Harry Dresden (dresden) wrote in freedomtownic, @ 2018-06-04 00:44:00 |
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So they were trying this date thing again. The last time they tried this it hadn’t turned out so well. Murphy had been stood up before, but not because of the guy being murdered. Not only was it her luck that this had been the case, but it had been just like Dresden to get killed before they finally crossed that line. She’d felt pretty stupid standing on that dock in that stupid dress and trying to put her cop face on as she processed the scene. At least that was what she’d been trying to do before she got sent home. Murph was curious what would happen this time. She wasn’t wearing that dress this time. This time it was a pair of black jeans, high heel ankle boots that put her over five foot tall and a blue henley that matched her eyes. She wasn’t waiting on a dock either. This time she was waiting in the living room of the apartment she shared with Dresden and Ivy. She looked at her watch then shouted, “How is it you take longer than I do to get ready, Dresden?!” * From the moment he’d found out where – or more accurately when - Murphy had been taken from Harry had been asking for a do-over date. Mostly because he couldn’t count on getting yet another bite at this particular apple. He’d had more attempts already than was usual for a dead man and now that they were no longer in their own world there was no telling what might happen next. So he’d asked and when she’d been unforthcoming he’d figured he’d blown his chance. Until Murph had told him, in no uncertain terms, he was taking her out. Harry loved a woman who knew her own mind. While she’d been getting ready he’d spent a quiet few minutes alone feeding a little extra energy into the wards on the house, just in case it was required, and giving Mouse careful instructions to guard Ivy. He was pretty sure his faithful mutt would rather face Maeve herself than let the kid come to any harm and Harry was happy to leave her in his capable hands, for a little while at least. When he heard the shout from downstairs Harry got his ass in gear pretty fast and was in the living room faster than you could say ‘kaboom’! What greeted him was a vision of loveliness in killer heels that made Murph’s legs go all the way to heaven. “Holy moly,” he said with an appreciative whistle, “you look way too hot for steak,” he said with the deftness and tact that had left him single for the majority of his life. Give him a demon and he’d blast his way through it but give him a date and he’d find a way to screw it up one way or another. “You look stunning,” he said taking another swing at it, “and I’m sorry I kept you waiting. Now that we’re both here, shall we go?” he asked, grabbing his duster from the hall and wondering if taking his usual kit would be too much for, what was effectively, their first date. He figured he had his medallion and ring and with the protection of his duster he was probably good to go and didn’t need his blasting rod, unless Murphy decided to shoot him for…well…being himself. * Murph’s lips pull to the side for Harry’s reaction to how she was dressed. He was being over the top on purpose just to push her buttons so she shook her head at him. “Knock it off,” she said with that warning cop tone in her voice that promised all kinds of pain. With her multiple black belts it wasn’t just a threat. Mouse the moose of a dog came trotting in with his tail threatening to knock holes in the walls for as much as it was wagging. He, too, looked at Murph and gave a wuff and a doggy grin. Karrin pointed at him. “Don’t you start.” But she couldn’t help but smirk when her threat meant nothing to Harry’s dog. “If your highness is ready to go…” she said as she pulled open the front door. * Harry figured the fact that he still had his assets intact meant Murphy hadn’t been quite as pissed as he’d feared at his verbal diarrhoea. The night was still young, though, there was plenty of time for him to get on her bad side. “Consider it knocked,” he answered with a quick smile that told her he was duly cowed. He heard the click of claws before Mouse entered the room, “took the words out of my mouth, buddy,” Harry told his furball friend, “but if I’d have said that she’d have shot me for sure. Be grateful you’re cute, buster,” he said giving the malamute a scratch between the ears as he said goodbye. “That’s ‘Sir Knight’ to you,” Harry teased as he held his arm out to Murphy, “and I will happily escort you, milady,” he gave a quick wave of hand behind them, securing the door from entry against intruders. If this place started looking permanent he was going to have to get serious about the magic and invest in a circle but for the time being Mouse and the wards would suffice * Murphy rolled her eyes, but she gave him one by sliding her arm through his. This was a date, right? Might as well act it, and Harry had earned at least one bit of her showing a bit of vulnerability and trust. Stupid chivalry anyway. They made a stupid looking pair. Even in those heels Murphy could come nowhere near Harry’s unnatural height. She peered up at him with an amused half smirk on her face. “You’re lucky I don’t have a bike yet or I’d make you ride bitch.” Not only did she not have a bike, but she didn’t have her own gun yet. Had to jump through hoops to get a license even here. * He felt like he was walking ten-feet tall with Murphy on his arm and that was no slight to her height, either! Without exception she was the most beautiful woman, both inside and out, he’d ever fallen for and he didn’t give a damn if the grin on his face spoke volumes to the people that passed them on the street. Hell, she was almost literally an angel, how many guys got that lucky? Harry winced when Karrin mentioned her bike, “let’s always take a moment to remember how lucky we are,” he replied with a solemn nod. He was still mourning the loss of The Blue Beetle, may it rest in peace. “You’d have to get one of those low-tech Indiana Jones bikes,” Harry said with a grin, preferably with a side-car just for him. “I’d hate to see what my powers would do to the modern things,” but he was betting even his duster wouldn’t protect them from the fallout. Ouch. “Still can’t quite get used to actually having a phone that actually works,” and the internet too. He and technology usually mixed like rabbits and foxes. One of them generally ended up with their head ripped off and their guts spilled across the carpet and it was only luck that had meant that, so far, it had never been Harry. * Habit made Murph stand far away from Harry whenever she wanted to use her phone so it was a novelty that he didn’t short them out. Jokingly, she told Harry that someone had better magic than him to get around that paradox. “Not a chance,” Karrin said. “Harley or nothing. It can take your weight.” She grinned knowing that wasn’t the reason, but it was fun to twitch Harry. It was what they did. A lot. Don’t ask, you wouldn’t understand. * Ow, now that hurt! “Different magic, Murph, not better,” Harry answered putting on a hurt-puppy expression. Hey, he knew there were better wizards out there, but he had to hope that he never had to go up against one of them. Again. A wizard that transported untold numbers of people to a distant planet was a seriously terrifying prospect but one that could make technology work for them was just wrong. No creature should exist and yet, here he was, phone in pocket and able to handle it without a cough of fizz. Harry considered the prospect momentarily and smiled down at her, “you do suit a Harley,” he agreed with a nod, “still wouldn’t want it to stop working doing 90 though.” More to the point he didn’t want to stop working doing 90. There was only one word for that. Splat. “So have you thought about what you’re going to do here yet?” he asked curiously, “back into the police force?” For his own part he would probably advertise his wizarding once more but maybe this time even on the web – yeah, Harry Dresden, future-wizard to the rescue! * “Not much else I’m good at,” she answered with a scowl. Being a cop was in her blood, and she’d worked hard to become an El Tee. Being demoted had sucked. Being kicked off the force? Humiliation. Then she tilted her head. “Unless I opened up a dojo. Teach people how to kick ass and take names.” She sighed. “Not that I have the start up money, but since the weather’s getting nice I could start with outdoor classes and go from there.” And she could teach any number of styles. * The last thing Harry had wanted was to put that scowl on Murphy’s face but he had, unwittingly, walked into a snake pit. He’d done it barefoot and voluntarily, which said everything about the way he managed to put his foot in his mouth at the worst possible time. That he and Murphy had known one another long enough to get past that and actually have a conversation was why Harry cared so much about this relationship. “Seriously?” he knew loosing her job had been like a death in the family but she was one of the most talented and intelligent people he knew. “There is literally no end to your talents, Murph, you can do whatever you put your mind to doing and if that means a fresh start in a new precinct, you’d stand out in a heartbeat,” Harry had total faith in her. “The dojo’s a good idea too,” he had to admit, “but is it what you really want to do?” or would she see it as settling? Harry asked as they arrived at the restaurant and he opened the door to let her pass through. Yeah, he could be a gentleman, occasionally. * Karrin peered up at Harry. She knew he wasn’t blowing smoke up her ass, and he wasn’t flirting with her either. He meant every word. She looked at him for a long moment then let out with a snort of amusement as her smirk returned to her face. “I’m working it out in my head.” Yes, being a cop again would be great, but did she want to start from the bottom all over again? “When I figure out the pros and cons I’ll let you know.” But for right now she wasn’t going to think about it. Tonight was about nothing more than spending time together without anything attacking them. Murphy rolled her eyes at Harry for holding the door. He knew how she felt about that, but since this was a real date she’d let it slide. Besides, once they got inside the smell of really, really good steak hit her and an almost sensual smile spread across her face. “Almost smells like Mac’s.” * For a moment there Harry wondered if she was going to go full-on beat-cop and slam him into a wall for daring to suggest she was being too hard on herself. Murphy knew him well enough to know his intentions, though. And Harry knew her well enough to let her come to him if she wanted to talk about it again. “You don’t gotta explain yourself,” he answered with a smile, “but if you ever need a cheerleader, I’ll happily don a skirt and grab me some pom poms,” he told her with a wiggle of his eyebrows. He’d be there for her whatever she chose to do and if Karrin needed to bat the ideas around some more he’d always have a friendly ear to listen. Hell, catch him in the right mood and he might even have some advice to offer! Harry caught Murphy’s eye as she rolled them skywards and smiled. Though she might protest him treating her like the lady she was it wouldn’t stop him trying. When she mentioned Mac’s, though, he had to protest. “I think that’s sacrilege,” Harry said with a nod, “if he ever heard you say that he’d bar us and never let us back,” Which might be a fate worse than death to Harry. A terrible thought struck him, “if we’re stuck here we may never taste Mac’s beer again,” he said with a frown. Nope, he didn’t have room in his head for thoughts like that as his inner-Harry started sticking his fingers in his ears and singing. “Alright, let’s get seated and compare,” he said gently resting his hand at Murphy’s back as he moved towards the Maitre D’s desk. The guy already had his nose in the air as they approached but Harry wasn’t about to admit weakness in front of this guy. “Table for Dresden,” he said with a little more authority than was needed. * Murphy laughed for Harry coming to Mac’s defense. “Hey, you never know. This place is bringing people from everywhere. Maybe the universe will realize this place needs Mac’s brown ale and steak sandwiches.” She wouldn’t be surprised if one day they woke up and Mac’s was open as if it had been here the whole time and they just then noticed. The hand to her back was a little surprising. Not because Harry made the gesture, but because Murphy found herself very comfortable with the touch. It wasn’t as if Harry hadn’t touched her before, but never like this. Murphy’s social life was an inch better than his, but it had been a very long time since a guy touched her with affection and respect. Jared REALLY didn’t have either that time they’d gone to Hawaii. Ahem. The Maitre D looked them both up and down then all but wrinkled his nose at Harry’s tone of voice. “One moment,” he snipped then consulted his book on the stand nearby. It was almost like what one would imagine meeting St. Peter at the pearly gates would be like...which was kind of sacreligious of the good Catholic girl. Still, she tried to contain a smirk as she jabbed Harry in the ribs with her elbow to pointedly suggest he stop picking on the poor guy. “This way, please.” The Maitre D beckoned with a twitch of his fingers for them to follow him to a discreet table for two tucked away in a corner. * Okay, that was something to hope for! If the place had any damn sense they’d have done it before Harry got there. It was Mac’s - neutral zone and the best beer and steak sandwiches ever made. He was salivating just thinking about it. Probably a good job they were about to get dinner. Why was it these jumped up waiters thought there were king of the goddamn world? He was like some kind of gatekeeper and mentally Harry nicknamed him Cerberus. He took Murphy’s hint, though, even managed not to wince as the elbow connected with his ribs. How so much power could be packed into such a small person he had no clue. “Since when did the waiters snap their fingers for the guests?” Harry couldn’t help but whisper to Murph as they were led to the table. At least the guy had put them somewhere nice and Harry took over and held the chair for Murphy as she sat down. Hey, it was a date, the small things were important to him and he had infinite amounts of respect for this woman as well as all the other complicated feelings he’d pushed away due to their terrible timing. Maybe for once they’d get it right. “So, wine?” he said taking the wine-list from Cerberus who, having done his job, turned on his heel and made his way back to his territory. * Murphy let Harry hold her stupid chair. And it really was letting him. However, there was only so far she was willing to bend her sensibilities. If he tried to order for her his shins would take a beating from her boots. She did have to laugh for Harry picking on their snooty host. “Don’t you realize that they’re doing us a favor by being open and overcharging us for dead cow?” This place was nice. The way they had it set up made it seem as if they were the only ones in the restaurant. It wasn’t too bright or dark. The music wasn’t too loud or stupid. Even the table was just the right size placing them close enough but not too close. Which meant it was easy for her to reach out and snatch the wine list from Harry. “Gimme that.” Murphy looked at the wine list with the eyes of a good Irish Catholic. It had nothing to do with her faith, and everything to do with the Irish Catholic tradition of alcohol being part of the family. “You’d probably just pick a red and call it good.” She skimmed over the list looking for what she wanted. By the time their actual waiter showed up...some kid who barely looked old enough to drink...she had her choice. “The Shademountain Pinot Noir, please.” The waiter nodded as he placed a couple of menus on the table then left. “So nothing has exploded yet,” she observed. * He gave a grin as the wine list vanished from between his hands and appeared in Murphy’s faster than any magic he could have performed! “So now I know the magic word is ‘wine’,” he gave a wiggle of his eyebrows, “which is always good to know.” Of course, ‘please’ was good too and he’d never forget his manners. Sheesh, Murph’d kick his ass if he did! Harry had to admit he wasn’t as into wine as some – his Mac-credentials had already been stamped to the mast – but he’d picked decent wine in the past and had a pretty good formula. Don’t go for the most expensive and don’t go for the cheapest. Something in the middle with ‘fruit’ in the description was a good bet. Still, what Murphy wanted she got. “Mostly I was just relieved there was a list and not one of those snooty French wine-guys,” he told her with a smirk, “and I never can decide to pronounce the French or just make them suffer,” which was definitely preferable. “Still, I guess this place can only afford one gatekeeper at a time,” he shot a smile towards the guy at the desk and gave a polite nod of his head. “Not so far, but it’s only ever a matter of time,” Harry said with a chuckle. “So, how are you coping with this universe, Murph?” he asked with his best considerate smile as he approached making small-talk with his best friend. Yep, that was never going to work! * Harry apparently had missed the point of her commenting on their lack of disasters. Then again, the wizard wasn’t known for catching the subtleties of socialization. Delicate incantations and fine mystical dexterity? He was the best. But when it came to giving him a hint...Murphy decided to be just as blunt as she ever was as she placed the wine menu down on the table. “Maybe the universe is saving up its surprises for when we kiss goodnight.” The food menu was picked up as an innocent smile graced lips lightly tinted with red. “I’m thinking we should start out with calamari for an appetizer.” * Harry blinked. Had Murph just said that or had his brain skipped a beat and rerun a dream or two he’d had? Given the smirk on her lips she was more than aware that her words had bypassed his brain and headed south. Alright, he could handle this, he thought as he took a sip of his water to relieve the sudden bout of dry-mouth he was currently sufferings. Words. Yeah, they were a thing. He knew how to use them too, most of the time. He blinked once more and glanced at his date again and smiled, Harry could do this. He’d faced down some of the baddest creatures the magic world had to offer and handed them their asses, he could manage conversation with one five-foot-nothing cop who was the best friend he’d ever known. “Glad to see you’re planning ahead,” Harry managed with a smile of his own, “and the calamari sounds good, so long as it’s not running too heavy on the garlic,” he said with a smirk of his own. * The look on Harry’s face was pretty much what she expected, and Murphy grinned. She wasn’t really picking on him or making fun of him. Harry was pretty much a big ego trip for her. It was just kind of fun to have the ability to make his brain skid to a halt like that. It also gave her time to collect her own anxiety. Confident, a strong woman, she was those, but she was still a human who had been hurt in the past and had to deal with it on her own. Sisters and ex-husbands were stupid that way. None of that mattered right now, however, and wasn’t even a thought. “Planning ahead?” A throaty chuckle all but purred in her throat. “Not a chance. That’s called an expectation. You owe me for the mess on Thomas’ boat, and you have only begun to pay that debt, buster.” Making up for lost time. It was something they both were familiar with, but more on the part of the scale where you never have the chance to do so. If nothing else good came from them being here then Karrin could be happy. They both had earned the right to some down time. * Gulp. Maybe there was a reason the two of them had always opted for kicking bad-guy-ass over sit-down-food on previous outings. Harry had to admit there was a moment there he might have been grateful for the napkin’s presence. A momentary twitch of panic had reminded him what it was like to be fourteen again but had, thankfully, passed as Harry told his brain he was fully in control of the situation. Well, mostly in control. Harry had to raise his eyebrows at her comment about expectations and he gave a small bow of approval. “And still you make it sound as though kissing a fair maiden would be a chore…sheesh,” he said with a broad grin. “I think I can guarantee a little peck,” he said thoughtfully, “though I’m a classy guy. I never put out on a first date,” he told Murph with a soft chuckle. Which was mostly true. Then again, he rarely got first dates to act chaste on. * “Since I’m neither fair nor a maiden I think you’ve got your work cut out for you,” Murphy challenged with a grin and a twinkle in those baby blues. “And you have as much class as a school in summer time. Good thing for the both of us I’m here with my good Catholic morals to keep you on your best behavior.” Their waiter arrived to take their order. Wine was poured and drank. Appetizers arrived then nibbled upon, followed by a fantastic dinner. All the while the pair chatted about this and that, shared laughs about things in their past that, at the time, seemed both terrifying and ridiculous. Those many moments of loss and pain? Well, they knew them well enough they didn’t need to revisit them. All of their plates were cleared and the last of the wine was being finished when the waiter returned to ask if they’d like dessert. Murphy fielded this one. “No. Thanks.” She waited just long enough to see if Harry would either be relieved one more line item wouldn’t be added to the bill or surprised. “I know a place.” * “Maiden, perhaps not, but fair? Hell yes,” Harry said with more enthusiasm than he probably should have exhibited. Still it wasn’t exactly a secret the way he felt about Murphy after all they’d shared the most intimate thing a wizard could offer in the form of a soul-gaze. Just the thought of the beacon of shining light Karrin represented in the world warmed the cold, hard edges of his heart. “I’ve heard about Catholic girls,” he said with a crooked smile, “so I’m not sure my morals are in safe hands.” The food was good the company better and Harry was feeling pretty contented by the time dessert orders came around. For a moment he thought Murphy was going to do the whole ‘I shouldn’t eat dessert’ thing that, weirdly, women seemed to think was expected on dates. Thankfully she was better than that, which brought a grin of pure affection to Harry’s lips. Yep, this girl was a keeper, one way or another. He slid cash into the bill-wallet adding a generous tip for the waiter’s quiet but thoughtful attention. “So,” Harry said as he stood and offered Murphy his arm, “do I get to know what’s for dessert or will it make me blush?” he asked with a quirk of his eyebrow. Hey, good Catholic girl or not, when a girl offered dessert Harry like to know if it was dessert or euphemism-dessert. Either way he was a happy guy and felt like the luckiest guy on the planet as he held the door open for his date. * Murph stood up along with Harry and took his arm as offered. That grin he’d gotten had been interesting. She’d never seen it before. Not on him anyway. It actually woke up a part of her she’d thought long dead...or at least put away....that hopeful, little girl who had dreamt of weddings and prince charmings. It had been a very brief moment in her life when she’d been very young. Unlike other girls, Murph had moved past that stage very quickly, but it had been there and now it decided to remind her that she wasn’t immune to girlish notions and feels. Harry would never let her live that down so Muphy kept it all hidden as they left. Being a cop meant learning how to do that from day one at the academy, and she was a pro. She had to admit to herself that it was nice someone could rekindle that feeling within her. And she was about to get some of her own back. Five blocks and ten dollars later, Murphy was purring out little groans as her tongue worked around the side, catching every drop before they could be wasted by falling to the ground. She swallowed with another purr rumbling in her throat, then licked what remained from her lips before she gave a languid smile up at Harry. “Chocolate soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. Yum.” * The walk was a delight, but what Harry was the moment they’d shared back at the restaurant. At least he’d thought there was a moment. The fizz in his blood told him he hadn’t imagined it but Murphy was acting as though there was nothing more between them than a meal and an extra hole on Harry’s belt. Hell, if he was going to pay those prices he was making the most of it. Still he was mildly concerned that his mojo was off as they headed into an ice-cream parlour. He trusted his instincts all the way and if he suddenly found out he couldn’t he wasn’t sure what he’d do. He was in his own little world as he ordered his dessert and then suddenly Harry was left holding his cone in wrapped amazement. He starred at Murphy as she licked and moaned making quite sure Harry’s ice-cream was long forgotten as it dripped down his fist. He was probably catching flies and yet he couldn’t look away or speak. That was some serious tongue-dexterity and left very little to the imagination – and Harry was blessed with an excellent imagination. “…yum indeed,” he finally managed as he watched her demolish the dessert. “I like dessert a lot,” he said nodding as his eyes locked with Murphy’s, “this was an excellent idea. We should do it again soon,” and maybe eat some ice cream too. * Murphy burst into laughter. “Oh my god, Harry. The look on your face.” She took an actual bite of the ice cream as she chuckled. The blatant teasing stopped. Some things were fun, but only up to a point. After that it became cruelty. In apology, Murph reached across the tiny table to give Harry’s non-sticky hand a squeeze. “I’m glad we did this,” she said. The smile on her face reached her eyes, but there was a wariness that lingered there. The things they’ve seen, experienced and done back home left scars that no amount of good company and ice cream could heal. “And look. The sky hasn’t fallen and nothing has jumped out of the bushes at us.” His hand got another squeeze before he could say anything. “And before you say some bullshit about might as well say it isn’t raining, don’t. Maybe this place isn’t like Chicago. Maybe we actually have a chance here.” * And as if by magic Murphy’s spell was broken. Harry took a moment to adjust his thinking to the here and now and not the many avenues his mind had meandered up. “You can be cruel and heartless, Murph,” he told her with a smile of appreciation, “which definitely has a time and a place but, wow.” He’d totally been had, in every possible way, and he didn’t mind one bit. Especially if there was hand-fondling, which just made him smile all the more broadly. Harry could see how hard it was for Karrin to express herself. Kicking ass she could do with her eyes closed but this was a whole other form of combat and one she’d been crushed at too many times. When he looked into her eyes he swore to himself that he wouldn’t be yet another asshole to break her heart. Not Harry Dresden, no way. She was way too precious to hurt. He caught her hand in his as she squeezed him a second time and gently laced his fingers through hers. “I’m glad we did this too,” he said with his heart beginning to thump far too hard. “I wasn’t going to say something stupid,” Harry told her with a smile, “at least, I probably wasn’t going to say anything stupid. Tonight was everything,” he told her softly, “almost worth dying for, truth be told. So, yeah, this place is feeling perfect about now.” * If he ever called her precious outloud Murphy would prove to him just how much she doesn’t resemble that adjective. It would be the same reaction she has to being called cute. It was abrupt, it was painful, and it was a lesson she’d had to give far too many times to count in her life. She’d fought for too long to shake that girl next door stigma. Just because she suddenly wanted something more with Harry didn’t mean he got a pass on that shit. Right now that wasn’t a thing so she was still smiling at Harry with their hands entwined. “You already did the dying thing. Why don’t we try living for this instead?” |