[oom] April Fool's Day

[hell_in_highheels]

Oh, River is not a morning person, but this prank requires some dedication and preparation.  She has her sonic screwdriver set to wake her an hour before the alarm, and she'd packed the blanket and the picnic basket the afternoon before while he was out running.

The matter of the prank itself is a simple few moments with the screwdriver on the red setting.  Quick.  Harmless.  And best of all, reversible. 

She still expects to get a bit of a hiding for it, but he did throw down the gauntlet.  Her cheeks ache from grinning at the very thought of the look on his face when he figures out just what she'd done.

Prank accomplished, she slips into her boots and shushes Damocles, swearing him to silence.  Rather, bribing him with future promises of bacon.  She leaves the note on the pillow and catches herself just before she kisses him on the cheek.  If he wakes, the surprise will be ruined before she can make her escape. 

Dear Richard~

Have been kidnapped by rabbits.  They said something about their pelts being used for "unseemly" purposes. Their leader says, if you ever want to see me again, come alone.

(crudely drawn map of the lake side and the meadow with an X)

Love,
~River

Comments

[hell_in_highheels]

"Not actually a dog, you know."

She's quick to add, "No offence intended to Damocles."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He frowns. "Of course not." There's a disapproving look on his face.

"How is that any different from when you pet me?"

Besides that they're both in bed then.

[hell_in_highheels]

That gets a perplexed look.

"One is an expression of physical intimacy. A desire to increase skin to skin contact towards the end of heightened, mutual pleasure.

"The other felt like a pat you might give a small child."

She's not sure he meant it that way now and he can smell that indecision now.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

That is not at all how he meant it and she can see it in his face.

"Well, I suppose I won't be doing that again," he says dryly.

[hell_in_highheels]

Okay, full stop.

Back up.

"If you didn't mean it that way, how did you mean it?"

She hasn't let go of his arm, and doesn't intend to.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He scowls. "Affectionately, how else?"

He's more upset with himself than her. No wonder Deitmar was always so annoyed with him.

[hell_in_highheels]

"No, no. No scowling."

She takes a step, turning to walk backward a pace before pressing her hands to his chest, halting his forward progress. A little nudge makes him set the blanket down.

That accomplished, she takes his hands and brings them to her face, nuzzling first his left and then his right palm.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Well, he's not quite scowling any more.

The look on his face says 'what are you doing?'

[hell_in_highheels]

She's showing him how she likes to be touched. Silly man.

"Or this," she whispers.

She turns his hand slightly, brushing her cheek against the backs of his knuckles.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"That's not terribly enthusiastic," he observes dryly. Which is kind of the point behind a ruffle.

[hell_in_highheels]

Her eyes go a touch wide, her scent confused and a little frustrated.

"Perhaps we should stick to shoulder bumping then?"

Which is sad really, because she loves having her face petted.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Up goes an eyebrow.

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it."

It's just not a ruffle. Woe.

[hell_in_highheels]

"You're lucky I am smitten with you, Ryan. Some days you drive me batty."

She leans up on her tip toes and kisses him on the lips, the frustrated scent easily overwhelmed by the love scent.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Mmm," he says, not quite returning the kiss, though his scowl smooths some.

"I assure you the feeling is mutual."

[hell_in_highheels]

River purrs a little under her breath, not giving any ground. "Good."

She leans against him, her eyes half lidded as she nuzzles the corner of his mouth. "I'd hate to think it was all sweetness and light."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Craaaap. He can't stay mad when she does that!

He harumphs, kissing her cheek.

[hell_in_highheels]

She catches a handful of his shirt, a quiet, giddy laugh on her lips. When she speaks, her voice is low and rich. "Let's get a move on, shall we?"

My mate.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

That last earns her a full fledged grin as he turns them back towards the path.

And lands a good smack on her rear to encourage her to pick up the pace.

My mate, he says innocently.

[hell_in_highheels]

She squeaks and turns to glare at him, unable to suppress a grin.

She does set an impressive pace on the trail thereafter, making him stretch his legs.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He lets her set the pace because he knows he's faster, but he keeps at her side. It's a week from the moon, but he still knows better than to run behind a human.

There's a low sort of hutch that appears under a stand of trees. Upon closer inspection, it's obvious that the trees are the supports for the structure. It's roughly a foot and a half off the ground with a wide opening on one side. It looks like two people could fit inside, and there's a glimpse of cloth in the dark interior.

Damocles is checking the perimeter, nose snuffling from tree to tree and stopping at the far end where there's a dip in the ground. There's a lot of pale white over on that side and the dog alerts and pounces before coming up empty jawed.

Mouse, he grumbles at them, disgruntled at having missed it.

Richard waits silently for a reaction.

[hell_in_highheels]

River approaches it with a look of wide-eyed curiosity, her eyes taking in every detail. She can see the bones scattered under the carpet of leaves. Her nose twitches as she approaches. The scent of him is thick here, but not overwhelming.

She turns back to look at him, a soft smile on her lips. "It could use a coat of paint and maybe some curtains, but other than that, it's nicer than the first flat I ever had."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard raises an eyebrow.

"Do you have any idea how much paint reeks?"

Still, it's obvious there's some relief about him.

[hell_in_highheels]

River is already sitting down on the platform, her hands planted on either side of her hips as she kicks off her boots.

She wiggles her toes and gives him an arched eyebrow right back. "Maybe just curtains then. Little frilly curtains. With ducks on. Oh no, not ducks. Rabbits."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard gives her a look that says she's being silly.

"They're aren't any windows." He's eyeing her toes.

"Are you hungry?" He is, but that's hardly surprising.

[hell_in_highheels]

She rolls her eyes at him.

"And yes, I could eat. What's that over there?"

She's walking, barefoot through the leaves, towards the bone pile, the bright ribbon of curiosity in her scent. She squats down and begins picking through the remains of his meals like, well, an archæologist, really.