Liam Pucey (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} liamsearching) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} 20somethings,@ 2022-03-05 23:48:00 |
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| Entry tags: | c: celestina knottingley, c: liam pucey, d: 2028 03, ~ complete, Ω: rp |
RP: Gooseberry
Who: Liam/Tina
What: A potions mishap interrupts an intimate moment.
When: 5 March 2028
Where: Tina's cottage
Warnings: UST
Completion Status: Complete
Ever since that double date with Raz and Jules, Tina had been working on making different hair care products for men and women. She had branched out to friends, giving Juliet ones that would change her hair color on a whim, Hailey ones that would strengthen her hair, getting rid of loose ends, and for Kenzie she had mixed up a deep conditioning curl treatment that smelled of the most beautiful flowers. Mostly to hide the smell of weed that always seemed to cling to Kenzie.
It was the men’s products that she had been working on lately. Liam was going to be trying out the shampoo and conditioner for her tonight, it was her first batch. She had gotten a little carried away when she had been brewing it earlier today, she had put maybe a touch too many of the roses that had been growing around the bench where they’d first kissed. This batch was maybe specifically for Liam. She was rather proud of it, even if it may have had an extra flowery scent to it. She hoped he wouldn’t mind it.
The cottage had so quickly become their own little sanctuary, finding solace in the fact they had their own space. Tina had slowly been unpacking her boxes that she had stored at her mothers, without space for them at Clary’s. They both were becoming comfortable, so comfortable that when they’d spoken of meeting up there tonight, she’d just assumed he’d come find her in the lab. She had mentioned that she was going to be bottling the conditioner while she waited for him to arrive.
Tina stood there at the large wooden desk her father had used for his own potion mixing, using the same ladle to spoon the brilliant blue liquid into the bottle she had waiting in her other hand. She had worn an outfit she wouldn’t mind if it got ruined from the products: a pair of worn in blue jeans and a blue t-shirt that hugged her slender frame. Her blonde-pink hair was pulled back into two low braided ponytails. As she focused on the task at hand, she found her nose suddenly itchy. She was whining softly, trying to lean forward and rub her nose against her arm. Gloved hands were covered in potion that had slipped out, she didn’t want to waste it sneezing into it! “Liam!” she called out, thinking she may have just heard a pop. “My nose itches! Help! Hands in goo!”
Life was going extraordinarily well for Liam. Personally, at least. Professionally, he still hadn't cracked the big gender identity confirming potion he'd been working on for well over a year, despite early promising results. He'd had other minor successes in that time, and so he wasn't anxious about his standing at work, but the project was an important one to him that he desperately wanted to solve.
Personally, though, things with Tina were progressing at a pace that felt more comfortable and natural than any relationship he'd ever had. They'd snogged plenty and cuddled to their hearts content, but it seemed that she was just as comfortable with not rushing the physical side of things as he was. That didn't mean he wasn't thinking about it, though. He loved her, and the more their relationship progressed, the more he yearned to show her physically, and he hoped she would know that it meant a lot for him to get there.
When she'd invited him over to test some of the products she'd been working on outside of work (something he'd encouraged if she was thinking she might develop a line of beauty products, even if his dad might frown at it happening away from Pucey Potions), Liam had assumed she would want him to test the products properly, in the shower. And so, he'd packed a small bag with a change of clothes and a few personal grooming supplies before heading over.
Hearing her call out after he apparated in, Liam hurried into the lab, chuckling just a bit. He crossed immediately to her and lifted his free hand to scratch the tip of her nose. "Better?" he asked, knowing all too well how intense an itch could get when you absolutely could not scratch it.
Hearing him rushing into the lab a moment later had her grinning, she had been right, she had heard him. She only stilled her hands as he reached his hand out, leaning into him so that she could direct him to the itch by moving under his hand. "Oh, that's perfect," she sighed happily as he scratched the spot. "Thank you so much," she said happily, her attention back on the bottle in hand. It was then that she leaned out towards him to steal a kiss as additional thanks. She quickly finished filling it then, just before she was corking it, and setting it down next to the matching bottle of shampoo that was labeled with her neat script that it was "Liam Shampoo". Named for the man she had been brewing it for.
"I've just finished, I even mixed in some of the roses from the green house," she told him excitedly, while starting to take off her gloves now that the shampoo and conditioner were bottled. "It's hopefully going to just soften your hair." She was so excited, she had even gotten out some of the extra towels for the sink that was in the corner of the lab. She assumed she'd be washing his hair in there, she even gave a glance over towards the corner to check that she had in fact set out the towels.
He dropped his hand once she made it clear he'd itched the right spot for her, leaning in to return the kiss, though he would wait until her hands weren't covered in goo for a proper kiss. Liam took a step back and leaned against the table to watch her work, enjoying the smooth, efficient way her hands moved. As well as he'd gotten to know her over the last year, he knew that she had a bit of anxiety and insecurity with some things, something that had surprised him because she was so confident and assured professionally. It was something he really admired about her.
"I'm sure it will be wonderful," he said, missing the way she looked over at the sink, it not even occurring to him that she could wash his hair for him there. "I think it's fantastic you're doing this. You're so creative." Not that she couldn't pursue creativity at Pucey Potions, but she deserved the opportunity to make a name for herself.
His compliments always made her turn to goo, the fluttering in her belly exciting, and terrifying. It was so much more intense than anything she'd felt for Miguel, which had her terrified to trust it. The last thing she wanted was for them to burn out the way she and Miguel had. She was falling so hard for him, standing there in her pitiful little lab, biting her full lower lip coyly at his compliments. How had she gotten so lucky? "Thank you, I'm really looking forward to washing your hair. It's silly, but there's something incredibly exciting about the fact that it's going to be my product..." she admitted in a rush, unable to keep her excitement to herself. She was enjoying sharing the process with him.
"I don't know if this will become more than something I do for us, but it's a fun pastime. Something I can work on while at home," she didn't sound as excited about it as she tried to come off. Living at Clary's was starting to not work for her. She was spending so much time at their cottage, even without Liam, that it was becoming silly to make the trip back to Clary's at night to sleep. Some nights she had stayed at the cottage. Something she wasn't exactly ready to poke at just yet.
When she said the bit about her washing his hair, his brows furrowed, head tilting slightly. Did she mean for them to shower together? But no, they hadn't even been intimate yet! That seemed unlikely. "...You'll be washing it?" he prompted, thinking it the best--and only--way for them to get on the same page about it. He quite enjoyed the thought of her washing his hair, but he wasn't sure they were ready for showering together.
"Whatever you decide to do with it, it's exciting," he told her, his pride in her still shining through his tone.
"If you don't mind?" she was suddenly worried that he may not want her washing his hair. Wouldn't that be a shame? She may have pouted at the idea that he was turning down her washing his hair. "I've got the sink set up," she said helpfully, now motioning towards the sink in the corner she had set up for just this moment. Had he thought she wanted to get into the shower with him? That was the moment a light bulb went off, eyes widening in surprise. "Oh! I-We-," she was flustered now, images of a naked Liam dancing in her head. Naked and in her shower, Gods that was... Such a great sight.
While he was processing his own misunderstanding of the situation, Liam still noticed the moment she realized what he'd assumed, and a slow smile spread across his lips as she became increasingly flustered. He dropped his bag on the lab floor and reached out to her, his hands curling warmly around her hips and pulling her close. Without a word, he ducked his head and brushed a light, warm kiss against her lips before pulling back enough to meet her eyes.
"I simply misunderstood. I would love for you to wash my hair," he told her, his voice soft and comforting. "And perhaps someday you'll allow me the pleasure of returning the favor." He couldn't quite help the way his eyes ticked down to her lips and back, thinking more about the physical side of things lately.
Her heart fluttered as those warm large hands pulled her in close, their lips meeting in a loving kiss. They moved beautifully together, her own eyes sparkling as their gaze met a moment later. She was mortified still, but it felt so right to be there in his arms. She found her mouth suddenly dry at the mention of returning the favor, her own eyes glancing at his lips. "I would really enjoy that," was all she could get out. Now all she could think about was the two of them in the shower, his hands in her hair.
Instead of letting the silence swallow them, she lifted herself up to press her lips against his in another kiss. They had been interrupted the last few times things had felt charged like they did just then. She didn't want to lose another moment, work was torture as it was. They had to be professional in the workplace, the last thing she needed was someone thinking she'd gotten the position in R&D by sleeping with Liam. It would cheapen the very beautiful thing they had together.
There was something in her words, in the way she looked up at him, that set Liam on fire. As she pressed up against him, he pulled her closer, his mouth moving over hers firmer and with purpose, claiming her lips in a way that would embarrass him were he aware of it. For a long time, he'd thought he simply didn't have much of a sex drive, but in time he'd learned that his sex drive was closely tied with his emotional connection with the person, and he wasn't sure he'd ever felt so strongly about anyone before her.
Liam shifted, his hands guiding her hips so that her back was pressed against the lab table, and his mouth opened, tongue swiping out to deepen the kiss.
There was something so thrilling about seeing this side of Liam. Being able to see and more importantly feel his passion, had her breathless. Her head tipped into the kiss, deepening it as he pressed her back against the work station.
She needed more of him, and so with his hands guiding her, she hopped on to the counter. He settled between her legs, while greedy little hands slipped into the hair she had been fantasizing about washing just moments before. She didn't feel the bottles behind her knocking, or the fact that a few were starting to rattle the more enthusiastic they became.
Liam was breathless, certain that the only reason he didn't pass out was because the need for her outweighed the need to breathe. As she hopped up on the table, he pressed close, his large hands rubbing firmly down her thighs before hooking under her knees. He tugged hard as he pushed himself forward, the table at the perfect height for his growing arousal to press against the warmth between her legs. There was no question that he wanted her, even if this wasn't exactly how he imagined their first time together, but he wasn't in denial.
One hand slid back up her leg and slipped behind her back, pressing against the subtle curve just above her arse, his other hand bracing on the table next to her as he leaned into the kiss. His teeth snagged her lower lip, nibbling it lightly before releasing it, taking in a gasp of air before claiming her lips in another kiss.
The noise she made as she felt him there against her core, just jeans keeping them from physically touching, was a loud gasping noise. Her heart was hammering in her chest, while those needy little fingers laced in his hair.
Everything else around her was blissfully falling away. Including the bottles that had spilled just behind her. Even the feeling of the gooseberry spilling out, soaking the back of her jeans. If she had noticed, she would have been reminded how allergic she was to it. She could only work with it while wearing her gloves, or in very small amounts. The amount currently soaking through her jeans was enough to break her out in hives. Something that was starting to happen as her hands found their way to the edge of his shirt. Slipping up under the fabric to scratch her nails gently against his chest. "I'm getting hot," she gasped softly.
Completely unaware of what was going on behind her, Liam was entirely wrapped up in her, in the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against his, every delightful sound she made. He shivered at the feel of her nails scratching over his skin, a sense of desperation threatening to overwhelm him. He reminded himself, again, that he didn't want to rush this, that he wanted to savor every touch, every taste of her.
Her words surprised him, and he found himself pressing impossibly closer to her. "Me too," he breathed, his lips leaving hers to trail kisses over her jaw and down her neck.
Tina was so wrapped up in the man in her arms, until she really couldn't ignore how hot she was getting, it was more than just the rush of what Liam's hands felt like on her skin. There was also the intense itching, that had her squirming. "Crap, Liam," she said, suddenly panic in her voice. She was feeling the wetness against her back, the itch that was moving across her back. "Something's wrong," she said, while hands came up from under his shirt to tap at his chest to push him back. She needed to move, she needed to move now. She knew enough of the ingredients behind her to know that something bad was happening. Allergic reaction or a small explosion, either way, she was certain their night was ruined.
It was years of experience in the research lab that had him pulled back when he heard the panic in her voice, enough that when she tapped at his chest, she nearly missed. His hands slid out from behind her, gripping her arms firmly to help her off the table. "What is it?" he asked, finally looking behind her and noticing the spilled potion. He didn't know what the ingredients were, as he'd told her he didn't have any known allergies and he trusted she knew what she was doing with it all, so he had no idea what sort of catastrophe they were in.
The heat between them, so quick to build, rushed out of him, only love and concern for her left in its place.
Everything happened so fast, thankful that her partner was just as skilled in the lab as she was. She nearly missed his chest when she tapped at him, losing her balance just a bit. It was his steady grip on her arms that kept her up right, helping to guide her off the table. She could have kissed him, but she knew she was losing valuable time. She needed to stop the allergic reaction, get some medicine in her, as well as something put on the rash that she could tell was already moving down her buttocks.
Her own gaze shifted to look behind her when he asked what it was. "Just gooseberry, but I'm allergic," she said with a sad groan. She needed to hop in the shower now. "It isn't bad when it's in small doses, I was using it in your shampoo," she explained, feeling some relief as she noticed his wand already in hand. Gosh how she loved him, he was rather fantastic. "Thank you," she murmured once he'd used his wand to remove the gooseberry from her, and started helping her out of the room. The bathroom was just down the hall, he knew the house as well as she did by now.
As soon as she said she was allergic, Liam had his wand out and was vanishing the shampoo, not wanting it to cause any more damage to her than it already had. "Okay, let's get you to the shower," he said as he tucked his wand away and started leading her down the hall to the bathroom.
Once there, he started to help her out of her clothes, not even thinking twice about it. It wasn't a sexual moment, though it was one of deep caring. She was the woman he loved, and she was in pain, and he wanted to do what he could to help her through it. His hands went to the hem of her shirt, lifting it up and off before he realized what he was doing. "Do you want me to go?" he asked softly, giving her the emotional space to answer him honestly.
There was a warmth that spread deep at how Liam was taking care of her. The way he was asking if she wanted him to go, she was warm all the way to her very core. She felt loved, in a very complete way that she had never felt before. Her head shook just enough for him to see that no, she didn't want him going anywhere. She wanted Liam to take care of her, a feeling she was wholly unfamiliar with.
"Once I get undressed, I'll hop in the shower. Would you be able to put a salve on it later? I have my own concoction in the medicine cabinet. This isn't the first time I've spilled it on myself," she admitted in a soft voice. "Though the other times were never so fun." They were usually because someone had made a loud noise somewhere else, scaring her. The last time had been because her mother had popped her head into the room, scaring the daylights out of Tina. That was when she had made the decision to move.
Between the small shake of her head and her words, Liam wasn't entirely sure what she wanted from him at that moment. "Of course I will," he assured her. It would be strange to put that level of clinical in the moment, but he would manage because it was to help her feel better. "Get in, then," he urged her, turning around to give her that little bit of privacy to finish undressing and get into the shower.
"I don't think I've ever had so much fun making a mess in the lab either," he told her, his tone amused even though a large part of him was still concerned for her. "Which medicine cabinet is your salve in? Is it labeled? I can get it while you wash up," he offered, wanting to be helpful.
Liam was nothing but a gentleman, one of the many things that Tina loved so much about him. She made quick work of slipping out of her clothing and climbing into the shower, turning it on. "Thank you," she said once inside the shower. It felt so good to feel the cool water rushing over the heated skin.
Her smile was so big, safely hidden behind the curtain. He had never had so much fun either, she'd never get tired of hearing that. "Uh, it's labeled, it's the one in the greenhouse. It's labeled too, it's a shimmery green, almost silver streaks to it in the right light," she said helpfully, grateful that he was going to get it for her while she quickly washed up in the shower. She was just lightly washing with cold water, before apparating from shower to bedroom. "Meet me in the bedroom!" she called out, finding herself slipping inside her mother's closet to slip into something. One thing she hadn't brought with her was extra clothing. Thankfully, she was able to find a pair of black silk shorts that had cherry blossoms on them, and matching tank. It was perfect to help her feel covered, while still giving Liam access to the area that was now blistering up her backside.
He was halfway down the hall when he heard her voice call out to meet her in the bedroom, his body practically vibrating with the energy that those words could have contained under better circumstances. But his girlfriend was in pain, and he was determined to set aside any selfish desires and help her through it however he could. Once in the greenhouse, he quickly went through the medicine cabinet there, finding the neatly labeled potion she'd indicated, before heading back to the bedroom.
Liam hadn't been sure what he would be walking into, but he felt a measure of relief that she was clothed, even if seeing her laying on the bed on her stomach was a tantalizing sight. The image was marred, of course, by the blisters on her backside, peeking out from the top of her shorts. Pulling on a pair of gloves, Liam slipped out of his shoes and then sat carefully next to her on the bed, bringing one leg up to get a bit steadier. "I'm going to shift your clothes so I can put the salve everywhere that needs it," he told her softly, hoping that the communication might put her at ease.
It wasn't how he'd wanted to touch her tonight, but something in his heart soared to be able to care for her in this way. He shifted the band of the shorts down, letting it rest below the lower curves of her arse, reminding himself that now was the time for clinical brain, and then lifted the hem of her shirt up enough to show all the blisters along her lower back. "And now I'll apply the salve." He opened the jar and scooped a bit out with two fingers, spreading it across the affected area before gently smoothing it in with small, circular motions.
The silk had felt good against her hot skin, and when Liam had slid her shorts down, she felt a rush of heat between her legs. The feeling didn't last long, unfortunately. The pain on her back and upper buttocks was seeing to that. The salve felt fantastic though, Liam's hands working her raised, welted, and red skin. "Thank you," she said, her head nestled on a pillow, turned so that she could still talk to him. She was likely going to have to sleep like this. She would be better by morning, but she'd need to be sure to lay still tonight.
"Will you stay tonight?" she asked suddenly, as he continued to spread the salve over her back.
Her question surprised him, his hands pausing at her lower back. They'd not actually stayed the night together yet, though there'd been plenty of snuggling under a blanket while watching movies. It didn't matter that it was a comfort thing, that it wouldn't be a sexual thing. In fact, Liam likely appreciated it more because it was that. If his mere presence helped her feel better, safer, more comfortable, then how could he deny her?
"Of course I will," he told her a beat later, his hands started to work the salve into her skin again. Feeling impulsive, his fingers curled gently near her hips as he shifted, leaning over her and brushing his lips gently over hers, barely peeking out from the pillow. "I love you, you know," he reminded her. It wasn't the first time he'd told her, but it felt like an important moment to do so.
The moment was perfect, she knew that she would never be loved like Liam loved her. In her bones, she knew without a doubt that he was her person. They'd be together forever.
"I love you too," was a whisper back, eyes opening to peek at him from where she was in the pillow. She was going to marry that man one day, she knew without a doubt they'd be telling their children and grandchildren about this with laughter one day.
It was the men’s products that she had been working on lately. Liam was going to be trying out the shampoo and conditioner for her tonight, it was her first batch. She had gotten a little carried away when she had been brewing it earlier today, she had put maybe a touch too many of the roses that had been growing around the bench where they’d first kissed. This batch was maybe specifically for Liam. She was rather proud of it, even if it may have had an extra flowery scent to it. She hoped he wouldn’t mind it.
The cottage had so quickly become their own little sanctuary, finding solace in the fact they had their own space. Tina had slowly been unpacking her boxes that she had stored at her mothers, without space for them at Clary’s. They both were becoming comfortable, so comfortable that when they’d spoken of meeting up there tonight, she’d just assumed he’d come find her in the lab. She had mentioned that she was going to be bottling the conditioner while she waited for him to arrive.
Tina stood there at the large wooden desk her father had used for his own potion mixing, using the same ladle to spoon the brilliant blue liquid into the bottle she had waiting in her other hand. She had worn an outfit she wouldn’t mind if it got ruined from the products: a pair of worn in blue jeans and a blue t-shirt that hugged her slender frame. Her blonde-pink hair was pulled back into two low braided ponytails. As she focused on the task at hand, she found her nose suddenly itchy. She was whining softly, trying to lean forward and rub her nose against her arm. Gloved hands were covered in potion that had slipped out, she didn’t want to waste it sneezing into it! “Liam!” she called out, thinking she may have just heard a pop. “My nose itches! Help! Hands in goo!”
Life was going extraordinarily well for Liam. Personally, at least. Professionally, he still hadn't cracked the big gender identity confirming potion he'd been working on for well over a year, despite early promising results. He'd had other minor successes in that time, and so he wasn't anxious about his standing at work, but the project was an important one to him that he desperately wanted to solve.
Personally, though, things with Tina were progressing at a pace that felt more comfortable and natural than any relationship he'd ever had. They'd snogged plenty and cuddled to their hearts content, but it seemed that she was just as comfortable with not rushing the physical side of things as he was. That didn't mean he wasn't thinking about it, though. He loved her, and the more their relationship progressed, the more he yearned to show her physically, and he hoped she would know that it meant a lot for him to get there.
When she'd invited him over to test some of the products she'd been working on outside of work (something he'd encouraged if she was thinking she might develop a line of beauty products, even if his dad might frown at it happening away from Pucey Potions), Liam had assumed she would want him to test the products properly, in the shower. And so, he'd packed a small bag with a change of clothes and a few personal grooming supplies before heading over.
Hearing her call out after he apparated in, Liam hurried into the lab, chuckling just a bit. He crossed immediately to her and lifted his free hand to scratch the tip of her nose. "Better?" he asked, knowing all too well how intense an itch could get when you absolutely could not scratch it.
Hearing him rushing into the lab a moment later had her grinning, she had been right, she had heard him. She only stilled her hands as he reached his hand out, leaning into him so that she could direct him to the itch by moving under his hand. "Oh, that's perfect," she sighed happily as he scratched the spot. "Thank you so much," she said happily, her attention back on the bottle in hand. It was then that she leaned out towards him to steal a kiss as additional thanks. She quickly finished filling it then, just before she was corking it, and setting it down next to the matching bottle of shampoo that was labeled with her neat script that it was "Liam Shampoo". Named for the man she had been brewing it for.
"I've just finished, I even mixed in some of the roses from the green house," she told him excitedly, while starting to take off her gloves now that the shampoo and conditioner were bottled. "It's hopefully going to just soften your hair." She was so excited, she had even gotten out some of the extra towels for the sink that was in the corner of the lab. She assumed she'd be washing his hair in there, she even gave a glance over towards the corner to check that she had in fact set out the towels.
He dropped his hand once she made it clear he'd itched the right spot for her, leaning in to return the kiss, though he would wait until her hands weren't covered in goo for a proper kiss. Liam took a step back and leaned against the table to watch her work, enjoying the smooth, efficient way her hands moved. As well as he'd gotten to know her over the last year, he knew that she had a bit of anxiety and insecurity with some things, something that had surprised him because she was so confident and assured professionally. It was something he really admired about her.
"I'm sure it will be wonderful," he said, missing the way she looked over at the sink, it not even occurring to him that she could wash his hair for him there. "I think it's fantastic you're doing this. You're so creative." Not that she couldn't pursue creativity at Pucey Potions, but she deserved the opportunity to make a name for herself.
His compliments always made her turn to goo, the fluttering in her belly exciting, and terrifying. It was so much more intense than anything she'd felt for Miguel, which had her terrified to trust it. The last thing she wanted was for them to burn out the way she and Miguel had. She was falling so hard for him, standing there in her pitiful little lab, biting her full lower lip coyly at his compliments. How had she gotten so lucky? "Thank you, I'm really looking forward to washing your hair. It's silly, but there's something incredibly exciting about the fact that it's going to be my product..." she admitted in a rush, unable to keep her excitement to herself. She was enjoying sharing the process with him.
"I don't know if this will become more than something I do for us, but it's a fun pastime. Something I can work on while at home," she didn't sound as excited about it as she tried to come off. Living at Clary's was starting to not work for her. She was spending so much time at their cottage, even without Liam, that it was becoming silly to make the trip back to Clary's at night to sleep. Some nights she had stayed at the cottage. Something she wasn't exactly ready to poke at just yet.
When she said the bit about her washing his hair, his brows furrowed, head tilting slightly. Did she mean for them to shower together? But no, they hadn't even been intimate yet! That seemed unlikely. "...You'll be washing it?" he prompted, thinking it the best--and only--way for them to get on the same page about it. He quite enjoyed the thought of her washing his hair, but he wasn't sure they were ready for showering together.
"Whatever you decide to do with it, it's exciting," he told her, his pride in her still shining through his tone.
"If you don't mind?" she was suddenly worried that he may not want her washing his hair. Wouldn't that be a shame? She may have pouted at the idea that he was turning down her washing his hair. "I've got the sink set up," she said helpfully, now motioning towards the sink in the corner she had set up for just this moment. Had he thought she wanted to get into the shower with him? That was the moment a light bulb went off, eyes widening in surprise. "Oh! I-We-," she was flustered now, images of a naked Liam dancing in her head. Naked and in her shower, Gods that was... Such a great sight.
While he was processing his own misunderstanding of the situation, Liam still noticed the moment she realized what he'd assumed, and a slow smile spread across his lips as she became increasingly flustered. He dropped his bag on the lab floor and reached out to her, his hands curling warmly around her hips and pulling her close. Without a word, he ducked his head and brushed a light, warm kiss against her lips before pulling back enough to meet her eyes.
"I simply misunderstood. I would love for you to wash my hair," he told her, his voice soft and comforting. "And perhaps someday you'll allow me the pleasure of returning the favor." He couldn't quite help the way his eyes ticked down to her lips and back, thinking more about the physical side of things lately.
Her heart fluttered as those warm large hands pulled her in close, their lips meeting in a loving kiss. They moved beautifully together, her own eyes sparkling as their gaze met a moment later. She was mortified still, but it felt so right to be there in his arms. She found her mouth suddenly dry at the mention of returning the favor, her own eyes glancing at his lips. "I would really enjoy that," was all she could get out. Now all she could think about was the two of them in the shower, his hands in her hair.
Instead of letting the silence swallow them, she lifted herself up to press her lips against his in another kiss. They had been interrupted the last few times things had felt charged like they did just then. She didn't want to lose another moment, work was torture as it was. They had to be professional in the workplace, the last thing she needed was someone thinking she'd gotten the position in R&D by sleeping with Liam. It would cheapen the very beautiful thing they had together.
There was something in her words, in the way she looked up at him, that set Liam on fire. As she pressed up against him, he pulled her closer, his mouth moving over hers firmer and with purpose, claiming her lips in a way that would embarrass him were he aware of it. For a long time, he'd thought he simply didn't have much of a sex drive, but in time he'd learned that his sex drive was closely tied with his emotional connection with the person, and he wasn't sure he'd ever felt so strongly about anyone before her.
Liam shifted, his hands guiding her hips so that her back was pressed against the lab table, and his mouth opened, tongue swiping out to deepen the kiss.
There was something so thrilling about seeing this side of Liam. Being able to see and more importantly feel his passion, had her breathless. Her head tipped into the kiss, deepening it as he pressed her back against the work station.
She needed more of him, and so with his hands guiding her, she hopped on to the counter. He settled between her legs, while greedy little hands slipped into the hair she had been fantasizing about washing just moments before. She didn't feel the bottles behind her knocking, or the fact that a few were starting to rattle the more enthusiastic they became.
Liam was breathless, certain that the only reason he didn't pass out was because the need for her outweighed the need to breathe. As she hopped up on the table, he pressed close, his large hands rubbing firmly down her thighs before hooking under her knees. He tugged hard as he pushed himself forward, the table at the perfect height for his growing arousal to press against the warmth between her legs. There was no question that he wanted her, even if this wasn't exactly how he imagined their first time together, but he wasn't in denial.
One hand slid back up her leg and slipped behind her back, pressing against the subtle curve just above her arse, his other hand bracing on the table next to her as he leaned into the kiss. His teeth snagged her lower lip, nibbling it lightly before releasing it, taking in a gasp of air before claiming her lips in another kiss.
The noise she made as she felt him there against her core, just jeans keeping them from physically touching, was a loud gasping noise. Her heart was hammering in her chest, while those needy little fingers laced in his hair.
Everything else around her was blissfully falling away. Including the bottles that had spilled just behind her. Even the feeling of the gooseberry spilling out, soaking the back of her jeans. If she had noticed, she would have been reminded how allergic she was to it. She could only work with it while wearing her gloves, or in very small amounts. The amount currently soaking through her jeans was enough to break her out in hives. Something that was starting to happen as her hands found their way to the edge of his shirt. Slipping up under the fabric to scratch her nails gently against his chest. "I'm getting hot," she gasped softly.
Completely unaware of what was going on behind her, Liam was entirely wrapped up in her, in the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against his, every delightful sound she made. He shivered at the feel of her nails scratching over his skin, a sense of desperation threatening to overwhelm him. He reminded himself, again, that he didn't want to rush this, that he wanted to savor every touch, every taste of her.
Her words surprised him, and he found himself pressing impossibly closer to her. "Me too," he breathed, his lips leaving hers to trail kisses over her jaw and down her neck.
Tina was so wrapped up in the man in her arms, until she really couldn't ignore how hot she was getting, it was more than just the rush of what Liam's hands felt like on her skin. There was also the intense itching, that had her squirming. "Crap, Liam," she said, suddenly panic in her voice. She was feeling the wetness against her back, the itch that was moving across her back. "Something's wrong," she said, while hands came up from under his shirt to tap at his chest to push him back. She needed to move, she needed to move now. She knew enough of the ingredients behind her to know that something bad was happening. Allergic reaction or a small explosion, either way, she was certain their night was ruined.
It was years of experience in the research lab that had him pulled back when he heard the panic in her voice, enough that when she tapped at his chest, she nearly missed. His hands slid out from behind her, gripping her arms firmly to help her off the table. "What is it?" he asked, finally looking behind her and noticing the spilled potion. He didn't know what the ingredients were, as he'd told her he didn't have any known allergies and he trusted she knew what she was doing with it all, so he had no idea what sort of catastrophe they were in.
The heat between them, so quick to build, rushed out of him, only love and concern for her left in its place.
Everything happened so fast, thankful that her partner was just as skilled in the lab as she was. She nearly missed his chest when she tapped at him, losing her balance just a bit. It was his steady grip on her arms that kept her up right, helping to guide her off the table. She could have kissed him, but she knew she was losing valuable time. She needed to stop the allergic reaction, get some medicine in her, as well as something put on the rash that she could tell was already moving down her buttocks.
Her own gaze shifted to look behind her when he asked what it was. "Just gooseberry, but I'm allergic," she said with a sad groan. She needed to hop in the shower now. "It isn't bad when it's in small doses, I was using it in your shampoo," she explained, feeling some relief as she noticed his wand already in hand. Gosh how she loved him, he was rather fantastic. "Thank you," she murmured once he'd used his wand to remove the gooseberry from her, and started helping her out of the room. The bathroom was just down the hall, he knew the house as well as she did by now.
As soon as she said she was allergic, Liam had his wand out and was vanishing the shampoo, not wanting it to cause any more damage to her than it already had. "Okay, let's get you to the shower," he said as he tucked his wand away and started leading her down the hall to the bathroom.
Once there, he started to help her out of her clothes, not even thinking twice about it. It wasn't a sexual moment, though it was one of deep caring. She was the woman he loved, and she was in pain, and he wanted to do what he could to help her through it. His hands went to the hem of her shirt, lifting it up and off before he realized what he was doing. "Do you want me to go?" he asked softly, giving her the emotional space to answer him honestly.
There was a warmth that spread deep at how Liam was taking care of her. The way he was asking if she wanted him to go, she was warm all the way to her very core. She felt loved, in a very complete way that she had never felt before. Her head shook just enough for him to see that no, she didn't want him going anywhere. She wanted Liam to take care of her, a feeling she was wholly unfamiliar with.
"Once I get undressed, I'll hop in the shower. Would you be able to put a salve on it later? I have my own concoction in the medicine cabinet. This isn't the first time I've spilled it on myself," she admitted in a soft voice. "Though the other times were never so fun." They were usually because someone had made a loud noise somewhere else, scaring her. The last time had been because her mother had popped her head into the room, scaring the daylights out of Tina. That was when she had made the decision to move.
Between the small shake of her head and her words, Liam wasn't entirely sure what she wanted from him at that moment. "Of course I will," he assured her. It would be strange to put that level of clinical in the moment, but he would manage because it was to help her feel better. "Get in, then," he urged her, turning around to give her that little bit of privacy to finish undressing and get into the shower.
"I don't think I've ever had so much fun making a mess in the lab either," he told her, his tone amused even though a large part of him was still concerned for her. "Which medicine cabinet is your salve in? Is it labeled? I can get it while you wash up," he offered, wanting to be helpful.
Liam was nothing but a gentleman, one of the many things that Tina loved so much about him. She made quick work of slipping out of her clothing and climbing into the shower, turning it on. "Thank you," she said once inside the shower. It felt so good to feel the cool water rushing over the heated skin.
Her smile was so big, safely hidden behind the curtain. He had never had so much fun either, she'd never get tired of hearing that. "Uh, it's labeled, it's the one in the greenhouse. It's labeled too, it's a shimmery green, almost silver streaks to it in the right light," she said helpfully, grateful that he was going to get it for her while she quickly washed up in the shower. She was just lightly washing with cold water, before apparating from shower to bedroom. "Meet me in the bedroom!" she called out, finding herself slipping inside her mother's closet to slip into something. One thing she hadn't brought with her was extra clothing. Thankfully, she was able to find a pair of black silk shorts that had cherry blossoms on them, and matching tank. It was perfect to help her feel covered, while still giving Liam access to the area that was now blistering up her backside.
He was halfway down the hall when he heard her voice call out to meet her in the bedroom, his body practically vibrating with the energy that those words could have contained under better circumstances. But his girlfriend was in pain, and he was determined to set aside any selfish desires and help her through it however he could. Once in the greenhouse, he quickly went through the medicine cabinet there, finding the neatly labeled potion she'd indicated, before heading back to the bedroom.
Liam hadn't been sure what he would be walking into, but he felt a measure of relief that she was clothed, even if seeing her laying on the bed on her stomach was a tantalizing sight. The image was marred, of course, by the blisters on her backside, peeking out from the top of her shorts. Pulling on a pair of gloves, Liam slipped out of his shoes and then sat carefully next to her on the bed, bringing one leg up to get a bit steadier. "I'm going to shift your clothes so I can put the salve everywhere that needs it," he told her softly, hoping that the communication might put her at ease.
It wasn't how he'd wanted to touch her tonight, but something in his heart soared to be able to care for her in this way. He shifted the band of the shorts down, letting it rest below the lower curves of her arse, reminding himself that now was the time for clinical brain, and then lifted the hem of her shirt up enough to show all the blisters along her lower back. "And now I'll apply the salve." He opened the jar and scooped a bit out with two fingers, spreading it across the affected area before gently smoothing it in with small, circular motions.
The silk had felt good against her hot skin, and when Liam had slid her shorts down, she felt a rush of heat between her legs. The feeling didn't last long, unfortunately. The pain on her back and upper buttocks was seeing to that. The salve felt fantastic though, Liam's hands working her raised, welted, and red skin. "Thank you," she said, her head nestled on a pillow, turned so that she could still talk to him. She was likely going to have to sleep like this. She would be better by morning, but she'd need to be sure to lay still tonight.
"Will you stay tonight?" she asked suddenly, as he continued to spread the salve over her back.
Her question surprised him, his hands pausing at her lower back. They'd not actually stayed the night together yet, though there'd been plenty of snuggling under a blanket while watching movies. It didn't matter that it was a comfort thing, that it wouldn't be a sexual thing. In fact, Liam likely appreciated it more because it was that. If his mere presence helped her feel better, safer, more comfortable, then how could he deny her?
"Of course I will," he told her a beat later, his hands started to work the salve into her skin again. Feeling impulsive, his fingers curled gently near her hips as he shifted, leaning over her and brushing his lips gently over hers, barely peeking out from the pillow. "I love you, you know," he reminded her. It wasn't the first time he'd told her, but it felt like an important moment to do so.
The moment was perfect, she knew that she would never be loved like Liam loved her. In her bones, she knew without a doubt that he was her person. They'd be together forever.
"I love you too," was a whisper back, eyes opening to peek at him from where she was in the pillow. She was going to marry that man one day, she knew without a doubt they'd be telling their children and grandchildren about this with laughter one day.