Let's Play!

"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.

Ryder gasped, taken aback.

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

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."

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. "

"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?"

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

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? "

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

"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.

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

Marina smiled at him, nodding.

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

"Into the kitty pouch!"

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

Marina couldn't help but grin bright.

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

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

"You think so? "

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. "

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

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

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? "

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

"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.

Ryder tried to catch her and grimaced at his failure.

"Are you okay?"

He pulled her up and dusted her off.

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

She sighed, kissing him.

"Shoes. Shoes first. "

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

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

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

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

"That's a bit ambiguous. "

He squinted down the street.

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

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."

Ryder chuckled.

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

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.

"I would, though. "

He took her hand and resumed walking.

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

"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.

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. "

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?

He raised a brow.

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

"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.

"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?"

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.

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

He pointed to the shoes.

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. /

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

Marina nodded a bit.

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

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