Take My Hand

[Tree]

"I was taking pole classes before all this? "

She gestured towards the container holding her things from Ryker's place.

"But really you could just instruct me there, rather than learn. "

She offered with a tiny smile at him.

[Sushi]

Ryder gasped, taken aback.

"What? Am I not sexy enough to pole dance?"

[Tree]

Marina looked over him.

"On the contrary, you're stunning, lover. But I'm still learning. I've heard rumor you're well versed... if not a pro."

[Sushi]

Ryder flashed her a grin.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to feel line things weren't fair. We could try something else? I don't know... painting landscapes? I have little artistic talent in that realm. "

[Tree]

"Mmmm, I'm alright with playing catch up. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'd be a shoe in for teacher's pet."

She shared with a tiny look of bemusement.

" pretty much might as well have me finger paint."

Marina shared with a giggle. No paint skills here.

"I've rarely even drawn well.. . And when I do ..... it's always been tied to the future. "

But that was tied to an ability she'd unknowingly let nearly fade out, so it really wasn't even her skill then.

"Pottery?"

[Sushi]

"Oh! I've got it! We can get some of that clay you can bake in the oven and have little clay-dates!"

[Tree]

Marina smiled, eyes sparkling.

"I could do that..... you can be my five minutes crafts buddy. "

She laughed a bit, moving to him and stealing a kiss.

" how about.... how about for now, we go buy the things? And maybe some new shoes for me? "

[Sushi]

"That sounds like the perfect plan. But you might was a wear some subpar shoes until we can get ideal ones. "

[Tree]

"I'll just wear the dumb flippyflops."

She said with a dejected sadness as she nodded towards the pair just under the bed, pulling her socks off.

[Sushi]

"Bring your socks. We can get the shoes first. "

[Tree]

Marina smiled at him, nodding.

"Ok..... I'll get em, you grab fritz? "

[Sushi]

"Into the kitty pouch!"

He practically skipped off to provide the baby with all the kangaroo care she'd tolerate.

[Tree]

Marina couldn't help but grin bright.

"You're the most precious dad, you know that? "

[Sushi]

Ryder's pupils shrunk down to pinpricks for a second before he broke out in a pleased grin.

"You think so? "

[Tree]

Marina nodded, looking over their little pouch furbabe.

"Yes. Absolutely. You're the most dedicated man. I love you. We're both lucky to have you taking care of us. "

[Sushi]

He practically purred with delight, leaning in for a kiss.

"I enjoy being able to take care of you. "

[Tree]

Marina looked up at him, searching him over a while.

"I'm scared you know..... letting someone in like I have you two. ..... I'm not recovered from the last time I lost my foundation. "

She admitted to him, reaching up to stroke his cheek a bit before letting him get that kiss, smiling at the little purr that kicked up a notch at being full snuggle hugged.

"Gosh, how could anyone abandon this little one? "

[Sushi]

"Because fate wanted us to have her. That's the only explanation. She's too cute otherwise "

[Tree]

"I'm glad Hale didn't throw a fit about her presence until we got settled as a little family. "

She shared, reaching to give their little fuzzy some nose pets before she was clipped, hard by a passing stranger. Marina was knocked on her ass, looking lost as the man huffed further past.

"I'm starting to have more reasons to only take lovers in pairs. "

When out as a trio she was always middle. Dudes didn't body check other dudes like that nearly as often.

[Sushi]

Ryder tried to catch her and grimaced at his failure.

"Are you okay?"

He pulled her up and dusted her off.

[Tree]

"Oh of course. But goodness..... "

She sighed, kissing him.

"Shoes. Shoes first. "

[Sushi]

"Actually, you should check your pockets first. Make sure you don't have anything more or less than what you had a minute ago."

[Tree]

Marina frowned, but started to check herself all the same.

"...... It's fine. "

She sighed. The one time she had actual cash......

[Sushi]

"That's a bit ambiguous. "

He squinted down the street.

"Want me to do the movie thing and chase him? "

[Tree]

Marina shook her head.

"It was only like $300 bucks. Not worth it. I thought having some pocket change might be a good idea. Here we are, that idea backfiring."

She shared with a kiss.

"Besides, you'd turn Fritz to Frizzled if you tried."

[Sushi]

Ryder chuckled.

"I could hand her off first. Anything that would make you realize how much I value you. "

[Tree]

Marina shook her head, kissing his cheek.

" I know you love me, no need to do something cliche. "

She shared with an affectionate snuggle with him.

[Sushi]

"I would, though. "

He took her hand and resumed walking.

"Just say the word and I'll bring out the cheese. "

[Tree]

"Wait until it's obvious I'm supplying the wine. Then honestly I'm much more game for you to bring it the berries and tempt me into forgetting my own name. "

She pointed out, smiling a bit as they wondered about the shoe store. She was on a mission. Though, since she wasn't using the ones she already owned...... converse-ish was all that was required.

[Sushi]

Ryder followed her, occasionally pointing out pairs that he liked.

"I can do that, but I'm happy to love you in domesticated ways too. "

[Tree]

Marina thought about it, pausing mid shoe to look up at him.

" just loving me is enough, you know that right? Just picking me when I'm not worth the space I hold? It's plenty. You don't need offer me anything that's not in line with your own wants..... "

Anything. What if he was feeling like he was just sex and snacks for her?

[Sushi]

He raised a brow.

"I wouldn't offer if it if I didn't want to."

[Tree]

"Ok.... I just want you to know. .... cause just picking me? Just loving me is plenty. "

She shared softly, kissing him.

"You don't need to worry over me. You don't need to do anything extra. Just love me. Take care of me. That's all. "

And she really only felt ok with him taking care of her because it seemed to meet his needs.

[Sushi]

"I'm always going to worry about you. I love you and want the best for you. You understand, right? I assume it's mutual?"

[Tree]

Marina nodded slowly.

"Yes."

She agreed with obvious thought. She took his hand and her chosen shoes with a snuggle to his side.

"I just want you to know you need not give anything. "

She felt as if taking up less was critical to her survival at this point, thinking of what was likely lost between herself and her ..... Ryker.

[Sushi]

"Oh! The soles are pink! Did you notice? "

He pointed to the shoes.

[Tree]

Marina grinned, nodding.

"It's cute, aren't they? "

She noted if the fairy-ombre vibe wedge converse tennis shoes.

/I wanted something to set off the outfit enough. /

[Sushi]

"You've definitely got a neon punk thing going on. "

[Tree]

Marina nodded a bit.

"I wanted something ..... not me. Cause I feel like not me right now. "

[Sushi]

"I think you're adorable. I'm also jealous that you can apparently pull off any aesthetic you want. "