Take My Hand

[Tree]

"True, maybe if I go back to just sitting on your shoulders, huh? "

She suggested with a slow bright grin.

/I dunno.... but getting to feel like it is .... it's nice. It's soothing. /

[Sushi]

Then if might be closer to our specific height difference, " bran agreed

[Tree]

Marina couldn't help how she started to giggle.

/ I'm pretty sure this is the most innocent man to ever be with his head between my legs./

She shared with Ryder, unable to help her delighted amusement.

[Sushi]

/ I'm not sure if 'innocent' fits, but I'd buy 'oblivious', for sure. /

[Tree]

/Naaah, he's giving innocent. Nearly pure at this point. He's so sweet. I'm gonna get my heart hurt. I can feel it already. /

[Sushi]

/ at least he's nice? /

That was the best consolation Ryder had.

[Tree]

Marina nodded slightly, ruffing up Bran's hair.

"Hey. Mister dragon man? Still love you. Thank you for coming to spend time with me. .... wanna get some food? "

He liked cheeseburgers she'd noticed?

[Sushi]

"I understand that it's rude to decline such an offer, " he replied with a magnanimous nod

[Tree]

Marina giggled with renewed delight.

"What sounds good, studly adonis? Burgers? Steak? Ice cream? "

[Sushi]

"I don't care for confections very much. Otherwise, I can be flexible about the nature of the snack. "

[Tree]

"Hmmmmmm..... steak. That way? "

She suggested as she pointed towards town.

[Sushi]

Bran chuckled and patted her legs as he headed the way she pointed.

"I suppose I will tolerate acting as a pony. You seem too pleased to do otherwise.'

[Tree]

"Aww, I was thinking like.... precious princess? "

She shared with him, looking very happy to see him so willing to spoil her, causing her to warm more.

/ He's precious. /

She fawned at Ryder.

[Sushi]

"Absolutely not. I've seen the way earthbound folks tell that tale. I'm not interested in our interaction ending with a sword through my heart."

Dragons and princesses didn't typically have the best relationship in popular media.

[Tree]

"Awwww. I'm not always earth bound. I've got good friends. "

She imparted with warmth and affection as she shifted to kiss his forehead.

"Then I'll just be your girl, though. Cause I don't want you hurt. Just a lady and her dragon man. "

She would dismount with a little side pouting when they arrived to get lunch together. She was pretty delighted to enjoy it with him, solidly bright and merry as she watched him.

"Do social - romantic relationships make you uncomfortable ?"

She asked with innocent curiosity. He knew her opinions, feelings, and likely wants. She wasn't exactly shy with him and she did trust him to not intentionally hurt her or anything.

[Sushi]

"I don't think so, but I'm not sure exactly what you mean? "

[Tree]

" .... like my attraction and ideal intentions towards you? "

She opted to use the easiest example here.

[Sushi]

"Uncomfortable isn't the correct word."

He leaned back, musing as he chewed.

[Tree]

"What word would you think more befitting? "

She asked with an appraising glance over.

[Sushi]

Bran considered it.

"I don't think theres a single word that suffices, especially if we're talking about all relationships like that in general."

[Tree]

Marina looked over him, contemplation written across every bit of her face.

"I can see that's probably true. But I think I'm better off if you try your best? "

Especially knowing that whatever he said wasn't going to be spot on?

[Sushi]

"...endeared."

If he had to pick just one, he supposed that was the best choice.

[Tree]

Marina considered that word with a thoughtful mind, shaking her head ever so slightly as she sipped her drink.

" That's not so bad, I suppose. ..... "

She smiled a bit as she finished her food and moved to climb into his lap, snuggling him.

"Touch is good. "

[Sushi]

"I've notice you tend to have that mindset."

[Tree]

Marina nodded slowly.

"It's soothing and reassuring to me. Touch of those with affection towards me is a direct reminder I'm not alone. That I'm welcomed and safe."

She expressed tenderly, smiling as she felt the steady breathing of her dragon.

/ I've been unsafe. I've been unwelcome. I've been unwanted. .... I don't want to go back to that. /

She expressed, enjoying the remaining meal with him and heading back to meet up with Ryder for their trip back home for the evening.

When home she stretched and yawned, eyes turning towards her sweet incubi.

" today was long. "

[Sushi]

"The good kind of long? " he responded hopefully

[Tree]

Marina looked over him, eyes smiling before it even reached her face.

"Yes, my love. "

She moved to kiss him tenderly, nuzzling against him.

/Ryker..... will you come over tonight? You don't have to talk or do anything you don't want. I'm .... it's hard missing you. /

She expressed tenderly. She just wanted to cuddle him tonight. He didn't even need to stay the morning. She wasn't going to ask for kindness or warmth or any sort of affection that might make it seem more like using than anything. She just wanted to feel him there ... to feel like it all made sense so she could sleep easy.

[Sushi]

/that's suspicious, but I suppose so./

He wouldn't come over right away, but he did show up after an hour or so.

[Tree]

Marina was already changed into pajamas by the time he showed, moving to gently take his hand in to her own and kiss him gently.

/ Not trying to be suspicious, my love. I just want you with me tonight./

She explained as she took to lead him and Ryder to bed. If he was compliant she'd snuggle down to rest her head on Ryker's chest. She tugged on Ryder until he was snuggle right in against her back. Slowly her body eased and her breathing started to fall into sync with the pair.

/I love you. /

She whispered softly to Ryker, just wanting to be close to the two men who meant so much to her.

[Sushi]

Ryker let her rest her head in his lap instead.

/I love you too,/ he purred silkily.



Ryder reached to hold the hand draped over his side with a yawn.

"Good night."



His brother slipped out in the early morning.



/um... I realize this might be inconvenient timing for you, but I was hoping that you might be able to do me a favor?/ Nikki interrupted hesitantly from wherever in the world he was.

[Tree]

/Probably..? What's up love? /

She asked, rubbing at her face a bit as she half expected to see him standing in her bedroom.

/ Daddy.... why did you leave? /

She was concerned though, not upset or pouting as she sat up in Ryder's arms, reaching to brush his sleepy mess of hair.

[Sushi]

Nope. It was a phone call only.

/ could you have someone feed my cat and change her litter? /




/you achieved your goal with me./

[Tree]

Marina hesitated, feeling brushed back a tiny bit.

/.... I suppose it did.... Lover.... /

She felt really wobbly as she tried to figure out what she felt with this all, nodding to herself.

/ not a problem, my love. Are you alright? /

She asked of Nikki, just to be sure as she inched to shower as she left a little "had to check up on a precious kitty. Be back soon." On Ryder's nightstand.

She did the kitty task quickly, before sighing to herself. She needed to handle this with Ryker....

/Daddy, where are you? /

She asked him tenderly.

[Sushi]

/ yeah. Just can't make it home for now. Thanks for your help. /



/ home. Why? /

[Tree]

/ Of course. Be safe, I love you. /

Marina whispered, biting her lip as she debated things.

/ Because I miss you. Because I want to be with you and talk with you.... because things being like this .... it's hard and not right and.... I need you. I love you. ... and as much as I know my lovers are just trying to care for me and support me... I need to figure us out with just us..... /

She answered with a sad, heartbroken longing she couldn't help in her voice.

/I love you. /

Because maybe as much as he knew it, he needed to hear it sometimes like she did... she looked about herself and slipped from Nikki's place to her place across town.

Most of the old place still needed remodeled. It had so many fully frozen rooms and others filled with dust. The spirits that haunted the place and tormented her seemed to be absent or at least behaving as she made her way to the small section here that was finished enough to inhabit.

She stroked up the flames and encouraged a stunning fire to blaze bright and pulled covers off the sofa and started to snuggle down into the sofa.

/ If you want, I'm not with anyone or in a place that's really claimed by someone. /

Not since everything with her husband had.... she couldn't walk that road right now. Ryker first.

[Sushi]

"What kind of my would I be to turn down n invitation Ike that? Especially when you sound so sad and lonely..."

He turned her in for a kiss.

[Tree]

Marina looked up at him, kissing him easily as she snuggled into his chest.

"I love you. .... I want you back. I don't want you disappearing when I wake up. Or feelings used or something... I want us back... and I'm worried about you. "

Cause him just vanishing wasn't him.

[Sushi]

"I love you too."

Ryker rubbed her cheeks.

"How long do you think that'll last before you're turned off again? "

[Tree]

Marina blinked at him in confusion, nuzzling into his hand.

"Turned off? What do you mean? X

[Sushi]

"How long until you're sick of me again?"

He ran a finger alo.g her jaw