;nothing in this world can stop us tonight [KYLER]

[Cristie Stjerna]

Cristie walked down the dark path, looking at the purple line on the western horizon. The apartment buildings were all two floors, with two apartments on each floor. Four to a building. Her hands were in the pockets of a nicer, not quite so raggedy pair of jeans, and she'd slipped a warm grey track hoody over her tank top. And well, let's face it. She's a girl, she's going to hang out with a guy. She'd freshened up a little. Nothing as attractive as a girl fresh from the barn, huh?

She entered his apartment block. Number five... She went straight to the door and, out of habit from New Moon, opened it right up and walked in, shutting the door behind Vimy, who had tagged along. "Sorry for bringing her but she made a fuss when I left her behind. She definitely missed you." Cris called out, turning around. "Nice and tidy as always." She grinned. The apartment was split into a kitchinette/living room, without any real divider between the two, and a small bedroom through a doorway, probably with a bathroom attached, just like hers.

There were a few boxes of belongings stacked on the floor against the wall, but other than that, things were nice and tidy, although still with a very un-lived-in feel. Kyler, she assumed, was probably in his bedroom. "Hey, need help unpacking?" Messy as she was, Cristie did have a slightly more organized side, and she was of course always willing to help out a friend. "I'll start by just ripping this one open and flinging it around the room a bit?" Grinning to herself, Cris plunked herself down on the sofa to wait for him, watching Vimy poke about and investigate the new apartment.

[Pixel]

He heard the door open and Cristie call out through the apartment. "Sure, no worries, just come on in. You know, never mind that it's my apartment and you never know when I might be running around naked" It didn't take a genius to know that Kyler was only joking, or that his voice was, indeed, coming from the bedroom. HE came out of the bedroom shirtless and tugging on a pair of jeans, clad only in his navy blue boxers. It was rather amusing to see him stumbling along attempting to pull his jeans on. Finally he managed it and then proceeded to pull on the dark blue tee shirt on over his head.

Of course, before he actually got his shirt on, one couldn't help but notice that he was especially and nicely toned. His stomach was flat, but muscled, although it wasn't like he had a six pack or anything, and his biceps were large. He certainly wasn't the scrawny kid he had been back in New York. He had changed in a lot of ways, hardened sort of. But underneath he was still the same.

The same boy who had run from a bad situation in Belgium to the first place he could get into, New Moon. He was still as sweet natured towards others, still had the same tendency to be protective, sometimes overly so, was still the gentleman who couldn't stand to hurt anyone, ever. In most ways, he was still the same. It was just a matter of finding it.

He made his way over to the little kitchenette, his bare feet padding on the carpet and then the tile, his skin sticking to the floor and making little sucking sounds as he made his way to the fridge. "It's a bit like Mother Hubberd's cupboard" he said as he opened the fridge, clearly speaking of the fairy tale about the lady who didn't have anything to feed her family. "But I do have Fanta, if that's still what you like" he said with a knowing smile, lifting the can up to show her. He grabbed himself a can of Pepsi and wandered over to the couch. "Missed me, huh?" he asked, glancing down at the pitbull. "Well I missed you, too" he in formed the dog, bending down to give her a firm stroke on the head before flopping down next to Cristie. "Both of you, in fact" he said lightly, glancing at Cristie with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes as he popped the top on his Pepsi...

[Cristie Stjerna]

Cris tucked her stockinged feet beneath her butt from where she relaxed on the couch, watching as Kyler walked in, half naked. This wasn't exactly a new sight to her. He'd been her best friend for over a year. What was new, however, was that she noticed he had the body of a man now as opposed to that of a boy. She grinned, watching him struggle to put his clothes on, then pad over to the fridge.

Fanta. "As if you remembered." She laughed. "Sure, I'll have one." Smiling, Cristie reached out to grab the cool soda he held out, popping the can open with a hiss as Kyler plopped down on the sofa opposite her. She extended one leg to prod at his with one toe. "All right. You've got about a whole year to fill me in on." Slurping a gulp of soda, she eyed him mischievously. "Any hot Belgian chicks to report?"

This was obviously a joke, Kyler was far too much of a gentleman to flipflop around with girls, or any such thing like that. Still, she couldn't help being curious. He seemed to be as close to her as ever, with that same loving abandon. Was it possible he had another girl in his life? She wouldn't be surprised. He was the sweetest guy she'd ever known, and he definitely had the looks to make him just about perfect. She supposed it didn't matter in the end. No matter who he had in his life, he would always be her best friend.

[Pixel]

Kyler laughed slightly. "There's not much to tell. Honest" he responded. "It's been a really boring year. I stayed in New York for a while but didn't settle, and I've just sort of been working my way down. Lived in Connecticut for a while. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and now here." He shrugged a bit. "Stuck around Kentucky for a while and was about to leave when I heard a couple barns in the area were hiring. You'd be surprised how word travels around here. Anyway, I ended up in Kadin and checked around. Riverside seemed the best fit, so here I am" He glanced at her with a look that was a little hard to interpret. Something was a little surprised that she'd asked, slightly amused, a little bit besotted, the glance he cast at her admiring. "Of course not" he said lightly, shaking his head. "I haven't really stuck around in one place long enough to meet any people" He said with a shrug, almost continuing on to say "besides, you're the one." But he stopped himself just in time and settled for slipping an arm around her shoulders, tugging her a little bit closer. Absently he twirled a strand of her blond hair around his finger. "What about you?" he asked. "Any strapping Swedes in your life?" he asked teasingly, giving her hair a playful, but gentle, tug, almost like a little brother.

He was slightly curious, and the feelings rising in his gut caught him a bit off guard. He felt protective of her, but that was nothing new. That was his nature, to protect anyone and anything that he possibly could, and sometimes even attempting to protect things that couldn't possibly be protected, or didn't want to be protected. The thing that caught him off guard was a feeling of possessiveness. He didn't want Cristie with anyone else. She was his. The thought of someone else touching her just made his stomach roll...He could hardly stand it...

[Cristie Stjerna]

Boring year, yeah right. She was sure he'd have more to tell her in detail as the weeks went on. Hm. Strapping Swedes? Her face was all seriousness as she took a sip of her fanta. "Oh of course. You'd be surprised how many big handsome 'Gustafs' show up in America. No really, it's shocking." The tiny tug at the corner of her lips gave her away and she laughed again.

"Who am I kidding, I much prefer Belgians." She teased, nudging him again with her foot as he wrapped his arm around her. She found herself thinking back. Wayyy back. The night was crystal clear in her mind. She had wanted him. She'd wanted him so badly. He hadn't wanted her though. Or at least, hadn't wanted to do anything with her. Kyler had tried to explain it to her, she remembered. She remembered thinking that he'd been awfully sensitive, remembered trying to convince him otherwise, that what had happened in the club had been in an entirely different ballpark, that this was different. Nothing had happened, and she'd respected that. For the whole following year, she had respected it. Kyler had been her best friend and nothing more.

The blonde took another sip from her soda. "No. Back this winter I thought there might have been something with somebody, but it didn't go anywhere. I came down here last month with Tammy. You remember her from New Moon, right? She gave me and Tierno a lift down when she was going to visit her parents. Fortunately I got work pretty quickly." Truth was she'd done quite a bit in the last year, working here and there. But nothing drastic enough to bring up in this first initial sweep of eachother's recent lives.

Her free hand brushed across his leg to lock her fingers around his, and she gave it a squeeze, glancing up at him again. "I missed you though." Cristie's words were light and there was a smile on her face. She was remembering. Remembering that night. Her lips had been so close to his. He'd been just irresistable.

Maybe that's why she wasn't particularly surprised when she felt her heart begin to beat faster, felt that hot suppleness of adrenaline moving through her body. Cris took another sip of fanta. There was a reason she tried not to think about that night. She didn't want a repeat to happen. She didn't want to make things any more difficult for Kyler, and she knew she would if she tried to kiss him again. And she had understood (well, sort of) why he had stopped her that night, nearly two years ago. But she had wanted him so much because he was that special to her. And when someone that special says no, especially when everything feels so right... It had sometimes had her questioning whether or not she was special to him.

But memories are hard to ignore, and feelings even harder. Cris's hand reached out, placing the soda on the simple coffee table in front of the couch. It returned, as always, to him, running up his muscled stomach and chest, up the side of his neck to his hair. It was a heated touch, one she couldn't help, didn't want to help. The vivid blue of her eyes moved to his, and the emotion in them was unquestionable. Recklessly, she stretched up, moving towards him, her lips pressing softly against his. And there was not a care in Cristie's head about the consequences. All she knew was that she had wanted this for two long years.

[Pixel]

He rolled his eyes slightly when she said she preferred Belgians anyway, but his stomach quit rolling. He would never admit it, but he was relieved with that news. He knew he probably shouldn't have expected anything less from his best, almost girlfriend.

He felt his skin quiver slightly at her touch as she ran her hand across his stomach and up his chest to tangle in his hair. Initially he stiffened at her touch, aware of what would more than likely come next. Then he felt himself relax, a little to his surprise. Still, it felt good to be this close to her again.

He could almost feel how quickly her heart was beating, felt his own adrenaline begin to pick up as she reached up...And he was bending down, meeting the kiss.

Initially, the kiss was soft and sweet, but it hardly took the count of four before it had turned as powerful and lusting as Cristie's own. God, he wanted her, he wanted her so bad. He could feel his body responding to her touch, found his hands slipping down her sides, found his fingers slipping under the hem of her shirt, tugging upward. It would be so easy...And good gracious, she smelled so sweet, tasted so good, exactly as he had always imagined. And he wanted it so bad. It was almost a physical ache. He found his hands beginning to tug her shirt up, up...No.

Something in him rebelled, and his hands stopped moving. If it had been anyone but Cristie, it wouldn't have mattered, he wouldn't have cared, but it was Cristie, and he did care. The desire pounded in his head, a strong, pulsating beat, growing steadily stronger. But this was Cristie! something inside him cried. The logical, sweet, down to earth part of him was still functioning properly, even though the rest of his brain was in a haze with a desire that burned in the very core of him, seemed to eat at his very skin. If they did this, there was no way it would stay secret. Someone would hear, someone would figure out. There were no secrets in a place like this. They would both end up with a bad reputation as promiscuous or whatever, and he knew deep in his heart that, no matter how much his body desired this, how much he desired it, on the whole, he couldn't do that to her.

"Cris" he mumbled, his voice muffled by the kiss. "Cris" he said, a little more firmly. It was easier, now that he had made his decision. It was irrevocable somehow. He couldn't go back. He remembered that night all too well. Somehow, he knew that she was thinking of it, too. A lot of things had changed, but some things hadn't. Some things were still the same. He knew that she had been ok with it, had respected it, but he always wondered if she'd really truly been okay with it. Somehow he knew that she wasn't. He wondered if there was doubt in her mind, if she wondered if it was because he didn't love her enough. Oh gracious, if only he could explain this to her. It wasn't for lack of loving her, it was for loving her too much. "Cris, I can't" he mumbled, finally able to break his lips away from hers. "I mean, I can, I just...can't" he struggled to speak a coherent sentence. It was so hard. He stared at her lips, for a moment struggling to remember why he'd broken away, why he had just told her he couldn't. His eyes trailed up to hers, meeting her crystal blue ga ze for a moment, and then he remembered. Oh, yeah. "Baby, don't get me wrong" he whispered, his voice still rough and hoarse with the strength of his desire, not even thinking about the fact that he had just called her baby. He had called her lots of things before, but never that. His hands, which still hadn't quite left her shirt, still seemed to be a bit mischievously trying to work their way up, tugged her shirt down with a decisive jerk, but his touch was soft and tender as he rested his hand gently on her cheek, his thumb tracing her jawline, that strong, stubborn jaw. "I don't love you like that. Wait! No! That didn't come out right" he shook his head, a slightly amused smile touching his lips. "Shit. I can't even think straight" he mumbled. He looked up again, meeting her gaze, and his eyes were completely sincere and honest, opening up as he hadn't in more than a year. "If you had any idea what you do to me..." he mumbled, shaking his head again. His thumb traced her jawline. "Imagine what you're feeling right now, how much you want this, times about 100. That's where I'm at now, and you have no idea how hard you are to resist" he said with a slight smile.

"Cris, this probably isn't going to make any sense to you, but I'll try and explain it. Bear with me please, because my mind's still all screwed up" he paused a moment, trying to order his thoughts, trying to bring some semblance of sanity back into his head. He was still practically seeing red with the strength of his desire. Somehow he felt that doing this with her would somehow lay a claim on her, but he knew if he ever did claim her, it wouldn't be like that.

"Cris, don't think that this is because I don't love you" He said softly, again meeting her gaze, his own expression still open and sincere, his cheeks still heated. "Because I do. You have no idea. But Cristie, you are like no one I've ever met before. You're you. If I have ever loved anyone, it's you, and only you." He smiled a little wanly. "Baby, it's always been you" he said softly. "I've never loved anyone else before the way that I love you. So this has nothing to do with whether I love you enough. If anything, it's that I love you too much, and I do love you." That seemed important. Well, it didn't seem important, it was important. He didn't want to leave any doubt in her mind that he loved her. "But Babe, the way I love you, it's not like I just want you, want your body. I mean, I want that, too, and you have no idea how much. But I care about you, on the whole, body, mind and soul. I want you to be happy. I've never wanted anything more than for you to be happy. And that's saying a lot, because you have no idea how much I want to just start pulling clothes off." He gave a wry grin. "I want you to be happy. You have no idea how much it hurt, how hard it was to let you go. For a while, right before graduation, I had this panic. I didn't think that I could do it. I still don't know how I managed to do it, how I let you go. But I knew that you had to go. You had to figure out what you wanted from life, had to explore a little bit, and I couldn't take that opportunity from you. Things just had to run their natural course."

He paused, licking his lips. "I'm pretty sure when I say that you don't give of yourself lightly, and I know how much it means that you are willing to give this to me. I get the significance..." He trailed off, and heaved a slightly frustrated sigh. "You have no idea how hard this is" he said with a dry laugh. "It's like...Cristie, I don't feel right about it. It's like, I'd constantly feel guilty about it because even though you give it freely, it's not really my place to take it. It's like..." He was getting really flustered now, unsure if what he was about to say would scare her off or something. He as once again that rather naive little high school boy who never knew what to say but always got it right anyway. "Cris, I want to honor you" He said softly. His hand trailed down and silently grasped hers, lacing their fingers together, and he stared at their intertwined hands. "If we ever do this, Cristie, I want it to be the right way" he said softly. "I want to marry you first" he murmured, finally daring to meet her eyes, almost seeming to flinch away slightly as he awaited her reaction apprehensively.

((OOC: Kyler is such a damn sweet heart. I had so many warm fuzzies in my stomach as I was writing this...hahaha))

[Cristie Stjerna]

we're one mistake for being together

The rythm was easy to fall into the moment her lips touched his. Gently she kissed back, but the kiss quickly escalated into an entirely different level of passion. Oh yes. The feel of his warm fingers against her skin sent shivers down her spine, and she pressed her body to his. Cris ran her fingers through his thick hair, her arms against his shoulders. When she first felt his hands stop on their eager path, she kidded herself that he'd simply been distracted by something. He was mumbling her name through the kiss. Nononono. Desperately, she tried to hold on to it, but Kyler was repeating her name more sternly. Fuck.

Looking frustrated, she allowed him to pull away, her lips burning. He'd given her the tiniest taste of him, just two little dots, and it had felt like heaven. She did not want to give it up that quickly. Her bright eyes, with all their little chinks and rays in different shades of blue, ran across his face, his muscled chest. He looked so damn good, it was all she could do to keep from rushing back to his lips again.

He couldn't? What did he mean he couldn't? Her expression was probably difficult to read. Cris was feeling a multitude of emotions, and she herself wasn't even sure which one was dominating. She was confused that he wouldn't want this, didn't know why he'd stopped. Frustrated, at herself for screwing it up a second time, and maybe just the tiniest bit at him. To be honest, a little upset (being rejected twice in a row by the same person is a little tough on the ego), and pretty much all over the place. Before she could say a thing, he was talking.

He had never been much of a talker, but the words were coming out now. Kyler was babbling, trying to explain to her. "I don't love you like that..." Oh great. But he was already going on. Looking more than a little perturbed, she listened. Jeez, how many times was he going to say 'love' in his speech to try and get the point across?

Unless Kyler had left out any very drastic details from his quick update about his life, she was fairly certain he was a virgin. She, however was not, and he knew that. Yes, she had given herself to other guys before, in pursuit of that filthy pleasure that everybody yearns for. With this boy though, it was entirely different. It would mean so much more. It would be so much more than it ever had been before. "Baby, it's always been you." Cristie drew in a breath, finding herself unable to look him in the eye. This wasn't fair. He was driving her crazy, physically, mentally, emotionally, but he wouldn't let her be with him like that.

He wanted her to be happy? What if she was happy, right here, right now, pulling clothes off? Hot tears of frustration burned at the back of her eyes. She felt them pushing their way forward, but refused to let them spill over. She was trying to understand him. She, of all people, should understand what it was like to not want somebody else, to have them force themselves on you. But this was different. Kyler did want her, he'd just said so. And she wanted him too, oh god she wanted him. Why couldn't it be that simple?

"Cristie, I don't feel right about it." "No, no.." She protested quietly. It was right, it was so right... The girl met his eyes for several seconds, then resigned to focusing intently on Vimy's paw (for that was all she could see of the sleeping dog). Letting out a breath of exhasperation, she glanced back at him, just as he spoke again. "I want to marry you first."

She was about to laugh, when she realized he wasn't joking. Cris looked at him intently, still not willing to believe he was actually serious. "What?" Her words came out a little sharper than she'd intended, and she immediately bit her lip, meeting his eyes again. "Ky... I'm eighteen. I don't want to get married." She still wanted at least a few more years to do other things. And yes, she adored Kyler, but she wasn't ready to think about marrying anybody, let alone who.

Running one hand through her hair, just because it was a common habit, she rested her body against his. "I'm not even ready to start thinking about anything like that. I just..." This was difficult. Why did it have to be so difficult? She loved this boy to pieces. When she opened her mouth again, her voice was slightly rough with the effort of holding back the emotion that threatened to spill over. "It doesn't matter how this happens. It doesn't matter when, or where. All that matters is that it's with you." Cris took a breath to steady herself. "I saved myself for you Kyler.... all through school, even when we graduated. I wanted to give it to you, because it is yours... it always has been."

Fuck, how could she get him to see her side now? "And a ring isn't going to make any difference." Resting her slender body against his, she brushed her lips across his cheek, her fingers busying themselves with his hair. Planting the softest of kisses against his neck, she paused, her lips next to his ear. Softly, she murmured, "So if it doesn't matter... why not here? Now?" She was about to let him know just how long she been waiting for this, but thought better of it. She didn't want him to think she was trying to guilt-trip him. She wasn't, she just didn't understand how it would mean anymore with a ring on her hand. She certainly wasn't getting married for another few years, and though she loved him like nothing else, she didn't want to wait that long to share something so special with him.

but let's not ask why it's not right

[Pixel]

He finally met her eyes. His green eyes found her blue ones. Damn she was beautiful. He couldn't get over that. He had seen her frustration grow as he spoke, and for a moment felt a pang of guilt. Maybe he should just give this to her? Inwardly he cursed himself, cursed the people who had given him such morals.

He sighed, each statement she fired at him feeling almost like an accusation, although he was pretty sure that was his imagination more than her actual intention. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes, wondering how he could know her, how they could know each other, so well and still not understand each other on this one, seemingly so simple, point. How hard could it be?

"Ky... I'm eighteen. I don't want to get married. I'm not even ready to start thinking about anything like that. I just..." He shook his head. "I know, I know" he whispered, but she was already continuing on.

He struggled with his thoughts and emotions, trying to find a happy balance in between the two. Why did it make such a difference? He couldn't completely articulate it, but it was important to him. His pride probably had a little to do with it as well, although he would never admit it. To give in now was a little like admitting defeat, and no one likes defeat. His hand reached up again, his thumb stroking her face, as if to wipe away invisible tears, almost uncannily like he knew she was on the verge of tears.

He shook his head slightly. "Cris, I can't explain it, but a ring does make a difference, it makes all the difference" he murmured. He heaved a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his hair. Quietly he leaned down, gently taking her chin in his hand and tipping her head up slightly. Then he kissed her, soft and long and sweet, not the heady, out of control make-out session of only moments before. It was the sort of kiss most girls would die for, the type that was at once honest and open and relaying every ounce of emotion and every microscopic feeling of love he had for her, of true, sweet love, the forever kind. He pulled away slightly, his eyes searching hers. He didn't say a word, didn't ask her to simply trust her on the matter. It seemed unfair, somehow, to ask that of her. But his eyes were open books, although he didn't realize it, begging, pleading...

((OOC: Sorry. This sucks. I am so out of it right now. I feel terrible. My mom came home and was like, "you look awful. maybe you shouldn't go to school tomorrow. Haha. So yeah. Deepest apologies, but I guess it's something to reply to))

[Cristie Stjerna]

i'm sorry that i'm not your princess

Letting out a heavy breath, she rested her head against his chest, feeling resigned and somewhat deflated. No. It doesn't. She thought simply, but what could she do. If it didn't matter to her but it did to him, wasn't it fair to just wait? It surprised her a little, how much she didn't want to. Cristie had never been one to have a need for physical pleasure. But with Kyler, she did feel it, a yearning for him.

Somewhat delayed, his words began to sink in. Why had he said that? This was Kyler... she loved him, but did she really want to spend the rest of her life with him? She'd barely lived yet. What if it ended up that he wasn't the one for her? Entirely unsure of what to say, she hadn't given him an answer, and didn't intend too for another long while. Cris was sure he'd understand that. But... what about now? What were they supposed to do? She wanted him and now she knew he wanted her back, they were definitely in the beginning of a serious relationship, but something about what he'd said seemed to have... given it all away? She felt as though not much was left to chance. They weren't starting off on something unknown and exciting. He wanted to marry her.

Cristie almost felt as though it was like when you read the last page of a book before you even start it. She didn't want to tell him, but she didn't even know if she'd end up marrying him. And if she never did, then she'd never be able to share something so special with him, show him just how good she could make him feel. She felt oddly trapped. This boy wanted to marry her... and she did want to be with him, but she didn't even want to think about marriage now. And now she certainly felt as though she'd never have the opportunity to see, to figure out what else was out there for her.

Decisively, she leaned her body into his, feeling limp. For now, she would step back. For now, no physical extremes needed to be taken. But she intended on having another go at convincing him, later on.

Feeling his hand at her face, she tipped her head willingly, meeting his eyes for a moment before becoming enveloped in his kiss. Folding her arms around his neck, just above his shoulders, she stretched her lean body out across his, kissing back softly. When he drew away she met his eyes, her blue ones imploring. She could see him. All of him, everything he felt, right there in those sea green eyes. Resting her chin on his breastbone, she contented herself with simply gazing at him, taking in his everything.

For several minutes she remained that way. Finally, unable to ignore the glowing green numbers on the small stove, she looked over. 23:18. Reluctantly she peeled herself away from his body, getting to her feet and running her hands through her loose blonde waves. Finally she gave him a wry smile. "Just don't expect me to go back home tonight."

The Swede was tired, almost surprisingly so. The sudden release of emotion had certainly taken a lot out of her, and she stifled a quick yawn with one forearm. God, it would feel good to finally lie down, resting against him in a way she'd never allowed herself to before. Her fingers reached out, grasping his gently. "I'm kinda ready for bed..." Good thing she'd brushed her teeth before coming over. A little fanta wasn't enough to dirty them up again. She was good to go.

this ain't a fairy tale

[Pixel]

He felt relieved that she didn't push him any more on the matter. There were so many things that could go wrong. What if he got her pregnant? It was one thing when she was raped, but he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he got her pregnant out of wedlock. And if she wasn't ready to get married, she sure as heck wasn't ready for a baby.

He met her gaze. The intensity of her stare as she rested her chin on his chest took him a little by surprise, after he thought about it a few moments. And then he wondered what she saw there. What was so intriguing that she hardly seemed able to look away? It took him another few moments to figure out that his eyes were probably an open book. And then he started to shut down. His eyes took that rather blank, almost glazed look. It was an automatic reaction. It was just so hard to keep himself out in the open that way, to let someone in so deeply, although he trusted Cristie more than anyone else in the world. He wanted to let her in, but he found it impossible. Instinct overrode desire, no matter how much he tried to fight it.

"Just don't expect me to go back home tonight." He smiled slightly and shook his head as she seemed to almost burrow against him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in close in a protective sort of manner. "Wouldn't dream of it. Probably couldn't get you to go even if the thought crossed my mind" he said with a teasing smile.

"I'm kinda ready for bed..." He smiled slightly as she grasped his hand in hers, giving a gentle squeeze. "So sleep" he murmured, shifting slightly to a more comfortable position. His free hand began to gently run through her hair, gently pulling out any knots he came to and almost massaging her head as he went. It was good to see her again. This was better than anything he had ever imagined, every dared to hope. He had figured when he had said good bye that he wouldn't ever see her again, and he had come to terms with that. Now here she was again, but it almost made him a little nervous. Had he found her only to lose her again in a few years' time? Maybe even a few months, or maybe they had only weeks together. He didn't think that he could stand that. And clearly she wasn't very into the whole marriage idea. It was definitely not something he was going to bring up again any time in the near future. She'd practically been running scared. Well, maybe that was a huge exaggeration, but still, he wasn't too keen on bringing it up again. He had never been the pushy sort. His fingers continued to run absently through her hair, lost in his thoughts, which was some place he didn't really want to be at the moment. Why was he always such a pessimist? Why couldn't he just live in the moment and be thankful for whatever time he had with Cristie? But he had never been good at that.

[Cristie Stjerna]

'cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you

Gradually, she felt him close up right before her. Chewing absentmindedly on one lip, she felt almost disappointment. For those moments she'd had a glimpse of everything he was. He'd been entirely honest in those minutes, but now his eyes were just, well, eyes. Resigning herself to the fact that she wasn't going to see anymore of that tonight, she'd gotten up.

Cris watched him move into a more comfortable position and smiled to herself. He was certainly determined to keep her out of his bedroom tonight. Still smiling, she padded over to the light switch in the kitchen, flicking it out, then returning in the gloom to the warmth of his body. The girl stretched herself out on the couch next to him, nestling her body against his and resting her head against his shoulder. One arm lay across his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. She stretched her neck, kissing what she could reach without getting up, which happened to be the line of his jaw. "No, probably not." She murmured softly.

The touch of his hands on her hair relaxed her. She wanted to think, to go through everything that happened just now, but she found it difficult, feeling the dark haze of sleep drifting over her mind. "'Night." She whispered softly, letting herself go. Vaguely, she was aware of that gentle buzz of happiness at the back of her mind, of the tags on Vimy's collar clinking together as the dog rearranged herself on the carpet, of the quiet hum of the small fridge, and of the sound of their soft breathing together. She was home.

{oov: All right well this royally sucks. x3 I didn't really have much to say, obviously. If you wanna start another thread somewhere else or have them wake up, just do whatever, I don't mind. =)}

you're gonna believe them...

[Pixel]

Kyler could feel when Cristie slipped under and he heaved a quiet sigh, his thoughts wandering. Had he done right by her? Should he have just given in? But he had such a strong conviction about the whole thing. And no form of birth control was a hundred percent accurate. He knew he would never forgive himself if he were to get her pregnant. Neither of them was ready to deal with that, he knew, but, he, at least, would feel obligated to take care of the baby. He really doubted that he would be able to just give the thing up for adoption.

Kyler heaved a sigh, feeling mildly frustrated with this whole mess. He shifted slightly, trying not to wake the slumbering young woman. Why was love so complicated? He smiled a little wryly. No one had ever said that love was easy. In fact, nearly everyone he had ever talked to had said it was damn hard. It's easy in some ways, he thought to himself, gently brushing Cristie's hair back and planting a quiet kiss on her temple. "I love you Cris" he whispered, his voice barely audible, even in the silence of night.

* * *

The next morning found Kyler up bright and early, as had become his habit in the last few months. He lay there on the couch for a long while, loathe to move. This was perfect. Heaven. Sighing, knowing he couldn't lay here with her all day, no matter how much he wanted to, Kyler carefully slipped out from beneath Cristie, miraculously managing not to wake her.

((OOC: Consider post ended here if she wakes up. P.S. I love how we both power-play but are just like, if you like it, read on, if not, post ends here. xD Makes me smile.))

He wandered into his bedroom and slipped into yesterday's jeans and a shirt (I can't remember what he was wearing so we'll pretend he got into pajamas.) and padded silently out to the kitchen to get a pot of coffee going, leaning against the counter and glancing out the window, watching the sun rise, his arms folded over his chest. He was still in a bit of an inner turmoil. Last night's desire was not fully forgotten, by any means, and he was frustrated with himself, with his own values and morals. He glanced over at the couch where Cristie was still asleep and felt a small smile touch his lips. Did it matter? Did it really, truly, matter? Wasn't it enough that she was here? He shook his head and grabbed a mug from the cupboard, pouring himself the coffee which had finally finished brewing. He knew he needed to cherish her while he had her, because it as impossible to know how long that might be. In his mind, Kyler still had his doubts, still suspected that Cristie was never really his, that she never truly would be. She was one of those difficult sorts who was almost impossible to hold on to. They were just too free spirited. He wondered if she still planned to go back to Europe. He knew he couldn't go back. In the scant two years that he had been in the States, he had made a life for himself, of sorts, and he knew he could never go back to Belgium. Too many memories, too much baggage. "Damn" he murmured, staring into his coffee mug as if it would give him answers of some sort. Why was life so hard?

[Cristie Stjerna]

{ooc: Haha we are that amazing. =) I just sorta started this while I was waiting for some other stuff but it's not done obviously! =)}

Cristie's dream was a good one. She dreamed she was in a small room, bright and white. There were big wide windows, and the sun streamed in through silky curtains. Cris was lying on the floor, in a huge pile of pillows and blankets. She was aware of a wonderful warmth from the sun and the body intertwined with hers in the blankets. Kyler.

She awoke partially to feel Kyler slipping away from beneath her and padding into his room, but she was far too comfortable to react, and drifted back and forth for several minutes from the comfortable brightness of the dream to the soothing dark warmth of the couch. Finally she awoke, although she remained stretched out on the couch for another minute or so, listening to the sound of Vimy getting to her paws and padding over to the kitchen, where she could hear Kyler getting himself something for the morning. Silently, she finally stretched out her torso and legs, sitting up on the couch and just watching him, watching Vimy lean her muzzle against his thigh as he poured himself a mug of what must have been coffee.

Quietly she got to her feet. "Damn.." Padding across the carpeted floor to him, she went straight to his arms, pressing her head to his chest and loosely wrapping her arms around him. "You ok?" She murmured softly, closing her eyes, still feeling rather groggy. Damn, he smelled good. Slowly she drew away, peering at the kitchen counter. She'd never really enjoyed the taste of coffee, not unless it was half milk and sugar, and she'd never really found need for it in any case. Her hand trailing down Kyler's arm, fingers closing around his although she could hardly bear to tear herself away from him, she reached for an apple, fiddling with it.

"Hold on just a sec." She padded to the door, Vimy following, and let the dog outside, walking to the main door and peering through the tall window next to it. When the dog had finished her morning business, Cristie allowed her back in and returned to the kitchenette and Kyler's warmth, pressing up next to him as she took a bite out of the apple she'd chosen. She watched as the southern sun rose, frame by one of the apartment's windows, and let out a soft breath, glancing at the digital green numbers above the stove. Morning rides would start in about an hour. She had plenty of time...

{ooc: Done!}

[Pixel]

Kyler glanced up from staring into the depths of his coffee cup as if it would reveal some big secret about his life and smiled slightly when he saw Cristie getting up from the couch, still looking half asleep and definitely groggy. You ok? The question surprised him, although he supposed it shouldn't have. It would be an automatic question if she had just heard him curse. "Mm, fine" he said, still sounded a little absent as he slipped an arm around her, lifting his coffee cup up and away slightly so there wasn't any danger of spilling it all over her.

He rested his chin contentedly on the top of her head, smiling slightly when she slid her hand down his arm and took his hand in hers. It made him feel good, for whatever reason. It was just right. He couldn't possibly have explained any better than that.

He heaved a small sigh, as reluctantly to let her go as she was him, and watched her walk over to the door and let Vimy out. She watched out the window until the dog had done her business. When Cristie made her way back over to him, apple in hand he welcomed her back into his embrace, again slipping an arm around her, tugging him in close to him.

He sighed, a contented sound this time, rather than an almost depressed one. "You have no idea how much I missed you, babe" he murmured, gently kissing the top of her head again. He closed his eyes, letting his lips remain on the crown of her head, taking in her scent, as weird as that probably sounded. She was perfect. In every way, she was perfect. Kyler had no doubt in his mind that this was the girl he wanted to marry. If he had to wait until they were 50, he would wait for her, but someday he would marry her. "I love you" he whispered, his hand running gently up and down her back...

((OOC: Meh. Sorry. This isn't too great.))

[Cristie Stjerna]

"You have no idea how much I missed you, babe." Cris couldn't hide the smile that crept on to her face at his words, and she leaned up to give him a quick peck before taking another bite of her apple. Leaning against his chest, she sighed after swallowing. "I missed you too, Ky." The girl murmured, finishing off the fruit. All right, what time? Oh, she still had almost a whole hour. Stifling another yawn, my she was waking up slowly this morning, Cris glanced at him. "I gotta be down at the barn in about an hour. You gonna come watch the morning runs?"

Again, he told her that he loved her. She stayed where she was, resting against him. Did she love him? Did she really? She didn't need to think. Yes, god yes she did. 'I love you' meant a lot though, at least to her. And she would not say it with any seriousness until she knew she meant it. That was usually a couple months into the relationship, but... Her and Kyler had a whole year of history where there had been underlying feelings. She had waited long enough already to tell him. Lifting her chin, Cris watched his face for a moment. "I love you too." She said softly, her fingers twining with his.

She really, really didn't want to leave his side, but she ought to go back to her apartment and take a shower, feed Vimy, get ready... Reluctantly she drew back from his warm body. "I gotta go get ready and feed the dog and everything." Tossing the apple core out into the garbage bin underneath the sink, she called Vimy, who finally detached herself from her long lost friend and padded back to Cristie's side. "So I'll see you up there or come find you when I'm done. I usually get off the last horse around nine."

Stepping back again for a last kiss, Cris flashed him a quick smile then, hand on Vimy's head, headed for the door. She grinned again as she shut it behind her, unable to contain the giddiness spouting inside her. He was back.