Teach Me About Dreams

[LIAM AVERY]

1…2…3…4… Liam was counting the seconds on that ticked on the clock. He lay there on his bed, eyes closed, trying not to think. 5…6…7…8… Wasn’t this how people fell asleep? Counting sheep, or seconds…any time he started to drift off, his body jumped and woke him up again, not used to what was happening. 9…10…11…12… He felt heavy…his whole body was weighed down by exhaustion. 13…14…15…16… His head slumped, his mouth growing slack…

His entire body jolted hard, the bed shaking in its wake. He pounded a fist on the bed, so frustrated. Liam didn’t curse often, but he yelled out, “Fuck!” He couldn’t take it anymore. Laying there wasn’t helping him and there was only one person he could go to for help. He slid his jeans on and threw on a t-shirt and socks, slipped tennis shoes on quickly and practically ran to the door. Flynn was the only one who could help him with this. She would be so surprised he didn’t know how to sleep and probably giggle some, but her laughter and sweetness would calm him. The day before last, he woke up at two in the afternoon feeling groggy for the first time in his life. No one in the Gargoyle community seemed to understand it except that it had something to do with the darkness that spewed from the tree.

That was another thing keeping him from sleep. He kept seeing Mordecai crucified to the tree, his wings ripped off, the horror on Flynn’s face, and he felt the weight of the dead man’s body in his arms, felt the sticky blood on his hands. It would be a few days before he could distance himself from the memory, he knew, but in his weakened state, he couldn’t shut out the images at all. Over the past two days since the events, he hadn’t been able to see Flynn. He’d been too busy meeting with other Gargoyles and trying to sleep that he just couldn’t go to see her. He needed to know she was okay. The drive to her apartment passed by in a blur and he was hardly aware of what was going on around him. He couldn’t think straight, and that was never something Liam struggled with.

At last he was taking the elevator to the top floor of her apartment building, exhausted and drained. When he reached her door, it was one in the afternoon and he knew he would surprise her with his arrival. He knocked gently, hoping she was home so he could see her and just hug her. He was hoping she would teach him how to sleep.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Ever since the incident at the tree, Flynn had been struggling with her day to day routine. She'd called into work once because she just wasn't feeling up to going which was rare for her. Flynn didn't get sick often and the old man who owned the thrift store told her if she needed a few days off then she should take them to get better, so she decided to take him up on that offer. She lounged around her apartment most of the time in a mopey state, too weary to do anything other than lay there and try to blend in with her couch. She had to do something otherwise she wouldn't be able to get out of this rut, but nothing grabbed her interest. Her books laid out around her apartment, cluttering every surface and even the floor.

Around noon the Avisaille finally decided it was time to get off the couch and wander around the apartment aimlessly. She'd never found herself so uninterested in everything before and decided that maybe if she just looked through some of her old things maybe the memories of another place and time would fix this. She had odd little things around the apartment from her travels but it was the trunk in the corner of the living room that she decided to go look inside.

Opening up the trunk she found all kinds of wonderful things that she hadn't looked at in years. They were untouched and just as lovely as they had been when she'd put them neatly inside. She found a few eruos from when she'd gone to Europe, a beautiful red matryoshka doll that she set on the table and some different articles of clothing that she'd bought. But it was the Himalayan mask that caught her attention at the very bottom of the trunk after she sifted through a bunch of other knick knacks and books. The trunk was long and deep and she couldn't believe she'd forgotten all about that mask. The darn thing was too big for her face but she had fallen in love with it the moment she first saw it.

She pulled it out from the bottom and put it on, fastening the twine tie against the back of her head and then standing up to go look in the mirror. What a sight she was! The mask covered her entire face and most of her chest it was so long. She giggled softly at the sight of it but it was caught short when she noticed how she looked. She was paler than usual without the sun out. All she'd bothered to put on that day was a very pale yellow racerback tank top so that her wings could stick out comfortably out the sides and a pair of purple boyshorts. She hadn't bothered to harness her wings in days since she didn't even leave the house.

Actually, a part of her was afraid to leave the house. The weather was too awful that she wouldn't even go out onto her little patio. And with what had happened to Mordecai she just couldn't get the sight of him to go away. His wings.. all those feathers scattered around the tree.. the sadness weighed her down. So much that she'd had to resort to her inhaler, something that she kept in her nightstand and only used when she had allergies mostly. She had a slight case of asthma but it never bothered her.. until the tree opened. She stepped away from the mirror and headed for her bedroom, opening up the nightstand and pulling out the plastic applicator. With a quick shake she pulled the mask away from her face enough so she could bring it to her lips and pressed down to release the medicine, breathing it in and letting out a sigh when she felt content and put the mask back in place while setting the inhaler down on the table.

She thought about just laying back down and curling up in bed with her mask on, just because there was nothing better to do and the mask seemed to change things up a bit. But just as she was getting ready to lay down she heard the knock at her door. Her wings bristled anxiously as her body tensed, but slowly she settled down and headed for the door. Maybe it was Griffin. She hadn't spoken to him in days. Or possibly another Avisaille coming over to bring more news about what was going on in their little community.

She opened the door just a crack to peek out and saw it was the last person on earth she expected to see at her door. It was still daytime and yet standing there was the only gargoyle she knew; Liam. Her eyes grew wide with wonder, which must have looked odd behind the long mask she wore, and the girl flung the door open and lunged for him with little warning. Forgetting for the moment that she didn't have her wings bound up and the fact she had a mask on she leaped up onto Liam, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms around his neck like she was some kind of monkey. "What are you doing here? It's daytime!"

[LIAM AVERY]

What Liam saw peek around the door was not what he expected. It made his eyes grow wide and his brow lower. What the hell was that? He felt a surge of panic, afraid Flynn had been attacked by whatever this was. The door burst open and he took a step back, seeing a woman’s half naked body beneath a very long and imposing mask. He made a sound of surprise as she rushed toward him, realizing it was actually Flynn beneath that mask when he finally saw the eyes. She leapt onto him, making him panic a little to catch her, though he did so, one arm wrapped around her lower back and the other supporting her backside. The mask caught him in the chest a little roughly, which he noticed actually hurt some, and he grunted at the sensation. Was it just him, or did she get heavier? “What are you doing here? It’s daytime!” He gave a breathy laugh at her innocent question and nodded. “Yes it is,” he replied, carrying her back into her apartment so no one could walk by and not only see her in her wings and a frightening mask, but in her underwear as well.

Once inside, he held her up with one arm and took her mask off with the other, struggling a little to do so. “That’s quite a mask, Flynn,” he said with amusement, studying it quickly as he removed it. He set the mask gently leaning against a wall and then wrapped his other arm around her lower back again. He liked having her wrapped around him like a monkey and he smiled at her, weary and scruffier than usual. His lips found hers gently as he carried her further into the apartment, finding a strange comfort in her soft kisses. He pulled back only as they reached the couch and he sank down onto it, keeping her close. His hand ran through her hair, looking exhausted but content to have her there nearby. “I woke up at two in the afternoon the day before yesterday, which stirred quite a panic in the Gargoyle community. We all woke up early. I don’t know how to sleep, and I haven’t turned to stone since the day before last. I tried to sleep, but I was just lying there so…I decided to come see how you were doing,” he explained. He looked up at her kneeling over him and he could have been content to just watch her forever.

His brow furrowed with worry, his hand running through her hair gently while the other ran across her warm, soft leg absentmindedly. He was too tired to even be excited by the fact that she was straddling him in her underwear and I tank top. His gestures were more touches of comfort, not passion, and he frowned as he looked at her. “How are you doing?” he asked gently. He was afraid she had gotten as little sleep as he did thinking about what they had witnessed together. Even in his tired state, if he came across the asshole that gave them those invitations, he would tear him limb from limb. Flynn should never have seen something so gruesome. His hands her gentle as he waited for her answer.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Flynn could have kissed Liam all day and all night long. As strange as it was to see him during the day she was still glad to have him there. And when he sat down on the couch she uncoiled her legs from around his waist and propped herself up on her knees but didn't move her arms from his neck.

"I woke up at two in the afternoon the day before yesterday, which stirred quite a panic in the Gargoyle community. We all woke up early. I don't know how to sleep, and I haven't turned to stone since the day before last. I tried to sleep, but I was just laying there so...I decided to come see how you were doing." It wasn't until she said something that she noticed how tired he looked and the scruffiness from the facial hair on his face. She reached a hand up and ran her fingers along the side of his face, feeling the rough light colored hair and staring down at him without saying a word.

"How are you doing?" Suddenly she wasn't as excited as she frowned and looked away. It was as if him asking her how she was suddenly made her realize what him being up during the day meant. It was the same reason she was feeling so miserable and her asthma was acting up. "This is all because of what happened at the tree... isn't it?" Her words were soft and she heaved a long sigh.

"I took some time off of work. It's been so ugly outside that I don't want to go out in it..." She slowly shifted her weight and swung one leg away from Liam's lap and set her foot on the floor, standing up and moving away from him. She had to maneuver through the clutter that she'd managed to make over the few short days.

Her apartment was very simple as far as the floor plan went. Upon walking inside you were already in the living room. Her furniture was simple and most of it was made out of wicker since she liked to rearrange it once a month to keep it looking different. The kitchen was open and your typical apartment kitchen with the usual accessories, the walls painted a baby blue in the kitchen which looked nice with the white cupboards and appliances. And her bedroom was just a closed door away, just to the right of the entry door.

Flynn was headed for the kitchen, wanting something to preoccupy her from the question. She wasn't usually so down and it was hard for her to be happy and bubbly when she felt lost and worried about what was in their future. "I was thinking about making tea, would you like some? Or would you like something else, I can make anything you want.."

[LIAM AVERY]

Liam immediately regretted his question. He should have just left it and kept on kissing her and then she could have some peace. Flynn’s apartment was a mess, no doubt because she was going stir crazy and she needed something to take her mind off things. Why did he have to bring them back to mind? “This is all because of what happened at the tree…isn’t it?” He just stared at her frowning, his brow furrowed; there were no words necessary, but he nodded lightly. She sighed heavily and he just wanted to hold her closer, make her forget. “I took some time off work. It’s been so ugly outside that I don’t want to go out in it…” He nodded again. “That’s probably for the best,” he said softly. She moved off him and he found he missed her weight on him, her warmth. He felt awful for bringing her down again. She had been so happy to see him…

She moved toward her neat kitchen and he watched her go. It just made him want to go after her…so he would. He got to his feet and stepped toward her. “I was thinking about making tea, would you like some? Or would you like something else? I can make anything you want…” Liam was careful not to step on the various things spread out on the floor. He came behind her as she reached the kitchen, wrapping one arm around her stomach and pulling her to him, his body resting between her wings. His other arm came around her too and he rested his forehead in her neck, burying his nose in her hair. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.” He just held her like that for a long moment, sighing softly into her shoulder. He planted a soft kiss there before he came around in front of her so he could look at her.

Once in front of her, he cupped her face in his hands so he would look at her. She had the prettiest blue eyes, almond-shaped and bright. “Listen, Flynn. I know things are weird right now. The sky is dark, I’m here at one in the afternoon, I can tell you’re not feeling well, and we saw something I would give anything for you to unsee. But it’ll get better. You can teach me how to sleep and I’ll stay here for as long as it takes to help you feel better, or whatever you need to be happy. I promise it’ll get better, though. It can’t rain all the time and this darkness will pass. Okay?” He didn’t know how much his words helped, but he gave a small smile to reaffirm his words. He pressed his lips to her forehead, then kissed the tip of her nose gently and then kissed her lips. The kiss was gentle and sweet and he kept his hands cradling her face as their lips moved softly against one another. When he pulled away, he smiled at her again, his blue eyes gentle, giving her a look that he reserved for only her. “Tea sounds great,” he said softly, hoping she was cheered a little.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Flynn didn't know that Liam had followed her into the kitchen, and when she reached for the teapot she gasped quietly when his hands came around her and she felt his body up against her wings which fluttered nervously at first but then they settled and went calm. She tilted her head to the side when he rested his forehead against her neck, giving him a bit more room to be comfortable and felt his hot breath down the back of her shoulder which produced chills and she shut her eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." His words were soft and kind and she opened her eyes again.

When Liam pulled away Flynn took her hand off the handle of the teapot and turned towards him while he was stepping to get in front of her, meeting him almost halfway. "Listen, Flynn. I know things are weird right now. The sky is dark, I'm here at one in the afternoon, I can tell you're not feeling well, and we saw something I would give anything for you to unsee. But it'll get better. You can teach me how to sleep and I'll stay here for as long as it takes to help you feel better, or whatever you need to be happy. I promise it'll get better, though. It can't rain all the time and this darkness will pass. Okay?" She stared up at him in silence, like she was trying to absorb everything that he just said. When he leaned in to kiss her forehead she blinked several times like she was snapping out of some daydream she'd been having, and by the time he got to her lips she kissed him back. Sliding her eyes shut she reached out and twisted her fingers around his shirt and stepped closer. Her lips dancing around his as gently as ever.

"Tea sounds great," she saw the smile and it calmed her down, offering a smile of her own so that he'd see that his words did help. Her hand reached up to touch the side of his face and feel the stubble once more before turning to the sink so she could fill up the teapot with water. "You don't know how to sleep?" She asked and walked past him to get to the stove, setting the pot down on one of the burners. She turned the dial for the burner which started to click, letting her know that it was trying to light the gas. Once the flame appeared she turned the dial to high and then turned away from it. She could just forget about it until the kettle started to hiss now, and give Liam her full attention.

"I'll make you some chamomile tea. It helps me sleep." She nodded and reached out for his hand so she could guide him out of the kitchen, maneuvering through the living room once more until she reached the sliding glass door that lead out to her porch. The blinds had been shut since she didn't want to look at that horrible sky, but she opened them up and drew them back with the little pull string and then looked at Liam.

"I'm happy you're here.. and if you're not busy I would love it if you stayed with me for a little while." She confessed and then looked out the glass to the sky. She felt like she had been wrong about the tree all this time. There was no magic deep down in its roots.. nothing magical and wonderful but just darkness. Ugly, miserable darkness. "I just wish I knew how to make it all better." She said softly and then turned back to Liam once more, seeing just how tired he looked. "Even tired you're handsome." Flynn complimented and gave him the best smile she could muster up.

[LIAM AVERY]

Flynn gave a small smile, which made Liam breathe an inward sigh of relief. She touched his face, making him smile more, and he was satisfied this time when she went to fill the teapot with water before she set it to warm on the stove. “You don’t know how to sleep?” He shook his head and gave a small laugh. “That must sound odd, but I’ve never had to do it before,” he replied, watching her work. “Gargoyles weren’t built to sleep.” When the flame flared beneath the pot, Flynn seemed satisfied and turned back to him. “I’ll make you some chamomile tea. It helps me sleep.” He nodded with a smile before she took his hand and led him toward the sliding glass doors. She opened the blinds and showed the storm swirling in the sky outside. His eyes remained on the strange sight before he looked back to her to meet her eyes. “I’m happy here…and if you’re not busy I would love it if you stayed with me for a little while.” He nodded, turning to face her, watching her now instead of the storm outside. She was certainly more pleasing on the eyes. Her eyes went to the storm now, but he still watched her, seeing the sadness in her eyes.

“I just wish I knew how to make it all better.” They were a child’s words, and like a child, Flynn meant what she said quite sincerely. In his heart, he wished more than anything that he could make it better too. It wasn’t just because he wanted to turn to stone and rest again, but he wanted to see Flynn happy again, back to the bubbly self she was what felt like years ago. His brows knitted in concern. What could he do to make the storm go away? What could he do to heal her even if the storm raged on? She looked at him again and his stomach clenched as it so often did when she looked at him with those bright eyes of hers. “Even tired you’re handsome.” She gave him a smile, and though it wasn’t her usual bright one, it was better than he had seen since he walked through the door. He smiled in return, stepping closer to her and reaching out for her waist. “Even sad you’re beautiful,” he replied softly. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers once more, hesitating briefly with his nose brushing against hers as he looked in her eyes. She really was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

As their lips pressed together, he found himself getting lost in the warm, soft comfort of it. His lips parted against hers, deepening their kiss. One hand came to his hair, pulling her face harder against him as his tongue brushed out to meet hers. It was strange how tongues felt against each other, but it made his heart race. He forgot how tired he was and how sad she was, and he found himself drawing her scantily clad body closer to his. Liam was rarely so bold with her, but his exhaustion let down his barriers…and she didn’t seem to mind. A soft groan vibrated in his throat as the hand on her back just barely dipped below the tank top she wore. Her skin was so warm and soft.

The teapot started whistling and he pulled back from her lips enough to rest his forehead against hers. He knew he’d gotten carried away because his pants felt tight, making him swallow hard. Reluctantly, he released her, giving her a small peck before smiling at her. “I think it’s yelling, ‘Flyyyyynn!’” he teased softly, his smile turning to a playful grin.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

"Even sad you're beautiful," He was sweet to say that, and she felt a little bad that she was acting so sad around him. Liam shouldn't have to see her like this and she reached to grab her hair in her hand and pulled it over one shoulder and began to twist it between her hands. She looked up to say something but she was met by his lips. His gentle, kind lips were so nice against her own and she sighed into the kiss. It was like he was able to draw out all the negativity that she felt with just his lips up against her own. When Liam's lips parted it was like he was guiding her, making her do the same as she allowed his tongue entry to her mouth. She was surprised when he pulled her closer, her eyes opening and staring at his face but only for a moment. At first it was strange but then she felt the fluttering in the pit of her stomach and her eyes slowly slid shut once more.

The Avisaille had never felt like she needed to kiss someone, but there she was needing his kisses almost like she needed air to breathe. The longer they kissed the more her heart rate accelerated, her hands sliding up to his shoulders and wrapping around his neck so she could pull him in the same way that he was doing to her. His touch felt electric against her back and she practically whimpered in his mouth when she heard the teakettle hissing from the kitchen causing them to break their lip locking. Flynn was practically panting, her cheeks flushing pink as her forehead was pressed gently against his. Her eyes were wide and searching his as if she expected to get some answer to why she was so phased by him, but the teapot was still whistling and she didn't have time to find her answer. "I think it's yelling, 'Flyyyyynn!'" She looked at him almost puzzled, but then she seemed to get what he was saying. "Oh!" Flynn laughed nervously and took a step back, nodding her head.

"Yes.. yes I should get that!" She nearly stumbled over a piece of furniture when she turned to head for the kitchen, all flustered and lightheaded. Managing to get to the kitchen in one piece Flynn turned off the heat and moved the teakettle from the hot burner to one that hadn't been on to get the whistling to stop. When it did she moved to one of the cabinets just to the left of the sink and pulled out two mugs, one which was large and a burnt orange color, looking like one you would find in a very hip coffee shop. Flynn had absolutely adored it when she'd gone to some Java shop and just had to have it. The other mug had the silhoutte of birds flying around the mug, except instead of the silhoutte being the usual black, it was tye dye. It had a chip in the rim from when she'd dropped it by accident when washing it once, but it remained her favorite mug so she didn't have it in her to throw it out. She loved it chip and all!

Reaching into another cabinet she pulled out two different boxes that held two kinds of teas in tea bags. She'd bought them at Sunshine's Too, the little tea and toiletries store that sold the best tea in all of the city as far as Flynn was concerned. One of the boxes was chamomile and she looked over her shoulder to see if Liam had followed her into the kitchen or not and realized that because he was a gargoyle who had never slept before he might need it to be strong. So stuck three of the tea bags into the orange mug for him and then opened up the other box, green tea with lemon, and put one of the tea bags into her bird mug. Pouring the hot water from the kettle into both of the mugs she watched as the tea bags began to float, the water becoming murky, tinted with the tea that seeped through the white filter bags.

"It's going to be strong, but hopefully it will help you sleep.." she stared at her mug and considered dumping it to make chamomile for herself. If she was going to get him to sleep then she would surely like to nap along with him. If she was up by herself she'd only become moody and sit around staring at all of her things with no drive to grab any single thing to occupy her with. But if he couldn't fall asleep then she'd still fall asleep from the chamomile and he'd be left up and possibly frustrated. No, she could always come back and make herself a cup of chamomile tea if he managed to fall asleep.

Grabbing two spoons from a drawer she stuck one in each of the mugs and then grabbed a handle in both hands and turned, bringing the orange mug to Liam and then clamping both hands around her own mug. The heat that came off actually felt nice in her hands. Nothing was nicer than a cup of tea on such a gloomy day. "I don't know how to teach you how to sleep," Flynn told him softly but her mood was definitely lifting since she had him around. "I could try though. I know that when I sleep it's like.. you just relax. You have to relax your whole body and clear your mind. If you start thinking then you won't be able to drift off. Or there's music. Soft music can be very helpful." There were so many suggestions that she could make but it wasn't going to work unless he laid down. "Come on, we'll go in the bedroom."

[LIAM AVERY]

Liam saw the puzzled look on Flynn’s face and then the way she lit up when she processed what he said. “Oh!” She gave a nervous laugh and he noticed her cheeks were flushed and she was breathing slightly harder. It made him swallow again, wondering if he had affected her the same way she had affected him. He wanted to forget the tea, just pull her to him again, but she started to move away. “Yes…yes I should get that!” The way she tumbled and stumbled to the kitchen, it made him smile warmly and the twisting in his stomach worsened. He’d had some effect, that was certain, and it made him want to keep affecting her and not push her at the same time. He was conflicted, and he sat down on the couch while she made their tea. A sigh left him, rubbing his weary eyes and trying to calm his blood. The last thing he wanted to do was scare or confuse Flynn, but she had no idea what she did to him. And hadn’t she enjoyed it too?

He heard Flynn making her way back a few minutes later, and he looked up at her. “It’s going to be strong, but hopefully it will help you sleep…” Now the sight of her in her little more than her underwear was inciting the reaction it usually got. He took his mug, smiled a thank you at her, and then averted his eyes so he would actually be able to calm himself. “I hope so,” he commented as he blew lightly on the hot liquid. He took a sip and noted it was indeed strong. She might as well have crushed chamomile flowers directly in his cup, but maybe a good healthy dose would work like a drug. At least it was sweet and smelled nice. He stood and spun the spoon in his mug, swirling the tea together and making it a darker green than it already was. “I don’t know how to teach you how to sleep.” His eyes came back to her face, making sure he didn’t look at the rest of her. It was a little disappointing, but whatever she could do for him, he would accept the help. “I could try, though. I know that when I sleep it’s like…you just relax. You have to relax your whole body and clear your mind. If you start thinking then you won’t be able to drift off. Or there’s music. Soft music can be very helpful.” Liam nodded, taking another sip of tea. “I’m willing to try anything at this point. I just know I need sleep,” he confessed.

“Come on, we’ll go in the bedroom.” Liam felt a small jolt at those words. The bedroom. It was to sleep, he knew that, but still it was…it was Flynn’s bedroom. He nodded and followed her to the room. It was very Flynn. She was in every corner of her apartment and it made him smile. It smelled like her to. Very sweet and warm; it was the most comforting smell he’d ever come across. “I like your apartment, Flynn. It’s very you,” he commented, giving her a warm smile. He took another sip of his tea, looking at the reasonably sized bed. Enough for two. He had to take another sip of tea before he looked too nervous. He was getting used to the taste and he was on the verge of focusing all his attention on drinking that tea so he would stop thinking about being in her bedroom…her in just her underwear. His eyes wandered over to her bravely, taking another long drink of the hot tea. Liam may have been a gentleman most of the time, but he was still a man. How was he supposed to resist? But he had to. He wouldn’t make a move unless she invited it. This was the best place for him until he could get some sleep and being too aggressive might get him kicked out of the nest. He looked back to the bed. “Do you think I’ll dream? I’ve never dreamt before…” he said softly, just watching the bed as if he had to figure out just how to go about this. That bed was intimidating, but he was going to conquer it. The only question was…how?

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Flynn's bedroom was very open and filled with bright colors. The walls were a light green and she had shelving on most of the walls that were filled with knick knacks from her travels, books that were stacked every which way and picture frames with pictures of different places that she had gone to. Next to the window in her room was a cork board with pictures tacked to it of her in different places. One she was holding a little African boy and waving at the camera, another one was of an Indian woman who was knitting on the steps to an old building in India. Flynn loved to keep pictures of the places she'd been and looked at them often, which was obvious by how worn they looked. Then again they were old photos to begin with since it had been years since she'd gone travelling.

As far as furniture went she had a queen sized bed with a cream colored comforter messily on the bed. She usually made her bed but she just didn't see the point the last couple of days. Two wicker nightstands were found on both sides of the bed and a bookcase just across from the bed. All of her clothes went into the closet that was behind the closed door to the left of the bed. "I like your apartment, Flynn. It's very you," She sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled at him, glad to hear that he liked it. "Thank you, it's not much but it's home." She sipped at her tea while looking up at him. "The bed is kind of big.. but that's good because there's enough room for you to lay down!" She told him and then patted the bed next to her as if to give him permission to sit down. He was looking at it as if it were some puzzle and she was reminded that he didn't usually sleep.

"Do you think I'll dream? I've never dreamt before..." He looked so tired and she started to feel bad for him. Here she was, down and feeling bad about everything else that she had hardly thought about how this must have been for him. She could hardly function if she didn't get enough sleep.. she set her mug down on the table beside her and then got up and moved closer to Liam and took the mug from him, walking to the other side of the bed and setting it down on the table opposite her side. "Now lay down," she instructed and waited for him to do as she said, curious about just how hard it would be to get him to fall asleep. Would he dream? She wasn't sure.. "I think you will dream. But we have to practice getting you to sleep first," she told him and then climbed into the bed after him.

Flynn tucked her wings in close to her back while she stuck her feet under the comforter and pulled it up over their bodies and laid down next to him on her side. "First thing you have to do is shut your eyes.." she scooted closer to him and when her legs touched his she realized there was something that might make him uncomfortable. She could feel the denim of his pants and frowned a bit. "Hold on.." She threw the blanket off of them and sat back up, staring at his pants for a moment. He couldn't sleep in jeans! "First thing you have to do is not wear jeans to bed, silly." She teased him and positioned herself over one of his legs, sitting on the heels of her feet just above his left knee and began to unbutton his pants. She pulled down the zipper and then grabbed at the top of his jeans on his hips and began to pull. "Lift!" She told him so she could pull them off of him, wanting to make sure that he was comfortable.

[LIAM AVERY]

When Flynn patted the bed, Liam smiled and took a seat beside her, still sipping his tea. He was slouching slightly, his eyes heavy but unable to stay shut. When he lowered the mug again, Flynn reached out and took it from him, surprising him at first but he smiled when she did. He hoped he could sleep with her there…she did have a calming effect on him. “Now lay down.” He did as she instructed, laying his head on a pillow, feeling strange about lying in a bed with Flynn. “I think you will dream. But we have to practice getting you to sleep first.” His eyes went to her as she spoke, chuckling a little. “I can’t believe I have to practice sleeping…” She climbed in beside him and he turned his head to look at her. How had he lucked out so much with her? She pulled the comforter over them, but his eyes just stayed on her. He was so exhausted; he couldn’t stop himself from staring. Liam thought this must be what it was like to be drunk. He’d never been drunk before, so he didn’t know. She lay beside him and he sighed. “First thing you have to do is shut your eyes…” He did so, noticing his eyes actually burned a little when he did so. She came closer and he began to stretch his arm out so she could lie against his chest. The feel of her warm body against his was soothing and at the feel of her legs against his, he tried not to get too excited. He was focused on sleeping now.

“Hold on…” Her voice made him open his eyes again and look at her curiously. She threw the blanket off and he was worried she had felt his minor excitement. He didn’t think it was enough for her to feel! But she was looking at his jeans and he gulped, his brow knitting some. “What?” he asked, watching her face nervously. “First thing you have to do is not wear your jeans to bed, silly.” He gave a nervous, breathy laugh, but then she got up and moved over him. She positioned herself over one of his legs, crouching on the bed. It made him swallow hard, that fire in his belly again. She was much too unaware of her body and what it did to him. Right above his left knee, he felt a warmth…He watched with his eyes uncertain and lustful at the same time as she unbuttoned his pants. Her fingers found his zipper and his head fell back down with a heavy sigh. She was about to take off his pants; he couldn’t let her see what was happening to him and it would be pretty obvious. He had to calm down and fast…her hands came to the waistband of his pants and he knew that wasn’t happening. “Lift!” He was panicking slightly but he did as she requested, looking at her nervously again. His hips lifted slightly, she peeled his pants off and thankfully she didn’t seem to notice that he was excited. But with her over him like that…he didn’t know if he would actually be able to sleep if she came back to his side.

He reached his hands out, watching her. “Give me your hands,” he requested softly. He gave a gentle smile, and when she did so, he pulled lightly, indicating he wanted her to come closer. “Come here.” The words were low and softly spoken. When her face was over his, he released one hand to bury his fingers in her long hair and pull her closer. He smiled lightly as her face came closer, and then closed his eyes as her lips touched his again. Liam had never felt with any other woman the way he felt when kissing Flynn. His hand that was still clasped in hers linked his fingers with hers, the hand in her hair holding her face closer. It was like he just couldn’t help himself anymore. His tongue touched hers lightly, his kiss deepening. He promised he wouldn’t do this, but she made him weak. The hand in hers slipped away to go to her hip. His fingers dipped below her tank top again, feeling over the soft, warm skin once more. They moved up her back a little and then slid back toward her side, his thumb brushing lightly over the lowest of her ribs. He pulled back from her lips, a little, his other hand still pushing her hair from her face. His eyes opened to look at her, but his mouth still brushed against hers as he spoke. “I can stop if you want me to…” he all but whispered. If he was making her uncomfortable, he would forget it and try to sleep. It would be difficult…but he could do it if he had to.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

When she got Liam's pants down off of him and shoved them to the floor she was too distracted with trying to get the blanket back up to notice the stirring in his boxers. But before she could get the blanket up over them again he caught her attention, "Give me your hands," she obeyed and allowed him to pull her up to the head of the bed where she adjusted her weight to get comfortable. "Come here." Again, she complied and leaned closer without a word until she was laying back down with half of her bed on the bed and the other half against him.

Liam was talking so softly and she wondered if maybe it was quiet time and they were suppose to whisper. Was that going to help him sleep? When his hand moved up into her hair she watched his eyes, he looked so tired.. but he drew her close and brushed his lips up against hers. She had to shift again, scooting herself closer and further up the bed since she hadn't expected him to draw her up to his face and she was stretching to reach it until she scooted. The longer they kissed the more passionate it became between them. Between kisses Flynn licked her lips and then was met by Liam's tongue. How sweet and warm his mouth tasted.. again that feeling was boiling up in her stomach. When he released her hand she placed it on his chest, her other hand keeping her propped up at a comfortable angle.

Liam didn't just kiss Flynn though, oh no.. his free hand found her side and his fingers crept under her shirt. His touch heated her skin and even tickled a little going up her side, making her giggle softly but he didn't stop there. Her stomach was in knots and when his thumb moved further up her shirt she gasped just as he pulled away slightly. Her eyes opened to see him looking up at her, their lips hovering close to one another as he spoke. "I can stop if you want me to..." She felt his breath heating her lips and it made her want to kiss him even more. But he told her he could stop if she wanted him to.. did he mean.. slowly she began to register what he was saying and she broke free of his hold and sat up, scooting away a bit and staring at him wide eyed.

She didn't realize what was happening until that moment.. and she felt stupid for not seeing it sooner. Perhaps it was the storm that was making them this way, but it didn't change anything. Flynn still felt what she did and she looked over the gargoyle laying there in her bed. A hand went up to brush her hair out of her face and her eyes landed on him again. "I-I'm sorry. I just.. I've never.." How could she tell him that she'd.. "I don't know how.."

[LIAM AVERY]

For a moment Flynn stayed there, close to Liam’s lips. He hoped she would stay, tell him he could continue getting lost in her, but he wasn’t so lucky. Instead she looked like there was a realization coming over her. Oh no…she knew what he was referring to and she didn’t like it. He’d scared her. She pulled away and sat up, staring at him wide-eyed. He blew it. It was enough to make him want to curse his exhaustion for making him stupid and himself. His fear that he’d just lost her showed on his face, and he was thinking more clearly with the head on his shoulders. How could he be so foolish? She brushed the hair out of her face and looked at him, but more shyly now. It made a pit fall in his stomach to see her eyes so uncertain. “I-I’m sorry…I just…I’ve never…” He gulped, sitting up a little as he started to come to a conclusion. Was she…? “I don’t know how…” He sighed, letting his head drop a little as a relieved smile came to his face. So maybe he hadn’t completely blown it. Of course she’d never had sex before. She was much too innocent for that. He was the first man she’d kissed like they did, that much he knew. It was just surprising to him that a woman as beautiful as her had never gone that far with a man. But he shouldn’t have been so surprised. He swallowed hard and looked at her again.

He sat up next to her, moving so he could semi face her, one leg curled under him. His face was concerned and apologetic as he looked at her. “I’m sorry, Flynn. I…I shouldn’t have been so forward. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said softly. His hand reached out and he ran it across her upper back to comfort her. His other hand scratched the back of his head nervously. He didn’t necessarily want to stop pursuing it, but the last thing he wanted to do was force her to do anything. “I just…I don’t know what it is about you, Flynn…I can’t help myself around you. I don’t want you to be frightened, though. That’s the last thing I want.” His eyes were serious and reassuring as he looked into hers. The hand on her back began combing through the tips of her hair, his other hand resting on her knee closest to him gently. It wasn’t a pressuring hand, just a kind hand to reassure her. As he looked at her sitting in bed with him, though, completely comfortable in hardly any clothes and innocent as the day her mother brought her into this world, he knew what it was about Flynn. He’d known it for a while, but he felt the words bubbling in his throat now more than they had in the weeks prior.

His eyes stayed fixed on hers, the hand combing through the tips of her hair brushing some hair out of her eyes. “I have a pretty good idea what it is about you, though. Since the night I met you…I’ve been falling in love with you,” he confessed softly, feeling his stomach twisting as the words came out. His eyes were fixed intently on hers and he swallowed hard before he spoke again. “I love you, Flynn. I know that more every time I see you.” The hand on her knee reached up to her cheek, his thumb running gently along her cheekbone. “It’s okay if you don’t know how. I could teach you how. But if you don’t want to, that’s okay too. I love you, Flynn, and I’d wait forever if that’s what you wanted.” His words were sincere and his face reflected that. He was prepared to do anything for Flynn. Though his heart was racing in anticipation for her response, there was something liberating in finally admitting to her that he loved her. And he did. He loved her more than anyone or anything else in the whole world. He’d never met anyone closer to perfection; how could he not love her?

[FLYNN YOUNG]

Flynn had only been in this situation once before in her life.. but it wasn't as pleasant as it was with Liam. She'd been in Brazil, one of her favorite destinations, and met a man named Rico who escorted her around. He showed her around to the different spots and was even the one to tell her about the underwater caves that she loved so much. One night before she retired for the evening Rico had come on to her. She thought it was nice at first until his hands wandered a little too much and she had to pull away. She knew what sex was. She knew what had to happen in order to have it but she'd never actually done it. When Rico had gotten too touchy that was when she'd left Brazil and continued her travels. She didn't like the way it felt.. she didn't feel that way about him or anyone else.

Until today.

When Liam sat up she watched him with wide eyes but she didn't look scared.. she just looked like she was a bit clueless. "I'm sorry, Flynn. I...I shouldn't have been so forward. I didn't mean to scare you," She loved the feel of his hand on her back. Her feathers had begun to bristle but she settled down at his touch. "I just...I don't know what it is about you, Flynn...I can't help myself around you. I don't want you to be frightened, though. That's the last thing I want." That's when she realized that she must have come off as scared, but really it wasn't that at all. She was just in unknown territory.. it was new and thrilling but so unknown.

She couldn't get over how blue his eyes were.. he had such beautiful eyes! The longer he watched her the more she just thought about how she could stare into them all day and be satisfied. "I have a pretty good idea what it is about you, though. Since the night I met you...I've been falling in love with you," she froze and her lips parted a bit, the surprise evident on her face. He was falling in.. "I love you, Flynn. I know that more every time I see you." She was speechless.. she felt like her heart grew ten times in her chest it was beating so hard, the blissful feeling of those small little words overwhelming her. "It's okay if you don't know how. I could teach you how. But if you don't want to, that's okay too. I love you, Flynn, and I'd wait forever if that's what you wanted."

She had managed to lean her face into his hand, a hand coming over his to hold it in place so he wouldn't pull it away. Liam loved her! She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry from the emotions that were rendering her speechless. She felt like her own life had been turned into a romantic movie the way he was so sweet to her and so kind and patient.

Flynn couldn't sit there any longer and she moved to go sit on his lap, draping her arms around his shoulders as he sat there trying to shift his weight around to become a little more comfortable since he didn't have to twist to face her now. Her lips found his and she barely brushed them against his, hardly even in a kiss. "Say it again.." she said hardly over a whisper against his lips, wanting to hear him say how he loved her again.. and again. "..and again.." she was smiling against his lips and got the feeling she only got when she was soaring through the air, high and in such an elated state.

Flynn didn't want to stop kissing him and soon her kisses left his lips and trailed to his cheek then to his scruffy jaw, loving the way his facial hair tickled her lips. She wanted to kiss every beautiful freckle on his handsome face and not leave any part of him untouched by her kisses. Slowly she unwrapped her arms from his shoulders and her hands went in search for his, grabbing them and guiding them up to her hips, then under her shirt and putting them back where they were before she had pulled away, just barely touching her lowest rib. Her wings began to twitch nervously against her back as she pulled her face away from his, her hands still holding onto the backs of his and her eyes fixed on him. "...will you teach me?"

[LIAM AVERY]

Flynn’s hand was holding his to her face and Liam was comforted by that. They didn’t need to do anything but sleep and he would be happy. But then she began to move, straddling his hips and Liam stared at her with surprise, his heart racing as her arms looped around his shoulders. Her lips brushed his and he felt like he was in a dream. He must have fallen asleep at some point, and this was his dream. It was too good to be true. “Say it again…” Liam opened his eyes to hers once more, her breath against his lips stirring something deep in him. “I love you,” he said so softly against her lips. “…and again…” He was breathless as she smiled against his lips and he did the same, almost bashfully. “I love you,” he said just barely above a whisper, his hands coming up to cup her face. Their lips pressed to each other’s and he lost himself in the giddy feeling it gave him to tell her he loved her and have her so close. It made his chest feel tight and he could barely contain his happiness. She was happy and that was all it took for him to be happy.

Her lips traveled across his face and he returned the favor, kissing along her beautiful chiseled jaw. They moved across her soft cheek, wherever he could reach with her kissing his face too. Her arms came from around him, her hands gripping his on her neck. He watched her face as she guided his hands back to her hips…and then higher. It made him swallow hard to feel over her sides again, her hands encouraging him. She wanted him to touch her. His eyes searched hers, making certain he wasn’t imagining this. “…will you teach me?” He’d never been so hard. Her soft request sent shivers down his spine straight to his groin. For a long moment he just stared into her eyes, searching them for any uncertainty. He didn’t find it. His lips pressed against hers passionately, affirming that he would indeed teach her. He couldn’t stop himself now, not with a request like that.

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