart beat a little faster and their breath halted. The next words were unrelated, but at the same time not at all: “I trust you.”

“It will be fun.” Having more things to look forward to, especially with someone whose company she adored as much as theirs, especially recently. Ariadne brightened, “I’ve got plenty of things I’d like to do with you, too.” She didn’t want to say that there was very little she wouldn’t do with them, because that was too much, right now. One of the things she didn’t want to do with them was push them away.

“I’d love to know more about you. Whenever you want.” Ariadne pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, “and I’d love to tell you more, too.” Their hand joining hers was warm - warm and welcome and she offered their hand a small squeeze - though she kept looking ahead, eyes taking in the beautiful view - both the river and present company doing wonders to calm her nerves. “We’ll do it. Swimming and picnics on the beach too, yeah? I’m a fan of eating as much fruit as possible come summertime.” She glanced over to them the same time they looked at her and offered them a shy smile. “I trust you too.” For once, she wasn’t going to focus on the fact that she didn’t deserve their trust. “Completely.”

Something warm rose to their cheeks and Wynne wasn’t sure if they’d ever felt like this. There had been the nights on the roof with Beca, where their skin had hummed with too much mead and everything had felt possible. But those had been painted with their shared knowledge: Wynne was to die, Beca was not, and Beca had left the roof and Wynne had just stared at the stars until the morning came. Here, in this car, with all the plans between them, they still felt a hint of dread — but not dread for something as definitive as death. It was a curious kind of dread. “Then we’ll try to do them all.” They felt daring, saying such things.

But they were holding hands already and Wynne felt safe in this vehicle. “Picnics on the beach, that sounds great. And I love fruit.” Their eyes met as Ariadne expressed her mutual feeling of safety and Wynne smiled back, head resting back. They let out a breath of air, eyes flicking up to the car’s ceiling and then the river again. “It’s just a bit hard for me, to talk about the past, and that’s nothing to do with you. Just how I am.” They breathed in, shakily, “I ran away from home, not long ago. And at home we didn’t really have most of this.” They didn’t expand, just looked at Ariadne for a hint of judgment.

“That’s a good thing to try, I think.” Ariadne’s voice was still lowered, still quiet - just loud enough for Wynne to hear, given how close the two of them were sitting. If there hadn’t been the center console in between the two of them, she thought that she might have rested her head on their shoulder. It was a nice thought, to relax as much as she was able, with them. A nice reality, she corrected herself. Because here, now, she could relax. Even if she didn’t deserve to. “We’ll do everything we can.”

She didn’t want to let go of their hand. For now, she didn’t have to. “We’ll have a picnic full of fruits, and whatever else you’d like.” Ariadne glanced over to them at their words. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to talk about myself, or stuff too, so yeah.” Even though given their warmth, their light, and the radiance that surrounded them, she was certain they weren’t some sort of horrific creature. “Some homes don’t have all or most of this, I think.” She looked over to them, offering a smile, void of even a hint of judgment. She took her free hand and brushed a strand of hair behind their ear. “I’ll help explain stuff however I can, or Google-search what I don’t know for you, how’s that sound?”

It was a moment they wanted to live in. This kind of peacefulness and warm intrigue was something Wynne didn't want to let go, and the idea of getting out the car into the cold spring air was far from their mind. "It's so strange, how we've not known each other for so long and yet I can't imagine my life without you." It was a scary, reckless thing, to grow roots in Wicked's Rest. To get used to having people in their life. Maybe they'd fight it, at some point — maybe they'd betray the sentiments expressed tonight if they were to run. Wynne had done it before, after all: put themself first and abandon those they loved.

But they didn't think of it now, lost in Ariadne's touch and her lack of judgment. Wynne leaned into it a little wanting those fingers to linger. "Thank you." It was said quietly, though completely sincerely. "And I'm glad I'm just here with you, now. The past doesn't need to be unearthed, we can just be, here." Wasn't that overwhelming enough? "Right?"

“I can’t imagine my life without you, either.” Which felt big to say. Really, extremely big, and yet there wasn’t a moment of doubt that followed the words. Ariadne might have lived in town her whole life, but even in her days of not freaking out at every small thing, she’d never had a wide group of friends. Other than her cousin, she wasn’t sure if she’d felt as at ease with anybody until she’d met Wynne. She just had to hope with all her might that she didn’t somehow mess it all up, what with being a nightmare and all.

“You’re welcome.” She had no plans to let go of Wynne’s hand any time soon. Not until they let go, because the warmth felt nice - felt safe - like they were the only two people in the whole world. Or at least the only two who mattered, right now. “We can forget the past, yeah. There’s no real need to dig it all up and talk about it now, when we can just be here together.” Ariadne looked over at them, wanting suddenly, for whatever reason, to press her lips to Wynne’s temple - just to comfort them, she figured, to provide deeper reassurance that everything was okay. She pressed her lips together, refraining from doing so, though her gaze didn’t leave Wynne.

Sometimes Wynne tried to look at this life they were living as a second chance. If this was a rebirth, then all of this made perfect sense. They were like a foal, staggering on its new legs, growing attached to the people that became constants — it might as well be true that they’d known Ariadne for most of their life, because it hadn’t existed for that long. They weren’t sure if they would be able to find the words to express how grateful they were for it, exactly. If it was something that needed to be explained, if it could be.

They turned in their seat, side leaning against the back so they fully faced Ariadne all the while holding onto her hand. Something ran through their body, an excited and scared thrill that ended where their palms met. Wynne’s free hand moved forward, tentative at first and then more decisive as it rested on the other’s shoulder. They weren’t sure what they were moving forward for: an embrace or something deeper, less platonic, but either way their eyes were inquisitive — as if to ask: is this okay?

Their hand was on her shoulder, suddenly, and though Ariadne was fairly certain she was as relaxed as she could be, as relaxed as she’d been since becoming what she was, which was nice. Really, truly wonderful, even. Even as a child, when she’d been more willing and able to meet new people, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever connected with someone so immediately other than family. Yet with Wynne, it seemed so simple, so much so that she didn’t spend too much of her time overthinking (only sometimes thinking about how Wynne deserved a friend so much better than her, and that she was horribly selfish for staying as close as she had).

Still, right now, Ariadne was more distracted by their hand than she thought that she would have been. Their hand, and the way that they looked at her. She used her free hand to once again brush a (this time non-existent) strand of hair from their face, before she took in a breath that she supposed she didn’t really need, and pressed her lips against theirs, relishing in how soft they were, how warm, how welcoming. Ariadne breathed against them for a moment, eyes shut, before snapping her head back. “I - sorry.” She didn’t let go of their hand just yet, though, nor did her gaze leave their lips.

Ariadne’s fingers seemed to dance over their cheek as they brushed their skin and Wynne felt hungry for more than just this. It overwhelmed them, this need to feel closer and closer to Ariadne than just this, the wave of emotion and longing that seemed to swirl around their body. It was warm and electric, in that car, and Wynne felt their own hand travel up from her shoulder to her neck, as if they were already aware of what was to come next.

The kiss came in a way that made sense. It did not take Wynne by shocking surprise, nor did it unsettle them with its unexpectedness. It made sense, as if this was the next step that they both wanted to take — it felt a bit like coming home, if that was even a feeling they would be able to feel again. They leaned closer, their thumb resting against the long of Ariadne’s neck. When it ended and they remained like that, just breathing, Wynne thought it would last forever.

Until it didn’t, of course, and Ariadne pulled back and apologized. They inhaled, held onto that breath and looked confused, “Don’t apologize,” Wynne said. Did she already regret it? Had they misread this? Did it not make any sense, after all? “I liked it.” And they wanted to do it again, but only if Ariadne did too. They looked at her, from this up-close view, at her lips and then her eyes.

“You did?” Ariadne asked, too quickly, too immediately, but Wynne’s words brought a smile to her face and it felt so good. Certainly, being friends with them was all she could have hoped for, but this closeness, this new way of being felt even better - or perhaps more natural was the best descriptor - and she moved closer to them again.

“I liked it, too.” She nodded, smiling (which she did around Wynne more than around anybody else), and moved in to kiss them again, letting her lips linger against theirs, not moving away this time. Ariadne wrapped her hands gently around their neck, ghosting over their skin, paying no attention to the river, to the trees, to anything other than them.

When she finally broke away, she didn’t move far away from them, a more sly smile crossing her lips. “That was. Very very nice.” Ariadne sighed. “Your lips do taste a bit like Swedish Fish, you know.”

Something released when Ariadne confessed she had liked it too and leaned back in, Wynne moving to meet her halfway. There was something more sure about them as they kissed her back, moving one of their hands behind Ariadne, fingers ghosting over her ear and resting on the back of her head.

It lasted longer this time and it felt like coming home once more, but in a way that felt steadier, more exciting. Wynne did what they barely ever did and allowed themself to follow instinct, deepening the kiss and letting themself fall. Once it was done, they moved their forehead forward to lean against Ariadne’s, smiling a little.

“It was. I think I wanted to do that for a long time.” It did make sense, didn’t it? Now it did. They let out a soft chuckle. “Oh, well that would be the Fish I ate. Yours taste like popcorn.” Wynne felt warm, like the car’s heating was blazing, but what grounded them was Ariadne’s touch. She was so cold. “They're a little cold, but I like it.”

She didn’t want to be removed from this moment, ever. It was the most at ease that she’d felt in forever. Even since before becoming what she was - there was a certain comfort to sitting here, each of their hands ghosting against the others’ frame, neck, hair. Ariadne could vaguely hear the sounds of the river, and it felt right.

Right, just as Wynne deepened the kiss, and she never wanted it to stop. She supposed that for her, it wouldn’t have had to, because she was fairly certain she didn’t need to breathe, but Wynne did - Wynne who was warm and good and human - they needed to breathe and it was only with that knowledge that Ariadne let go of the kiss, grateful that they still kept their forehead against her own.

“I think I did, too. I dunno if I’ve ever really wanted to kiss someone as much as I wanted that.” Ariadne made a small face. “Sorry - if that - sorry if that’s weird, or something.” She leaned against Wynne again, her fingers on their collarbone. “Hopefully you still like popcorn,” she attempted to joke, letting out a small sigh against their lips. “I’m sorry - I - I’m sorry they’re so cold.”

Wynne shook their head, “No, it’s not weird.” It wasn’t weird, if only because it was a feeling they shared with Ariadne. They smiled a little, wanting to wipe that expression off her face and make her feel more at ease. “Because I feel the same.” How strange it was, this flow of events — how Wynne had ended in this town and struck up conversation with this girl and now sat here, in a car, feeling bright with warmth and hope.

They smiled a little more, head shaking again. “I think I love popcorn even more. And I don’t mind that you’re a little cold. Like I said, it’s nice.” And it really was, as it complemented the flush that kept pushing to their cheeks. Their fingers trailed up, brushing Ariadne’s lips. Wynne moved forward, pecking her again on those cold lips, just a quick kiss to confirm that they really did like it.

And for now, they didn’t think of what might come next and what had come before. There was just this, the car and the hum of the river in the background and most importantly, she. There was the fact that they were allowing themself to want something, to follow their heart and plunge in, growing closer to someone than they had in months, or perhaps even years. Wynne looked at Ariadne and was glad that there was nowhere for them to be but here, for now.

#threads.#when i'm with you.#ariadne.#i will go down with this ship #ILY EMILY

redeemedbytheking

Aug 9, 2020

Also what is/are your top favorite album(s) that you could listen to on repeat, no skips. Like, desert island album(s)

ooooh i LOVE this question....

okay well my favorite singer IS jordan feliz and he has two albums that i love listening to with no skips. i made a playlist of literally all his songs just for that purpose lmao. so either of his albums.... (The River and Future). probably Future, if i could only take ONE album to this desert island.

other albums i adore and listen to all the way:

grand romantic by nate ruess

montgomery ricky by ricky montgomery

all things work together by lecrae

becoming who we are by kings kaleidoscope

i also love both rubber soul and revolver by the beatles but there are some songs i skip lol.

IF i can take as many albums as i want to this fabulous island, those are probably all the ones. maybe also a journey album, but i’d have to look which has most of my fave songs. besides those exceptions i don’t differentiate between albums much!!!

#thanks that was literally such an excellent question #ily emily #ilikebigassbuttsandicannotlie #answered