Back on Familiar Soil

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

Holding onto the door frame for a moment and resting against it, she studied him carefully like an appraiser would a work of art, noting the subtle changes both in appearance and personality. Being in New York had given him a few new layers she hadn’t noticed before and was appreciating. His stutter seemed to be improving, not that she found anything wrong with it before.

Accepting his invitation as she made her way over to him she was careful not to sit on either of their dogs as she plopped herself down next to him, cuddling into his side and tucking her legs underneath her.

“I w-was getting dinner r-ready for you too..” she admitted softly, the food still cooking in the oven – a delicious meal of lasagna. She had found the recipe online and wanted to see if she could make it. “Unless you want to nap.” Looking up from her spot snuggled on his chest, she cocked her head to the side.

That was another thing Jack had missed: meals together. His manager in New York had insisted on dragging him to various high-end restaurants, and parties at the gallery had usually involved drinks and nibbling various things on toothpicks. But he hadn’t really known any of the people there, and the atmosphere had somehow left him feeling both like he didn’t belong and like he was the focus of everyone’s attention.

“I’m not th-that tired,” he said, shifting on the couch so they could lie down together. “I’ve missed having dinner with you. And I didn’t t-trust the food on the plane,” he added, with a small chuckle. “I’ll rest later.”

Glad she had called in sick for work after his text and just wishing to spend some well deserved time with him, Katelynn rested her palms upon his chest and adjusted herself when he moved to continue cuddling into him. How her heart was leaping for joy at this simple contact and how content she was to just lay with him though she knew there was much to talk about. She just didn’t want to hit him with everything at once – not all of it was pleasant after all.

“Poor thing…I’m not sure..you can trust my c-cooking either,” she joked, turning her head to rest her chin upon his form to try to stare into his eyes. “It might be just as bad as plane food.”

Without really thinking about what he was doing, Jack tilted his head forward and nudged his brow gently against Katelynn’s, nuzzling her softly. “Y-you made it, Katelynn,” he said. “That’s enough to m-make it good. And I really, really doubt it c-could be as bad as the st-stuff on the plane,” he added, remembering the tin of mysterious, vaguely plastic-like substance smeared in green and orange slime. The other passengers seemed to have thought it tasted okay, but Jack had decided not to risk it.

With the meal still cooking, there wasn’t any real need for them to move yet. So they stayed snuggled on the couch for a while longer, until the oven dinged.

Back on Familiar Soil

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

Opening the door to their apartment was quite the ordeal as Stella and Roxy noticed the missing member of their family back, his familiar scent filling the room. They perked their heads up quickly, tongues lolled to the side as they gave a few excited barks, rushing over to greet ‘daddy’.

Giggling and helping him with his suitcase, Katelynn looked over her shoulder at him with such tenderness swimming in her brown orbs. “Look who else missed you..” she whispered, watching the two dogs jump up and down against his legs.

Their home finally felt complete once again at his return and she couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of happiness as she set his luggage in their bedroom. Deciding to worry about that later, Katelynn peeked her head out the door to watch him for a moment and just enjoy the fact that he was back.

As she’d said, he was tired, but not too tired to give some love to his second- and third- favorite girls. “H-hey there, sweetie,” he cooed as he scooped the wriggling Roxy up like a baby. “I missed you too. And you, Stella.” He took a seat on the couch, so that both the pug and the bulldog could find a place on his skinny lap.

After a few moments of being pinned down and kissed half to death by the dogs, Jack spotted Katelynn watching him from the doorway. “There’s room for you too,” he joked softly.

Holding onto the door frame for a moment and resting against it, she studied him carefully like an appraiser would a work of art, noting the subtle changes both in appearance and personality. Being in New York had given him a few new layers she hadn’t noticed before and was appreciating. His stutter seemed to be improving, not that she found anything wrong with it before.

Accepting his invitation as she made her way over to him she was careful not to sit on either of their dogs as she plopped herself down next to him, cuddling into his side and tucking her legs underneath her.

“I w-was getting dinner r-ready for you too..” she admitted softly, the food still cooking in the oven – a delicious meal of lasagna. She had found the recipe online and wanted to see if she could make it. “Unless you want to nap.” Looking up from her spot snuggled on his chest, she cocked her head to the side.

That was another thing Jack had missed: meals together. His manager in New York had insisted on dragging him to various high-end restaurants, and parties at the gallery had usually involved drinks and nibbling various things on toothpicks. But he hadn’t really known any of the people there, and the atmosphere had somehow left him feeling both like he didn’t belong and like he was the focus of everyone’s attention.

“I’m not th-that tired,” he said, shifting on the couch so they could lie down together. “I’ve missed having dinner with you. And I didn’t t-trust the food on the plane,” he added, with a small chuckle. “I’ll rest later.”

Back on Familiar Soil

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

Her lips were slightly needy against his own yet patient and loving as she clung to him tighter, feeling her heart jump into he throat from having him kissing that way – having missed his caresses from their separation. She had tried to convince herself that the phone calls had been enough; that hearing his voice was all her heart needed but it felt like a delusion as it missed every piece of him.

She sighed happily at that feeling of completion washed over her, her better half returned to her side. She never wanted the kiss to end as it continued to last but as she gently broke, she rested her forehead upon his chin and panted to recover her bearings, hands fisting the material of his turtleneck.

“Jack..” she sighed, hoping to calm her frantic heart. “L-Let’s go inside..y-you must be t-tired..”

She wanted nothing more than to spoil the pants off of it though not literally of course. Jet lag could be killer after all and she just wanted to snuggle up to him and enjoy being close to his side. She had even tried preparing food in case he was hungry.

Jack hugged her tightly as he felt her gripping his shirt. He nuzzled his cheek against the side of her head, breathing in her warm, sweet scent as he felt the softness of her hair against his skin. A month ago, he would have felt like a creep for smelling her hair like this, but not anymore – he’d missed her too much to care.

“Th-that sounds good,” he whispered back.

It took him a long moment to let go of Katelynn so he could grab his suitcase. But, once that was done, the two of them quickly made their way inside.

Opening the door to their apartment was quite the ordeal as Stella and Roxy noticed the missing member of their family back, his familiar scent filling the room. They perked their heads up quickly, tongues lolled to the side as they gave a few excited barks, rushing over to greet ‘daddy’.

Giggling and helping him with his suitcase, Katelynn looked over her shoulder at him with such tenderness swimming in her brown orbs. “Look who else missed you..” she whispered, watching the two dogs jump up and down against his legs.

Their home finally felt complete once again at his return and she couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of happiness as she set his luggage in their bedroom. Deciding to worry about that later, Katelynn peeked her head out the door to watch him for a moment and just enjoy the fact that he was back.

As she’d said, he was tired, but not too tired to give some love to his second- and third- favorite girls. “H-hey there, sweetie,” he cooed as he scooped the wriggling Roxy up like a baby. “I missed you too. And you, Stella.” He took a seat on the couch, so that both the pug and the bulldog could find a place on his skinny lap.

After a few moments of being pinned down and kissed half to death by the dogs, Jack spotted Katelynn watching him from the doorway. “There’s room for you too,” he joked softly.

Back on Familiar Soil

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

will-never-be-a-swan:

It felt so instantaneous – one second she had been standing there among the crowds like any other face, hard to distinguish and yet Jack had scoped her out without problem and she was swept up in his arms the next second, eyes blinking as she felt arms wrap around her.

Arms she had missed.

Heart pounding in a mixture of pain and joy, her own thin arms hugged him tightly to her person as she nuzzled into his chest, lashes moistening as tears began to collect at the corner of her eyes before falling down her cheeks. His smell, his body, his everything – how much she had missed it, craved it and now he was back, his voice filling her senses as the rest of him wrapped around her like a security blanket.

“J-Jack…” she choked out, unable to speak as her lips trembled from the force of her emotions. Her knees wobbled a bit and she clung to him tighter, all other thoughts, all other sounds blocked out.

“I-I missed you more…”

He wouldn’t argue with her over something as silly as that, instead he just held onto her for dear life. For a while it had felt as if he wouldn’t see her again, no matter how silly that was, truly. She had only been a phone call, and plane ride, away and yet he’d been incapable of doing either until now. He shivered before pulling back, and swiftly kissed her despite it feeling as if it were their first all over again since he had an eruption of nervousness and worry.

But her lips were warm, soft, and the kind of familiarity he needed right now to help him feel more grounded in the city that he called home. Yes, he’d been away, but he was back now and never again was he going to do something like this. He loved his art, of course he did, but he loved Katelynn more.

Her lips were slightly needy against his own yet patient and loving as she clung to him tighter, feeling her heart jump into he throat from having him kissing that way – having missed his caresses from their separation. She had tried to convince herself that the phone calls had been enough; that hearing his voice was all her heart needed but it felt like a delusion as it missed every piece of him.

She sighed happily at that feeling of completion washed over her, her better half returned to her side. She never wanted the kiss to end as it continued to last but as she gently broke, she rested her forehead upon his chin and panted to recover her bearings, hands fisting the material of his turtleneck.

“Jack..” she sighed, hoping to calm her frantic heart. “L-Let’s go inside..y-you must be t-tired..”

She wanted nothing more than to spoil the pants off of it though not literally of course. Jet lag could be killer after all and she just wanted to snuggle up to him and enjoy being close to his side. She had even tried preparing food in case he was hungry.

Jack hugged her tightly as he felt her gripping his shirt. He nuzzled his cheek against the side of her head, breathing in her warm, sweet scent as he felt the softness of her hair against his skin. A month ago, he would have felt like a creep for smelling her hair like this, but not anymore – he’d missed her too much to care.

“Th-that sounds good,” he whispered back.

It took him a long moment to let go of Katelynn so he could grab his suitcase. But, once that was done, the two of them quickly made their way inside.

A legendary painting (3)

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

Ezayne grinned, watching how quickly he had answered. This guy must be a professional. He typed his answer as quickly as he could. It would be a little hard to explain all the request via phone, but he had to try.

[Text] Nice to meet you, too. See, I live in a penthouse, and I have this big white wall in my bedroom. I really like Chinese and Japanese paintings, and I would love to see a mural about my favourite myth on that wall. Once you come here, I’ll show you the place. I know it’s something really big, so if you want some help, I’m more than willing to collaborate.

… Well, that was different from his usual commissions. Jack honestly had to stop and think the request over. He’d never done a painting in a client’s home before – and, from the sound of what Ezayne had described, it would be a big project, which meant he’d have to spend a lot of time there, even if he had help. The familiar social anxiety came back; visiting New York had helped it, but it hadn’t gotten rid of it entirely.

But, at the same time, Jack couldn’t deny that the idea intrigued him. He’d often admired public murals – not graffiti, but real art made into part of the cityscape. The chance to create one of his own would be special, even if it was just in a private residence.

He could at least meet with the man.

[Text] That sounds like a fascinating idea! I’d be glad to see what I can do. When would be a good time for us to meet? [Send]

Ezayne glanced at the text for a moment. what was D for him? It was too soon to think about him like a son. Maybe a little brother? That would be a good term.

[Text] Anytime, really. You could come now if you want. I live alone with my little brother, he came from a long journey and he’s going to spend some leisure time here. So you’ll have four extra hands to help you if you want, but I’d prefer to be the one helping you with this. It’s something very personal for me.

Now?! … Actually, that was probably a good idea. Set to it quickly, before he lost his nerve. And, really, he was curious.

[Text] Now would be just fine. If you give me the address, I’ll be there as soon as possible. As for help, let me get a better idea of what I’ll be working with, and we’ll figure out what works best. [Send]

A legendary painting (2)

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows started following you

That morning, after Sinner had left, Ezayne found an interesting surprise in his Tumblr. He had a new follower, a painter called Jack Maple. How timely! Right when he ws thinking to paint a mural on his own room, a painter began to follow his account. It must be fate.

Studying his page, he found his cellphone number, and decided to text him.

[Text message] Hello, Mr. Maple. My name is Ezayne Charles Raymond Moriarty, but you can call me just Ezayne. Thanks for following my Tumblr account, BTW. I wanted ask you if I could request one of your paintings. I know I’m talking with the best painter of the city, and I’m willing to pay a good sum of money for your work.

Jack didn’t know very much about Ezayne – he had begun following the man’s blog because Tumblr recommended it, as they followed many of the same people. But now it looked like it had been a good move. Even with his growing fame, new clients and commissions were always welcome.

For the shy artist, texting was easier than speaking in person. He quickly began a reply.

[Text] It’s nice to meet you, Ezayne, and I’m very flattered you think so highly of my work! Yes, I’d be glad to take a request from you. What sort of work did you have in mind? [Send]

Ezayne grinned, watching how quickly he had answered. This guy must be a professional. He typed his answer as quickly as he could. It would be a little hard to explain all the request via phone, but he had to try.

[Text] Nice to meet you, too. See, I live in a penthouse, and I have this big white wall in my bedroom. I really like Chinese and Japanese paintings, and I would love to see a mural about my favourite myth on that wall. Once you come here, I’ll show you the place. I know it’s something really big, so if you want some help, I’m more than willing to collaborate.

… Well, that was different from his usual commissions. Jack honestly had to stop and think the request over. He’d never done a painting in a client’s home before – and, from the sound of what Ezayne had described, it would be a big project, which meant he’d have to spend a lot of time there, even if he had help. The familiar social anxiety came back; visiting New York had helped it, but it hadn’t gotten rid of it entirely.

But, at the same time, Jack couldn’t deny that the idea intrigued him. He’d often admired public murals – not graffiti, but real art made into part of the cityscape. The chance to create one of his own would be special, even if it was just in a private residence.

He could at least meet with the man.

[Text] That sounds like a fascinating idea! I’d be glad to see what I can do. When would be a good time for us to meet? [Send]

A legendary painting (I)

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows started following you

That morning, after Sinner had left, Ezayne found an interesting surprise in his Tumblr. He had a new follower, a painter called Jack Maple. How timely! Right when he ws thinking to paint a mural on his own room, a painter began to follow his account. It must be fate.

Studying his page, he found his cellphone number, and decided to text him.

[Text message] Hello, Mr. Maple. My name is Ezayne Charles Raymond Moriarty, but you can call me just Ezayne. Thanks for following my Tumblr account, BTW. I wanted ask you if I could request one of your paintings. I know I’m talking with the best painter of the city, and I’m willing to pay a good sum of money for your work.

Jack didn’t know very much about Ezayne – he had begun following the man’s blog because Tumblr recommended it, as they followed many of the same people. But now it looked like it had been a good move. Even with his growing fame, new clients and commissions were always welcome.

For the shy artist, texting was easier than speaking in person. He quickly began a reply.

[Text] It’s nice to meet you, Ezayne, and I’m very flattered you think so highly of my work! Yes, I’d be glad to take a request from you. What sort of work did you have in mind? [Send]