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[allgotrabies]

Hey, it's Annie, you know what to do.

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[allgotrabies]

"Yeah." It's a thought that crosses her mind just about every time she's near him. "Sometimes I just like to tease him, but if he wants me I want him, you know what I mean?"

At least Gerard is asking questions. She realizes now that she'd been braced for judgment.

[madaboutit]

Oh.

His eyes fall to the floor with a bit of panic. He doesn't feel the need to run, he just isn't sure what to do next.

"So...so I ruin it." It's less a question and more his coming to his own terms with things. About how he's doing wrong in trying to do right.

[allgotrabies]

"Hey," stepping a little closer to try to get him to look at her again. "I like you. And you can't help this situation any more than he can. You aren't doing anything wrong, and- and I like seeing you."

Which is why she feels guilty. She doesn't know what Gerard is exactly, if Iris is right and he's a piece of Sweeney that needs to be integrated somehow. She does know that it hurts Sweeney and she does not want that; but she also doesn't want Gerard to hurt.

[madaboutit]

He dwells on her words, but somehow, they don't offer the comfort he assumes she intends. His lips flex, and he straightens before he answers.

"But if I can find a way to control it, you'd want me to. So you can be...with him." It's a statement, though it contains more of a question than the last.

[allgotrabies]

"I didn't say that." She gives him a stern look. "Do I want to not be interrupted naked? Sure. I think you don't like seeing me naked, either. But it doesn't mean I don't ever want to see you."

[madaboutit]

That's one of the problems. Gerard does like seeing her naked. Too much. But he can't help it; even in this moment he can feel the warmth of her wrapped around him, thrusting down on him.

The color in his ears rushes to his face. He nods quickly in acknowledgement of her interest in his company. He would like that too. But then a silence hangs as he looks for the words. When he finds them, they're soft and laced with embarrassment.

"I didn't mean to...I mean--it's just--" He understands he's terrible at this. Gerard manages a small shrug as he stares at the floor between them.

"You're just the first woman I've...been with." He hadn't had the whole of the act, admittedly, but plenty to understand the rush and the bliss of being inside her.

If there's any doubt of the fondness of the memory, it can be quickly be banished with a glance downward. Curse this man and his inability to find appropriately-fitted trousers. Or at least some proper undergarments.

[allgotrabies]

Oh. Oh, that explains so much.

"Ever?" Is what she asks, without thinking, trying to imagine anyone else she's ever known who waited past sixteen.

[madaboutit]

His lashes flutter and he tries to swallow back his discomfort enough to answer. He folds his hands in front of him, subconsciously attempting to hide his body's yearning.

"Ever," he confirms.

[allgotrabies]

"I'm sorry," she breathes, remembering the way he'd looked at her that first night when she was so close she didn't recognize that shift of personality until later. "I'm...I'm the worst person to have for a first."

It's not her looking for reassurance. She is, objectively, a terrible choice for a first partner: non-monogamous, casual, confusing. "Your first should have been with someone you love and trust."

[madaboutit]

Probably. But it's too late now.

Gerard doesn't know what to do with all of this. He'd gotten some form of clarification on the important things, but now...

"I just--I don't want you to think--" How can he even start to explain it? "--It isn't that I don't find you attractive."

So...that probably didn't come out as delicately as it probably should have.

Probably. But it's too late now.

[allgotrabies]

Even when he's letting her down he's sweet, she thinks, and almost wants to hug him. "No, I know. I mean, I understand."

[madaboutit]

But can she really understand? His brows furrow as he searches the back of his eyelids.

"I--I know that things are...complicated." Gerard's eyes return their focus to the floor.

"But...I thought, maybe--if you're interested--we might try starting over."

[allgotrabies]

"You don't know what you'd be getting into," she says, even as her mind tries to imagine what it would be like. No one like Gerard has ever been interested in her. "I'm a wolf. A werewolf, Gerard. And Sweeney...how can we help him if...?"

[madaboutit]

Alright. Werewolf is a thing, admittedly, but he's working on the 'people here are very strange'. But the other part lifts his eyes to hers, his brow quirked in question.

"If what?"

[allgotrabies]

"If I'm always distracting you." She spends her time with Sweeney distracting him. Spends her time with all her friends as entertainment or distraction, really.

[madaboutit]

His expression shifts lower in confusion. He understands the idea, but is getting a lot of mixed signals.

"So...you don't want to...socialize?"

[allgotrabies]

Her answer is quick, almost before he finishes asking. "No- I mean yes, I do. I do want to. I'm really screwing this up." She pushes her hair back, starts again. "I want to be friends. I want to get to know you more."

[madaboutit]

He's still confused, but he's lips raise into a smile, and he nods tightly.

"I'd like that very much. To know you more as well."

[allgotrabies]

His answer gives her a quick flood of relief. "So tell me a little about you. What do you like to do for fun?"

[madaboutit]

"OH. Um..." He wasn't expecting the question. Or really the fact that they'd be starting immediately.

"I read, mostly. I don't get out that much. But! I do enjoy the opera or an occasional ball, if I get the chance." It's so refreshing to get out and about when he's able.

"And you?"

[allgotrabies]

"I love to dance, and surf, and swim. I'm not great at reading but I've been trying to learn to do it better here. I really like mythology." She's sizing him up though, imagining he's got all of Sweeney's latent dancing talents.

[madaboutit]

His grin blossoms; he's thrilled that they already enjoy similar things, but with the opportunity for him to help her with others. Something does strike him though.

"What's surfing?"

[allgotrabies]

This? This is her favorite thing.

"Come on. Come on we're going to the Enclosure. Meet me there in twenty minutes, okay? I'll get someone to let us in. And I have to change."

[madaboutit]

"Um...alright." Her excitement is infectious, but he doesn't know what he's meant to do with it. So he just can't stop smiling.

How did they get here? Wasn't this uncomfortably awkward only moments ago?

"Do I need to change as well?" He will require some clarification as to the proper attire. Even if Sweeney is terribly lacking in options.

[allgotrabies]

"Only if you want to get in the water." Sweeney never does, she doesn't think he owns anything remotely swim-appropriate. "Nah you're good like this."