Beach BBQ [Open]

[asharpertongue]

Levi's idea for a beach party had been a good one. After the past few weeks they both needed to blow off a little steam and Lara had taken to the idea like the proverbial siren to water, inviting all her employees and friends. Levi had put the word out at the police station and among his closer friends so between them a decent crowd was forming.

The tables lining the beach were piled high with food and drink, a DJ was already in full swing and people were drifting over to the large bonfire for warmth as the chill started to cut through the summer evening. A few of the Heart of Gold employees had brought their kids along for the festivities and a friend of Lara's was performing little glamours and tricks to keep them entertained. Large clusters of huge pillows were dotted about the beach just a little way from Levi's house and lanterns and firelight bathed the whole area in a warm glow.

Maybe Lara had taken it a little far but she liked to treat her friends and everyone could use a little R&R.

OOC: Levi and Lara's friends have been officially invited, but everyone else feel free to wander in at your leisure~.

Comments

[littleredsiren]

Iris can feel her heart trying to pound its way out of her chest and her face is absolutely burning, though it would be worse if she could bring herself to look at him instead of the cup in her hands.

"And... Did she say anything to that? About me?" she asks, voice trembling a little.

[jasonwright]

"She said you're a shy girl and I'm a good man who doesn't take advantage of nice girls." He remembers the words perfectly. Because they hit hard. She called him a good man, a woman who barely knows him but gave him a job of the street and is perceptive enough to know Jason would never hurt her student and friend.

[littleredsiren]

She's going to end up chewing her nails down to her nailbeds if this keeps up...

"She... I..." God, why did she let Lara run off? She should have chased her. "She knows I l-like you. Like, you know. I-I..."

And that's the end of her coherency. Her face is red, her heart is threatening to leave her chest, and she's stammering so badly she can't get two words out.

[jasonwright]

He can't help but give her a surprised look. Yeah Lara hinted at it, but hearing it from Iris is honestly shocking. "More than just a friend?" he presses. Because he's notoriously dense when it comes to these things, not because he thinks no one could possibly be attracted to him but...he feels like he doesn't deserve it. Especially from Iris.

[littleredsiren]

She at least manages to nod to that, and even make a noise of affirmation. She really wants to look up to see how he's reacting but she's pretty sure if she does, she'll end up hyperventilating herself into a dead faint.

[jasonwright]

"Wow." He says, looking back at his hands. And then he smiles, a small chuckle escaping. She's refusing to look at him and he can't even imagine how anxious she is right now. So he leans over and quickly kisses her cheek before pulling back, grinning towards the water.

[littleredsiren]

Iris' head shoots up at that and she turns to him, eyes so wide she'd worry they were about to fall out if she wasn't so goddamn surprised.

"I- Wh- What?" she manages to stammer out. "What was that?!"

[jasonwright]

"What was what?" He looks as innocently as possible.

[littleredsiren]

"You- I-" She gestures at her cheek, not even sure how to start. "You kissed my cheek!"

[jasonwright]

"Did I?" he asks.

[littleredsiren]

"Yes!" she half-snaps, half-whines. "Why? I don't-??"

[jasonwright]

"Why do you think I would kiss your cheek?"

[littleredsiren]

"I don't know," she hisses. "Making me feel better because I'm having a meltdown? But failing spectacularly?!"

[jasonwright]

"Well I guess it's a dual purpose. But not the right answer, sorry." He's enjoying this probably a little too much.

[littleredsiren]

"To drive me insane?" she asks, making a face. "Don't make me resort to using my powers on you..."

[jasonwright]

"Why would I want to make you insane? And I already said I'd be more than happy for you to use your powers on me."

[littleredsiren]

"Because it would be funny? I don't know!" she huffs. "Unless that was your weird way of saying you're okay with me using my powers on you for practice."

[jasonwright]

"Gotta say, it wouldn't be too funny to drive someone I like insane." He shakes his head. "Use your powers on me. I'm more than okay with it."

[littleredsiren]

"I dunno, some people enjoy that, I guess," she grumbles, glaring at him now. Iris fidgets, biting her lip. "I don't know... I mean... I feel weird forcing you to explain yourself."

[jasonwright]

"Probably the only way you'll get the truth out of me unless you want Lara to pull you aside." He smiles and decided to just be blunt for her own sake. "I like you, Iris."

[littleredsiren]

Iris is pretty sure her heart just stopped for a moment. "Like... More than friends like? Or...?" she trails off nervously, biting her lip.

[jasonwright]

"More than friends," he says with a soft smile.

[littleredsiren]

"Oh. Oh." A tiny giggle slips out and she flushes, ducking her head. "Really? Like... Wow. I don't even know what to say to that..."

[jasonwright]

"So yeah, you can definitely practice on me," he grins.

[littleredsiren]

"I'm glad," she says, grinning broadly into her cup. "You're going to make a great study buddy, I can tell."