Stay out of it

Being pushed back he just followed, and feeling how she laid down next to him he wondered if he had ever shared a bed with someone like this. She went on to explain the pictures, and the way she spoke about everything was kinda cute. It brought the pictures to life in a way he hadn't thought possible. He adjusted himself slightly, moving an arm under her head, trying to calm his beating heart a little. "You look so .. Different?" He muttered, looking at the pictures of her with blonde hair, "I mean, you look pretty, don't get me wrong." He smiled turning his head to look at her as she was now, "though I think the dark hair suits you very much."

She seemed to accept the arm, her admittance made him chuckle, humming, "how about we settle on beautiful for now?" He retaliated with a slight charming wit to his smile. However it seemed like they soon enough returned to the pictures, which he didn't mind one bit. He liked hearing about her, listen to her voice that made him feel so relaxed. He felt like for the first time in a while, he could just rest by her side, but he stayed awake to hear more about her.
The picture she was talking about now made him narrow his eyes. He soon enough spotted her in the many pillows and duvets, smiling a bit. "I take it you aren't friends with them anymore?" He asked. They seemed like they all looked like one another, as if that was a requirement to be friends with them.

"Why would I lie to you?" But then again he wouldn't blame her if she didn't believe in him. He hadn't proven himself too trustworthy. Her chuckle made him smile, his arm wrapping around her as she placed her head on his upper chest. It felt rather organic, just them being close. He wasn't sure how to explain it, but it just felt right. "Well fuck what they think," he muttered, not being able to help himself as he took his time just breathing in her scent. To him she smelled good. "I like how you are right now," he confessed, closing his eyes simply to rest them a bit.

He hummed softly, his body relaxing more as he felt his mind slip into sleep for brief periods of time. Though he was aware where he was, it was frankly too cozy for his tired body to register that he was dozing off. "But I don't need to meet her to know I like you," he muttered, half asleep and not quite aware of what he was saying. These last few weeks had been weird for him, and it seemed his body finally wanted to relax.

He hummed softly, muttering a yes at her question, but it was clear sleep would soon take him as its prisoner. Practically already dozed off as she cooed him, his arm pulled her closer in his sleep. Part of his unconscious mind was perhaps afraid that she would leave, though it was rather irrational.
When he finally woke up again it was dark out. Frowning he rubbed his eyes with his free hand if she had fallen asleep up against him as well. His skin was a little annoyed from the fact that he had slept in his jeans, but he ignored it to instead look at her in the dark. He knew he had promised to never kiss her unless she wanted to, so he was not going to break that promise. Instead he just looked at her features. Part of him wanted to get going, but he also didn't feel like disrupting her sleep. So instead of doing that, he turned over on his side, moving his free hand around her and pulling her gently closer. He had never felt the need to protect anyone. Not before now. And he sorta liked the feeling. Gods he wished he could kiss her right now. Just to feel what it would be like.

She hid her face away, and he couldn't help but just smile a bit as he thought it was kind of cute. Eventually he closed his eyes again, not fully sleeping but also not fully awake. He just held her close, feeling how their bodies were heating up next to one another, and he quite liked that feeling. It wasn't really until the light of day broke through in a thin line into the room that he felt himself wake for real. A yawn escaping him slowly, trying to cover his mouth. He knew he had to get up, especially because he couldn't stay here all day - even if he wanted to. "I have to go," he muttered softly in to her hair, but even though he said those words he wished it wouldn't be so.

Her mumble was so sweet and almost innocent. He couldn't help but smile a little, but she had at least released him. Crawling out of the bed, he did notice something on her neck, but he also wasn't one to just start undressing her to find out what it was. Hesitating he then decided to lean down, gritting his teeth a little because he was reminded of his urge to kiss her. He kept it in, just lightly pressing his forehead to hers, "I'll come by and pick you up on Friday," that was the best he could promise her. He would have to catch up to work and such.

Mary and Mortimer was already working at the shop when Emily came around, both of them seemingly on edge, but despite their fear of the goon showing up, he didn't. Not until the next day, but he looked like he had been in an accident, his eye covered over in gauze and he was missing a hand. Mary looked practically terrified as he entered the store, but the goon just calmly asked for money. Mortimer handed it over to him, and it was the usual large amount. The goon didn't say much, eyeing Mary and Emily briefly before leaving with the money. "I swear .. Things are just getting weirder," she muttered to herself as she started stacking the shelves.

Rhys was getting ready at home, putting one some deodorant and even a bit of perfume. He wondered if she liked that - And he wondered why he cared so much? Perhaps because she made him feel? It was weird to explain, and frankly he didn't want to think too much about it. Instead he pulled on a long sleeve for once before putting on his jacket. Just checking himself in the mirror, he frowned, his lip still healing from being spilt, but it wasn't too bad.
He went out, getting on his motor bike and driving over to her apartment. Parking the bike outside, he went up to her door, frowning as he saw this guy chatting her up. "Hi," he just said, looking at Emily, barely really acknowledging the other guy there besides a small nod.

"I can leave again if it's too early?" he teased, raising an eyebrow at her. Besides hadn't she been the one pleading with him to come soon? Perhaps she couldn't remember it, but he wouldn't forget it that was for sure. She introduced her neighbor, and Rhys nodded at him, "Rhys," he introduced himself a little lazily before turning his attention back on Emily. He wasn't trying to intimidate him intentionally, or maybe a little bit, but he was trying to behave. "Besides, maybe I wanted to come help feed the little fella," he shrugged, smiling at her a little smugly.

She rolled her eyes at the tease, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. He didnt seem too interested in talking to Dave which was fine since he was just her neighbour. The notion that he came here to help with the cat got a smile on her lips and she chuckled. "Alright, well, it's really digging into it today. Maybe I should leave an extra can?" she pondered though Dave wrinkled his nose. "It looks like it needs a vet and some proper help." he remarked to which Emily frowned. "So many cats are just left in shelters to rot." she said with a roll of her eyes. No, it seemed just fine here. "I can give it a new one when I get home." she said as she turned to Rhys. "We can go."

He chuckled, "when we get back we can see if it's around for another round?" he suggested in regards to the food. However as Dave started to speak he frowned, turning to look at the guy as if asking what was wrong with him, however he kept himself at bay. Instead turning to look at Emily he nodded, "I mean it looks bad, but it doesn't look like it's dying," he said with a small shrug. He didn't care what Dave had said. Fuck that guy was annoying. "But who knows, maybe it likes being an alley cat," he couldn't imagine a more free life for a cat, even if it looked a little matted in its fur.

"Yeah, that's a good idea." she said with a smile. When Rhys looked at Dave he shrugged. Was it wrong of him to say so? If the cat had any diseases it would get help? Emily however agreed with Rhys. It didnt look horrible. Sure it was ugly. But in a very charming way she'd say. "I would take it in but landlords would never allow it." She sighed. It did look like it needed love. But for now there was nothing to do but feed it. "It probably has diseases. Like, it looks dead" Dave remarked, slightly disgusted. It put off Emily but he noticed and then wished them a good night before leaving.

Rhys hummed, seeing the problem there, but what Dave said was uncalled for, grabbing on to his shirt before he left, "I can make you look dead." He was losing it with this guy, pushing him away as he shook his head. He wasn't worth it. Instead he reached his hand out to Emily. He needed some of her calming touch. "Are you ready to go?" he asked, his tone very different from when he had practically hissed at Dave. His eyes were softer too, like he was looking at someone he genuinely cared for. Only he probably didn't realize that. He eyed the cat, smiling, "we'll see you later, lil guy," he bid the cat goodnight chuckling softly.

Dave looked rather terrified as Rhys grabbed onto his shirt, clearly wanting to get out of the situation as soon as he had ended up here. "No need for that big guy." he muttered, lifting his hands to show that he meant no harm. He hurried off, leaving them alone. Emily had her arms crossed, a little distraught still about the dead-looking comment. She took his hand as he reached out, nodding at his question. She liked how he spoke to the cat too, giving his hand a soft squeeze. "Okay, we can go now. It is far?" she asked, wondering what it was that he had planned for them.

"Hey, I'm not spoiling it," he chuckled, clearly in a better mood now that Dave was gone. He pulled her in, looking at her, his eyes searching hers. "Hey, forget about that asshole .. Just you and me now, princess," he said in a charming tone, smiling at her as he just had his arm around her. Gods, he really liked her, didn't he?
"And no, it's not far - We'll take the bike and be there in twenty minutes tops," he promised, giving her hand a squeeze before he let go of her slightly. Inspecting her clothes he hummed, nodding to himself, "you did dress warmly as I told you to," having to hold himself back from praising her. But she made it so easy. "C'mon," he chuckled, still holding her hand he led them back to his bike that was still nicely parked by the sidewalk. If there wasn't anything she needed to grab he would help her put the helmet on, making sure it was sitting securely before popping one on himself. He was a grunt, not an idiot.
Crawling on the bike he sat down, instructing her how to get on and where to hold her hands, reaching his hand back to press on a small button on the side of her helm. It connected to his helm so they could speak while he was driving. "Hold on tight, and just enjoy the ride," his voice would sound in her helm. He let the engine roar softly, spinning before gassing it up a bit, and off they went. The world turning to a blur as he drove them out of the city and out in to the country side.

He could easily make her smile and that was quite nice. She hummed at his reply and narrowed her eyes as he inspected her clothes. "Of course. I dont want to freeze again." she sighed. She followed his lead and was quite surprised to see his bike. Not that it was surprising that he rode on bikes, it was fitting perfectly. She was helped with the helmet and felt a little odd. It was maybe a little scary for her, which was interesting when she couldnt die or really get hurt. She sat down like he instructed her, wrapping her arms around his stomach and holding on tight before he even told her to. She wasnt interested in falling off. "Be careful!" she pleaded.
She whined softly as he turned on the bike, squeezing him a little before she took a moment to calm down. "I'm really tense." she admitted but she would just have to get over it. She didnt dare to look up in the beginning but eventually had the courage to turn her head.

"Relax, babe, I got this," he cooed her. He just wanted her to at least try this and what better time than now? They rode for a while, and it was clear that Rhys was driving a bit more careful than he normally would've if it was just him on the bike. He didn't want to scare her, even if she felt it was a little nerve-wracking. He took a turn, driving up a dirt road that moved up towards an outpost. As they reached the top, he parked the bike, getting off and helping Emily off as well. He took off his helmet, even helping her if she needed it. The helmets he placed on the bike, grabbing a bag that was hanging on the side.
He reached out, taking her hand as he sent her a smile, "are you alright?" he asked. It was perhaps quite a journey if it had been her first time on a motorbike. It was very different than sitting in a car that was for sure. Having made sure she was alright, he signaled for her to follow, still holding her hand, but they could move in her pace.
What they eventually reached was a grassy area where they could overlook most of the districts from high up. From the bag he had with him, he pulled out a couple of blankets, placing one on the ground for them to sit on. Moving over he sat down, patting the spot next to him for her to join him. Digging in to the bag once more he fished out a couple cans of sparkling water. It wasn't really anything special, but he had promised her to be sober, so beer wouldn't have been an option.