Manning Thorsen believes in (othala) wrote in repose,
Re: Home: Iris and Manning
Manning, on the other hand, did not wonder what people would say. He didn't wonder if they knew, if they whispered on those days when he came home in the middle of the afternoon, no TJ in tow, and left with an ease in his step that hadn't been there when he arrived at the house. Or if they wondered if Iris had her own room (not anymore, now it was theirs) or what they would say when the truth came out - when she was finally ready to accept it. But he was sure that people in town gossiped - people in small town's always did - but it didn't change them or their life together.
"They'll forgive me before the dinner bowl hits the floor," he murmured back. Months ago, she never would have taken the initiative to get at his skin, and he grinned at the touch of her bed warm hand against his skin. It was great to see her less inhibited, less fearful and more wanting. A want that he could definitely get behind - or in front of - or on the bottom of - really, he was flexible and as she rolled over, his hand slipped down her shoulder, making a slower trek down her back until his fingertips could dip under the hem of her shirt and up her spine to settle between her shoulder blades.
It was so much easier to kiss her like this, and he made a pleased, small noise in the back of his throat as they settled back together, entwined with legs and tongues.