Getting out of the Manor (Markus/Open)

[markus]

Markus turned to cast a brief look out of her window. He only looked at the building she spoke of for a split second, but he quickly committed it to memory, quickly took in a detail of what he might have to do to get into to at night. And then all of a sudden a plan was forming, an idea of how to get around in the building without any suspicions. A smile touched his lips before hearing her warning him to be careful. He smiled even wider and shook his head softly. "Don't worry about me, Tasha. I'm a pro. I've got this." He said softly, leaning back a hair in the seat and staring out the windshield. Yeah, a plan was already forming in his head, one that didn't require that much sneaking.

He had a feeling he might be able to get in reaaaally easily with the people at the clinic and figure out just what was going on. He rubbed his hands together, looking back at her. "So, d'you figure out what you were going to make for dinner?" He asked, figuring while he cooked he could put away his new things and get the new boots on to start wearing them in. Maybe after dinner while she took care of Wynx he could go down to the clinic.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~After pointing out the place she didn't say much else letting him looking it over quickly and figure out whatever he needed. She did trust him pretty much and let out a breath slowly, smirking a little when he did finally speak before passing a glance over at him once more.~ "Alright no problem than." ~Making another turn getting them just a little closer before he asked about the dinner and she smiled. Knowing the man was probably hungry and shook her head a little before turning back to look out the windshield.~

"Remember you mentioned fajita's so were gonna do some chicken ones grilled out on the back porch. Don't worry I did buy enough since you seem to have a nice size appetite." ~Smiling softly though kept her eyes on the path just seeing the manor up ahead and moving to park her baby in the back. They could go in through the kitchen which was fine with her honestly. Making sure she was in the right spot before shutting her off and getting out.

Making her way to the back of the car she got the food out first and would come back for the other in a sec.~

[markus]

"Oh, that's right, we did say fajitas on the grill would be good, didn't we?" He said, flashing a white smile over at her. A faint blush touched his cheeks at she mentioned his appetite. Sure, he could eat, but he had to keep up strength somehow and she was such a damned good cook that he couldn't stop himself from eating so much. His tongue swept over his lips, hoping she hadn't noticed the blush. Most times he honestly forgot that she could pick up on his emotions because she seemed so normal. Other than that first day Markus hadn't seen her in her wolf form again, which honestly, he was thankful for. It was a little odd for him. Sure, he'd known shifters and werewolves in his time, but this wasn't normal for him, not to be in such close proximaty all the time.

"What can I say, you're a great cook, Tasha." He complimented in return, flashing her a charming smile and winking at her. As soon as they were back at the house he climbed awkwardly out of the car, careful not to crack his head anywhere on the frame, and moved to grab all of his bags and whatever she had left behind. Markus closed his door, then any doors remaining open before following her up to the house, setting the food bags onto the counter in the kitchen. His bags were set by the doorway for him to take up in a little bit then he helped her to put away the groceries.

Once he had all of his bathroom supplies from the grocery bags, and tossed into his bags with the clothes, he slipped over to her and bent, swiftly pressing a kiss against her cheek, inches from her lips, without even thinking about it until he was pulling back. His eyes popped wide, cheeks flushed with embarressment as he took a few quick steps back. "I'll, um, beeee-" he drew out the 'e' as he took another step back "-right back.." He stuttered out lamely, scooping up his bags and dashing out of the kitchen up to his room. All the while his thumb had played with the wedding ring on his finger, twisting it around and around the flesh. By the time he made it to his room he was breathing heavily. What in the world is wrong with you? He thought, dropping down onto his bed and putting his face in his hands. He could feel that his cheeks were still darkly flushed with embarressment and excitement, his heart thundering.

He shouldn't have done that, knowing that things could easily be misconstrued, and honestly he hadn't even put a thought behind the action, it had just happened.. A reflex over everything else. Chewing at his lower lip he set back to the task of putting his new things away and changing out of his old boots.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Hearing him she couldn't help flashing him her own wide smile allowing her pearly white teeth to show a moment. Finding it funny he had forgotten already, but she turned back to face the road although could pick up on his embarrassment.~ "I rather like cooking more I'm glad you came, can't imagine cooking what I have for just me and Wynx. So don't ever worry about me making so much." ~Offering another smile before her own cheeks had a rosy hue to them at his compliment about her cooking.

Though as they got home and she had taken in the food she was going to come back out, only to have him coming in with the rest. Shaking her head slightly before she went ahead and got to work putting everything away for the moment. Handing him a few items if he was near the location they went which helped save time, instead the back and forth she normally had to do. Making sure to find all his items and giving them to him before as she turned felt the kiss to her cheek.

Freezing a moment with how close it was to her lips just as he pulled back, staring at him for a second. Least till he suddenly rushed off and she exhaled, blinking those liquid hues a moment unsure what she thought. Than again she could also pick up on his own emotions as he rushed up the stairs and leaned against the counter. She hadn't even thought anything about liking someone right now, wasn't like her luck was so good with that kind of situation. Sighing softly she shook her head and decided instead to get some juice for Wynx before she too was making her way upstairs.~

[markus]

Markus stayed in his room to put everything away. His new jeans and shirts, socks and undergarments. He switched out his old boots for the new pair with the comfort sole inside. Mostly he was doing it to try and calm his nerves and let himself think. He couldn't believe he'd kissed her, wasn't sure why it had happened to begin with. Maybe it just had something to do with the fact that they were getting closer, spending so much time together. Maybe it was because he hadn't spent very little time over the last couple of years with other people and was slowly attaching himself to her. But really? Would that be such a bad thing?

The answer wasn't really clear. It could be great, afterall he hadn't spent time with a female -real time anyway- since before his wife had died. But it could also be really bad.. especially if things were pushed too far too fast. He took in a deep breath, sitting on the edge of his bed and letting his mind wander over different possibilities, different things to say to her. And as he sat and thought about it, it was easy enough for him to find that he did like her as more than a friend, but how much more wasn't clear just yet. He'd need more time to figure that out and for now? What the hell was he going to tell her about what had happened. Green eyes rested on the wedding band that wrapped around his finger, his thumb gently spinning it around as he stared at it.

After a minute or so he pulled it off and held it close to his face to read the inscription. 'With all my heart, always' Emilia's had said the same and it made him wonder just what she would think, just what it would do to her heart to know that he might have feelings for someone else. Markus took in a slow breath, holding the ring close to his face with his eyes closed.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Wynx was asleep on her so she set the juice down and sat down on the edge of the bed watching her. Brushing some hair back from her face as a smile graced her lips just adoring the little one so much. Her blood or not she loved the little girl and was just so happy to have her here, sensing her starting to feel a little better. There wasn't that sadness lingering or the normal emotions one gets when their sick surrounding her. She seemed rather peaceful and Tasha was of course grateful on that one. Brushing her lips some softly before lifting her head and glancing over towards the window while getting lost in her thoughts.

She wasn't sure what the hell happened back downstairs sighing softly after a moment. Thinking about how things had gone since Markus got here and if she was honest with even herself she did enjoy his presence. Hell she was starting to develop feelings more than just that of friends and wasn't sure that was good or not. He was human why would he possible for one want someone like her, two wasn't he always saying he wouldn't be staying? That surely had to be enough to end the feelings but it wasn't and that scared her.

If she possible let something come of the feelings and he just ended up leaving it be like the past all over again. Could she even think about giving that a chance and risking the inevitable? Just another of those questions she wasn't sure could be truly answered at this moment and another sigh slipped from her lips. Pushing herself up and walking to look out the window.~

[markus]

He stayed in his room for a few minutes more, just sitting on the edge of his bed, gripping the wedding band close to his face. With a deep sigh he slid the band back onto his finger, flexing a fist before pushing himself to stand. Without anything further he slipped out of the bedroom, leaving the door cracked open as usual and moving back for the stairs. He didn't see Tasha anywhere around and still hadn't quite figured out what he was going to say to her, so was actually a little glad he didn't run into her. Markus moved into the kitchen, glancing quickly about and not seeing her here either. She must be outside or upstairs somewhere and he just hadn't noticed. A hand came up to brush through his hair, remembering her promise to give him a haircut, then realized how unimportant that was in lieu of everything else.

There wasn't much he could say to her about what had happened, but he kept up the thought of 'Would it be so bad?' No, it wouldn't. To have someone to talk to, to confide in easily. Who cared if she wasn't human too? Who cared if he wasn't a shifter like her. He certainly didn't. But with the way he'd run off earlier he was starting to wonder if maybe he'd blown any chance he might have had. He didn't really want to leave Orealis just yet, he was comfortable here right now, but if he needed to, he would leave. As he settled himself down at the table, staring at the grains in the wood, he decided something.

When he saw her again he would act as if nothing had happened. And if she asked he would just play it off that he had been aiming for her cheek and missed. A lame excuse, but it might work. Markus had never really been good with women, he never said the right thing, blushed and stammered too much. Sure he was confident and strong and well built, but that confidence only extended so far.. and women weren't in the reach of his confidences. For now, he would pretend nothing had happened and settle on that. Bright green eyes were unfocused, staring at the table without really seeing it.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha stood just by the window, staring out as she had been for the last few moments. Arms crossed just loosely around her chest glancing to the child sleeping and couldn't help smiling. Despite how she was feeling. Shifting some as she heard movement picking up also on his emotions as another breath was suddenly sucked in. Feeling some of what he was giving off and hated that he was feeling such because of what had happen downstairs. It wasn't that she minded herself he had just caught her off guard it was unexpected.

Licking her bottom lip a moment briefly she closed her eyes debating with herself about what to say. Although sensing his own emotions, she just pushed it all aside letting him be alone for a few more moments downstairs. Only a short time later would she be heard closing the door and making her way down the stairs quietly. Biting on her lip as she centered her mind stepping down off onto the main floor blinking her eyes before making her way into the kitchen.

Seeing him staring down at the table she shook the thoughts and smiled before just heading for the fridge.~ "Poor thing I hate when I was sick as a child, can only imagine its much the same." ~Reaching for a bottle of water and a few grapes popping two into her mouth while opening the water. Her back still to him while staring out the window perhaps giving them both a little more time.~

[markus]

Markus continued staring at the table until he heard her familiar footsteps drawing closer to the kitchen and he shook himself out of his thoughts. A brow arched up slowly, watching her back as she turned it to him almost the second he came in the room. Nothing happened, nothing happened. He repeated in his head over and over again. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when she spoke, shaking his head. "I never much liked getting sick either, save for the ability to stay in bed all day and eat as many popsicles as I wanted." He said, focing a quiet laugh.

He pushed himself up from the table, making his way a little closer to her with his hands clasped behind his back. "What time did you want to cut my hair, start dinner or take me on that tour?" He asked, glad to have something to focus their thoughts on. Markus thought he was doing a pretty damned good job of pretending nothing had happened, acting as casually as he could even though his heart thrummed in his chest at a quicker pace than usual.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Tasha wasn't persay going to bring it up though she had been curious why he just did that. It did have her slightly curious although having seen the ring on his finger didn't believe it to really mean anything and possible just being a moments weakness. Hearing him she mentally smiled to herself before nodded and giggling some at the mention of popsicles.~ "Yes I guess we do have some nice advantages to being stuck in bed, sweets like those being one." ~Popping another grape into her mouth although sensing him getting up slowly turned around to face him.

At his question she glanced over near the stove at a small clock thinking for a brief moment.~ "Hmm well we have time before I would be cooking anyhow so whenever you want I can cut it. Do it on the patio so the breeze can just blow the hair, as for the tour right after if you like. I'm pretty easy going so just tell me and we can go from there." ~Smiling back at him although hearing his hammering heart had her wondering if he was indeed alright. Brushing her tongue out over her lips after she finished the other grape.~

[markus]

His heart rate quickened again for the briefest moment when she giggled, watching the way her hair bounced around her face and her eyes lit up when she was happy. Markus tore his gaze away from her for a moment with a laugh, raising a hand to brush it back through his hair casually. If he were honest with himself, it hadn't just been a moments weakness. Not by a long shot. But Markus wasn't ready to be honest with himself just yet. "Popsicles, Ice Cream, homemade chicken soup, crappy old cartoons all day. There were always some advantages to being stuck in bed." He said with a little laugh before letting out a sigh. It wasn't difficult to miss things from the past. Not just people, but things. Television, real radio, internet, cell phone service, days at the park. Yeah, he missed a lot of things from before. Now? Hell you were lucky to get any of those things.

Bright eyes finally turned back at her as his heart rate slowly returned to normal, nodding when she spoke again. "If you'd like we can do it now. Gives us something to do until it's time to make dinner." He raised a hand tugging at his hair once again. It was definitely longer than he liked by several inches. After watching her for a moment for her to grab the hair shears he grabbed a chair and lugged it out to the patio. Once he'd set it down in a decently sunned place so that she was sure to be able to see his hair properly he yanked his t-shirt over his head, draping it across one knee after sitting down. He watched her again, waiting for her to follow him out and get started on his hair, feeling a little calmer than he had minutes before.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Picking up on his heart rate increasing she mentally sighed some before he was laughing and she smiled. Not sure what to think or do with how their emotions were at the second. Although as he spoke she couldn't help laughing some before just shaking her head a little,~ "Well than you certainly had a nice few days in bed when you were sick it seems. No wonder you wouldn't mind being sick, I wouldn't even with all that to keep me occupied." ~Licking over her lips once more before also noting the slowing of his heart and was pleased he was calming or at least relaxing once more. Smiling to his words.

As he tugged on his hair she smirked before going to the closet and grabbing the raser and also some scissors to help. Seeing him already walking outside she would soon follow once she had grabbed the comb from upstairs and was now walking onto the porch. Stopping a moment as that shirt came off biting on her lip as her eyes couldn't help raking over his form. Tasha had to admit he looked good, but she didn't want this suddenly being awkward and was glad he couldn't see her.

After a moment she watched the chair be placed in a good enough location and proceeded to step up behind him.~ "Okay...um how exactly are you wanting this cut?" ~Praying her voice didn't sound shakey since she was just gazing upon his bare back and chest so she was effected herself by him.~

[markus]

Bright green eyes glittered in amusement when she spoke, chuckling softly. "Even though being sick sucked when I was a kid, there was always a highlight with all the perks." He said with a laugh and a brief shake of his head before he'd moved outside. Yeah, he missed being a kid. He missed his parents and his siblings. He missed his wife and children. He missed his old friends and the dog that his wife had gotten for them as a wedding present. He missed old TV and old rock songs playing on the radio. He missed lounging in the sun around a pool with a grill blazing and the smell of chicken in the air, a cold beer in his hand. Markus really wished he could go back to the old days, go back to when things were simpler and life made more sense.

That was a fool's wish. That was something that wouldn't happen again, not for him anyway. Sure, he knew that someday the world would rebuild, that people would find their way back to the good times. But it wouldn't be in his lifetime, or even his -had they lived- children's lifetime. He knew it was going to take a long, long time before things were back to the way they had once been. It was a depressing thought, really.

No, he didn't see the way her eyes danced over him, which was probably a good thing. As she stood behind him he reached back, scratching at the very top of the tattoo before his hand shifted up to his hair, running his fingers quickly through it to find the right spot. "Right about here.." He said before realizing that if he moved his hand she wouldn't have the right place. A low sigh slipped past his lips. Markus reached back and gently took her hand, ignoring the fact that the feel of her hand in his made his breath catch, and then ran her hand up through his hair to catch it between her fingers. "There." He said quietly, not really trusting his voice. He'd heard the faint shake to hers and knew that if he had said any more than that one simple word, his would have done the same.

After he released her hand his own dropped to his lap where he tried to keep both of his relaxed against his thighs. Tried. Failed. His hands clenched, balling into a fists against his knees and didn't relax again as he stared straight ahead to let her work on his hair. He figured it was best if he stayed quiet and let her work, best if he tried to keep himself relaxed and keep his heart from thrumming madly in his chest. So far the only thing that didn't seem calm was the grip his fingers had on each other. His heart rate and breathing were completely normal, thank god.

[Tasha_Moondancer]

~Hearing him she couldn't help the smile that crossed over her lips at what he just told her. Sure she didn't get sick all that often, but still there were perks for when it did happen. Staying in bed, getting to pretty much lounge around all day either watching t.v., reading or maybe playing a simple game. But it was the one time when even kids had the chance to be kids and not have an responsibility on their shoulders at least till they were better.

Sighing softly before she finished staring at his form topless and exhaled to calm back down. Moving up behind him only to have his hand suddenly taking hers and she bit her lip trying to keep her heart from hammering in her chest. Letting him show her what he wanted exactly and nodding, some making sure she looked closedly before he let go. "Got it." It was all she could say before moving to get started, bringing the hair up as he had shown and took the first cuts.

Her focuse going souly on the task, not trying to think about what his touch had done. How his being shirtless was like a torture for her and the bloody beast, as she felt it near the surface pacing a little. Although she also could pick up on his emotions and wasn't really sure what to make of them at the moment. And being one to not pry didn't wish to upset him though she was a little curious but let it go. Or tried too at least. Licking her lips as her hands slip through his hair keeping the lengths how he wanted.

The movements were probably a little quicker than most would even think, but than her hands were steadier than most. She had confidence just at the moment tried to focus not on the man but his hair. 'God this is going to be so damn heard, especially if he touches me like that again. But what the hell. It wasn't like an bloody intimate hold why am I reacting like this?' Shaking her head unable to answer her own mental questions and deciding to just drop it.~

[markus]

Markus let himself fall silent, saying nothing as she responded to him about the length. It was really only cutting about four inches off, leaving him with just under two. That perfect managable length that would take a couple of months before he would need it cut again. He could have just cut it all off, but he preferred to have something there, preferred to have hair over being bald. He wasn't a fan of the bald look. Not really. He kept his hands balled up tightly at his knees, keeping himself quiet for now.

Every now and again when her fingers would brush back through his hair a tiny shiver would creep from the base of his skull down to his tailbone, and every time he would mentally curse himself for it. Even though he wanted nothing more than to lean back into her touch he kept himself as still as possible. His tongue brushed quickly over his lips as he stared straight ahead, slowly counting the flowers in the small garden beside the patio, then when those ran out, counting the petals on each one.

The distraction was good, it kept his heart from hammering, kept his hands from shaking, kept his breath from catching in his throat. He just had to make sure to keep himself distracted until she was finished. Which was another reason he was glad she hadn't decided to say anything. That would have broken his concentration and left him at her mercy. Something he was sure she didn't know would happen and felt it was best to keep it that way.