WHO: Greed and Zoe WHEN: Thursday morning WHERE: Greed's apartment, Greed's work WHAT: Zoe visits Greed at work WARNING: Karl
After their disastrous first date which definitely didn't count as a first date even though they managed to salvage it, Zoe went back to Greed's place. Her place was closer but she was sure if Gabe decided to suddenly come home, Greed might kill him. At Greed's apartment they knew they would be undisturbed. And they needed it. They always did fine when it was just them but when the world decided to poke its head in, it always derailed them a little. It was a weeknight and normally Zoe spent the night on weekends but a weeknight here and there was commonplace. As morning crept up on them, she was fast asleep in Greed's large bed, squished with him. ____________________ It hadn't really been Zoe's fault the evening had gone so downhill. It was inevitable that Greed would trip and turn faces when he felt threatened. As little as Raiden was she had threatened his time---and that was a valuable thing these days when it came to Zoe. Just because Greed was greedy, it didn't mean he didn't get the value of the things he kept----in fact he understood it more than most.
Despite the King sized bed he was still practically suffocating her with his boxer-clad ass. His alarm went off with a high pitched screech and he grunted. A morning of firsts since he didn't actually want to get up for work. _________________ Zoe jumped a little still asleep when the alarm went off. She mumbled something that was unintelligible and buried her face in Greed’s shoulder, he was her nice warm heavy blanket and she didn’t want to wake up yet. ___________________ It beeped with another round of threatening sounds. He actually rolled over slapping the alarm with his arm. Zoe was a much better reason to stay. "I got work," he mumbled kissing the top of her head. ___________________ She made a noise as she stretched her toes and then put her arms around him, snuggling right back into him, “I got you though. Maybe I don’t wanna let go..” her eyes were still closed, a small smile on her lips. _____________________ He giggled like a little boy. "Are you that strong?" He slapped her arm softly. "Kind of lacking in the muscle department." She didn't have his guns or his grip. However, he was content laying there for longer. _____________________ She whined some in protest and then squeezed him. She took in a breath and with her eyes still closed said, “I’m strong. And warm.” she peeked one eye open to look at him. She knew they had to get up but the world sucked and his bed was comfortable and so was he. ____________________ Greed wiggled on the bed, shuffling her with him. "Why are you so warm?" He whined. He was still wearing those yellow boxers he'd insisted were hidden from the night before. His arms circled her as he squeezed tight. ____________________ Zoe smiled, she loved being snuggled with him, it was probably her favorite place to be and thing to do. She liked the feel of his skin on hers, it wasn’t a requirement but it just felt... good. “Mmm.. I told you, magic boobs.” her voice still laced with sleep. _____________________ "Mmmmmhmmm." He snuggled his nose into her hair. She felt good, smelled good, and with an excess sin those were the things they thrived off of. They were sensory sins. They liked touch and feeling. "They're nice and squishy. Like the rest of you." _____________________ Her laugh was muffled against him, she was like a happy cat curled up with him. “I have the day off today... do we have time to have breakfast together or are you running late?” she knew keeping him in bed was cutting into his time but he was just so delicious and comfortable. _______________________ "Noooo I don't," his voice cried out in another whine. He had to shower and clean up. He liked showing off his expensive suits at work. It made all the balding, fat men slobber at the body they lost twenty years ago. "I gotta get up." But he stretched his legs out, tangling them with hers. _______________________ She looked at him with sleepy eyes, her leg wrapping around his, “This is a very strange way of getting up.” she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, “Will you have time to drop me home or should I take a cab?” ______________________ He rubbed a foot up her calf, hands snaking down her back only to snap the elastic of her underwear band. "I might could take you home." It was on the way, he just liked to tease. ______________________ She jumped when the elastic snapped against her flesh, “Jerk..” she said with a smile and nuzzled him. “Hmmm..” she said thoughtfully, debating on how to sweeten the pot for him even though she knew he was just teasing. “How about.. if you take me home first, I can bring breakfast to your office?” she raised her brows wondering, “I mean if that’s okay with you.” She’d never been to his work, and she should have waited for him to invite her but well, she was curious and she did want him to eat. ____________________ He nibbled her lip, his arms snakes around her. "Awww," he grabbed her nose between his knuckles, pitching his voice higher as he continued to tease her. "You're such a cute stalker." He let go of her nose only to steal a kiss and smack her butt. "Work is for work," he said in a pseudo serious voice as he jumped up to get ready. ____________________ She made a face as he called her a stalker, “I’m not--” but her words were silenced with his kiss only for her to them jump at the smack on the butt. She stretched out in the spot he abandoned, lying on her stomach so her naked back was on display as she hugged the pillow under her head, “Suits me fine, more food for me. I bought croissants yesterday, nice golden fluffy ones. Gonna have them with tea and jam. And you can... work.” ____________________ He poked his head around from bathroom door, his eyes trailing down her naked back. He let his fingers trail out in the open air as if it were skating down that back to the slope of her bubble butt. "What kind of jam?" He asked with one perked brow. ____________________ She smiled as she watched him pantomime touching her butt, “Mmm... strawberry. I think we have blackberry too but I’ll have to check.” ____________________ "What about honey?" He'd washed up and started putting on the tie around his shirt collar. He walked out in the pants, nice shoes and nicely styled hair. ____________________ Zoe had already put back on her dress while Greed had gotten ready and she padded over to him barefoot, “Mmm I think I have honey.” her hands went to his tie to properly tie it. She didn’t offer any of it though. “I think I’ll have mine with jam though. And earl grey tea. With some milk in it.” ______________________ “I like honey,” he said with the smallest of pouts as she strung his tie together. He looked at her with big blue eyes, a puppy that had been left outside and wanted to come in. She was stealthy in her techniques now, she knew how to work with him. She was making him want her to come to his workplace, but she was giving him the opportunity to say yes. When his his tie was perfected he stood in front of his mirror smoothing it out over his shirt to put on his jacket. He looked good in blue. _____________________ She smiled, “Well you can have honey whenever you have a nice delicious croissant next.” she patted his tie and puffed out her cheeks, saying in a mock serious voice, “Work is for work.” and she gave him a look with a tilt of her head before he walked off to the mirror and she got her heels. _____________________ “You---” he pointed a finger at her straightening the jacket on his shoulders so it wasn’t caught or wrinkled in any place. He grabbed his keys in a playful fit of irritation. “You better be there before eleven.” He threw out his arms expecting her to give him a compliment. He might be in Lust’s color but suits liked him. ____________________ Zoe smiled wide, clearly triumphant but she didn’t make a big deal out of it. She walked over and gave him a kiss, stepping back to look at him, “Handsome as always.” she was ready to go too but wearing what she wore the night before. It was uncomfortable and she didn’t like it but she hadn’t had time to pack a bag and had no change of clothes at Greed's. Or even extra undies. ____________________ He didn’t cuddle quite as much, he couldn’t get his suit wrinkled. He filled it out a lot better than the fat men who had offices next door. Even his company president couldn’t look as sharp. He kissed her on the cheek pushing the air to indicate she needed to follow and quickly. He wasn’t ever late.
When he dropped off Zoe he had enough time to let her get out of the car and speed off with the honk of his horn. Once in the office he had a whistle to his step, coming into the main entrance as if he was the president. He could have that position, but he could do so much more damage in the one he was in right now. He tipped his head at with a captain’s wave at each and every one of his fellow employees. He was still whistling when he sat down at his desk. Stretching out his arms, he turned on his computer and started through his files. ____________________ Zoe showered and changed into a sharp outfit before she packed up breakfast for her and Greed. It was a big step. He’d never let her see where he worked as it was one of the last ‘his’ places he had left. She gave the address to a cab, she didn’t want the food to spill on the train, and arrived there at quarter after ten. She stopped at the receptionist’s desk to ask for him. ___________________ Greed didn't often if ever invite company into his work space. That was his time, his home away from home. So, Zoe was a first.
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with red hair and glasses gave her a forced smile. "Is he expecting you?" Her face suggested that she found it a little strange. "Do you have a meeting with Mr. Avaritia?" ___________________ Zoe looked polished, she could have been there for a meeting with Mr. Avaritia. The sides of her hair were pulled back and she tucked a stray strand behind her ear, “Um.. no, not a meeting persay.. uh.. but he should be expecting me.” she held a paper take out looking bag. She wasn’t quite sure what the procedure was and was a little nervous since the way the lady was looking at her was really odd. __________________ The woman paged in Chance, only giving in just at the sound of his voice break through her eardrums. She settled the phone into the cradle and looked up at Zoe. "He's ready for you," she said waving Zoe by. __________________ Zoe looked startled but said, “Thank you...” and entered into the main area and was a little lost, immediately regretting not asking the woman exactly where her boyfriend’s office is. Not that she announced she was his girlfriend.. the lady hadn’t asked. She could just be a well dressed delivery girl for all they knew. ________________ His name was printed right on the glass door, but if she was lost she wouldn't see it. As Zoe passed by one of the other offices, the guy that was standing in front of his door talking with another employee stopped her. "Excuse me miss, you looking for someone?" ________________ Zoe figured she’d just have to look but when she got stopped, she looked at the man with that lost look on her face because she was, “Uh yes.. Chance Avaritia?” ___________________ "Oh," of course she would be looking for him. Who wouldn't be looking for Chance that was as pretty as that? The guy waved off his colleague. "He's this way actually. I'll take you there," he chimed with a bright white smile (as if it would do anything for him). He checked his breath against his hand when she turned around and lightly touched her back, "Follow me," he moved in front of her, his chest puffed out a little. It seemed like they went around in a circle before making it to Greed's office. He was head down, nose in his paperwork as he jotted down a few things. Greed always made the rest of them look slack. It was horrible.
The man opened the door clearing his throat. "Chance, you've got a delivery." Greed looked up from his work to see Zoe. The other man still hung around like a shadow.
"You can leave now, Karl." His eyes showed an obvious threat where his voice didn't. Greed's eyes followed over Zoe who looked rather cute. "Nice jacket." ___________________ Zoe followed the guy around, looking at Greed’s workplace. It was so... professional. Hard to believe her lovable doofball boyfriend was also this super serious businessman. Her eyes shone when she saw Greed finally at his office. She grinned at him as he complimented her, “Didn’t wanna make you look bad.” and then looked at Karl who was still there, “Thank you, Karl.” she said with a friendly smile for getting her to her boyfriend’s... and a signal he could leave now. ____________________ "Oh, right right. Sorry." He still hovered a little like his feet were stuck to the carpet. It would be unprofessional to ask who she was, but in the friendly tone she had it wasn't an interview or something. He shuffled away as Greed stood.
Greed reached out to touch a lapel to her jacket, rubbing it between his fingers and thumb. "Looks good on you." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, because he could see out of the corner of his eye there was some attention on them both on the outside of his door. ____________________ She smiled politely still at Karl as he left and then made an amused face at Greed as he came over, “I’m glad you like it. I wore it when I TA’d.” she would have kissed him back but she could see that he was aware of the attention they were getting. “I promise I won’t stay long.” she told him and held up the paper take out bag. Her eyes wandered around the office, she’d never been and she knew this was a very big deal for her to be inside it. She didn’t think Greed was entirely sure he made the right choice in letting her visit and she wanted him to relax and feel like he did. ____________________ He was a different person at work. Sure Greed goofed off, he joked around----but there was an entirely different face he held at work. It was why no one came to see him. He had the professional boy on, and it made getting away with underhanded things a lot easier. He could pin it on someone else. With a nice persona at work, people were more liable to take him seriously. Even with Zoe there, he wouldn't drop it completely.
He offered her a chair and took his seat again. He was ecstatic to see her inside, but as she had guessed there was a bit of uncertainty. He didn't want to break what appeal he had to the rest of the office. It was one thing for the guys to think he got tail with a new chick every week, this painted a different picture and made him look even better than the image they had all made up. As he took a seat he did ask quietly if she had brought the honey because he'd been thinking about it since he left the apartment. ____________________ She took the offered chair and was still smiling. It was so... strange but exciting seeing him like this. So serious. She kinda wanted to pinch his cheeks but wouldn’t. She rubbed her lips together and nodded. As if she’d forget the honey. She reached into the paper take out bag and took out a thermos of hot tea for him and a small pastry box that had two croissants (because she was sure one wouldn’t be enough for him) and a mini jar of honey in it that she handed over as well. She had a single croissant for herself with a little mini slab of jam and her own thermos of hot tea. _________________ Not even Lust saw this side. Only when they worked together did Lust see different sides. To her he was still her boy. He gave Zoe a nod, loading up both pastries with honey. That goopy mess he had to be sure didn't get all over his clothes or his desk so he set out a napkin for his lap. It was such a contrast to the mess he could be. Such a contrast to the goofball that Zoe regularly saw.
She had also turned him on to tea again. There were certain time periods that it was the thing to do for recreation. Have tea and scones or biscuits. This made tea a little less formal. As he popped that piece of croissant in his mouth with that extra kick of honey, he didn’t moan like he usually would when he liked something. He didn’t even squeak. There was a simpler little flutter of his eyes that showed he’d enjoyed it. Aside from the mouthful. He licked the tip of his fingers for another bite.
“I think Karl has a thing for you,” he said it casually as he saw the middle-aged, bald and chunky man poke his head around from a distance (which he thought was out of Greed’s range). Though his voice sounded casual, it was obvious it irked Greed. She wasn’t here for someone else to try and throw their paws out. That was just plain rude. “He slips you his number let me know. I’ll take care of it.” That was a far more finalized sentence than how it sounded. ___________________ Zoe watched him, kinda amused by how different he was. But she smiled when she saw his eyes flutter, such a restrained reaction from usual. He seemed... like someone turned the volume down on him. She ate her own food, glad to see the little things like him licking his fingers to show he was still him. She was surprised when he brought up Karl, she actually let out a short laugh, “I’m pretty sure he’s not going to do that. I doubt anyone here thinks I’m your--” she pressed her lips together, she was about to say ‘sister’ since in a normal conversation it would mean that nothing romantic was going on between them. After a pause she backtracked and said, “He’s not my type.” in a joking way. ___________________ He moved onto the second croissant after still finishing up the first one rather fast. He leaned back in his seat, letting it flop back a little, giving him an even more comfortable position. He eyed her carefully, still swaying the seat from side to side in a slow creaking motion. “He’s too bald isn’t he?” Greed was honestly bigger than he was, except Greed had acquired all muscle. He didn’t have a receding hairline and he could still fit into his pants without loosening the belt. ___________________ Zoe took a sip of her hot tea and looked at him. She answered truthfully and simply, “He’s not you.” she was in love with Greed, her type ended and began with him. Not just his looks and personality, just.. him. ____________________ Once the tea had cooled down he swirled a finger around after pouring in about ten packets of sugar. "I know," he said smoothing his tie against his chest. "He's not nearly as handsome." He drank some of his tea which had a fruity flavor. "Earl Grey?" Like this while he was still himself, but conversation was a little stiff. ____________________ She nodded, “Or as smart or funny.” he was good looking but they were secondary to the things she really loved about him. “Mmhmm.” she said when he asked about the tea. She looked at him curiously and asked in the same demure tones he was using, “Can they hear us..?” just because they could see the couple didn’t mean they had to talk about nothing, right? ____________________ “No, they can’t.” He relaxed a little waving off the peeping heads and curious eyes. He hooked his foot around the leg of her chair where she sat beside his desk, and scooted her a little closer. “Most of them go home with their less than happy little paychecks because of me.” He smiled at one of a passersby (a genuine fake smile that they would think was real) with a wave of his hand. He took another swallow of his tea. It was obvious even in his relaxed state that here he was still a little uncomfortable. He didn’t bring people here. Lust never even stepped foot in his office. “What are you going to do today?” ____________________ Zoe smiled when he scooted her closer, there was her boy. She didn’t comment on him stealing from people, it was his business. She wanted to touch his thigh or arm to try to relax him but considering how conscious he was of people seeing something she didn’t. “Run some errands. Picture you in a t-shirt and think of when I can hug you without worrying about wrinkles.” she gave an amused smile and took another bite of her croissant. _____________________ It was true he had gotten her addicted to touch, and when he wasn't his usual bouncy self he found he liked being all over her. He may have cuddled in the past, but there were lots of new things Zoe had opened up for him.
That real smile spiked when she mentioned tshirts and wrinkles. When there was an open opportunity he leaned in giving her another quick kiss on the cheek. "Another naked sleepover?" He asked in a delicate whisper cheek to cheek. ____________________ Her cheeks had a light pink that crept into them at the unexpected kiss, even just on the cheek it was very sweet. Her lips parted and she couldn’t remember how to form words for a moment before she replied in the same hushed tone, “We’ve been having a lot of those..” not fully naked since his Sin couldn’t handle it but close enough. _______________________ He made a noise that sounded offended, but he was still smiling. "Are you saying no?" He pulled back, seated upright in his chair, still swaying it from side to side. There was so little he could enjoy in the physical department with her (that they knew of. The night before they were learning something new), it was astounding to him the softest touches of hers sent his pulse to the moon. _______________________ “And if I was....?” she asked more out of curiosity than anything else but obviously she wasn’t saying no if her big smile was any indication. She watched him in his chair and wished she could climb into it with him and curl up like a cat for a nap. _______________________ "We would be having a very heated discussion on why that isn't a good idea," he pointed at her. That was a warning. "I do not get denied." Unless his body did the defensive for him.
It was then that one of the employees made her way to his door, knocking lightly. Greed waved her in, the swaying of his chair stopped. She was a few years older than Zoe. She colored her hair to hide the few spits of grey that were coming in early. She was pretty, but she wasn't a beauty queen. Working with a handsome guy like Greed had however caused her to try to doll up. The lipstick she wore was a few shades too dark, and her skirt went over her knees too far which shortened her frame. She did hang on his every word and would probably kill for him as he asked. "Just some files Avaritia. Oh," she smiled, "and a meeting in fifteen." Meetings were just an excuse for him to know what everyone else was doing and what he could swipe. The girl looked at Zoe, her heart sinking a bit. She obviously wasn't a sibling, and by the food she had come to see Chance specifically. "Do you need anything?" She asked straightening out her skirt as he reached over the desk for the file. _______________________ Zoe couldn’t respond because the woman walked in. As one woman to another she recognized the touches she did that were not meant for a professional atmosphere, they were meant to entice Greed. She stayed quiet and small in the chair and let them conduct their business. It was obvious in the way she assessed Zoe and hung around that she wanted to trade places with her. Zoe stayed silent. _____________________ Greed flipped through the file, taking the pen in his other hand, popping it to jot something down on the front. "Thanks Vanessa, but no, I'm good." He flashed her that fake smile. It's when he saw Karl still hanging around in the background that he stopped her. "Actually," he pointed to Karl, clicking his pen back and forth with his thumb. "The stack of papers at the end of my desk. Give it to Karl. It'll keep him busy for a few hours." He stopped the clicking and smiled again. When the poor woman didn't move after picking up her files he looked at the door, "I'll let you know if I need anything else," he whispered. She shuffled the pile onto her hip with a smile. "Okay." She walked out still looking at Zoe before going down the hall.
Greed cleared his throat and swallowed down some more tea. "You were saying?" _______________________ Zoe raised a hand to her mouth to cover her amusement as Greed took out his unfounded jealousy on Karl. She offered a friendly smile to Vanessa but it didn’t look like the woman was interested. When Greed turned back to her, she raised her brows a little, “Well someone has a crush on you..” ____________________ "Her?" He pointed to the door with a chuckle. "She thinks I'm a sweet, hard-working good boy." He wasn't. Not always. "Went out with the company for drinks once. She's as utterly unkinky as that skirt and bad lipstick." He shuddered a little. Greed liked pretty things. He was shallow at times. Being vain ran in the family. ____________________ Zoe nodded and sipped her tea and then paused. “Wait.. utterly unkinky?” her brows went a little higher, “You slept with her?” why was she surprised. “Don’t... answer that.” of course he had slept with her. She was sure that he’d slept with 1 out 3 when it came to the female population of New York. ______________________ He spit up his tea, some of it burning his nostrils. "No. I didn't get that far. She threw up on me after one too many drinks. Ruined my Valentino." He hadn't been happy after that. He wiped his jacket as if brushing off the memory. "But hey, now she'll do anything I ask." And probably fantasized about him daily. ______________________ She blinked and handed him another napkin for his mishap. “Yay...” she said in a small voice. She didn’t have any real response to him making out with a girl who pined for him and threw up at him and might be plotting on how to kill Zoe and wear her skin to just be with Greed. “She said you had a meeting soon so I guess I should head out.” __________________ "It was a total buzzkill." He wiped his face off, still feeling fire up his nose. "What afraid she's gonna stab you with her pen?" He laughed softly (not at all the same boisterous laugh he usually let out). "You've still got a few minutes." He didn't want her to go just yet. __________________ “Actually yes. I’m pretty sure most girls wanna kill me once they see you reject them because I’m your girlfriend.” she smiled, “You need to still wash your hands before your meeting. And this way you can walk me out.” she stood up, “You know make sure Karl doesn’t kidnap me or Vanessa kill me.” she teased. _________________________ "Another Mary huh?" He stood up, wiping of his hands on a napkin. He motioned to the door. "You just want an escort." Though he obviously agreed in not wanting Karl to slobber all over her like a badly trained puppy. "You'll have to open the door." He grinned wide stepping out into the open hallway, then making a pit stop in the bathroom to wash up and check his hair. He returned his hand now pressing against her back to go forward. "Did you get lost?" He said softly as the stares of coworkers continued all the way to the main entrance where Zoe had talked to the receptionist. _________________________ She looked at him when he came out of the bathroom, “I didn’t know where the office was but he asked before I had a chance to look and offered to take me there.” she smiled, “He delivered me to you.” when they reached the front, she asked, “Do you.. wanna come over tonight..?” her eyes veering downward and to the side. _______________________ "That better be all he did." Greed didn't elaborate but it was obvious anything beyond a look in her direction would have set him off. Even in his professional face. He leaned in ever so slightly as he held the door open, his nose just brushing hers. Just as quickly he moved back. "I want to go to the movies. Then I guess if my girlfriend wears something nice I might be inclined to stay over." Meaning she would be practically naked in bed for him to be comfortable. He gave her a silly smile, leaning forward again this time for a quick kiss on the lips when the receptionist wasn't looking. _______________________ She stayed mum about Karl, knowing the best thing to do would be to let it die and not say anything that Greed could misinterpret. It was the small things Greed did that really warmed Zoe. Like the simple brush of his nose against hers made her smile and her eyes shine. It was quick, almost blink and you miss it, but it was a small way of touching, affection, a sign he loved her and needed her. She closed her eyes briefly for the quick peck on the lips and pinched the material of the side of the front of his jacket lightly, “Sweats it is.” she teased. ______________________ He swung the door back and forth, still invading her personal bubble without touching. "Ahhh, no. Lace. Color. Something sexy." He was not going to do sweatpants. "Sweats are like you wearing plaid pajamas." He liked plaid. He wore plaid. But it wasn't sleeping material. ______________________ She raised her brows and her eyes got big, “I got plaid jammies.” she was teasing him still because it was fun. She grinned, “You’re going to be late to your meeting. I’ll see you tonight.” she kissed his cheek this time.