[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

Ashley navigated his vehicle through the winding West Hook streets, all the way to the farthest recesses of the neighborhood where the houses thinned and the bordering woodland became steadily more prominent. As the pair of them bounced and laughed along to the music Gemma played from her phone, he cast his gaze delightedly about the fronts of all the houses; as excited as he was nervous to be showing her his own. It was a far cry from the wealthy, opulent homes the both of them had grown up in but also a far cry better than his cheap, dinky apartment where they'd spent just as much time. [break][break]

"Well, this is it." He parked along the curb instead of pulling into the drive, simply for the opportunity to gaze upon the front of his house without being obstructed by the garage. And as he ducked to peer across her and through the passenger side window, he grinned wide and set his chin on her shoulder; doubts about what she might think slipping completely away as he observed his home and hummed proudly. [break][break]

The porch light was turned on and the solar lights along the drive and sidewalk gleamed. A warmer, softer glow poured through the curtains at the first-story front windows and peeked from the panes at the top of the front door — he always kept the hall light and study light on for the dogs when he knew he wouldn't be home by nightfall. It was a shame it was dark though. He'd have liked her to see his garden beds in full summer bloom — the roses had turned out far more successful this year than last. And around dawn (when he usually got around and ready for work), the hummingbirds would be out feeding on the portulaca. [break][break]

He grabbed her bag from the backseat and slung it once more across his shoulder. "Ready?" He turned off the car and stepped out, moving behind the vehicle to collect his mail from the mailbox before he skirted around to the passenger side and shot Gemma a quick beam. Six or seven years ago, it would have been a thoughtless thing to throw an arm across her shoulders. To tuck her close to his side while they ambled inside or to plop his chin atop her head and drape himself behind her like a long, lazy cat, waiting for her to laugh and protest as he burdened her step with his weight. [break][break]

But her earlier words echoed softly in his head — "Let me get to know you again" — and he supposed it wouldn't be fair of him, to expect them to slip so seamlessly into how they'd been before. As familiar as she was, and how welcome the sounds of her laughs and her kisses and her clutch at his arm had been — and what was six years anyway, when they'd known each other for more than twice as long before that? — he was still aware of the enormity of the situation. Of what he'd done to her. Of the tears he'd witnessed briefly on the shore and the many more there'd likely been that he'd made himself absent for. He wasn't so naive or so hopeful to think they could pick up right where they'd left off. [break][break]

And beyond that, Gemma was right. He wasn't exactly the person she would remember. As many pieces of him that she would recognize, there'd be those she wouldn't. Six years had seen him a long way from the spun-out, stupid, and troubled boy he'd been — smiling too wide and laughing too loud; chasing another fix to keep the tremble from his fingers and the ache from his chest. Soaring high, crashing hard, and clutching for her and the others desperately during both. Maybe she'd find he was too much changed, too unfamiliar, to reconcile with the normalcy of before. [break][break]

It was a quiet fear but one that he braced himself to acknowledge and accept as more than possible, even as he extended a hand, fingers seeking hers hopefully. He muted his smile and let it only curl faintly at the corners of his mouth as he started up the driveway and onto the sidewalk that lead to his front door, eye drawing to movement in the study window. The brief flutter of a curtain falling back in place. "Hey, I should have asked — you're still good with dogs, right?" He glanced back at her and quirked a brow as he climbed the porch's steps, remembering how all of them had some story (or scar) to commemorate one of Dane's snarling summon-gone-wrongs.

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Wew, sorry this is a mess lmao. [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes!

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

Let me know if you need me to add or change up anything at all!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
For a moment things almost felt normal. For a moment she could pretend that she'd traveled back years into the past. When she and Dino would go on drives together. Going no where important and just listening to music while they laughed and talked. Just to get away from everything for a little while. But every time she looked over to him she remembered that wasn't the case. His hair was too short now. His shoulders not as tight with stress as they used to be. His face fuller with health. His eyes brighter. It caused a bittersweet sort of aching to settle into her chest. But she didn't think on it too much. Until they started getting closer to his house. [break][break]

Gemma watched the houses past until they became further and further apart. Then they were pulling up into a drive at the very edge of West Hook and her eyes looked up at the house. For a moment she was too stunned to speak. They'd grown up in much more lavish houses. Both of their families had a lot more money to spend on bigger, fancier houses. The house wasn't the kind of place they grew up in. It was more than that. It was warm and welcoming. Almost beckoning to her to come inside and relax for a while. A promise of comfort and safety. Moana would have loved to see this house. [break][break]

As his chin rested on her shoulder Gemma smiled at the familiar weight. So many times he would simply wrap his arms around her. Pull her body against his like she simply belonged there. Lounge across her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And then it had been. They'd always fit together so easily. Like two puzzle pieces. Ther was part of her that wanted that again. For six years she'd felt off balance. As if she was missing the other half of herself. Without his hand to ground her. Without the familiar weight of his body against her own. She'd felt adrift. Part of her ached to reach out for that familiar weight once more. Another part of her was still angry. Was still scared. [break][break]

Six years changed a lot about a person. While he had changed more drastically out of necessity Gemma also wasn't exactly the same girl he'd known all those years ago. She worried that perhaps they wouldn't fit together so easily anymore. That perhaps they shouldn't. But as he moved to go get the mail she climbed out of the car and looked up at the house. The warmth of the light promising as much comfort as his arms had before. So she took a breath and let the angry part of her settled again. She took his hand in hers and felt that familiar spark run up from her fingertips all the way up her arm. That at least hadn't changed. She felt balanced again with his hand in hers. So maybe, just maybe, things wouldn't be as different. [break][break]

Gemma leaned against his shoulder as they walked up the steps of his porch. From the corner of her eye she saw some movement from a window. "Do you have pets?" Just as the question left her lips he asked her if she was still okay with dogs. Gemma couldn't help but laugh. She still remembered the day Dino rushed in to pull that big dog off her in their backyard. Like some little knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress. But Gemma never liked being the damsel. It hadn't been the last time he'd had to intervene once Dane had realized how paralyzed with fear she would become at the sight of a dog. That is until she'd gotten to know Snowcone. And refused to keep letting some mean little boy terrify her. [break][break]

"Yes, I still love dogs," she said easily. Though she was concerned with just how many Dino - Ashley - would have. "This is a new dress though," she warned as the motioned to the still pristine white fabric. "As in, I just got it today for your birthday, new," not that she actually thought he would see her in it. "So no muddy paws, right?"

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

Ashley exhaled an exaggerated breath of relief as Gemma answered, breezily, that not only was she good with dogs, but she loved them. Phew. Then, when she added that she didn't want her dress to be ruined — she'd gotten it new for him — he lifted his brow and tipped his head, letting his eye follow the motion of her hands as she beckoned to it. [break][break]

"For me?" His lip curled and he very much wished to tease her for it. But... as he gave the pretty, white dress a due glance over... the faint tuck at his lips faltered and he realized it... actually.... wasn't remotely amusing. He took a moment to imagine her shopping, moving through aisles with a heavy heart and flipping through hangars to find something she knew he would like. Him. A man she'd thought dead for six whole years. Picking out a cupcake and a candle. Drawing her hair back and picking out a bottle of wine to pass out in her car with. It wasn't funny at all. On the contrary, it twisted a guilty ache in his chest. He couldn't laugh at it, even with good (or harmlessly flirty) intentions. [break][break]

"You shouldn't have," he said softly, his brow knitting as he returned his gaze to her face; dropping it a moment later to the keys in his hand when he found her eyes momentarily hard to meet once more. He located his house key and turned it in the lock, sucking in a quick breath and willing himself back to levity as he cast her a more composed look and let the hint of a mischievous grin tug again at his mouth. "As for muddy paws, I can make no promises." He supposed he could give her a little more warning than that — no doubt the number of dogs on the other side of the door was about six or seven more than she could expect, even if she was guessing high. But it would be so much more fun to surprise her. To watch her eyes widen with disbelief and bewilderment, possibly even concern. He let his lip pull just a bit further before he pushed the door open. [break][break]

The excited ticking of excitedly shuffling paws greeted them, belonging to a waiting and eager pack of canines that — at the current moment — totaled ten. Two of them barreled past them to bounce around the front yard, a couple more nudged forward to sniff at his fallen, bracing hands, while the rest simply swayed, danced, or sneezed. Ashley pushed forward with a widening grin, voice a tad higher than normal as he ushered them back. "Hi, guys! Back up! Back. Back. Stay down."[break][break]

Most of them had been with him for a while and had taken to training well. They knew not to bark, not to jump up, and the pack — some a little quicker than others — made a gradual creep backward down the hall. Ashley called for the two who'd dashed and they came trotting back in, practically on top of one another, to join the crowd. He lifted his brow expectantly. "Now, sit." Again, some were a little slower than others, but the whole lot of them eventually lowered their haunches, tails swishing. A couple ducked or raised their heads to bump noses with the one next to them, obviously anticipating treats. [break][break]

Then, from the crowd, a smaller dog tottered leisurely forward from the rest — his energy notably more muted and the 'tck-tck' of his claws on the tile pronounced now that everyone else was seated and waiting. Ashley beamed with a quiet chuckle, dropping into a crouch to meet the dachshund with open palms. One of the sitting dogs made a gruff noise in their throat, as if displeased with the blatant lack of expectation, but Guinness was old — he wasn't with Ashley to be trained up and made proper for a new home. He was simply here to enjoy the last few months of his life in peace, surrounded by love and being spoiled. Plus, he was practically deaf.[break][break]

Guinness pressed a nose into his hands before turning to guide Ashley's gentle, scritching fingers over his back, and Ashley lifted his eyes to Gemma, eager to see the look on her face. "Don't worry, I'm not a hoarder." He let his mouth fall open into a knowing, cheeky look then shot her a wink. "I foster. They're not all mine. They come and they go." After giving the dachshund at his ankles a final, ginger pat, he hopped to his feet.[break][break]

"Alright! Left to right, here we go." He lifted a hand to point at each dog, not really expecting Gemma to remember names but deciding to give them to her anyway. "Lambchop, Darling, Kodak, Pretzel, Hamilton, Applejack," hers was, perhaps, said with just a little more fondness than the rest as he pointed at the one-eyed shepherd, "Omelette, Nabisco, Salonpas, and...." he glanced down. "This one's Guinness."

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Omg, let me know if you need more XD [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes!

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

Let me know if you need me to add or change up anything at all!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
Gemma used to get a new outfit every year for Dino's birthday. Something she knew he'd like. Something that would draw his eyes and make his lips curl into that more wry, more flirtatious grin. Something to make his eyes linger on her longer because she wanted his attention perhaps selfishly all to herself. Even after the announcement of his death she still got new outfits for his birthday. Gemma wasn't entirely sure why. Maybe it was just out of habit or tradition. Or maybe part of her had vainly hoped that somehow Dino would still be able to see her. That even with tears rolling down her face if his eyes were to somehow catch her that they'd linger longer. [break][break]

He'd always teased her about it before. Make some silly or flirtatious joke with that all too knowing and easy grin. She watched that same smile come to his lips again, like it used to. As his eyes wandered down the little white dress. Heard the tone of his voice as he questioned about it being just for him. And for a moment she felt a familiar smile return to her lips. One more playful and flirty. The same one he'd give her every time he'd teased her about a new outfit for his birthday. But then his expression shifted to something more sad. No. No, no, no that wasn't what she wanted. Seeing her all dressed up pretty, specifically and just for him, was supposed to make him happy. [break][break]

Even if shopping for the dress hadn't been a happy occasion for her as it used to be. She wanted it to be now. Didn't want to watch the way his brows knit up and his smile dropped. The way his eyes didn't linger like they used to. Gemma grit her teeth as she tried to keep her own smile up but it faltered as well. Not quite meeting her eyes as his own dropped to his keys. She wanted to reach out and brush her fingers through his hair again but before she could he'd turned to her with his expression more composed. Returning to a bit more of a mischievous nature. His claim about making no promises for the safety of her dress from muddy paws made her narrow her eyes at him. [break][break]

How many dogs did he have exactly? Four? Five? Six? It was a bit concerning to think about. As the door opened she was greeted with more than she even thought. All rushing to greet Dino, sniff at her or run outside. Gemma loved dogs but this was a lot. She pressed herself more against a wall with a laugh as she watched him wrangle in the excited bunch. A few of them lingered back a bit. Curious about the stranger in their home as they sniffed at her hands, her heels, and her exposed legs. Before they trotted to the rest of the group. Likely expecting a treat for good behavior. Only for an older looking little wiener dog trotted over for some expectant pets. [break][break]

Gemma closed the front door before she moved to stand behind Dino with a bright smile on her lips. "Are all of them yours?" She asked a little worriedly. Before he confirmed that he wasn't hoarding dogs. Which made her let out a small breath of relief. Him fostering dogs seemed...right. He could understand them better. Adjust to their needs, both physical and emotional, better than normal people could. As he stood up again she found herself pressing herself more against his back. Placing her hand easily on his side as he pointed out the different dogs. She didn't miss how his tone changed when he pointed to shepherd. A teasing smile crossed her lips as she let him finish naming the dogs. Doing her best to mouth each of their names to herself and looking for specific little quirks or things about them that might make them easier to catalogue in her mind. Like Applejacks missing eye. [break][break]

"Still playing favorites, I see," she teased with a playful purr to her voice. Still she moved past him slightly, enough to crouch down and allow Guinness first to sniff the palm of her hand. "So which one are yours?" She asked as she gave him a look over her shoulder. He seemed rather attached to Guinness and Applejack so she thought perhaps they were two of his. And Guinness seemed to feel he had more privileges and leniency than the other dogs. Once it seemed Guinness had gotten enough of her scent she began petting and scritching between his ears.

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

Gemma peeked from around him as he named the animals, the weight of her against his back and the brace of her palm at his side somehow still managing to be familiar, despite the years. When she accused him of still playing favorites, he smirked. "Obviously, I have no idea what you could possibly be referring to," he breathed sarcastically, even as his gaze flickered to watch her as she stepped around him to crouch down and give Guinness a good scritch. He blinked languidly, lips parting to take a long, deep breath as he felt his eyes round with that very particular softness that'd always been hers. He'd never tried to hide it from anyone (or maybe he just hadn't been able to). Not from her, their siblings, their friends, and especially not from whatever girlfriend he'd had at the time. It was a fondness he'd only ever been able to imitate for others; the look only seeming genuine until they one day saw it — infinitesimally brighter and somehow more sincere — turned to her. [break][break]

She lifted her head to glance up at him, asking which dogs were his. He lifted his brow, decidedly watched her for a moment longer, then stepped away to deposit his mail and keys on the hallway table and toe out of his shoes. "Jack's really the only one I'd never consider giving up," he said finally, turning his attention back to the group of still-attentive animals. "AJ, up." He patted at his chest and the dog gave a soft snort before she stood and bounded forward to leap up and be caught by his arms folded beneath her. Something she'd done plenty of times when she'd been smaller and they'd been vagabonds. Hiking through woods and camping in the mountains. When they needed to climb over trees and roots that'd prove too difficult for her or across ground that was too hot or prickly for her paws. When he waded through streams and small rivers with currents he didn't trust not to carry her away or when there were simply other, less-behaved animals around. Ashley grinned and shifted her weight against him so he could free a hand to smooth through the fur of her neck. "I've had her practically the whole six years since Riverside. She's my shotgun rider." He shot Gemma another small, sneaking smirk, then lifted his eyes back to the pack.[break][break]

"Other than her, there's Darling and Kodak," he beckoned to the three-legged pittie and the much smaller terrier sitting half-beneath her as if to act as a stand-in for her missing limb (which was ironic because, if anything, Darling was most certainly Kodak's crutch). He pointed then at the young, fluffy, and tri-colored dog with a stuffed giraffe secured in his maw. "And Omelette. They're not not up for adoption. But it'd take someone real special to take them on. They've got some baggage." Ashley lowered Applejack from his arms and then shooed the dogs off with a couple of words pitched high with praise; releasing them from their sitting and smiling when they hopped to their paws and continued to dance around, tails wagging and nails ticking. [break][break]

Ashley stepped forward to crouch beside Gemma, bumping her thigh playfully with his own and letting his hands join her own in Guinness's gentle scritching. "And of course, this old man's with us for as long as he's with us." He turned a small smile to her, letting it inch gradually wider before it couldn't get any bigger and he had to drop his forehead to her shoulder with a happy, laughing breath puffed through his nose. Gemma was in his home. Was patting his dogs. Smiling. And he wanted to throw his arms around her. Bury a playful grin into her neck as he pulled her off-balance and crushed her to him, deaf to her laughing protests. [break][break]

But he didn't. He only pressed his lips in a brief, undemanding press to her bare shoulder and then stood to step further down the hall. "You can leave your shoes at the door or wear them, whatever you want. They won't eat them." He wasn't sure how long she'd want to stay. Was too cautious to assume anything. But he wanted her to be comfortable. To treat his home much like she had those many years ago, even if the house was a far-cry cleaner and worlds better taken care of than his apartment.[break][break]

He moved from the short hall and into the living room, sifting easily through the couple of dogs that hadn't immediately busied themselves elsewhere. The TV played in the corner, always left on a quiet volume in his absence, and warm light from the backyard poured through the patio door positioned behind the couch. Ashley deposited her bag on the dining table, pulled out the bottle of wine to set on the nearby kitchen counter, then turned to watch her, resting a hip against his table and propping himself up with his hands on either side of him, fingers gripping the table's edge. "I'm gonna change out of these bonfire clothes and then I can show you around proper. And, while your dress is very pretty, it is also very white." He lifted his brow teasingly, another fond curl sneaking at the corners of his mouth. "Would you like some more... pet-friendly... clothes? Sweats? A shirt that will still manage to be a dress?"

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes! [break]
Or if I did too much and you need more space to respond ;v;

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

Let me know if you need me to add or change up anything at all!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
"No of course you don't," she teased at his claim that he had no idea what she was talking about. As if they'd never spent years looking towards each other. As if they hadn't spent nights out so intertwined you would have thought they were in their own world. No matter who else was around. But they'd always denied it. No matter who saw. No matter how obvious it was. [break][break]

But she watched as Apple Jack so happily, so easily jumped into his waiting arms as he called her. With such an easy trust that he would catch her they must have done it a hundred times. She smiled watching them and how gentle he was. How easy that sort of trust came. Hearing that he'd had her practically the entire six years since he left - since he was supposed to have died - gave that same sort of bittersweet feeling. Gemma idly wondered if he'd picked her up just so he wouldn't be so alone. Which caused another rise of frustration that she pushed aside. She still hadn't picked those feelings apart yet. Hadn't thought of how she would handle them. [break][break]

Continuing to pet Guinness as she listened to Dino speak helped relax her once again. Her eyes wandered over the little pack again as he mentioned which ones he wouldn't be as happy to give away. Gemma snorted softly in amusement. "And I assume you have criteria on what would make the person special enough for them?" Her tone was playful but she was genuinely curious. He would know the dogs best. And she was certain he would want to have someone to give them the best possible life they could have. "Are they bonded?" She asked, letting more of her genuine curiosity slip into her voice. She wondered if they would all need to go to someone together or if they could be separated. [break][break]

As he crouched next to her she grinned as he bumped her thigh. Shifting to bump her shoulder against his in return. Seeing his smile again made her heart swell in her chest. His forehead against her shoulder made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't felt in years. In a way only he'd ever made her feel. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and push him to the ground. Wanted to laugh and bury her face in the crook of his neck and feel his arms around her. But she settled for feeling his lips press against her shoulder. Even the brief brush of his lips on her skin made the space tingle. Made her face feel warm in a way she hadn't felt in years. Feeling, for a brief moment, a feeling she'd been desperately searching for in others for six years. [break][break]

As he stood up and moved away from her she wanted to reach out for his hand. She wanted to pull him back against her again but instead she simply pat the old dog affectionately before she stood up as well. She paused for a moment debating whether she should take off her shoes or not. Part of her was nervous. She wasn't sure how long she would be welcomed. Wasn't sure how long she should plan to stay. But still, she slipped out of her white pumps and left them next to his by the door. Dropping the couple of inches they'd added to her height. Before she followed him down the hall. [break][break]

Her eyes wandered around the living room of his house. Far from the apartment she'd spent cleaning so many mornings because he simply didn't have the mind or energy to keep it up. Thinking of the times she grumbled about cleaning up after gross boys and scolding them for leaving beers to be tipped over or take out boxes just sitting out to attract flies. As he moved with the bottle to the kitchen she followed after him and watched as he leaned against the table. While he definitely appeared more healthy the stance he took reminded her far too much of her old Dino. The way his weight shifted, the flex of his arms as they braced against the table, even the way his fingers curled. She'd spent so long watching him. Studying every little thing about him. Because how could she not? [break][break]

As he mentioned offering her other clothes Gemma couldn't help but grin. How many times had she simply taken one of his shirts to curl up in at night. She still had one of his old shirts in the back of his closet but when it had lost his smell she couldn't stand to wear it anymore. When it smelled too much like her own bodywash and perfume and so much less like Dino it had been only another reminder that he was gone. Because she couldn't shove it back into his laundry to wait for him to wear it again so it would smell like him once more. [break][break]

Though as he mentioned a shirt of his would still manage to be a dress on her Gemma gave him a playful squint before a mischievous smile danced across her lips. She moved towards him slowly. Much like a panther stalking her prey. Her fingers curled in his current shirt as she cocked her head slightly to the side. Looking up at him with a sort of mock innocence as she bat her long dark lashes. "Are you trying to get me out of my dress already?" She asked softly as that grin widened. "We gonna burn the night up like a cigarette? Kiss a little more? Think a little less?"

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

As he settled against the table, Ashley considered the question she'd posed — about what he was looking for when it came to suitable adopters for the more need-heavy of his fosters. He searched the air before him, thinking of Darling and Kodak's codependency, of the smaller dog's nervous tendencies, and of Omelette's unpredictable seizures; trying to picture how someone without his Gifts could attend to their various oddities as attentively and preventively as he could. How they would know when Kodak was getting too antsy and needed to be walked or tuckered out. When Omelette was reeling and needed space. Or when Darling was frightened and needed to be reminded, carefully, that human touch could be good. It would certainly take someone observant and patient. Who could learn their triggers and also how to coax them back when accidents inevitably happened. When they slipped, momentarily, into the dogs they'd been before him.[break][break]

The musings didn't have a chance to be voiced, however, and they trailed from his mind as his gaze pulled once more to Gemma. She had made a cursory study of his home around her, appeared to consider his offer of a change in clothes, and then started toward him in a decided saunter. Looking very much like a feline on the prowl, with a mischievous pull to her lips and a gleam in her eye. She stepped close, plucked his shirt between her fingers, and he stared down at her, smile broadening as she batted her long lashes and tilted her head, accusing him playfully of attempting to get her out of her dress. [break][break]

Then the next words that fell from her purposely-poised lips were the same lyrics he'd serenaded her with before and he tipped his head back to bark a quiet laugh. The fact that she'd remembered them at all — had she listened to the song at some point in his absence? Or had his drunken karaoking, performed on more than one occasion, just left that memorable an impression?[break][break]

Ashley dropped his head again, face smoothed and eyes softened, and let his lips rein from their wide beam into something more subtle and vaguely roguish. "Gemma," he started, tone a gentle chide as he lifted a brow. One corner of his mouth tugged further at the sound of her name on the air. He settled his weight more evenly on the table so he could reach out; arms slipping around her with a sort of ease he'd learned long ago. He pulled her closer with his hands at the small of her back. "Are you trying to seduce me?"[break][break]

It was a game they'd played more than a couple of times. Pushing and blurring that unspoken line. Daring one another. Perhaps, simultaneously and subconsciously, seeking a sort of permission that neither of them had been quite brave enough to truly ask for, let alone give. Always dressing it up as good, harmless fun. To see who would redden first. Who would snort a laugh, crack a grin, and break away (all while hoping, maybe next time they wouldn't). Dino had always been very good at it. But so had she. And there was no counting on his fingers how many times she'd almost made it too easy to forget himself.[break][break]

Ashley hummed thoughtfully, almost contentedly, as he let his gaze sift about the features angled beneath him. Keeping one hand firmly against her back, he lifted the other to her face; fingers curling into his palm and knuckles pressed gingerly at her jaw while he stroked a thumb against her cheek. Slowly — deliberately — he assessed the tease swimming in her big, brown eyes before letting his gaze flit to the mischievous tuck of her mouth. It'd been six years since he'd played this game but he fell into it seamlessly. His fingers untucked from his palm to frame her jaw and he tipped his head, ducking the tiniest bit down... [break][break]

Then he paused. Lifted his eye back to hers and breathed a chuckle. "Before the wine?" His mouth tugged into something more securely amused. "I would never." He straightened, daring to look cheeky as he lifted the hand braced at her back to claim the fingers curled in his shirt instead; smoothing the clutch from them so that they pressed flat to his chest with his own lain over them. "Who do you think you are, anyway, using my own honky-tonk playlist against me? Besides, you can't just say the lyrics, you've got to sing them."

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes! [break]
Sorry this is a mess lmao, I've gotta go to bed~

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

Let me know if you need me to add or change up anything at all!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
Gemma had listened to the song in his absence. In fact she'd listened to the entire playlist of his honkytonk songs over and over again. And she wasn't even really a fan of country music. But it reminded her of him. Of him stumbling out of a bar. Of his off key belting of the twangy music filled with falling in love and marrying someone who's father hated you. It reminded her of the drunk voicemail he'd left her on the phone Mason had destroyed. The one she'd kept for years just to be able to hear his slurred voice serenading her. Reminded her of wild, loud, unapologetic laughter as they danced and tumbled to the music together. Sometimes it had felt like the only thing that kept her sane. [break][break]

Hearing him say her name now made her grin inch wider. Gemma didn't realize just how much she'd missed just hearing him say her name. Enough that she let it linger in the air between them before he questioned if she was trying to seduce him. The feelings of his arms around her as he pulled her closer to him still so familiar even after six years apart. The warmth of his hands on her lower back as she let out a soft chuckle. "Dino," she purred his name in return as her fingers toyed with the fabric of his shirt. "Have I ever had to try to seduce you?" She teased knowing full well the game they were playing. [break][break]

The sort of intimacy chicken they would play to see who would back down first. Who would become too flustered or laugh and move away. Always hoping that maybe the other wouldn't. Or that maybe they'd finally be brave enough to just throw that caution to the wind. "Would you like me to seduce you?" As she felt his finger against her jaw Gemma let her eyes flutter closed for a moment as she leaned into the familiar touch. When she opened her eyes again her look was softer, less teasing. Only to realize he'd leaned in and her breath caught in her throat for a moment. Then he joked about them not having the wine yet and it was like time started again. [break][break]

The game was over as soon as he straightened up again. But she was happy to feel her hand press against his chest. To feel the soft thud of his heart under her palm and know he was alive. It had always been the most calming thing for her before. Just to know her boys were alive. That they were okay. But she'd been missing one of those heartbeats for six years. "Well maybe we need to pop this bottle open so you can remind me what they're supposed to sound like," her voice returned to something more playful as she composed herself again and smiled up at him. "Come on, give me another shirt to steal."

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

His name on her lips — Dino, not Ashley — almost gave him pause. Threatened to kindle something distantly rationalizing in his skull, reminding him in some, small way, that the game they were playing wasn't one he should rightly belong in anymore. Yet, in the same breath, it also encouraged; allowing him the comfort of knowing she might allow him to slip into that skin he'd worn with her. That it was possible they could resume where they'd left off and that there was a piece of the life he'd left behind, a piece that he hadn't wanted to give up, that he could invite back. That he knew her and she knew him and there were no walls to climb over or chisel back down.[break][break]

But then, wasn't that unfair to her? And what would follow, if he nudged a foot into that crack at the door? What more might he be inviting in? [break][break]

Still, he smiled softly when she continued to tease, implying that she'd never needed to try to seduce him. He lifted a brow and his mouth pulled with a gentle, agreeing slope. She wasn't wrong and there was no point in teasing her otherwise. It'd never required a pretty dress, a sultry tone, or batted lashes to earn a too-long look. She'd always had them. Maybe even more so when she wasn't trying to earn them. During movie marathons, when she'd fallen asleep, bundled head-to-toe in his too-big clothes, dusted in crumbs, and gargling drool or snoring with a foot in his face. When a particularly wild and long night out had already blotched her make-up and scattered her hair. Or when she was just doing her damnedest to be goofy and "unattractive" for a laugh. It'd all been the same. [break][break]

And like now. There was a brief instant, as Ashley tipped closer, where she softened beneath his gaze; looking less mischievous and more simply longing. The feline tease loosened in her eyes, her lips parted around a held inhale, and it was another moment he could add to the previous dozens, where it would have been too easy not to break away. To linger instead. To pause with his breath on her lips, waiting in question.[break][break]

But he pulled away — as he had always done — and watched with a tiny smile as she sifted back into something more playful. She grinned up at him, agreed to a shirt, and suggested that they get to the wine so she might get a repeat performance of his drunken karaoke from the past. Ashley snorted, thinking briefly of all the times he'd been wasted enough to call her up, caterwauling in her voicemail like an unaltered cat. Or those occasions when she carted him and Dane home on wild, self-indulgent nights and they'd both end up cawing along to his achy-breaky love songs before she could kick them to the curb in front of his apartment. [break][break]

He curled his fingers under the palm he held to his chest, laughing quietly before he stood from his leaning and lifted her hand from him so he could twirl her slowly around. With a thoughtful hum, he let both his arms fall around her and hugged her back to him as he plopped his chin atop her head. "Hmm, maybe," he said finally, squeezing her tighter and moving them a couple of stilted steps forward. "But if I'm being honest..." he paused to tuck his lips in a brief press to her hair, then loosened his hold so he could reclaim her hand and give her a soft tug down the hall, toward the stairs. "I really don't get that drunk anymore."[break][break]

Or even half that drunk, really. There'd been a few times he'd let himself drink to excess — shortly after dying, mostly, but sometimes on special occasions — and he'd too often ended up a mess. Now he was careful to only allow himself a few drinks on a semi-frequent basis; mostly beer and never too many. So it could never feel like a crutch. So he never felt deadened enough to remember how good it had once felt and how desperately he had needed it before. [break][break]

He paused at the bottom of the steps and turned; not only wanting her to go first but giving himself another moment to pull her close again. "I'm afraid you'll find I'm actually very boring nowadays." Even though he said it lightly, with a smile teased at his mouth as he glanced down at her, the words thrummed a faint chord of doubt within him. Though said as half a joke, couldn't that be true? They'd spent most of their many years together being wild and having fun. It'd almost been a necessity when they did what they did; when the other half of their lives were spent being scared or ruthless. [break][break]

Fast cars, clubbing, getting into fights, screeching into the night, and simply being young — that was all Dino. None of it was Ashley. Ashley was in bed by 10pm because he had to get up for work at 5am. He left parties (the few he attended) when they got too wild, often never drunk enough to need a ride. And he could sleep through the night without waking, trembling and drenched in sweat as he sought desperately to chase grueling images and memory from his mind. It was a good trade. One he'd make again if given the choice. But what if he'd carved away the pieces of himself that she'd once loved? What if what was left of him wasn't enough? [break][break]

Though it was a sobering thought, and it prickled something vaguely cold within him, as he gazed down at her, he inhaled deep and let his smile widen a fraction. He supposed no matter how much of him had changed, all the bits of Dino that did remain — they all knew her. Reverberated and sung with the knowing of her. And he supposed, if that wasn't enough, then there wasn't anything he would be able to do about it.

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Bro, this is such a wreck, I don't even know why I'm trying to write rn [break]
lmaoooo. Please let me know if you need more to work with, changes, etc!

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

This completely got away from me lol let me know if there's anything at all you need me to change or if there isn't enough to respond to here! It went a little all over the place

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
Part of Gemma wanted so desperately for their reunion to be easy. For things to fall back as if there hadn't been a change. As if hearing that he'd died hadn't ripped her to such shreds that Gemma thought she'd never be able to stitch herself back together again. As if she hadn't woken up most mornings angry that the sun had fallen and risen again so naturally. That the clouds had remained in the sky instead of tumbling to the ground. That the world hadn't crumbled completely with her. That everything kept moving even when all she wanted was for it to stop. [break][break]

Gemma wanted so desperately for things to be easy again. But she was afraid. Afraid of letting him slide back into that space in her heart that he'd left behind in his absence. A space she'd been trying to fill with drinking, painting, other people, anything to make her feel less hollow. Even as she knew nothing would fit into that void. Nothing except for him. And now he was here again and it would have been so easy. But what if she lost him again? Let him reclaim the space that had always been - and would always be, his only for him to leave her again? Gemma wasn't sure she could handle that heartbreak again. The first time had almost killed her - and would have had she not been needed. Had she not needed to be there to offer to help pick up and sort the pieces of all the people his absence had effected. [break][break]

As his fingers curled around her palm and lifted her hand in the air Gemma found herself twirling. The dress fluttering out and twirling with her as she giggled. For the time she decided she didn't want to think about the what ifs. Of what might or might not happen. For the moment she wanted to spend a night laughing and talking and drinking and finding her home in his arms again. She'd allowed herself worse vices before. [break][break]

She leaned into him as he pulled her back to him. Trying to sink into the warmth and safety that she'd once known so well. That still felt familiar. Even after six years, felt like home. As he mentioned that he didn't drink that much anymore Gemma snorted softly. "Good," she said easily. Not that she hadn't found some fun when he was that plastered before. But she'd also known he was doing what all of them were doing. Using the alcohol as a crutch. Using it to drown out his demons for a little while. Only when that hadn't worked he'd always turned to something stronger. Something that inevitably fed them instead. "If we're being honest, I don't usually drink that much either anymore." [break][break]

Gemma did still drink, probably a little more than she should. Margaritas while out for dinner with the girls. A round of shots when she decided to go out to the club. A few glasses of wine to help make it easier to pretend someone else was Dino. But she didn't drink nearly as often or as much as she did in her teens and early twenties. She laughed softly as he moved them forward before he took her hand to lead her to the stairs. When he paused she'd moved to take a step up before he pulled her back to him. Her arms wrapped around him easily and she pressed herself close to him. When she heard him say she would find him boring Gemma smiled full of warmth. Full of that same longing she'd felt when they were in the kitchen. The same longing she'd always felt for him. "Good," she breathed full of sincerity. [break][break]

Gemma's favorite moments with Dino had always been the calm moments. Doing their homework together in highschool. When he'd learned to braid just so she could sit in front of him while he played with her hair. When they would nestle together in her bed and watch a movie. When she would make dinner for all of them and feel his arms wrap around her waist and his weight against her back as he told her the food smelled good. Moments that were so mundane, so boring, so painfully normal that Gemma was able to forget about everything else. Forget that she was a monster. Forget that anyone had any reason to fear any of them. [break][break]

"Come on," her voice was gentle as she took his hand. Pressed his palm to her chest just over her heart for a moment as she smiled up at him. She squeezed his hand before moving back with her fingers wrapped with his up the stairs. "I promise I'll at least make your birthday fun."

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

Good.[break][break]

Once more, the warm way the reassurance left her lips and the palpable sincerity of it threatened a pleasant clench in the center of his chest. She sunk into him and the doubts were soothed almost entirely from his mind at the feel of her weight and the sound of her voice. And once more, he had to acknowledge how familiar it all was. How familiar she was against him. And — perhaps a little less pleasantly — how there was also a familiar, underlying trepidation nipping, unwelcome, at the edges of that warmth he wanted to drown in. [break][break]

It wasn't a fear exactly as he remembered it. Before, it had always been his father's voice in his head, telling him and reminding him, 'you aren't permitted this'. And Dino had been bold. But only in half-measures. Thinking an unspoken rebuttal — 'why not? Why not?' — as he snuck away to her bed or wrapped around her in the streets and in their homes. Buried smiles and laughs into her neck with his arms around her. But he'd always pulled back, only teased, never committed, kept girlfriends. Always leaning in. Always brushing fingers. But also always aware of the ink etched into his skin.[break][break]

Now, though, there was no tattoo on his chest. He hadn't wilted under the heavy weight of his father's gaze in years. And he couldn't help the quiet voice in his head while he watched her back as she pulled him up the stairs — 'why not? Why not?'[break][break]

Three dogs barreled up with them, two squeezing in the small space on either side of Gemma and practically herding her to the right when she reached the top of the staircase; leaving no question as to which closed door led to his bedroom. Stifling a grin, Ashley leaned forward to turn the knob. The dogs shoved the door open and he flicked the light on as they flung themselves into his bed, huffing and snorting happily as they rooted into the blankets.[break][break]

Stepping after her, Ashley turned them toward the master closet directly to their left, flipping on that light as well. "Here we are," he said, glancing around. It was a neat and organized space, far unlike what his "closet" had looked like as Dino — what had essentially been a hamper of clean clothes, a pile of dirty clothes, and an undesignated place for the "in-between"s. Now, everything was folded and sorted properly. Dress shirts together, slacks together, shoes tucked in cubbies... his eye lingered on the far wall, stocked with a great number of hoodies, all collected from places he'd traveled. [break][break]

His mouth quirked as he recalled how Gemma had always coveted away a couple of his jackets. And how, occasionally, one of her boyfriends would return them to him with loaded eyes. Dino had always smiled at them as he took them back, thinking (perhaps a little too smugly) and knowing that she'd be back in one of them by the week's end. As openly amicable as he'd been toward any of them — unless they'd upset her in any way, of course — he'd still always had a very underhanded way of being a prick. And been quite proud of it at the time.[break][break]

"You can borrow whatever you want," he continued, amusement at the remembering evident in his voice. He gave her hand a faint squeeze then pulled away, slipping his fingers from her grasp. He moved further into the room, paused to pat down a dog who wriggled before him, and then stepped into the master bathroom. He flicked on the light, pulled the shirt over his head to toss into the hamper just outside the bathroom door, and peered at himself in the mirror. After a moment, he washed his hands and leaned closer over the sink to remove his contacts. [break][break]

Blinking hard, he watched his own eyes and studied the natural brown of them. Not as dark as Dane's and his mother's but colored more like honey or amber. More like his father's. His lips tucked and he wondered whether or not Gemma had been bothered by the blue. At the thought, his brow knit just barely at the center and he frowned at himself. His gaze flickered from his face and to the scar tissue stretched across his chest.[break][break]

Was he being foolish? For six years he had been so careful. Hid himself so well. Even from himself most days. He had let himself move on. But Gemma had waltzed back into his life — no, he'd invited her — for only a short moment and here he was... what? Hoping for something? Turning to glance over his shoulder at what he wasn't meant to, like some silly boy from a Greek myth? [break][break]

He shook his head, fingers curling briefly against the marble of the countertop beneath him, and then he pushed the thoughts down as he stepped from the sink. He toed out of his pants, tossed them in the hamper with his shirt, and moved back into the room and toward his bed. He pulled on the sweatpants he'd set out earlier that day when changing for the beach and ran a hand over his head. He'd planned to take a shower as soon as he got home to wash the scent of smoke from his hair, the sand from between his toes, and the faint sweat from the rest of him, but he supposed it would have to wait. [break][break]

He moved back to the closet, brow quirking with interest as he announced himself in an easy rumble: "Alright, what'd we find?" He peeked cautiously inside and reached for the nearest hangar to pull down a shirt.


[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Sorry this one's a mess too lmao. Give me a nudge for changes!

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

This is kind of all over the place lol please let me know if you need something more to work with or if you need to to change somethings up!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
As they started walking up the stairs again the group of excited dogs barreling past them made Gemma giggle as she attempted to give them more space to make it up first. Clearly they were excited at the concept of getting to the bed. At least it helped lead her to the room she needed to go to. She idly wondered how many bedrooms the house had. If he'd added more than one to turn it into some kind of office or workout room. Or under the expectation that one day it might house some little one. Once the door opened she stepped in and noticed that it didn't remind her at all of Dino's old room. Not that she really expected it to after seeing the other parts of his house [break][break]

She'd always hoped before that he might become cleaner when they were younger. When he was a little more mature. When he wasn't so overcome with the chaos in his mind that could only be drowned out with drugs and alcohol. It was still strange not seeing empty and half empty beer bottles sitting on his nightstand. No dirty shoes and socks just strewn about. No pile of dirty clothes shoved into a corner with a hamper full of clean clothes that she would occasionally fold and put away for him when she was in one of her anger cleaning moods. [break][break]

As he opened the closet she looked inside to see the hung up, unwrinkled clothing and shoes tucked away into a little cubby. "Oh thank god I don't have to clean anything," she teased with a playful grin. She remembered all the shirts she would steal to sleep in. The hoodies she would covet and hide away not only just because they were his but because she was always cold. Gemma remembered sneaking her ice cold hands under Dino's shirt to press against his back or sides when he least expected it. Or sneaking up on Dane to touch her frigid fingers to the side of his neck. [break][break]

Gemma had never tried to hide her feelings for Dino. She tried to burry them for a while. Would try to pull back. To sever them so to save her own heart. Because she knew they couldn't be together. Her father and Antonio had made that very clear that the Gatsby girls couldn't become romantic with the Wayland boys. She always assumed they were worried about a couple of reckless, hellbent teens accidentally bringing another Gifted monstrosity into the world. Gemma had always been carful to make sure the guys she dated were humans. She would flirt with other Hunters. Bat her lashes, dance with him, kiss them, but she'd never gone past that. [break][break]

But there was no Antonio to worry about here. No scrutinizing eyes of their fathers to separate them. They weren't a couple of reckless, hellbent teens anymore. No more barrier to dampen her feelings. Feelings she'd hoped before would let go of her heart. But now he was hear and that call for him that she'd tried to drown out for the past six years was screaming in her chest. [break][break]

She took a breath as she pulled her hair out of its ponytail. She set the scrunchie down on one of the cubbies then stripped out of her dress and let it pool on the floor. She grabbed a black tshirt and pulled it on. As they always had it engulfed her smaller frame, stopping just below the top of her thighs. Her hair fanned out around her, framing her face and cascading down her back in dark brown waves. Looking far less done up than she had a moment ago but far closer to the easy comfort and warm relaxation she'd always shared with Dino. [break][break]

Her fingers ran over the collection of hoodies and jackets. Remembering the boyfriends that would get so heated knowing she was wearing another boys hoodies. All the times she would roll her eyes, claim it wasn't a big deal. But would inevitably wind up right back in one of Dino's hoodies less than a week later. Because they were his. Because it was a bigger deal than she admitted. [break][break]

When she heard his voice Gemma turned around and held out her arms to show him the "new look" with a small smile. Though as she stepped closer she noticed something different. The contacts were gone and it was his eyes again. The eyes she'd spent more than half her life getting lost in. Watching the sunlight dance in the amber hues. Like melted chocolate and caramel. A small, relieved sigh escaped her with a warm smile. "There you are," she said softly, almost under her breath. Though his face was fuller with health and his hair was shorter Gemma swore she would always know those eyes.

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

He lifted his brow as she turned, arms lifted on either side of her and mouth tipped in a small grin to show off her new attire. The shirt was too big (obviously), she'd let her hair down, and Ashley was struck by the immediate and immutable opinion that he loved her like this. Would choose the look of her in just one of his shirts over a dress any night. It put to mind those days he'd spent tossing her, screaming and giggling, across couches. When they fell asleep to movies they'd seen dozens of times already. Woke up to sunlight seeping through her windows, somehow pulled nearer during the night. [break][break]

She stepped closer and Ashley knew for a fact he probably looked like a man slapped; arm still raised and hand still poised, unmoving, on the hangar beneath his fingers. He pulled back into himself as she smiled up at him — noticing his eyes in a soft way that threatened to still him once more. He grinned back, finally taking down the shirt and tossing it over a shoulder. "Here I am," he confirmed, arching a brow. "And here you are." A hint of mischief seeped into his tone as he gazed down at her. [break][break]

"I was wrong," he tucked his lips into a pretended frown as he dropped his eyes in another sweep of her. "I don't think the shirt is quite long enough to be considered a dress. Not that I haven't seen you in shorter ones. And —" he shot her a quick wink, smile curled playfully, as he bent to pluck her dress from the floor. "Not that I mind very much."[break][break]

He poked the dress onto the hangar in his hands and turned away from her to place it on the hook of his closet door. With his back safely turned, he let the toying grin slip into a slight grimace. The tease was almost an instinct. A deflection he'd learned too long ago and too well to wield as a way to cut short anything else he might want to say or do. It felt a lot like running away, like pulling away, and it was. He blinked at the white fabric before him as he took a purposely long moment to smooth it down, then huffed a soft, decided breath through his nose.[break][break]

"Gemma," he started, the tease decidedly gone from his voice as he cleared his features and turned back to her. Her name left his mouth in a quiet tone that was, somehow, equal parts willful and hesitant. Before he could consider any of the reasons he shouldn't — the most blaring of them being that there was six years of so much he'd missed and he hadn't given her the time to be truly angry with him for it — he stepped to her. [break][break]

Slowly, watching his own movements, he lifted a hand through the air to tuck back some of the hair that framed her face; breathing deep as he slipped his fingers around the nape of her neck and smoothed his thumb at the hinge of her jaw. He didn't lean in, though, as he sifted his gaze to her eyes. He didn't want it to feel like it always had. Didn't like the idea that it could be mistaken for some unintentional slip-up or mishap in the usual game they played. His lips parted. Pressed back together. He steadied himself and lifted his other hand to trace just his thumb gingerly across the underside of her other jaw, the rest of his fingers kept curled into his palm.[break][break]

"Can I kiss you?" There was nothing sly in it. No quiet, baiting undertone of mischief or tease. His voice was only soft and he tried to fill it with sincerity; with longing and, perhaps, even some sort of apology for all the times before when he hadn't. Hadn't allowed himself to be so transparent and honest. He swallowed, keeping the breath that followed the question trapped in his chest.

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
hello, here is the most speedrun post of my life ;v;[break]
i paused the 2005 movie-adaption of doom for this i hope u kno [break]
give me a nudge for any changes, sowwy if it's messy

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Gemma Gatsby]

[nospaces] [googlefont=Oswald|Roboto:400,700]

[attr="class","sixShwhole"]

[attr="class","sixShimg"]

[attr="class","sixShoutline"]

[attr="class","sixShextra"]

[attr="class","sixShtiny"]TAGGED:

Ashley Wolfe

[attr="class","sixShnotes"]NOTES:

I feel so special! TT~TT let me know if this needs any changes or tweaks at all!

[attr="class","sixShlyric"]

put your hands up

[attr="class","sixShcred"]SELKIE

[attr="class","sixShright"]

[attr="class","sixShly"]
loaded the bullets with my blood in the rounds

[attr="class","sixShpost"]
Gemma loved being dolled up. She loved having her makeup done, her nails done, her hair done. A nice outfit that hugged her body like a second skin and showed her in the most flattering and breathtaking light. Because Gemma knew she looked good. She hardly needed to be told but she loved showing off just how hot she could be. But she'd never felt more truly, unquestioningly beautiful as when Dino looked at her. When all the make up was gone, her hair was down or just up in some easy bun. When she was relaxed and comfortable and not trying to show off her assets. No one had ever looked at her the way he did. [break][break]

She was used to desire. The look, especially in a mans eyes, to claim her. That unmistakable look of heat and need and hunger as their eyes traveled over her. But when Dino looked at her, really looked at her, she felt warmth. She felt the same longing and need she felt echoed back to her. She felt safety and want. It reminded her of nights spent sat on her bathroom counter while she covered his face in her own skin treatment. Of squealing and giggling as he chased after her to pick her up and toss her on her bed. Of stifling laughter and shushing each other so as to not wake up their parents. Of mornings waking up with their bodies tangled together like vines. [break][break]

Seeing that look now brought back a familiar flame in her chest. Stoked what she had thought, had hoped, were ashes and found the the still burning embers underneath. He breathed them to life and Gemma felt lighter than air. His teasing was familiar all the same. When that barrier between them would start to crack. Start to slowly chip away and one of them would inevitably begin patching it in a panic. Playful, flirtatious teasing that they both knew wouldn't go anywhere. "I don't know," she said as she looked down at the shirt. Trying to reign in that flame again before it started. "I think with a nice belt and pair of heels, maybe some fishnets, this could be darling," she teased in an attempt to match his more mischievous tone. [break][break]

As he turned around to hang up her dress Gemma let her smile drop a bit. She took a breath to try and settle her feelings. Six years was a long time. She didn't even know if Dino still felt the same for her. Truly, they'd never really gone over the extents of their feelings, she wasn't sure if he ever felt as strongly for her as she had for him. They'd been young then and had only really had the four of them. If he'd changed so much she could only assume his heart had too. [break][break]

Gemma looked up to the sound of her name. Trying to will that smile back to her lips. But his tone didn't have the same teasing it did before. It had lost that playful mischief that they'd always used before. As his hand brushed back her hair and rested on the nape of her neck she felt a small shiver run up her spine at the touch. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment as her own dark eyes flickered to his. His other thumb brushed her skin as well and she couldn't help the way she leaned into the touch. Her eyes fluttered closed for a split second. Before he asked her something he'd never asked before. [break][break]

Her eyes snapped open again as she looked up at him. She scanned his face for some kind of joke. To see if he was teasing her. If this was just another part of the game they'd played for years. But his voice and his face was full of sincerity. Of the trepidation and longing that matched her own. Gemma's lips parted for a second but no sound came out. Her mouth wouldn't form words. Instead she reached up to run her fingers through his hair with one hand. Tangling her fingers in his dark locks as her other hand moved up to cup his cheek as she stepped closer, closing that gap between them entirely. Then her feet were off the ground. [break][break]

Gemma floated up until she could find herself at eye level with him and pressed some soft kisses over both of his cheeks. His forehead, the tip of his nose, finishing the last few kisses she owed him for his birthday. Before finally, the last one she owed, Gemma took a small breath and let her lips press to his. Hesitant at first but soft and warm and full of a need she'd felt since she was fourteen.

[attr="class","sixShly"]
she's a sweet six shooter she knows how to get down

[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShlyric]top:92px;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShpost b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes b] color:#B5634E; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb] background-color: #B5634E;[/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShwhole] width:475px; height:400px;padding:5px;background-color:#FAFAFA;border:1px solid #dadada; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShimg] float:left; width:200px; height:400px; background-image:url(http://placehold.it/200x400.png); overflow:hidden; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShoutline] position:absolute; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; height:378px; overflow:hidden; width:178px; border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShextra] position:relative; top:378px; transition:1s all;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny] background-color:#fff; position:relative;text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:14px; height:13px; padding:2px 5px; overflow:hidden; border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShtiny a]font-size:9px!important;font-family:roboto!important;font-weight:normal!important;line-height:14px!important; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes] background-color:#fff; position:relative; font-family:roboto; font-size:9px; line-height:13px; height:26px; overflow:auto; padding:3px 4px; text-align:justify;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShlyric] width:248px;height:35px;background-color:#222;color:#fff;font-size:20px;line-height:35px;letter-spacing:-.5px;font-family:oswald;text-transform:uppercase;position:relative;top:-35px;left:-25px;transition:1s all;transform:rotate(0deg); [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShwhole:hover .sixShextra] top:328px; transition:1s all; transition-delay:.5s; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShaccent] color:#999; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShright] float:right; width:275px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost] background-color:#FAFAFA;height:352px; overflow:auto; text-align:justify; font-family:roboto; font-size:11px; line-height:17px; padding:5px;color:#5a5a5a; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShly] background-color:#999; letter-spacing:.5px;font:700 7px roboto;text-transform:uppercase; height:13px; line-height:13px; padding:3px; color:#fff; [/newclass]

[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-track] background-color: #fff; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar] width:2px; background-color: #fff;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShnotes::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border:0px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar] width:5px;border:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]border-top:1px solid #fafafa; border-bottom:1px solid #fafafa;border-left:0px;border-right:0px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShpost::-webkit-scrollbar-track]background-color: #fafafa; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred] color:#fff; font:700 7px roboto; position:relative; top:355px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sixShcred a] color:#fff!important;font:700 7px roboto!important;[/newclass]

[Ashley Wolfe]

[nospaces]

AND I'LL DREAM EACH NIGHT

of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose

[break]

[attr="class","kestrelflight-text"]

Gemma leaned into his touch, her eyes slipping closed and her soft smile looking fleetingly hollow in a familiar way that panged him. It was his own curbed want, his own resigned acceptance of what they were, mirrored back at him, and he recognized it. He brushed his thumb gingerly against her jaw, desiring nothing more than to smooth the feeling away. To leave it in the past as he'd done so many other things. [break][break]

Then, at his question, her lids flew back open and her eyes darted searchingly between his own. He tried to remain steady and reassuring under her gaze but, when her lips parted and she said nothing, he felt his chest tighten around the breath he held trapped there. Was she searching for the words to let him down easy? Perhaps he had been right — it'd been too long. Things were too changed. He'd hurt her too bad to reconcile. Six years of absence had cooled her feelings for him (and made the many years of toying before it inconsequential). She lifted one hand to sift through his hair and another to cup at his cheek and it all felt like a preemptive attempt to soothe the burn of her rejection. Ashley calmly braced himself for it; tipping his face apologetically against her palm and letting his eyes slowly close.[break][break]

She lifted herself from the ground and he let a small, fond smile pull at his mouth as she pressed some ginger kisses to his cheeks, to his forehead, and to the tip of his nose. Warmth nipped at him, at his skin and in his chest, with each one. It was probably for the best, he decided. And even if this was all he was allowed, it would be enough. It had always been enough.[break][break]

Then Gemma pressed her lips to his and Ashley knew he was lying.[break][break]

It wouldn't have been enough and it had never been enough. All his wasted years spent kissing other girls, trying to find pieces of her in someone else — that had never been enough. Even now, convinced as he was that he'd moved on from Dino's ways and wants, some repressed piece of him acknowledged that if he did manage to find someone else, truly find someone else, it probably wouldn't be enough. He had no doubt that he could be happy and content and, given enough time, could even love someone who wasn't her but — as his body slackened and his breath skipped through his nose and he felt years and years of longing, anticipation, and want compound itself entirely into the hesitant brush of her mouth — he knew that no other person could have him as completely and wholly as she could. No one else could have all of him because some sliver of him, no matter what, no matter how much he tried to hide or forget it or how small he managed to shrink it, would always be hers.[break][break]

His brow knit at the center and his touch at the nape of her neck braced more firmly; fingers slipping into her hair as he parted his lips against hers, wanting nothing more than to deepen that hesitance into something more deliberate and intentional. His chest yawned, feeling impossibly too small and too big simultaneously, and he immediately wished he was turning forty, fifty, maybe even ninety-nine years old, just for the excuse for more. The hand at her jaw slipped to her neck and brushed across her shoulder as it snaked around her back, fingers spread wide and wanting to knead as he pulled her closer against him.[break][break]

He breathed a soft, quiet laugh when he pulled reluctantly back, wetting his lips to savor the taste of her left there. "If only I'd asked you that ten years ago," he hummed musingly, tipping forward to touch his forehead to hers. [break][break]

"Should we go have that wine now?" He paused, tipping to brush the side of his nose gingerly against hers and press a smaller kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Watch a movie?" He trailed his lips closer to her jaw, pursing them there with the same, soft and quick chasteness, even as he couldn't completely stifle the enticing thought of his mouth finding her neck. Tracing the shape of her collarbone. Brushing across her stomach. Tasting the skin of her thighs. It was too quick, too Wayland, and he wanted to do this right. But, still, a voice cried wantingly in the back of his mind — 'why not, why not'? And was it too quick, when he'd let himself entertain such thoughts and fervent imaginings for years? When he'd done it all so wrong for so long already? [break][break]

It was up to her. But, still, Ashley didn't have to dig deep to find that boldness that had belonged to him as Dino; the playful desire to entice and thrill (made sharper now by this small allowance) that had belonged to her when he'd been Dino. His smile pulled the tiniest bit wider and his hand smoothed from the press at her back to her ribs, arm tightening in a more bracing hold around her as he loosened the clasp of his other hand at her neck and skipped it down her side. He hooked his fingers beneath a thigh, trying to coax her to wrap her legs around his middle and giving her a lift so she had to look down at him. With her Gift in play, she was almost too movable — he longed to feel the weight of her against him — but he wasn't nearly fussed enough to pout as he slowly turned and stepped them from the closet. [break][break]

He tipped his face to peer up at her, eyes dark even as he kept his smile effortlessly soft. "Or can I keep kissing you?"

[break]

now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes[break]and i'm split in half but that'll have to do

Tag: Gemma Gatsby [break]
Wew, sorry this is a mess lmao. [break]
Give me a nudge for any changes, if I did too much, etc.!

[newclass=.kestrelflight-text b]color:#2F4845;font-size:8pt!important;font-weight:700!important;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif!important;[/newclass][newclass=.kestrelflight-text a]font-size:8pt!important;font-family:Open Sans!important;[/newclass][googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]