Meet Me Under the Tree

[FLYNN YOUNG]

"More than okay..." Flynn gave a sigh of relief and her face gave away her excitement as she went into a fit of giggles, covering her mouth to try and stop herself from acting too silly. When his arm wrapped around her the giggles were stifled and her eyes fell down to his hand on her side. It was such a simple little gesture but it felt nice and warm.. safe. The affection that she was receiving from him was tender and kind. "You're right, Flynn," she wasn't sure what he was talking about but she was sure he was going to explain it to her and she was eagerly listening.

"The tree...it is magic. And it put some kind of magic in you." It may have sounded cheesy to most but Flynn? She loved cheesy. She was a hopeless romantic and as corny as they may have been she found them kind. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," she told him honestly and smiled at him. Perhaps the tree did hold a special magic that brought people together. It brought them to this world where they lived together, didn't it? It brought her to Liam..

When Liam pulled her face back to his she didn't object to his actions but turned into putty in his hands. He could push her out of the tree at that very moment and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it she was in a state of utter bliss. This time when he kissed her though it was different. There was a sense of need to them. The passion that he exerted was met by the same desire and need back. Flynn didn't have an aggressive bone in her body, but the longer they were in that lip lock the closer to him she would scoot, her hand moving against the back of his head and pulling him closer. Never had she wanted to kiss someone so desperately before and as their lips brushed against one another her arms wrapped around him so that she could hold him in a loose embrace.

By the time they pulled their lips apart she was so amazed that it left her with her lips parted and breathless. Her eyes were transfixed on him while their foreheads touched, not able to take her eyes off of him or wipe the big grin from her face. "I've never met anyone like you," He truly was a sweetheart and she couldn't get over it. If she could she'd never leave that tree again, and just stay up there with him forever. Except forever was a long time and she knew he would turn to stone when the sun rose. That thought resurfacing saddened her once more but it didn't phase her elated state.

"I wish you didn't have to turn to stone," she uttered just above a whisper and although it might have been different from the mood it was what was on her mind. But because he was only out at night didn't mean that Flynn wouldn't see him.. it just meant that she'd make sure to take naps during the day! Her hand moved to touch the side of his face once more and realized that it was her favorite place to put her hand at the moment. "..but because you must.. might I ask you something?"

Flynn was rather hesitant and licked her lips once more as her face grew serious but then changed to another route and became full of curiosity and hope. "..may I watch someday?" She couldn't help that curious side of her. She'd always been so eager to learn more, and if she could watch Liam turn to stone she thought it would just be remarkable!

"I enjoy being with you, I would just love to see what it's like.. but only if you're willing, because you can absolutely say no." Flynn couldn't bring herself to pull away from him though. She'd never been so intimate with someone before, even if it was just kissing, and her fingers moved to his lips again just wanting to touch them again. They were the perfect shape and fit against hers just beautifully.

[LIAM AVERY]

“I wish you didn’t have to turn to stone.” Liam couldn’t tell Flynn enough how much he agreed with that statement. What if he could spend a whole day with her, just sitting in the tree and kissing her while the sun shone on them? It would be a dream come true. He wondered how bright her eyes were in sunlight. Liam knew he would have to settle for moonlight, but anything worked as long as he could be near Flynn. How was he going to part ways with her tonight? It was hard to imagine being apart from her now. It was so irrational and so not like him…but maybe it was the new him. His eyes came to hers, a little sad at this turn of conversation, watching as she touched his face gently.

“…but because you must…might I ask you something?” His smile was small but gentle. “Anything,” he replied, genuinely meaning it. Whatever question she asked, he would answer it as well as he could. At first Flynn looked hesitant to ask her question, but as he looked in her eyes, her face brightened, looking hopeful. “…may I watch someday?” He was so taken aback by the request that his eyes grew a little wider. He had honestly never been asked that before in his life. She wanted to watch him turn to stone? “I enjoy being with you, I would just love to see what it’s like…but only if you’re willing, because you can absolutely say no.” He smiled softly at her, finding her innocent request sweet. She was so curious, as all Avisaille were, but she made no attempt to hide her curiosity. She wore her heart on her sleeve and Liam adored it.

Those fingers of hers came back to his lips, feeling over them lightly, and his heart thudded against his chest momentarily. Was she as mesmerized by him as he was by her? With a smile, she reached up and took her fingers gently I his hand, kissing them before answering. “Yes, you can watch,” he promised before curling her fingers over his and kissing her knuckles softly. “In fact, you might see me change tonight. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get out of this tree with you before dawn.” His smile was bashful, but genuine. He wouldn’t mind turning to stone beside Flynn, especially not if it meant an entire night just talking and kissing. Thinking of, he wanted to kiss her again. He was an addict; he couldn’t go more than a couple minutes without the touch of her lips now. Leaning forward, his hand on her waist held her securely as his other hand slipped back into her hair to pull her closer. Their lips meshed again, firmer than before and even more passionate. He was growing bolder, more desperate to show her how she made him feel. In the middle of the kiss, he switched the side he was leaned towards, his nose brushing against hers as he did so. He absolutely couldn’t get enough of her lips. This time, his tongue just barely grazed her bottom lip, sending a bolt of electricity through him. That was the furthest he would push for now. Flynn was so sweet and innocent; he didn’t want to drive her away with being too bold. He could be satisfied with that for tonight.

He forced himself to pull back from her lips, his hand combing through her hair. His eyes gazed into hers and he realized he had just agreed to let her see him in his most vulnerable state. No one had ever seen him in stone form before. It made a smile tug at his lips, his thumb brushing along her strong jaw line. “You know, I don’t even know what my stone form looks like. Maybe you’ll be able to tell me,” he said with a warm smile creeping over his mouth. As his arm rested around her waist, though, he thought of his own request. “Someday I would like to see your wings,” he requested softly, trying not to sound demanding. A little flush came to his cheeks, knowing what it entailed to see her wings. “But only when you were comfortable with it, I promise. I’m just curious is all. I’ve never seen an Avisaille’s wings close up before.” He wanted to know everything there was to know about this beautiful woman sitting beside him, kissing him, and asking to watch him turn to stone. He wanted them to know everything about each other.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

"Yes, you can watch," She felt the a surge of excitement run through her and left her practically bouncing around like a little child who had just been told they were going to see the local fair and had to bite down on her bottom lip gently so that she could keep her giddy smile at bay. Oh how he made her feel like a little school girl and when his lips met the knuckles of her hand she just watched him. "In fact, you might see me change tonight. I don't know if I'll be able to get out of this tree with you before dawn." The wider her eyes grew the more she actually looked like a bird with her small nose and petite mouth. Her eyes were the most animated thing on her face and always had been, those colorful hues dancing over his perfect face. She didn't know if she could very well stay perched up in the tree all night long but if that was what he wanted then she would surely try! And she would enjoy every previous moment in it with him.

Before Flynn could utter another word Liam's lips were finding their way back to hers again almost as if they were magnetic and couldn't be apart, which only sparked another wave of emotional bliss in the avisaille. It wasn't until they broke apart just long enough so he could reposition his head and she followed suit that she actually noticed the stubble that was on his face. It had been there all along but during the shift it tickled her chin and her upper lip in the gentlest way that she enjoyed it! His kisses were electric to her, having never been kissed with such focus, as if the world no longer mattered and melted away in the background. Nothing else mattered except for them in this moment and the tree.

Flynn's hands found their way onto his shirt and tightened into fists as if she needed to hold on for dear life or she just might lose her grip on reality and tumble down from their little place in the tree. When she felt the wet, new sensation of Liam's tongue grazing across her bottom lip was different and very new for her. But she wasn't sure if she could return the favor just yet and it wasn't long after that he pulled away once more. They'd talk a little, stroke one another's face and kiss. That was the way their night was going and Flynn couldn't imagine a more perfect evening.

"You know, I don't even know what my stone form looks like. Maybe you'll be able to tell me," Oh how Flynn was so anxious to see his stone form! Although she knew that once he changed she would have to wait out an entire day before she could tell him just how she felt and how grateful she was to watch him turn! "Someday I would like to see your wings. But only when you were comfortable with it, I promise. I'm just curious is all. I've never seen an Avisaille's wings close up before."

Seeing her wings was another story entirely but she had a feeling deep down that his thirst for knowledge was probably just as strong as her own only she hid it better, and although it meant she would have to expose herself to him in a way she never had to another man she wasn't self conscious in the slightest or nervous. Then again her idea of exposing herself was probably very different than the average persons', she knew it meant revealing her wings. To her that was far more serious than revealing the rest of her body. The very thought of bodies made her wonder, did he have to strip to turn to stone? Or was it done with clothes and all? Her cheeks flushed a little at the thought and wondered if she could very well handle seeing him in nothing. But then she reminded herself that she had seen the nude male form before and it would be nothing more than an artistic form. She could be so silly sometimes!

"Then let's go," Flynn said in one soft breath and reached to grab both of his hands in her own while she never took her eyes off of his. "I will show you my wings and I will be with you until the sun rises!" The thought of spending an entire evening until the sun rose was such a lovely thought. And if she had his company she could keep awake until the sun rose, she was sure of it! Most women didn't offer something so intimate or wish to invite a man in while knowing them for such a short period of time. At least not the woman that she knew. But Flynn felt like she'd known Liam for much longer than only two nights. She felt close to him, like they were two old souls who had been longtime friends. She trusted him just as she'd told him the night before, she saw the best and trusted everyone.

"We could go anywhere you'd like, to my place or yours.." Flynn would love to see where Liam lived and see just how he lived. Was he a modest man in his possessions? Did he have towers of books that he read repeatedly over the years? Was he messy or did he keep his living area clean? She wanted to learn everything about him and she didn't want to wait. The more she knew the more it fed her need for knowledge.

It became apparent that Flynn didn't intend to sit up in the tree all night, no matter how beautiful it was or how much she wanted to keep kissing him. As a matter of fact she was itching to get out that harness and this would be such a perfect excuse to take it off. She leaned into him and gave him the softest little peck on the lips she could possibly give him and touched the side of his face one final time, "this will be our place, Liam.. right here in our tree with the fireflies." Flynn explained to him quietly before she pulled away and pushed herself off of their branch onto a lower one.

It felt strange to use her legs after they'd been swinging in the air for so long and she had to hold onto the trunk of the tree to keep steady while she tried to gain strength in her wobbly legs once again. "I hope you're coming!" She called after him since her eyes were fixed now on trying to find the best route down to the ground but she was aware that he had been above her and she hoped he wouldn't remain there but come after her.

She was halfway down to the ground when she misjudged a twig that she set her foot on and it gave way under her weight. The sound of it snapping rang through the quiet of the park and she gasped as she started to tumble down, something that happened too often to her. And thought most people would shut their eyes so that they didn't have to watch the ground nearing her eyes remained wide open, hoping that another branch might catch her first!

[LIAM AVERY]

Flynn was quiet for a moment and Liam was worried he had been too forward. He’d basically asked her to take her shirt off for him. He was so damn awkward sometimes, and while normally that wouldn’t bother him, it did now. He didn’t want to scare Flynn off. She was the best thing that ever happened to him. But suddenly she was taking his hands in hers, her eyes excited. “Then let’s go.” What? “I will show you my wings, and I will be with you until the sun rises.” His eyes were wide with his shock. She was serious! It made him gulp to loosen some of the knot in his stomach. She was okay with exposing herself to him. The thought made him blush and made his pants feel tight. No, it was like a statue, an artistic form. He wouldn’t let himself get carried away when she was trusting him like she was. Not with Flynn.

“We could go anywhere you’d like, to my place or yours…” Liam smiled nervously. “Since I’ll be turning to stone, we should probably go to my place,” he offered. He could barely remember the last time he had a woman in his home. She certainly wasn’t like Flynn, but she had commented that he was a little messy. Liam liked to keep things neat, but sometimes his thoughts got scattered and his living area showed that. He had a feeling Flynn would adore it, though. There were books upon books upon books in his home. He was disappointed to leave the tree, to leave that moment of bliss, but he was sure there would be more to come. She leaned in and gave him the softest kiss, making him close his eyes once more and enjoy it. It lasted too briefly, but it still filled him to the brim with warmth. “This will be our place, Liam…Right here in our tree with the fireflies.” He smiled warmly and nodded. He would remember that for the rest of his life. The Tree of Enlightenment was his and Flynn’s place; it was where they came from and where they came back to, and where Liam finally figured out what love could feel like.

She pulled away and hopped to a lower branch, making Liam sigh disappointedly. He supposed he had to move. “I hope you’re coming!” He chuckled, since she wasn’t looking at him and she sounded so sweetly commanding. “Yeah, I’m coming,” he replied, slipping to a lower branch. Once more, he found holds in the tree that most people wouldn’t and he moved down the trunk easily. He was below her in no time, tempted to grab her and have her get on his back so he could help her down. He was about to offer, when he heard a loud crack and looked up to see her plummeting to the ground. Her gasp echoed in his ears and his heart stopped a moment. Without thinking, he jumped the rest of the way, causing himself no harm. The way was clear for Flynn to fall straight to the ground, and he dashed to get under her.

Liam held his arms out as she fell, ready to catch her in an instant. In a matter of moments, she landed in a heap right in his arms, but she felt light as a feather to him. He smiled at her, glad she was all right, and he looked into her wide eyes. “Maybe the next time we climb the tree, you should ride on my back,” he suggested playfully. He didn’t need Flynn falling and breaking her pretty little neck one of these days. And he hoped there would be many more climbs into the tree. He gave her a quick kiss, light and playful, before he set her on her feet. She made him positively giddy. It was strange for Liam to be so light-hearted, but he couldn’t help it around her.

Once she was on her feet, he took her hand in his gently, twining his fingers in hers as they walked. If his mother could see him now, she would be positively ecstatic, possibly even cry. Her son was falling for a beautiful girl, something she always hoped for but never thought could happen. She would have doted on Flynn, to be sure. It was a shame Flynn wouldn’t be able to meet his mother. That was strange too; he’d never wanted a woman to meet his mother before. Flynn was just…she was everything he could have asked for in a woman if he had known to ask. She was positively charming. He meandered along with Flynn, back to his car so he could drive them to his place. “What kind of a bird do your wings take after?” he inquired, looking down the couple inches at her. He wasn’t terribly tall, and in fact a little short for a man, but she was still shorter than him. He still had a hard time believing he was hand in hand with the woman.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Flynn felt like her stomach was in her throat as she plummeted down. Although it wasn't the first time it didn't get any easier and she didn't have the same impact every single time. This time was probably the lightest landing she'd ever received though, falling straight into Liam's waiting arms. Her eyes were huge with awe and that's when she realized that she had been holding her breath during the fall the way she always did. One time she fell into a back alleyway in a heap of trash but his arms were a much better safety net and were warm. "Maybe the next time we climb the tree, you should ride on my back," It wasn't climbing that was the problem.. it was always getting down. "I've always been prone to falling," she giggled as he set her down on her own two feet. It was nice to feel the ground under her. It was safe.

"I haven't mastered the art of flying without falling," she confessed and for the first time actually felt a little embarrassed by her confession. Her cheeks blushed, revealing how she felt while her fingers slid between his own and permitted him to lead the way. She felt like she was starting to fall behind so she skipped a few steps to pick up her pace and make sure she was right by his side as they walked away from their magical tree.

"What kind of a bird do your wings take after?" Liam knew so much about the Avisaille species and she liked that about him! His curiosity was a match for her own and couldn't think of a more perfect man to be spending her time with.. to have been kissing. Her cheeks flushed once more at the thought of kissing him, wanting to do it again and hopefully soon! Would he kiss her when they went to his home? Would he allow her to kiss him if he didn't do it first? She certainly hoped so!

"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed as she looked as if she just realized something, "I got lost in my own thoughts.. how silly," she giggled and shook her head. She was one to daydream but not normally when someone asked her a question. But she could get lost just watching Liam and listening to him talk to her, it was just so soothing in its own sort of way. "Magpie. They're black, white and blue all over." She said playfully and knew that she would be able to show him soon, when they went back to his place. His place!

"Oh, you wouldn't happen to have something I could wear, would you?" Although Flynn had on a dress she wanted to be comfortable when she went over to his place and if she was staying all night long she didn't want to be stuck in her dress. "My wings won't fit in this dress without the harness, and I would much rather not wear it all night long. Perhaps an old shirt or undershirt?" Tank tops were always so much easier with her wings and when she was home she always wore spaghetti strapped shirts so she could stretch out her feathers without getting them all ruffled or caught in fabric. It must have sounded like such an odd request, her wondering if she could wear a shirt of his. But it didn't seem so odd to Flynn at all.

As they stepped into the parking lot she looked around but there was only one vehicle parked there. Nobody else was out this late wandering around the park except for the pair, and Flynn didn't drive. She enjoyed walking too much to invest in a vehicle. Not to mention she enjoyed living a very simple life and she couldn't afford to buy a car even if she wanted one. "Hmm.. which vehicle is yours?" She teased and wrapped her free hand around his arm so she could hug herself to that arm that was holding her hand. Oh, how she would have to tell Griffin all about this night when she had the chance! She didn't know where to begin and what to tell him. That she had met a handsome Gargoyle who was smart and kind? It was too good to be true!

[LIAM AVERY]

Flynn took a long time to answer Liam’s question and he wondered if it was too personal. She was letting him see them and she was going to try and keep their appearance a secret? He looked curiously down at her just as she to come out of a deep thought. “I’m sorry! I got lost in my own thoughts…how silly.” Liam chuckled a little, adoring her. She was so cute. Normally he hated using that word for people, but that’s exactly what she was. “Magpie. They’re black, white, and blue all over.” He smiled at her playful tone. Liam wasn’t sure if he had ever seen a magpie in person, but he had a vague idea of what they looked like. With her black hair and blue eyes, a magpie seemed most fitting for her wings.

“Oh, you wouldn’t happen to have something I could wear, would you?” The question made it hard for him to keep walking. He was internally frozen at the thought that she would be wearing his clothes…like she slept over…that was essentially what she was doing, wasn’t it? Even though…well, that wouldn’t be happening. “My wings won’t fit in this dress without the harness, and I would much rather not wear it all night long. Perhaps an old shirt or undershirt?” Liam cleared his throat, nodding. “Yeah, I’m sure I could find something. I have some sweats and plenty of t-shirts,” he assured her. It was still hard to believe she was coming home with him. Not in the same way it usually happened between men and women, but he was still glad he would have her in his home. He would get to spend more time with her and find out more about her. He wanted to talk the whole night away with her; he wanted to know what made Flynn Young, Flynn Young.

When they reached the parking lot, he walked in a comfortable silence with Flynn, just enjoying the feel of her hand in his. His car was the only one in the parking lot, a black BMW that was about five years old. He only got cars when the previous one had fallen to pieces, and about five years ago his Impala finally bit the dust and he sold it to someone who could fix it up. To his surprise and delight, he felt Flynn’s other hand wrap around his arm, snuggling into him with a playful look. “Hmm…which vehicle is yours?” Liam laughed, gently pulling his arm out of her hands to wrap it around her shoulders and pull her into his side. “Smart alec,” he teased back, nuzzling his nose into the hair on the top of her head and kissing it. She smelled so sweet. He looked forward again and kept her close against him as they walked to his car.

The fob made the car beep as it unlocked as they approached and when they reached his car, he opened the passenger side door for Flynn. “My lady,” he said playfully, giving her a grin. When she had climbed in, he closed the door for her carefully. As he walked around the car to his side, he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed heavily. It felt like he had been holding his breath all night, but in a good way. He felt light-headed and giddy and happier than he ever had in his life. Flynn was infatuated with him as much as he was with her. Once he slipped into the driver’s side, he put the key in the ignition and made it purr to life, before smiling at Flynn. He couldn’t get over how lovely she was.

His radio was on the oldies station and played quietly as he realized her lips really were magnetic. He leaned across the center console and pressed his lips to hers again gently with a smile. How did she do that? She made him want to never pull away. The kiss was brief and gentle, and when he pulled away, he smiled as he stayed close. “Do you have magnets in your lips or something?” he teased softly. He chuckled before laying another sweet, gentle kiss on her mouth. After a moment he reluctantly pulled away with a sigh, giving her another crooked smile. He pulled out of the space before resting his hand on the gear in between him and Flynn. The car was an automatic, but it was an old habit of his. “This may be a random question, but did you go to college?” he asked curiously, peeking over at her briefly before focusing his eyes back on the road. He wanted to know everything about her that she would tell him.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Once settled in the car she reached for the seat belt and buckled herself in waiting to hear the click so she knew that it was secured. Her eyes wandered around the inside of his car, noting how dark it was. Of course it was dark! It was nighttime! She laughed at herself and shook her head just as he opened up the driver door and settled down into the seat right beside her. Maybe it was because they were in a smaller enclosed space but she felt a nervousness in the pit of her stomach mixed with excitement. Perhaps it was because she knew they were going back to his place and she'd be allowed to watch him turn to stone as the sun came up. She wondered if it was an instant thing that happened at a certain time or if it was when the sun touched his tough skin. Would he be able to watch the sunrise or would it be something they wouldn't be able to share? What about a sunset? These were questions she was dying to ask but decided to wait until they got where they were going.

When Liam looked over at her she smiled at him with that same smile she'd had all night long. When he leaned over the center console she hadn't been expecting the kiss, and it took her a moment to actually realize what he was doing. "Do you have magnets in your lips or something?" She shook her head and kissed him a second time, practically giggling against his mouth because of the silly question he'd asked. It was true though, she felt that same electricity that made her want to stay close to him and kiss him over and over again. She could probably kiss him all night long, but if she did that then she wouldn't be able to show him her wings! It would be a new experience for both of them and she couldn't wait to share it. Not to mention she enjoyed spreading her wings apart so it would be a treat for her as well.

When he leaned back into his seat and pulled the car out of the space, Flynn peered out the window and watched as their tree began to grow smaller as they left it behind. Now no matter what her reasons for being there or thinking about it, the tree would be the place she met Liam. She was glad she had worked so late the previous night otherwise she wouldn't have run into him. How long had they gone, living in the same city without ever running into one another? Of course Flynn had taken a ten year leave to explore the world but there was still thirty-two years that they had lived in Scriptor Bay and not once met. At least they knew one another now and that made her smile to herself.

"This may be a random question, but did you go to college?" It may have been random but it was an interesting question to be asked. Did she sound like she hadn't been sent to college? She shook her head back and forth causing her hair to fall in her face and she pulled it back with her fingers, tucking it behind her ear once more. "No," she told him softly and wondered if he had. Did he take night classes? "I could never afford to take classes. But I read all the time. The staff at the library know me too well," she explained and tilted her head and leaned forward in her seat so she could try and get a better view of his face since he had to look ahead to drive. She enjoyed watching him. She was one of those people who could sit in the park all day long and just watch strangers go about their day. It was fascinating to her.

"Most of what I learned over the years were from my books or my travels. Like how there are no snakes in New Zealand, or for a butterfly to fly it must have a body temperature of no less than 86 degrees. I know all these silly little facts that although they may not get me the greatest job I enjoy them." Sure it was irrelevant and silly but those silly little facts could be handy someday and she had a head full of them.

"Did you go to college? Night classes?" She thought he was brilliant and imagined that he must have gone to college. "And what made you decide to be a criminologist?" She recalled him telling her that was what he did the previous night but she hadn't asked him why he chose that career path. His hours were flexible but just how flexible? Would she be allowed to see him tomorrow night? After watching him turn to stone she likely wouldn't want to go anywhere, but wait for the sun to set so she could tell him all about what she saw!

[LIAM AVERY]

“No. I could never afford to take classes. But I read all the time. The staff at the library knows me too well.” Liam chuckled, picturing Flynn sitting at the library and reading. It fit her so well. If she were a Gargoyle, she would probably perch herself on the library. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her lean forward to look at him, and he glanced at her. Was there something on his face or something? She would have said something, but she just watched him patiently. It made him smile almost bashfully. He wasn’t used to people staring at him, let alone this beautiful woman, but he let her do as she pleased. If staring at him made her happy, she could stare at him for however long she wanted.

“Most of what I learned over the years was from my books or my travels. Like how there are no snakes in New Zealand, or for a butterfly to fly it must have a body temperature of no less than 86 degrees. I know all these silly little facts that although they may not get me the greatest job, I enjoy them.” He was impressed she knew those two facts. He knew there were no snakes in New Zealand, but he didn’t know much about butterflies. It would make sense for her to know them, though. She seemed the type that would read anything and genuinely enjoy it and take something from it. He smiled at her facts, finding it endearing that she knew them. What other random facts did she have in that pretty head of hers?

“Did you go to college? Night classes? And what made you decided to be a criminologist?” She was so curious about him, as curious as he was about her. She was so up front with her curiosity, though. It was like he couldn’t not smile around her. “Yes, I went to college for Psychology at Greenwolfe. I’ve always enjoyed observing, watching people and learning the different facets of the mind. When I was young, I would read a lot of psychology books and found I was fascinated by the workings of a criminal mind. I wanted to know why people committed the crimes they did, if it was impulse or something they were just born to do. A lot of those questions can’t be answered, I know, but I can look for the closest thing to an answer that I can find.” He looked over at her, watching him curiously and smiled more at her.

“Of course, working in Scriptor Bay, I don’t get a lot of hard criminals to study, but if ever there’s a case where they don’t know who the culprit is, I interpret their actions as best I can. It gives the police an idea of who they’re looking for. For me, it’s the most interesting job I could ask for.” He shrugged lightly before glancing down at her hand on the seat. It was close to his, rested on the gearshift in between them. He reached over and twined his fingers with hers again, giving a wide, crooked smile. Her hand was soft compared to his, gentle and warm, and he liked the feel of it in his. “What’s the most interesting place you’ve been to?” he asked. He wanted to know about her travels, what she had seen. Liam knew he would probably never go far from Scriptor Bay, but he liked the idea of hearing what she had experienced in the world outside.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

"Yes, I went to college for Psychology at Greenwolfe. I've always enjoyed observing, watching people and learning the different facets of the mind. When I was young, I would read a lot of psychology books and found I was fascinated by the workings of a criminal mind. I wanted to know why people committed the crimes they did, if it was impulse or something they were just born to do. A lot of those questions can't be answered, I know, but I can look for the closest thing to an answer that I can find." Although Flynn didn't study psychology or criminology she understood what he meant. Was a criminal born or made? There were movies made and books published trying to look into the mind of criminals to see what made them tick. What made them act in such a manner? But couldn't the same question be asked about why a person didn't act in that manner? Why did some people choose to become psychologists and others music teachers? She was sure it was a question that she would never know the answer to, but it didn't mean she couldn't wonder about it and find it fascinating all the same.

She wondered what sort of questions Liam would ask a criminal if he was in the same room as one. What would he think? How would he react? "Of course, working in Scriptor Bay I don't get a lot of hard criminals to study, but if ever there's a case where they don't know who the culprit is, I interpret their actions as best I can. It gives the police an idea of who they're looking for. For me, it's the most interesting job I could ask for." It was as if Liam was in her head and knew what she wanted to know. She bit her bottom lip to keep her smiling at bay but she couldn't help but feel thrilled that he was so much like her. He had to work for a living, but he spent his time in a job where he enjoyed his work. He was able to give and receive from that job and what better way was there to spend your time than that? Too many people worked jobs where they were unhappy and when you spent as much time working as forty hours a week why would you wish to spend it miserable? That's why Flynn didn't get a different job. She didn't handle stress well.

Flynn didn't see him reaching for her hand but when his fingers moved between hers she didn't object. "What's the most interesting place you've been to?" Her eyes roamed around a bit almost like she was trying to figure out a proper response. "Oh Liam, there are so many exciting places out there.. everything holds mystery and wonder to it in its own way. But.." she squinted, pondering her response, "..I would have to go with Brazil. I was in Bahia and I went cave diving in Chapada da Diamantina!" Her eyes lit up as if it were Christmas morning and she'd just received the pony she'd asked for. She enjoyed telling stories about where she'd been and what she had seen. Her free hand went up as she became animated, wanting to tell him all about it.

"They have underwater caves and you can go diving. It gave me the opportunity to actually go into the water with other people. Between the wet suit and diving gear it was easy to conceal my wings. Oh Liam! The water is so clear and crisp and just beautiful!" It was as if her whole body came to life in the story. She explained cave diving, the Brazilian culture, their language and all other sorts of things. How she had even danced with the local children and slept outside a few times. The caves had been the most interesting thing she had seen in her travels and had been one of her first stops. It was easier for her to stay in the country since she didn't know how to fly when she had 'left the nest' so to speak.

Flynn didn't realize it but she had talked almost the entire ride to Liam's place. When they arrived and parked Flynn unbuckled her seat belt and stepped out of the car with a little giggle. She knew exactly where they were! How many times had she been to the Wallingford Condominiums to visit with her good friend Griffin? And all this time Liam had lived not very far from where she spent so much time enjoying the company of a close friend.

As they came around the vehicle Flynn had her hand ready so she could fit it with his rough hand. Her other hand was down by her side and fiddling with the fabric of her dress. She would soon be getting out of that dress and into his clothes. And although other women might have thought of it in a more sexual way that just wasn't Flynn. She found men's clothing to be comfortable to lounge around in. Not that she wore other men's clothing often, but there was once or twice she borrowed a night shirt from a friend when she would spend the night after staying up too late watching movies or drinking too much wine to head home. And since she worked at a thrift store she found men's clothing for cheap! She liked to buy tees and even button up shirts sometimes since they fit loosely and didn't constrict her wings. Unlike most Avisaille she couldn't stand that darn harness! As a child she never had one and as an adult most of the time she preferred just wrapping them up in heavy bandaging that coiled over her chest. But no matter how tight she tried to get it nothing held them as close as the harness did.

"I think I may be a little nervous," Flynn confessed before they reached the doors and gave his hand a light squeeze as if to signal that she wanted to slow down their pace. She took a short breath and sighed, her face still bright and upbeat, so it was obviously her nervousness wasn't a sign that she wanted to back out. "I've never done this before.. shown my wings to anybody. Or kissed anyone as much as I've kissed you tonight.. or held hands like this!" She must have sounded so childish with how inexperienced she was with things like this. She'd kissed friends and even gotten a few kisses from men who showed an interest in her but the interest wasn't returned and she'd let them down gently. No, Flynn didn't take an interest in people the way she was with this wonderful man. But the way he kissed her.. the way he held her hand.. it made her feel different. It made her happy and giddy! It was a feeling that she usually only felt when she was in the air soaring through the air.

The girl stopped walking completely and held onto his hand to be sure that he would stop with her, bringing his hand up between both of hers and holding it against her chest while her bright blue eyes shone in the moonlight, fixated on him. Liam was the only person that she saw right now. "It's so thrilling.. you're thrilling, Liam. Everything about you from what you are to who you are to.. everything." She might have sounded like a little schoolgirl crushing on a boy who she had just met and knew nothing about, but her feelings were pure and true as they would ever be. She didn't have to know everything about him. She knew enough to know that she felt like she had known him much longer.

With a few blinks she seemed to realize that they were still outdoors and in the dark. How easy it was for her to forget about her surroundings that night. And although it may have been a lovely night she wanted to get indoors and see just how Liam lived. She didn't think her curiosity of him would ever be satiated. "What floor do you live on?"

[LIAM AVERY]

“Oh, Liam, there are so many exciting places out there…everything holds mystery and wonder to it in its own way. But…” As Flynn paused, Liam smiled at the childlike wonder in her voice. He liked the way she said his name in that wistful way she had. “…I would have to go with Brazil. I was in Bahia and I went cave diving in Chapada da Diamantina!” He listened attentively as she told him all about Brazil, envying her ability to do those things, but glad that she had had the opportunity. He imagined cave diving would be beautiful and wonderful, even more so with someone like Flynn there to enthuse about everything. She told him about the culture and the people and sleeping outside in beautiful places. He could see her dancing with the local children, smiling and laughing and carefree as she always was. Liam wondered how he had ever gotten so lucky. Perhaps there was an afterlife and this was his mother’s way of making sure he didn’t end up an old man who had never known love. That thought made him smile more to himself as he listened to Flynn. He could listen to her talk about her travels all night.

When they pulled up to the condos, he got out of the car to open her door for her, but she climbed right on out herself. Of course, she did. Flynn wasn’t the kind of woman to expect anyone to do things for her. It probably never occurred to her that he would, as a gentleman, open the door for her, and she had no problem with that. He couldn’t stop being amused by her. They walked towards the building together, hand in hand, and he was starting to feel a little nervous about her showing him her wings. He would have to keep his cool, and that…would be difficult. But he knew he could manage it for Flynn. He couldn’t deny, his curiosity in her wings was great.

“I think I may be a little nervous.” He looked down at her, slowing his pace as she tightened her grip on his hand. She was still smiling and looked excited, but he was worried that she felt forced. His brow furrowed a little. “I’ve never done this before…shown my wings to anybody. Or kissed anyone as much as I’ve kissed you tonight…or held hands like this!” Liam realized that although she was a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she hadn’t had a serious romance. If she had, she would have shown her wings. It made him gulp and his heart skipped a beat. He hoped he lived up to her dreams of romance. But, in a lot of ways, she was a first for him too. “You don’t have to, I promise. I can take you home if you want,” he assured her. Liam didn’t want to pressure her into anything; that was the last thing he wanted to do. He was just glad he had finally found a woman he thought he might be able to fall in love with. No, he knew he could fall in love with her, and he didn’t want to scare her away.

She stopped, tugging on his hand, and he thought she would tell him that, yes, she wanted to go home. That would have been fine by him. He would have been disappointed to not have more time with her, but he was willing to stop at any time and let her call the shots. She clasped his hand in both of hers and held it to her chest, her bright eyes gazing up at him under the moonlight. He had never met someone so beautiful in his life. She had captured his full attention with just that simple gesture of holding his hand to her. “It’s so thrilling…you’re thrilling, Liam. Everything about you from what you are to who you are to…everything.” His heart clenched at her words. No one had ever called him thrilling before. He was a boring man, by all accounts outside of a few, but someone this amazing woman thought he was thrilling. It was enough to bind him to her for as long as she wanted to stay around him.

Her big eyes blinked, as if she realized something, but he was still mulling over her statement. “What floor do you live on?” He ignored the question and stepped to her, bringing his free hand to her hair and pulling her face to his, but he didn’t kiss her. His hand rested on the back of her neck, his thumb tracing the nape, keeping her forehead pressed against his as his eyes stayed on hers. “I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel for you,” he confessed in a voice hardly above a whisper. “I didn’t think there was anyone out there who could help me understand romance…love. I never believed in it…and then you came along, Flynn. You’ve changed everything.” He couldn’t say he loved her; he didn’t know her well enough for that. But he did know for a fact that he was falling, hard and fast. “I don’t know how to romance someone or how to love someone, really. But I want to learn. If I do anything wrong, anything you don’t want me to, please tell me. I just want to make you happy,” he pleaded genuinely. All he wanted was to make her happy.

His lips touched her forehead where he had rested his own, running his hand through her black hair one more time. The hand clasped in hers took hold again and he smiled down at her as he moved towards his building again. “I live on the fifth floor,” he told her, finally answering her question. “If at any time you want to go home, just let me know.” When they came to the door, he held it open for her before taking her hand again and going to the elevators. They rode the car up to the fifth floor and his apartment wasn’t far from that. It wasn’t large, but it was a one bedroom with a small kitchen, big enough for him to manage in. There was a balcony with tall glass doors and there were tall windows throughout the apartment, but he kept his privacy with heavy curtains. It wasn’t messy, but there were stacks of books in the corners and several bookshelves, full to the brim with books on every subject. The walls were all white, but he had a couple decorative pieces up. There was one picture in the whole apartment, one of him and his mother, taken when he was younger, but not by much. He didn’t hang up a picture of his father, never having really known the man, but he and his mother made well on their own. The lights were on the dim side, and he had a desk with a very hi-tech computer and a couple files on it, cases he was helping on. There was a couch and two chairs along with a flat screen television that hung on the wall like artwork. It was modest, but a classic sort of style. “Welcome to my home,” he told Flynn with a soft smile. “Make yourself comfortable.”

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Expecting a floor number and to be guided along once again it was a big surprise to Flynn when Liam came closer, the hand that wasn't holding hers coming behind her head and pulling her closer. “I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel for you,” Her forehead was pressed gently against his but even at such close proximity in the dark she could see his bright beautiful eyes. “I didn’t think there was anyone out there who could help me understand romance…love. I never believed in it…and then you came along, Flynn. You’ve changed everything.” This had only been the second time that they had been together, but they were just so alike that they were destined to meet. The thought of Liam not believing in love was sad since there was so much in the world to love! Flynn found love for everything she possibly could and she would surely come to find love with Liam.. no matter what kind it was. “I don’t know how to romance someone or how to love someone, really. But I want to learn. If I do anything wrong, anything you don’t want me to, please tell me. I just want to make you happy,”

His words made her heart melt. He wanted to romance her.. he.. he wanted to love her! Is that what he was trying to tell her? She had a feeling that he couldn't do anything wrong. He was so nice and gentle with her.. he'd even apologized after kissing her! When he kissed her on the forehead she grinned and then followed him inside.

The ride up to the fifth floor was a quick one and she trailed close beside him to the door that would lead to his home. Once inside her eyes looked around to see just what sort of items he used to decorate his home and was actually surprised at how nice and neat it was! Sure there were books everywhere but that gave it such a homely feel! It made Flynn feel like she belonged there, among his book collection. The bookshelves were stacked so full that there was no room. She would love to take a look at his selection later if he'd allow her to. She thought it could be a little brighter and assumed that the lights just weren't turned up all the way, and the curtains that covered all the windows looked heavy! It must have kept most of the light out during the day and it hit her that there was no reason to let the light in if he couldn't very well be in it. She took notice of the television hanging on the wall and the computer, all the furniture and art that were about the place. But she didn't see any pictures, at least not yet. "Welcome to my home. Make yourself comfortable."

"It's lovely! Almost just how I pictured it," Flynn told him in her usual bright mood and then she did what she did in her own home and took her sandals off. She didn't like to wear shoes indoors and carry in all the tracks from outside, but more than that she just enjoyed to be barefoot. And now that she was sure she wouldn't track any sort of dirt into his lovely home she moved in further and reached out so she could brush her fingers across the spines of books that he had on his bookcase. Her eyes scanning the different titles noting that he had all different sorts of books! How much she'd love to go through every single one and read them all. Her collection at home was very similar.. only a little messier. She had books stacked under her bed and under her coffee table.. books were everywhere in her little apartment! Some were even on top of the fridge!

She had a feeling that this wouldn't be the one and only time that she would be in his apartment, and because it would only be at night it would definitely be the time that she liked to relax. She moved over to where the couch was and ran her hand along the length of the arm rest, feeling the soft material. It was probably very comfortable! But she wasn't interested in sitting down right now.. she felt that knotting sensation in her stomach again as she turned so she could face him and took a few slow steps towards him. She glanced over to the curtains to make sure that they were all closed. But who would be able to look in when they were on the fifth floor?

She didn't say anything as she turned her attention back to Liam and gulped silently. She didn't want to take her eyes off of him, wanting to see how he would react to her, if he would find it interesting or if he would find it.. strange. The female reached for the bottom of her dress, since the material was stretchy it was the kind that you just threw over your head. So she had to pull it up from the bottom revealing her cheeky pink and white striped underwear first, then her bare torso up to her white bra. She had a little bit of difficulty with the fabric getting stuck under her holster but when she got the dress over her head she unhooked it and it dropped to the ground. Most women would be nervous about showing so much in front of a man.. and if it were a different man then Flynn might have felt that way. But this was Liam and it was her wings that she was worried about him seeing. The holster tied around her in two places, one was above her chest and the other just near the under wire of her bra. She undid both of the straps easily and dropped the holster right on top of her dress so that it would be a neat little pile, not wanting to make too much of a mess.

Flynn straightened her posture and allowed her wings to extend out from between her shoulder blades. Because of their length she didn't stretched them out to their full extent, not wanting to accidentally hit anything. A few feathers were ruffled up but they weren't too bad. She was sure she looked like something standing there and waited for what he would say or do.

The underside of her wings were white with a few speckles of black and grey, but if he were to look at them from behind they were black near the base and then white and blue all the way down. But when her feathers stretched out it revealed that the blue of the feathers were only on a small part as the rest were white. (HERE and HERE). Her feathers ruffled and as she took a deep breath, her chest and her wings heaved up and then back down at the same time. She waited in silence as her brows knitted upwards to show her worry. She'd never been so nervous in her entire life.

[LIAM AVERY]

“It’s lovely! Almost just how I picture it.” Liam grinned, glad Flynn liked his home. Just the fact that she had pictured his home thrilled him. She found him interesting, as she had said many times, and every time he came to that realization, he felt a surge of something like relief. He didn’t have to try to be interesting for her to be interested; he had only been himself around her, never trying to capture her attention, and yet somehow he had. She slipped her sandals off, as if she was right at home, and she wandered toward his books. He left her to it, going to his closet to get her some more comfortable clothes, like she requested. There were draw string sweats and he grabbed a t-shirt that was even a little baggy on him. Her wings should fit in it, so she wouldn’t feel quite so constricted.

When he went back toward her, she was standing by his couch feeling the fabric. She was so curious, just like him. He walked over to a chair and placed the clothes on it, smiling when she looked at him. She looked nervous, and that’s when he started to feel the same. Was she…was she going to do that now? Right now? His eyes were glued on her as her hands went to the bottom of her dress. Yeah, she was going to do that right now. Liam swallowed hard, not having thought this through properly. She was in a dress and showing her wings; of course she would have to take the whole dress off. But…but there she was, slipping it over her head, and as her slim, beautiful body came into view, he felt his pants tighten against his will. His knees were weak and he had to grab the back of the chair he was standing next to in order to steady himself. She was a sculpture by Michelangelo or Da Vinci. No, better; she was flesh and blood and perfect. His heart was beating hard, his blood pumping through every part of his body. He could have just stared at her like that before him all night. When she dropped the dress to the floor, he let out the breath he had been holding, feeling dizzy. How did he think this would be a good idea?

Her hands went to her chest and undid the harness for her wings, and as she dropped it on top of her dress, her wings unfolded. It took his breath away completely. He swallowed again, his eyes wide with wonder, and he slowly moved closer to her. Those wings were as black as her hair, the tips white and gray, but as he moved around behind her, he could see the deep, midnight blue. She took a deep breath and he realized she was nervous. Not about her body, otherwise she wouldn’t have stripped so easily. That only left her wings. Didn’t she know how beautiful they were? His hand came up and touched smooth, soft skin of her back gently, feeling between her shoulder blades first. Then that hand ran gently along the top of her right wing, feeling how soft the feathers were. He was amazed. They were real, working wings! On a human body! They just sprouted right out of her back like a birds, and the wings moved in time with her breathing. He let his hand brush carefully along the feathers, feeling their softness. For the moment, her nakedness was forgotten, replaced by wonder.

“Incredible,” he breathed, his hand coming back to her shoulder blades, carefully feeling over the junction of skin and wing. “Flynn…you’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.” His voice was soft and full of awe, and it was easy to hear how genuinely he meant those words. Nothing before her or after her could ever compare to how lovely she was. He walked back around to face her, taking her chin in his hand gently so she would look at him. “I mean it. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” he assured her with a gentle smile. His hands brushed the hair away from her face as he looked at her gorgeous eyes. Those eyes could make him do anything, he knew it already. He kissed her again, slow and soft at first, and then progressively passionate. He didn’t get aggressive, though. She was vulnerable enough already, he didn’t need to scare her. But his lips did gently part hers, his fingers combing through her hair before going to her shoulders. He wanted to hold her, like he hadn’t been able to in the tree, but would that be too much? If she didn’t like it, she could stop him, because his arms were wrapping around her before he knew what was happening. Her body was slim and his arms much stronger than at first glance, and she felt extremely delicate in his arms. With his mouth against hers, holding her mostly naked body close, it was getting very difficult for Liam to keep his cool. He had to pull away.

When he did, he did so reluctantly, having to catch his breath. His nose brushed against hers affectionately, his body not liking what he had just done. He pulled away from her, placing his warm hands on her waist and clearing his throat. “I got you, uh…some clothes you can borrow,” he said with a bashful sort of smile, indicating the clothes on the nearby chair. She had to get back into clothes before he did something he didn’t mean to do. Well…he wanted to, but not now. Flynn deserved better than that. “Once you’re dressed, would you like some fruit and sit on the balcony? The view is pretty incredible from here,” he said with a smile. And being out in the cooler night air might help him clear his head.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Nudity was never a problem. Not that Flynn ever took her clothes off in front of someone before, but she knew everyone had a body and everyone's body was beautiful and special in their own way. It was the wings that made her nervous. Her hands were down by her sides, nice and relaxed instead of trying to cover herself up the way most women would. And the look on Liam's face.. she just wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him tightly to her! There wasn't a hint of disgust or loathing in his eyes. He didn't run away.

"Incredible," She felt his hand touching her back just near where her wings and her back came together and at first she jumped, not expecting to feel his hand, but then she almost leaned into it when she relaxed. "Flynn...you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen." All tension evaporated and she felt light once more. The hard part was over! He'd touched her feathers before her back, so he could tell they were real.

When he stepped back around to face her she watched him once more, studying every change in his expression. Looking for any sign that he might have not liked what he saw but it wasn't there. And she beamed at this discovery. If there was any doubt in her mind it was soon erased by Liam's lips finding hers the way they had up in the tree. The gentle kisses became more passionate and his arms wrapped around her the way they had in the tree. She was more than willing to wind up in his arms since she wanted to put her own around his neck, which was exactly what she did. Her arms came up up his shoulders and she pressed herself against him. She just wanted to be close and he felt warm. But it wasn't just her arms that wrapped around him. Her wings draped around them almost like a blanket but they didn't touch him.

Feeling him pulling away Flynn released her arms from around his neck and retracted her wings as well and they folded neatly against her back but they were still noticeable. There was no real way to hide them but it felt so nice to stretch them out for a little bit. She looked at him, the two of them eye level and listened to him tell her that he had brought her clothes. She hadn't even noticed them until he pointed them out since she'd been so transfixed on showing him her wings and finding out how he would react.

She reached for the sweatpants first and pushed one leg through the pants and then the other. “Once you’re dressed, would you like some fruit and sit on the balcony? The view is pretty incredible from here,” Flynn pulled the pants up onto her hips and pulled on the drawstring to tighten the waistband. They definitely needed to be tightened or they would fall right off of her. When she had them adjusted to a comfortable fit she tied the string into a bow to keep it in place and then reached for the shirt. "I would love some fruit!" She chirped happily and pulled her head through the shirt and then her arms in the sleeves. She was careful to pull it down over her wings, not wanting to rustle up her feathers too much. That was always the most difficult part of getting dressed and she considered just letting the bottom of the shirt rest where her back and her wings met and just expose her back, but if they were going to go outside maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea.

"Can I help with anything?" She offered, wanting to be as helpful as she could. He did give her a set of clothes to wear after all the least she could do was help him get the fruit! Flynn would have sat around with her wings out all night if he had asked her to, but there was a part of her that was glad to have the shirt on covering them.

She stuck one hand behind her neck to grab her hair and pull it out of the shirt and let it hang over one shoulder leaving the other bare. Flynn just had the most intimate moment in her entire life just a moment ago and she was on cloud nine, practically glowing. It was like a weight lifted off her shoulders, feeling like she didn't have to worry about her wings anymore. At least not with Liam. Now she couldn't wait to see him change!

[LIAM AVERY]

Liam let out another breath as Flynn started to dress in his clothes. He couldn’t handle seeing her so naked, even if she was covering up the most intimate parts of her. Well…for the most part. He couldn’t help noticing her underwear rode up her backside a little, revealing some of the cheeks, which made him blush. Did he have to be such a man at a time like this? He supposed he couldn’t really help it. Liam was what he was and Flynn didn’t seem to notice as she dressed. Soon that backside was hidden once more and she tightened the drawstring on the pants. “I would love some fruit!” He smiled gently, nodding. She was always enthusiastic. The shirt came over her head and wings, and soon she was covered again, and still adorable in his baggy clothes. “Can I help with anything?” Her hands pulled her hair out of her shirt and she tucked it over onto one shoulder, exposing the other one. He leaned in and kissed the cheek that was left bare. “Yeah, you can help me peel some oranges,” he told her with a smile.

The Gargoyle liked fresh fruit almost as much as a bat. It was one of his peculiar quirks, but he always kept a good supply of different fruits. Tonight, he decided they could have some oranges, an apple, some cherries and some grapes. He pulled all of the ingredients for his fruit bowl and set them on the counter. To Flynn he handed two oranges. “For you, my lady,” he said playfully, his voice still its usual soft pitch. For himself, he grabbed an apple, a knife, and a cutting board. He pulled out the garbage can from under the sink so Flynn would have something to discard her peels in and he could toss the apple core in. Smoothly and quickly he cut around the core of the apple before tossing it in the trash and cutting the four sides into smaller wedges. Once the apple was cut up, he grabbed a big bowl and put the pieces in before grabbing a handful of grapes and cherries and dropping them into the bowl too. Finally, he took the other orange from Flynn that she had already peeled and picked the wedges off, dropping them into the bowl too. “There. A Fliam fruit salad,” he joked, adding their names together to make Fliam. She brought out the playful, boyish side of him.

When they were finished, he led her toward the balcony, his hand in hers. “I’ll let you peruse the books later if you’d like,” he said, indicating his shelves of books. As soon as he opened the door, he was planning to take a seat in one of the lounging chairs, but something bright pink fell from the balcony above. Liam’s eyes were wide for a moment before he went to the railing and saw a pink flamingo statuette falling to the ground several stories below. “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” He heard a woman yell. His eyes looked up and saw a big African American woman gazing over the railing of her balcony. He smiled for her a little nervously. “Hello Mrs. Jackson,” he called to her. She seemed to just notice him and she grinned wide, her white teeth bright in her face in the moonlight. “Well, hi, Liam! How you doin’, baby?” He smiled wider. “I’m fine. How are you?” he asked politely. “I’d be better if my sister would stop given me those stupid pink flamingos. I axe you, what’m I s’pposed t’ do with them damn flamingos? I ain’t got no yard! Ain’t nobody got time for that ignorance!” Liam laughed and her eyes looked beside him where he felt a warm on his arm. He looked and found Flynn standing next to him which made him smile more. “An’ who’s that pretty darlin’?” “This is Flynn,” Liam introduced, keeping his eyes on the lovely woman next to him with a warm smile. “Flynn, you be careful, honey. That boy’s eyes are so pretty, he’s like to put a spell on you.” Liam shook his head, laughing, before he looked up at Mrs. Jackson again. The woman was a trip. “Well I’m goin’ inside. Ya’ll behave yourselves, now!” “Good night, Mrs. Jackson,” Liam called.

When they were alone again, he smiled at Flynn. “Mrs. Jackson is eccentric, but she’s good company. She’s lived above me for about three years now,” he explained, knowing Flynn might have been confused about their comfortable rapport. His eyes glanced back out to the city, looking at the sprawling landscape. “So what do you think of the view?” he asked, looking back to Flynn for her reaction.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

When Liam handed over the oranges she rubbed one of them around in her hand, kneading the skin with the palms of her hands to try and loosen it up from the sweet fruit. When she was confident the skin was ready she dug her thumb nail under the skin and peeled it back. She tried to peel it all off in one piece but failed on both of them. She handed them over to Liam when she was done and then leaned over the counter so she could pick out one of the grapes and popping it into her mouth, chewing it up. "There. A Fliam fruit salad," she almost choked on the grape but she swallowed it down first and then started to laugh. "Fliam?" She asked but it had a cute little ring to it! Flynn and Liam's names put together. She'd never thought of doing that before and was pleased with the cute little nickname that he gave them. She would be sure to use it again!

When he scooped up the bowl he also took her hand as well and lead her towards the balcony. Flynn enjoyed being out in the open fresh air more than being cooped up inside. "I'll let you peruse the books later if you'd like," Now that was a splendid idea! She could select any book she wanted off the shelves and read! Books excited her, getting lost in a story whether it were fantasy, romance, suspense or even just a book with fun facts! She would lose herself in it until she finished the entire tale, whether it was absolutely brilliant or it was awful, she stuck with it until she was done.

She was going to answer him but then she saw something dropping out of the sky in a flash of pink and she jumped, gasping at the sight of it. But she followed Liam to the railing and leaned over to watch as a pink flamingo went plummeting to the ground, poor thing! Luckily it was just a statue and not a real bird. Flynn would have been distraught if it were a real bird! Ain't nobody got time for that!" ..what? Flynn had a puzzled look on her face and looked to Liam to see if he had the answer but he was looking up and smiling. Was she missing something? "Hello Mrs. Jackson," that's when she looked up and saw the woman on the balcony above Liam's! She tugged on the shirt she was wearing and turned her back to Liam like she was trying to crush her wings between the pair of them so that the woman wouldn't see them. They did make her back look lumpy and awkward after all and she didn't want to make Liam's neighbors suspicious! The last thing she wanted to do was make them ask him about the strange girl he was with.

Liam and Mrs. Jackson passed back and forth pleasantries and pleasant she was! Although she talked a little odd.. "I'd be better if my sister would stop given me those stupid pink flamingos. I axe you, what'm I s'pposed t' do with them damn flamingos? I ain't got no yard! Ain't nobody got time for that ignorance!" Flynn wasn't sure what she was talking about, what did an axe have to do with her and him? Was that some kind of lingo? Then she realized she'd heard it before by a couple of kids who came into the store she worked at. She figured it must have been some kind of language lingo among the brown people of Scriptor Bay. Yeah that must have been it.

When Mrs. Jackson asked who she was Liam introduced her and she looked between the two and then waved lightly to the woman above. "Hello!" She chirped pleasantly, "Flynn, you be careful, honey. That boy's eyes are so pretty, he's like to put a spell on you." Flynn knew that she was already under Liam's spell, whatever that was and she nodded. "I'll keep that in mind, Mrs. Jackson!" She told her politely and then waved goodbye when the woman declared she was going back inside. When she was sure the woman was gone she pulled away from Liam to give her wings some room to move around under the shirt. It was definitely baggy enough so she could give them a little room to stretch if need be but mostly they were just lax and against her back.

“Mrs. Jackson is eccentric, but she’s good company. She’s lived above me for about three years now," She had been a little confused when Liam started talking to the woman, but Flynn talked to her neighbors too! Especially the ones who lived there the longest, like Mrs. Fields, who always liked to pay in change when she went shopping. She was a nice old lady but you had to have patience to tolerate her. "It's nice to know your neighbors," she commented and reached into the Fliam fruit bowl for a slice of orange and only bit into half of it, chewing it up slowly and then only after swallowing it she ate the second half.

"So what do you think of the view?" The view! Flynn grabbed hold of the railing and then leaned into it until her feet came off the ground, arching her back and balancing there while still keeping hold of it while her legs stretched out behind her. She was like a little kid who just had to hang on the railing and pretend they were balancing like an acrobat. Flynn had done it for so long that she didn't really think anything of it, then she planted her feet back down on the cold ground and looked out to see the bay. "It's beautiful!" She was sure it was even more breathtaking during the day, not that Liam could see that and it disheartened her to think of that again. But you could see the pier from there all lit up, and she would even bet that on a humid day you could taste the salt of the ocean. "Do you sit out here often? I know I would! I sit on my balcony and read a lot. And because I'm on the top floor and there's walls between the balconies I can sit there and.. air out." She shrugged her left shoulder and her left wing twitched under the shirt.

"I have a friend who lives here! He lives a little higher up and on the other side, so he doesn't have the same view you do." It was like she was seeing a whole other perspective from the building she'd been going to for years to visit with Griffin! She sat down in one of the chairs and pulled her legs up to make herself comfortable. She reached into the bowl once more and picked up a grape, holding it up to show Liam like she was going to toss it his way. "Open wide!" She told him playfully and tossed the grape right at him whether he was ready or not. If it bounced off his face or he caught it in his mouth it would be entertaining either way and she laughed.

"Someday we're going to go and explore," she decided in that moment and confirmed her words with one abrupt nod of her head, already making plans for the future! It didn't matter if it was as a couple or as good friends, she was going to take Liam and show him the world. "I'll kidnap you if I must, and take you to all the most breathtaking places all over the world! Especially the ones that are the most beautiful at night!" The thought excited her. "The Arc de triomphe in France.. oh! The Eiffel tower! We can sit at the very top and watch the world." Of course they couldn't see the whole world from up there but they would be up high and they'd be able to see the city. "You would really enjoy it I just know it."