Carson Durand (dontlaugh) wrote in shadows_rpg, @ 2020-05-12 12:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | #january 2018, carson, carson x rylee, rylee |
Who: Rylee and Carson
When: Sunday, January 21st, late afternoon
Where: Their apartment
Status: complete
After her shift at the diner, Rylee drove home, a couple of chicken caesar wraps and pieces of apple pie in a brown bag beside her. She was feeling a bit tired and worn down and she worried maybe she was coming down with something. The last thing she needed was to get sick and miss work, especially since she needed the money.
Even so, she was happy to be home and Rylee was already looking forward to changing into some comfortable pajamas and curling up on the couch for the rest of the day. Or maybe taking a hot bath first. That morning she thought she would come home and do some schoolwork online but all Rylee could think of was relaxing now. She didn’t think she had the brain power to do much else.
Carrying the diner bag into the apartment, Rylee headed for the kitchen, calling out to Carson that she was home. She had thought of eating but instead, she left the bag on the counter and headed directly for the couch where she flopped down and toed her shoes off.
The visit from Jules earlier that day had unnerved Carson enough that he’d found someone to cover his shift at the gym. He didn’t want to work. He didn’t even really want to leave the house, unsettled as he was. He knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything but his anxiety anyway. So he spent the rest of the day cleaning the apartment. It was mindless and gave him a sense of control that he was severely lacking at the moment. Waiting until Monday to talk to the other guys about all of this felt like too long.
He was flooded with relief to hear Rylee’s voice when she entered the apartment, and Carson stood up from where he’d been cleaning the tub in their bathroom. He walked down the hall and smiled faintly at the sight of her on the couch, already getting comfortable. “Hey,” he said, stepping close and leaning over to kiss her. “Welcome home.”
Rylee smiled at the sight of Carson and lifted her hands to cup his face as she kissed him back. She thought about just grabbing him and pulling him down on the couch with her. Then they could curl up together and nap. That sounded like the perfect Sunday to her. “Hi. There’s food on the counter if you’re hungry. I couldn’t remember if you had to work or not today.” Pausing, Rylee lifted her chin and got a whiff of something lemon-y. Her brows drew together quizzically as her lips quirked. “What is that? Are you cleaning something?”
“Yeah,” Carson said with a tiny sheepish smile. He tended to clean when he was stressed out, Rylee knew that, but he wasn’t the best housekeeper otherwise. “I was cleaning the bathroom. I was supposed to work, but ... I’ll tell you in a minute, do you want food first? A drink or anything?” She looked kind of dead on her feet, so to speak, and Carson assumed it must’ve been a tough shift. He didn’t want to dump weird crap on her right after she’d walked in the door. It wasn’t like there was anything they could do right then anyway.
Rylee knew about Carson's stress cleaning, but it generally didn't worry her too much. She tended to like sex when she was stressed. Everyone had their thing. But Carson's I'll tell you in a minute is what concerned her, because so much shit had been going on lately and she was already mentally bracing herself for something bad. "I could use some water, if you don't mind," she said, brushing her hand up over her forehead and closing her eyes. "I'll eat in a bit. But there are some wraps in the bag, and some pie." Rylee resisted asking him what was wrong, or what had happened. He would tell her when he was ready.
Carson eyed her for a beat, thinking again about how tired she looked -- something she probably would’ve been insulted by if he said it out loud -- then turned to go to the kitchen. He got some ice water in a glass, peeked into the food bag, then came back to the living room. Carson sat down next to Rylee on the couch, setting her drink down in front of her. He didn’t have much appetite either yet. It would happen, because not much ever kept him from eating, but at the moment his stomach was still all unsettled. He needed to talk to his best friend about this to feel better. “Rough shift?” he asked, eyes on Rylee’s face again.
Rylee straightened a bit when Carson joined her. She reached for the water to take a sip and then smiled faintly at him. "Not really. We were busy but things seemed to go pretty smoothly. I think I might be coming down with something. A few times I thought I might fall asleep behind the counter. But I'll be fine. I don't think I have a fever." She set her glass back down and shifted her body to face Carson more directly. It was so tempting to ask him not to tell her anything. To just let them have the day without worry. But Rylee knew she couldn't do that. She wanted to be there for him, and help if she could. Of course, there wasn't much she could do for him lately, but that didn't mean she wouldn't try. "So what's going on? Something's wrong, isn't it?"
It was kind of impossible to hide things from Rylee, and after the things in the recent past that he hadn’t been upfront about, Carson wanted to be as transparent as possible. That was how they had to work now, especially with everything that was going on. His brain didn’t make the connection between Rylee feeling run-down and the fog people, it was too focused on explaining the plan to her. Carson reached out almost absently to put the back of his hand to Rylee’s forehead. “Feels normal,” he murmured, then gave her a wan smile. “Something’s always wrong, right? Okay, well ... Jules came by earlier today. Remember we got that warning Saturday night that her, uh, infected boyfriend knew who we were now? Well she had a dream after that, one on her own, and I think we have like, a plan now. Something close to it, anyway.”
Her exhaustion was momentarily forgotten and Rylee sat up a bit, eyes focused intently on Carson's face. "What kind of plan?" Was it stupid to feel hopeful? To think maybe there was a way to end this stupid dream thing? All Rylee wanted was Carson's safety. Sure, there was the matter of his being a werewolf once a month, but they had that mostly under control. It was all of this other stuff that really worried Rylee, mostly because everything felt uncertain. There was no one out there that was an expert on this, no one they could ask. Or at least, no one in Point Pleasant.
Seeing her expression perk up even that much stung Carson’s heart. Since Jules had left he’d been feeling a lot of things and hope was mixed in there. But he knew how crazy this plan sounded, he just hoped Rylee wouldn’t freak out about it. “It’s ... a weird and risky plan,” he admitted with a tiny cringe. “But it’s the best idea we’ve had so far. You know Jules’s portal thing? She had this dream about gathering all of the infected people together, then opening a portal to wherever the fog came from. She thinks ... it’ll fix it, somehow. I know that’s vague, but that was the dream, and dreams are all we’ve had to go on so far, so ...” Carson nibbled on his bottom lip, eyes trained on Rylee’s face. She was so often his gauge for how reasonable his brain was being.
As optimistic as she felt, there was confusion floating around in there too. Rylee stared at him as she tried to digest what he was saying, because it sounded crazy. So crazy that Rylee thought she was feverish. Because it sounded like Carson had just said they would open a portal to wherever that fog had come from. When was the last time her life had felt normal? No, that was wrong because her life was normal. Or normal enough. Carson's, though... Rylee exhaled softly before her brows furrowed together. "I don't know how portals work, Carson, other than what I've seen in sci-fi movies. I won't ask details, because you probably don't know them, but... that sounds really dangerous, Carson. Not only for you, but for the infected people, and then what if you can't help them? What if the fog spreads everywhere?"
They were all valid, logical questions that had been cropping up in his mind while he’d been scrubbing the bathroom. Jules had seemed exhausted and stressed, so he wasn’t sure if she’d been thinking clearly ... but the fact that they had no other ideas kept coming back to him. If there were other worlds out there, plural, how would she know she was opening up a portal to the right one? What if things just got completely out of their control? But could they keep doing nothing? “It does sound really dangerous,” he agreed with a small nod. “And you’re right, I don’t really have those answers. It’s just ... I feel like things are close to coming to a head. At least one of the infected knows who we all are now, and Jules had no explanation as to how he found out. So far we have no ideas, and we all feel like time’s running out. I don’t know what else to try.”
"But even if they know who you are, who cares? Don't they want help?" It simply didn't occur to Rylee that finding a way to help the people infected by the fog would be a bad thing. "I can't really tell you what to do, Carson. It sounds like a bad idea, but I also understand you don't really have any other options right now. Is there really no one else we can talk to? What about Nick? He knew how to help your other problem. Or... or someone else, I don't know." Rylee hated that she had no other names. She felt totally lost in all of this. But she wanted Carson to be okay, so she wasn't going to ask him not to try a possible solution. It just sounded scary and like it could go off the rails quickly.
Offering the infected people help was the logical thing to do, if the four of them had any idea how to help them. But Carson had gathered from Jules that her boyfriend hadn’t been happy about what he’d somehow figured out. “I don't know that they do want help,” he murmured, wincing a little. “I don’t think ... they’re quite in their right minds anymore. But I don’t know.” He sighed and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, then slid the fingers back through his short hair. “I don’t know. I feel like if there was somebody who could actually do something to help, Nic would know them. Castell Nic, I mean. The other Nick ... I dunno, we can ask? This is all just ... so fucked up.” He didn’t want to say that this was probably out of Nick’s depth, because it was out of all of their depth. It just seemed on a completely different level from ghosts and werewolves.
Well, that was disturbing. Not in their right minds? What did that mean? Were they dangerous? Some of the optimism she had been feeling earlier had diminished and Rylee frowned thoughtfully. "Fucked up is probably an understatement," Rylee muttered. She rubbed her hands over her face. "I mean... I'm glad you guys seem to have a plan? But I'm still worried about it, Carson. Bringing that fog back, it just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Are you going to be protected? You said they may not be in their right minds, so what if they try to hurt you?" It suddenly felt like more could go wrong than right in this scenario.
Carson couldn’t even really say how he knew the fog people weren’t themselves, it was just one of those things that he got the sense of, like how they’d known some things in dreams. Or maybe he’d picked it up from Jules when she was warning them about her boyfriend, he didn’t know. Nothing about any of this made logical sense, so why expect reasons for anything? Everything that Rylee was bringing up was valid and he had answers for none of it, and Carson felt distress starting to claw at his chest. “I don’t know, Ry,” he said earnestly, his expression pained. “I don’t know how to protect against any of this ... I mean, Nic is magical and Neil can throw lightning out of his hands, but ... I don’t know, I don't know anything. Except that we’re running out of time.”
Rylee reached out for Carson, taking his hand in hers and bringing it up to press against her cheek. "Is there anything I can do?" She knew the answer was no. Rylee was pretty helpless to stop any of this and she had nothing special about her that could come in handy. But she wanted Carson to know she was there and she would be supportive with whatever they decided to do, even if it made her uneasy. It wasn't like they could just ignore all of this and hope it went away. That clearly wasn't going to happen. "When are you going to try this?"
It was sweet of her to offer, but Carson knew there wasn’t anything she could do. Even less than what they could do. But just the fact that she wanted to help and support him was enough. Before he answered, Carson reached for Rylee to pull her over into his lap with a soft “c’mere,” and he wrapped both arms around her and nuzzled his face into her shoulder. She smelled like Moxie’s on the surface but it was all Rylee underneath and that was what he needed. “We’re all gonna meet up tomorrow to talk about it,” he murmured. “So I’m not sure yet, but soon. And you’re already doing everything you can. And I love you.”
Rylee settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around him tight. She wanted to insist she go with him to this meeting, and to whatever it was they decided to do. But she knew it could be dangerous and it wasn't likely that he would be able to focus on what he needed to do if she was around. "I love you too. I know you already know it, but I hate all of this and I'm sorry you're having to deal with it." Her words felt useless, but Carson knew if she could, she would do anything for him. Rylee closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his jaw. "I'm worried for you," she murmured. "And scared. I don't want to lose you."
As much as he wanted her by his side for everything, there was no way Carson was going to bring Rylee along to whatever they ended up doing. It was going to be risky, there was no way around that, and he would die before he put her in harm’s way on purpose. “I know,” he murmured softly, his own eyes slipping shut. He loved having her so close, and he really just wanted to stay right there on the couch and hold her for the rest of the day. “I’m scared too. But odds are in my favor, right? I survived bein’ blown up, then a damn werewolf attack, I can probably survive whatever this is too.” Carson smiled faintly, aiming for light but not flippant with his tone. He hoped he was right, he really did. He hugged Rylee a little tighter. “M’sorry you have to deal with me dealing with it. I just want it all to be over.”
Rylee knew he was trying to make her feel better but it just made her tighten her hold on him. How many times had she almost lost him? Her eyes burned but honestly, she was too tired to start crying. She was just exhausted, and angry. Hadn't Carson been through enough? "You'll be fine. You're strong," Rylee said, once she was sure she could talk without her voice breaking. And Nic was a witch. Neil had his weird lightning ability. They would keep Carson safe. "You don't have to apologize though, none of this is your fault. And maybe once it's over it'll be really over. No more of this bullshit. You deserve a break, Carson."
As her silence stretched for a moment, Carson realized now probably wasn’t the time for the gallows humor, or to remind Rylee of all the times he’d cheated death. He just held her back and tried to radiate comfort. Maybe that was an unrealistic goal, but that was what he wanted for them, just some damn comfort. Carson gave a soft huff; didn’t they all deserve a break? One hand slipped off her back to cup her face, and Carson pulled back enough to softly press their lips together. “I’ll be okay,” he murmured, putting more confidence into the words than he really had. “And when it’s over, we’re going on a fucking vacation, okay? Like, to a beach, for at least two weeks.” He would take out a personal loan if he had to, he was going to get them far away from Point Pleasant where they could really relax.
Rylee decided not to protest or huff. Instead, she kissed him back passionately. A two week beach vacation sounded like heaven. Somewhere far away from Point Pleasant, where they could hold hands and kiss in public and not worry about the full moon or fog or fucking portals. It was a nice dream, anyway. Reality meant they could probably only afford to go to Bangor for a weekend. But that would be okay too. She just wanted him whole and safe with her, that was all. Rylee cupped his face and kissed him deep, wishing she could protect him like this, curled around him with her mouth on his, and it would somehow keep all of the bad shit away.
Emotion suddenly swelling in his chest, Carson held Rylee tighter as he kissed her back. Sometimes, in clearer moments, he truly wondered why they didn’t just pack up and leave this godforsaken place. All he truly wanted was to move somewhere nobody knew them and start over, live as a couple, have happy, normal lives. There was part of him that knew that wasn’t going to happen though. Nobody got away for long. All he could do was cling to the good moments as they happened -- and Rylee’s warm weight in his lap and her lips on his was definitely a good moment. His hand caressed her hip and thigh and ass, just to touch more of her. Why couldn’t he just do this until all the bullshit was over?
Rylee knew they had to sacrifice a lot to be together. Living in secrecy was difficult, not being able to be together the way they both wanted to be. Yes, Rylee dreamed about moving away, but it felt like nothing more than a fantasy. All they had was this, and for Rylee, that was enough. It felt like they were too busy being worried about some new bullshit in town to actually settle and think about what their relationship really meant. At the moment Rylee felt like she was sinking into a daze, but Carson's lips still sparked heat deep in her belly. She wanted to tear his clothes off, feel him move inside of her, feel him come. But god, it was so hard to keep her muscles from feeling heavy and Rylee rested her forehead against Carson's as she took a breath. "I'm so tired, Carson," she murmured. "My body feels like it's being weighted down by something. I'm just... I think I need to lay down."
Carson was feeling a little warmer himself, but he was immediately concerned at what Rylee said. He frowned, lashes lifting a bit so he could peek at her. His hands turned from a bit gropey to more of a soothing rub at her back and he cleared his throat a tiny bit. “Let’s get you to bed, then,” he murmured back. She hadn’t said it was a hard shift, but all of the sudden she seemed more tired now than she had when she’d gotten home. That sparked a bit of guilt in Carson’s stomach -- he’d loaded more shit on her shoulders, after all. But all he could do was take care of her now. Wishing his leg would allow him to pick her up from sitting down, Carson let her go and patted her gently so she could get up. “Think you’re getting sick? How do you feel otherwise?”
For a terrifying second Rylee wasn't sure she could get up. She just wanted to slump against Carson and sleep. But she needed to move so Rylee grunted softly and slipped off of his lap. "I thought I was getting sick," she explained, staring helplessly down the hall to her bedroom. It looked so far. "But I don't have a fever, or anything like that. I just feel like I haven't slept in days. I don't know. Maybe I am coming down with something and it's just taking longer to hit me." She gave Carson a faint smile. "And it sucks because I really, really want to get you naked right now."
Once he had room to, Carson stood up with Rylee, looking her over with some concern, like he would be able to see if she was sick or not. She looked fine, of course, just tired. The last bit made him huff softly and smile back. One of his hands moved to squeeze the half-mast bulge in his jogging pants. Rylee wasn’t the only one who wanted to be naked right then. “I mean, you could always just lie back and relax and let me do all the work,” he said, grinning at her a bit, only half-joking. Carson slid his hands over Rylee’s hips and kissed the side of her head. He would’ve been happy to get between her legs and just pamper her with his tongue if that was all she wanted ... but he wasn’t going to push for anything, of course. If she was that tired, she probably just needed to sleep.
Rylee couldn't help but smile and she slid her hand over his waist, moving one hand down to grip his crotch herself. Despite how heavy she felt, it still felt amazing that she was the one who turned him on, who got to sleep with him in bed every night. Carson was hers and waking up beside him still felt like a dream. Rylee didn't feel sick, so maybe she wasn't contagious. "Why don't you take me to bed and kiss me and we'll see what happens," Rylee murmured with a small smile as she nuzzled his jaw.
That was promising and while Carson felt a small stab of guilt for wanting to get laid when so much was going wrong, it passed quickly with Rylee’s hand on his cock. He wanted to be with her in every way possible for as long as he could, that was all. And anything that felt good these days was something to hang onto. “I think I can manage that,” he murmured back. Carson slipped his arm around Rylee’s back, to hold onto her as well as support her, and started to escort her down the hall toward her bedroom -- their bedroom. He did really hope she wasn't getting sick, they didn’t need that on top of everything else, but maybe some deep relaxation and sexual healing, then a long nap, would help make her feel better.