WHO: Greed and Zoe WHEN: Sunday WHERE: Lithuania, Hill of Crosses WHAT: Zoe surprises Greed with an alternative to Church, poker WARNING: You can't have sex on a cross
Eventually Greed and Zoe got up to shower, together this time because it was fun and a team sport. They spent the rest of the day cuddling, kissing and when the mood and energy returned that night, more sex was to be had. The next day which was Sunday, Zoe sat fully dressed but barefoot on the couch next to him having a breakfast of muffins and strawberries, the berries which she'd occasionally pop into his mouth. "So I got us the rental.." which made sense since it was his church day and that had been the plan all along to go to Church this morning. But Zoe actually was really uncomfortable at that place. She was the only non-white face among the old congregation and she just did not like how people looked at her. But she had a plan.
___________________________ Greed had needed the time with Zoe where he wasn't worried she would be snatched away. They didn't get to snuggle naked back in New York, and in a small way his body was getting used to being naked with her without sex. He’d been primping himself earlier before joining her on the couch. For as long as it took him to get ready it was a wonder he got anywhere on time. Greed mapped out his mornings when it came to his Sunday services. He had dressed in a casual blazer with a red collar trim. There was a t-shirt under there and some nice jeans with red dress shoes. He popped one of the berries into his mouth, sitting down with his leg crossed ankle to knee. "Why do we need a rental?" ___________________________ Zoe popped one into her own mouth and rolled it around for a moment before saying with a half full mouth that she covered with her hand, “Because we’re not going to the Church..” she swallowed and looked at him with wide eyes to see if he was okay with that. She had a plan too. _____________________ "We what?" He said in a stern voice. He thought she understood this ritual. He was a bit flustered now because this was not an option. Greed looked at her with a stiff lip. _____________________ She figured he wouldn’t react well to it and picked up another strawberry, “It’s a surprise.” that’s why she didn’t want to say too much about it, “If you trust me..” and it was a trust of more than just general, a trust that she really did know him (and she did, she was the one who remembered church last time they were here because she knew how important it was), “Then we can get in the car and go there. Or if you don’t, then you can still go to church.” ________________________
He had to stop a moment to think. This was his thing no matter how fucked up it was. Dropping his leg down as if he were ready to hop up, he looked her over. She was dressed for church. She even had heels. "Is this a trick?" He wasn't ready to say yes, but surprises were a fish hook. _____________________ Her heels were sitting next to the sofa, her bare feet not yet in them. She tilted her head and gave him an incredulous look, “Do you think it’s a trick?” she wasn’t exactly so great at the being devious and having nefarious plans thing, he knew that. She was still waiting for an answer. _________________________
He got right in her face with squinty eyes. "I don't know. You're taking my Sunday..." He narrowed those eyes to mere slits with barely any blue visible. "What kind of surprise?" He was intrigued obviously but he was still somewhat hesitant. _____________________ She was pretty calm and relaxed about his face being right in hers. Lots of sex will do wonders for the muscles and tension. She smooched him out of nowhere since he was so close and then said, “If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise. I can promise that it’s not driving you out to a field and leaving you there.” ____________________ "That would be so mean. Smooches are not making me say yes....but..." She was such an asshole telling him it was a surprise because then he couldn't say no. Their noses were on top of each of other. _____________________ “I know. It’s just fun to smooch you though.” She smooched him again since his face was smushed against hers. “That would be so mean but I told you it won’t happen. Mainly because I don’t know how to drive and you’re my ride.” she grinned. _____________________ “Until I find out where we are going, no more kisses.” They distracted him. They had made him say yes. Damn mortal and her tasty lips. He crossed his arms over his chest defiantly, kicking her heels over towards her. “Let’s go then!” As if it had been his idea all along. _____________________ She chuckled, “What a cruel punishment.” she said jokingly. She looked at her heels and shook her head, going to her comfortable shoes by the door. “You might wanna change your shoes into something more durable....” her voice suggestive (of the surprise, not sexiness). _____________________ Greed eyed her suspiciously with one eye open. “Durable?” Well, he’d have to find something that matched. Red converse. Those would work. He jumped up like fire had lit his ass and rummaged through his suitcase. There were still a million things that he didn’t need that he had packed. A long line of clothes that was way more than a weekend’s worth. He liked options. _____________________ She nodded, highly amused by the look he was giving her. She was pretty sure secretly he loved the chance to change his shoes to show off more of what he owned. The rental had been dropped off an hour ago, an old yellow convertible, and sat out front. She looked at him when he was done and walking over, holding her hand out to him. _____________________ She catered to his likes. The yellow car was a definite bonus. His eyes sparkled as it pulled up and he petted the hood. He released her hand to take the driver’s wheel. “You do know where we are going don’t you?” He was supposed to drive to a ghost destination without directions? Tapping his hands on the wheel he waited for her instruction. _____________________ She had hoped the yellow of the car would be enough to distract him from the fact it wasn’t anything fancy. She had grabbed a bag that had sandwiches, water bottles, and a map in it. “Yes, I got it, don’t worry.” she smiled and looked at the map, “Okay.... go straight and hang a left at the first crossing you see.” it was all dirt roads back where they were but they’d hit actual roads soon before going back into a different type of area that was also rural and small. They’d park on one of those dirt roads and it looked like they were in the middle of nowhere. Zoe got out of the car and looked at the map again, they’d have to walk the rest of the way. _____________________ Greed saw nothing. It was just landscape and dirt. It was a good thing he had changed his shoes, he would have hated to get the red leather ones dirty. They were meant to look good. He thought she had taken him on a wild goose chase. Even as he got out of the car, he put his hands on his hips as she followed out around the other side. “Are we here to collect rocks or something?” He still had no idea where this was going and he was very impatient. _____________________ “Do you want to throw one at my head?” she mused as she folded the map and put it back in the bag. She walked around to the front of the car and held her hand out to him again, “Don’t you like the dirt and barrenness?” she teased. He had such little faith in her and she wasn’t going to give him any hints until they got there. It was still a little walk but he’d see the hill soon enough in the distance. _____________________ “It might make me feel better.” He may have been born out of ash, smoke and fire but Greed was dressed for Sunday. He took her hand reluctantly letting her lead him down this mysterious trail that lead to some foreign end. They trucked through him whining that it was taking too long. He was nearly bouncing on his feet. It was hot and his impatience was wearing even thinner. Finally, they started to get somewhere but he still didn’t see what was so exciting that he had to skip out of church for. He’d been looking forward to taking the collection plate offerings. _____________________ “Well I bruise easily so I’d cry, just so you know.” she knew he was hating her right now. Cursing her in his mind and acting like a giant toddler. After walking for a little bit, she squinted at the horizon. “There.” a big hill was now visible in the distance except it didn’t look like one. It looked like a bunch of spikes and a cluttered mess but if you looked closer you’d see they were statues and crosses. Lots of crosses and crucifixes. Effigies brought by catholics because this site was holy to them. Not a church.. but she hoped Greed wouldn’t mind substituting this ‘holy’ place for the other one. _____________________
He trudged through the unknown with grunts and groans of annoyance. He paused with strange curiosity when he saw the giant spikes in the ground. “I thought I was the kinky one?” he teased then seeing the closer they came to the sea of crosses and statues. Oh good God it was insane. It was Lithuania’s own hoard. He walked a little faster now. Some of the people who were there praying looked up as they felt him enter as if this was some big playground and not a holy place of silent worship. His laughter didn’t help. He set an uneasiness in the air and one old man looked at him like some kind of vampire that should be burned by so many crosses. _____________________ She got dragged right along with him and was glad they’d changed into their comfortable shoes. She had hoped he’d like it because not only was it holy but it was an organized mess. It was a giant ‘collection’ really, and he liked those. And she was fairly certain he couldn’t steal the whole thing, she doubted they could even look at everything in this visit. She smiled apologetically at the old man because she knew Greed’s laughter wasn’t helping things. She looked at her boyfriend and asked, “Still wanna stone me?” _____________________ “No, this is fantastic!” He did let her hand go this time, rubbing his hands together. Ohhhh, so many things to look at he didn’t know where to start. Greed laughed again like a maniac, it near vibrated against all the metal and stone. The old man spoke of curses and crossing his chest to be repelled by this foul human. His words were all foreign of course. He looked at the girl and shook his head. He hissed for Greed to not touch as he reached out to pluck one of the crosses from it’s spot. This place was sacred! Greed was ruining it! He had no idea what Greed was, but like most holy people, or those that thought in the ancient ways, he was something very dangerous even if they couldn’t put their finger on it. To them Greed was a demon, one the world knew all too well. _____________________ She grinned, “See, you should have some faith in me.” she knew her man. She eyed the old man that was making the sign of the cross and took Greed’s arm, pulling him up the steps of the hill, “Come on.. there’s more to see.” and it’d get them away from these old folks that were looking at him as if the devil was coming to kick up dirt in their sandbox. There were crosses that were large enough climb and crucify yourself on, while some were much much smaller. _____________________ He set his eyes on this one big decorative cross. He had to admit he did want to climb it. It was a fucking tree! How the hell had they even staked that bitch in the ground? It would take demolition crew to knock it down. He followed with her, always just one step next to hers. He was practically a shadow at her feet.
Pawing at some of the crosses he laughed the more extravagant they became. Some with jewels and trinkets draped over them. Of course he was contemplating making a run with one. But he’d have to wait til he wasn’t being stared down with laser beams in the back. He barked at one of the old women who passed by muttering under her breath and side-eyeing him like the plague. “Oh, I’m so touched,” he said in a fake sympathetic voice, his hand to his chest. “They love me.” He wiped a fake tear from his eye. “It’s so beautiful.” _____________________ She closed her eyes and tried not to laugh (because it was wrong) when he barked at one of the old women. She watched him and covered her mouth, her eyes laughing as she shook her head. She dropped her hand and went on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, “You’re a big jerk.” but she didn’t reproach him for his behavior. Why should she? These people didn’t even give him a chance before they judged him. _____________________ She couldn’t stop people from judging him. There were those that welcomed him with open arms before they even realized how dangerous he was, and there were those that warded him off with crossed fingers. “I think they think I’ll melt under all those crosses. But it’s just the sun.” He wasn’t pale, there was a little tan to his skin with the weather they’d been having in New York and now here. “Omg I’m a vampire. How disappointing. I wanted to be a zombie.” He pouted. He eyed a sparkly cross that was bejeweled like it had come from the Queen of England herself. He went for it. _____________________ “Zombie’s are decaying and have a stink. It would make it really hard to kiss if I have to hold my nose.” as his hand reached for the shiny cross, she grabbed his hand and tugged him towards her, saying quietly with a smile, “Can you keep your fingers from being sticky until we leave? You already got a lot of eyes on you and there’s still more to see.” she looked at him pleadingly. If he stole stuff now then they’d have to leave without getting to see the rest. He could steal if he wanted, just maybe when they were already on their way out and people weren’t trying to throw holy water on him. _____________________
“I’d be a pretty Zombie. Don’t you remember Warm Bodies?” Then he remembered she hadn’t actually watched that one with him. He’d done that on his own while she was in the middle of a relationship crisis with Mike. Ohhh that bastard better never make an appearance again. Greed would literally make him kiss ass and lick his shoes. “Even a zombie gets the girl!” Her hands linked with his and he groaned. Good God! “I want that one,” he said through a barricade of shiny teeth. What if someone else took it? What if he lost it on the way out and couldn’t find it. He was tempted to piss right on it so he knew where to look on the way back out. He eyed it out of the corner of his eye, it was speaking to him. _____________________ “So do vampires. And even Sins.” since there was twilight and now Greed and Zoe. She looked at him and sighed, “Fine.. you can stay here and pet your precious. I am going to keep going down the trail and eat the delicious sandwiches I made and sit among all those shiny, new crosses and statues that you haven’t seen yet. And if you see something better when you finally decide to join me over there, your pockets will already be full. But I’ll give you a hanky to dry your tears about it.” she pecked him on the lips and dropped his hand, fully intending to leave him there and go do exactly what she said. _____________________ “Oh I’m way better than some pasty-assed sparkling vampire.” Those movies were hilarious to watch. Then she started talking of walking off and enjoying things without him? How incredibly rude. He looked down at his freed hand with a gaping mouth. He peered over past her shoulder. “There’s more?” He asked curiously, still eyeing what he could not see as if by squinting in the sun he’d be able to get a better glimpse. _____________________ She stood up straight and took a step before turning to look at him over her shoulder, “Yup. The trail goes straight down through more of this stuff and I think there’s like an area that you can sit and eat.” she gave him a bright smile, “I’ll save you a sandwich.” _____________________
She started away and he whimpered peeking around the corner. The unseen. The unknown. It was a treasure hunt and she was going to get there first! NO! He ran after her catching up and took her hand in his. He didn’t say a word, but poked his nose in the air as if she hadn’t just played him like a fiddle. _____________________ She didn’t look at him or say anything, just smiled when he took her hand and rested her head against his arm. Sure enough, there were more crosses and effigies, even rosaries draped over them as they continued on until the trial ended in a circular cleared off section, more crosses and statues littered the area but wild flowers grew here too. “How beautiful...” she said quietly as she looked at the odd way the wild growth had crawled over some of the pieces that had been there for many many years. A weird artistic destruction at parts since there were dents in the metal caused by the vines but covered in beauty because of the various flowers. _____________________ It was a graveyard of crosses. It was kind of creepy. People made temples out of the strangest things, but the hoarder inside literally giggled over it. It was a work of art, and so pretty. “Can we make out here?” he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows, picking her up around the middle and sweeping her feet off the ground. _____________________ She started laughing when he swept her up, “Here??” she put her arms around his neck and looked around, “What’s doing it for you? The creepiness? The crosses? The overall theme of religion? The eyes of pious dead people and alive people watching?” _____________________ “Mmmmmmm. Keep talking dirty and I’ll strip right here!” he laughed going in for a quick kiss. He still had her off her feet, swaying side to side in the same spot. There was just something completely adventurous about it. Like fucking in a graveyard. ____________________ She laughed again, only for it to become muffled when he kissed her. “You’re such..” she kissed him again, “A kinky weirdo.” but she kissed him long, hard, and full on the mouth, her feet swinging back and forth in the air. There was no one at this end of the trail for the moment, so maybe a few kisses would be okay. ____________________ “Makes it interesting.” He would slip in a little tongue because he could. There was no burning to a pile ash when he did, so he seized the opportunity. He even let one hand slip to grope her ass. Just a little squeeze. If someone saw even from a distance they were probably being spit upon because they were on sacred ground. The heavens didn’t open up and the ground didn’t shake. All good. _____________________ “Is it boring already?” she teased and her eyes closed all the way when his tongue slipped in. She was thrilled when he didn’t start to feel like a space heater under her hands and her exuberance was apparent through her kiss because it intensified. When he groped her, she tightened her hold around his neck with a quiet ‘Mmm’ to give him some tongue too, just a little without slipping off him and landing on the ground. Her soul was already claimed by the other side so might as well enjoy her life. _____________________ “Not hardly,” it was all new, “but who doesn’t like a little fire?” He ate up all that attention. It was out in public too, made it that much more attractive. If she really didn’t want to fall she could always hook herself around his waist. She could be a monkey climbing a tree. A very tall tree. “Don’t have a blanket in that bag? There’s a nice empty spot over there.” He was certain he could talk her into it. _____________________ She wrinkled her nose, “Get plenty of fire in New York.” or did he forget how he burned up when they kissed like this there. She liked him being able to enjoy it without pain. Or just achy flu pain when he actually went in. When he started talking about blankets and empty spots, she frowned, her mind still reeling from his kiss as she tilted her head, “To eat?” since a blanket and sitting down meant eating and she did have food for them. _____________________ His face went blank. She had just skipped right over that. He set her feet down on the ground, hands still draped on her waist though for a few more tongue battles, pressing her firmly against him. “I wasn’t talking about food.” They were on sacred ground, what better way to rock the locals by having a sex scandal amidst their crosses and rosaries. _____________________ She looked at him wonderingly when he set her down. Were they done? Oh, guess not as she felt his tongue in her mouth again and his solid wall of a body against her. Her arms had uncurled from around his neck and slid down part way when he put her down, her hands now on his shoulders and she still was confused until it clicked, “Oh... oh!” she gave him a look, “Are you out of your mind?” she said on a small disbelieving laugh, “There are people close enough that I can hear them talking.” she pointed down the trail they came up. They couldn’t hear the words but sure enough there were people not too far away. _____________________ “Not even a little bit?” He motioned with his hands a far bigger gap than anything ‘little’. There was a whine that followed. He had not been joking, very clearly out of his mind. This is where she would remember he was nothing near normal. He’d probably have sex on top of an electric box if he thought it would possibly give him a jolt. Greed got a thrill off the unexpected. _____________________ She looked at him agape, “How can you have a ‘little’ sex?” she hissed at him. She was still learning to be okay with curiosity, sex in public? On holy ground no less? She looked highly uncomfortable. “Kissing isn’t enough?” though as soon as she said the words she realized that the word ‘enough’ was not in Greed’s vocabulary. She put her arms around his middle and leaned her head back to look at him, “Can’t we make out and if you get really revved up we can go home and you can tear my clothes off?” she didn’t mean it literally, just that here they could have sex so if he wanted to, then yes they could. _____________________ “I don’t know!” The voices in the background got a little louder the closer they came. Greed was just going to have to deal with kissing whether he wanted to or not. If Zoe wasn’t on board he couldn’t make her do anything, not here. Not that he had ever purposefully made her do anything at the hand of influence. He didn’t feel like starting now. There was a little whimper in his throat, chin down against his chest as he swayed them still side to side. He gave her another kiss. “Okay,” he agreed after a moment of thought. “Besides, if a cross falls and impales me in the middle of it, I’m not going to be very happy.” There, at least then it sounded like his own decision. _____________________ Zoe smiled as he rocked them side to side, aww he looked so sad. She kissed his lips and shook her head, squeezing his middle, “Nooooo... I’d be unhappy too. I like you alive and cuddy. Plus all the blood would ruin your outfit.” she was thankful he’d given up on the idea or else she would have had a panic attack. He’d just gotten her used to PDA’s of kissing and hand holding in public, he had to ease her into these sex adventures of his. _____________________ “Think these people might just ban the site from trespassing if I got impaled. It would be funny though.” He looked over his outfit, yeah he liked this one. “I wouldn’t want to do that.” He could buy more, always, but ruining his things was worrisome. He kissed her again, his hands hugging her sides, rested on her hips. “Can we just keep kissing for a little bit?” He swayed her again, chin still down, looking at her with puppy eyes. _____________________ “They probably also would if they caught us doing the dirty.” she enjoyed his kiss and then gave him a wary look as he pleaded for more kisses. She tried to be stern but he looked very cute. She narrowed her eyes and scrunched up her nose, “Maaaaaybe....” he hadn’t even said please. _____________________ “They might burn me for that too. I’m kind of tired of fires and knives when it comes to dying. So boring.” He’d told her once about the ice pick, but he had a handful of memorable ones. “Just one...” he pleaded. He dropped those lips and motioned his eyes a little higher so the effect of sad puppy was even greater. She couldn’t resist that pout. _____________________ She frowned and whined in a ‘do not want’ way, “No talk about you dying on our vacation, okay?” she knew he didn’t think it was a big deal but it scared her nonetheless. She was about to give in to his pleading, they both knew it, her lashes were lowering, her gaze on his pouty lips, “I should make you say please first..” but he was sooo tempting. _____________________ “What? I’m just saying it’s a little boring sometimes.” He let his tongue play on his bottom lip a little to moisten it. She was staring, it would bait her. “That’s not really a word in my vocabulary...not usually...but I’m sure there’s more for us to do. Walk a little more, take pictures. My lips will still be there when we leave.” He was doing the same thing she had just done to him minutes ago. He was mimicking her for fun. _____________________ She had a slight grin as her mouth slowly dropped open and she saw what he was doing. She stared at his bottom lip, the cheeky bastard, he knew she loved it. But because she wasn’t about to be outdone, she gave a nod and started to pull back, “Well, I guess you’re right.... walking, taking pictures, sounds fun.” if she didn’t kiss him, she didn’t get the kiss... but neither did he. _____________________ That was not how she was supposed to react. She was broken. Definitely broken. That pout grew, except this time he meant it. He wanted a kiss. If he couldn’t defile the sacred ground in other ways, he would most definitely defile the residents of their eyes. He leaned down and went for it like a hungry bear. Her lips were plush soft and they wanted him. They wanted him! _____________________ She eyed him and then squealed when he just laid one on her. She did want him and it was impossible to hide it. She returned his kiss passionately as if maybe something more might happen but they knew it wouldn’t. She wasn’t that kind of girl! But she did love his kisses, they were hard to resist and she practically melted right there on the spot. _____________________ An old woman passed them speaking loudly in her native tongue. If Zoe thought she’d gotten the evil eye in church last time, she got it ten times harder for the public display. Greed however was very satisfied to leave Zoe with pink cheeks and puffy lips. He even licked his own in a semi-sexual way when the woman peered over her shoulder. _____________________ Zoe barely heard the woman because she was so engrossed in the brain frying kiss Greed gave. She blushed and hid her face in his shirt, her hand holding onto the material while the other was around his middle. She had a shy smile as she didn’t look at him but said, “Um... whenever you’re ready to.. go home...” not that they had to leave of course. But she kinda wanted to do what he suggested doing but back in the privacy of their cottage. _____________________ “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed. It’s like watching a kitten hide in a corner with it’s head poking out.” He snorted a laugh. She said home and he did want to bolt...but he also wanted to see more and snatch a few things for his own collection. “Not until I get a souvenir.” He watched the other people pass as if this were some kind of truck stop. They’d all filled in his space now, it was annoying. He’d picked that spot to be with Zoe. “Besides...” he had that look on his face that said he was up to no good.
He pulled at the blanket in her bag. “Let’s have lunch.” He would give these people a show. Little things did always make more of an impression. _____________________ “I hate you, you know that right?” she asked in a wondering tone. She gave a ‘welp’ look when he decided to stay, “Wow dead holy people and crosses are more of a turn on than I am. I have officially hit a new low.” she was just joking though. Mostly. She raised a brow when he wanted to park it and have lunch but threw up her hands, “Sure thing.” she gestured for him to pick a spot, there really was only one that had some grass and no crosses stuck into it yet, plenty of crosses within touching distance of it though. _____________________ It had been more a matter of Greed getting out of the house. He was a dog that needed to roam free out in the open air. Too much time indoors (no matter how much sex he got) started to make him feel stuffy. He needed the fresh air. Closed up inside was a cage, Greed didn’t do well in cages. “Holy people are always a turn on didn’t you know?” he took a seat on the blanket after having spread it out. Once she was seated he put his head in her lap. Who said he had to eat sitting. He was comfortable laying there, tossing his shoes off and getting comfortable as if it was his living room. _____________________ She had barely sat down when he plopped his head in her lap and she pursed her lips, hands on her hips as she looked down at him, “Comfy?” she asked sarcastically. _____________________ “Not yet,” he wiggled his hips to shift a little bit in the perfect spot. “Now I’m good.” He had that slapstick grin on his face, eyes closed and completely content with himself. “Sandwich?” She’d said she had food right? He was being a complete tease right now and he knew it. _____________________ She gave him another look and then said, “Oh, good idea.” she reached into the bag and pulled out her wrapped sandwich which smelled delicious, she had made it with bacon. She smiled at him in her lap, “Yours is still in the bag.” he could get it himself. _____________________ He barked at her shifting his gaze up and at that sandwich. It smelled fresh, tasty. When he made a grab for it she moved and he flopped on his side, hands down on the blanket to watch her take a bite. It didn’t matter if his was in the bag. The point was he wanted a bite of hers. She knew that, she knew this ritual. _____________________ She just stared at him as she bit into the sandwich, making a small sound of something between a groan and a moan. Nothing nearly as loud as he normally teased her with though. She chewed thoughtfully as if she was savoring every little bit. _______________________ Greed put his chin on her shoulder, a stray animal looking for a bite. When she still didn't give one he whimpered. _______________________ She made a mock sympathetic face when his face popped up next to hers,”Aww..” she reached her hand up to touch his cheek. With her other hand she brought the sandwich up to her mouth and while watching him took another delicious bite. She was still learning how to cook but sandwiches were something she was really good at and he knew it. _____________________ What was she looking for? A please? That sandwich was huge. She couldn’t eat it all? Or could she. Greed groaned flopping back in her lap. He twiddled his thumbs for a few minutes before she took another bite. "Please?" _______________________ She raised her uuuuuuut and looked down at him. She would have teased that she didn’t hear it but she knew it took effort for him to say it. He’d only said ‘please’ to her a few times in their entire relationship. She broke off a small piece of the sandwich and poised it in front of his mouth with her fingers. Please really was a magic word. ________________________ He punched the air with his fist. Oh yes. He was good. He leaned his head off her lap just enough to take the bite of sandwich with his teeth, sure to lick her finger with his tongue before settling back down comfortably. ________________________ She chuckled when he did his celebration and let out a soft, “Hey..!” when he licked her finger, slapping him ever so lightly on the cheek and taking another bite of the sandwich. It was a weird spot to be having a picnic, no one else was and they’d get occasional odd looks. She was a little sad though, they’d have to leave soon. Not this hill but Lithuania.. and she didn’t feel ready to go back yet. ________________________ They still had a day or so at least. Most of one. After he begged her for another bite he started looking off into the mass of crosses. When he thought about how much time was left he suddenly was a little forlorn. Their minds were on the same wavelength here, it was a little scary ever since that tsunami of a fight. He looked to be in a daze as she had this picnic. He wanted to keep her here forever. ________________________ She broke off another piece without him asking this time because she didn’t want him to go hungry. She smiled when she fed it to him and he had such a peculiar look on his face that she tilted her head and asked, “What....?” whenever he got quiet, she was always curious what was going on in his mind. ________________________
He had his eye on a particularly shiny cross. It practically glittered in the sun with golds and silvers with an amulet in the middle of it. Tapered on the arms of the cross were glittery jewels that reflected a prism of colors across the big silver cross next to it. He watched the lights bounce as if off a Christmas tree, watching the direction they went. He fingered the air with the shapes they displayed, still quiet when she asked him the question. “I was just thinking I want to keep you here forever.” Then he wouldn’t have to share her with New York when they got home. ________________________ That answer brought a big smile to her face and she leaned down to give him a kiss, her hair stroking his cheek as it fell forward. When it broke, she seemed a little depressed.. “I was thinking the same thing.” but they had jobs and what not. With two weeks it was nicer and definitely longer but she knew that even if they had a month, they’d always want more time when it was up. ________________________ “I think I’m done with lunch.” He’d hardly eaten, but when he sat up he literally tackled her and pinned her back against the blanket with a playful growl. With the two of them rolling all over the ground it only drew more confusing looks for the rest of the people who were there to pray not watch a session of PDA. ________________________ “But you barely--” she started to say and didn’t get to finish when she was tackled and started laughing. She smiled up at him, “You know we should probably be careful. If we get kicked out of Lithuania, it’s gonna suck. I haven’t found another place for us yet.” ‘yet’ being the key word as she was currently looking. ________________________ “I haven’t even done anything yet,” he tugged on her lip between his teeth so he could savor that ginger-lipped kiss. It was the old woman that tapped him on the shoulder, her little crooked shadow hovering over them both, that waved a naughty finger. She ushered them to get up with the woosh of her hands in the air, looking back to the crowd of people that were showing up with in minutes. She wasn’t spitting nasty curses at them though. She’d been young once. She was trying to get them to not get caught and dragged out in the dirt like heathens. ________________________ Zoe blushed when the woman had caught them. She put her hands on Greed’s shoulders as she watched the woman pantomime for them to stop this and get going. She turned her lips in and nodded, then looked at Greed, the mood utterly gone. She used her own puppy dog eyes on him and said quietly, “Come on, let’s go for a walk..” she didn’t want to share him with all these people anyway. ________________________ They walked hand in hand for the duration of this little ‘trip’ she had planned until the sun started to drop in the sky, turning that morning into the late afternoon. His pockets had not gone empty. Even though he’d attempted to climb one of those giant crosses like a tree and drag it home with him, Zoe helped him pick out a few smaller pieces. When they got back to the cottage the sun was nearly down. They’d taken the rental car back (though Greed had debated on stealing it too---but was assured there was no way he’d get it on the plane), and then it was just settling down time to enjoy each other’s company without the eyes of others. ________________________ Zoe stretched out her arms as she walked over to the sofa. They hadn’t used the bed once this trip. “Place is clean. Bags packed. Cab will be here in the wee hours of the morning.” she let out a huge sigh and flopped down on the couch. This sucked. ________________________ Greed stuffed his crosses in a safe spot in his luggage. He hardly had any room left but he managed as he always did with his excellent packing skills. “So how long til we leave?” He looked at his watch. “I know what we can do?” He wiggled his brows. One final hurrah before they were back to turning him into a space heater. ________________________ She leaned over and put an arm around his neck from behind as she looked at his watch too, “Mmm.. six hours or so.” she grinned when he made that suggestive gesture, “Play chess?” ________________________ “You want me to be the king to your queen and checkmate your ass?” He knew nothing of chess really. Too drawn out of a game for him to enjoy. “Or we could play strip chess.” Yeah, that sounded a lot more interesting. ________________________ She chuckled, “You know nothing about Chess I take it. I think you’d like it actually. It’s all about strategy. I’ll have to teach you in New York. Even if you learn by strip chess.” she leaned forward and raised a brow, “Are you back on my ass again?” ________________________ “Sounds sexier with clothes coming off,” he twirled his finger, leaning into her arms that were still wrapped around him from behind as he scooted up towards the couch. “I like your ass. I thought we’d established this fact. It’s pert. I could bounce quarters off it and watch it jiggle. I LIKE your ASS.” He repeated those words slowly as if she needed him to say it again to get it. ________________________ She squeezed her eyes shut so her face scrunched up as she laughed because it was weird and embarrassing for him to go on about her butt and loudly at that, “Can we stop talking about my ass?” she kissed him on the cheek as she curled her arms more around him. ________________________ “Why?” he whined tugging her arms around his neck a little lower so that her hands draped over his pecs. “You should be proud of it. I know I am....” it wasn’t like he’d given it to her, but he owned it now, so it was his. He chewed on his bottom lip a little thinking. “Wanna play strip poker then? I don’t think I brought a chess board.” ________________________ She was highly amused as she nuzzled his hair, “You are? You sound like a proud parent who shows pictures of his kids off. ‘And this is my girlfriend’s butt. I’m very proud.’” she said in a huffy man voice. She kissed the skin at the nape of his neck, “Do you have cards?” ________________________ “I think I just might,” he shivered against her lips. The neck was a nice comfortable place, and it liked her kisses. He pushed over his suitcase once he’d hooked his foot in the handle and dragged it closer. He unzipped a small pocket and pulled out a deck of Sin City playing cards. He handed her the deck, smacking her hand softly where it rested on his shoulder. Greed came prepared. ________________________ She rested her cheek on his hair and took the cards from him, intrigued by them. “You just happened to have a set of cards on you... did you plan this?” she asked turning her head to look at him almost accusingly. Not that she was upset. ________________________ “How could I have planned that? Pfft.” He stuck his nose in the air. It wasn’t like he hadn’t brought the handcuffs too. One day those would come in handy when he got her to agree. “I just pack things I might need later.” Like the woman who couldn’t decided how many sets of clothes she really needed on an overnight trip so she packed twenty. Not counting the shoes. Greed was about twenty times as bad. He’d drag his entire apartment into that suitcase if he could. It was a shame it couldn’t fit. ________________________ “I dunno... you’re crafty.” she unwound herself from around him and sat up, shuffling the cards, “This game is more luck than skill, right? Cause I don’t think I was very good at it when I played before...” she twisted her lips in thought as if the memory came back to her and she made an eek! face, “Yeah no.. this was not a good game for me.” ________________________
Greed’s grin looked as if it would devour her. He rubbed his hands together, turning around to face her (still on the floor). “That means it’s good for me.” He gave her a wink as she delivered the cards. Who had ever said poker had been about winning the cards. It was always about who lost the clothes. ________________________ She made a face, “You’re horrible.” but she dealt the cards and the good thing about poker was that it was a fast game. Each hand didn’t take even a minute to play and it was perfect for Greed’s attention span. When they revealed their cards for the first round, Greed had won. Zoe wrinkled her nose but took off a sock and threw it at him. They were gonna go again and again till one of them lost. ________________________ “I am no such thing. I’m perfect.” The second reveal wasn’t so much in his favor. He took off a shoe. Then another and then his socks. The more rounds they went through he was not getting winning hands. What was happening? So far she had a sock, or maybe two socks. Now he was pulling off his red-collared jacket. “You’re cheating somehow. I know it.” He gave her a suspicious eye, pointing his fingers at his eyes and back at her. ________________________ The more she won, the more he took off, the more she grinned like a kid about to have cake. She mock gasped, “Rude. I am not cheating. I don’t have any cards up my sleeves or anything.” she held out her arms as if he should check them, “We should play this when we get home too, I had no idea how fun it could be.” but right after she said that, her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ when he won the next hand. She fidgeted since she was in a dress, “Okay but you have like ten more layers than I do so I should only have to take it off half way.... right?” she asked dubiously hoping he’d give that to her because sitting in her skivvies while he was dressed was gonna make her blush. ___________________ Greed tapped his set of winning cards against his lips. He rubbed the edges back and forth in thought. "Hrmmm...that's a tough call. Is it really fair to let you drop only half a dress when its a one piece?" What to do what to do. "Fine." He giggled in agreement only because he didn't expect her to win the next hand. ___________________ She looked like she was on pins and needles while he sat there like an overlord determining whether or not to show mercy. When he agreed, she gave a big smile, “You continue to surprise me.” but she liked that about him. She set her cards down and turned to the side so he could see her back. She looked to the side and asked, “Can you help me with this?” it’d be easier if he pulled down the zipper. ________________________ "Oh I was thinking the other half?" He set his cards form on the floor, scooting up so to reach the zipper at the collar of her dress. He took his time letting it glide, metal teeth spread open like a gaping mouth. He let it reach its end which sat right at the dimple of her back, just above the curve of her butt. He didn't let the thick straps of her dress fall off her shoulders before cascading the backs of his fingers up. He then moved back, seated Indian style for the next hand....
Which he lost.
So, now he was stripping off the only shirt he had left. Unlike her, there was nothing holding his chest up. Nor did it involve black lace and green silk. ___________________ She shivered when his hand touched her back and then they played another round. She shifted to get comfortable, sitting in her bra and the top half of her dress pooled around her tummy. She looked triumphant when he had to lose his shirt. She couldn’t help but look at his half naked self. He had an incredible body.. the next hand again she won and she was practically giddy, “Those need to..” she pointed at his pants and flicked her finger twice to the side as if to say he needed to take them off. __________________________
"These?" He wiggled the belt buckle, but didn't loosen it yet. He snapped it slowly, then went for the zipper and button. When he realized this was his second to last piece of clothing he looked at her in an unfair face. "I'm down to my boxers." It wasn't fair. One more round would have him out with Mr. Winkie. ___________________ She couldn’t contain the smile on her face as she nodded. Sex had never been a huge deal for her before but having a boyfriend where you could only touch him every few months? And he was unbelievably hot? Yeah, her libido kinda went into overdrive at times. “Yup! One more and you won’t have to worry about those bad boys.” because they’d be hers and he’d be naked. She dealt the next hand. ________________________ He'd just thrown his pants on the empty seat of the couch, legs back to being crossed like a little boy. "If I don't win this round you are definitely cheating and I want a rematch." He peeked under one card, snatching it from her with the others. He peered over the row of cards he had fanned out. Waiting for her to put down hand. Then he threw his down with a whine. He played upset pretty well, but he was having fun. So, when he took off the boxers he threw them at her head. ________________________ She put her hand down and squealed when she actually won! With Greed, you didn’t get to win many, if any, things. It was a big moment. She grinned when his boxers smacked her in the face and fell in her lap. She put her hand down in front of her, leaning on it a little as she looked at him, “I think I need to see my prize fully.” and she pointed her finger to the ground and twirled it signaling she’d like him to show off what she’d won. ________________________ Oh wasn’t she smug? Propelling her finger in the air like he was just supposed to get up and turn around. He wasn’t a fashion model, but his own skin was his favorite outfit to show off. He stood tall, circled a few times slowly and made a few obscene gestures (because it was Greed, the invitation was already given), and then slapped his hand on the pile of cards in her lap. With his hands against her outer thighs (dress still pooled around to cover all her bits) he stuck his nose right up against hers. “I want a rematch.” He had nothing left to take off, but this time he felt like raising the stakes a little higher. “This time, if I win a round you take off what you have left but you gotta be sensual about it. If you win a round you can ask me more embarrassing questions.” It didn’t seem hardly fair, but, it would keep the mood going and make her more comfortable with herself. He already loved all her curvy bits and the in betweens, she needed to not be shy. If she wanted to alter the deal, she could. It just better be good. ________________________ She was smug and looked like the cat that ate the canary as she watched him turn for her. She nodded approvingly, “Oh yes, very nice.” She gasped a little in surprise when he got in her face but she was intrigued, it was always a little scary in a sexy way when he was aggressive. She shook her head, “That’s not fair, you don’t care about answering embarrassing questions.” She narrowed her eyes and thought about it, “Okay, if I win... you have to wear my undies. To work tomorrow.” she raised a brow in challenge. _______________________ "I better hope you're not wearing a thong then." He slapped his hands together and rubbed them back and forth. "Let's go little deal maker." She was getting better and better at this. He sat back down on the floor because when he did win the next round he wanted to see her take off that dress. ________________________ “No way, they ride up my butt.” she ran her tongue along the back of her teeth as she watched him get ready like he was going to devour her. The cards were dealt, everything was riding on this... and no matter how good of a hand he had, she couldn’t help but grin like crazy when she set her own hand down and it was the winning hand. She clapped her hands like a kid as she laughed, “We need to play this more often.” _________________________ "How did you----?" He practically squeaked. "Cheat!!!" He threw his cards at her, letting them flutter in her face. "I just want one sexy striptease from you." Now he'd lost it. _________________________ Her mouth dropped open, “I am not!” she closed her eyes when the cards fluttered around her face. She was kinda touched that all he wanted was a sexy striptease. “Aww.. “ she then made a face and looked at him with a frown, “I... don’t know how.” she said as if she just realized that. She looked at him as if she was sorry but there was nothing she could do and she doubted this was something he could help her with. _________________________ "Just....pretend you’re someone else." It sounded absurd, but it was true. If you put on a face it did wonders for one’s self esteem. It could work for Zoe. Give her confidence. "Pretend I'm new at this," he scooted up towards the edge of the couch, his cheek laying against her calf, letting a single finger drag up and down towards her knee. "Pretend you have to show me what to do. Get me in the mood." Though he was clearly still salivating over her with no problem. _________________________ Her eyes went a little wide when he told her to pretend she was someone else and she crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a look that said he was on thin ice. “You want me to be someone else?” her tone clearly stating she did not like what he was suggesting there. As if he didn’t want her, he wanted someone else there instead. Though his later words suggested he wanted her to pretend he was someone else but still. ________________________ He grunted in annoyance. How did she turn that around? He smacked her leg softly. "I mean like roleplay Zoe. I'm not saying I want someone else." ________________________ She pouted when he smacked her leg and then frowned when he explained, “Oh.” she was less annoyed but still a little huffy as she gave him a look, “We tried roleplaying.. sort of... remember?” she ran her fingers through his hair and said with a hint of a smile, “You start getting jealous of yourself.” ______________________ "Well part of me is parked with a finger on the remote, so I won't get jealous here." He kissed her leg. He could just undress her, but he wanted to make it fun. He lost, he should get something! ________________________ She eyed him as if she didn’t trust him, “Alright.....” she agreed after a few more moments of silence, “But if you bitch about it in New York then I’m gonna smack your butt till you have an imprint.” she wrinkled her nose, “You’d like that though, wouldn’t you...” She was still at a loss and was starting to feel self conscious and stupid, she rubbed a hand over her face as if she didn’t know where to start. This was like auditioning for something and she was a terrible actress. ______________________ Well he had seen strippers and bad actresses. He was curious as to how she handled herself. He lazily dragged his finger down her calf until he reached her foot and sat back. "Just pretend I don't know anything." In a way it wasn't off the mark. She was teaching him so many new things too. She just needed to use what he'd taught her and be creative. "Use your imagination." ________________________ She covered her face with her hands and made an ugh noise, this was just a lot of pressure. She slid her hands down till they only covered her nose and mouth, her big eyes staring at him in disbelief, “You? Not know anything?” she rolled her eyes in a ‘oh boy’ way as if she couldn’t even begin to imagine that! ________________________
“I can pretend.” He shot her a dark glare. Well, he could try anyway. The Sin could give him pointers here. It wasn’t as easy to slip in and out as it was when he was just Greed. He tried to turn his head, mimicking how she blushed and played shy. He wasn’t sure how great of an actor he was as a boy. He had been at it forever. ________________________ She kept her nose and mouth covered as she watched him and she couldn’t prevent the bubble of laughter that escaped, she clamped her hands down over her mouth and looked apologetically at him. She stared at him for a few moments, the wheels in her head turning. Her hands slowly dropped and she was smiling, “I’m sorry but that’s just... I can’t.” she stood up and towered over him since he was still sitting on the floor. She put her hands on either side of the bunched up dress and wiggled her hips as the dress seemed to be stuck, “I-- hmm..” she frowned and looked down at him, “Could you...?” he was already in a position to give it a tug. ________________________ His eyes trailed from her feet up. Those legs. God those gorgeous milky legs. He fingered the hem of her dress, giving it a slow and strong pull. Then it was pooled at her feet. He had the urge to let his hands slip from her ankle up her leg but he could only stretch so far. Besides he was curious. So when he looked down in what seemed shy, it was real. She was a goddess in front of him. ________________________ She lowered herself to her knees, in between his legs, her hands over his, moving them up her own legs till they rested on the edges of her underwear, “I’m sorry I can’t pretend right now... I just haven’t had enough of you yet..” she said softly as her thumbs pushed his into the hem of the elastic. She wasn’t doing a sexy strip tease, she didn’t know how... and she didn’t want to pretend when they just had a few hours. But she could work with him, show his hands how to take off her remaining clothing instead of doing it herself. Team effort. ________________________ Whether or not she could actually do what he wanted, she had taken the wheel in her own way. His eyes were still cast down to her legs, watching as she helped him drag down the soft material. If he was one to blush he may have, but he was in a trance, completely encapsulated in this moment. ________________________ When her underwear hit her knees, she was a little apprehensive but ignored that she was literally half naked. She guided his hands back up her legs, over her hips and up her stomach till the tips of his fingers were hitting her bra. She moved his hands over the sides of the bra and kept her eyes on him, he being her main focus. ________________________ This was an oddly comfortable place to be in. They were doing this together and there was nothing overtly sexual about it. In some small way it was teaching Greed how to be comfortable with her body and his naked without thinking sex, sex, sex! It would eventually lead there because this was their last habitable night in Lithuania before they went back to New York. It would be memorable, like this entire trip had become. Greed was learning. Zoe was learning. They had come to connect and ended up exploring each other more than they thought was humanly possible. It was a shame it had to end.