Cheap Rundown Blakeley House
Cut forward a handful of hours. Nighttime has fallen, blanketing the city of Dallas like a heavy, beloved comforter. And things in the Blakeley household? Well, it's fairly under control, compared to the momentary disruption of earlier in the afternoon. Hyde has spent the last half an hour thoroughly showering and making sure to clean himself up entirely, with not a brush of oil remaining upon his skin. The living room has been more or less cleaned up (more like emptied out) in the attempt to make it usable and acceptable. And after a short phone call to the new ball and chain, Hyde is prepared to enjoy a nice, low key night of movie-watching. The pizza has been ordered. The popcorn popped. The movie rented. And now, all that is missing is a Scarlett.
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Low key nights are what she promised to avoid, so when it was suggested, it took Scarlett by surprise. Having left money for Helen and Trey for food, if they couldn't find anything they wanted in the fridge, and having changed into the newly washed Ramones t-shirt and a pair of jeans, she's made her way over. Her day, in comparison has been pretty uneventful. So she knocks on the door, and waits.
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Why would she avoid low key nights? Those are the sort Hyde thrives in. It's the more high profile ones that bother him - the dates at public restaurants, the going to see theater performances together. But spending time with her on a one to one basis? Well…that's why he rose to the challenge of being her boyfriend in the first place. "C'mon in," he grunts to the front door, not bothering to open the door himself. He's too busy fussing with the television, trying to make sure that the DVD player is plugged in properly.
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None of their nights thus far have been overly low-key in Scarlett's mind. Adventurous, sure! Movies and pizza just wasn't something that they've done yet. Slipping in the door at the grunt, the Fontane sibling shakes her head. Her hair is worn half-back and kept out of her face, making her look a little younger. "Need some help with that?" Moving toward the television, and thus, Hyde, she grins. "So, what movie did you end up choosing?"
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This is mostly due to the fact that most of their nights were accidents. Random run ins that would eventually lead to passionate sex. But today, all Hyde wants to do is kick back and relax. And hey - if he's going to give this monogamy thing a try, he might as well do it well! Turning, he fixes his frown onto Scarlett and when he catches sight of her, the expression lightening slightly. "I've got it," he dismisses her invitation to help, turning back to the mechanism to pop it open and slide the DVD in. "Almost Famous. Ever seen it?" It's only after he has the thing working that he turns to face the woman completely to greet her.
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"Fine." Scarlett shrugs her shoulders up, then goes to plop back onto the couch. She moves around a little until she gets into a comfortable position, and shakes her head. "Can't say that I have." While she's an artist, she doesn't spend a whole lot of time watching movies. Never really have been her thing. So chances are no matter what he chose, she'll likely not have seen it. "I take it you've seen it before then?"
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Well…that's a bit off, considering that he had just turned to properly greet her. Frowning once more, with his lips pursed and all, Hyde decides to ignore that in favor of moving. "Want something to drink? It's a good movie. 'Bout a rock journalist. I figure you might like it, considering…" And his eyes travel down to his own Ramones shirt pointedly. "Yeah, I've seen it once or five times before."
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It's a bit off because Scarlett isn't used to it! This is just so not them! Once she gets comfortable though, she's got every intention of just letting herself be normal and unawkward. "Sure, get me whatever you're having?" They can share, she doesn't care. "A rock journalist? Sounds interesting." She's sincere in that. It does pique her interest. "Once or five times. I take it it's a classic? Or a favorite?"
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"Something like that." Hyde admits when she asks about its 'classicness' before disappearing. When he returns, it's with a pair of frosty beers in hand, and he cannot resist - she is handed hers by having Hyde press the freezing can against the side of her neck. Afterwards, he circles the couch in order to settle down beside her. "You ready? And you're not one of those annoying bitches that talk every five seconds into the movie, are you?"
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A shriek is elicited before she grabs the can. "Not yet," she says, setting the can down on the table and turning to face him. Scarlett watches him for a moment, and when he's finally settled beside her, she shifts. Just enough so that she can semi-lean against him, looking upward to give him a gentle kiss on the neck. Same area where he placed the can on hers. After that is done, she simply nods. She's ready now, unless he's not.
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Hyde can't help it. There is a low snicker at the shriek - as he is unable to completely mask the mean little five year old deep inside him - but at least this time it wasn't elicited by a malicious act, right? When she tells him that she's not prepared, he turns to face her, curious and waiting. Only to have his neck kissed in that manner. The action is accepted in complete silence, without reaction until after she has pulled away and nodded. It is only then that he'll make his move - snaking his arm around her to keep her still as he tries to lean in and angle a soft kiss onto her lips. It's not particularly passionate, or nearly as forceful as usual - just the simple little 'hello' kiss that they missed as a result of their awkwardness.
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Truth be told, Scarlett is used to the malicious little five year old inside of men. She has two brothers, after all. The kiss seems to melt away a bit more of the awkwardness, and she draws back, smiling at him softly. "Hi," she whispers. "I think I'm ready now." She's just going to have to get used to the simply hanging out without being all over one another type of 'dates'. She doesn't mind them, but it's just not what she's used to now. "You smell good," she offers, reaching for the frosty can of beer, and taking a swig from it.
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"Hey," Hyde whispers back, dark eyes darting between hers as he slowly - reluctantly, even - pulls away. But not entirely - his arm remains rooted around her back, a device used to his advantage in making sure she never is too far off. When she compliments his smell - mostly a cologne and aftershave that he has seen to dabbing on for her benefit, as he figured shaving for the occasion might be well appreciative, he lets out a snort of mild amusement. "You taste good," he returns. The beer is cracked open, and he leans back on the couch more comfortably before even bothering to press the 'play' button.
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"Only three more senses to go," Scarlett remarks, playfully. "Guess we'll get to those a bit later, hmm?" As soon as the movie starts up though, she's silent. She's not at all the type to talk through a flick, unless it's something absolutely urgent. Her body shifts a little more, tilting toward the television so she can actually watch it and not him, though the movement is slow like she'd rather keep staring at the latter.
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"Well. I already know I look good, so I guess we can cross that one off the list…" Hyde offers arrogantly, then taking a considerable swig of his beer, and even reaching for the popcorn, so that he can place it on his lap and pick at it. Fifteen minutes in though, and he's fascinated not by the screen, but by Scarlett's alarming dedication to watch in utter silence. And he's watching her, without pretense and without shame. Quite openly.
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Scarlett can take care of feeling good, and sounding good then. She has no problem with claiming those two. The only movement she really makes after the movie starts is to reach for a handful of popcorn that she can eat very slowly. Piece by piece, instead of the entire hand at once. When she reaches for a second handful, she notices him watching her, and blushes just a bit. "What?"
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"Nothing. Don't worry about it." Hyde gruffs to her, instructing her to look back to the television screen with a bob of his head. In the meantime, pay no mind to the discreet way in which Hyde is leaning in towards her, or the possessive way his hand squeezes her hips with. "S'just…funny, is all."
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Turning back to the screen, she just settles against him again. Quietly eating the popcorn, smiling at the possessive way he's holding her. Scarlett kind of really likes it, and is extremely happy. Taking another sip from the can to wash down the kernels, she peeks back at him briefly. "What is?"
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"That this is all it takes to get you to stop talking for more than five seconds." It's good natured complaining - really. Because it's the only way Hyde has of communicating with other people. Afterwards, he reluctantly turns to look at the movie once again. But he absolutely cannot resist the temptation to flash his eyes towards her every once in a while, to catch her reactions and expressions as they come to life. And, really, to memorize the curve of her cheek.
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"Movie watching and sex," Scarlett points out. Generally the two times she's quietest unless she's working on a painting. By now, she knows his comment isn't meant to hurt her, so she just responds, and keeps watching the movie. Every time he glances her way, she can feel it and it causes her lips to curve up into a smile. Otherwise, her reactions are likely ones that are to be expected at certain points of the movie.
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More than halfway through the movie, and much has changed. Surprisingly, the pair are still watching the movie, but their positioning has been shifted. The beer and the popcorn is gone - except for the random kernals that dot the floor. What started off vertical is now quite horizontal. With Hyde lying almost entirely horizontally on the couch, Scarlett is perched upon him. His arms remain looped around her form, and every once in a while he lifts his hands up to stroke the back of her head and thread his fingers through her silky hair. Still, their doings are entirely innocent - not one shred of clothing has been removed. Yet.
But Hyde's attention is starting to slip, judging by the way he looks down to Scarlett more and more often now, dedicating more and more time to stroking her in a fairly loving fashion.
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Even with the distraction of the closer body, and the affectionate petting, Scarlett's attention is rapt on the movie. There are a few stolen glances, and a few soft kisses whenever the mood strikes her to do so, but she's keeping it pretty darned PG for the moment. "It's a good movie," she murmurs to him quietly as she leans in to place another kiss along his jaw.
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"Yeah…" Hyde grunts in agreement - but at this point, he's not even paying one ounce of attention to the television screen. The kiss has prompted him to try and hike Scarlett further up his form - only for him to give up half- way through. It's only then that, with his tongue peeking out of his lips in concentration, he proceeds to try and sit up and extract himself from the tangle of limbs and bodies. It might be off-putting, considering it's in direct response to her latest kiss, and he's literally trying to draw away from her. "Semi-biographical."
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Scarlett is more than willing to move, but when he gives up and disentangles himself, she just sort of blinks. It is a bit off-putting, but she rolls with it. "Is it?" Sliding over to the arm of the couch, she curls her legs up under herself, and then glances over at him. "Embellished to sell it though?" There's a hint of disappointment in her voice, but she's trying to brush that off too.
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"Something like that," Hyde agrees, running his hand through his hair and preparing himself before turning to face her once again. This time, as he advances, it's to pin he back against the arm of the couch, his tongue wetting his lips with a little uncertainty. "It's marketed as a work of fiction that was inspired by the life of the screen writer. I guess he was some big shot music columnist back in the day." It's so awkward, to maintain a fairly intelligent conversation even as he creeps up to her, sliding closer with determination each passing second.
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Cue confusion. She's been prepared to let him just back off, and not pursue it, but pushed against the arm of the couch, she laughs a little. "Surly, you may want to put the movie on pause, because if you keep this up…" Scarlett's liable to miss the second half of it, and it is actually interesting. Her heart is racing a little now, her own tongue snaking out to moisten her lips.
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The worst part is - it's not just Scarlett that's confused by Hyde's behavior. He's thrown for a loop by his own impulses and desires as well, hence the pulling away, before her returned back to her like a moth drawn to a flame. When she draws attention to this phenomenon with her gracious laugh, Hyde is put on the spot, hovering just before her. He frowns then, pursing his lips thinly. "…Sorry." He mumbles, once again hesitating before attempting to draw back. "You need to pay attention. Right."
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Only, he's not allowed to draw back. Scarlett may be pinned, but she wriggles an arm free and loops it around him. Along with looping her feet around his legs and fully tangling him up again. "Don't," she whispers. "We can always finish the movie later." It's a DVD. There won't even be a need to 'be kind and rewind'. "Never, ever apologize for acting like this, I like it." Licking her lips again, she arches upward, drawing his head down so that she can kiss him with a soft passion.
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Hyde is surprised, clearly, when his retreat is drawn short. But then he pauses, his frown loosening slowly as he stops questioning himself and his actions in favor of just being. He's just gotten to the point where he finds himself releasing the tension in his body and relaxing, when she leans upwards and presses that kiss against him.
And just like that, it's better. Just like that, he finds himself falling into patterns that are familiar and welcome to him. Kissing her back, he eases down - pressing his body against hers with relish. The words that escape his lips are muted by her skin. "I can't help it…not really." He grunts. "There's…something…"
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There it is! The awkwardness washing away, and just like that, Scarlett seems to be more at ease as well. This is the Hyde she's grown to know and love? Well probably not quite that yet, but care for? Sure.
When he presses her down to the couch, she accepts it. Her fingers tracing gentle lines over his back, edging toward his waist to draw the shirt up a little. Her movements stop when he says the last bit though. "Something?"
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"Mhmm…something…about you." Unabated by Scarlett's freezing up - Hyde merely uses the opportunity he is afforded to press his lips against the corner of her mouth, then down to her jawline - and finally the slow, torturous dragging if his mouth to the tender skin of her flesh. "Don't…know why. Can't…stop." Behind them, Kate Hudson is still running around the screen - and the tune of 'Tiny Dancer' starts playing out.
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Realizing it's nothing serious, she melts back into a relaxed position rather quickly. "About me?" Blinking at him, Scarlett smiles. Then he's torturing her with that kiss, that awful, racing heart inducing kiss. "T-then don't," she whispers at him. She's definitely not asking him to stop. So when he says that, she tries working his shirt free again, yanking it upward to try and get it over his head.
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The problem with that is that it means he has to draw away from her. He does so, then. Holding himself just slightly away from her body - before allowing his t-shirt to fly off of his back. The moment that obstruction is out of his way though, he's back. His body rubbing and pressing against hers. "Yeah…" Apparently? Necking with her, being with her is prompting a new level of communicability from Hyde. Most likely a result of how long she was silent in his presence. "I won't."
It's also making him blurt out things that probably should be left for another time. "The police dropped by today." He murmurs, off-hand, as though he was saying the sky was blue all the while nipping at the skin found at the juncture of neck and shoulder.
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Distracting her with the nips and kisses is likely the best thing he can do right now. It keeps Scarlett from bolting upright and throwing him off of her. Instead she tilts her head back to allow him more skin to play with, and then makes a delighted little noise in the back of her throat. She's well aware that they're necking like a bunch of horny teenagers, but that's part of the joy of actually being in a relationship. The ability to enjoy what they want to enjoy, and explore things on a different level, and…
"What?" It takes her a bit, but she's finally zoning in on what he's saying. "Did they say what they wanted?"
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Horny teenagers is right. Beneath her fingertips, the musculature of Hyde's back shifts with powerful intentions as he continues to hold himself right there, against her. The noise that is ripped out of her throat merely encourages to act, and soon enough he has his hands traveling down the used cotton of his own t-shirt, exploring the various curves of her body before creeping beneath the hem almost shyly. Of course, meanwhile, he has taken up blowing lightly against her neck, watching her every reaction until he finds what he deems to be her most sensitive point judging by her reactions. It's a task that takes dedication and care - but hell. Hyde is willing to pour time into it.
Perhaps that's what's most striking about the situation. How such a sober, serious conversation can coexist with the hormone-driven, almost primitive exploration and celebration of her body. "Had a search warrant for my gun. I gave them it…" There's something he's not saying. Obviously.
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That he's catering to her noises and facial expressions literally blows her mind. For a guy who's a jerk to ninety-nine percent of the people he meets, he's definitely attentive to her, and she just can't get over that. Her fingers trace over every muscle in his back as it moves, her body arching and trying to press more against his, clothing being the only thing getting in her way at this point.
"A… search warrant?" She gasps as she blows against the most sensitive spot on her neck, and lightly scratches her nails over his back. "Why?"
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A moment is taken so that he can memorize the location of the prized spot, and then he puts responding on the backburner if only for the time being. Instead, he latches onto her skin with elaborate licks, soulful suckling, and the occasional nip of his teeth. Anything and everything to drive her wild, to bring her pleasure. Slowly, he attempt to lift the shirt up bit by bit, unable to rip it off of her entirely as he's not letting up on her.
"…Mhmm." He finally admits against his lips. "I'm not sure," he murmurs, clearly not all that preoccupied with the situation at hand. "They think there might be some tie to some murder. Whatever. It'll be alright - I didn't do anything."
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Wild she is driven, and Scarlett is loving every second of it. The movie is forgotten, the conversation is forgotten for now. The only thing worth remembering is the suckling and nipping, and the shirt being lift up. Only the word 'murder' trickles through the haze in her brain, and Scarlett does move rather swiftly at that, rolling to the side with an exaggerated, "What?!?" Chances are she's rolled him right off the couch, and is now peering down at him. "Why would they…? I mean…" Cursing, she goes to drop down atop him. "I believe you," she says, in a very heartfelt manner. Sure, he's an ass, but she thinks she knows him well enough to know he's not a cold-blooded killer. "I'm sorry, Hyde." Then she's working the t-shirt up over her own head and moving in to lean against his body.
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And that certainly puts an end to that campaign. There Hyde was, licking and kissing and showing his new girlfriend exactly why she wanted him to be hers in the first place when all of a sudden, just a little bit of movement and - bam! He's on the floor, blinking with clear confusion written on his expression and a throbbing skull. "…Ow." He mumbles, the word coming out in monotone. But then she's back - lowering herself and newly shirtless over him, so he supposes he can forgive her for being discarded to the side so roughly. Slowly, he lifts his hands to her waist, welcoming her. "I dunno. Probably just a mistake or something. I'm guessing I'll get it back with an apology once it clears my name." Beat. "You worried about me?"
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"Of course I'm worried about you, Hyde! Jesus…" Scarlett isn't all down with the necking now, just sort of pinning him to the floor, the movie just continuing on without them. "… I hope you do. Get an apology. Get a clear name. Otherwise, I guess it's conjugal visits, huh?" She's trying to make light of the situation, but it's serious. Very serious. "I know you wouldn't though, but if someone thinks they have proof, they can make your life pretty miserable."
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Hyde can't help but quirk his brows upwards in mild intrigue as she proceeds to pin him down, and then says the things she does. "Conjugal visits, huh?" He ventures, slowly and thoughtfully. "Would you, then? Stay with me, even if I was convicted. You'd come visit me and shit?" Beat. "Maybe even bake me a cake with cigarettes hidden within 'em or something…" A portion of his words are deathly serious, but eventually veer off towards the playfulness she exhibited. "Why would you trust me?"
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Unable to tell what he's being serious about and what he's being playful about, she just remains silent. Scarlett attempts to lock her eyes to his, and smiles down at him thoughtfully. "I just found you, you're not getting rid of me that easily." That should answer the serious side of things. Reaching a hand out to brush her fingers through her hair in contemplation, she nods. "Sure, though wouldn't a file work better? That's what they do in all the movies." Not that she could get a file cake past metal detectors. "You're an ass sometimes, I'll give you that, but you've never given me a reason not to trust you."
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That says alot. Scarlett might not know it, anyone else might not realize it - but to Hyde, her responses mean the world. He is silent. Passively and overwhelmingly quiet as his mind works, turning over her turn of phrases and internalizing every possible meaning behind them. Finally though, he nods. Just once and curtly. "'Kay," he gruffs simply. It's almost boyish. But then, he's pushing himself off of the floor - sitting upwards so that he can meet with Scarlett and continue where he was previously interrupted. Once again, he is pawing at her with large, rough hands, pressing her down against him, brushing his fingers over her smooth skin - but no longer is he talking.
He's said all he needed to say. Heard all he needed to hear. And despite how unorthadox his methods may be - how puzzling his behavior might be to someone that's not himself - he is satisfied.
