He didn't understand why, but suddenly she was... leaning. Her hand resting on his face, cool and smooth and soft. And her lips hovered inches from his own. For a moment he was certain she was going to kiss him again- which would be a pleasant change, oddly enough. Pleasant because she was sober this time. Pleasant because he actually liked the idea, in spite of everything. But she stopped, and it was no longer pleasant. There was hesitation. Well, that simply wouldn't do. She was either going to kiss him and get it over with, or she was going to pull away and tell him that it was all stupid and it would never work out between them- because that would be the smart thing to do. So before she could do the smart thing- before she could decide he wasn't worth the trouble and pull away, he leaned in the last ten percent and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, yet passionate kiss, one hand gently supporting her chin, the other entangling in her hair. She could slap him all she wanted when this was over, because the instant their lips touched, he felt it was worth it.

And his lips were on hers, and it was strange because she had no excuse. She wanted this. She needed this. No, not 'this'- him. And gods, she wanted him closer. She wanted to do things to him a lady of her standing wasn't even supposed to think about, much less do. She needed every part of him, and as she was kissing him and being kissed by him, she could feel that need so acutely, it was almost a physical pain. A pain which only being with him would cure.

And so she did her best- she didn't really deepen the kiss, she just shifted herself so she was closer to him, so she could have one hand on his cheek and one on his neck, trying her best to convey what ever emotion it was that was digging at her heart to him in a single kiss.

A single, glorious, wonderful, mind-blowing, highly irresponsible and yet oh-so gratifying kiss.

When she pulled away, it was only because she couldn't breathe- but her arms immediately wrapped around his neck, not letting him leave her. Not letting him go.

There was so much need, so much want, so much emotion displayed in a simple kiss, and then she pulled away, only to hold him to her again, with no apparent intention of ever letting go. Which was fine by him. He didn't want her to let go. Not yet. So he secretly reveled in the moment, arms easily enveloping her as he returned the embrace. Held her closer. But he knew it wouldn't last. That by the end of the day they would have moved on, because they could not have this kind of relationship and they would have realized that, acknowledged it as a simple face of life. It was not done, and as much as Artemis enjoyed defying authority, this was dangerous. If they were discovered, Tallulah would never be able to go out in public again- her own people would turn their backs on her. She apparently thought that they hated her anyway, that she had no place there as it was, but if this went on she would have it so much worse. And Artemis would, at the very least, be arrested with no chance of bailing out. And then they would never see each other again. It would be impossible.

And while he knew all this in his heart, he couldn't bring himself to pull away. Not yet. He was always the first to pull away. So he waited, yet again, for Tallulah's move.

But Tallulah's move wasn't much of a move at all- since she couldn't quite bring herself to really face him, she rested her forehead against his shoulder. Both of her hands were placed squarely on his chest- her skin brushing his lightly as she traced one of the newer scars with her fingertips. She was pushing, and she knew it. She was taking a chance with him. She was squeezing everything she could from the moment, because in about ten minutes, they'd both erase this from their thoughts. In about thirty, he'd probably be calling her Miss Anatine again. And tomorrow . . . Tomorrow they'd be strangers. Tomorrow, she would get out of bed and go back to being the thing she'd become over the past twenty years . . . who ever that thing was.

And that thing, that person, would only pretend to forget. She'd never really let it go. That other woman who Tallulah molded herself into day after day would still know what it was like to feel safe in the arms of a man. And nothing- no matter how little she ate, how much she drank, or how few hours she slept- would take it from her. And that- knowing what she couldn't have- that was the worst part about it all.

And so when Lu spoke, her words came as a surprise; even unto herself. "At least I've learned how to make my attacker be quiet." She could feel her lips curling against his bare skin, the small laugh which accompanied her words nervous, shaken, but still there.

Yes, there were going to be repercussions for her actions. She was putting them both in danger. Yes, she was letting her emotions get in the way of rational thinking. Yes, it was wrong. But the best thing trumped every single tiny doubt she had (for now, at least). Being with Artemis made her happy.

The way her fingers trailed over his skin was, in short, amazing. Less than a week ago it would have made him uneasy. Two weeks ago he would have pushed her away and that would be the end of it. Three weeks ago they would not have even kissed unless deeply inebriated, indeed they would not have even imagined this could have happened when they'd woken up that morning, much less that it would. And now that everything had come to pass, despite what they feared could happen, it felt truly wonderful just being this close. He felt that, though he had avoided it for years, this was what he's needed all along.



"Ah, but can you silence them?" He smirked, "More importantly, can you keep them quiet when they start talking about this?" He looked her in the eye, serious now, still holding her close, not wanting to let go, but he knew he would have to, eventually. "You and I both know they won't let us be."

As she looked at him, she felt the overwhelming tugging that she'd felt ever since . . . well, she couldn't remember when it started. But it was there. Could it be possible . . . Could this work? Could what ever they had be something that could be hidden, but still flourish? She didn't know, gods, she didn't know. But she needed to. She needed to try. She needed to be around him as much as she could, and she needed him to hold her, like he was doing. She needed to look into his eyes, like she was doing. She needed this to work, because if it didn't . . . If it didn't, she'd be lost.

The realization of it struck her and held her tightly, making her heart-tugging turn into a squeezing. She didn't know how to answer him. She didn't know how to make other people see. She didn't know how to make those who couldn't see silent.

"What do we do, Artemis?"

She searched his eyes, her own eyebrows crinkling and a frown taking place on her lips.

She, the golly, was asking him- the halfbreed- what to do. It felt strange. And in all honesty he wasn't sure what the right course of action would be. "What would you like to do...?" After a short pause in which he searched her eyes for anything he thought might be a useful hint as to their destination, he cleared his throat and gave a more solid reply. "I believe... we could make this work if we simply leave Vienda."

There was a short, awkward silence in which he looked anywhere he could but Tallulah's eyes, because he felt he'd just given the most ridiculous solution ever, and that she would think him stupid for it. "That is, if you have nothing to hold you here... Vienda won't be very safe for long. It's already dangerous to walk the streets at night, whether you're a golly or not. Things are going to get more and more chaotic around here until Vienda tears itself apart in war... or burns to the ground around our feet with no means of escape. Apart from you, I have nothing holding me here. So long as you're in the same boat, I am open to go anywhere."

Why was he so willing to do this? When he so loathed her race, and everything they stood for, why would he choose to live out the rest of his life with one? Why was it, that even after all that had been said and done, he would fall for her? And even now those questions didn't seem to matter. All that mattered was being here, with Tallulah, until they could find out where to go next. All that mattered was remaining with her- her, the woman for whom he's defied all reason to love- for as long as possible.

The part of her that had been groomed to hate his ilk had been worn down first with gran, and then again with time after time of seeing him. Suddenly- it was gone. He . . . he wanted to leave . . . with . . . with her? The idea of it- gods, she could see it. Going from city to city- waking up beside him each morning, laughing every single day of the week, smiling with him, eating with him, kissing him when ever she wanted. She was stock still as the thoughts ran their way through her mind, making her branch out into other thoughts which branched out into still more thoughts . . .

The silence must've been stressful for him, since Tallulah had on one of her many masks. He must've though she would say no, or leave, or slap him, or tell him to stop dreaming. It was okay for him to think that, because he was dead wrong if he did. Also, after what he'd put her through, he deserved to squirm- but only just a little bit.

And suddenly, Tallulah had pushed him back, and was on top of him again. But this time she was pelting him with kisses- over his face and neck- instead of punches, her smile bright enough to light the darkest of rooms.

"Of course I'll go with you, you clockin' bastard." She was laughing as she said it, still finding space to kiss him in between.

What was this? She was pushing him away? Oh, but of course, he had said something completely stupid and uncalled for- he had actually assumed she might like the idea- how utterly presumptuous of him. And just as he was about to tell her never to mind, that it was a stupid idea and he should not have said anything, she tackled- tackled- him, and despite what he had thought she might have done, she was kissing him. A lot. And agreeing- agreeing- to go along with the idea, ridiculous as it was. Well, hell, he should suggest unrealistic romantic ideas more often if it lent him this sort of reward- really, it was with great restraint that he managed not to get overexcited to the point of arousal.

After gaining his bearings, Artemis caught her chin in his hand, returning one of those wondrous kisses, delighted beyond all reason. He felt... happy. Ecstatic, even. And when he was done kissing her, he spoke. "How long do we need? I should expect a week would be more than substantial for me to pack my things, but what we're doing requires planning, and I am sure you have a few loose ends to tie up, and plenty of things to pack..." It was a wonder he could even bother to think at all with everything that had come to pass in such a short span of time... and with Tallulah straddling him like that.

And he was taking her chin in hand, and he was kissing her . . . Gods, he was kissing her. And her stomach was filled with a warmth that spread its way into her very toes, the pulling at her heart relenting but building at the same time. She was so happy. Gods, she was so happy she could burst, or fly, or sing. Or do cartwheels. She'd never thought that it was possible to be this happy- that she deserved to be as happy as he was making her . . . but, as it turned out- she did. Huh. Imagine that.

Artemis was asking her about time. Gods- now. They should leave now. But she'd already promised half of her 'friends' a garden party, and her art was still being primed- a month. Damn. Sighing, Tallulah wrinkled her nose- one of her hands began tracing his scarred shoulder once more, while she cleared his hair out of his eyes with the other.

"I'll need a month. I'm sorry- it's just I have this party I'm supposed to host, and if I don't . . . People will get suspicious." She smiled one of her slow, easy smiles. A smile which she'd smiled only since knowing him. Her eyes were alight with adventure as she thought of the exotic travels they'd go on, of the places they could see.

"Where should we go, Artemis?"

"The only permanent residency in which we could conceivably live together would be Old Rose..." Oh, gods, Old Rose. With any luck they thought he was dead there. Which, unless they'd already forgotten his transgressions and what he looked like and pretty much everything about him at this point, which was highly unlikely, going back now could present a number of problems. If they found out. Which, knowing the extent of Bad Brothers, they would. And he would become dead rather than just faking it. Which would of course ruin their plans of living out their lives together in peace. Hmm. Something would have to be done about that if he wanted a real home in which he could raise a real family... if Tallulah would even consider such a thing. That sort of convincing would have to wait, of course, as them leaving together was already a huge leap of faith on her part.

While it was very possible he could always return to the spokes with which he had been raised, the possibility of Tallulah going with him. let alone receiving any sort of welcome was another thing entirely. No, that was not an option. If they were to go anywhere with any permanency he would want the woman he loved to be accepted by those with which they lived. Huh. He had forgotten how difficult it was to think for more people than just himself and his own selfish desires. "That is, of course, just one option. I am open to living on the road- traveling, for a time- if you are. We could see the world, and once we are good and forgotten, finally settle down somewhere." That sounded incredibly corny. It was corny enough in his head, and then even worse when it came out of his mouth. Just what was he thinking? Well, this is exactly why we need time to plan things. "You need a month, so I suppose I am in no hurry to figure out where we're going, as long as we're out of Vienda before some real trouble finds us. We'll just stick to our lessons, in the meantime, and make plans along the way."

Tallulah crossed her arms on his chest, stacking her chin on top of her hands. She was more or less laying on top of Artemis, which suited her fine. He was, after all, more or less hers. Gods. It was terrifyingly wonderful to think it- her stomach dropped into her feet, and her heart made a leap for her throat, and everything else felt like it was made of jelly. All in all, it was a wonderful sensation. Hmmm . . . It seemed like he was having a hard time deciding.

But then he offered traveling, and Tallulah was smiling that smile again. His smile. Yes, they did have time. The would have time. They'd have all the time in the world because, for some reason, they were sticking with one another. That made Tallulah even more pleased with her situation, and to show it, she bent her head down and placed a small kiss against his collar bone.

"Traveling . . . Traveling sounds wonderful. Really." He'd said he liked the mountains. "Perhaps we could go north . . ." She was thinking out loud, which was actually pretty damn hard to do with him looking at her like that.

The more he thought about the idea, the more he liked it. Who would give a damn about their relationship if they were never in a place that reinforced laws against it? Who would care enough to actively keep them apart when they were out of Vienda? Not the seventen- not when they had far more important matters to tend to. And not the resistance.

"North sounds like an excellent start." He smiled, "We could spend a time in Dorhaven, or Wraithwine wood. Not too much civilization beyond that, save for a few spokes, which is perfectly fine by me. We could camp out in Northern Tors, or head west and visit Anhou, which should be quite interesting. And once we've seen it all we could see what lies in wait for us to the South. When all is said and done, we could find a place on the outskirts of Old Rose, on the beach." It all seemed very fantastical. Like a dream which would never really come true. And it also felt a little fast- which it probably was, despite what the giddy joy he currently felt was telling him. But if they could make it work out, all the better. They would have cleared a cultural hurdle few others would dare to cross. People would hate them for it. Things could be difficult, certainly- at times seemingly impossible. But who cared, as long as they had each other? As long as they were willing to work things out..?

He was talking about their future, and it was all moving so fast. Tallulah's mind was a blur of fuzzy images, and her heart- oh, gods, her heart- was nearly pounding out of her chest. She wanted him, yes, but part of her didn't want to make that decision. Didn't want to plan that far ahead. Part of her was still scared of rejection, and she couldn't really help it. It had just been twenty days since their first lesson, since she'd first realized how much she enjoyed being around him. She'd fallen for him in just twenty days. What would a month do? A year? Two? A lifetime? She didn't know. And it terrified her.

But lying with Artemis like she was, feeling as safe as she did- that outshined her doubt. It made her fears seem minuscule. She didn't reply, didn't say anything. No- Tallulah was busy just kind of looking at him. Just kind of ingraining his face into her mind. She saw a few lines of lingering worry on his forehead, and again she reached up to smooth them away. Her hand made it, this time, and though she still hadn't said anything, there wasn't really the need to.

She wanted to kiss him again- and nothing was keeping her from it. She she shinnied up his chest, her fingertips moving down to lightly brush his cheeks, and gently pressed her lips to his. Her hair was like this silvery, strange sort-of blanket over the both of them, shielding them both from the world.

And she was kissing him again and all his worries seemed to just disappear. He could forget, for now, that things were moving too fast. In this single moment, he could forget that by the end of the day he would have regained his brain and would be worrying about all that could- that most likely would- go wrong. He could forget that there was a world right outside his doors which represented hate and growing disdain between the races, a world which, at any moment, could break out into open war on the streets. He could forget that with Tallulah's lips locked with his own like this. He could keep his mind off everything wrong with their relationship- how things had moved in a blur, how their two races simply could not mix in the society in which they lived, how much danger they were putting each other in, how utterly selfish their love for one another was. All of it was forgotten, in these few short seconds, and as he returned this kiss, he reveled in each and every one. He was free.

When Tallulah pulled away, she smiled, because his face was finally worry free and making him happy had somehow become her number one priority. She let her hands drift down to trail from Artemis's cheeks to his lips, because she could. He really did worry too much, although she guessed it was probably no more than herself. They were certainly an interesting couple, that was for damn sure.

And so, with a quick kiss to his cheek, she rolled off of him and hoisted herself to her feet, arching her back and raising her arms to his ceiling, letting out a small sigh as she stretched. If she'd stayed on that floor with him much longer, there would have only been two possible options. One of them involved sleeping. The other . . . didn't.

"Mr. Diotrephes, I'm not paying you to lie around." As she said it, she put her hands on her hips and let her mouth curve into a small, teasing smile. They really should get back to her lessons- like it or not, seducing him wasn't the only reason she'd hired him. Tallulah really did want to learn.

Awww, she was getting up. Ah, well. It was likely for the best- he wasn't sure how much longer he could handle her being pressed so close to him without the urge to do more being almost overwhelming. And his back had started to ache, having been pressed to the hard wooden surface of his floor, with the added weight- if only slight- of Tallulah on top of him. So he pushed himself up off the ground, stretching just as she had, then twisting this way and that until his back popped to his satisfaction, then he faced Tallulah. "Well then, Miss Anatine, you had better take your place." He smirked, sliding into his stance, waiting for her next move.

(( EOT? ))