InsaneJournal

If I could then I would
Who: Chrissy, Gabe and Xander
What: Arriving in Duskwood
When: 01.03.13 - Thursday early evening
Where: Asylum
Warnings: NSFW



It felt like they'd been driving for days and in truth, they had. Aside from a stay or two here and there to do odd jobs for cash, their asses had been in the truck en route to the east coast. They arrived in Duskwood as the sun was going down and they decided to stop and ask for directions. They were close enough to the east coast to stop and set up their new 'home' so they decided maybe the woods would be the best bet. it was cold, yes, but they were both wolves and they'd make do as best they could. It was better than nothing. If they could find a campground, they could park the truck and figure out a way to situate things so that they could be at least better off than truck stops and moving about constantly. If the pack hadn't caught up with them yet, maybe they wouldn't.

Pulling into the parking lot of a place called Asylum, Xander helped Chrissy out of the cab and led her inside, fingers laced through hers as they walked into the bar and up to the counter. They seemed pretty supernatural friendly considering the way the few people inside smelled. Especially the bartender who came up to speak to them. If he wasn't mistaken, Xander was pretty sure he was a bear of some sort. "Evening," he said politely. "We're just passing through but were wondering if you might know of a good campground around these parts."

Chrissy tried not to be too nervous. Tried to act like they were just two wolves, out for a camping trip. And not runaways, trying to hide from an entire pack that were likely looking for them. It wasn’t easy. Days of sleeping rough, of looking over their shoulders, was starting to take their toll. She was wearing her last clean tshirt, with one of Xander’s hooded sweatshirts over the top. She’d been twisting her hair into dreads to try and hide the fact that she hadn’t had a shower in a few days, had been washing at truckstop sinks. Hair bound back from her face, she trailed behind Xander a little, her fingers twined with his. She smiled at the bartender, leaning in to Xander’s side.

Gabe had had a slow shift so far. It was midweek, cold and wet, and no one was coming out any more than they had to. So when the two kids came in, it didn’t take him long to walk up to them. He looked them over, curious as to what they were doing there. “Funny time’f year for campin’,” he pointed out, leaning both hands on the edge of the bar, splaying out a little to either side of his body. “Hope you got nice thick sleepin’ bags.” He looked between them, not liking the way the girl wasn’t meeting his gaze, how nervous she smelled.

He knew that it wasn't going to be a very believable story even if it was mostly true. Xander shrugged a little. "We'll make do," he told the man, glancing over at Chrissy as she snuggled in against him. "We like the cold," he added, flashing a tiny, reassuring smile at the girl. It was better than being warm in bed back with the pack. At least this way they had one another. That was more than they'd have at home. Much more than they'd have at home.

Chrissy smiled, rubbing her thumb against his, reassuring in turn. She looked at the large bear, trying to look calm and relaxed. “We’re just making the most of the holiday before we go back to school,” she added, sticking with the story they’d already used with overly-curious waitresses at truck stops. It was believable enough, even if it sounded like they were insane for even thinking about camping out in January in Massachusetts.

“Uhunh,” Gabe answered. “Well, there’s a couple camping grounds on the outskirts of town. An’ a motel, if you two get too cold to stay out there.” He grabbed the order pad out of his pocket, pen from behind his ear. “Okay, so you wanna go outta here, take a left turn onto Main...” he started drawing out a map for them, glancing between the paper and both kids. Especially the girl. She had more tells than a damn playbook. Thinking for a moment, he scribbled his cellphone number at the bottom of the page, and tore it off. “Here,” he said, handing it to Xander. “And if you decide you wanna be honest ‘bout what you’re runnin’ from, my number’s on the bottom there.”

It was easier to lie to people who couldn't smell a lie a mile away. It was also easier to lie when it was just him because Chrissy did have about a dozen little tells that wouldn't have convinced the most gullible of people. He didn't blame the man for not believing them. He took the paper, glancing at the number on the bottom of the page. He knew better than to say anything but he was running out of options and it was his job now to take care of Chrissy. Keeping her out in the woods in the freezing cold was ridiculous. Maybe if they'd went to Florida, but Massachusetts? He sounded like a damn fool.

"Does it really matter what we're running from?" he asked, glancing at Chrissy and back to the bear before him. "We don't have much other options for housing. Unless you know of someone willing to pay under the table or trade off room and board for some work." It couldn't hurt to bring it up. The man was a bartender, after all. Maybe he knew someone who wanted a little extra work for a little less than fair cash. Anything was better than nothing.

Chrissy paled a little. Yeah, their story was pretty flimsy, but she had a feeling that it was her fault that the bartender didn’t believe them. She’d always been a crappy liar; it was part of the reason that her dad had found out about her and Xander, too. She stayed quiet for now, though she moved a little closer to Xander, sliding her arm around his waist instead of holding hands. She needed the reassurance, needed the comfort of his arm around her.

Gabe sighed. Well, at least the kid wasn’t trying to bullshit him. “Hold up one sec, kid,” he muttered. He walked down the bar, letting Nadia know he was taking a break, and asking her to bring a couple orders of burgers and fries over to him. Walking out from behind the bar, he gestured to the kids, leading them over to one of the booths that lined the wall. He’d been careful to let them overhear what he’d said to Nadia, not wanting them to think he was calling the cops on them. He’d been in their position once. Sort of. If he hadn’t had help, he wouldn’t be where he was now.

“First off,” he said, sitting down opposite them. “Didja steal anything?” He looked between them. “Hurt anyone? Do somethin’ wrong?” He needed to know before he helped them. People had plenty of reasons for running away, but he wasn’t about to go down for aiding and abetting criminals, even if they were minors.

"I took her," Xander told him as he settled with Chrissy on the inside of the booth, slipping his arm around her shoulders. "She wanted to go, I didn't force her. But I guess in a way I did that wrong. At least to them. Aside from that I didn't take anything that wasn't mine, didn't hurt anyone and didn't do anything else wrong." That much he knew. He hadn't fought, hadn't stole anything and hadn't done anything illegal save for what he supposed could be considered kidnapping if charges were pressed if only because Chrissy wasn't eighteen yet. She would be in less than a year, but it was still frowned upon if they caught up to them before her birthday passed.

Chrissy leaned into his side, sliding her hand onto his knee, squeezing gently. “We just want to be together,” she murmured softly. “We’re not doing anything wrong.” Nothing criminally wrong, anyway. She was hoping and praying that - if they were caught - charges wouldn’t be pressed against Xander. Not when she’d gone happily and willingly. It wasn’t like he’d hogtied her and put her in his trunk, after all.

Gabe rubbed his chin, beard rasping against his palm as he sighed. Great. Romeo and Juliet. Just what he needed. “Alright,” he murmured, leaning on the table. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. You’re what, seventeen? Eighteen?” He looked between them. “There’s an empty apartment upstairs. I used to live there, but I’m gettin’ married and it’s not exactly made for a family. Most’f the furniture’s still there.” He dug out his keys, taking one of the spares for the apartment off the ring, and handing it to Xander. “It’s yours, long as you need it. You can work here, bussin’ tables. Just a few conditions.” He lifted the key up, just as Xander reached for it. “No lyin’, no stealin’, and you come to my house for dinner once a week.”

Xander just sort of blinked at him. He didn't reach for the key at first, listening to what the man had to say but there wasn't any other offers like this one likely to come along and so he reached out and nodded at those conditions. "Just turned twenty in November," he told him. His age wasn't the important thing. He left Chrissy's age out of things for now. He had no intentions of doing anything to fuck up the good hand they'd just gotten dealt, especially when this guy didn't have to go out of his way to do what he was doing. He could get in just as much trouble for knowing that Chrissy was underage and not turning them in.

But there was one more situation that needed to be taken care of before they could really accept the offer. "What about full moons?" he asked, looking at the key, up to Chrissy and then across at the other man. "Know anywhere that houses cursed weres?" he asked. He expected the key to be snatched back so he just held it loosely in his palm. It was up to the man whether he wanted to keep the deal with the new bit of information and Xander couldn't have blamed him if he decided against it.

Chrissy just stared. She hadn’t expected anything like this. She was expecting the guy to give them a stern talking to and try and convince them to go home. She gaped a little, watching as he handed Xander a key. Holy shit. And then Xander opened his big mouth and told him at least one of them was a cursed were. She squeezed his knee tight, growling as she glared at him. Yeah, there was no way the bear would help them now.

Hunh. Wow. Yeah, these kids really needed help. “How stupid are you?” He asked, voice a low growl. “You run away without knowin’ what you’re gonna do on the full moon?” He sat back, running both hands through his hair. “Jesus, boy, what were you gonna do if you couldn’t find a cage?” Gabe was just glad they’d walked into his bar, that by some fluke they’d caught him working rather than one of his staff. He fell silent for a second as Nadia brought over two plates piled high with food, doublestacked burgers and fries.

Once she was gone, he leant in again, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried not to blow his top at them. They were kids. Kids made mistakes. And God, he needed a cigarette. “I got cages in the basement,” he explained. “Strong boxes for valuables, medical supplies...I’m a black bear, you gotta get through the locked cage, me, and a locked door to get out. There’s a space right now.” They were lucky.

Xander growled right back, partially at the way she gripped his knee and partially because she growled at him and it was his usual reaction. He had no right to keep it a secret with a man who was about to give them a place to stay.

"I'm not stupid," he told Gabe. "Most police stations will house cursed weres. I've done fine this far," he pointed out. But that was beside the point. He knew that he'd been dumb leaving and not having a plan but he had to get out of there and he had to leave when they did. There were no other options. He quieted when the waitress came over and put the food in front of them. His stomach growled the moment the smell of the food hit his nose. God he was starved. His eyes flicked to Chrissy and then back to the man across from him.

"It's just me," he told the man. "She's born." Thank god. There would be a whole new slew of issues if they were both cursed. Or perhaps less if he really thought about it. They might not have had to run if she was cursed. He wouldn't wish that on her, however. Not in a million years. "I'll do whatever I need to do to earn my keep," he promised the man.

Chrissy subsided, still grumbling a little as their food arrived. Her stomach growled in tandem with Xander’s, and she immediately picked up the burger, taking a massive bite. She was starving; they hadn’t eaten much that day, had grabbed a couple snack cakes in a truckstop for breakfast and that was it. Definitely far less food than she was used to.

Gabe nodded, watching as they ate, feeling a little better now they were getting some food into them. “Well at least it ain’t both of you,” he grumbled. “I’m’a leave the two of you to eat,” he murmured. “But don’t think I ain’t noticed how you didn’t say her age,” he nodded towards the girl. There was no way she was legal. Wasn’t his business, though. Long as he didn’t know for sure. “Can’t let you work here, not unless you can prove your age, darlin’,” he told her. “But you got a roof over your head, and you,” he glanced over at Xander. “Got a job. Startin’ tomorrow. Take tonight to settle in, get cleaned up.”

He wasn't going to tell Chrissy's age. Not now. It was safer to just keep her information to themselves. He could work in exchange for them having somewhere to stay that was warm and for some food in their stomachs. He nodded at the man's words. "I won't make you regret this," he told the man. "Thank you." He wasn't too proud to say thanks when it was deserved. He could prove his age and that would give them time to get situated and at least somewhere that Chrissy would be safe. It was a definite, massive step up from the truck and he hadn't even seen the apartment yet.

Chrissy murmured her thanks round a mouthful of food, watching as Gabe got up and headed back to the bar. She sighed, relaxing just a little, eating her burger in about three bites before starting on the fries, drowning them in ketchup. “What do you think?” She said in an undertone. “Do you think he’s okay? Can we trust him?” He hadn’t smelt like he was lying, but Chrissy still wasn’t entirely sure. She’d maybe change her mind once she’d slept, once they’d seen the apartment, but right now she was still dubious.

Once he was certain that no one was listening to their conversation anymore, he shrugged at Chrissy's question. "If he wanted to turn us in, he wouldn't have wasted the time on food or a place to stay for the night or an offer of a job and a cage," he told her. If he was going to turn them in, he would have just done it. He didn't smell like he was lying and until Gabe gave him a reason not to trust him, Xander was going to trust the man. He didn't have much of a choice otherwise. "It's better than being out in the cold tonight," he told her. "The snow is coming. I can smell it. I know you can. And at least he's probably got a shower," he added. "I don't know about you, but I feel disgusting." Looking grungy was one thing, smelling like he hadn't had a bath in a few days was not something Xander cared for.

Chrissy had to admit that Xander was right. She’d been dreading sleeping out again tonight, had debated suggesting they just sleep in the cab of the truck, curled up together in wolf form. It was better than nothing. But what they’d ended up with, what they’d been offered, was far better than she could have dreamed. That was part of the reason she didn’t trust it. It was literally too good to be true. “Okay, yeah, a shower sounds like heaven right about now,” she admitted, stuffing a handful of fries into her mouth. “I just don’t trust him. Why’s he being so nice?” She couldn’t see what was in it for the bear, and therefore didn’t trust it.

Xander took a bite of his burger and hummed appreciatively. They'd been doing what they could to save any money that they'd made and the fries and burgers were like steak dinners compared to what they'd survived on thus far. "I don't know," he admitted. "I want to trust him because he is being nice but people aren't usually that nice unless they're getting something out of the deal. That or he's a dad and he feels sorry for us. Either way a warm place to sleep and a shower is good enough. If we feel like things aren't good tomorrow then we can split." Compromise. Give the bartender the benefit of the doubt and if he ended up wanting to turn them in, they could just run.

She nodded, smiling as she leant her head on his shoulder for a moment, just for comfort. “Sounds like a plan,” she murmured, taking another few fries and chewing on them. God, this was good. This food was like heaven. And it was free, which meant it tasted even better. She watched as the guy came back over, another key in hand.

“Here,” Gabe said, sitting down opposite them. “So one’f you doesn’t have to wait for the other if you’re out.” He handed the key to the girl, smiling reassuringly. “I’m Gabe, by the way,” he murmured. “Gabe Cooper. Most folk round here call me Coop.” He sat back, folding his arms as he watched them eat as if they hadn’t eaten in days. Probably hadn’t, not properly at least. “How far’ve you come?” He asked. “I’m not askin’ specifics. I just wanna know how long you been runnin’.”

Xander felt a little rude once Gabe sat down and offered his name. The guy gave him a place to stay and food and he hadn't even give him her name. "Xander," he offered. He kept his last name to himself for now. As for the next question, he was glad that he wasn't asking for specifics. "We're from the west coast," he explained. That was enough to tell him just how far they'd come thus far. How much they'd wanted to get away from what they were running from. "Feels like forever," he admitted. "Is there a laundromat around here?" he asked. They might as well try and get their clothes clean while they were at it.

Chrissy swallowed a mouthful of fries, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Chrissy,” she volunteered, looking to Xander to see how much he was going to say, how much information he was going to give Gabe. And yeah, that was suitably vague. He’d already be able to tell that they were wolves, and she was worried that he’d find it a little too easy to do some digging on them, get in touch with her dad, if they gave him too much information.

“Nice to meet you both,” Gabe murmured, smiling softly. “There’s a washer dryer in the apartment,” he told them. “You’re welcome to use it. G’head and have a shower, get your clothes clean, recharge your batteries. There’s no food or nothin’, but I can sort that. Come back down for dinner later, I’ll get you the neccessities.” Coffee, milk, bread, cereal - enough to get them started, at least.

Again Xander was thinking that Gabe would have already turned them over if he wanted to. Why let them shower? Why let them wash their clothes? Why waste any of his time unless he was being genuine. Finishing off the last of his food, he nodded at the suggestion to have a shower and wash clothes. That sounded like a damn fine plan to him, that was for sure. "Thank you," he told the man again. "We don't have much so we won't like overrun your place or anything," he promised. "A few bags of clothes and some personal effects." The latter being mostly his since Chrissy had all but come with just the clothes on her back and what she'd had in his things. He'd sort that later on once he figured out where a thrift shop was located and could take her for more clothes.

"We really appreciate the help," he said, letting out a breath. "If you get tired of helping us, just let us know," he said, glancing at Chrissy. "We can figure something else out. We just don't want to go back. Anyplace together is better than back there apart." Which was the reason that they'd run off in the first place.

Chrissy whined, low in her throat, as Xander talked about being apart. She nuzzled his cheek gently, sliding her hand over his on the table. “Not gonna happen,” she assured him, not even caring that Gabe was sitting right opposite them, listening to every word. “They can’t make me go back. Not ever.” She’d die before she went back.

Gabe sighed, watching the two of them. It’d be sickening, if it wasn’t so damn adorable. Although it was making him hope Abbie didn’t get interested in boys for a good long time yet. He didn’t think he’d ever be ready to watch his baby bear hanging over a guy like Chrissy was over Xander. “You don’t have to worry, son,” he told Xander. “Place is yours as long as you need it.”

Xander let out a breath that he hadn't even realized that he was holding. For the first time since they'd left, he felt like he didn't have to keep running, didn't have to keep moving and pushing forward to get away. Finally. It was a relief. A weight lifted off of his shoulders and no doubt off of Chrissy's as well. "Thanks," he said once more, glancing at Chrissy, leaning enough to kiss her temple. "Everything's gonna be okay," he promised her. They'd get a shower, some clean clothes and a good night's sleep. "What time do you want me down for work?" he asked the man.

Chrissy nodded, leaning in against him, pushing away her empty plate. “I know,” she whispered, smiling a little as she looked at Xander. She relaxed a little too, finally starting to believe that everything was going to be okay. That they were safe. God, that was a nice thought.

“You’re welcome,” Gabe murmured, looking a little embarrassed. “Come down around twelve tomorrow. We can fill out the paperwork while you eat lunch, get you all set up and started.” He picked up the empty plates, getting up from the table. “Go on, get. You can park your car round the back of the bar, there’s a door’ll take you straight up to the apartment.” Smiling at the two of them, he headed back towards the bar, leaving them alone for now. He might go up and check on them later, but right now he figured they needed to talk a little, alone.

Xander nodded. It seemed like things were looking up. Filling out paperwork didn't sound like a guy who planned on turning them in. If he wanted to help them, Xander wanted to take the help. It was the brightest thing that had happened thus far on their trek away from Washington. "Thanks," he told the man once more, glancing over at Chrissy once Gabe had left them alone. "Wanna pull the truck around back and grab our things to head upstairs?" he asked her. A warm shower, clean clothes and a night spent warm sounded pretty damn good to him.

Chrissy nodded enthusiastically. God. A shower and clean clothes sounded like heaven. “Sounds good to me,” she murmured, nudging him with her hip, edging him out of the booth seat and towards the door. Heading out to the truck, she climbed in, wrinkling her nose a little. Yeah, the cab smelled a little funky after days of them sitting in it, with pretty irregular showers. She combed her fingers through her hair as Xander drove the truck round to the back, pointing out the back door with the small ‘Asylum’ sign. “C’mon, let’s go.” Grinning at him, she grabbed her back out of the back and, wielding the key, she led the way into the back of the bar and up the stairs. She was practically bouncing by the time they got to the top of the stairs, biting her lip as she unlocked the door. “Ready?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at him as she opened the door.

Xander scrunched his own nose up at the smell of the car. Mostly it was because of their funk from the not taking showers and only rinsing off a bit. It definitely needed aired out. Once they'd pulled the car around the back and parked it, he grabbed the bags that held their clothes and followed her up the stairs towards the apartment. He almost felt like police were going to be waiting on the other side, ready to take them in. He nodded a little at her question. "Ready as I'll ever be," he told her, drawing in a shaky breath as she pushed the door open.

No cops. Just silence in the apartment, a smidge of stuffy smell from not being used but that was about it. He would have gladly taken the stuffy smell than the stink in the truck. And the apartment was fucking awesome. "Wow," he said as he sat the bags on the floor near the door. "I think we must have died and gone to heaven or something." A step up would have been an understatement.

Chrissy looked round. And her jaw dropped. “Wow,” she said, dropping her bag onto the floor. She took a few steps, looking around herself, turning around completely as she walked. “Xan, this place is amazing.” She grinned, looking at him, completely disbelieving of the good luck they’d had. It was a loft apartment, with a huge balcony outside, and two bedrooms. It looked incredible. Grinning wickedly at Xander, she headed for the bedroom, whooping as she flung herself onto the kingsize bed.

Xander watched her as she moved through the apartment. It was gorgeous and clean and for the time being it was theirs. At least for the night. They could worry about everything else in the morning. He took a minute to find the washing machine and tossed a load into it, starting it up and heading for the bedroom and Chrissy. Yeah, he could get used to a kingsize bed. "Sure beats the bed of the truck," he grinned as he flung himself onto the bed beside her, grinning as he pulled her body into his arms. Yeah, definitely better than squished in the truck. There was room to stretch and curl up.

Chrissy laughed softly, sliding her arms around him and nuzzling her nose against his. “Definitely,” she murmured.”This is incredible.” The thought of curling up in bed with Xander, with no one to disturb them, comfortable and warm....was pretty much heaven. “What d’you say we take a shower,” she murmured, her eyes on his mouth as she leant in closer, gently brushing her lips against his, “and then christen this bed?” She bit his lower lip gently, humming softly. They’d never been alone long enough to have sex, not at a time when they weren’t gonna get caught out by running into at least one other member of the pack. She slid her hand into his hair, kissing him again, squirming a little closer to him.

His brows went up in surprise when she offered up not only a shower which he assumed meant one shower together and then christening the bed. He swallowed down a nervous lump that formed in his throat and he tried to focus on the kiss, on the way she was curling her fingers into his hair and pressing closer to him. "Really?" he breathed. He was a guy so of course he wanted her but he'd been too afraid to even think about bedding the girl thus far. Even when they'd been in the truck, alone finally. Back home it had been too risky. Someone would have smelled it. The last few days they'd been on the run. "You sure?"

Chrissy nodded, biting her lower lip gently. “Yeah, I’m sure,” she murmured. She’d wanted him for weeks, and it was even worse considering she could smell him, smell how much he wanted her, too. “We should celebrate,” she explained, stroking the back of his neck, blushing a little. Leaning in, she kissed him again, sliding her knee over his hip, pressing closer. She wound her fingers tighter into his hair, tugging gently. It was a slightly calculated move - she knew just what that did to him, knew that it would turn him on.

He was still a young man and it didn't take much to turn him on but Chrissy knew each and every little button to press. The moment her fingers slipped into his hair, tugged it even as gently as she did, his cock started to respond. He bit his bottom lip through a soft groan, leaning in and catching her lips in a needing little kiss, pulling her body in against his own a bit more tightly. Yeah, he could get behind this plan. "Keep touching me like that and we're not gonna make it to the shower," he whispered.

Chrissy laughed, wrinkling her nose a little. “I’m not sure that’s really a bad thing,” she admitted. “But I don’t plan on moving after, so maybe we should get cleaned up first...” Kissing him again, she slid her hand under his shirt, pushing it up a little. Yes, she was being an evil tease. She really didn’t care. Nipping at his lip, she slipped out of his arms, chuckling softly as she ran out of the room, stripping off her hoodie as she headed for the open bathroom door. Her shirt followed, leaving her in her boots, jeans, and bra by the time she reached the bathroom.

God she was an evil little teasing thing. He groaned softly against her mouth as she nipped his lip and then suddenly she was gone, running out of the room and heading towards the bathroom. He growled softly as he got up and rid himself of his shoes and socks before he even left the bedroom. His hoodie went next and his shirt, leaving him in his jeans and boxers as he reached the bathroom, heading inside and closing the door behind himself, latching it and turning his attentions to Chrissy. He loved how unconventionally pretty she was. The way her hair was as wild and free as her spirit. He wouldn't get tired of looking at her, that was for sure. Especially shirtless. He found he quite liked shirtless.

Chrissy laughed as she heard Xan growling behind her, kicking off her boots as she reached in to switch on the shower. Her socks and pants followed, leaving her in her underwear by the time Xander walked in. She flushed a little as he stared at her, wrapping her arms around her stomach, curling in on herself a little. Despite being all for it in theory, the reality of being nude in front of him? Kind of terrifying. But seeing him shirtless was more than a little distracting. Biting her lip gently, she reached up to try and push her hair behind her ear.

He could tell she was nervous, if not by the smell of her, certainly by the way she bit her lower lip and tucked her hair behind her ear. His eyes wandered over her body, from her feet back up to her face and he smiled a crooked smile as he made his way towards her, sliding his fingers over her hips to her waist and pulling her in against him.. Pressing his lips gently against hers, he smiled against her mouth, trying to hide his own nervousness with faux confidence. "You're so beautiful," he whispered softly against her lips. "Prettiest girl in the world."

Chrissy blushed a little harder, sliding her arms around Xander’s neck, kissing him back gently. “Liar,” she breathed, threading her fingers through his hair. Her other hand slid down over his shoulders, skimming down his spine to the waistband of his jeans. “You’re gonna have to take these off,” she murmured, kissing him again. She released him to reach behind herself, unfastening her bra and letting it drop to the floor. Sliding her hands down, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties, skimming them down over her hips, and stepping out of them as they slid down to the floor. Her cheeks bright red, she stepped under the shower, letting out a low groan at the feel of the hot water pounding on her shoulders.

"Am not," he murmured into the kiss, groaning softly as her fingers slid down his back to his jeans. If he hadn't already been fairly hard, he certainly was now. Then she pulled back and finished removing the rest of her clothes and it was Xander's turn to blush. He took off his pants and his boxers in one fluid movement and tried not to be too embarrassed about how much his body was already responding to seeing hers naked. He slipped into the shower with her, eyes on her face as she let the water hit her shoulders, slide down her back. Showers took on a whole new level of sexy. Leaning in, he pressed his lips to her neck, sliding them down the curve of her collarbone and out to her shoulder. "No one here to smell us and tattle," he whispered against her skin.

Her head was already tilted back, eyes closing as the water flowed through her hair, over her face. God, that felt so much better already. She shivered as Xander kissed her neck, trailing his lips down to her shoulder. She rested her hands on his shoulders, shivering a little as he whispered softly against her skin. “Don’t ever have to worry about that ever again,” she murmured, her knees going a little weak as the smell of him started to fill the air, the musk of arousal pouring off both of them. “I think....” She swallowed hard, licking her lips as she tried to concentrate. “I think we should get clean before we get too distracted,” she got out, sliding her hands down a little, onto his chest. She honestly wasn’t sure if she wanted to pull him in closer, or push him back.

He was starting to think that perhaps a shower together wasn't the best idea. He was distracted and finding it difficult to think about anything but how much he wanted her. He nodded a little, pulling back from her skin, moving his mouth up to catch her lips gently. "I'll try and behave," he told her. And then he realized that they hadn't exactly thought about getting condoms and unless Gabe had left some - which he doubted - he was going to have to leave to get some. Fuck. He kissed her once more, nipping at her lower lip and forced himself to take a step back and settle down. "Gonna have to go to the corner store if we're gonna let ourselves get distracted," he told her. "I didn't bring anything with me." There'd never been the need back home and he had been distracted en route from Washington to Massachusetts and thus hadn't thought to buy any. "So shower, a quick run to the store and then... we'll spend the night exploring...," he murmured, reaching out for a bar of soap.

Chrissy groaned softly, resting her forehead against Xander’s shoulder. Yeah, that put a slight damper on things. But maybe it wasn’t a bad thing; they could get clean, calm down a little. “Or,” she suggested, leaning in to kiss him again. “You could go run to the store now, while I shower and wash my hair and do all that girly stuff,” she grinned. “And then I can get the bed made up and stuff while you shower when you come back...” It was probably the only way they were both going to get clean without getting totally distracted by the fact they were both naked. And had the place to themselves.

She had a point and he had to nod a little as he handed her the soap. "Okay," he said, nodding a little and stealing a kiss from her then reluctantly stepping out of the shower. "I'll be back in a few," he assured her. "Need anything else while I'm out?" he questioned. He might as well ask while he was making the effort to leave. He toweled his feet off and slipped his boxers and jeans back on again. No need to dirty up his clean clothes if he was going to shower when he got back.

“Uh...deodorant!” She said, making a slightly pained face. “Something that doesn’t smell of boy.” She stuck her tongue out at him a little, wetting her hair thoroughly as he got out of the shower and towelled off, thoroughly enjoying the view. “And a toothbrush.” She probably needed some more clean underwear and clothes, but they weren’t an emergency. And right now she was more focused on getting clean and getting Xander into bed than anything else. “Can you toss me some shampoo from the bag before you go?” She asked. There was a small bar of soap still sitting beside the bath, but nothing for her to clean her hair with.

Deodorant that didn't smell like a boy. He could do that. Probably. Maybe they'd have some of the stuff she usually used. He took a second to grab the shampoo she asked for and handed it to her, leaning into the shower to get another kiss. "I won't take too long," he promised. "Try not to have too much fun without me," he teased, flashing her a smile before reluctantly pulling his head back so he could leave the bathroom. "Love you," he told her before he cleared the doorframe.

She giggled. “I’ll try not to,” she murmured, stealing another kiss before he pulled back. She smiled brightly at his last words, watching him as she mumured, “Love you too.” She was still getting used to hearing that, after a couple of days of not having to worry if anyone else was around, if anyone else was listening to them. Listening to him leave the apartment, she focused on her shower, thoroughly enjoying the fact that she didn’t have to wash over a sink, in cold water. She was squeaky clean by the time she got out, grabbing the towel Xander had used and drying off. She found some clean bedsheets in a cupboard and made up the bed, still wearing nothing but the towel as she sorted their dirty clothes in the kitchen, getting another load ready and waiting for when the first was done.

It was different to say the least. Being able to say that he loved her out loud without having to worry about it getting back to her father was such a simple and yet such an amazing thing. Little things like that were the things that mattered the most to him since they'd left Washington. Just being able to be close to her without constantly looking over their shoulders. He didn't even have to worry when he left her at the apartment and headed down to the store to collect the few things they needed. He managed to find some girly deodorant that she'd probably like, more shampoo and soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes and of course the condoms that were the main item they wanted and then he returned to the apartment with the bags in hand. "Hey pretty lady," he said with a grin when he found her by the washer and dryer. "All squeaky clean I see."

Chrissy straightened, holding the towel in place with a hand on her chest, wary of it slipping off. Well, not that it would necessarily be a bad thing right now...”Hey, you,” she smiled, walking over to him and kissing him softly. “Yep. Squeaky clean, and I even made the bed.” And that wasn’t a suggestive comment at all, of course. Nope. Who would ever think such a thing. She slid her hand to the back of his neck, pressing tight against him as she kissed him again, more deeply, lingering.

A soft growl started low in his throat the moment she pressed herself against him. She was clean and soft and warm especially after his little trip to the store. Knowing he had to grab a shower before he could take advantage of her state of undress made things difficult. He returned the kiss eagerly, fingertips sliding up her back and into her damp hair as he nipped her lips. Pulling back for a breath, he opened his eyes and smiled at her. "You're making me forget that I should be taking a shower," he told her, making no moves to leave just yet. "I like this whole having our own space thing. Remind me to thank Gabe about a billion more times tomorrow."

Shivering, Chrissy rested a hand on his arm, holding him close with that and the hold she had on the nape of his neck. The towel sagged, held up only by the pressure of her body against his. Smirking just a little, blushing at the same time, Chrissy took a slight step back, just enough to let the towel drop to the floor. “Yeah,” she breathed, her deep blue eyes turning a little paler as her wolf pushed to the surface, hungry for Xander. “Definitely liking this space to ourselves thing.” She pushed at his jacket, trying to shove it down his arms, standing up on tiptoe to kiss him again, growling softly as she nipped at his lower lip.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to do much of anything but hold onto her. "I have the feeling I shoulda finished my shower first," he breathed in between kisses. He wanted her, now and not later. Knowing that he hadn't had a legitimate shower in a couple of days, however, was sort of gross considering she was all clean and perfect. The last thing he wanted was b.o. to ruin the mood. "Five minutes," he promised her, kissing her again, sliding his fingertips down her sides to her hips. "Fastest shower ever. Think you can wait for me before you start?"

Chrissy let out a low, grumbling growl, pouting just a little. She didn’t want to wait, she wanted him now. But considering how much better she felt after a shower, she should probably let Xander get cleaned up, too. “No promises,” she breathed, goosebumps rising on her skin in the wake of his fingertips. “Go, shower. Before I change my mind.” She picked up the bags he’d dropped, fishing out toothpaste and a toothbrush and going straight to the kitchen sink to brush her teeth. If she used the sink in the bathroom, she’d just end up jumping Xan in the shower, and then he’d never get clean.

He shivered a little as she took her naked self to the kitchen. He went for the bathroom determined to take as little time as needed for a shower. Thankfully it wasn't all that difficult to wash his hair and scrub his body. He didn't bother with shaving because that was pointless and Chrissy never complained about his scruff anyways. A few minutes later he had toweled off and detoured to the kitchen to grab the toothpaste so he could brush his own teeth. That taken care of, towel still wrapped around his hips, he headed for the bedroom, a little nervous still but more than ready to spend the evening with Chrissy, wrapped up as closely as they could manage.

Chrissy had dug the box of condoms out, laying them on the bedside table and climbing into bed. She pulled the covers up to her armpits, feeling a little silly lying there naked, waiting for Xander. Folding her hands on her stomach, fingers laced together, she waited for Xan to come in. When he did she sat up, holding the bedsheets up to her chest to keep them in place. She smiled at him, biting her lip as her gaze travelled slowly down his body. They’d technically seen each other naked before, at full moons and pack meetings where they shifted. But it was different, now she didn’t have to look away. Now she didn’t have to pretend she wasn’t looking at him, wasn’t aching to touch him. “C’mere,” she breathed, holding out a hand to him, palm up, her fingers gently curled in towards her palm.

It was different now. More different than he ever thought it was going to be. He'd thought a week ago that they'd never see each other again because it would have been easier for her but here they were alone, finally. Together. He watched as she raised her hand and curled her fingertips towards herself, beckoning him to come closer. It was a gesture that he couldn't have refused even if he wanted to. He moved to the bed, ridding himself of the towel and slipping beneath the blankets, crawling closer to her, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her body in close to his own. He knew then and there that he could never go back to Washington. He couldn't bear to lose Chrissy. He didn't think that his body would be able to handle the loss of her. She was like a limb to him. A piece of him that he couldn't live without. Without her, he'd cease to function. "Never going back," he whispered as he caught her lips. "Never."

Sighing softly, Chrissy slid her arms around him, gladly moving closer to him, tangling her legs with his. “Never,” she agreed, shaking her head gently. “Gonna stay right here with you.” She kissed him again and again, soft at first but growing slowly more passionate, more lengthy. She’d wanted this for so long, but never dreamed that it would actually happen. That she’d get to be with Xander, without having to keep an ear out for trouble, without having to steal precious moments here and there. Now there was no one to disturb them, no one to interrupt them. It was heaven.

No interruptions was going to be fucking fantastic. No one to tell them that they couldn't hold hands, let alone anyone to snoop around and ruin their intimate moments. He didn't have to listen for trouble, didn't have to worry about getting caught just kissing her. No more stolen kisses when they could get the chance. As it was they could just touch and feel and not have to worry about anything. Not having to worry was an amazing thing. He could kiss her as much as he wanted, touch her as much as he wanted. Which was what he did now, fingertips exploring every inch of her body as he kissed her. "No regrets?" he whispered softly.

“I’m lying naked in bed with you, in an awesome free apartment, with no one to interrupt, and you want to know if I have any regrets?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow at him. Kissing him again, she stroked her fingertips down his temple, his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw. “None,” she assured him softly. “I’m where I wanna be, where I should be.” The tips of her fingers pressing gently against his chin, she coaxed him into another kiss, arching her back a little to press her body more tightly to his, her knee slipping over his bare hip.

"Okay," he said, flashing her a little smile. "Stupid question." He just wanted to know that she didn't feel like she'd made a mistake or like she'd been forced to tag along. Apparently she was just as happy to be with him as he was to be with her. Not that he was complaining, not by any means. He leaned into that kiss, sliding his fingertips down her hip to her thigh as she slipped her knee upwards. That was nice. Better than nice. He could feel the warmth coming off of her, the heat between them. It made him shudder a little as his lips pressed to hers once more. "I don't regret anything either," he whispered. "Nothing about you could be a regret."

Smiling softly, Chrissy nuzzled her nose against his, sliding her fingers into his hair, combing gently through wet strands. “Good,” she breathed. “Don’t want you regretting anything about us, not ever.” Her hand trailed down to the nape of his neck, twisting strands of hair around her fingers, tugging gently. “Love you, Xan,” she breathed.

"How could I regret you?" he whispered, shaking his head a little, moving his hand up her side until he could brush it over her cheek and back into her hair. "I love you too, wolfie," he murmured. "Ends of the earth and back." Which now meant even more because of the distance they'd already traveled together.

Growling playfully, Chrissy tilted her head, nipping at the ball of his thumb. She soothed it with a soft kiss, turning back to press her lips against his, winding her body around his. Though they’d never done this nude, they’d made out plenty of times, tangled together in the bed of his truck. Being in bed made it a whole lot more intense. And a little more terrifying. Her hands trembled a little with nerves as she touched him, stroked his back. She pressed against his chest, her nipples drawn tight and hard, Chrissy able to smell herself, smell how turned on Xan was getting, too.

The intensity of each and every kiss that she gave him was electrifying. Xander felt like his whole body was tingling and for the first time he didn't have to worry about someone being able to smell her on him. He didn't have to worry about taking a shower after they touched. He didn't have to worry about anything but making her feel good, touching her the way she wanted to be touched and letting her know just how much he loved her and wanted her with every ounce of himself. He could smell her, thick and delicious on the air. Mixed in, intertwined with his own scent. "Want you so bad," he whispered as he rolled them over, her back pressed against the mattress, his body fitting perfectly between her thighs.

Chrissy bit her lip, smiling gently as she looked up at him, stroking both hands over his shoulders, down his back, tracing the dips just above the curve of his ass. The ones she’d been trying so hard not to stare at for months. “You got me,” she breathed, kissing him again, her tongue teasing at his mouth, exploring slowly. She shifted her hips up against his, gasping at the feel of him against her, his hard cock sliding against her folds. The feel of it coaxed a soft whine from her throat, her hands curving over his ass to tug him down more firmly against her body. “All of me.”