Detailed Roleplayers discussion
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TheCountess x Isis #2
"What I want, was for you to have told me the truth before fucking me and making me fall for you," Karson replied to Nathaniel, not bothering to say anything else. He got out of the car and smoothed down the clothes that he was wearing. He waited for the other man, blank faced. He wasn't going to force any smiles. He wasn't going to say anything to these people. He was going to stand in the background and pretend he was somewhere else. Of course, he still held the cat in his arms.
Nathaniel sighed and got out of the car. Before he could say anything to Karson, the back door opened.“Uncle Nate!” A little curly haired boy ran up to him and put his arms around his neck. (view spoiler)
Nathaniel smiled brightly and bent down to scoop him up. “Hayden.” He said softly, hugging the boy and lifting him in his arms. “Oh, you’ve grown so big. I can’t believe it.” He was genuinely excited to see the boy. He hadn’t realised how much he had missed him.
He looked ahead of him and saw that Peyton was standing at the door, arms folded and a smirk plastered on her face. She didn’t like his surprise visits, he knew that because she got a little bit paranoid, but Karson and him had taken the necessary precautions and he knew they’d be safe here for a bit. He would explain that to her. (view spoiler)
He started walking in the direction of the door, hoping Karson would follow. Standing beside her, holding her legs, he noticed that June, Peyton’s daughter was standing holding onto her mother’s legs for dear life. She looked scared as she always did and he had a feeling the girl wouldn’t approach her or Karson today. He just hoped that Karson was able to maintain his blank face and not scare the girl further. (view spoiler)
[[Would you like to be the little boy? sorry, I realised after the pictures. Sigh]]
((Well fine!))Hayden put his hands onto Nathaniel's face and squished it all around. "You got bigger too, Uncle Nate," he said. Of course it wasn't true, but Hayden obviously didn't know that. He kept his hands on the man's face and peaked over at Karson. "Who's that guy?" he asked before wiggling all about to try and get out of Nathaniel's arms. "Mister, hey mister," he waved his hand at Karson. "Why are you holding a cat? Can I pet your cat?" He finally managed to escape back onto the ground and run over to Karson, staring up at him expectantly.
"Uh, well, it's not really my cat," Karson said, though he was already crouching down to be on the little boy's level. "And I'm Karson, the cat is Cocktail. You can pet her, but be careful because she might be a little scare around someone new like you." Of course, the cat was entirely calm at the moment, but it really wasn't his cat and he didn't know how she would respond to a child.
[[Haha. Good girl]]Nathaniel laughed as he felt Hayden manipulate his face and say those little cute words to him. He couldn’t hold onto him long enough before the boy was wiggling out of his arms and on the ground running to dissect Karson. He cringed, worried at what the man would do but was pleasantly surprised when Karson crouched down and spoke to Hayden sweetly. He hovered next to them biting his lip nervously. “That’s Hayden,” he informed Karson. “Hayden, tell that nice man how old you are and be careful with Cocktail. Pet her gently, don’t squeeze or she’ll scratch you.” He ruffled the boys head and left them to it only glancing back once before he reached Peyton.
Peyton sighed and pulled Nathaniel into a tight hug. “Nate,” she said between gritted teeth. “I can only assume you’re in trouble. She knew that when he didn’t call before he came something was up. She bent down and picked June, who quickly turned her eyes away from Nathaniel and looked over her mother’s shoulder.
“hi June,” Nathaniel said pleasantly to the two year old not bothering to wait for a reply before he turned to the woman before him. “Peyton, hi. I’ve missed you.”
Peyton rolled her eyes. “right, right...” she shook her head and pushed the door open for him to enter. “I know you’ve missed me, I’m amazing but you better tell me why you’re here and who the guy you brought with you is.” she sighed but then gave him a quick peck on his cheek. "I'm glad you're okay," she whispered.
Hayden was already too busy petting the cat to pay any attention to Nathaniel, but he did hear the words. He petted the cat gently and sighed as if it was some kid of magical experience for him. "I like cats," he informed Karson, "But mom won't let me have one. She says that they smell and they bite." He now leaned down and took a big whiff of Cocktail. "Nope. She's lying. This cat doesn't smell. Mom's in trouble." He then turned his gaze onto Karson and burst into a grin. "I like you, cat guy. I'm six. How old are you? Are you this many?" He held out his hands to indicate ten. Karson couldn't help but chuckle at the little boy. Just like any child, he was extremely random and odd. Though, Karson could relate to that because he was practically a kid himself. "Well, I'm a little more than that many," he answered, "But I think I'll let you try and guess it. How high can you count?" He stood and started to lead the boy inside while he spoke.
Nathaniel stood at the door, not bothering to go in. He watched Hayden talk to Karson, his heart swelling. He had to tell it to stop before he started to feel things that would be too painful. “That is Karson.” He said with a sigh, just staring at the man. “He and I are on a mission. He’s... my...” Nathaniel couldn’t say anything more.“Nate?” Peyton looked at the man beside him with a worried expression. there was something bothering her friend and it was more than just the danger they were in. She didn’t want to press him for information so instead of talking to him she turned him and pushed him inside the house and then called out to her little boy and the man who was with her son. “Hey guys, come inside. There’s cookies in it for good boys,” she called out smiling at Hayden who looked excited, but then frowning when she realised it was a cat he was excited about.
On her shoulder, June stuck the index of her left finger into her mouth and sucked on it hungrily.
Karson made it into the house, though really he just wanted to run in the other direction and hide in the car with the cat. "I'm Karson," he said before giving Peyton a soft smile, "Thanks for taking us in on such short notice. And by us, I mean me, since I'm a stranger. I didn't even know we would be coming here..." A blush rose on his cheeks and he just kind of looked down. He didn't need to be explaining himself. This wasn't his idea. "Anyway, thank you," he said after swallowing and looking back up, just barely catching the little girl's eye as he did so. He waved to her just a bit but said nothing. Hayden ran over to his mom and tugged on her leg. "Mom, can I have a cookie? I was being good? I'm being good still. That's a long time to be good, don't you think?" He looked to Karson. "I was being good, right Mister?"
Karson chuckled and nodded, "I would think so."
Peyton looked down the driveway first before looking at Karson. She regarded his rosy red cheeks and forced herself not to smirk. He looked intimidating, yet there he was standing innocently at her doorway with a cute blush on his handsome face. She smiled back at the man. “That’s no problem at all. I like having Nathaniel over. He’s never around much. He’s pretty isolated so I’m surprised to see him with...a friend?” she raised her eyebrow with a questioning look. June regarded the man who waved at her and then looked away fast so that he wasn’t really looking at her. She didn’t understand why there were so many people and Hayden was talking too much.
Peyton stuck out her free hand. “Anyways, I’m Peyton by the way. Come in,” she said softly and stepped aside for him. Right before she had a chance to look around some more, she felt Hayden at her legs. She smiled at him and rolled her eyes at his cuteness. “Hey,” she called to him. “That mister is called Karson, and if you go inside and wash your hands like a good boy, I’ll give you a cookie.” She bent down and placed June on the ground. “Take your sister with you.” She said softly to him.
Karson gently shook the woman's hand but made no comment about being Nathaniel's friend, or otherwise. He didn't even know what he was so it wasn't worth talking about. He watched the two kids go then he just went back to gently petting the cat. He felt awkward and that was all he could do to keep his mind somewhere. Hayden grabbed his sister's hands then pulled her along to the bathroom so that they could wash their hands. It was a chore, since they were so small, but he managed to get it all done. He made sure their hands looked sparkly before he brought them back to his mom and showed his hands, then June's. "Cookies?"
Peyton laughed lightly watching her son. “Jeez Hay, you’re really the most persistent boy in the world,” she said with smile on her face looking down at her kids. “Okay both of you to the kitchen table. I’ll come in a few seconds okay?” she looked at Karson and Nathaniel. “And the two of you and I are going to talk,” she said through gritted teeth. Nathaniel glanced at Karson, bit his lip and then looked at Peyton and then nodded. “Sure. We’ll be out of your hair in no time Peyton, I promise. We just needed to hide the car. It’s not safe for us out there right now.” he said giving her a preview of what it was they were about to talk about.
When Peyton turned to go into the kitchen to give her kids their cookies, Karson turned to Nathaniel. "We can't leave the car here with them. If they find it it's not fair that they have to deal with that. The kids..." He shook his head then shrugged his shoulders. He had a soft spot for kids and he didn't want to put them in danger. "We'll just have to move it somewhere else when we go, just so it's not here. If that was already your plan, whatever, I had to say it."
Karson sighed. “I know,” he placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He had really been hoping that Peyton’s fiancé was around, meaning that they wouldn’t be at the house. He looked at Karson and sighed. “You must think I’m an idiot. I’m sorry, I just...I didn’t think they’d be here. But we do have to do one thing before we leave. She has a boyfriend, no fiancé, the kids’ father and he must be on a mission so we have to warn her about what’s happening and then we’ll leave as soon as that’s done.” He said sighing again.
Karson nodded a bit. "Whatever we have to do, we just have to do it fast. I don't want to endanger them more than we have to." He walked over to the other side of the room just so he didn't have to converse further with Nathaniel at this point. He had said what he needed to say and now he was going to try and pretend that he was somewhere else and this wasn't happening. Well, no he wasn't really going to do that but he didn't want to be in such close proximity with Nathaniel if he didn't have to be.
Nathaniel noticed that now Karson was avoiding him. He sighed and walked to the kitchen door and nodded at Peyton to get back to the living room.Peyton looked up and nodded at Nathaniel. "Okay guys, one cookie each and Hayden, don't try to take June's even though she's not done. Be nice," she ruffled Hayden's hair and then stepped out after giving them each a cookie. She stepped out and walked with Nathaniel a little away from the kitchen but somewhere where she could see the kids. "You're not leaving the car are you?" she said intelligently.
Nathaniel sighed and shook his head. "It's too dangerous but I did want to tell you something. Gordon might be in danger," he said quietly. He explained the situation about the list to her and Peyton's face went from concerned to blank to completely washed with worry. He could tell it was eating her up inside to not know. "Karson and I are working on getting it off the list but they know we have it so we have to leave this place as soon as possible. You can't call him Peyton. You have to stay as off the grid as possible and when we're done and everything is sorted, we'll...I mean, I'll stop by to tell you." He glanced at Karson for a brief second and then looked back at her.
Peyton's heart was beating almost right out of her chest. Her paranoia was threatening to kick up a notch. She suddenly wished she could get in touch with her fiance but it wasn't easy. She took a few deep breaths to calm down and then looked at the way Nathaniel was watching Karson. "Is something going on between the two of you?" she asked raising her eyebrows. "If you two are having problems, how can the rest of us hope to be in 'good' hands?" she glared at the two of them angrily.
Karson heard Peyton's words and sighed softly. "I'm a professional. I can do my job whether I'm happy or not. My feelings, or lack thereof for Nathaniel will not cloud my judgment when it comes to my job, ma'am. I'm an agent first. You're in good hands, at least when it comes to me." He didn't looked at Nathaniel as he spoke, just Peyton. "Now, is there any chance that we can borrow a car from you? I hate to ask but you're the only one we can guarantee not to call the cops on us, or at least I hope you're not going to. I don't want to be here putting you in danger any longer than we absolutely have to."
Peyton sighed and looked at Nathaniel and then nodded at Karson. “Yes, there’s a pick up truck in the back that Gordon usually uses but I thought you weren’t leaving your car behind anymore,” he said with slight confusion. She was trying to wrap her head around everything that was going on but she couldn’t seem to. There was too much; her safety, her family’s safety, Nathaniel’s safety and apparently his new angry boyfriend’s safety. It was a lot. “And don’t worry about me. I’m not going to be calling anyone.” She looked at Nathaniel who was standing to the side staring at Karson like a lost puppy. He seemed to have lost his whole being after what the man had said about him or not said.
"We're not leaving the car. We're taking both, ditching his, and then driving yours on out to wherever we're going," Karson said. "We just need another vehicle and this is the best way. And, if you wouldn't mind maybe giving us a cookie for the road too. Hayden was so excited it has got me curious, and I'm starving." Karson tried giving a smile but it was obvious how tired and defeated he was. He wanted to just find the nearest bed and crawl into it, but it wasn't an option at this point. They had to get further away, and quickly, for all of their sakes.
Peyton nodded while Nathaniel remained silent. She smiled softly at Karson but even her lips couldn’t make it convincing. The situation was not one for smiles. “I’ll pack you some lunches.” She said. “With cookies too and then I’ll get you those keys.” She disappeared into the kitchen smiling at the kids and then starting on packing those lunches.In the living room, Nathaniel stood quietly. His eyes had fallen to the ground. His words were failing him but mostly, he felt defeated. He could breath but it felt effortful. He could think but his thoughts were scattered. He didn’t think his heart would survive another day under these conditions. It was clear that Karson hated him. He had just blatantly said that he had no feelings for Nathaniel. That had been the shot through his heart, the one that was currently killing him. The man was not prepared to listen, let alone forgive. All Nathaniel now had with him, was their mission and that would fizzle away fast. After all, Karson was a good agent.
Karson looked over to Nathaniel and then he looked away. "I had to try and reassure her of something," he said, "Because I sure as hell can't reassure myself and she doesn't deserve to be scared just because I fell for a stranger." He cleared his throat. He just didn't want to give Peyton the impression that he did or did not have feelings, and now Nathaniel was acting as if he was some kind of broken machine. Karson didn't think the guy even had a right to feel such a way. He was supposed to be the broken machine, not Nathaniel, but he was just better at hiding it apparently. "So stop moping. You have nothing to mope about. It's not as if I meant something and it's not as if there was really any hope anyway."
Nathaniel looked up, surprised that the man had spoken directly to him. He stared at the man as wide eyed as the cat in his hands, listening for any avenue that the man was coming around. Nathaniel didn’t understand why Karson was so intent on not letting him feel anything about the matter. It wasn’t as if he was made of stone but he said something that made Nathaniel take a step towards him even though they were still on either side of the room. “hope for us?” he said forcing himself not to sound so eager. He took a small breath. “Karson, everything I said to you about caring about you, I meant it. You mean so much to me even now that’s why I can’t give you what you want, that being me to stop feeling down about this. I...I can’t say I’m sorry enough but if this is it for us...if you can’t see yourself forgiving me then, I’ll leave you alone.” He didn’t want that at all but he couldn’t think of another way to appease the man. “I promise. If that’s what you want...”Before Karson could answer, Peyton walked in carrying a cooler and another smaller bag in her hands. She raised the cooler to show them, “Lunch, dinner,” she raised the smaller bag. “Cookies. Most of them are for Karson, Nathaniel, because he asked so nicely. You should really learn some things from him. When he comes into someone’s home, he is polite and not invasive or aggressive at all.”
Nathaniel struggled not to snicker about that statement and nodded. “Do you have the car keys? We would like to leave as soon as possible. I’m sorry I brought us here in the first place. I didn’t know where else to go,” he said feeling guilty all over again and wondering if that added discomfort was Karson staring down his back, judging him.
Peyton put the stuff on the table. “I’ll get those keys and don’t bother apologising. You’ve done worse,” she shook her head. “and when you get back here to tell me the good news, I’ll tell Karson about all the silly things you did in your youth.” She tut and left the room again.
A ghost of a real smile flitted onto Karson's lips for a moment when he heard Peyton's comment about Nathaniel's youth stories, but it was gone just as soon as it was there. "Well, thank you ma'am," Karson said before she left the room once more. He took this time to wave a goodbye to the children then he swallowed and turned back to Nathaniel. "I don't know what I think about hope for the future at this point, but did we ever really have a chance? I was honest about who I was and that would have been hard enough with my being an agent. But what about both of us? Were you just going to let me believe you were a teacher forever?" Karson sighed softly then shook her head. "I don't know, Nathaniel. I'm hurt. I just want to get through this alive. Whether you're a part of it or not, well that's your business, but I could use your help. I'm not looking to forgive you, but I just don't know. I care about you and that hasn't changed, but I just don't know what I want from you right now and you're going to have to accept that much."
He took the lunch box in his free hand. "I'm going to your car and you're going to follow me until I decide the spot to ditch the car. Then, I'm going to get into the new car with you and we'll keep going south. Alright?"
Nathaniel watched Karson quietly until the man turned to speak to him again. He didn’t know how the man’s speech ended, whether it was positive or negative. He was in limbo once again. He said he wanted Nathaniel’s help but he didn’t really care if Nathaniel wanted that or not. He wasn’t about to forgive him but he didn’t know. He said he cared about him, but he didn’t know what he wanted. Nathaniel looked up at the man trying to read more from his face but Karson had already moved on before he got a chance to process anything. He nodded gently at the man’s question.Peyton walked in right at that moment. “Keys,” she announced and handed them to Nathaniel. “You guys keep safe. You make sure you sort everything out and don’t come back here in body bags,” She stretched out and shook Karson’s hand. She turned to Nate. “Whatever you did, and I’m sure it was you, fix it.” she whispered but it was loud enough to be heard by all who were nearby.
Nathaniel rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen. He ruffled Hayden’s hair and bent down to hug him. “Bye kiddo. I’ll come back to see you. Make sure you have a drawing to give me this time and try not to grow too fast.” He turned to June and smiled. “Bye cutie.” She looked at him, tilted her head and then put her index in her mouth and started sucking her finger deeply again just staring at him. “Right.” he said with another smile before he stood up to leave.
Hayden sighed and nodded his head. "But Uncle Nate. Imma miss you. Come back soon. I'll make the picture of that cat this time." He nodded his head decisively then reached over for his sister's cook now that she was busy with her finger. He picked it up and stuffed it into his mouth before anyone could tell him to stop. Karson shook her hand in return then started for the door so that Nathaniel could have a moment with her if he wanted it. He heard the comment about Nathaniel fixing the problem, but he didn't bother making any sort of indicator that he did. He wasn't even sure that this was Nathaniel's problem to fix at this point, so he was just going to go about the mission and forget about his relationship issues for the time being.
Nathaniel smiled down at Hayden. "You do that," he said turning before he saw what Hayden did.June's eyes slowly widened as she watched Hayden steal her cookie. "Haydo!" she cried out. "Cook! Haydo cook!" she immediately started to ball her eyes out angrily because of her brother.
"Hayden!What did you do?" Peyton called out giving Nathaniel one last short hug and dashing off to scold her son. Nathaniel laughed and then looked back into the living room to see that Karson was already heading for the door. He walked over and stood a good distance behind him. "We can go now." He said softly. He was probably going to be speaking to the man like that for a long time from now on. He wished he could rewind time and start them over, but he knew such a wish could never come true.
"She's was done with it!" Hayden said defensively, "I was trying to make sure it didn't go back." He pouted and crossed arms over his chest. Karson couldn't help but to smile just a tiny bit before he walked out the front door. The kid had guts defending himself after specifically being told not to eat his sister's cook no matter how slow she was eating it. He shook his head then walked out to Nathaniel's car. "I'll wait for you and then we get going. You follow me, like I said. I'm bringing the car north but then we're heading south. Alright?"
Nathaniel walked out to the sounds of Hayden being scolded. He could hear words like ‘tooth ache’ and ‘bad boy’ and he thought it wise to leave before Peyton turned on him. He smiled and shook his head, grabbing the bag of cookies and following Karson out. He nodded at the instructions without saying another word and headed to the pickup truck out back. He jumped in and started it, pulling out and stalling right beside Karson, waiting for the man to go ahead of him.
Karson drove off, making sure he was just the right amount ahead. After about half an hour he pulled off onto a dirt road, drove into a wooded area, then got out of the car. He waited for Nathaniel, holding the cat in one arm and their cooler of food in the other. He sighed softly and bit at his lower lip. It had been nice to be alone in the car to get his thoughts together without having to look at Nathaniel. Nathaniel made it hard to think about anything but Nathaniel.
Nathaniel didn't stop the car when they got to the wooded area but turned it around. Now that he had been in the car alone for some time he had a lot to say to the man and he was itching to say it but he knew that that was just wishful thinking on his part. There was no way Karson was going to listen to him. He stopped the car but kept it running while he waited for Karson to join him, wondering if they would even speak at all.
Karson got opened the car door, put in their food, then climbed in and set the cat on his lap. He sighed softly. "Alright, now head back in the same direction but take different roads. South," Karson said. He buckled himself up then took out the lunch that Peyton had maid for them. "Once we've gone 30 miles we can consider finding a hotel room and sleeping in shifts."
Nathaniel nodded at Karson’s instructions and began the drive. Right; it was going to be long and quiet in the car. He didn’t know what they would do and he had a feeling the radio didn’t work. He kept glancing at Karson beside him. He wanted to make up with him but the man had already said he didn’t know how he felt about that. He tried to focus on the road but all he could think about was the man beside him. This is probably why agencies don’t send in couples on the same missions. He could barely think of the task they had to accomplish. It was nothing but a buzz in the back of his head in wake of what he actually had to do.“I was recruited in university, my second year,” he said swallowing hard. He didn’t know if Karson would listen or if the man would just shut his words out but since this was it for them, he might as well tell his story. “I...um...I needed money and I needed it fast so I decided to start hacking banks. It’s one thing for a computer kid to be writing code but apparently for a literature student it’s a big deal. Anyways, I stumbled over some classified information or whatever that the school was involved in, apparently my best work is done by mistake, but that’s when the agency caught up to my signature. They offered me training and together the tuition they would be paying, they helped me save my grandmother’s life. I just didn’t see any other option.” He shrugged. “As you’ve seen, I’m a shit shot, so I got a desk job which is fine with me because I hate being out in the field. We don’t work for the same agency. You got to the Bahamas before us and took the job. I didn’t know you then though. I met you for the first time yesterday.”
Nathaniel sat there biting his lip unsure of what Karson would do, certain that the man would want to leave as soon as possible. He wasn’t looking for them to hug it out all of a sudden but at least for that moment, he had laid everything down; everything he could remember. “My uh...my life isn’t that interesting. I’m almost always alone. You’re the first interesting thing that’s happened to me in a while and well...I was so scared I would screw that up, I screwed it up.” He cussed under his breath wishing he hadn’t added that part because Karson was sure to hate him now. He felt like an idiot.
Karson sighed softly and looked at Nathaniel for a moment before looking away once more. "I always wanted to be an agent. It was important to me that I get to protect people, in my way, but being a cop was never going to be enough. I don't believe in the justice system and really agents are the only ones that get to bypass most of that. And now, I kill people for a living, to be honest. I'm more an assassin than an agent, because unlike you I'm perfect with a gun and making plans, but I can't do anything technological. I'm sent on all sorts of missions but mostly I'm there to do the killing. I never kill anyone I don't have to though. I'm not a murderer, I'm just trying to keep the evil people from continuously escaping through the cracks and back into the lives of the innocent." He paused for some time. "I killed my own uncle. He killed my parents. I was born for this."He turned to Nathaniel. "My life has always been interesting, though the term can be used both positively and negatively. I don't think you understood how nice it was to just be with a man who wasn't interesting. I'm sick and tired of interesting. I wanted to just lay in bed all day with a man who had no idea what killing even meant. I wanted to just fall for a man who did absolutely nothing exciting all day. I wanted to tell my stories to someone who would find them new and then feel for me afterwards, or something. I don't know. I didn't want this. I didn't want to find out you were involved in my mission, that you worked for the other side, that you were in the Bahamas on my favorite mission and pretending that you weren't...I wanted to just take you there and relax and be normal. That's never going to happen now. You're not what I thought. I've been with agents and you've seen how that worked out for me..." He shook his head and looked away once more.
Nathaniel took in a sharp intake of breath. He knew that Karson’s parents had been killed by his uncle but he didn’t know that Karson had been the one to kill the man. He had suspected it but there was his confirmation. That part flew him by though when the man spoke again looking at him. He wanted to tell the man that he knew nothing about killing and that he wanted to be the man that Karson had pictured. That his life was far from exciting, and that he too wanted to relax and be normal maybe even in the Bahamas. But Karson was also saying words like ‘never’ and he could see his little flame of hope going out fast enough. He found himself nodding, holding back tears. He had tried every angle in his defence but there was no more wiggle room. He had screwed up and now he had his cross to carry. He swallowed and focussed on the road, only glancing at Karson once before he looked ahead again. I understand, he wanted to whisper but his mouth was too dry for him to speak and he didn’t want to upset the man further. He had to focus on what he could do.
Karson took out Nathaniel's lunch as well now. "You need to eat," he said, "And I don't care if you want to or not." He opened the bag holding the man's sandwich then passed the sandwich over to him. "I don't know when we'll have time to eat again." He was going to talk all business from now on. He was going to put his all into the mission and he was going to forget that there had ever been a possibility between himself and Nathaniel. He was not meant to fall in love and settle down, he was meant to be a loner and a killer, and this was the universe reminding him all over again. There was a reason none of his relationships had worked out, and it was just meant to be that way.
Nathaniel could feel the shift in Karson’s demeanour. He knew that from then on, he wasn’t to speak of their affair. He couldn’t help but feel like the man cared for him when he initially offered him his lunch but then when the man explained why, he felt his tail retreat between his legs. He removed one of his hands from the wheel and took the sandwich. He took out a big bite and ate dutifully. He didn’t know how they were going to progress from there. Nathaniel needed a computer in order to access the list and identify any servers that it had been sent to but that was only what he could do to the ones online. They could travel half the country trying to stop the list from being fulfilled by those who had it in personal hard drives. He felt overwhelmed but he didn’t want to share that feeling with Karson in case the man saw him as week.
Karson ate his lunch and then was silent for just about the rest of the trip. When it was dark he pointed out a little motel and told Nathaniel to turn off into it. He went inside and he got them a room, paying in cash. He came back with the key then motioned for Nathaniel to follow him inside. He was already trying to come up with plans, but it was difficult. They didn't have much to work with. They needed to hit a store too, get the necessities. They wouldn't be able to go unnoticed if their clothes stank to high heaven.
Nathaniel finished his sandwich in quick bites and continued the drive. He fiddled with the radio at some point but as predicted it was an old truck with a shit sound system and he had to continue to listen to his heart beating in his ears. When the motel came into view he did as was instructed and pulled into the parking. He waited for Karson to get the room and then followed the man up to their room. Great, they were going to share a room with no funny business to distract them and all the awkwardness they could master included. It was going to be a fun night too with a hungry cat. “You can take the shower first.” He said politely sitting on the bed. "And I'll sleep on the chair or the floor if you'd like."
"I'd rather you shower first," Karson replied, "I'm going to go to the store. I'll get some cat food and some clothes. I assume you also need a laptop and I'll get a wifi hotspot." He sighed softly. "I'll get us some food too, but it'll have to be non-perishables for the most part. Toothbrushes, toothpaste. Anything else you think we may need?" He looked to Nathaniel and waited for an answer, though he was already near the door and ready to go.
Nathaniel tried to force his jaw not to drop. “um, no.” He couldn’t even think fast enough of anything. Karson had thought of everything and he clearly didn’t need or want help in that department. He was even quite ready to go. “Ah...” he glanced at Cocktail who had settled herself on the bed, centre stage. Even though she had been riding first class on Karson’s lap, she was still puckered out. “I guess Cocktail is fine for now.” he said softly. “I’ll take the shower.” He mumbled softly.
Karson nodded then walked out the door, shutting it behind himself. He was gone only long enough to get all the items they needed, then he returned to the hotel. He held his gun in one hand and the bags of groceries in his other hand, just in case. When he walked back in he pointed the gun ahead of himself, but soon realized it wasn't necessary and tucked it back into his belt.
Nathaniel finished up the shower and tied the towel around his waist. He had been fast enough and had gotten dressed. He sat on the bed waiting for Karson to get back. In the mean time, he had a gun behind him in his trousers. When the door opened, he reached for it but was slow. He saw the nose of Karson’s gun and there was a sharp intake of breath from him. When he saw the man put away his gun, he relaxed again. He wondered if the man was being cautious or if he was still worrying about Nathaniel. “Were there any problems?” he asked politely.
Karson shook his head. "Nope, just a normal grocery store visit," he said before placing the bags on the table. He first pulled out a little plastic bowl and a bag of cat food. He poured the food into the bowl then set it onto the floor for Cocktail to enjoy at her leisure. "There are clothes and a laptop in here when you want them. I'm going to take a shower. Call for me if anything at all happens." He turned and walked toward the bathroom, pulling off his shirt as he went.
[[I was trying to be nice and not flash Karson with any skin and he’s just so evil...sigh]]Cocktail raised her head, heard the beatific sounds of food landing in a bowl and jumped off the bed quickly. She started munching hungrily. Nathaniel couldn’t help smiling when he saw how attentive Karson was to the cat that didn’t belong to him. He stood up to go get his things just as Karson removed his shirt and disappeared into the bathroom. Nathaniel’s eyes lingered on the exposed skin. He felt his body burn hot as he remembered their last encounter on the kitchen top and he shivered slightly wishing he could touch the man again. He’d squandered that opportunity.
He had to focus. He took the things with him to the bed. He setup the laptop and plugged it in. He waited for it to come on and it dutifully did. He stripped all his clothes off while it was loading and reached into the bag to get his new clothes while he waited for it to setup.
((Yeah, he really is...but at least he's not a liar OHHHH.))Karson walked back into the room before he got into the shower, realized he had forgotten his new clothes even after just mentioned him. When he saw Nathaniel practically naked in the room his eyes went wide. He swallowed and turned immediately back around toward the bathroom. He couldn't look at that. If he looked at Nathaniel's body then he would just want it and forget all about everything else. He was just going to get in the shower and take deep breaths until he had completely calmed down, though it was going to be difficult now that a familiar something was poking up.
[[GASP! Rude! So, so rude! And Hurtful...and...alright, alright, that’s how it is huh...wow...just wow...]]Nathaniel looked up just as the shower door opened. He saw a shirtless Karson standing there, gaping at him and he gasped, turning around quickly so that the man wouldn’t see his body, well the front anyway. What a peculiar predicament? The morning before, they had been entangled in each other’s hands and now he was hiding himself in embarrassment. Not only that, but he had gripped himself in an attempt to hide it but there was a dull throbbing haunting him from below. “I didn’t...sorry.” he said quickly.
((Hehe, you started it.))Karson didn't respond, partly because he didn't want to and partly because he didn't think he could. His breath was coming in a little heavy. He swallowed. He wasn't going to think about it, even though he had gotten a clear view and he knew exactly what it felt like...He swallowed again and quickly slipped out of his clothes. He turned on the shower then got into the water, though it was quite warm. He hissed in breath and adjusted the temperature, but even the shock of heat hadn't done anything for the thing in front of him.
[[I didn’t start anything!....I’m curious to know if he closed the door. Hehe]]Nathaniel sighed gently when he heard the shower start. He stood there for a long moment, trying to breath so that he could calm himself down and regain his composure. He felt weakened by both the memory of being with the man and of seeing him even just partially naked and of the man seeing him completely nude. He just wanted to get his clothes on and work on the mission and not think about any intimacy they shared or could share.
((It's up to you to interpret.))It was like deja vu. His hand was sliding down to his erection and he was starting to take care of the problem, unable to stop his heavy breathing. He was an idiot, he knew it, but he couldn't help himself. His rendezvous with Nathaniel had been cut short and it wasn't his fault he wanted the man still. He was incredibly attractive and Karson knew exactly what that body could do...
He spoke again in a calm voice. “Peyton has a condition that causes her to overreact, hence why she stopped working...for the agency. Her children are little. They aren’t mine. We broke up before she had them and it was on agreed terms. If you want me to give you names of all the people who have broken my heart and how, I shall write it down for you. We were friends before we went out and we’re friends now. She helps me sometimes.” He sighed and opened his door.