WHO: Greed & Zoe w/Jonah WHEN: Friday WHERE: Ritz Hotel Penthouse, Jonah/Zoe's apartment WHAT: Greed's new work has a company holiday party WARNING: Greed learns not saying yes does not mean no
A couple of weeks went by and Zoe and Greed slowly were falling back into how things used to be. Except... it was even better than how things used to be. She was surprised when he asked her to be his date for a company holiday party... especially when he revealed it was a formal swanky affair to be held in a ritzy hotel. She wasn't really the fancy type and she was nervous but pleased he asked her so she'd gotten the perfect dress and was fixing her hair and makeup, not too heavy but something that was more an evening look. When Greed's knock at the door came (the door tended to be locked when Jonah was home) Zoe yelled, "Jonah! Can you get that please? It's probably Chance, I'm not ready yet..." _________________________________ Greed wanted to make an impression. He could still that with Lust but nothing he earned would be in his own. Zoe was teaching him that achieving goals and doing things in his own were important. Being greedy meant one could get anything they wanted including a higher spot in the pay scale without having his sister bang his way up.
Worse than that was having to make small talk with a Virtue. Jonah was stiff as a board, so the conversation fell as soon as it started. _________________________________ Zoe hurried up, she didn't want to leave the boys alone. She came out from the bathroom in a beautiful silver grey dress that hugged her perfectly and just exuded class and grace. Her hair fell in a soft wave over one eye and her feet were still bare but hey, she didn't want blood in her living room. She smiled wide when she saw Greed, "Hi...." she held her hands up and to her sides as she looked down and then back at the boys, "What do you think? Swanky enough for your party?" _________________________________ Jonah was cleaning the kitchen as Greed at in the couch, making sure he rubbed his sin scent all over like a dog making its territory. Useful or not Greed didn't have to like Jonah.
Greed stood when Zoe emerged, pulling a box out of his pocket. Thus was a swanky party, she needed a little sparkle. They matched nicely with his three piece suit. "Just a little something shiny." _________________________________ "Aw, you look so handsome.." she smoothed his lapels and then looked at the box curiously, "Oh? For me?" she didn't reach for it, just in case it wasn't. She poked him, "You didn't say a word about the dress." she raised a brow. _________________________________ "You look beautiful," Jonah chimed in to say, handing her the shoes she left sitting by the couch since Greed was busy. Greed shot a glare, "why thank you Virtue I forgot you knew how to speak. Is there an off button?" Jonah just gave him a a warning look handing off the shoes which Greed took in place of the box he put in Zoe's hands. He leaned in for a kiss. "You look classy. You look like my girlfriend." Rub it in Jonah's face. _________________________________ She smiled at Jonah, "Thank you, Jonah." she said sweetly since it was nice of him to compliment her and hand her her shoes even if Greed took them before she could. She pecked Greed's lips and stuck her tongue out at him before opening the box to see what he got her. _________________________________ Greed opened up the red velvet box to reveal a pair of diamond studs that had a little gold band wrapped around them. They were very classy and added a little color to her face without being too much. It was a little something expensive to add.
"Where did you find those?" Jonah asked with a flat voice, certain Greed had stolen them from the vender.
"At the jewelry store," Greed said sarcastically. "That was a dumb question. If I'd have known you were home I would have brought you a pair of charcoal ones." Stupid Virtue. Go away. He was already flitting too close. _________________________________ It was obvious Zoe knew Greed had stolen them but she had no qualms about it so didn't say anything to Jonah. She went, "Oooo they're gorgeous! Like little stars." she kissed Greed's cheek for being so thoughtful and then leaned back and gave him a look, "Just for tonight though, right?" she doubted he was giving them to her but she wanted to double check, there was no way she'd accept something so expensive from him. _________________________________ "I've had them stashed away for a special occasion. In with all the sex toys." He said that just to watch Jonah roll his eyes and make a face. "Have fun," the Virtue walked off then back to his room until the coast was clear so he could finish cleaning. Gently Greed pulled off one of the studs to put in her ear, where they sparkled against her face perfectly. "They're on loan." _________________________________ She poked Greed at his sex toys remark, not that Jonah knew but they didnt use toys... Greed got easily jealous of inanimate objects. She smiled at Jonah, "Thanks! Bye.." before her eyes went back to Greed's, waiting patiently and still while he put the earrings on, "Ah, part of the Avarice collection." _________________________________ "What? I do have a stash of toys somewhere..." they weren't necessarily sex toys, but that's where telling a lie came in. It was so easy to turn Virtues off by even mentioning the word 'sex'. Greed put the other earring in as carefully as he did the first one so that both her cheeks were graced by the pretty diamonds. "From the one and only. Which is why they don't stay with you after the party." _________________________________ She rolled her eyes with a smile and touched her nose to his after he was done, "I wouldn't dream of it." she touched the earrings as if to make sure they were there, "I don't own real jewelry anyway, I'd be too paranoid about losing it." she picked up her heels to put them on. _________________________________ "You do look stunning." He found her coat and scarf and held out the sleeves for her to slide into. He didn't want her to freeze to death before they got there. Then he would look like a loser with no date. And why wouldn't someone as handsome as he come dateless. _________________________________ She smiled softy, "Thank you.." she slipped into the coat he held for her and after the trek downstairs, she took his arm as they walked to his car, "This is pretty important tonight, isn't it?" _________________________________ "Yeah. Shooting for a promotion. I have to make a good impression. I wanted to do it on my own." Because he was smart and Zoe made him feel smart.
He made sure she was warm and toasty in the car, so by the time they got out the cool air felt nice. _________________________________ She smiled, she didn't need to ask what he meant by that. He'd told her often how his sister dominated over him and his brother. He always said he fucked up without her but here he was, doing it on his own. Because he wanted to. Because he could. She kissed his cheek, "I'm proud of you." she said sincerely. _________________________________ Greed had nothing to be nervous about. He looked devilishly handsome, he was intelligent and could adapt himself to a given situation to get what he wanted. He'd been out of work for months, so to finally be somewhere that he got up early in the morning to dress up and have somewhere to be. Greed had the shortest attention span, he loved working and stealing.
He smoothed out a stray from his gelled hair, straightened out his jacket and looked her over the moment they got inside and took her coat off. Zoe had to be perfect. He pinched her cheeks softly for that hint of blush and held out his arm. "Ready?" _________________________________ She scrunched up her nose when he pinched her cheeks and then let out a breath, "Oh good.. I was afraid you'd try to get my cheeks to blush some other way..." she nodded with a smile as she took his arm. She was ready. She was nervous because she wanted to make a good impression on his bosses but she was happy to be there with him even though he could have easily gotten this with a different date. _________________________________ "That's for later when your Tokyo Tower is asleep." Greed would have to find new ways to knock Jonah out. Maybe a tranquilizer. He growled playfully in her ear and took the elevator to that rooftop floor where the shindig was going down. Already the atmosphere was fancy but Greed had friends. As soon as he walked in some of his cubicle buddies were greeting him before he got inside. A lot off these guys were just geeks like him.
"Avaritia! Hey buddy!" He was handed a glass of alcohol and given a pat on the back. _________________________________ She let out an exasperated sigh, "He's not my tower." she laughed softly at his growl. When they got to the party, she was impressed and intimidated, it was pretttty ritzy. And Greed had friends? She stayed quiet and let them all greet each other, he seemed well liked. _________________________________ "This your date?" The guy held out his hand for a shake. "I'm Martin," he looked over at Greed."She's gorgeous Avaritia. She attached?" Greed's arm went around her, handing her the glass, but the look on his face said he didn't want her drinking it. She was too much of a lightweight. "She's with me of course she's attached." Martin gave a sucker punch to Greed's arm, shaking his hands when it rolled off the Sins bicep. _________________________________ Zoe gave a modest smile at the compliment and shook Martin's hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Zoe." she gave Greed an equal look back and took the tiniest of sips to show she wasn't going to drink much, maybe one or two mouthfuls by the time the night was over. She was not going to get sloshed at his big company party. _________________________________ Martin punched Greed's arm again. "Good seeing ya. Time to peruse. Try the lobster quiche. Fantastic." He signaled with his hand that it was top notch. "Nice meeting your girlfriend. Don't let Jim see her, he'll want to steal her." Greed took the glass from Zoe's hand, taking a swig and then handed it back. _________________________________ She smiled and said goodbye to Martin, taking the glass from Greed when he handed it to her, taking a tiny sip that was like a drop as she looked up at him, "Jim, huh? Is he cute?" she teased. _________________________________ "If you like middle aged men with porches then sure. Butt he's nit as handsome as me." Greed looked like a model straight out of a magazine ad. But he also looked like the boy next door. He had a very good balance. _________________________________ Zoe pretended to think about it, "Hmm... I guess I'll stick with you. Unless he has cookies." she looked around the room, "Sooo which ones are your bosses?" _________________________________ Greed's mouth opened wide to say something, he paused for a minute, took another swallow from the glass, "You better hope you have on something sexy under that dress with that kind of mouth." He stood behind her then, a shadow as he pointed out all the important people, including Jim. _________________________________ She laughed quietly at what he said, a faint blush hitting her cheeks making them glow for a moment. "You'll have to wait and find out." she paid attention to everyone he pointed out so she knew who to be on extra good behavior with and nodded. "Okay, will not take sips around those people." she was joking. _________________________________ "Only if you dance with me first." There wasn't anyone else dancing, but Here's ess the colorful sort. He played his own rules and danced to his own music. This however was a much slower and softer dance than the rave. _________________________________ She looked at him in surprise, still holding the drink, "Dance? Chance, I don't really know how and I don't want to embarrass you in front of your bosses..." there was soft slow music playing and an area in front of the live band to dance but no one else was. She knew how important tonight was to him. _________________________________ He took the glass out of her hand, putting it in someone else's hands as they walked by. "I'm an excellent dancer as you know. Just follow my lead." He led her to an open spot on the floor for a slow waltz. _________________________________ "I stepped on your toes last time.." she said with a cringe as the only other time they had slow danced was briefly in the park. She cast a nervous glance as some people were already looking at them curiously since they'd be the first couple to initiate dancing for the night. _________________________________ "Well you aren't allowed to step on these shoes. They cost me about five hundred dollars. Now smile and follow me." He pulled her closer, "I won't let you fall." _________________________________ He was making her even more nervous but when he pulled her close and promised he wouldn't let her trip or anything, she nodded. She wasn't smiling yet but she just wanted this to look good for his sake, but she let him take the lead to guide where her hands were supposed to go. _________________________________ He led her with his voice, telling her which foot to put forward and when to step back. "See?" He might have broken other promises but he could teach her to dance without looking like it was her first time.
More people followed as the music continued, Greed setting the trend because he didn't want Zoe to feel inferior. _________________________________ She followed his instructions, looking in his eyes. It was hard to pay attention if she kept looking at her feet so it forced her to look at him. After a few minutes, she eased into it some more especially with other people joining and even gave him a smile, "Are you going to break up with me if I step on your feet?" she joked but there was still a possibility she might. _________________________________ "These were five hundred dollars," he said seriously but it was quickly followed up by a cheeky laugh, "I think I'll be more upset if you started running off." He held her a little closer. What he had wasn't a show, it was genuine. He couldn't hide it or her honesty. With Lust this would have been a circus. The outcome may have been the same but here there wa a silver lining. Zoe may have been an accessory, but she was one that brought out the best in him, so she was more important than his fancy suit. _________________________________ She scrunched her lips together because it was funny when he got all serious about his clothes, "Where would I run to?" she asked with a small smile when he held her closer. They moved well together, anybody looking at them could see how in love this girl was with him. _________________________________ He spun her around in a little circle. "You wouldn't get very far." He kissed her foreheadas they came to a slow stop. "And looks like my shoes are okay." Time for another glass and to mingle, though for a moment it felt like just the two of them, Greed remained very professional. Not at all the party hard boy that broke her little over two months ago. _________________________________ She gave a girly smile at the little spin and closed her eyes when he planted a kiss on her forehead and the dance ended. She was trusting him again bit by bit, her hand tangled with his as they walked over to get him another drink, "You what I'm really excited about?" she asked in a low voice and looked at him, "Getting to go home with you." it wasnt just that she was the envy of most of the girls there, it was that after this, they would go to her apartment, and take off each others clothes, kiss for hours, and fall asleep wrapped up in each other. It was so... normal, but she wasn't taking it for granted. _________________________________ She wasn't just a date she was the girl that showed off all his likable assets which weren't his good looks and fancy clothes. They shared another glass as he approached some of those big wheels whose held the key to his new job. His job because he had it in the bag. Jim geeks out his hands to shake hers. "And whose this lovely lady you've been hiding Chance?" _________________________________ She smiled politely to who he introduced her to and then shook Jim's hand, "I'm Zoe." she paused and then looked at Greed for a moment before looking back at Jim and saying, "His girlfriend." it was the first time she'd acknowledge they were in a serious relationship since the disaster at the con. It also meant that he was no longer her maybe semi possibly part time boyfriend, he was just her boyfriend. _________________________________ It was a surprise to Greed to hear, but a word he took pride in. He wasn't just a friend with benefits, he had a title. He clamped her hand, those big fat fingers of his sliding between her dainty ones.
Jim looked impressed. "Smart, hard-working and has a pretty lady...what are you really hiding?" He winked. "I knew I liked you..." He looked towards Zoe who had a bright smile on her face. "Do you know this guy was so smart. Already up the cooperate ladder so fast." Not that Greed wasn't liked at his previous job, but here they were already a lot like him. And what advertising agency didn't live and breathe lies and greed. This was a whole new breeding ground for Greed. Something new that suited him. It was an even better fit. _________________________________ She squeezed his hand when he twined their fingers together. They were in a relationship, she'd try to deny it but really, they were. She beamed with pride when Jim praised Greed, "Not surprised, my boyfriend is a genius." this guy was kinda sleazy but the atmosphere was rich and greedy, she could tell Greed really liked it here. Even if there were a few office bimbos that kept shooting looks over, waiting for the chance to sidle up to him. _________________________________ "I'm sure he could make a criminal record look amazing." Jim squeezed Greed's shoulder. "Have fun with the rest of this party." He gave Zoe a wink. "I'm going to get sloshed and go home with a girl whose name I can't remember." Greed raised his glass with the hand not griping Zoe's fingers.
They mingled a little more, struck a few conversations, some a little raunchy with the cubicle crowd. Greed didn't go unnoticed, and even with Zoe on his side, one of those blondes came up in the group pretending to be interested in the conversation with the guy talking. She leaned in a little to Greed's free side and casually groped one firm butt cheek in her hand as if it were as natural as flipping her hair. The blonde smiled into her glass giving him another squeeze before sauntering off as if he were supposed to follow. _________________________________ Zoe was talking to someone else Greed worked with, this was a much livelier crowd than Karl from his last place. But the blonde didn't go unnoticed by Zoe. It was hard not to notice her since every male's eye in the group went to her and of course she was next to Greed. Zoe tried to ignore it but she caught the fact this woman's hand was wandering to territory that did not belong to her. The woman was not subtle and when she started to slink away, Zoe shook off Greed's arm and went after the woman. She wasn't the jealous kind but she'd had enough of trampy girls putting moves on Greed in front of her face. "Excuse me," her voice was icy as she confronted the woman who was taller than she was, "Could you please keep your hands off my boyfriend while I'm around?" the blonde shrugged and responded, "He didn't seem to be complaining." which made Zoe bristle but say nothing, the woman had a point plus, she wasn't going to make a scene at Greed's important party. _________________________________ "Guys like that don't have girlfriends," the blonde said snubbing her nose at Zoe as she sipped her drink. "Guys like that want a warm bed."
Greed let Zoe be for a few minutes, his infectious laugh filling the room as the group of guys cracked a joke. But he could feel it, that bristle of envy. A color Greed wore.often even when he didn't want to. It gave his brother power. He was came up behind Zoe his hand on her back as he kissed her cheek. He had let it happen, it was a compliment, but it also showed how sleazy other women viewed him. Just a hot piece of ass. "Coming back?" That was his very obvious brush off to the blonde. The thing was that that evening after the party Zoe mentioned looking forward to was something he wanted to go home to too. He wanted to kiss her for hours in end and feel like something more than ass, because the Sin and the boy were finally on the same page. _________________________________ Zoe was taken aback but stiffened her resolve as she refused to back down, "His name is Chance. And I keep his bed toasty." she was stiff when Greed touched her and kissed her cheek, her eyes boring holes in the blonde. She nodded at him, really not liking it when the blonde stuck her olive tipped toothpick in her mouth and looked Greed up and down, "See you Monday, Chance.." she said in a very suggestive way. _________________________________ "Oh you work here?" He played dumb. For once Zoe had that thing to give him that she hasn't before, that other women had over her. It was a small window but he could see her defense of it. It was what he'd wanted to see before. That frown on Zoe's face though would have to go. Her looking unhappy was going to raise eyebrows even if rumors would float. They always did at these things, and that was okay because it meant his name was there and remembered. He just didn't want her with a sour face the rest of the night, he wouldn't have it. His hands went to Zoe's shoulders as they slid up her arms, where he kneeded softly. "I think Jim is looking for you," he said to the blonde. He could feel Zoe's bristling like a cat, a look that was still quite new on her in this way.
"You're not a nice boy, Chance I can tell." She sucked the olive off the stick. "Besides I'm pretty sure I've seen your pretty face before in something really dirty." _________________________________ Zoe was still tense as hell when Greed's hands went to her shoulders. It helped that he was touching her and taking her side but the blonde was poking her mentally and had gotten away with groping him. She didn't seem to take Zoe seriously. It wasn't sitting well with her. She wanted to say something catty in response but her brain wasn't wired that way, this was new and all she could do was stand her ground and wait for the blonde to take another shot. She should ignore her and walk away but the option wasn't in her head right now, but she also kept trying to remember this was not a place to make a scene. _________________________________ Greed laughed at this exchange but at what the blonde was insinuating. He again was meat on a slab. "I'm all about low blows honey, but if you can't deliver better than that keep walking." Did she think that was gonna be a stungun in his relationship? _________________________________ The blonde was a little insulted but figured Greed was putting on a face for hsi grilfriend, "This was an entirely different type of blow." then her face lit up, "Oh.... I get it." she smiled at Zoe, "Now it makes sense, you paid a porn star for the night out." Zoe made the biggest what the fuck face, "Excuse me?" _________________________________ "What?" Oh this one was on his nerves already, it struck the wrong cord. "Do I look like I have to pay anyone to be with me?" This fucking cow. He had to keep his own cool because losing his promotion over an envious bitch was not worth it. "She's not a porn star. But I'm sure he had to pay you to come as his date." He pointed over to Jim's back. _________________________________ The blonde cocked a thin brow, "Wasn't she your co-star in that gang bang office porno? I swear you were in it.. and the camera really didn't focus on her face much..." Zoe's face became red, she felt humiliated at the insinuation even. She gripped Greed's hand so he'd keep his cool as she shot back at the woman, "Well, I hope you kept whatever movie you saw him in because it's the only way you're going to experience what he's like in bed." _________________________________ "Yeah, yeah that was me but..." Zoe nailed the blonde hard before he could finish. He looked stunned but impressed. His little Zoe with that zinger---he never would have guessed. "Oh burn, baby, burn." He laughed, he couldn't help it. _________________________________ Zoe kept her chin tilted up, a defiant look on her face as the blonde glared at them and walked off to go grope her date. She let out the big breath she'd been holding because holy hell, she'd never done something like that before. Her face grimaced as she looked at him, she wasn't laughing, "You were in porn?" _________________________________ His hands stilled on her shoulders at that needling question. It had never been brought up before. "Maybe one or two. I dabbled in it for a little while until I got bored." It was just more recent than some of his other escapades. _________________________________ That look on her face didn't change, "One or two or one or two hundred? And when exactly was this....?" she prayed it was before he met her. She knew he was still sleeping with everything that moved at that point and she didn't have a problem with people watching porn but it was... it was weird that he was in one. or two. _________________________________ "I dunno for a couple of months a few years ago?" He shrugged. It wasn't a big deal for him because it had been exciting at first, but then everything about it was too rigid. Even the classy stuff. He got told what to do too often and for Greed that killed the vibe. _________________________________ She kept making that face and put a hand over her eyes for a moment. Okay, she couldn't fault him for that.. it was before he met her, and he was kinda a man whore.. she looked at him, "Can we get some fresh air for a minute?" gesturing towards the door that led out onto the roof. It was chilly outside but she didn't want anyone to overhear them. _________________________________ "Sure," he took her arm and outside the parry which was a whole different scene when one wax looking outside the box. Surely it was bound to come up to an employer one day, but not right before a big promotion. He grabbed his coat before they'd gone outside and wrapped it around her shoulders. _________________________________ She was touched when he put his coat around her shoulders, it was small thoughtful gestures he did that always got to her and she murmured a thank you in response. She stayed in the crook of his arm, close to him and was trying not to be upset but failing at it, "Why did you let her grope you?" she looked at him and blurted it out. It bugged her. A lot. _________________________________ "What was I supposed to do? I had one arm around you and a glass in my hand. How would it have looked to draw attention to us in the middle of conversation? You addressed it first, which softened the blow. She wasn't gonna get me tonight so why worry?" He ran his hands up and down her arms even with them covered to be sure she didn't turn into a popsicle. _________________________________ Her eyes went wide, "She wasn't going to get you tonight?" which sounded like she'd get him some other day and that was not a happy look on her face. _________________________________ "What? What did I say?" She had that look on her face that was going to slug him in the jaw. _________________________________ Her face darkened, "Not tonight then when was she going to get you? Tomorrow? Next week?" Zoe didn't like being jealous or territorial but Greed had been with only her, not even Lust, for the past month and she liked it, she wasn't ready to share him with some tramp. _________________________________ "What? Uh how about never. She pissed me off. I'm not interested at all." One bushy brow poked upward as she wore this jealousy a lot more on the surface. _________________________________ "Then why didn't you say something to her when she first groped you? Why didn't you even glare at her? You just let her and then you let her do it again. She thinks its okay. And you might not be interested in her but letting her do that shows her you're not interested in me." it was disrespectful to Zoe and if a man was willing to diss his partner to her face, it sent the message to every skank in the area that he was ready to do all sorts of bad things. _________________________________ "What was I going to say? I thought ignoring her was enough of a response." He was a Sin boy. Sadly things normal boys did were lost on him. "Wasn't that enough?" _________________________________ She was about to become even more frustrated but the look on his face was so earnest... she let out a breath and mentally took a step back as she stared at him. He really didn't see the problem. "When a woman is so bold that she grabs your butt when your arm is around another girl, she's not just saying 'hey i think you're hot', she's saying 'hey I think you don't give a damn about the girl who your arm is around and you should fool around with me'. When you ignore her, especially if she does it twice, she doesn't think you're saying 'no', she thinks you're saying 'not now'." she hoped she was explaining it well enough. _________________________________ "That's a whole lot to say in an ass grab..." He understood but it was kinda crazy. He blew a breath of air his nose turning from from the frosty winter breeze. "So just grab my ass back?" _________________________________ She couldn't help but smile some at that, "I can... but it just shows me as a jealous girl whose trying to stop you from having fun. That blonde doesn't get the message that you're not interested and she'll just try again when I'm not around." she put her arms around him cause he seemed cold and she had his nice thick coat draped on her. _________________________________ "Her cubicle is five flights up from mine." Greed would climb seven just to get to Zoe's apartment. But five flights of dumb blonde wasn't worth it. He shivered as she cuddled him. "Guess I'll have to leave a sticky note that says kiss my ass." And if he got this promotion he'd be five flights higher than her. _________________________________ She shook her head and rested it on his chest, "Noooo.... she'll take it as an invitation." and then she did something she'd stopped doing, she talked to him honestly. "It bugged me that she thought she was going to get to paw at you and be with you." _________________________________ Fancy suits were not built for warmth. It was paper in his sensitive skin, still shivering a little with her wrapped on him. "That's you being jealous." Which had happened now that they could have sex without him dying. _________________________________ "News flash... I've always been jealous. Tonight is the first time I just.. I don't know, I couldn't stand it anymore. But I've never liked girls touching you and kissing you. Acting like I'm not there..." mortals always acted like Greed was too good looking to be with her. _________________________________ "It was pretty hot you delivering that zinger like a pro." He was impressed. "Had some bite in that bark." He laughed snuggling his face in her hair where it was warm. It was a new color on her but he'd wanted a response for some time now and she had some backbone. _________________________________ She chuckled and squeezed him, "Hot? You liked me being jealous and insane?" she never liked being that way but tonight she felt very possessive. _________________________________ "Just the punch on those words were like bitch leave. It was hot." He could even say he was proud of her. _________________________________ She laughed softly and lifted her head to look at him, her amusement melting into a somber smile, "I didn't like it though... the fact she was touching you. The fact that you might be with her. We never did finish our conversation about a new deal..." her heart started racing and she found she was scared and her voice caught as she put her cards on the table, "I don't think I can make a new deal if you kiss or sleep with someone else. I don't think I can say this or that is equivalent to it to make it okay. It hurts too much." tears pricked her eyes just saying it all outloud. _________________________________ "This conversation just got serious...how'd we move from porn to that?" He hadn't even told her his stage name, but now they were discussing deals and his ears always perked. "So what are you saying?" She was leaking again this time and he hadn't even said anything. Everything had changed since they were able to get all physical in the city. _________________________________ "We'll go back to porn when this is done... and I'm saying that you kissing and touching other girls is too much for me. I don't think there's any deal for it. I think if you do it again.. it'll be a deal breaker. Unless you can think of a deal that won't break my heart?" she was willing to listen but she didn't think there was anything he could offer her to make up for him fooling around. _________________________________ "Do Virtues come pocket sized?" He tried to laugh but the cold was starting to get to his vocal cords. He had to clear his throat a few times, plucking her face between his hands so he had something to look at. He knew when he couldn't see her with anyone else, kissing touching even looking how angry it made him. He was learning that these kind of feelings went both ways. But now they had a little leverage because via Jonah they were able to get more intimate in ways they weren't able to before and that changed everything. "I can't think of anything..." because it would always end with Greed fucking someone else and he wasn't willing to lose her to that. Not now. _________________________________ She smiled a little, "I wish.." it would be so nice to be able to finally christen his bed at his apartment but she wasn't going to complain about what they were granted. She kissed him a couple of times after he framed her face in his hands, "So you're okay with that? No other girls except me.." she sighed, "And the one exception." meaning his sister. He had no idea how much she loathed Lust and was jealous of him with her. She just didn't think of it most of the time so she wouldn't get mad. _________________________________ The end result was him without her and he'd proved over the last few months that that wasn't a possibility. The Sin was learning things, coming to his own agreements and finding out this wasn't a one way street. This wasn't just Greed's way. This had to be both of their roads converging together. She was jealous and protective over him, she was greedy. She wanted just him. He had to acknowledge that and he gave her credit for standing up for it. Sex with Zoe had changed things in a direction he'd never really been before. If he was willing to freeze his balls off in the cold to make her love him again, then this was easy right?
His thumbs stroked her cheeks softly. "Yeah. One condition. You don't get anyone else either." The thought would destroy him from the inside out and envy would hang onto him like a fucking leech. "Including fucking towers." _________________________________ She smiled softly when he agreed, "I don't want anyone else." she pulled on the front of his dress jacket so his lips would be on hers and gave him a kiss that would warm him right up. She was a little tired of deals in their relationship, especially since they'd get broken... this? This was bigger than that, this was trust. _________________________________ The frost on the end of his nose quickly melted in that kiss. He didn't fight her on this one because he'd come to this on his own too. They'd both naturally moved to this point together instead of him feeling like he was being forced an ultimatum. He'd given himself the ultimatum since the convention that if he lost her that was it. This was all over and he liked this whatever it was.
He'd also have to come up with new and creative ways to knock out Jonah. _________________________________ She was smiling big and bright by the time the kiss ended and she just gave him another one, "Should probably go back in..." she said and slipped her arm from his waist to his hand, "So this porno career.... what was that like?" she was a little curious. _________________________________ "Yeah I think I'm about to shrivel up the longer I stay out here." He'd been out in worse weather hanging out by her window at night, but this was some frigid weather. He was practically an icicle, even with her warm kisses and hands. A breeze hit, and he cleared his throat again as he went to answer her questions. "It wasn't what I thought it would be. Too much telling me what to do and how to do it. I got bored after a while." _________________________________ She was more relaxed and as soon as they got back in and hung up his coat, she got him a brandy to sip on, "Drink this." she rubbed her lips together and then said, "Do you... have any... of those movies.....?" _________________________________ The cold was still sitting in his throat when they came back inside. The brandy helped to loosen it up a little but he felt like he was starting to lose his voice when he tried to talk. "I have all of them." Did she think he wouldn't? "Why?" he croaked, "curious?" He laughed a little. "Wanna know my stage name?" _________________________________ She smiled with a hint of a blush as she nodded, "I'm a little curious. A little horrified.. but curious." she rubbed his arm and asked, "Do you want another kiss?" not in a loving way, in a concerned way to heat him up since she asked with a frown, he still seemed chilly. "Tell me." _________________________________ At least he'd done his perusing for the night and chatted up all the big wigs he needed to to promote himself. He'd done the dirty work, now it was just enjoying the lights, the food, drinks and company. Right now though the only company he wanted was hers. He took a seat by one of the tables, a waiter coming by with some finger foods. "Would you like one?" he asked with a small smile as Greed nursed his brandy. He was starting to not have much to say in retaliation, but he had enough juice in those vocal cords to tell her the name. "It was Mason Steele." _________________________________ Zoe smiled at the waiter, "Thank you." she picked up one of the mini foods and then started laughing when Greed told her the name, "That's... that's a name alright." was all she could get out. She held the food up to his mouth, "Want some?" _________________________________ "What? I picked that name myself. Don't like it?" He'd thought it was pretty catchy. Known pretty well for the short time he dabbled. He drank a little more before pointing to the try that was coming around with mini cheeseburgers on it. He wanted that. He glared at her when his throat felt like it was shutting down completely. What happened when one lost their voice. Did he just swallow it or something? _________________________________ "Mmm I like Chance better but I'm sure Mason was a stallion on screen." she popped the food in her mouth and waved the mini cheeseburger waiter over so Greed could grab some of those. At his glare, she swallowed and touched her lips, "Wha....?" did she do something wrong? _________________________________ He hoarded a handful of mini burgers and set them up in a dirty on the table. One by one he ate them until he was down to the last few. Between that and the brandy he thought it might tug his voice back up, but when he opened his mouth all he got were those pitiful sounds and squeaks. Those thick brows flattened over his eyes and he rubbed his throat. He pointed a long finger at her. She stole it! _________________________________ She raised her brows at his mice squeaks, "Are you okay...?" she took the brandy and took a sip when he pointed accusingly at her and she frowned confused, "Okay I'm getting a really wrong image in my mind, what're you trying to say?" cause with all their talk about pornos, the only thing coming to her mind about throats had the word 'deep' in front of it. _________________________________ "You stole it!" He managed to get out but it was totally pitiful like what was left of his voice was trying to run away from him. It wasn't as much painful as it was annoying. How long was this going too last? A night? A day? A week??? He couldn't handle that. Greed without his cocky mouth? Oh good God the punishment. _________________________________ "I stole what!?" she asked flabbergasted. She looked at him with concern, "You don't seem like you're doing too well... do you wanna go home?" home was normally his apartment but these days she basically called anywhere they holed up together for the night 'home'. _________________________________ He looked like he wanted to cry. Not say what he wanted? He felt so violated. Greed stuffed what was left if the minis in his mouth and finished off with the last few swigs of brandy. He had spent the whole night talking so much and dragging himself outside? It only address to his dying voice. He had to slink out of here before anyone noticed so he wouldn't have to explain with sign language. This was horrible! _________________________________ "Chance...?" she touched his cheek to make him look at her, her other hand holding his, "What's the matter?" she asked softly. She was getting really worried, he seemed like he wanted to run away and he had left her in the lurch before. _________________________________ He was so upset so he had to express himself with his eyes. Internally he was panicking not being able to say a word, thinning how long this wa going to last because two minutes was excruciating. Was this how old people felt? Fucking helpless? Greed could play this pity card once hee figured out how to use it.
He pulled out his phone so he could type 'lost my voice' for her to read as he flashed her the screen. He still wanted to cry. _________________________________ She read what he typed out, "Oh!" she looked at how upset he was and kissed his cheek, "It's okay, come on.. we'll go home and you can have something hot to drink. It'll probably be back soon, you just need some rest." _________________________________ He was more than upset. He couldn't even crack out an ok to her. It was terribly frustrating. He didn't want to rest! It was still early. Ten was not time for bed. He pointed at the time looking as if someone had linked his non-existent dog. _________________________________ She touched his cheek and kissed his lips, "I know its early.. and we can stay but the sooner you get rest, the sooner you get your voice back. So it's up to you. Besides, you won't be able to talk to anyone here tonight anymore.." the decision was his. _________________________________ So what use was his mouth if he couldn't do anything with it? Oh God he was making himself crazy. He stood out of his seat looking kicked just as one of his bosses came up. "Leaving already?" He asked. _________________________________ Zoe smiled at Greed's boss and said apologetically, "Yes, I'm so sorry.. I just feel a little under the weather so Chance wanted to take me home and make sure I got some rest." it was a lie but this way he looked good. _________________________________ He patted Greed on the back. "Trying to show us all up with our wives even.." He was a good kid. "Take your lovely girlfriend home so she doesn't catch pneumonia and we'll talk Monday." Greed nodded and shook his hand sharply. _________________________________ Zoe smiled at the man and took Greed's arm, "Thank you so much for understanding, it was lovely to meet you.." she kissed Greed's cheek when the man left, "Alright, lovely girlfriend, let's get you in bed with some hot soup." _________________________________ Siting in silence was torture for Greed. He wanted to sing to lyrics, be an obnoxious shit and he couldn't. All he could do to Jonah when he walked in was make suggestive hand gestures to make him uncomfortable when he walked in. But without his voice, he felt powerless. _________________________________ Zoe took his coat and hers and put it on the sofa when they walked in and she looked at Jonah, "Chance isn't feeling too well so he's gonna spend the weekend here with us." She walked over to Greed and gave him a big kiss with sympathetic eyes, "You want some hot soup to drink?" _________________________________ All he could do was nod which was so pathetic before disappearing intro her room of layers and lights. One giant flop on that bed and he was screaming inside his head, kicking his feet up and down in frustration. _________________________________ Zoe took a can of hearty campbell's soup and heated it up in a pot, avoiding Jonah's ignoring of them. After a few minutes, she went in her room and took the mug of soup over to Greed on the bed, "Come on, sit up." she sat on the edge with the mug, still shining in her silver grey dress but her feet were bare. _________________________________ He'd wanted the soup until it was right there in his face. Then the appeal just died. Grumpy Greed was not being the welcoming guest. He wanted to talk about the night, the prospect of his job, how pretty she still looked especially in all these romantic lights---but God damned the more he wanted to say the more the silence killed him. _________________________________ She made a sad face, "Come on.. you don't want it? It'll make you feel better." she held the mug with one hand and ran her hand through his hair with the other. It was a trip not having him shooting his mouth off constantly. "You want me to get the laptop?" he could still type what he wanted to say.. _________________________________ He shook his head side to side, curling up into one of the pillows. When she asked about the laptop he let out a weak yes. Then he could tell her it had been half an hour and he was still voiceless. He was feeling very much like the little mermaids when the sea witch took her voice. So, maybe he was being a little over dramatic but he would bitch and moan by kicking his feet until something happened. I've thing was for sure, slutty.blonde from the party wouldn't be taking care of him like Zoe. _________________________________ She put the mug of soup down and then got the laptop, setting it up next to him and while it booted up, she tried to get him to face her so she could take off his tie and stuff to get him more comfortable, "Alright, here's the laptop.. what ya wanna tell me?" _________________________________ She fiddled with his clothes and he moped when it took the computer nearly a decade to boot up. He'd need to invest in her getting an ipad. Faster. Smaller...sleek. once hee had the notepad up he had a million things to say but only one phrase actually made it on the screen. This sucks ass. _________________________________ She leaned over to read what he typed and laughed softly, "Yes, it does.." she slid his tie off and touched her nose to his, "Why don't you think of it as a challenge?" he'd never been without his voice before apparently, "How to communicate without your voice.." _________________________________ He could find a few ways once hee stopped whining and looking pitiful over it. Right now he just wanted to pout. He tappped on the keys. Fix it. _________________________________ She blinked at the words, "Fix it? Oh, I'm sorry, you must have me confuse with the magical all powerful Zoe." she widened her eyes at him for a moment, "I can't fix it.. these things just take time." she started to take his shoes off by bending his knee to bring it closer. _________________________________ I don't like waiting. He sighed then bending the other leg so she could get both shoes off. She was doing what he did for her when things got rough. She took care of him. Differently than Lust and he always liked it. _________________________________ "I know." she said sympathetically and dropped his shoes to the floor, "But it'll just be for a couple of days probably." he was brooding so she tried to distract him by showing him her back and looking at him over her shoulder, "Mind unzipping me?" _________________________________ A few days?????? That might as well have been a week!! He started to panic until she cleverly gave him something to play with. He slid the zipper, it's little metal feet clicking until he reached its end and the sides of her dress dipped off her shoulders. That cinnamon skin flustered in those pretty little lights. _________________________________ She let out a big sigh as if it was a relief to have the zipper down. Her eyes peeked at him over her shoulder again, "My fingers are kinda stiff from the cold.." she was lying of course, "Would you mind...?" she made a helpless face as her eyes looked downward asking if he'd be willing to unclasp her bra for her. _________________________________ Bras could be complicated for most guys but with Greed it was a breeze, even with his eyes closed. He let a hand slide down her bare back, up her shoulders where he let the straps follow. She was keeping his attention on her and not the fact that he'd lost his voice. She was clever and it was a smart move. _________________________________ "Thank you.." she said oh so casually as if he wasn't undressing her. She stood up and let the dress that was pooled at her waist (along with the bra) shimmy down her legs and leave her in nothing but a pair of delicate undies so he could see her naked back and legs and part of her tush as she moved the fabric to the side with her feet. _________________________________ He set the laptop aside, the view she gave greatly appreciated. He tried to call her name but it fell flat so instead he grabbed her arm to drag her to him. If he couldn't speak in words he could in his touch. _________________________________ "Whoa!" she said in surprise when he pulled on her arm and she tumbled back on to bed, "I'm trying to put on jammies here, rude.." she teased. She had a feeling he rather have her naked. _________________________________ He went to say "you don't need those" but it turned into squeaks. His arms folded around her, keeping her back pressed into him. He was still mad he couldn't say a word, it was too damn quiet. With his cheek laid on her back he wondered if spelling out letters on her skin would work. _________________________________ She smiled a little at his squeaks, he was a cute mouse. "Your cheek is cold.." she squealed a little and wriggled against him when her skin felt his clothes, "You should not change into jammies too..." _________________________________ All Greed could do was nod. He couldn't even throw back some nasty quip or joke. He moved his arms from around her to stay with his shirt which after the fifth button already had too many. _________________________________ She wriggled around to face him, her hands pulling on his shirt to untuck it, taking over undressing him duties. She rubbed her nose against his, looking for another kiss, trying to show him there were still so many things he could do with his mouth even if he couldn't talk. _________________________________ He looked good in a suit but he also looked good out of one. Greed was most comfortable like this, with just skin to skin contact. Her lips invited him in and he took the bait. There was no ball of guys ready to make him explode into a million pieces. Just the play of light bouncing off his skin from her shiny decorations all around the room. It was a new place to escape together.