solids | ❝𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭❞

[it was a pleasant surprise how well things were going between her and Adam. her love life was abysmal. she never chose the right men and always ended up hurt. yet she had seemed to make the right choice that night by talking to Adam, even if it was because he'd been the most sober option.

he wasn't perfect. it didn't take a genius to see he was not happy with his life yet he didn't do much about it. he didn't like his job or how things were for him. neither did she so she couldn't judge him for it. but sometimes it seemed like he looked for reasons to be pissed at something, though never at her. Maria seemed to be the exception to a lot of things. he didn't seem to try for himself but he did for her. he listened to her, actually listened to her. Adam was always trying for her sake and it was all she could ask for.

Maria liked what they had become. they were seeing each other weekly at least, sometimes multiple times. he'd ask her to feed his cat when he was busy during the day with a gig and she'd stay long enough to see him when he got home, kiss him, and chat before having to go to her own job. all they had done was kiss and she didn't mind. Adam had to have known they could have sex if he really wanted to or asked, it wasn't like she was denying him, but it naturally hadn't progressed to that. for once, she didn't feel like she was in a rush. it would happen when it did.

she was currently at his apartment, on the couch, and simply relaxing with the cat on her lap as she pet him. Adam had asked if she could swing by to feed Mr. Whiskers since he was going to be out until late and she'd accepted. didn't have work tonight and so she'd considered seeing if he wanted to chill and maybe rent something to watch tonight.

that had been the plan until she heard him open the door and slam it, Mr. Whiskers bolting off in fear from the sound and her jumping from the sudden noise. she sighed.]

You scared the cat, honey.

( there was always a trail of guilt that followed adam wherever he went since he met maria and they had gone out, and were officially 'dating'. he had tried his best to remain positive about things and not fall into old habits, but a part of him wondered if she saw who he really was, would she appreciate him more? when she finally had enough of him and walked out? at least he had been honest right?

yet the more he settled into who he was, the more she seemed to like him. his ire was never ever against her- why would it be? when she had been so perfect, kind, and mesmerizing? but he couldn't help but rant to her, hoping she took it as a 'he trusts me, that's why he's telling me' kind of thing. he also started to dislike the idea of never seeing her, of not having her around, and not sharing his life with her. the problem was he had very little to share beyond what he could offer - a place for her to crash if she got too tired, a cat to love when he wasn't around, and someone who genuinely cared for her as a person. it wasn't that he didn't want to cross that threshold with her, he genuinely did. he just wasn't sure if it would be right. deep down he was selfish, he genuinely wanted her to be his girlfriend but he felt unworthy of the task.

today though was a day where he had very little time to think about the state of their relationship. he had been out on a stakeout, following and observing the doctor he had mentioned to her before. in an attempt to get a so called 'money shot', he had left his car in front of a fire hydrant he had failed to notice and when he returned, there was a rather expensive ticket waiting for him. the cost was the equivalent to a day's work which normally he wouldn't care about, but now that he had actually started thinking about moving somewhere nicer for maria's sake, put a dent in his plans.

naturally that led to him rushing back home, feet stomping angrily as every little thing and person he encountered back seemed to aggravate him further. once he reached the door of his apartment he let out a loud huff before walking in and slamming the door behind him. adam had been so wrapped up in his anger that he hadn't realized maria was there with his cat. )

Yeah well I need a drink.

( he would apologize later, he made a note of this. for now though he simply walked into his kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling a bottle of whiskey. his next movements were much like the last- slamming the fridge door close, slamming the cabinet door open, and slamming two glass cups on the kitchen counter. )

I fucking hate cops you know? I just got the best gift ever, a $400 parking ticket.

[he has never acted quite this angry before. at every slam, she's wincing. she has to wonder what has him so upset until he says the ticket and then she's wincing at the cost. that wasn't cheap. though she wondered where he had parked that he got that. but she was not going to say a word or even ask. part of her wonders if maybe she should call it a night to let him cool down but she knows he will absolutely take that personally. think he'd scared her off and feel bad. she didn't mind waiting for him to react

again, he wasn't perfect. the anger issues were there, they were in the room with them as they spoke, but she didn't feel bothered. or worried. he had a bad day and hadn't everybody had these moments? when they wanted to complain and let it out? she certainly wasn't perfect and had been known to be moody. so no, she wouldn't judge him or hold it against him.

so she waited until it seemed like the slamming was done before turning to face the kitchen from his couch, kneeling on it and pouting. she does feel sympathetic for him. certainly he doesn't deserve to be in a bad mood (even if maybe the parking ticket could be his fault.]

They say they get a commission off the tickets.

[perhaps she shouldn't indulge him right now but sometimes isn't so bad, is it?]

( there was another reason he was so angry —

he had done this to himself. in pursuit of trying his best to do what his client had wanted, adam had made a decision that immediately backfired on him. he knew he was wrong but at the same time his anger was like a blanket that he loved to come to and nestle into. it was a terrible habit he had, but it allowed him to justify his frustration towards his life.

when maria shifted and turned her gaze at him, he couldn't help but wince at her expression. the guilt was starting to take over his mind and call he could do was lift up his own glass, using it to hide his face for now as he took a sip. at her words, he finally began to walk towards her with a cup for her in hand. he came over to the couch and handed it to her, before sitting next to her. )

Figures, the bastard was probably following me to begin with.

( his tone is less angry now, more cynical than ever as she had indulged him. that always helped to distract him from the anger that nestled in his mind; the only problem was, if she gave in to him too much, he would start rambling on about how the world was out to get people like them. )

[she takes the drink and considers her next move. even she knew if she let him keep going, he'd upset himself more. then he'd be ruining his own night.

she moves closer, making sure their legs are touching.]

Well the good news is I don't have work tonight and so I'm all yours for the night. Day may have sucked but I can make the night better?

[she smiles at him, body moving to face his. she's not in a dress this time but a simple black skirt and a pink top that shows off her tattoo. she would always be showing cleavage because if she put in the work for that tattoo then she was gonna show it off. but she had dressed for comfort and also to try to look appealing for him. she had no ulterior motives but she liked how he would look at her. when he was attracted to her.

and she did want to make him feel better. maybe he had done something dumb but he had a right to feel bad. it sucked and she wanted to comfort him. plus it made her feel better to know she could help him. she would offer to help him with the ticket but she knew he would get upset and feel worse if she did. it'd probably make him feel pitied and pity was always the worse thing to have thrown at you.]

( thankfully for maria [and himself], it wasn't too hard to distract him from his anger and cynic tendencies. with one brush of her leg against his own, he was already starting to feel that jolt of electricity that drove him to even ask her out properly in the first place. slowly he leaned forward to place his cup on the coffee table — a wooden panel on top of a couple of cinder blocks. suitable decor for a bachelor like himself living in a literal shithole. )

Finally, some good fucking news.

( his tone is slightly less grated now, and he returned the gesture before he began to slowly calm himself down. for as restrained and reserved as he had been in the several weeks they had been dating, even he couldn't help but notice just how alluring she looked in these moments. adam knew that she had to keep up a certain appearance for the line of work she did and frankly he wasn't the jealous type.

he just felt lucky he could be here like this with her, glancing at her and enjoying how and who she was. it was here though that he began to feel the sting of regret for his behavior. his poor cat probably hated him now-

especially when he had promised him he would love him when everyone else seemed to view him as a pest. )

I'm...

( he took a deep breath, his eyes locking into hers before his gaze went down and he took one last look at her body. )

I'm sorry for scaring you and Mr. Whiskers. I fucked up today and I was pissed.

[and this is why Maria does care about him. the fact he's apologizing, trying to make up for his earlier outburst. which hadn't been so bad, all things considered. some angry stomping around and slamming doors wasn't too worrying. but it meant something he was apologizing and so she puts her own cup down, leaning in and kissing him softly on his lips.]

You didn't scare me and Mr. Whiskers. Technically. It was you slamming the door. [she's trying to joke to make him feel better, to show she isn't going to stay mad at him. not that she ever was.] But I forgive you and trust me, I'm sure Mr. Whiskers will. As soon as you feed him or give him a treat, your earlier transgression will definitely be forgiven.

[she kisses him again, letting her lips stay there and the kiss linger. she stays close and says,] I have an idea, though. You know what makes me feel better after a shitty day? A bath. A nice, warm bath. I'll even share it with you.

( he didn't consider himself as being someone who had any positive traits among the failures of his life and his overall apathy towards things. it was only through spending more time with maria that he found himself remembering how he cared about things at one point in his life beyond just being angry over injustices-

he liked to support underdogs for one, causes like social movements and the like. he also found it easy to admit his faults and when he had fucked up, especially when he cared about the person he was apologizing to.

like maria. he had come to care for this woman who so easily flirted with him and made him feel like he was the luckiest man alive. so it didn't take him long to lean into her kiss and smirk at her joke, remaining close in case he got to have another. )

Yeah I need to get on that...

( he managed to say before she stunned him all over again with another kiss. it was then that he felt his anger melting away into something less aggressive.

he remained silent for a moment though, staring at her in slight confusion before his face became slightly elevated with a blush. it wasn't like he hadn't seen her naked before because of course he had - but to be this close to her was exciting. )

Yeah a bath...sounds great. We can put on some candles and turn on Dido and make it really romantic.

( is he joking? a little, perhaps to deflect how arousing the whole event was starting to sound. )

[she's figured out his ways by now. Adam got flustered easily and he deflected to jokes when he felt any type of anxiety. she gets it because she always turns to flirting and being playful to not consider anything more serious at times. this habit of his was not something she would hold against him.

moving to get up onto his lap, straddling him because she knows what exactly has him worried. sure he's seen her naked but it's been professional. but he hadn't seen her naked because she did it for him. he probably liked the idea and wasn't going to be too honest about that just yet until she was out in the open with it. so that's what she was doing. Maria didn't mind making the first step, now that she was sure Adam was just as into her as she was him. she was happy to do so honestly.]

Oh yeah, a guy like you definitely has a Dido CD I'm sure. [she is looking him directly in his eyes, smiling. he can joke all he wants and she'll match him.] Come on. It'll be nice. I can wash your back, you can wash mine, and we can listen to Puddle of Mudd. [if he has any music, she is sure it's them.]

( perhaps that's what drew them to each other- beneath the layers of how they presented themselves, they had far more similarities than he had the emotional capacity to reflect upon. for now though, the moment she moved into his lap, he leaned back onto the couch and watched her, swallowing a bundle of saliva that had gathered up on his lips.

was she always this alluring? it was a thought that lingered before he found himself reaching out to grab her waist softly. )

You joke, but don't be surprised when I put on 'Thank you'.

( fitting in a way, because despite the anger and annoyance that held him captive until now, he felt a sense of gratitude towards maria. little by little, she was influencing him for the better. )

Well gee when you put it that way, it's hard to say no to you. If you'd rather sit on my lap all night, I guess I wouldn't complain either way. Beats getting an expensive ticket after all.

[he'd be easy to manipulate, she knows. and she's never been above it with the jerks who come to watch her. she never feels bad. even for the sad losers who throw money at her, desperate for some kind of attention, because they still never really see her. men always wanted her to play a role and she was happy to do it, get as much as she could from them, before they pushed her to the side.

but Adam isn't like those men. he hadn't rushed to fuck her but instead just complimented her hair. how could a woman resist? men never noticed your hair and he had talked about it in their first meeting. she didn't want to hurt Adam and use him. she just wanted him and she felt lucky he wanted her, too.

she would use his attraction to her benefit, though. like sitting in his lap to get her way.]

With your bathroom, we're gonna practically be in each other's laps anyway. [she smiles and gives him one last kiss before getting up, taking his hand to pull him up with her dragging him to the bathroom.] It'll be romantic. Next time I'll bring my oils and it'll be even better.

( the tension was only escalating as she sat in his lap, looking like a perfect angel. no matter what her past was, what she had done, or who she was, to adam she was just someone he found himself finally connecting to. sure he had his angry side and his faults, but she never quite called him out on it. that alone was enough to persuade him into doing anything she may have wanted.

when she kissed him and rose up from his lap, all he could do was sit there on the couch and watch her. he took a deep breath, swallowing down a bit of saliva that had built up in his throat and did his best to keep his composure. finally though he rose up, running his hands through his hair. )

Uh yeah....

( he managed to spit out, before he followed along like a dope. )

Oils...candles...roses...fuck Maria you should have given me a head's up. I could have made this more romantic.

[Maria has never really expected much from men. which many of them would doubt considering how she treats them when they have money. she'd say she expects some respect and if they don't have it for her then she just doesn't have it for them. nobody needs to worship her or lavish expensive gifts to make her happy. she'd enjoyed her cheap breakfasts at denny's with Adam more than she ever had her expensive dinners with other men.

but she couldn't deny she wanted to be someone's whole world and it seemed like Adam was willing to make her that. or close to it. this suited her just fine. she could do the same for Adam.]

I didn't plan it either. I just thought maybe we'd watch a movie or something. But that's life for you and now we're having a bath together. So come on, lover boy, we'll work with what we got. You have shampoo, right? We'll use those for bubbles. [she's already gone to the bathroom, assuming he'll be following. maybe she hadn't planned on this but it seemed like a nice way to end the night. she usually couldn't watch a movie all the way through anyway.]

( as they walked towards his bathroom and the conversation continued on, he couldn't help but think how moments like these made him feel just a twinge of guilt. they hadn't officially used a title for their relationship, and it wasn't because he didn't want to-

it's just when he thought about it, he had nothing truly great to offer to someone like her. she deserved better than what she had, and while he would often ruminate on those thoughts with anger, he couldn't help but find himself distracted by her words. for now he was going to set that aside and focus on something far better.

the possibility of finally being far more intimate with maria than he thought he could ever be. )

Lover boy? Don't tease me too hard, because I'll make it my mission to show you I can be the best lover boy around.

( even he isn't sure where he was going with that joke, but once inside the bathroom he opened up the cabinet under the sink and pulled forth a couple of bottles of soap. the usual cheap crap, but there was at least one decent brand among the mix. )

Alright, turn on the water and I'll get started. Are you sure you don't want music? I really do have a Dido cd around here somewhere.

[moments like these make it hard not to laugh at Adam. but she thinks he may always take it the wrong way and so she controls herself, keeping a straight face. he's awkward sometimes--no, he's awkward a lot. but it's cute. he's cute.

another adjective she keeps to herself. men don't like cute even if it makes her adore him all the more.]

It's your bath so your rules. If you want Dido then we can listen to Here with Me all you like. She is good mood music. [she sits on the edge of the tub, turning the water on and feeling for the right temperature. she could truly burn her skin off with how hot she liked it but men always bitched. she goes a little cooler and works on getting the bubbles. it was not necessarily sexy but she wasn't going for that. she really did just want to give him a nice bath and relax with him.

though as she eyed this tub, she wasn't sure how much they could really relax. what was it with these tiny things? like adults didn't want baths anymore or something. not like her own bath was that much bigger but still. better than this. it was an excuse to get closer anyway.]

( what amused him about this entire exchange was that he genuinely was just messing around, but the more this was starting to become real, the more he actually did want to create an ambiance.

so while she worked on the water, he decided to bolt out of the bathroom and go on the hunt for the boombox and a copy of no angel. he would have to make it up to mr. whiskers at a later point in time, because this was far too distracting.

when he did finally find everything, he came back into the bathroom and propped up the device over the sink and plugged it in. only fitting, of course he had to reset the outlet while he got it to work but eventually the music came on.

now it was time for his clothes to come off. )

Hope you're really okay with sharing that kiddie pool with me, maybe we can rent a fancy hotel once this job is over as a celebration. Get one with one of those big heart shaped tubs.

( as the music began, he took off his clothes as he spoke, finally revealing his body. a bit on the slim side but he had a bit of muscle to him. )

You really did have that CD. [she sounds amused and as "Here with Me" starts playing, she's laughing. it really was good mood music and as the water fills the tub up, her eyes go to his form. they had been very chaste. he'd seen her strip at work but that never counted. hands had stayed above clothes when they had kissed. it really felt like they were teenagers in their first romance, dancing around and trying to figure out the rules.

as the water goes, she stands and takes her tank top off, leaving her lacy bra on.] Not gonna lie and say the idea isn't appealing. [the bra doesn't stay on for long and that's quickly gone too. she doesn't think Adam will care too much about seeing her naked chest. he'd seen that more than once.]

Some time, we can do that. But for tonight, you'll just have to be between my legs as I massage your shoulders and wash your hair. How does that sound? [her eyes stay on his as she unzips her skirt and lets it fall down, now only her thong remaining. it matched her bra that was on the floor now because even if she never knew when her and Adam might go all the way, she wanted to look good when they did. so it was matching bra and underwear time. Maria looked like she had wanted to look nice for him.

the thong does stay on as she bends over to turn the water off. maybe part of her does want to tease him.]

( he was by no means someone innocent, unexperienced with sex. he was however more intimidated by those with more assertive personalities or rather, something about being with maria made him want to take things slow. when he first met her, he had been in the absolute dumps and for her to have come to him like a glimmer of hope made him want to do whatever he could not to fuck it up.

yet as the water began to pour into the tub, whatever heat it had rising into the air, he could feel his own heat rise up. she was beautiful regardless of where she was, what she was doing, and to hear her talk like this in a manner that aimed to comfort him....well it was just too much for him. all he could do was stand there like an idiot and stare at her as she undressed and seemed to tease him with those bends.

after a deep swallow of saliva that had pooled in his mouth [when did this happen? he thought], he finally walked over to her fully nude and pressed his hands against her back gently. )

Well in the meantime since you're being so generous, how about I help you get these pesky things off?

( referring to her bra and thong of course. )

[she had been so lonely before Adam. filling her time with men who didn't care much about her at all, just the sex. and the men she had truly started to care for never did try with her. didn't want her outside of her body. when she had gone to Adam that night, it had simply been because he was the most sober option. also he hadn't been too old. looks never mattered much to her.

she did think Adam was cute, though. not just in personality but looks.

she turns the water off and smiles over her shoulder.] Sure thing, lover boy.

[she stands up and in front of him, her back to him. give him a chance with the bra. she assumes he knows how to take one off but knowing his luck, he'd get anxious and fumble and feel awkward. better take that chance.]

( he might have been rather clumsy at certain things, but much like his work with photography and developing photos, he surprisingly had a sturdy hand when it came to things. having a good eye for capturing the perfect photos-

there was a reason that his latest client [a former cop, unknown to him], had picked him specifically despite having a rather informal setup. so much like his work with developing photos, he was quick but careful in unhooking her bra. his fingers slowly scaled down the sides of her shoulders, pushing the straps down and helping her take off the bra.

once it was off, he couldn't help but wrap his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a warm embrace. )

I can't stay angry with you around you know? Fuck....maybe this was what I needed after all.

[this is why she had never felt rushed to move to sex with Adam. he touches her like this and it's enough. her eyes close and the sigh that escapes her is so full of relief. she's never felt so comfortable around someone before and it's nice.

god she really likes him and she isn't sure what she's supposed to do. obviously she's dated people but it's always ended up in failure. either she likes them more than they like her or it starts off so hot and just fizzles. or explodes in her face. it doesn't feel like this with Adam. what she has with Adam doesn't make her feel desperate. she feels drawn to him, misses him terribly when they aren't together or texting or calling, and she can't really understand how she lived without him before.

but it's like coming home. it's like returning to somewhere you know you can relax.

she turns around and wraps her arms around him, kissing him softly.] I'll take care of you tonight.

( almost fitting that the moment she turned around in his arms, the bathroom is quite with only the sound of water flowing and the words-

'I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me'

play in the background. his lips press against her softly as his own eyes close for a moment, enjoying the stillness of it all. he could feel the anger melting right off of him, turning into a pleasant carelessness. he'll just have to worry about that parking ticket later. soon though, he did have to bring something up. )

Well let's jump in then, I'm freezing-

( he isn't going to say what might be freezing, but she'll get the gist by the laughter that followed. )

And I uh...want to take care of you too, you know? I'm pretty good at certain things.

"Certain things"? [she laughs.] Well I can't wait.

[she listens to his request and moves to get in the bath, the hot water instantly making her feel so much better. she wasn't tense or stressed, certainly not as much as Adam was, but the bath felt so good. it always made the end of a day, or night, better. she could relax in the water and just not think. not that she found that happening with Adam. it was hard not to focus on him when he was near her.

her back to the wall, she spreads her legs so he can move to lie back between them. this bath is tiny, maybe they will complain about how uncomfortable this was later, but her eyes are on him. she's naked and wanting him near, so she can take care of him.]

Yeah well I'm trying to be a gentleman here....a 'lover boy' as you like to call me.

( was he a bit more on the shy side of things? perhaps, although it was rather amusing considering how foul his vocabulary could be at times. once she moved away from him and into the tub, he remained still for a moment as he watched her settle in. this was far more tantalizing than watching her on stage, hands on a pole.

far more intimate and he wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. )

I'll try not to squish you too much-

( he said as he climbed in and made himself as small as possible between her legs. they probably couldn't last here for too long, but as he reached forward to shut off the water, he leaned back and made a soft sound of content. )

[this bath was not meant for two people. it was hardly meant for one grown adult as it was. but she liked being this close. she liked feeling him against her and her hands moved to his shoulders, starting to rub them and massage him.]

You can take care of me later but this is all about you right now. You're always so tense. Just don't think about anything else right now. It's just us right now.

[fingers move closer to the front of his chest, stroking and pressing into the skin. her lips kiss his temple.]

So just focus on me.

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