A quiet evening (Maxine) MATURE

[AUGUST WITT]

August wasn't pleased with Maxine going out to this meeting. He knew what the meeting was about considering it involved her leader and his own, which was part of the reason he didn't want her there. August didn't trust Snow to behave around Maxine, not since the masquerade where it had been brought to Snow's attention that Maxine was, perhaps, more than an acquaintance. August wasn't entirely sure what they were, but titles weren't something he cared for in their relationship. It made things complicated and August had enough complications with his professional career and certainly didn't need any of that business at home.

One thing was certain, though. August needed to do something to take his mind off Maxine spending the evening under Snow's scrutinizing eye. He didn't like thinking the man might say something more to her. He'd been fortunate to avoid another confrontation with the man, but that wasn't to say he wouldn't ask Maxine if she was still seeing him or not. If he asked and she answered honestly, August wasn't sure what would happen. So he put on some music and he decided to read. He hadn't had a relaxing evening all to himself in some time, it seemed. Most nights he spent with Maxine it seemed. He enjoyed her company, and he thought about her while she was away.

August had been thinking about Maxine more and more while he was away from her it seemed. He tried focusing on the newspaper in his hands as he waited for her, reclined on the couch, but his thoughts occasionally drifted to her. Imagining her body writhing against his was far more interesting than what the meteorologists had to say about the darkness and trying to explain it in an intelligent, scientific way. It seemed they were stumped, though. And rightfully so. There wasn't a real answer for it.

He got up from his spot on the couch, folding the paper on the coffee table and made himself a drink before coming back to his spot. He sank down on the couch, drink in hand and leaned back. He took a sip from his glass and leaned his head back as he slouched lower. The man shut his eyes and sighed deeply listening to the soothing sound of ol' blue eyes singing to him. "Night and day, under the hide of me. There's an oh, such a hungry yearnin' burnin' inside of me. And its torment won't be through. Till you let me spend my life makin' love to you
Day and night, night and day.." Sang the Chairman of the Board and August soon found himself drifting off, glass still in hand, paper settled on the table in front of him, head leaned back against the couch and curled lightly to the side.

He never heard Maxine come home.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

The meeting hadn’t lasted as long as Maxi thought it would. Well, the meeting with Snow and his secretary, anyway. Gertie and she had a separate meeting afterward, discussing how Snow knew who she was, her personal life with August, and in large part the rebellion. They considered how they could spread the word among the humans and the witches. Maxi would go see Abby and Abby would certainly pass the word along in her community. She would also talk to Becky and see if she knew any other humans who knew the secret. She would talk to Abby about that too; wasn’t she seeing someone right now? Maybe he would know some people too. Word was going to spread and when they really gathered their forces, she was sure it would attract other humans who weren’t fully aware of the secret. The whole meeting was so exciting and her mind was buzzing with ideas, pitching them to her mentor and getting his feedback on it. She was on the front lines! She was organizing a rebellion! How cool was that?! It gave her tons of energy and she was in a good mood, excited to talk to August about it. She doubted he would want to help, but he should know what she would be up to in the weeks to come. How could he deny her desire to be part of a peaceful protest? She wouldn’t stick around if it got violent!

As she walked up to the door, she fished her keys out of her purse, finding the right one on her key ring. It still made her smile every time she looked at the key to August’s condo; he had invited her into his home any time she wanted to be there with that little metal instrument. She swept into the condo, a bright smile on her face, ready to tell him all about the meeting, when the sound of quiet music caught her ear. Maxi would know that voice anywhere. Ol’ Blue Eyes was crooning softly and she smiled warmly to herself. She locked the door behind her as she always did and walked into the living room, hoping August would be waiting for her there. “August, I—” Her voice broke off, seeing him lying on the couch, his head curled in slightly. The closer she crept, the clearer it became that he had nodded off while listening to Frank Sinatra…with a drink his hand. She was tempted to take a picture of it, biting her lower lip so she wouldn’t start giggling. “I would sacrifice anything come what might for the sake of having you near…” Maxi was silent as she got closer to August and bent down to take the drink out of his hand. “In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats in my ear…” She gently took the glass and set it on the coffee table lightly, feeling the need to sing along with the music. “Don’t you know you fool, you never can win? Why not use your mentality? Wake up, step up to reality?” Her voice was soft and sweet, not wanting to scare him awake. “But each time I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin, because I’ve got you…” She smiled at August, seeing he was looking at her now, and she sat on the couch beside him, leaning in towards his face. “Under my skin.” Maxi didn’t think she’d ever sung to August before, but it made her smile brightly. She leaned in more and pressed her lips to his sweetly, one hand coming to his cheek as she kissed him.

When she pulled away she was still smiling wide as she looked into his stormy eyes. “Hi baby.” Her voice was soft and breathy as she greeted him, her fingers sweeping through his hair as they were so wont to do. “Did you drink yourself into a stupor because you missed me so much?” she teased, giggling a little afterward. She leaned in and kissed him again briefly, smiling against his lips. There was nothing better than coming home to August. She wished she could come home to him every night forever.

[AUGUST WITT]

The gentle sound of the music was enough to keep him sleeping and to camouflage the noises Maxine made as she entered his condo. It wasn't until she began to sing that he began to stir, groaning gently at the sweet sound of a woman's voice. Maxine.. His mind embraced the idea of her being there and it soothed him, but also nudged him back to reality. His cool gray eyes blinked open slowly lazily, his body relaxed and content there on the soft couch. “But each time I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin, because I've got you…Under my skin.” She was bending down to sit with him and his eyes moved with her, his own lips quirking up languidly.

August sighed into her sweet kiss, surprised he had fallen asleep at all, but now that he had he was feeling more groggy than anything. It wasn't even late. In fact, it was still very early. For him, anyway. “Hi baby.” Maxine's voice was one of the things August loved about her most. It was kind and gentle and though he once had admonished this quality about her, he had learned to adore it. In fact there were many things about Maxine that he had once despised but found endearing and comforting now. Like the way she screamed his name in bed, or the way her fingers trailed through his hair, as they were doing now.

“Did you drink yourself into a stupor because you missed me so much?” she teased with a giggle and he had to chuckle as she kissed him again, pressing his lips leisurely back. "You caught me." He teased back, sliding an arm around her and pulling her body close to his as he kissed her and sighed once more. It was nice to feel her against him again. August nuzzled his nose into her neck, sniffing it softly and then kissing the sensitive, soft skin. How she had changed him.. August would have never considered acting this way with a woman six months ago, but there was something about Maxine that made him almost weak. He was firm when he wanted to be, but right now he was tired and lazy and wanted to.. was it snuggle? August wasn't really the snuggle type, but he did want her warm, small body curled against his.

"Tell me about your night." He requested, trialing kisses over her collarbone and then moving his mouth over to her clothed shoulder, nipping playfully as his arms stayed curled around her.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“You caught me.” Maxi giggled as August’s arm came around her and pulled her close, closing her eyes as his lips pressed against hers. He sighed and she cupped his face in her hands. She found he was much sweeter when he’d just woken up and it warmed her heart to know she was the only one who knew this side of him. Her friends could say what they wanted about him, but he treated her well when it was just the two of them. Maxi leaned against him more the longer he kissed her, relishing the way it felt to be snuggled against him. When he pulled away and nuzzled into her neck, her eyes stayed closed and a gentle smile turned up her pink lips. Her hands moved from his face, back into his hair, holding his head as his face buried in her neck. His kisses made her sigh and one arm came around his shoulders, squeezing lightly. She loved him so much. Frank in the background seemed to be singing about them curled up on the couch. She moved to cuddle into him more, hardly caring that the dress[/u] she was wearing would probably wrinkle. It wasn’t like she was going to have it on much longer anyway.

“Tell me about your night.” His lips were moving lower and she felt her heart throbbing harder. When he nipped her shoulder playfully she giggled, watching him do so with a little familiar fire burning in her stomach. She bit her lip gently as she looked at him and then made herself look away to answer his question. “It was pretty exciting, actually! Snow wants to start a rebellion and Gertie is going with it. Gertie’s pretty much in charge of the peaceful protests outside of the camps and probably outside of City Hall too, and Snow’s going to provide the protection and work on infiltrating the camp. If the Blurrs could still cloak themselves, some of us might actually help with that plan. Not me, but I know people who would.” It would be so cool to be part of a reconnaissance mission, but she knew August would never allow her to do that. She bit her lip again, knowing she had to tell him she had volunteered to help with this rebellion. “And I’ll be helping too. Nothing dangerous or anything, but I know a witch, an apothecary for the witch community, and I know she could recruit some people for the cause. I don’t want you to worry, though. At the first sign of trouble, I’m out, I promise. I just want to help the Therians and the Avisailles. I have friends in there and nobody deserves what’s been done to them.” She felt sad thinking about it. Claire and Jack would be in there…and then those two Avisailles she met the night of the masquerade...they didn’t deserve it. A thought occurred to her and the sad look melted from her face a little. “Oh! And don’t worry about them finding out about us. Nobody is revealing anything until after the Therians and the Avisailles are free. That way we don’t end up in there with the Therians and Avisailles.” She hated the thought of being separated from August and imprisoned. It made her sick with worry to think about it.

With a sigh, she curled into him more, resting her head against his shoulder, facing his neck. “I’m kind of scared, though…about humans knowing about us. I don’t want them to react the same way to us as they did to the Therians and the Avisailles. There could be all new hate crimes because of this. I mean, there was that group who already killed one Therian. Even if they know we exist, I think we’ll still have to hide what we are just so we won’t get hurt. It’s unfair.” “Well, life isn’t fair, Maxi Monster…” she could almost hear her father say. He’d always called her Maxi Monster when he wanted her to cheer up or to add a lighter air to whatever he was saying. She lifted her face and smiled sweetly at August, not wanting to be a Debbie Downer. “Even with all of that, it was still pretty neat to be there.” Her eyes looked to the glass on the table and she smiled more at the music playing. “An evening alone with Old Blue Eyes doesn’t sound too bad, though. Did you do anything else while I was gone?” she inquired, cocking her head to the side cutely. Being curled against him on the couch with Sinatra in the background and talking softly with him felt perfect. She was completely at ease in that moment.

[AUGUST WITT]

“It was pretty exciting, actually! Snow wants to start a rebellion and Gertie is going with it." August turned his head to look up at her, a light scowl spreading over his lips. He didn't like the sound of this at all. Naturally Snow wanted to rebel and August couldn't exactly blame the man. He didn't like the humans having Guardians locked up any more than the rest of the Guardians, but something about Maxine being involved irked him. He knew it hadn't been Robert's secret plan to involve the girl, but he somehow felt that Snow would somehow manage to harm her. His instinct was to tell her she couldn't be a part in any of this, any more than she already had been, but he bit his tongue for now as she continued to talk excitedly about the meeting.

“..but I know a witch, an apothecary for the witch community, and I know she could recruit some people for the cause. I don’t want you to worry, though. At the first sign of trouble, I’m out, I promise. I just want to help the Therians and the Avisailles. I have friends in there and nobody deserves what’s been done to them.” No, if there was any sign of danger it would already be too late and the look on his face clearly gave away at his dismay. He didn't like her being involved. He himself could do the work, and he expected her to back away from all of this once she spoke to the witch. But how could he even approach this topic without major backlash? She would insist and get angry with him, all of which really didn't matter too much. He could clam her easily, but he was tired and that wasn't what he wanted to deal with right now.

“I’m kind of scared, though…about humans knowing about us. I don’t want them to react the same way to us as they did to the Therians and the Avisailles. There could be all new hate crimes because of this. I mean, there was that group who already killed one Therian. Even if they know we exist, I think we’ll still have to hide what we are just so we won’t get hurt. It’s unfair.” Hadn't she just said they weren't planning on coming out? His lips pursed. “Even with all of that, it was still pretty neat to be there.” He was sure it was. Neat or not, he didn't like the sound of any of this. Not because it was a bad idea, because frankly he liked the sound of most of it, but not concerning Maxine. Her involvement upset him more than anything else. “An evening alone with Old Blue Eyes doesn’t sound too bad, though. Did you do anything else while I was gone?” She was changing the subject and acting cute and he was certain it was because she picked up on his reluctance.

"Yes." He said in a soft, rough voice. "I worried about you. With him." There was no need to explain who the him was. August didn't care about Gertie Periwinkle. The man was a putz, what he care about was Maxine with Robert. "I don't want you involved, Maxine. Talk to the witch, but leave the rest to everyone else. You don't know how quickly things might spiral out of control and I wouldn't put it past Snow to use you somehow. You're useless to him, a Blurr, and not just any Blurr. He suspects you mean something more to me, and you know he frowns upon interspecies relationships. You're very conveniently expendable to him." He could see she didn't completely like his words and he reached his hand up, grasping her chin in his hand. "Don't. Defy me." He growled with pained eyes. "Please.." He added, trying to sound softer. "You know that you mean a great deal to me."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Yes. I worried about you. With him.” Maxi knew who he was talking about and she frowned a little again, her brow knitting up slightly at August’s words. She knew he wasn’t talking about Gertie. There was no need for him to worry about her with Gertie. “I don’t want you involved, Maxine. Talk to the witch, but leave the rest to everyone else. You don’t know how quickly things might spiral out of control and I wouldn’t put it past Snow to use you somehow. You’re useless to him, a Blurr, and not just any Blurr. He suspects you mean something more to me, and you know he frowns on interspecies relationships. You’re conveniently expendable to him.” Maxi sighed, her face making it clear she was about to plead. “But August—” she began before his hand came to her chin. “Don’t. Defy me.” His voice was dangerous but she could see the pain in his eyes. “Please.” She let out the soft breath she had been holding, unable to argue when he pleaded. “You know that you mean a great deal to me.” He never said he loved her, but she was certain that he did. Still frowning slightly, she considered him for a long moment before she nodded gently. “I know. I’ll stay out of it.” Her agreement with his demands was reluctant, but she didn’t like the idea of worrying August even more. To seal the agreement, she leaned in and kissed him. So much for being part of a revolution. But maybe she would still help behind the scenes…like printing flyers and stuff. She could do that without getting into trouble!

Her lips pressed softly against his for a long moment before she pulled back, her hand caressing his face gently as her big eyes opened. A smile spread gently across her face, staying close and curled on the couch next to him. “You mean a great deal to me too.” She flushed a light shade of pink as she smiled wider and leaned in again to kiss him again. Maxi only refrained from telling August she loved him because he refrained from saying those words to her. It wasn’t spiteful, but she knew he was uncomfortable with expressing emotion like that. She was certain he knew what she meant and that was enough for this moment. Her lips parted against his softly, inviting him to deepen the kiss if he wanted. Of course he did and it made her smile against his lips, her arms holding tightly around his broad shoulders. She never wanted to leave his side, not when he made her heart stop whenever he kissed her. Maybe that was because he always showed just how much he cared about her in every kiss. When she pulled away from his lips gently, her nose nuzzled against his affectionately.

“Fly me to the moon, let me swing among those stars…” Frank was still crooning and it made her smile to realize she felt like August flew her to the moon every day. How many women could say that, really? She kissed him again softly, trying not to let their kisses get too heated. She wanted to enjoy some down time with August for a little longer. It was inevitable they would end up naked and panting by the end of the evening, but they could take their time getting there tonight.

[AUGUST WITT]

August was searching her eyes, disliking how long it took for her to mull it all over. She shouldn't have to think about this. It really was very simple. Finally she nodded and he eased a little. “I know. I’ll stay out of it.” She promised and his frown lessened, sighing as she leaned in and kissed him as if to seal her promise. August ran his thumb up and down over the soft material of her black and white dress. He preferred this one to the other ones she had, liking that it wasn't decorated with gaudy little butterflies.

“You mean a great deal to me too.” She told him, flushing as she pulled away and found his eyes. He knew he did and he didn't need to hear it like she did, but he gave a hint of a nod in reply, acknowledging he knew. He wasn't about to get sentimental with her. Snuggle? Okay. He could do that. Sentimental lovey dovey talk? She would need to work a little harder for that. She was content enough with his silent reply and she leaned in to kiss him once more, this time deeper and more passionate. He hummed a soft moan into her mouth pressing her into his body once more. His tongue darted out and flicked against hers as he kissed her, feeling her lips quirk up in a smile. What was she so happy about? It didn't matter, what did was that she was happy at all and he allowed a hair of a smile to slide over his lips when she pulled away, nuzzling her nose to his.

Frank was still singing, now one of his favorite tunes. “Fly me to the moon, let me swing among those stars… Let me see what Spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.” She was kissing him again and he could feel himself getting riled up now. "In other words, hold my hand.." August allowed Frank to dictate their movements and he pulled his hands back, grasping her hands and moving to the edge of the couch.. "In other words, baby, kiss me..." His lips pressed harder against hers, dragging her to her feet, allowing his lips to stay locked with hers as they stood there in the living room. August brought her left hand up to his shoulder draping his own around the center of her back and pulling her close, his right hand extended out as if to ballroom dance with her. His lips moved away but he stayed close, their foreheads pressed together making him smile now.

"Fill my heart with song, let me sing forever more.. You are all I long for, all I worship, and adore... In other words.. please be true. In other words... I love you." His eyes stayed on hers, gazing at her and showing her he cared in the only way he knew how. August wasn't one to tell a girl, or anyone, how he felt. He wasn't sure Maxine would ever break him of this, but he would gladly protect her, crawl back to her, dance with her... there was very little she couldn't talk him into doing if she worked at it long enough. Being with August required patience, and lord knew Maxine had plenty of that.

His smile came back full force as the upbeat instrumental part came back on and he pushed Maxine away, twirling her before pulling her back into him, their bodies pressed together. He spun with her around the spacious living room and then dipped her, pulling her back up slowly to his awaiting lips, chuckling into hers and showing he was enjoying their lighthearted play. Serious dancing could be reserved for when they went out.

Frank was singing once more and August pulled Maxine upright, his hands now at her hips as he moved with her, and slowly working down to the short hem of her dress. He kissed her once more, forgetting about Frank and focusing on letting his fingers find the too soft flesh of her thighs. He moaned his approval as he brought her dress up a little, his hands sliding beneath and cupping her ass. Again a chuck rumbled against his lips as he smiled, his thumbs hooking into the waistband of her panties as the song ended. "Dance another with me?" He pleaded seductively as the music began to start once more.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“In other words, hold my hand…” August’s hands moved to Maxi’s, taking them gently and she smiled at how he was matching himself to the song. He moved to the edge of the couch and she made room to let him do so. “In other words, baby, kiss me…” His lips pressed against hers more and she whimpered with it. He was starting to get her worked up…When he pulled her to her feet, she expected they would be making their way back to the bedroom. What he did surprised her. He took her hand in his and placed the other on his shoulder before his other hand went to her back, all the while kissing her. She smiled against his lips more as they began to dance, and she was still smiling brightly when he pulled away and pressed his forehead to hers. Her cheeks were a little flushed and she was mesmerized. August could be so perfect at times. Her eyes looked into his as they moved gently in time with the music.

“Fill my heart with song, let me sing forever more…You are all I long for, all I worship, and adore…In other words…please be true. In other words…I love you.” His eyes were fixed on hers through these lyrics, and she read the meaning in that gaze. It made her cheeks flush more, her heart fluttering, and her own gaze reflected the words Frank spoke for them. I love you…It would do. Her fingers slipped through his hair gently, thinking about how perfect this song was. This could be their song. If ever they had a song, Maxi would make sure this was it. When his smile came back, she felt her own growing, feeling breathless as he twirled her. Spinning back into him, her smile was glowing, the short skirt of her dress flaring out slightly as she did so. Their bodies were pressed close together as he led the way around the room, making her giggle at how lighthearted their dancing was. He dipped her back and she leaned her head back towards the floor, laughing. When she came back up, his lips were waiting and she giggled into his as he chuckled. She loved when they had fun like this. It was so simple and exhilarating and it made her fall even more in love with him.

August pulled her upright again and both of his hands came to her hips, making her grin as her arms both linked around his shoulders. Those hands snuck lower, moving toward the hem of her dress and she could feel her blood begin to quicken. Their lips met again, Maxi’s eyes slipping closed and she moaned softly as his fingers found her thighs. His own moan gave her the chills and she longed to know how he would take her tonight. Could they make it to the bedroom? Could they make it anywhere near the bed? It all depended on how heated their dancing got. From what she could tell, it was going to get really hot, really fast, especially since his hands were coming up to grab her ass. This made her giggle once more as he chuckled against her lips. Her breath caught to feel his thumbs hook into the waistband of her panties, excited at the prospect of having them off. The song ended and he pulled his lips back from hers. “Dance another with me?” The next song began and she smiled more. This was perfect too. She nodded, resting her forehead against his gently, saying softly, “Sure.” Her lips lifted back up to his as her hands slipped into his hair once more, kissing him deeply. As they kissed and moved slowly to the best of the music, her hands moved from his hair down toward his chest. Every button her fingers passed on his shirt she undid, wanting to feel the skin underneath. “I will feel the glow just thinking of…you, and the way you look tonight…” She would remember the glow she felt in August’s arms for years and years to come.

[AUGUST WITT]

His smile widened as she agreed. He tugged her panties down just enough that half her ass showed and then he slipped his hands completely inside, cupping them as they swayed. It was bordering between silly and sultry but he didn't care since he got to hold Maxine's perfect ass as they swayed to the music. His lips moved against hers and he groaned a little as her fingers began to unbutton his shirt. There was no denying what would happen there, probably soon to the crooning of Frank Sinatra. The thought of fucking her there on the couch got him hard and his pants began to feel a little tight.

"With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fear apart... And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, it touches my foolish heart." There were no words truer it seemed and his kiss grew more intense, the swaying almost ceasing as his used the hands cupped on her rear to pull her in more, pressing his erection against her. They'd certainly come a long way since that night at the liquor store.

August brought his hands away from her soft flesh long enough to push her panties down over her waist, feeling them loosen to the point where they began to slip down her legs to the floor. His tongue pressed into her mouth as he brought his hands up around her back, crossing them and hugging her closer. "Lovely.. never, ever change. Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it? Cause I love you... just, the way you look, tonight." He was getting more worked up and he started nudging her back towards the couch, making his intentions very clear. "Keep your heels on." He ordered softly before kissing her again, but before he could get her on the couch a knock sounded through the condo.

Annoyed eyes looked up at the door where another knock sounded. August sighed and and stepped away with one last kiss. "I'll be but a moment." He told her, taking another step back and offering a devious smile as he bent down and snatched her panties from the floor, pushing them into his pocket as he moved past her, holding them hostage. He began to rebutton his shirt and swept a hand through his likely messy hair. Maxine had a way of destroying his hair. August peaked through the peep hole as another knock resounded through it. The person on the other side made him pale.

August took a nervous step back and ran a hand down his face, turning wide eyes to Maxine. "Compose yourself. Now." He growled, doing the same before turning back to the door, running another hand through his hair and unlocking the door and pulling it open a bit. "Mother." He greeted, a small smile on his face. "This is an unexpected surprise.."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

August’s soft groaning made Maxi want him more and her fingers continued to unbutton his shirt. She didn’t care where they did it, just as long as he made love to her soon. “With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fears apart…And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, it touches my foolish heart.” The words of the song echoed in her ears as his kiss grew more intense. Their silly dancing was coming to an end as he used the hands on her backside to pull her in tighter against him. She could feel how excited he was and it made her whimper, her hands dipping below his shirt and smoothing up his fine body. It made her sigh into their kiss as she felt her butterflies all the way down between her legs. He pushed her panties down and she parted her legs just enough that they could slip down her thighs to the floor, stepping out of them lightly in her red, patent leather pumps. She kicked them out from under her foot as his tongue moved into her mouth. It made her moan, her hands now curling back into his hair.

Another sigh and a whimper escaped her as his arms crossed over her back and pulled her in a tight embrace. Her own arms linked around his shoulders, feeling so tiny compared to him. She liked feeling so tiny. “Lovely, never, ever change. Keep that breathless charm. Won’t you please arrange it? ‘Cause I love you…just the way you look tonight.” She would do whatever it took to make August want her like this every night forever. He was moving them back towards the couch, and she moved back willingly with a soft moan of approval. She wanted him now more than anything else. “Keep your heels on.” Her mouth curled up into a smile even as he kissed her again. They were some sexy heels…

A knock on the door snapped them both out of it. She pulled away from his lips with a confused look—who was here this late at night? It was early for Gargoyles, but still…He kissed her one more time before he let her go with a sigh. “I’ll be but a moment.” She nodded and gave a curious smile at his devious grin. When he bent down to pick up her panties and slide them into his pocket she couldn’t help but smile back, albeit reluctantly. What if it was someone who really needed to see him? Then she would be stuck without panties! Still smiling, she watched him rebutton his shirt and run his hands through his now messy hair. It made her bite her lip with a coy smile, her own hand running through her hair. She loved seeing the evidence of their friskiness on him. Her eyes wandered away out the window as he reached the door. It was his growl that caught her attention again.

“Compose yourself. Now.” The deep sapphire eyes went wide, confused by the look on his face and his tone. What was he so panicked about? She began brushing her hands over her skirt. He did the same before he unlocked the door, and she stared at him with a curious look. Who was it? “Mother…This is an unexpected surprise…” She went paler than usual. SHIT. His mother was here?! The first time she was meeting his mother and she didn’t have panties on! Her hands moved more frantically to rearrange herself, pulling the skirt of her dress straight and smoothing it over her stomach. At least she was wearing a cute outfit. Again her hands ran through her red hair before his mother came into the apartment, wanting to look presentable.

When Maxi looked up, August’s mother was just making her way into the apartment. She was…wow, she was gorgeous. It made her heart thud painfully in her chest to lay eyes on the woman who gave birth to the man she loved. She was blonde with blue eyes and a petite build…August looked like her. It warmed her heart to notice it, and the small smile on her face became warmer despite her anxiety. She clasped her hands in front of her demurely, glancing to August with slightly wary eyes. His mom was going to notice her any second and she wasn’t quite sure how she would react.

[AUGUST WITT]

Gweneth smiled at her son and came in. "Hello sweetheart, I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but you've been terribly difficult to get a hold of lately and I..." The woman stopped, noticing the redheaded woman in her sons living room. She turned to August and raised a brow. "I had no idea you had company."

August gulped and tried to think of what to tell his mother now that she'd seen Maxine. His pale eyes landed on the girl, seeing she had managed, for the most part, to pull herself together. With his bothers back to him he had re tucked his shirt since it was hanging a little looser than it should. "Sorry, I've just been a bit busy lately with the darkness and now this vaccine fiasco.." He excused not wanting to tell her the reason he had been so MIA was because he'd been spending a great deal of time with Maxine and while with her it was difficult to answer to phone when his mother called.

August's mother looked at him and then Maxine and then back to August, raising a brow expectantly as if waiting for something. August nodded. "Mother, this is Maxine McManus, personal secretary to Gertie Periwinkle." He explained and the woman's cold blue gray eyes landed on the girl once more, a polite smile on her face. August knew his mothers views on Blurrs and other species. They mirrored the rest of the Gargoyle's mindset. His own, even, before Maxine.

Gweneth moved closer to the girl extending her hand. "Maxine this is my mother, Gweneth Witt." The woman took Maxine's hand and gave it a soft, pleasant shake. "Gwen, please. It's a pleasure to meet you Maxine." She greeted giving no clue that she felt superior to the young woman in every way. She waited for Maxine's greeting and then took a seat on the couch completely unaware of what was about to happen on those cushions before she so conveniently intruded. August licked his lips and then came around the couches but didn't sit, yet. "So what was I interrupting?" Gwen asked looking between the two, not thinking that her son would dare date a Blurr. Not with his political career. He would know better.

August hesitated for a beat, but his face stayed calm and collected, not giving away the fact that his heart was racing. "Like I said Maxine works with Gertie Periwinkle who is working with Robert Snow on a plan to free the Guardians being detained. Snow requested I work alongside Maxine since she's doing some of the behind the scene's planning." August lied, deciding it sounded convincing enough and it wasn't as though his mother spoke to Snow anyway. She would never know any different. "So we were simply discussing some options. Would you like some tea?" He looked to Maxine briefly, his eyes explaining she needed to go along with this plan. Hopefully she wouldn't be upset and for once he understood why she didn't like for him to tell people they'd met at a liquor store and spent the entire night getting to know each other very personally.

"That would be lovely." Gwen smiled at her son and then turned to the young redhead, tapping the seat beside her before crossing her legs and folding her hands on her knee. "Come, tell me about what you have planned, Maxine. Unless it's confidential?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Their eyes met. She had August’s eyes; or rather, August had her eyes. “I had no idea you had company.” Both women were now looking at August, Maxi wondering how he was going to react to this and how she should react. Should she be afraid of his mother? How was he going to introduce her? Certainly not as his girlfriend…while Maxi could hope for that, she knew better than to think he actually would. If he was worried about his leader knowing about them, he’d be ever more worried about his family knowing about them. It was a sad fact, but true. August was fiddling with his shirt, making Maxi want to giggle but also bringing her attention back to the fact that she wasn’t wearing panties. She was going to have to be mindful tonight. “Sorry, I’ve just been a bit busy lately with the darkness and now this fiasco…” Maxi knew the real reason he hadn’t answered her calls was probably because they were together much of the time. She would have to tell him later that he could answer the phone when she was around; Maxi wouldn’t bother him if he was on the phone.

His mother looked at him expectantly through the brief silence that fell over them and Maxi was about to come forward and introduce herself when August did so for her. “Mother, this is Maxine McManus, personal secretary to Gertie Periwinkle.” That introduction did throw her off guard, but only because she wasn’t used to sounding so important; she also hadn’t expected August to introduce her in a political light. His mothers eyes shifted back to her and Maxi gave a kind smile before her eyes went back to August. “Maxine this is my mother, Gweneth Witt.” The woman was walking to her with an extended hand and Maxi gave a bright, inviting smile as she did the same. “Gwen, please. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maxine.” “The pleasure’s all mine,” Maxi replied gently, her soft hand returning the kind handshake. As intimidated as she felt, she didn’t show it other than maybe in the slightly stiff way she was holding herself. She didn’t feel completely comfortable around August’s mother yet, but she didn’t want to show how nervous she was; she would see right through that.

Gwen moved to the couch and Maxi had to admire how well the woman carried herself. She was smooth, graceful…knowledgeable was the word that came to Maxi’s mind, like she knew all there was to etiquette and how to apply it. The Blurr wondered briefly if she’d ever be able to carry herself like that. She walked toward the couch a little, but she didn’t sit yet, unsure what to do. Should she sit next to August’s mother? Though he was trying to hide it, when Gwen wasn’t looking, August would look nervous. “So what was I interrupting?” She would looking between them and Maxi’s heart throbbed suddenly, looking to August. What had she interrupted, according to him? She hoped her face was as calm as August’s. “Like I said Maxine works for Gertie Periwinkle who is working with Robert Snow on a plan to free the Guardians being detained. Snow requested I work alongside Maxine since she’s doing some of the behind the scenes’ planning.” Smooth. Maxi could work with that, though she was a little disappointed that they couldn’t tell the truth about their relationship. Someday maybe, but not today. One thing she did know was not to let it upset her; it just wouldn’t make sense to get worked up about it. She knew August better than probably anyone and it was hard for him to admit his feelings to her let alone anyone else. Getting upset about it would only create more problems at this point, and she was getting used to this private side of August. “So we were simply discussing some options. Would you like some tea?” Maxi caught August’s gaze and gave a small smile to assure him she wasn’t going to be his downfall; not tonight anyway.

“That would be lovely.” The Blurr looked to her lover’s mother seated on the couch as she smiled at Maxi and patted the seat beside her before arranging herself. “Come, tell me about what you have planned, Maxine. Unless it’s confidential?” Maxi smiled wider and shook her head slightly, moving to sit beside his mother. She was sitting next to August’s mother and having a conversation! How many times had she considered this scenario? Not that she ever expected it to happen…She smoothed the skirt of her dress as she took a seat a comfortable distance from Gwen, crossing her ankles and tucking them at an angle against the couch, her hands rested in her lap. “It’s not really confidential, but it is in the beginning stages. August and I still have a lot to figure out in terms of details, but we’re both working on the peaceful protests that will be taking place outside the camps, outside city hall, around the tree, and basically anywhere that will catch the media’s and the city government’s attention. Snow and Gertie have decided Blurrs will be pretty much in charge of the peaceful side of things, while the Gargoyles will be heading up security and possibly an underground faction planning to infiltrate the camps themselves. The most immediate task I have planned is to reach out to the witch community and enlist their help before we reach out to humans willing to take up the cause. All maintaining the Gargoyles’, Blurrs’ and witches’ secret, of course; we don’t need to give the government an excuse to lock us up too.” She gave a small, breathy laugh, letting her eyes fall from Gwen’s for a moment before meeting her gaze once more. “August and I were just discussing a security detail for the protests in case things get out of hand.” Maxi perpetuated the lie easily, amused that she was more of a politician than she originally thought, but her amusement didn’t show on her face. Instead her deep blue eyes remained calmly on Gwen’s, her demeanor becoming slightly more relaxed.

[AUGUST WITT]

August made his way to his kitchen and brought the kettle to the sink, filling it. He was more than a little uncomfortable with his mother sitting alone with Maxine in the other room, but she had no reason to suspect that she and August were anything more than colleagues at this point. What this did mean for him was that he would likely need to work with Maxine to keep up this lie in his mothers eye, which meant she would be allowed to do more than he'd like, but under his close watchful eye. Being so involved in the rebellion wasn't his original plan, but it seemed his mother made it a new priority of his.

Gwen sat and listened with genuine interest as the young woman spoke excitedly about this plan to aid the detained Guardians. She certainly was a chatty little thing! The woman sat quiet and patiently as the little redhead rambled on and on about security and witches and factions. She wondered if she was stopping to breath at all. What surprised her most, though, was that August was able to tolerate this young woman. Her son was a quiet, reserved young man and not someone who dealt well with girls like this. Surely if he was ordered to work with her then he would do so without question, but he seemed pleasant, unfazed by her peppy nature. Not to mention both looked mildly disheveled. She made no physical show of it, but Gwen suspected that perhaps there was more to this professional relationship than what met the eye. August had seemed a bit jumpy when he'd answered the door just before.

August moved to the doorway of the kitchen and folded his arms, leaning on it and watching the women talk. It was odd seeing Maxine with his mother. Would she disapprove? He knew she would. It seemed she was content talking to Maxine, though. And Maxine.. She was practically gushing and the corner of his lip quirked up ever so slightly. In a way it was endearing to see her so enthusiastic about it all. He didn't share that feeling, not even close, but he did like how involved she wanted to be even if he didn't allow for it. He was a selfish man, especially when it came to her, and the thought of allowing her in harms way was unfathomable.

“August and I were just discussing a security detail for the protests in case things get out of hand.” Gwen turned her head lightly to the side considering this information. "Well I'm sure you two will be able to come up with something. August's father might have some ideas. I'll be sure to bring it up to him when I see him later this evening." She offered truly examining the young woman, wanting to know more about her and see if her suspicions might be true. "Have you been working for Mr. Periwinkle long?" She inquired not needing to see her son to know he was hovering close.

August watched for a moment longer before moving back into the kitchen. He pulled a tray down and slid three teacups and saucers on it. He was grateful that the set he had was masculine, otherwise he would feel very emasculated during this task. He placed creamer and sugar on the tray and pulled out a few packets of tea. Darjeeling, chamomile, and English breakfast packets lined a small holder. No sooner had he placed the teabags on the tray the kettle began to whistle. He pulled it off the heat and shut it off, pouring the boiling liquid into each small porcelain cup. Once he finished he brought the tray out and set it on the coffee table, grabbing the glass of liquor from earlier in the evening and bringing it over and setting it on another table away from the tea. "Maxine." He offered, holding a cup out before handing another towards his mother. "Mom." He took his own and sat himself down on Maxine's other side, reaching for a packet of chamomile. "Did I miss much?" He asked softly, sounding almost shy.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi feared she was talking too much. Gwen was being so quiet and patient, but it made Maxi feel self-conscious about her running mouth. She was going to have to keep a tighter leash on her word vomit. When she stopped speaking finally, Gwen tilted her head like she was considering Maxi’s words. “Well I’m sure you two will be able to come up with something. August’s father might have some ideas. I’ll be sure to bring it up to him when I see him later this evening.” August’s father! Was there a chance Maxi would meet him too? He was the reason August was in politics and the few times August had mentioned him, it was obvious he admired his father. She was interested to see what kind of man the senior Mr. Witt was. Maxi was growing more curious about her lover with every second that passed with his mother. “That would be wonderful, thank you,” Maxi replied softly, nodding her head. She seemed nice enough! But then again, so had August when she first met him. August was many good things, but nice was not a word she would use to describe him; not in general anyway.

“Have you been working for Mr. Periwinkle long?” Maxi’s smile was a little bashful and she tilted her head to the side a bit. “Well, worked for, no. I’m actually very new to politics.” She was keeping a handle on her rambling. As she spoke, she could hear August moving around in the kitchen and the kettle whistling. She glanced towards the kitchen before looking back to Gwen. “Gertie is my mentor; I’ve known him pretty much my whole life. When he asked me to be his secretary, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me.” August was walking back out with a tray of teacups and she almost bit her lip to keep from giggling. She’d never seen him in such a domestic light before. It was both cute and humorous in her opinion. She kept her composure, however, and watched as he placed the tray on the table and moved his glass from earlier. “Maxine.” He offered her a cup and she smiled brightly. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Mom.” There was something very endearing about the way he called her Mom. She couldn’t explain it other than this was the first time she’d ever heard him say that word; like it was finally becoming real to her that he had a mother, one who cared enough to drop by unannounced when she hadn’t heard from him in days. A pang shot through her as she missed her own mother, but the pain didn’t register on her soft face.

August took a seat beside her and Maxi tried not to feel too awkward sitting between her lover and his mother. Just as August was pulling away with a packet of chamomile, Maxi got herself a packet of Darjeeling, the fragrant, sharp smell of it pleasing as she dropped it into her teacup. “Did I miss much?” His tone made her smile, unable to stop it before it happened, and she feared too much warmth had shown on her face before she could catch herself as she looked at him. “No, I was just telling Gwen how I came to work for Gertie.” Her voice was soft as it always was, but she made sure it was professional. She had to remember they didn’t know each other well; they were just business partners. Maxi looked back to Gwen with a pleasant smile, wanting to inquire more about her. “If you don’t mind my asking, are you a politician as well? It may be a silly question, but I confess I don’t know much about Gargoyle politics; I’m just trying to learn.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Maxi was more familiar with Gargoyle politics than she let on, but there were many things she was still in the dark about. For example, how many Gargoyle women chose to be politicians? She knew August’s cousin was a politician and the head of the council was a woman, not to mention Snow’s icy secretary, but she didn’t know what the ratio was. More than sounding silly, though, she didn’t want to come off as nosy or prying. She was just genuinely curious about August’s mother as his mother and as a Gargoyle woman.

[AUGUST WITT]

“No, I was just telling Gwen how I came to work for Gertie.” Gwen looked up at her son and gave a kind smile and then a single nod as if to confirm the girls story. August smiled briefly, a little uncomfortable with this whole arrangement. It was awkward and he wished that one of the women would excuse themselves. He couldn't kick his mother out, though. As much as he wanted to. She had completely ruined the mood but he was sure they could get right back into it.

Gwen reached for the chamomile like her son and steeped the tea bag into her cup of water. "If you don’t mind my asking, are you a politician as well? It may be a silly question, but I confess I don’t know much about Gargoyle politics; I’m just trying to learn.” The woman looked up briefly and smiled before shaking her head. "Oh, no. I try not to concern myself much with the politics. Save that for those who know what they're talking about." Her smile was kind as she looked to her son knowing he had it in him to be a fine leader someday if he worked hard. She would like to see that, but wasn't holding her breath. She'd known since he was a boy it wasn't his true desire, but she never stood up to Abraham when he insisted on pushing the boy into politics. She wanted what was best for August and she wanted him to stay home. Politics was safe. Leave the traveling and fighting for other peoples children, August would be safe and respected in this field.

"She's being modest. She knows more about politics than she leads on. She's very savvy when it comes to furthering my career." August complimented softly, inspiring another kind smile from his mother. "She would have excelled if she'd pursued it further." Gwen waved her hand at him, "Oh, stop. You're being silly!" She insisted with a small laugh and August genuinely smiled at his mother. They were close, but not so much that August depended on her for anything. They had developed almost a friendship as he grew older.

It was August's lighthearted banter with her that gave away that this girl was more than a colleague. He wasn't the type to be playful in front of others unless he was comfortable around them. He was comfortable around Maxine. Surely one evening of working together wouldn't put him this much at ease. She knew the boy too well for that.

"It's true!" August insisted and his mother laughed again, waving her hand at him once more. "Anyway!" Gwen continued, clearly trying to change the topic, "What's important is that August is involved. It had been his father's dream. I'd like to see him in Snow's shoes one day." August licked his lips and looked down into his teacup before taking a small sip. He didn't necessarily want to be the next Snow, and he wasn't confident he would do well in that position. He was comfortable where he was for now. "Your parents must be very proud to see you working under Periwinkle. Secretary is a big job. I know Snow works his own to the bone." August shot a look to Maxine, knowing she'd lost her parents. He stayed quiet though, sipping at his tea instead.