Brian Porter (flowersdontfeel) wrote in nextdoor_redux, @ 2012-09-10 12:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | #group scene, 12.15.12, arabella, brian, sam |
Save Me a Dance?
Who: Arabella, Sam and Brian
What: Pre-formal conversations
When: 12.15.12 - Saturday Evening
Where: Brian and Arabella's home
Warnings: None
It hadn't taken long for Arabella to find the most perfect dress. It was different. Completely unique. And perhaps a little odd. She'd always had a flair for odd things, however, so it fit in with her personality quite well. She did her hair in a fairly simple style and only put on light make up. There was no need to do herself up too much. Mostly the winter formal was for appearances. She she didn't want anyone to whisper about how she hadn't shown up and how she must have done this or that because of the things she'd been through the prior week. Arabella was a fighter and refused to let the trauma get to her. She wanted to wear that dress and she wanted to keep her date with Sam. Luckily she had a trusting and understanding boyfriend who didn't mind her going out with another man.
As she came down the stairs, she peered around for Brian. "Sweetheart?" she called out, finding Marble first who mewed softly. That made her grin and shake her head. "Not you, little one. Brian."
Brian had no reason to mistrust Arabella, even if he didn't know her and Sam's feelings for each other were completely fraternal. He was waiting for her down in the living room, standing up as Arabella peeked around the corner. He smiled softly. "I'm right here," he said. "Are you going to model for me?" He wished he could accompany her to the event, although the stir it would cause would only make it more overwhelming, given their age difference. He wanted Arabella to enjoy her outing, not make it more stressful.
If there weren't going to be so many people, so many judging people, she would have wanted Brian to come with her. She understood how difficult it would be for him, however, so she was content to go as Sam's date instead. She grinned at Brian's question, making her way towards him and doing a single turn and then facing him again. "What do you think?" she asked. "I'm pretty sure Marble loves it so you're the deciding vote."
If he went, she would do nothing but worry about him being overwhelmed. This way, she got to enjoy herself with Sam. Who considering his own relationship woes the last time they spoke, could likely use a relaxing night out with his friend. He smiled wider as she turned. "Breathtaking," he assured her. "Where's your camera? I want a few pictures of you before Sam gets here and whisks you off to the ball."
Arabella grinned at him, relieved that he liked the dress. "I think I left it on the counter. I figured I'd get some pictures of you and I when Sam arrived and a few of me and him too." She'd probably get pictures at the formal as well but she always liked to have a few of her own. They were always more real, especially unexpected ones. She doubted Sam would suspect a mini photoshoot upon arrival.
Brian looked surprised at that. He was not dressed for being photographed in his light blue button down shirt and tan khakis. "I'm not exactly dressed for it," he reminded her as he retrieved the camera. "Go in front of the windows. The light's best over there." While he didn't have Arabella's perfect eye for pictures, he did have enough of an artistic sense to be able to take a good photograph from time to time.
"You're always dressed for a picture, my love," she told him, moving in front of the windows like he directed. "I think you look beautiful." As she always did. She smiled at him, straightened out her dress and let out a breath. "Alright," she said. "How do you want me?"
He let out a soft laugh at that. "That's a loaded question, isn't it sweetheart?" he drawled. "You're the photographer, you pose the way you'd want a model to. You know the room, the lighting, the colors. I'm just the one holding your camera."
She flushed ever so slightly at his response. "See now you're making me want to spend the night in," she teased, flashing him a smile as she posed for him in front of the mirror, tilting her head in the direction of the light to highlight her features though her eyes didn't leave his. "I demand cuddling with my favorite man later," she told him.
"Of course, darlin'," Brian promised as he found the right angle for the picture and snapped it. "Save a dance for me when you get home?" He did know how to dance, it was the crowds that always did him in.
"Of course," she said, posing once more for him. "The best dance of all. I'll save the last one for you," she promised. A quiet moment and even a single dance with Brian would be just the right topping to the night, she was sure.
He smiled again, snapping a few more pictures. Sam would be there soon, and he wanted at least one kiss before she left. Crossing to Arabella, he offered her the camera. "Not as good as what you'd have done," he told her. "But I hope they're acceptable. You're too beautiful tonight not to immortalize."
"You're going to give me an enormous ego if you keep up the compliments," she grinned, taking the camera from him and sliding her arms around his neck. "I'm sure they're beautiful," she told him. She didn't doubt that Brian could take a lovely picture. "Now, can I have a kiss to hold me over until I come home?" she smiled. "Maybe several."
Brian wrapped his arms around Arabella's waist and leaned down to kiss her. Several times. He was trying to be careful to not muss her too much though. He wanted to do nothing but make her feel as good as she did at that moment.
Arabella wouldn't have cared if he did muss her. Not when those kisses felt so right. They were exactly what she needed right then. She was still kissing him when the doorbell rang. In fact she kissed him two or three more times after before reluctantly pulling back. "That'll be Sam," she breathed out, not wanting to let go but doing so very slowly. She slid the hand not holding the camera down the front of his shirt and smiled at him before turning and heading for the door to let Sam inside.
Instead of the more traditional tux, Sam had decided to wear a grey tweed three piece suit, wanting to stand out a little. He was practically bouncing, had been for days. Hard not to when he had Liam’s company to look forward to, texts almost every time he checked his phone. He was practically giddy with it. He’d left Liam at his house, not feeling the need to rush him considering they’d lain in bed most of the day, Sam recovering from the self-inflicted headache he’d given himself after too many drinks at Mercy on Friday night. Humming softly to himself he rang the doorbell, waiting patiently for Ari or Brian to answer.
Opening the door, Arabella grinned and ushered Sam inside the house. "Hello handsome," she murmured, closing the door behind him and offering out her camera. "Mind if I borrow you to take a few pictures of me and Brian? Then I can ask him to take a few of us before we go." He was a photographer, he knew the importance of capturing a moment after all.
“Hello, beautiful,” Sam replied, grinning as he took her hands, stepping back to take a good look at her. “You look gorgeous.” He kissed her cheek, taking the camera. “Of course.” He smiled. He’d left his own camera at home, for once. He had his phone on him - nowhere near as good, but if he was itching to take a photo, it’d do. “Lead on, m’lady,” he bowed slightly, a teasing grin on his face. He followed her through to the living room, smiling as he spotted Brian. “Hello,” he said, going over to Brian and hugging him. He hugged everyone - Brian would have to get used to it.
Brian returned the hug, smiling as he felt Sam's giddiness which was almost overwhelming. "I take it talking to your friend turned out the way you hoped?" he asked. "Good." He sighed when Arabella said she wanted pictures with him. "Only because your heart is set on it. I wish you'd warned me, I'd have dressed proper like." He leaned down to kiss her. "Let me get a few of you two first. Then a few more and you should be on your way."
Arabella could feel the happiness coming off of Sam too, even if she wasn't an empath. She grinned, glad that he was feeling better than his prior visit. "You look fine, Brian," she assured him, smiling again as she pulled Sam to a better lighted area, in front of the windows like her pictures had been. Looping her arm through his, she grinned up at him. "Smile pretty."
Sam laughed. “Yeah, I took your advice,” he blushed a little, remembering just how well that had gone. Rubbing the back of his neck, he let Arabella lead him over to the windows, turning to face Brian. “It...yeah. It worked out well.” The grin made it clear just how well things had worked, even if Brian hadn’t been an empath. He slid his arm around Ari’s waist, posing for the camera. He hated getting his picture taken, far more comfortable behind the lens. But if it was what Arabella wanted, he was happy to go along with it.
Brian smiled at Sam again. "Good," he repeated. "I'm glad for you both." He snapped a few pictures of the two of them, then surrendered the camera to Sam. "Try to get more of her in the picture," he joked. "She looks too beautiful to bother much with me."
Arabella disagreed with Brian's words. She thought he looked just as beautiful, but she kept her mouth shut for now, not wanting to overload Sam with their adorableness. She leaned into him, stealing a little kiss from Brian because doing without for hours was going to be difficult. For a moment she almost forgot that Sam was still in the room with them. Almost.
Sam just grinned, taking the camera. And of course, ignoring Brian’s advice. “Who’s the photographer here?” He teased, arching an eyebrow at Brian. “Just let me set up the shots, okay?” He managed to get a shot of Arabella leaning up to kiss him, just at the moment her eyes closed. It was a sweet shot. And one he’d want a copy of. He took a few more pictures of them, unable to help correcting their poses, making them turn a little differently, shift their bodies. He just couldn’t switch the photographer side of him off. Ever. “Okay, I think we’re done,” he said, smiling as he handed the camera back to Arabella.
Arabella took the camera from him, setting it down on the coffee table and moving back to Brian for another hug and kiss. "I suppose we had better be off then," she murmured. "I have my phone with me so I'll call when I'm on my way back," she promised. She'd gotten a little more nervous about leaving without him knowing where she was or vice versa so cellphone contact nearly all the time was something that made her a bit more comfortable. Especially after the trauma they'd both endured. "Try not to miss me too much," she teased, grinning as she kissed him again. "I'll see you soon."
"Have a good time, both of you," Brian said after he'd returned the kiss and given Arabella a hug. He knew she'd be all right. She wasn't alone and he had faith Sam would protect her. Besides, the true danger to her was gone. He wanted her to enjoy herself and put the weekend before's events far from her mind.