CONNOR ,, I used to have dreams

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

She took no note as people watched her. Paid no attention when the whispers started and people labeled her as the girl who never spoke. Arienne didn't mind so much because it was just one more thing that they would never understand. They all thought that she might have been born that way or something similar, but they couldn't be further from the truth. Her decision to stop speaking had not been forced upon her or even really a conscious decision of her own. She just stopped. Because no amount of words could ever express the feelings she was keeping bottled up inside. Nobody would ever understand truly how she was feeling so she just didn't try to explain. Silence was easier.

Clutching her whiteboard close to her chest the nineteen year old made her way through the streets of Rustboro, not really maying too much mind to where it was going but just enough to not get lost. She and Connor had arrived in town not so long ago and she had yet to really see all of the village for what it was worth, but there was one street that begged her curiosity. Church Street. People now lived there, she knew, and she'd listened to the stories of how people used to think the place was haunted but... She just had to see for herself. That was why she had steadily worked up the courage to actually go there and find out if there was any truth to it.

Tapping her pen against the board in almost a sense of nervousness, Ari peered around the corner of the house at the end of the street. Greenish hazel eyes roamed over the various houses lining the street and searched for even a hint of something spooky, knowing that if she actually did see something that freaked her out she'd die. On the spot. Right there and then. Thankfully nothing jumped out and she dared a step forwards so she was actually looking down the street itself, keeping alert for anything scary watching her or ready to jump out from behind a car..or tree..or something. It was times like these when she actually realized that she should've brought Connor along with her, or at least persuaded him to go, because she felt safe with him. Even though he had actually told her not to wander off by herself without telling him where she planned to go...which was exactly what she had done. Now, looking down the almost empty road by herself, she was starting to believe that there may have been some truth to the rumours she'd been hearing.

Words: 440
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: I figured I'd start with something simple haha.

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

It was dark out, and she was nowhere to be found. If he had had a moment to breathe, he would have asked himself the standard questions. Had he pissed her off? Did he hurt her feelings? Was she having a torrid love affair with some guy named Nunzio that she was agreeing to meet in Rustboro, beneath his nose? Did he pass out drunk, and get Trojan Helmeted by some burly Raider, then try to seduce Ari, while humming "Sweet Home Alabama?" Admittedly, he wouldn't blame Ari (if he ever managed to get her to that point) for not wanting him inside of her anymore. He wouldn't want to be inside of himself if that ever happened.

Despite the fact that his inner monologue carried a rather comedic air, he was shitting himself. What might have been humorous to others, if he uttered those words out loud, wasn't nearly as funny to him. It was just the way that his brain worked. If he wasn't making a joke out of a situation then he wasn't able to think. Apparently, his brain kind of short circuited somewhere around logic and emotions, and made this bastard love baby called 'nervous giggles.' Yeah, that really helped him when he was out and about, trying to find the only person that he had ever thought was worth taking a bullet for.

Quite frankly, while she was worth taking a bullet for. He didn't want to take a bullet any time soon. If it came down to it, he would. In a heart beat. If it meant that she would get to live another day, then he would do anything. But, as far as leaping in front of shit, just for the sake of a few shits and giggles? No. Masochism was something that he was incredibly good at. ...Is there a level above masochism? If so, that's where catching a bullet for someone would go.

Fortunately enough, Rustboro wasn't that big of a town. He wondered, if his good friend would scream if she got into any trouble, or if her new vow of silence had made it as such that she wouldn't. The thought sent a shiver rolling up and down his spine. Some might think that, him running around like a chick with his head cut off, was overreacting. But, they hadn't really been some place stable in... Forever. They were all the way across the country from where they had lived before the End of the World... And this was the first slightly colonized place they had seen.

Needless to say, he wasn't completely used to the fact that they might, just be safe while in the walls of Rustboro. "Arienne?!" he cried out, running down every side street but Church Street. Arienne wouldn't be so stupid as to go to a street that was considered haunted in the dead of night, by herself, would she?

Words:: 486
Tags:: Arienne
Outfit:: Click
Notes:: =D

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

Why was she doing this again? Oh, yeah; because her curiosity far outweighed common sense apparently. She knew the old saying that curiosity killed the cat, but Arienne always had her own witty retort. First off she'd point out that satisfaction brought it back, and second she'd remind you that she wasn't a cat. Oh so clever, she knew, but whatever. Sarcasm used to be in her blood, she lived and breathed it, so it was only natural that she'd come out with a comment like that.

Still curiosity made her bolder and she braved the next couple of tentative steps down the street with a clenched jaw. Seriously, if something was going to pop up and eat her that was probably just bad luck. Or maybe she'd be able to evade it before it could snap its jaws and beat it back with her white board! Haaaa. Fat chance. She'd no doubt just cry and curl up in the fetal position. Something that very nearly almost happened when she heard the sound of a snapping branch off to her right. Her eyes widened and she brandished her white board as threateningly as she could. Connor should've been there. He'd totally have protected her.

In fact, she had all the time in the world to just turn around and go back for hi- "Arienne?!" Her heart sped up unnaturally fast and she spun around on the spot, only then realizing her back was turned to the haunted street and she spun around again. She knew for certain that she'd just heard her name. ...the ghosts knew her name and they were shouting her. They. Knew. Her. Name. Terror flooded through her and Ari truly began to realize why going out alone was such a terribly stupid idea.

Her gaze went from each house in turn, checking each window just to make sure there was no ghostly shape looking down at her, and then finally she looked towards the other end of the street. If she could actually make it to the other end she'd be closer to the street she and Connor where staying on, but that meant literally walking through the entire haunted street. Did she mention it was haunted? Because it was. Nerves started to get the best of her and again she heard her name being called, a cold shiver running down her spine as she forced herself forwards and further along the road.

'This is such a stupid, dumb, moron, idiot idea. Turn back Ari. Turn back before you die. Connor will never forgive you if you die. Ever.' She told herself inwardly, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she pushed herself to carry on walking. Unfortunately for Ari though, with her eyes still trying to adjust to the dark every time she looked somewhere new, she happened to catch a glimpse of something white beside the side of a house and she panicked, letting out a scream when she heard another snapping sound coming from behind her. Yes, while she chose not to speak, Ari could certainly belt out a scream when the time called for it. She supposed all the intensive swimming lessons her parents made her take in High School left her with an amazing pair of lungs...

Words: 547
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: haha, she's such a scaredy cat x]]

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

His blood turned to ice. She was nowhere to be found. The one person that he had sworn to protect, and she had just fucking... up and disappeared. He wanted to find her, and shake some common fucking sense into her. But he knew that it would do no good. He had cast himself as the father figure; the provider. He made the rules, therefore, he was the one to be rebelled against. A part of him wished that he could change that... To make her see him in a different light than the big brother. But, he knew that it would be a better idea to continue along this path that they'd created.

He would always resent her for leaving. He would always resent her for not seeing, just how stupidly in love with her he was. He wanted to scream, "Fuck you, Ari." But, he couldn't. The true problem was that he loved her, and that he would never be able to get over her. When she looked up at him with those green hazel eyes, his fucking heart stopped. Every single time. He couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. All he wanted to do was kiss her. Take away all of the pain that she had ever felt. But they'd destroy each other. Better he be destroyed than her.

And there, in the midst of the silence, a screech erupted through the night light the sound of a bone, bending and snapping in half. Something broke inside of him as he started running toward the sound of her scream. His heart had safely buried itself deep inside of his stomach. He wanted to be sick. He wanted to laugh, because this was just his fucking luck. He wanted to save her, but this overwhelmingly crippling sense of defeat was washing over him. It was probably too late.

He rounded the corner to Church Street, not paying any mind to the fact that he was sprinting down the towns most haunted road. He would notice when he saw her. And if she was still alive, he'd ream her for making him do this. There was no tickling sensation along the back of his neck, or a cold feeling that rolled over his flesh. Nothing. It was just like going down any other road; at least, for the time being. The Witching Hour was approaching rather quickly. It was only a matter of time before spirits decided to take it upon themselves to awaken and cause havoc.

There she was, a small figure, clinging to her white board. A smile of relief came to his lips. "Ari!" he cried out, closing the distance between the two of them. He hugged her tightly too him, the smile still on his lips. "Don't ever do that again," he tried to scold, to no avail with the smile still plastered on his face. "I was fucking worried sick." he said, pulling her back at arms length to give her a look over. There wasn't much that he could tell in the middle of the night, but it seemed as though she was alright. And that was more than enough reason for him to get her back to their place, so that he could take care of her.

His eyes moved over the overgrown homes, and dilapidated looking buildings. They then moved over toward the dead end, which looked... Far more ominous than it had any right to. "Are we... Did you..." he was trying to put the pieces together when a strong chill rolled up the back of his spine. "Out of all of the places you could have wandered off into in the middle of the night, you didn't choose a bar, but you chose a fucking paranormal hotspot." he groaned.

"Let's get out of here before we become supernatural om noms." he said, pulling his hoodie off swiftly, to wrap it around her shoulders.

Words:: 652
Tags:: Ari
Outfit:: Click
Notes:: I hope you like Connor. :3

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

Ari had actually always been afraid of things like monsters and ghosts and all that kinda stuff. Well, afraid and yet...adored it at the same time. She'd used to watch scary movies with Connor when they were growing up, movies that they really shouldn't have been watching at the age they were, and she'd scare herself witless. So much so that she'd always make him sneak back to her room with her afterwards and stay over for the night, just in case something came to get her. She was a true glutton for punishment, of course, and she sometimes wondered if Connor ever got tired of it.

Nevertheless, it had been one of the many stupid reasons she'd even thought to walk down the stupid road. Even despite telling herself that ghosts weren't real and it would be ridiculous to think that it could actually be haunted at all. The voice in the back of her head telling her that if zombies could be real then so could ghosts being squished to the bottom of her consciousness...until the time came for it to shout up again and have the biggest effect.

The sound behind her had caused her to turn and look, all while flailing stupidly like most people experiencing terror did, and she caught sight of what appeared to be two glowing yellow eyes. Her logical mind told her that it was just a cat, but the rest of her screamed that it was an angry ghost going to murder her and she shrieked again. Fortunately that was when Connor, her official knight in shining armour, turned up and rushed towards her. She didn't think she could be any more relieved to see him and so wrapped her arms tightly around him when he hugged her. Hell, she'd clung to him so tightly that she was sure he'd feel her racing heartbeat against his chest. But then he was attempting to scold her and looking her over. DIDN'T MEAN TO. she scrawled onto the white board after a moment, a fail attempt at an apology, though he didn't seem too mad at her by the smile he wore of his face.

A shiver ran through her, most likely an after effect of the shock she'd just been through, and she took a step closer to him as he looked over the houses. Ari guessed that he hadn't paid too much attention to where he'd been running when he came to save her and she chewed her lip nervously, wondering how much he'd hate her for bringing him out into a haunted road in the dead of night. His groaned accusation caused her to shrink back slightly, mostly out of guilt, and she wiped her last message off her board so she could scribble out something else. SORRY, YOU KNOW ME ^-^; An apologetic smile crossed her lips as she showed him the board, forcing the blush down from her cheeks when he pulled his hoodie off and wrapped it around her. She could feel his warmth seeping through to her skin and it caused goosebumps to break out across her skin. Now she was being silly.

OM NOMS? REALLY? :P She wrote then, arching her eyebrow at him for a moment. It was something she actually expected him to come out with, but it was amusing either way. But that was just Connor, wasn't it. Always trying to make something a lot more funny than it should've been. Like their current predicament of being monster chow. If anyone else attempted it Ari was sure the joke would sink like a bowling ball in water, but when Connor did it? It was...endearing. But maybe she was biased, being in love with him and all.

Words: 627
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: I loooove him <33 Ari does too haha

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

He couldn't have been more relieved. His mind, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not was already going to the darkest places. He imagined seeing something similar to the night that he first went to save her... blood and carnage everywhere. Not a living soul to be seen... Bodies, surely dragged off to be eaten in trees, shrubbery, or perhaps, some place less obscure like the backyard, being trailed like an antelope by a lion through the grass, collecting mud and dirt in the most undignified of ways. The thought of losing her... It killed him. It hurt him in more ways than it should. Probably because she was more than just his best friend. Whether she would ever truly realize that, or not was completely up in the air. Even to this day.

He narrowed his eyes in the darkness, attempting to read what she had written. He sniffed when she scribbled out that she didn't mean to scare him. "Don't lie to me. You love scaring the shit out of me until I have no choice but to act like a panicked nanny." he ran his hands through his shortly cropped hair, that never truly was able to lay down flat. "I'm onto your little games." he teased, the smile on his lips not betraying the creeping sensation that was going up the back of his neck.

After making sure that she was safely tucked into his hoodie, he looked down at the wide board again, realizing that she was 'saying' something else. Once more, he began chewing on the inside of his cheek, his hands pushing themselves into his pockets. He craned his neck a bit more toward the board so as to get a better look at what she was writing. Sorry, you know me ^-^

He laughed lightly, and nodded. "That I do." he admitted, looking her over. "You can't ever do shit normal, can you? Are you part Polish?" he asked, a shit eating grin coming to the corners of his lips. While he wanted to be mad at her, he didn't want to see her upset. So, he was stuck in an odd position. Either scold her, and let her know that she has done wrong, and hopefully, achieve her never doing something like that ever again, but... Seeing her sad. Or, just making her smile and risking her doing stupid stuff more often.

He, realistically knew, that he should have been doing the former instead of the latter, but... A part of him wondered if it was just that masochistic side of him that enjoyed sweeping in to her rescue. Maybe, he felt as though that would make her love him the way that he loved her. Or, maybe, it just made him feel important... It made him feel as though he did have some significance, even though she completely left him when it was time for her to go off to school... Without so much of a damn word. Yeah, he wasn't important then. But now? He was somebody... Regardless of how depraved that made him sound.

That, and he always did enjoy seeing that smile come to her face. Maybe that was part of the reason that he developed such a great sense of humor. When she scribbled down, Om noms, really? he smirked and took the marker from her. He pushed her to start walking, toward the main road that was a little farther from their place of residency at the moment than where she was heading. Uncapping the marker, he leaned over her to draw a Pac Man style ghost eating the top of the smiley face.

Capping the marker back off, he handed it back to her, before wrapping his arm around her shoulder, steering her protectively away from the haunted street. "Next time you want to go adventuring, come get me. This isn't like when we were little, curled up watching ghost movies." he smirked. "This is real stuff. And I'd rather be with you, than curled up at home, worrying. Besides, you've always been such a scaredy cat." It wouldn't be Connor if he didn't end a sentimental statement with a joke. Lets face it. He's a ham.

Words:: 705
Tags:: Ari
Outfit:: Click.
Notes:: :3

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

Obviously he wouldn't believe her because that was just Connor. Just like every other time he playfully accused her of being dishonest with him she pouted, shoving him lightly as she shook her head. She was only ever honest with him about anything...apart from her feelings about him. Or when he questioned if she'd stayed at home when he asked her to. Or if one of his jokes were lame. But those were the only times ever that she may give him a slight, tiny white lie. Cross her heart.

He then wrapped her up in his hoodie and, stupidly, she felt the familiar flutter in her chest at the fact he was looking out for her and making sure she was okay. It should've crossed her mind that their current location wasn't exactly ideal to go all girly but still. Sometimes she wondered if she subconsciously did things like this just for the attention he rained on her afterwards, especially since he never seemed to get mad. He just...he always seemed more relieved to find out everything was fine. Ari knew, then, that it should've made her feel guilty even admitting that to herself but...call her selfish, she'd do it all over again if it meant he'd look at her with such concern.

I DO NORMAL STUFF ALL THE TIME. She wrote, holding the board up and brandishing it at him in slight indignation.Of course she did normal stuff..kinda. So going to check out haunted roads was a one off...and maybe communicating via a white board wasn't exactly the norm either... LIKE SLEEPING! she scrawled, with a grin, under her first message; a look of triumph crossing her features as if she'd totally just owned that argument. Totally.

Enjoying his smirk far too much, she grinned again when he pushed her to start walking, not even complaining after he'd taken her marker from her. It was a comfortable moment, one that was far too relaxed for being somewhere haunted, but she smiled contentedly as she watched him draw something above her smiley face. Honestly, the moment she got her marker back she couldn't help but write, in a wobbly font, 'Braiiiinsss' above the nomming. It was childish, but whatever.

Leaning into his side she looked up at him when he started to speak, casting her gaze away quickly when he mentioned how they used to watch ghost movies together and she blushed. He remembered that? She honestly thought she'd been the only one. Hell, it was even something she still did when she left to go to college. Only, it wasn't as fun when she'd hide under the covers on her bed and reach for her cell to call Connor to ask him to come over, only to realize they weren't even in the same state anymore. At his last comment though, she nudged him in the side and wiped her board clean so she could write something new. I'M SO NOT A SCAREDY CAT. I JUST PRETEND SO YOU CAN PLAY THE HERO AND FEEL AWESOME. She wrote, a smirk on her face because they both knew it was a lie.

Words: 529
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: they're adorableee~[/quote]

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

"Yeah, all the time." he grinned, looking her over. Then she wrote sleeping. He couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped his lips. Shaking his head, he looked down at her, that familiar smirk on his lips. "Like, sleeping, eating, shitting... Yeah. We all do that." he ruffled her hair, and planted a light kiss to her forehead. It was a far more intimate gesture in his mind. Then again, they didn't really have that super, touchy feely cuddly friendship. Part of it was because (and Connor was completely aware of this) he was socially retarded. And, if he were to touch her in such a way, he knew that he wouldn't be able to stop, and it would only be a matter of time before he made a complete ass out of himself and kissed her, only to be rejected.

Connor was glad that they weren't broken. It was a thought, seemingly out of nowhere, but it was an honest one. He would have hated to have ruined their relationship over everything that had happened. He would have hated having to look at her, knowing that they were fragile, and already broken into several pieces. One wrong step might break them apart even more.

As they walked, he found himself reflecting on that thought. Especially, when he took it upon himself to doodle a little ghost eating the top of the smiley face's head. It took him back to when they were in school together... When they would pass notes back in forth in the classes that they shared. Sometimes, he would lean forward (almost always choosing the seat beside her or behind her) to doodle something quickly on her notes while the teachers back was turned. The goal was always to make her laugh. Sometimes, he'd manage to get an actual giggle out of her. Those were the days... Despite how miserable and awkward they were. You know. After he figured out what a boner was and what boobs looked like without bras.

A chuckle escaped his lips when she added in BRAAAAAAIIIIINNNNSSSS feeling a lot better about the fact that they were sauntering down a haunted road. Pressing his lips together, he looked up the approaching main street, thankful that they were getting themselves out of there. Regardless of whether or not it was actually haunted, Connor didn't really care. But judging by the hair that was standing up on the back of his neck, he was fairly certain that it was.

But, Ari had always seemed to have a fixation with all things that would make her piss herself in sheer fright. It didn't come as too much of a shock that he'd find her here of all places. He looked over at her, scribbling once more on the white board with his arm still draped around her. He wished that she would speak again. Not just for the fact of convenience... But because he missed her laugh. He missed the way her voice sounded... Or how she said his name when she was 'play' agitated with him...

He pushed the thoughts aside as he glanced down at the white board. Smirking, he shook his head. "Yeah. I highly doubt that." he grinned, looking her over. "For starters, the knight in shining armor always get a kiss. I never, once, got a kiss." he said, hiding the twinge of sadness that threatened to rip through his words. "Secondly, you would all but beg me to sleep in bed with you so that you wouldn't be afraid during the night. Don't lie to me." he teased. He missed those days. He missed curling up against her... He missed her smell.

But, none of that would be the same now. They were two different people; things had happened that had changed them, and their dynamic. Regardless of how much he wished it to change and go back to normal, it never would.

Words:: 654
Tags:: Ari
Outfit:: Click
Notes: They're special cupcakes for each other. :3

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

She crinkled her nose up when he ruffled up her hair but all was forgiven when he kissed her forehead. Why was all forgiven? Because it was a form of kiss. That made her the lamest person in the world but she really didn't care, because Connor had just indirectly almost kissed her kind of. It took every effort for her to not grin like a lunatic and cause him to think she'd gone temporarily insane. Or just snapped from the clear trauma her time spend in the haunted street had caused her.

As Connor's had, Ari's thoughts drifted back to when they were younger and he'd draw random silly doodles on her notes or even her actual text books. She never told him but all the stupid notes they'd passed during classes were all kept and stored away in a shoe box that she kept on the top shelf of her closet. Of course, the memory was slightly saddening because she realized she'd never see them again, but the fact remained that she'd kept them all those years. She'd even taken the shoe box with her to college when she left and she'd often sift through the odds and ends when she was feeling homesick. If only Connor knew, right?

She caught his chuckle and she smiled to herself, feeling proud of herself for the fact she'd actually gotten him to laugh again. Most of the time it was him who made her laugh stupidly so she savored the moments when the tables turned. Why? 'cause she loved him, duh. Her attention was taken away for a moment then though, doodling more random ghosts that appeared to be swarming in to get the smiley face purely because she was getting carried away with it.

Though the doodles were wiped away when she wrote her next message and she arched her eyebrow slightly at his response, the start of a grin tugging at her lips. Shrugging slightly, she cleaned the board again and started to write. 1) WHEN WE WERE 7 I KISSED YOUR CHEEK WHEN YOU HELPED ME UP AFTER I FELL OVER AT THE PARK. she showed him the board then and smirked, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing because she knew she was right. It was a stupid memory but she remembered it purely because it was the first ever kiss she'd given to anyone that wasn't her mom or dad. Once he'd read that first point though, she went on to address his second point. 2) TRUE. ...SO WOULD YOU STAY WITH ME AGAIN TONIGHT, THEN? there was a moment of hesitation before she showed him the board that time, only pushing it away so he wouldn't catch on and realize there was something she was hiding from him. Like the fact she as nervous as hell about asking him something like that since there was a complete possibility he'd say no.

Words: 485
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: they really are :3

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

Connor chuckled and shook his head, giving her a bit of a sideways glance. "That's not the type of kiss I was talking about." He gave her a shit eating grin, and nudged her with his hip. Was he coming onto her? Would she see it that way? Or would she just take it as an innocent, off the cuff kind of comment? He hadn't the faintest idea. All he knew was that he kinda meant it when he complained about it. He had always wanted to kiss her. Thoughts of sharing his first kiss with her plagued his thoughts since he was a kid. But, when his first kiss came, and it wasn't from her... Well, he knew that he was holding onto childhood fancies that would get him nowhere. Sadly.

"You know what I mean though." he smirked, shrugging a bit. "Like, the whole, face grabbing, hearts racing, heated passionate kiss that all you girls read about in romance novels. Or see in those cheesy ass chick flicks." he chuckled, wishing that these weren't true desires that were escaping his lips. Yeah, he was a romantic. So, sue him. Every time he had kissed a girl, he had tried for that kiss. But it never came.

Ari took the board away, and wrote down something else, keeping it away from his eyes as she wrote. He wouldn't pry. Sometimes, Ari needed a little extra time to think about what it was that she was writing. And while, it was insanely cute when she pulled away from him and gave him a bit of a scathing look, he wouldn't pressure her right now. They were, after all, walking down a very haunted street, trying to make their way back to where they were staying. It would be better to keep nerves as calm as they could.

In truth, Connor hadn't even noticed that there was something that she was hiding, because his jaw nearly hit the ground. If she were any other person, and this were any other situation, he might have believed that she was trying to get into his pants. But, he knew that wasn't the case. This was just an innocent question. She wanted to share a bed with him, because she wanted to have that old time comfort... Of knowing that nothing was going to happen to her. And, in that, that included nothing happening between them.

Clearing his throat, he nodded. "Of course." he said, attempting to swallow the butterflies that were flitting around in his stomach. "Yeah." he said again. He didn't know if he was repeating himself because he wanted to make it known that it was okay that she asked him, or because he was trying to beat back the nerves. Probably a little bit of both. It had been a long time since they had cuddled like that... And well, things had changed. Primarily with his body. The last thing he wanted was to wake her up with his pajama tent.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he peered up at the sign that red, "Church Street," and then "Main Street." He bit down on his lip, and quickened his steps a bit, seemingly wanting to get them the hell out of there. His arm was still wrapped protectively around her shoulders as their strides quickened. "Are you that rattled?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice. It was better to not lie to Connor in moments like these... Primarily because he turned into a butt hurt ninny when it did happen. That and, Connor... wanted to know for certain whether there was a chance.

It was stupid. Considering, he was the one that always said that they'd destroy each other if they ever ended up together.

Word Count:: 625
Tags: Ari
Outfit:: Click
Notes:: I think Connor nearly shit himself at her second question, haha.

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

MAYBE YOU JUST HAD TO ASK :P The comment was playful written down but, actually, it was rather serious behind the grin she fixed him with. She didn't think he was being serious anyway, not about something like that, so she'd play along just to humor him. The sad thing about it was though, if he actually had asked her in seriousness, she would've done it. She'd have jumped on the chance actually, but Connor didn't need to know that.

The fact he carried on though made her tilt her head to the side slightly as she listened, a slow smirk coming to her lips the more she heard. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY GIRLS WHO WANTED THOSE KISSES. She scribbled, half poking fun at him but half actually genuinely serious. She chewed her lip as she smirked though, and then decided to cut him a little slack as she wiped the board again. I'VE NEVER HAD A KISS LIKE THAT EITHER. It was an admittance that she probably wouldn't have shared with anyone other than her best friend. Connor was clearly in luck.

It was then though, that she answered his second point and hid the barrel of nerves she felt behind an entirely too confident mask of..neutralness. There was that entire moment of silence where he was either reading what she'd written or at least considering how to reject her and she wanted the ground to swallow her up. Or have a zombie appear and drag her away because clearly being the om noms of a zombie was better than rejection. Obviously. But then he was clearing his throat and nodding.

A wave of relief washed over her and she allowed a broad smile to touch her lips, looping one of her arms around his back so that she could cuddle herself into his side in thanks. It wasn't just that she wanted to relive old memories though. Despite that being sort of the reason she'd asked in the first place, because he'd brought it up and she missed it. The other reason was that she had actually freaked herself out, something Connor seemed to pick up on since it was his next question. He always was the observant type and she appreciated that about him.

Shrugging her shoulders she looked down at the floor, too much of a give away if there ever was one, and felt some of the weight lift from her shoulders when they reached the sign for Main Street. She wanted to actually say that she'd just feel better with him closer that night, because zombies scared her and so did glowing yellow eyes and tell him that he was a sense of familiarity that she missed. But she couldn't because she refused to. Instead she found herself gripping the side of his shirt a little, tightening her arm around him momentarily in a short squeeze that she hoped he'd understand.

Words: 489
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: I think she kinda surprised herself too haha[/quote]

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

Maybe you just had to ask... If only she knew how cruel those words were. They were like a taunt to him. It was a whisper, telling him that he had had a chance all along. But he knew this game. It was playful banter. All she wanted to do was just partake in a few laughs, and a few jabs in his direction. If only she knew how much those words... almost stung. It was a reminder that he had never, ever been able to kiss her and let her in on how he felt. Because, she, while was always the strongest for her... He always turned into a coward around her.

"That kinda takes the romance out of it, now doesn't it?" he asked, giving her a teasing smirk, hiding the heartache that was ripping apart his chest. "When one has to ask someone for a kiss? I thought that those kisses were just supposed to happen. I can't imagine it being very romantic, 'Hey there baby, I wanna give you the kinda kiss that only dirty perverts write about in novels?'" he laughed, shaking his head. But it was true. If he ever had to say that to her, he'd find a more eloquent way of putting it. But, the sentiment was still there... In a less... seedy and grody kind of way.

But, she fired back with a comment that only Ari would make. He grinned, and shrugged. "Well, you can take your pick of these two options. Either, I have a sandy vagina. Or I'm confident enough in my masculinity, and by proxy, my penis size, therefore, I can feel comfortable in wanting romance as opposed to parking my beef bus in tuna town whenever I get the chance." He watched her, for the inevitable look of disgust that was about to be thrown his way.

She paused, and then wrote something else on the board. Once more, when the white board was offered to him, he had to lean forward and narrow his eyes to read in the dark. He nodded his understanding at what she said, and looked over at her. "Maybe you've been kissing the wrong boys then." he teased. It was half honesty, half cover up. He wished, so desperately that he would be the one to give her that kiss. But, once again, he had to remind himself that they would destroy each other. No good would come of that.

They continued to walk toward the more familiar, and comfortable side of town. Thank God. Connor didn't know how much more of that chill rolling up and down his spine he could take. He asked her if she was frightened, and that's why she wanted the cuddles that night. She simply shrugged, and held closer to his arm. There was something more there. While he had his ideas on what it might be, he wouldn't press. And, he wasn't going to risk getting his hopes up, only to have them dashed once more. He got tired of that game quite some time ago.

He returned her squeeze with one of his own, as he led her down the street toward one of the houses that they had chosen as their own for the time being. There was a cellar that they had crept in through before. When they got to the cellar, Connor held up a finger before quietly unlatching the door. Slipping down the concrete steps, he lowered himself into the building, keeping himself as quiet as possible. A few moments had passed, before he reemerged, spiderwebs clinging to his hair as he offered his hand to her with a wide grin on his lips.

It was customary for Connor to check the house before he let her in. He hated the idea of her getting hurt because he wasn't taking into account her safety. Leading her up the rickety and eroded wooden steps from the basement, toward the first floor, he remained silent. This house, unfortunately, didn't have electricity. But, it did have running water. Which was what Connor was doing before Ari had snuck off. A shower had greatly been needed. He led her up to the largest of the bedrooms, which still had a rather large mattress.

"Do you want to shower?" he asked, absently, lighting a few candles that he carried in his back pack. She had no clean clothes that he was aware of. And if she wanted to shower, he was going to suggest using his clean clothes. They would be here for another couple days, hopefully... And he'd be able to make use of the tub, and his make shift washing board.

Words:: 780
Tags:: Ari
Outfit:: Click
Notes:: :3

[Arienne Cassia Morten]

While her comment on him asking had merely been about an average, everyday kinda kiss, Ari decided not to correct him and rolled her eyes at his comment. Though she grinned and shook her head, she wanted to tell him that technically it wasn't always the creepy perverts who wrote about kisses like that. It was the romantics too, obviously. She would know because back at her college dorm she had an entire shelf full of random cheesy romance novels. But that was irrelevant. The point was that asking could actually be romantic if it was said in the right way and at the right moment.

True to his expectations from her, Arienne turned to give him a genuine look of disgust when he retorted to her last comment. As much as she was torn, because underneath his choice of words what he'd meant about being comfortable being romantic was refreshing to hear from a guy, she didn't think he had to be so crass about it. To be blunt, she'd expected better from her best friend but she'd let it go if only because it was still Connor. And she'd forgive him.

Ari expected a teasing comment from him when she gave away one of her secrets, but she didn't even get mad. Instead she gave a wry smile and shrugged her shoulders, almost as if she were agreeing with him. Which she was, of course, but that was something else Connor didn't need to know. Especially since she'd always figured that the right boy was him. Was she foolish to cling to such childish expectations? Probably. Connor had always been far too good for her and she never, really, expected him to look at her as anything more than just a friend. In all honesty it killed her inside even though she knew she should've been stronger than that.

They walked on in relative silence after that and she allowed him to lead her almost blindly, since she was paying more attention to staying close to him side than where they were going, until the house they were occupying loomed up ahead of them. Following him around to the door down into the cellar, she waited patiently when he disappeared inside to check everything was okay. He didn't need to since she was pretty sure nothing and nobody would've broken in, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless. When he reappeared she smiled, brushing the cobwebs from his hair in an almost fussy way before she took his hand and followed him inside.

Relying a lot more on Connor as they ascended the wooden steps she hated, Ari couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine when they reached the first floor. Though there wasn't technically much to see in the dark, something creeped her out about living in a house who's occupants may now be zombies. Too many zombie movies brought along the theories that they might actually remember their old life and come back to find them there, so they'd get massacred in their sleep. It would be tragic, obviously, because not only would they be attacked they'd just get eaten. No turning into zombies for them. Maybe that would be better though. She couldn't really imagine turning into something that scared her so much...

She was pulled from her thoughts as he led her quietly up to one of the bedrooms though and a blush that could've lit up the room ran across her cheeks. Stupidly, of course, the whole scenario was reminiscent of a house party she'd attended back at high school even though it wasn't really the greatest time in the world to be thinking about such ridiculous things. She'd gone there with her then boyfriend at the time, who had been on the school football team (surprise surprise), and she'd been having a great time up until the point that he'd asked if she wanted to go somewhere more quiet. Now, Ari cared for him, a lot actually, but at the time she hadn't been sure that that's where she wanted their relationship to go. She'd just been starting to realize her feelings for Connor too, which made everything even more complicated, but she remembered catching a glimpse of him in the next room with some random blonde hanging herself off him and she knew; she was his best friend, not a love interest. Sealing her fate with a kiss she tried not to let her boyfriend know was forced, he gave her a grin and led her up the stairs just like Connor was doing now.

It had taken a few days before she finally spilled everything to Connor -- he was still her best friend and he was the only one she'd ever even think of telling when she lost her virginity, obviously -- and she made him go through the entire 'omg I don't remember if he used protection!!111!one!' scare with her, but she doubted that he'd remember something like that. His voice broke her out of the memories though and at first she avoided facing him for fear that he'd see her blush. Scrawling a quick SURE on her board, she handed it over to him before she swiped one of the candles he'd just lit and wandered out of the room.

Since she'd already been in the house Ari had already found the time to leave her stuff in one of the other bedrooms. It wasn't much, obviously, just a bag of odds and ends that she'd thrown together the night she'd fled from her home and amongst them was the old t-shirt of Connor's she used to sleep in and a pair of random shorts to go with it. They weren't freshly clean but they were comfy and, though it was most likely just in her head, she swore they still smelt like home. Before Connor could come and question her on the rush though she grabbed up everything she'd need, plus the small towel that she'd picked up on their travels for moments like these and shoved to the bottom of her bag, and disappeared into the bathroom for her shower.

It must have taken her ten minutes to scrub herself down and actually feel clean again, then another five on top of that to dry off and change. A longer shower would've made her feel better but random thoughts of the shower scene in Psycho where the woman got murdered were enough to change her mind and she promptly cut it short. Ari lingered for a moment then, half hoping that Connor may have already gone to sleep and she could be spared the awkwardness of what was next about to happen. It shouldn't have been awkward but it had actually been years since the two of them shared a bed and they weren't kids anymore. Steeling herself for the worst she left the bathroom, detouring for a moment so she could collect her bag, and then made her way over to the largest bedroom where she'd left Connor. There was a pause in her step when she reached the doorway but she carried on, setting her stuff down and replacing the candle back to where she'd taken it from. Self-conscious wasn't even the word to describe how she suddenly felt about wearing his t-shirt then, a shirt which she'd taken with her just before she left for college and still wore on her return. What if he thought she was childish for it? Why didn't she think these things through??

Words: 1261
Tags: Connor
Outfit: Not yet ^-^;;
Notes: x3

[Connor Rorie Gallagher]

She scurried off to shower in a hurry. It kind of left Connor feeling alone... In an abandoned house, with nothing to think about but the past... The future. He hated thinking. It led him to too many dark places. Too many memories coursed through his thoughts when he was around her. It was almost as though he was on sensory overhaul... Constantly. But, he had learned to hide it. He had learned not to think about certain things, especially when she was around. The compulsion to kiss her, or hold her would take over and he would be left making an ass out of himself; again.

He shrugged, watching her retreating figure before turning his back on her. He pulled his shirt up over his head, savoring the clean smell of his flesh; of his clothes. It had been a while since he had felt clean. It was almost as though he had taken a step in the right direction of being normal, simply by cleaning himself. It was amazing how much one took their prior life for granted; the small things were what made them happy. The small things were what gave them that closure... That semblance of normalcy. It was strange how that was they all needed; whether they knew it or not. This life of anarchy, and no stability was taking it's toll on Connor.

In truth, he missed his old life. He missed playing sports, he missed being a coach. Fuck, he missed art. He missed everything. He missed those stupid girls that would get drunk at parties and throw themselves at him. He missed the guys that would start fights over him stealing their girls. He even missed the way that Ari would bitch to him about the guys in her life... Like the one time, back in high school... when she lost her virginity.

It had stung then, knowing that she had given something.. so precious and so important to someone other than him. To make matters worse, he believed that the guy that she lost it to didn't deserve to have her virginity. Or her, for that matter. But that twinge of jealousy, and the pain that he felt were... human. Compared to this... simple state of existing. He swallowed and pushed the thoughts aside. He didn't want to remember the frantic conversation that they had had... Wondering if she could have caught something or gotten pregnant.

Little known fact about Connor, he didn't like sleeping in clothes. Like, at all. Up until this point, they had been sleeping in separate bedrooms, so he had been able to get away with his nudist tendencies. But, now, as much as the thought displeased him, he was going to have to sleep in his boxers. That in of itself was a rather large compromise from what he was used to. Pulling the sheets that he carried on him, that had just been freshly laundered as well, he crawled into bed, curling up on his side.

He wanted to go to sleep, but he found that he couldn't. His mind was racing about holding her; being near her. Would she allow him to wrap his arms around her? Would she want him to? Would he be able to plant a light kiss to her cheek before she fell asleep? What happened if he accidentally got a little too excited while they were laying there together? What happened if the need to kiss her became so overwhelming that he did so? What if he just ended up hurting himself all over again, just because he was near her. It was stupid. Childish. Idiotic.

How was it that she was so far ingrained in his head that everything was about her? Every move that he made, had something to do with her. Christ, it was bad enough that when he lost his virginity he wasn't thinking about the girl that he was sharing a bed with, he was thinking about h---. He stopped his line of thinking. Those thoughts never ended well. Before he knew what was happening, he'd be thinking about those romantic kisses they had discussed earlier. He'd think about his hands moving over her clothes, gently freeing her of them...

He'd start thinking about his lips moving down her neck, to her collar as his hands moves freely over her newly exposed flesh. Then, he'd hear her moans in his head. He'd feel her hot breath against his skin as he kissed lower and lower... Connor buried his face in the pillow and groaned. Oh, no, no, no, no, no... he thought to himself. Of course, he had to let his mind wander. Of course he had to pitch a tent before the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world curled up with him. And not for sex.

Noooooo, he had to pop a boner when he was going to be sharing a bed with a woman that wanted to sleep. What in the hell was his problem, anyway? It wasn't as though he had been completely deprived of sex since the end of the world... He knew that he was a good looking guy, and had had a few girls when Ari wasn't looking. Of course, that just made him think of her while he was in the act of consummating his affections with some stranger... Which made him fantasize about her... And oh, what a beautiful face she made when she--

Fortunately (or unfortunately) depending on how one looked at it, a noise from the hallway had dragged his attention to Ari. He smirked as he realized that she was wearing one of his old shirts. She looked good in his clothes. Despite the fact that he was trying to play it cool, he found that he couldn't... The fact that she was in his t-shirt made the tightening in his boxers that much more apparent. Even though, he didn't think it was possible to get more... excited. He cleared his throat and sat up a bit to look up at her.

"I wondered where that t-shirt went." he grinned, patting the bed beside him. He just really hoped that she didn't snuggle in too close with him. The last thing he wanted to do was... poke her.

Words:: 1,046
Tags:: Ari
Outfit:: Click
Notes:: Bahahahahahahahaha