At Last (c)

[Footsteps]

"I'll go, but I'll still worry," Footsteps said with a wry smile, squeezing Script's hand. "I'll be here for at least a few days, so you'll know where to find me."

Then she met Cav's gaze and smiled with just a hint of sadness, going to him and taking his hand.

[Cavalier]

Script gave them a little wave, then curled back on the bed with her cat.

Cav squeezed Footsteps' hand, leading her out of the room. "What's goin' on?"

[Footsteps]

"She's..." Footsteps looked back at the door and sighed, looking around and lowering her voice. "Well, she said it was all right to tell you. She's...expecting a baby."

((The Brooklyn move-in's in progress in the "Swooping In" thread, if you want to throw Cav in! ^_^))

[Cavalier]

Cav almost choked on his own tongue, but cleared his throat, giving her a look. "Oh. Well, that explains things, I guess." He wanted to be alone with her, so he led her to parlor, closing the door behind them. "It's Skittery's?"

[Footsteps]

"Whose?" Footsteps asked in surprise--and relief. "Is she seeing someone new, then? I didn't ask whose it was. It was afraid he was Goblin's, or--" She didn't even want to voice the possibility that it could be Monk Eastman's.

[Cavalier]

He met her eyes, following her logic. "Well, that baby's Skittery's...whether it actually is or not. He's good to her. And for her. Better than Goblin ever coulda' been." He moved to sit on the couch.

[Footsteps]

She nodded sadly. "They were so...so in love with each other. But I wondered whether it was really right for either of them. He should find someone who..." She trailed off, wondering. "I don't know. Maybe a Refuge girl. Not me," she added with a reassuring smile at Cav, making room for him to sit beside her.

[Cavalier]

He took her hands in his, sitting close to her, looking at her. "You were never a real Refuge girl."

[Footsteps]

"I know," she admitted with a dry chuckle. "I'm surprised I didn't get soaked." She laced her fingers through his, smiling as she looked him in the eye. Was it right to be this happy when so many of her friends were in trouble? But worrying constantly wouldn't do them any good...and right now, she was pretty damn happy.

[Cavalier]

He licked his lips, eyes on her face. He'd spent so much time imagining it in his head. She was even prettier in real life. Without thinking, he reached a hand up, his thumb brushing along her cheek.

[Footsteps]

She leaned in close, raising a hand to cup his face as well. Closing her eyes, she kissed him softly, savoring the moment. She was used to savoring moments like this, used to them being so rare and secret...but now they could see each other every day, as much as they liked. As openly as they liked. This much freedom was overwhelming.

[Cavalier]

He kissed her gently, hand sliding into her hair. He liked the taste of her. He almost told her so. He kissed her again, a little deeper this time. He'd been waiting so long for her -- to actually have her was terrifying and wonderful.

[Footsteps]

She snuggled against him, her tongue cautiously parting his lips, accepting the new depth of their kisses. Her heart had never pounded like this for anyone else's kiss, and Footsteps had fancied herself in love a couple of times--though, looking back, it had been nothing but childish daydreams. She'd had more adventures in her life than most other girls could claim, but this territory was new. And even as her arm slid around Cav, pulling him closer, she didn't know whether to be thrilled or terrified.

[Cavalier]

He couldn't help it -- he let out a low groan from deep in his belly. He leaned into her, opening his mouth over her, touching tongues. Cav had been with girls a time or two, but none of it meant anything. It was another experience to have, part of growing up, nothing more.

But this...this was new. Special. It was Footsteps.