Maris' day started off better than she anticipated. She opened her front door to find one of her new blazers had arrived just in time to be worn to dinner with Rory that night. It was fitting, really to have a nice, new outfit in a place she'd never been before and considering how hard the reservation had been to snag, Maris figured it was probably best to step her (already considerable) game up, lest she be thrown outside with everyone else waiting for a table. She'd paired her new blazer with a black lace tee shirt and a pair of black slacks she only wore on special occasions because she'd had them tailored to fit her like a glove. She'd even put on a bit more make up than usual, putting on some burgundy lipstick and attempting some sort of smoky eye and mostly succeeding. Maris sometimes wondered if her lack of make up prowess had anything to do with not having a mom or big sister type to learn from but ultimately decided one probably wouldn't have done her any good. Cat eyes never held her attention the way Caesar did.

There really wasn't much else on her agenda, but she figured she'd return a few books since the library was on the way to Rory's, but ultimately ended up wishing she'd never gotten out of the car.

Her girlfriend's house was only a few blocks away, but Maris had to pull over halfway through to try and pull herself together.

She couldn't wrap her mind around what had just happened or even pin down how she felt about it. She walked into Rory's house in a daze, plopping down on the sofa without so much as a hello and with what could only be described as defeat.

Rory had been in a great mood all day. Even the little things that might have been little annoyances didn't get to her. Yes, the troublemaker in her last period class even got a pass today. She'd gone home and showered, all in anticipation of the night they had planned. It did occur to her that most days began or ended at one house or the other, which while not entirely practical, delighted her all the same.

She'd selected a deep purple dress for the night, that she didn't have to suck in her breath to fit into, but definitely hugged her a bit in some spots. Rory loved the idea of the occasional fancied-up date night out, and coupling that with a fancy dinner reservation? Perfect. She'd coupled the dress with black heels and a long open sweater after she'd put on just a light bit of makeup.

Pausing as she put her usual necklace around her neck, she tilted her head towards the door of her bedroom like she could hear better by doing so. Figuring she wasn't hearing things after all, she grabbed her earrings and put them on on the move. "Hey, you're here!" She said as soon as she rounded the corner into the living room, a grin on her face -- until it wasn't.

There was a kind of cold shock to the system looking at Maris sitting on her couch, something clearly amiss. "Hey..." She said gently, moving quickly across the space to her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she noted just how amazing Maris looked, but it was overshadowed by deep concern. "What's going on?"

"Hmm?" she said, slightly distracted. Maris' whole interaction with Jess seemed to be playing on a never ending loop. It had been unsettling to say the least, but she couldn't help but waver at the idea of unloading what had just happened on Rory.

They had such a great night planned and had been exchanging excited texts all day. It seemed wrong to ruin it.

It seemed wrong to even bring up Jess again. She was a reminder of a chapter in their lives that was supposed to be long over but apparently things weren't over for her.

Maris sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to bite her tongue or hide her mood all night. She deserved to know if Jess was on the warpath in case she came after her next.

And if it came to that, Maris was determined to come between them.

"I saw Jess," she said, slightly detached because she still couldn't quite believe what had happened. "At the library. She..." She sighed, letting her teeth sink into her lower lip. "She kind of went off on me, actually." Maris ran a hand through her hair, not quite done fidgeting because she didn't know what else to do. "She uh, she knows, Rory. All of it."

The myriad of things that could have gone wrong that went through her head in those few seconds were ... a lot. Rory couldn't even land on one, but what Maris finally told her ... well that was about the worst idea she could have settled on. "Fuck," She said through a breath, tugging her own fingers through her hair as she moved to bridge the space between them.

That ice in her veins feeling didn't really go away, but at least she knew the monster they were going up against now. The fault was, for all intents and purposes, entirely Rory's. She had been the one who was engaged. She had been the one who broke those promises. No matter the justification she gave herself, and no matter that if given the chance, she'd do it all over again. The fault was still squarely on her shoulders.

She should have known that it would all eventually catch up with her.

Rory had tried to spare Jess' feelings, yes, but in doing so also allowed herself the luxury of not having to deal with the consequences of her cheating. Because yes, she had cheated. It didn't matter that she had belonged to Maris first, and always.

Sinking into the sofa next to her, Rory sat close, her hands both reaching out for one of Maris' and giving it a squeeze. "I'm so sorry." She said genuinely, pausing for a moment, worrying ... And at the same time feeling an initial edge of anger. How dare Jess confront Maris? How did she even know? "What did she say?"

What hadn't Jess said? Maris couldn't even tell herself that none of it mattered. Jess had accused her of a lot, some of it entirely untrue. She wasn't some stalker who had followed Rory all the way to Maine in hopes of getting her back. But she had stolen her. Well, as much as a person could be stolen (or at least coaxed into leaving, even if she'd never really asked). She hadn't cared about Jess or anything else in her orbit.

All Maris had been worried about was her and yeah, okay, herself. Maybe she had been selfish. Maybe they'd both been, but they were both better for it now.

"It doesn't matter," she said quickly. "She just knows that we were together and that we're together now. She has a picture, don't ask me how she got it." She made a face. "One, blurry picture of us in the car at the flea market but a picture all the same. I guess that's how she knew?"

She'd said some less than stellar things about Rory too, but Maris wasn't about to repeat them. Besides, wasn't trashing your ex par for the course, to be expected no matter what the circumstances? Well, except for theirs maybe.

Most of it had gone in one ear and out the other but Jess' insistence that Rory would cheat on her too really rubbed Maris the wrong way, not because she believed it, but because it was absolutely ridiculous.

The longer they sat there, the more Rory felt her concern turn into actual anger. A sort of indignant mood settled on her shoulders, and while she knew that she had done a lot of things wrong, there was an adult way to handle things, and a childish way. Apparently Jess had chosen the latter.

"It does matter." She said as gently as she could. It mattered, if only because it had upset Maris. Perhaps she should have been more worried over Jess and her feelings - and she had been. She tried to spare her pain. She tried to do things right in the very end, no matter all the wrong that had preceded it.

"She ... what?" Her voice hissed harshly, and she could feel her cheeks burn hot. Not from embarrassment - no, she'd never allow anyone to make her feel embarrassed for kissing the woman she loved, but for the utter violation it was. "Jess and her pack of minions." She growled, her fingers instinctively flexing in Maris' hand.

Part of her wanted to launch right off the couch and storm over to Jess' house. Yes, she was the perpetrator of all things heartache here, but couldn't Jess just let it be? Couldn't she just allow bygones and find happiness somewhere? She was a lovely enough person (on a good day), she could find someone to love her far better than Rory ever could -- because Rory was spoken for long before they'd met.

"I am so ... fucking furious she came at you. She had no right to do that." She simmered now, trying to remind herself to breathe, that acting out of anger wasn't her style. In truest Hufflepuff form, she could take anything said or done to herself, but this was done to someone she loved. The person she loved more than anything. After a moment Rory stood up and let go of her hand, pacing a couple of steps before spinning back on her heel. She just needed to move. "I'm going to call her. Or ... I don't know. She can't do that, not to you."

"She has minions!?" Maris hissed back incredulously. She was pretty sure her girlfriend was exaggerating but it did seem pretty likely. Jess had mentioned a friend sent her that picture. And then there was that girl who had stopped them in Target.

Had she helped Jess put the pieces together? It was all starting to make sense.

Maris stomach sank at the idea that Jess was well liked with plenty of friends in town. She could handle Jess hating her and Rory. On some level, the other woman had a right to. The public aspect of their exchange was what really bothered her. It was mortifying to feel onlooker's eyes on her and know they were probably believing every accusation Jess lobbed at her.

They really would if they were her friends.

Maris had never been the sort of person who was overly concerned with other people's opinion of her, but nobody liked to be a social pariah. Setting up house now that she and Rory were back on track didn't seem all that likely anymore.

"What? No," Maris said automatically, snapping out of her thoughts once Rory got up. She grabbed hold of her shoulder in an effort to pull her back and face her. "She's upset. You won't do anyone any good charging in right now."

Maris sighed, saying softly, "She has a right to be mad."

She was loathe to admit it, but she and Rory had done something wrong even if it had been done out of love. Maris wouldn't take back a second of it. She didn't feel guilty or...

It was inevitable. It was meant to happen because Rory was meant to be hers. But she had been Jess' for that moment in time, something she didn't like to remember, but.. they had been planning a wedding, a life and Maris knew she'd be just as livid if the shoe was on the other foot but hadn't they done her a kindness? They'd spared her feelings. They hadn't given her the whole truth.

God, at least Rory hadn't married her.

Maris bit her lip. "Please don't... I don't want you to get in a fight. She just found out. Let her deal. I'm fine it was just..." She shook her head, letting out a bitter sound. "Really fucking surreal and embarrassing."

"Her friends, her minions - same thing in this case." She growled, her frustration peaking as she paced. Rory wasn't used to feeling such a sudden burst of anger, but leave it to the protective nature inherent within her to pull that out so quickly.

Yes, Rory had been in the wrong. Maybe she should have gone to Jess early on, told her how she was feeling, told her that her heart was elsewhere -- but she had tried to deny how affected she was by Maris' presence for a while. Even as her whole being gravitated toward Maris, she tried to convince herself it was just her company or her friendship that she craved. She knew all along, of course. It could never be so simple or platonic.

What she had with Maris was that kind of pit of the soul can't live without her love that she'd never had with anyone else. And they'd gone without each other for so long, Rory had convinced herself that she was fine with anything else. Fine with Jess. Fine with being good enough. Maris brought life back into her world, and moreover showed her how little she'd been living in their time apart. It was unfair to anyone to try and compare.

Yet there were ways to deal with heartache and disappointment - ways that weren't going on the attack. She hated that Jess had gone after Maris. If anyone were to take the force of Jess' anger, it should be Rory.

As soon as Maris grabbed for her, Rory exhaled sharply, trying to take comfort and calm herself. "She does, of course she does." She agreed, her tone less forceful than it was before. She was still angry, still frustrated, but Maris had an incomparable way of grounding her.

"I'm sorry." She finally said, her hands going to the sides Maris' face. Rory's fingers brushed through Maris' hair before she nodded and dropped them. "I'm sorry she did that. I'm sorry you had to deal with her and ... fuck." She sighed, shaking her head again. "I guess her finding out was inevitable, hm? Maybe I should have done things differently."

As she settled into a slightly calmer state, she squeezed Maris' hand and offered a slight smile. "You look really good by the way."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for," she said firmly. "Maybe you should have done things differently, but it's done. And how she reacts is on her."

Maris was suddenly more concerned about how everyone else, particularly Jess' friends would react. Rory was right. Jess was bound to have found out about them eventually, even if she only found out Rory had a new girlfriend somewhere down the line. They had been careful, but not overly discreet because nothing really could have stopped them, but...

Things felt different now. Maris couldn't shake the feeling they'd opened some kind of Pandora's box. One that had her contemplating never leaving the house again.

No matter how great she looked.

She sighed, pressing a kiss to Rory's palm. "You look great too," she said almost wistfully, annoyed her run in with Jess had thrown a wrench into the makings of what could have been a perfect night.

Purple. Rory wouldn't have worn her favorite color if she wasn't in a great mood.

But a great mood just wasn't possible anymore.

She pulled Rory into her arms on the couch with a slightly defeated sigh, resting her chin on her shoulder for a moment before starting to speak. "That was a ride, baby. Honestly, I haven't been called a slut since college."

Maris' tone was playful and there was a half hearted smile on her face as she rested their foreheads together. "Didn't the kids tell her you're not allowed to say that anymore?"

"It's infuriating when you have such sound logic, you know." She said softly, attempting a joke and at least feeling a little lighter. Something clearly happened in her at the very idea that someone, even someone she had indeed loved might cut into an ounce of this. It was selfish, she knew it, and there were a lot of things she could have done differently. At one point, she had meant it when she agreed to a forever with Jess. It was unfair to try and relegate the whole thing to meaning nothing at all.

But Rory had tried to be sensitive, tried to be gentle. She certainly hadn't boasted about her new relationship on social media (not that she was often on there anyway), and they were slowly rolling out the whole of their relationship. But the truth was indeed that they weren't necessarily careful when they were out and about. Nor did Rory want to be. She didn't want to dull down how happy she was, but maybe she should have been better about the end of her previous relationship. The cat was most likely out of the bag (in suggestion, at least) that she hadn't waited for one to end, either.

That miserable feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, even as she softly smiled at Maris' compliment. She knew if they tried to rally and go out, this would hang over them like a dark cloud. Another night, no matter how good they both looked, dammit.

But Maris was here, and it occurred to her that throughout all of this, there wasn't even a sliver of worry that the drama with Jess had caused any doubt in their relationship. It occurred to her that she didn't worry about the solidity of their commitment to each other. There was a huge comfort in that.

Settling into the couch with her, she leaned her body into Maris', though she winced when Maris told her more of what Jess had said. "God, you'd think, huh?" She kissed Maris on the forehead, letting her lips just linger there a little longer than need be. "Un-fucking-believable, really. How long did she go at it?"

"Oh, it wasn't too bad," she said sarcastically. "Just long enough for half the block to hear I'm the whore of Babylon."

Jess had called Maris some choice names, but things hadn't been that bad all things considered. Their exchange had seemed to go on forever though, if only because Maris had been lost for words for once. What could she say to Jess, really? Her venom was sort of justified.

In hindsight, Maris wasn't just embarrassed by what Jess had said. She was embarrassed that she'd kind of just took it. Especially in front of witnesses. Being a "slut" or a "cheat" was one thing. A coward was another.

She bit her lip, rubbing Rory's shoulder absentmindedly. "You don't... you guys don't really cross paths anymore, do you? I just don't want you to have to get an earful too."

"Jesus," She groaned, bowing her head in defeat as she raised a hand to her face. "So ... biblical shit."

Rory lowered her hand and grasped one of Maris', sliding her palm against hers and letting their fingers loosely lace together. She couldn't imagine the humiliating moment that must have been ... well, she could imagine it, and it made her see red knowing that Maris had gone through that. Moreover, that she'd had to go through it alone.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." She said softly, almost as an afterthought, though it was stuck in her mind. She didn't like being away from Maris on a good day, much less when she was faced against something like Jess and her rage.

"No, not really." She rubbed her thumb along Maris' as she spoke. It was actually kind of sad in a way, how easy it was to avoid Jess, and how little their lives had woven together. If you were going to marry someone, maybe there should have been more of a jagged break. She'd had to remain in a different state than Maris to be away from her, but even then her heart was pulled back all the while. It didn't feel so clean, not ever. "I'm going to have to talk to her though." Rory said finally, raising her free hand as though to stave off any argument. "Not now, not ... when I'm ready to rip her a new one. But I'll need to talk with her. This won't be happening to you again."

"But is that necessary?" she asked, not wanting Rory to have to go through any more trouble or even be forced to interact with Jess, in a good mood or not, on her account. "We don't really travel in the same circles."

But circles were notoriously small in this town, no matter which way you turned.

Maris just didn't know what she could do about it. For better or worse, this was home because her home was wherever Rory was.

It could have been worse. She hadn't exactly been the most social person to begin with and working from home had never seemed like more of a blessing in disguise. She couldn't imagine how much damage Jess' little outburst would have had on her reputation if she was still teaching.

God, what if she was vindictive enough to try and damage Rory's?

Maybe she did need a bit of reigning in, but did Rory need to be the one to do it?

Maris sighed, absentmindedly playing with her girlfriend's fingers. "Is it time to go on vacation again?" She bit her lip. "Maybe not vacation. Just...away."

"Maybe not." She shrugged, lost in thought for a moment. In an ideal situation, it wouldn't be necessary at all. Rory could go about in her life, she could move on (as she already had), and not worry about someone attempting to wedge themselves into her happiness. But she had maybe done a disservice in her attempts at sparing Jess' feelings. It was a mess, and was always going to be a mess. But if that aforementioned mess was going to affect her girlfriend, Rory couldn't stand for that.

It was something to think about, or at least try to get just right. She felt better, even in their relative silence for a few moments, just mulling over the options. It didn't have to be decided today, at least.

Rory sighed softly as their fingers gently swept over each others, fidgeting together as it were. It calmed her somehow, but maybe that was just Maris' presence in general. "Yes. Absolutely yes." She smiled then, not quite reaching her eyes but it was one born out of relief. "Take some time for just you and me." She agreed with a nod, turning her head so she could press a kiss to Maris' temple.

"I --" She hesitated before speaking more, knowing that what she'd bring up might bring back some ... really painful memories. Maine had been a source of resentment that grew until it made their whole relationship implode. "I know Maine was never your choice, even if fate had different ideas." Her lips ticked up in a small smile, her fingers sliding along Maris' palm. "We don't have to stay here forever. I know my boss had talked about expanding to another state, and even if not, there are other schools... I'm not attached to here, just to you."

The fact that she was ready to run away again should have been some sort of sign. Maris wasn't entirely happy in Maine because on some level, she couldn't be. It had separated them the first time around. The cards would always be stacked against it, even if it had helped them find each other too.

She still clung to hope that something would click. That she'd learn to love it now that everything had fallen into place. She was determined to give it a fair shot, but probably more for Rory's sake than her own.

Her girlfriend had settled in here. She had a job, students, a life, a million different things at stake.

It was the same sort of selfless behavior that had gotten them in trouble last time, but Maris knew better now. Anything less than being with Rory, wherever she was. That was the real nightmare. She'd cope. Maine wasn't that bad.

But here Rory was giving her an out. She just didn't know if she could ask her for it.

"Are you..." She bit her lip, a stern expression on her face because she needed to make sure this was something her girlfriend really wanted. She knew better than anyone that moving was no small task and even she, despite her unhappiness, was reluctant to go through all that again so soon.

"I can write anywhere." She paused. "Well, if I want to write." Maris was proud of getting published and had a million other topics she would have loved to research and write about. Her inheritance and now her book's advance had given her the means to keep going if she wanted but she wanted to take a bit of a break before diving into another sea of endless research. She sometimes longed for the days when she had a job with a bit more structure. Sometimes being your own boss wasn't all it was cracked up to be and she went a little stir crazy, feeling maddeningly unproductive when left to her own devices. She had a lot to figure out, but as far as Rory was concerned, she had never been more sure of anything.

"It would be a bigger change for you, is what I'm saying. I just..." She traced her cheek, saying softly. "I just want to be together."

Rory could be insanely stubborn, and she felt currently, that her stubbornness made so she didn't want it to seem like she was getting run out of town. Not that that is what Jess was after, but this was indeed her home. It had been, and it had been where she had attempted to piece herself back together after the most devastating loss of the love of her life. Thank god she hadn't gone through one of those phases of needing to start anew yet again. If she had, she wouldn't have been reunited with Maris. Or maybe she would have. Maybe the universe really was looking out for them.

But starting anew now, or ... soon. The idea of maybe going to a new place, a new city to explore. It was appealing, the more she thought about it. And she'd thought about it, before all of this Jess business happened. There were other places she loved, and other places they could love even more. Some place that was theirs.

As Rory looked at her, she was unwavering in her conviction. Rory wasn't someone to just say things in general, but particularly with something this important. This, potentially life-changing. Maris' concern for her and what this would mean for her said really everything about the woman she loved.

"If you want to write, of course." She nodded, looking down at their hands together. She smiled softly, feeling big kind of feelings - which weren't new. "We're going to be together. No matter where we are, or what you're doing. Or if you become some big-shot writer and go on full book tours to your adoring fans." She smiled bigger then, squeezing her hand and raising their twined hands to press kisses against the back of Maris' knuckles.

"I don't care where we are anymore. I like my house, I like my friends and my job." She shrugged, working it out in her mind. "But maybe a new start for us includes a new place." Her smile returned, a bit bigger this time, for the first time that evening. "We can't keep living in two houses forever."

"Like our own place?" Now Maris was smiling too. It was what she'd always wanted, after all. A topic she'd been trying to gather the nerve to bring up shortly before Rory's big move. She'd been slightly hesitant because she'd never actually shared a space with someone full time before. She'd gone straight from her father's house to her own crappy, off campus apartment. She didn't do well with strangers. A roommate had been out of the question, so she'd worked hard to ensure she always had a space of her own, even if that had meant more than a few awful apartments over the years.

She longed for space from girlfriends too, never really falling into some sort of all consuming love that made time away from them unbearable.

Until now.

It would be no easy task, of course. They'd have to find a place that suited them both. They'd need to sell their current ones (something that admittedly had always been on the agenda for Maris). The whole process was foreign to Maris in more ways than one, but undeniably exciting.

"But how are we going to find something with enough bookshelf space for the both of us?"

It was a joke, an attempt to downplay just how much the idea of a place of their own meant to her, but it was written all over her face, evident in her tone of voice. Maris was happy. Thrilled, even. Her bad morning, temporarily at least, forgotten.

"A new start would be kind of fitting," she mused aloud.

"Yes, exactly like our own place." It was so easy for her own smile to grow at seeing Maris smile. Living with Maris had always been something on Rory's mind, and seemed like an inevitability until it well, wasn't. Maybe it was too soon to even bring it up again, but then again, they were picking up at a far deeper place than ever before. They'd lost time, but she felt like they were stronger now.

The random nights they fell asleep without each other these days left her feeling off in the morning. She seemed incapable of really settling until she saw her, and it wasn't some dependency thing. It was the energy that bloomed between them whenever they were in the same space. It was like her body's chemistry was so attuned to Maris', that she felt brighter, more herself after spending time with her. She could only imagine how it would be if they lived together.

Rory had never actually shared her space with a partner before. She wasn't ever going to count the one-night-turned-awkward-morning she'd spent with a college roommate a lifetime ago. With Maris, she didn't foresee a problem. Even if they got into each others' space or on each others' nerves ... she looked forward to that, weirdly. Growing pains with her would be worth everything.

"Oh, now there's a real question." She grinned, taking in the look on Maris' face. It made her whole chest feel warm. "We'll have to have a whole library room. Oh god. That's actually really thrilling." She said, laughing at herself at just how excited that made her.

"I think so too." She said in a softer tone, unable to stop herself from leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "I want my life with you to have a fresh start, no matter where we go or what we do." Getting away from the drama would just be a bonus. They weren't leaving because of it, but it was a good push.

"If you could go anywhere, where would you go?"

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be Belle for Halloween instead?" Maris teased, but Rory's love for books would have charmed her even if it wasn't something they shared. They may have been talking in hypothetical, but in that moment, she knew she would do everything in her power to make her girlfriend's dream of a library a reality.

"I honestly don't know," Maris said sheepishly, the idea of not having an idea about something so important strange to her. She'd traveled, most of her big adventures taken with the woman sitting next to her, but she'd never really moved until Maine. She liked plenty of places just fine, but there was a difference between staying someplace and living there.

"I think I'd like a city," she said after a moment. "Not a huge one, just..." Small town living wasn't really Maris' style. She didn't need a sprawling metropolis, she'd just often found herself longing for something bigger than her current location. Someplace with museums and restaurants, culture easily reached, preferably on foot because even she recognized she was a danger behind the wheel.

"Someplace I can ride something other than my Peloton."

Maris loved her (obscenely overpriced) exercise bike. She actually looked forward to getting up and riding it every morning, but she used to ride an actual bicycle everywhere when she and Rory first met.

The teal blue cruiser was currently sitting in her garage collecting dust because she didn't feel confident enough in her surroundings to ride around without getting lost or venturing into bad terrain.

"Is this you just saying you want to see me in an apron carrying a book around? That's extra aesthetic." She chuckled softly, feeling more relaxed as the two of them shifted the conversation. Everything that had happened with Jess still burned at the back of her mind - but it had indeed moved there, for now.

Rory had made so many places her home over the years, always sort of figuring she'd make the most of any city, find people she was fond of. Maybe that was in part why she had been so ready to accept Maine as a place for a while. Rory was, at her core, adaptable. Within reason, of course. "I'd like that. I don't think I could do a sweeping metropolis either but a decent size. With good food, that's key." She smirked, squeezing her hand again.

The mental image of idyllic riding bikes through parks on Sundays, lounging together once they'd reached a good spot. For Rory, she so often needed to visualize something to bring it to her own reality (hence, lots of lists) - and that came so quickly.

"I've made New England my home for so long, and I'm good to stay here, too. But I'm not opposed to moving back West, though it'd be a bigger change." California certainly boasted being her home for the longest period of time.

She let her chin drop against Maris' shoulder, her fingers playing gently with hers. "Maybe I'll talk to my boss this week, just to ask if he's given more thought to where he'd like to open another school. It's a long shot that he'd be ready anytime soon, but who knows."

Rory kissed her shoulder, her free hand tugging gently at the lapel of her damn fine blazer. "We can go anywhere."

Maris raised an eyebrow, surprised Rory was actually going to talk to her boss about a new placement. It probably was a long shot that he had something and even if he did, there were a million steps that needed to be taken to make their apparently shared dream a reality but she was comforted by the fact that someday it would be because it was something they both wanted.

It felt like a light at the end of the tunnel even if their current circumstances weren't quite so dark. Awkward run ins aside, things weren't all that bad these days. Especially in moments like these, curled up on the sofa hands on each other in some capacity because not touching each other was unthinkable when they'd gone so long without.

Maybe Maris hadn't totally forgotten everything that had happened that morning with Jess, but she knew how she could and maybe she did need a reminder that she had won. Rory was hers now because she'd chosen to be and as their eyes met, she wanted to remind her why.

"You really can," she purred, letting her lips brush Rory's as she took her hand and guided it up and under her blazer to rest on her breast, giving Rory a cheeky smirk. "Go anywhere you want."

Rory was all in with Maris. Not that she hadn't been the first time they'd been together, but there was a distinct difference now, and she knew this was that proverbial "it" that people romanticized. She was not only willing, but ready to walk the walk when it came to promises they were making to each other. She didn't want the 'maybe someday' to get pushed further and further away until they all but forgot about plans they wanted to make. Everything that they'd gone through made her realize how important it was to take the trip, make the plans, eat dessert first. They weren't promised anything, so she would take every moment with her and downright cherish it.

She always felt it -- that palpable shift in the air like a crackling of electric pulse between them. It was never gone, just dormant or pushed aside while they dealt with other things. Rory's mindset was so similarly focused; she wanted Maris to feel how much she meant everything she said, how much she would do anything for her.

"Oh," She murmured softly, biting at her lower lip as her palm cupped her breast and squeezed, maddening through layers of clothes. "I know where I want to go." Rory flashed her own cheeky grin before she leaned in and kissed her deeply, unhurried but no less hungry. Her other hand slid over her thigh, squeezing through her black slacks and sliding up. She parted her lips for a breath, but didn't move far enough away that they weren't still touching. "The blazer really does look fucking good." Her words were a near growl as she made quick work to open the fasten of Maris' pants.

She arched into Rory's touch, automatically pulling her closer once her hands slid down to rest on the other woman's ass. There needed to be space between them if her girlfriend was ever going to get her pants off but Maris couldn't help herself. She needed her close, to be able to let her hands wander while her lover's did the same.

Still, she helped Rory unzip her pants, the zipper tricky because the tiny pull was hard to get a hold of even when she wasn't in a hurry.

She'd worn new panties for the occasion, but they weren't much different than any of her other pairs, form fitting lace boy shorts in a pale ivory peeking over her open trousers.

"Yeah?" she said, the word an almost challenge as she shrugged it off. It didn't hit the floor, but the tee shirt she had layered underneath did. "Want me to keep it on?" Left only in a bra that matched her underwear, she pulled back ever so slightly, running her thumb over Rory's kiss plumped lips. "I seem to remember you wanting me not to wear anything underneath." Her thumb slid down the smooth line of her throat. "And you know I hate to deny you anything."

Her breath hitched in her throat as Maris' hands moved to her ass, a soft moan escaping between their lips. For the moment she indulged the closeness, though Rory knew that she'd leave her momentarily when her intent took her elsewhere.

"Ooh, I like these," She purred as she let her fingertips trace gentle against the top hem of the ivory lace on her hips. She licked her lips, anticipation swelling in her gut as she stole another deep kiss. Her tongue swept greedily over hers, but she pulled back just after a moment.

"Yes." She said firmly, pushing herself up enough that she could shrug her jacket off and toss it - wherever. She gathered her hair in her hands and twisted it so it fell over one shoulder, the cool air on her neck a welcome reprieve to how hot she was currently running.

That relief was short lived, however, when Maris said that. Her lips parted against her thumb and she huffed a pathetic kind of sound as she nodded. "You really spoil me." She said with a grin, her hands on the move as she slid them down over her hips, slipping both sets of fingers inside the waist line of her panties and starting to tug them down with her pants. "Lift." She demanded, the husk in her voice deep as she worked her pants down her legs, pausing only to rid her of her shoes with a laugh - she'd completely forgotten about those in the process.

"So bossy," Maris teased, but it was obvious she was loving every minute of it. With her entire lower half bare once she lifted her hips for Rory, she worked on taking off what was left on top. Her bra joined everything else on the floor but she slid her blazer back on. It was a strange sensation, but considering her blazer's silk lining, one she sort of enjoyed. The wide lapels more or less covered her breasts but slivers of skin, the occasional curve or even a nipple were bound to appear if she moved just right.

Maris was definitely planning on it. She let her hands slide under Rory's dress, her hands languidly sliding up the curve of her ass until her fingertips dipped up and under her panties, seeking out skin instead. Her lips brushed her jaw, tracing a different curve at the same time.

"Right here?" she teased, nipping at her chin. "The blue couch is getting just as famous as the green one."

"I am. When I know what I want." She replied with a smirk, her words punctuated with a nip at Maris' lower lip. Rory rest back just a little, enough to sort of (not really) catch her breath as she watched Maris slie the blazer back on. She hummed a soft sound, biting her own lower lip as her hands squeezed Maris' now bare thighs.

"Fuck," There was a quality to Rory's voice that she'd said before, almost seemed like she was praying in worship -- and she sort of was. Her thumbs brushed against Maris' bare skin as she moved back over her. She huffed a bit of a growl, her body arching into Maris as her hands gripped her ass. Her own head lilted to the side, giving her easier access to her jaw.

"Right here." She nodded, bowing her head to steal her lips again, albeit quickly. "I'm an equal-opportunity fuck-on-the-couch person." She grinned, her lips beginning to trail down her neck, scooting herself lower as she pressed hot, slightly messy kisses between her breasts. One hand slipped beneath the lapel of the blazer and cupped her bare breast, while her nose nudged the other until she could close her mouth over the other one. Rory hummed a soft sound of pleasure, flicking her tongue over her nipple before giving a semi-gentle bite to the flesh of her breast.

"Mmm," she purred as Rory's mouth found her breast, the sound turning into a faint hiss as her teeth found her skin. Maris' head fell back ever so slightly, the pleasure washing over her settling very firmly between her legs as she let her fingers continue caressing Rory.

She slowly slid the other woman's panties down her thighs, letting them flutter to the floor, her hands gravitating under her dress once more to start teasing Rory from behind, letting out a soft sigh at the wetness that greeted her fingertips.

"This was gonna happen at the end of the night anyway," she murmured, slowly starting to ease a finger inside her. "We just went straight to the good stuff."

Rory smirked against her skin when she heard that delicious hiss sound come from Maris. She glanced upwards, humming her own pleased sound at the sight of her. While she was far less concerned with getting her dress off, Rory shifted to kick away her panties. Her voice pitched a soft sound as Maris began to touch her, her body instinctively arching into her touch.

"Who needs a fancy dinner anyway?" She laughed softly, full well knowing how much she loved the idea of going out on dates ... but they'd have a lifetime of date nights. Right now, she was too focused on the woman beneath her.

Moaning softly against Maris' skin, she dragged her lips to her other breast, giving the same attention she gave the other. Her mouth pulled away with an audible sound as she sighed, jutting her hips into the feel of Maris' finger inside of her. "Life's short, we gotta have the good stuff first."

While she spoke, she grinned down at her lover, her fingers moving to splay against her thigh as she began to roll her thumb along the slick folds of her pussy. She absentmindedly licked her lips as they parted, moaning softly. "My girl," Her words were possessive and almost spoken to herself, until her gaze lifted to meet Maris. She kept eye contact as she rolled her thumb almost gently over her clit, the circular motion unhurried. "I am hungry though." She said with an obvious cheeky kind of grin, full well knowing she'd have to lose Maris inside of her ... but worth it.

Maris had never been one for pet names, but it made her happy (literally and figuratively) to call Rory "her girl". She was even less prepared for how it felt to have it turned around on her. She was instantly wetter against her girlfriend's fingertips, unable to mask a soft whimper that had just as much to do with the endearment as it did the attention being paid to the most sensitive part of her.

"Really?" she said, attempting to be coy but still a bit rattled by everything her lover was doing. Her hand slowly came to a stop, slick fingers sliding their way around , up and under her clothes, over her stomach until they reached her lips.

"Maybe you should taste this, then."

She'd give Rory what she really wanted, eventually. It was what she wanted too. But they really were competitive. If her girlfriend was getting to her, she was going to give as good as she got.

"Go on," she coaxed softly, the faintest of shivers coursing through her body at the very idea. "Taste yourself."

Rory sighed softly as her fingers worked just slightly faster, a wicked kind of smile gracing her lips as she felt her all the more wet against her fingers. Fuck, those sounds she made. Rory would have to remember to use Maris' term more often if this was the reaction she garnered.

"Mm," She huffed a low sound, heat settling between her legs, wetter on demand from what Maris was suggesting. She could feel her heart pounding, her eyes dark as she watched the other woman. "It's what you do to me." She said, her voice at least an octave or two lower than usual.

Her gaze fixed on Maris' eyes as she continued to roll her thumb against her clit, slowly as she tilted her chin to slowly draw Maris' fingers into her mouth. She couldn't help the immediate moan that left her lips, but as she tasted herself on her girlfriend's fingers, her own middle finger slid slowly inside of her.

She sucked gently on her fingers, her teeth dragging along the pad of her fingertips. She didn't need to keep her fingers in her mouth, but loved the reaction both her body and watching Maris had. She began to slowly pump her finger inside of her, easing in a second as she finally pulled her mouth back. Her smile gave away how affected she was, as she leaned over and crushed her mouth to Maris' in a breathless kiss, her fingers never stopping their almost too-gentle pace.

Maris moaned as she watched Rory take her fingers into her mouth, her eyes darkening at around the same time her girlfriend's did. Rory's kiss cut off a particularly loud moan, her tongue immediately seeking out Rory's as her fingers slid back under her dress to end up right back where they were before. She was determined to give Rory every bit of pleasure she was giving her at exactly the same pace.

Falling into her lover's rhythm made everything that much more intense. Rory may have been slow and gentle, but the sensations that accompanied it were anything but. Maris rested their foreheads together, her kisses deep, exploratory, like kissing her was the only way she was getting air into her lungs because it certainly felt that way with her heart pounding hard enough that every beat was accompanied by a faint ache.

"Ah," she panted softly, her blazer slipping off her shoulder as her body automatically bucked to meet Rory's fingers. Maris may have usually been impatient, in a hurry for release but she was in a different mood tonight. She would let Rory tease and take her time as long as she got to do the same right back.

Her thumb played with Rory's clit as she murmured, "Want your dress off? I feel like we're uneven."

Rory felt ill prepared for how erotic the whole moment was, the way heat ran through her veins and made her feel like she was burning up from the inside out. She let out a soft whine against Maris' lips as her hips lilted into her touch again.

There were times the two of them couldn't get at each other fast enough. When they were lucky they made it through the door or got their clothes off at all before they made each other come. She felt how categorically different tonight felt - their cancelled plans notwithstanding, Rory wanted to take every second of her time and draw out both of their pleasure because of it. She was staking her claim and would keep doing so for the rest of their lives. Tonight was just about taking her time and reveling in how much pleasure they were capable of giving each other.

A hell of a lot, it seemed. Rory panted as their foreheads came together, her nose brushing over hers as her fingers moved just a little faster, dragging the pads of her fingers to curl them just slightly inside of her.

"Probably." She huffed, a visible shudder taking hold of her for a second or two as Maris touched her clit. "I'm ... yeah." She wasn't even making sense and she knew it, but she was still trying to work out how exactly she was supposed to move away from Maris. After a moment or two more, her fingers slick with her lover's sex, she pulled them from her, humming a soft sound as she brought her own fingers to her lips this time, mimicking the same thing she'd done before. This time she groaned louder at the taste of her lover on her tongue.

"One sec." She said as she pressed a kiss to her lips a beat later, quick and forceful as it was before forcing herself to stand and pull at the hem of her dress to sweep it up over her head. She probably could have paused to unzip it, but who had time for that? Rory felt the loss of Maris palpably as she stood there, the throbbing ache between her legs almost unbearable.

But she had a mission in mind, as she moved back to the couch, she kept towards the end of it, and this time bowed her head to kiss Maris' stomach, letting her teeth rake against her skin as her fingers began to slowly slide back along her pussy, grinding against her.

Maris lips twitched as Rory moan, the fact that it was louder than her previous one not lost on her. "See, I think you're implying I taste better than you, which I vehemently disagree with, but alright."

She nearly moaned at the loss of her. She was nothing if not warm, practically overheating thanks in no small part to the blazer she still hadn't taken off, but the loss of Rory's body heat (and her fingers) left her feeling cold, almost empty. But a wave of warmth returned as she watched her lover take off her clothes. No matter how many times she saw Rory naked, she never stopped being in awe of her and the fact that someone so beautiful was real, let alone hers to reach out and touch.

She let out a low chuckle as Rory's lips made their way down her stomach but it quickly turned into a low groan as she was bitten and touched, falling into her rhythm once more.

Her hand slid downward, stroking Rory's hair as she spread her legs a little bit further, the look in her eyes a sign she was hers for the taking.

"I think we're allowed to disagree on this one. Maybe." Rory chuckled, shaking her head, her words rushed as she spoke. She found it oddly arousing to undress for Maris, knowing that her eyes were on her, knowing that she wanted her just as much as Rory wanted her.

Rory was a woman on a mission, her desire driving everything she was doing. Left only in her panties (the dress really didn't go well with a bra, anyway), she felt cooler without her dress on. But not by much.

Her free hand pressed against Maris' thigh as she parted them, her mouth peppering slow kisses down her pelvis, taking her sweet time - even if it was driving her nuts to do so, knowing what she was doing to her lover. She wanted more of those sounds, too.

Her own moan rumbled against the skin of Maris' thigh as she dragged her tongue over the soft inner spot, her gaze cast upward as she scooped her palm under Maris' knee to lift her thigh over her shoulder. It gave her a slightly new angle as she finally dragged her tongue over her folds, her fingers spreading them just enough that she could flatten her tongue over her clit. She moaned again at the taste of her, her tongue slowly lapping at her pussy to draw it out longer.

She may have made Rory wait to taste her, but Maris let out a sigh of relief the moment her tongue slipped between her legs. She shivered a little more with every lick, her hips keeping up with Rory's slow pace, unsure of whether she loved or hated being made to wait for the release she was hovering over the edge of.

There was a tenderness in her touch as she stroked Rory's hair, her voice a few octaves softer as she wordlessly coaxed and begged for more. Neither was new, but it was a side of Maris that didn't come out very often and certainly wasn't present outside of the bed (or living, as the case may be)room.

Her breathing quickened, her chest and hips rising and falling fast enough for her blazer to start slipping again thanks to her momentum. It was halfway off when she finally came with a soft cry, her whole body pulsing with the force of her orgasm.

It was so easy, too easy almost, to get lost in how much she loved this. She would look up at Maris for a few seconds at a time, reveling in the way she looked and how she moved with the efforts of her mouth. She sucked at her clit, circling it with her tongue before she moved to slide her tongue inside of her as much as she could.

The bonus of loving Maris for so long made it easy to know what she liked, and the tells of when she was experiencing the most pleasure. Rory lived for the sounds she made, her own moan sounding as she picked up her pace, matching the thrusts of her lover.

Rory moaned again, along with Maris as she came, her tongue never once relenting as she brought her through her orgasm. When she finally did pull away a moment or two later, she pressed an almost chaste kiss against her pussy, smirking as she panted. "God, you're fucking beautiful." She murmured as she gently wiped her mouth and kissed her stomach, easing her body up to rest between Maris' thighs. "You definitely taste better."

"Come here," Maris murmured, her voice thick with a certain kind of contented exhaustion. They both knew Rory would have a turn eventually. Maris didn't have it in her to leave anyone, but especially her unsatisfied, but she needed a moment to catch her breath as she slid her arms around her.

A person always felt vulnerable in moments like these and Maris was no exception. She didn't have the strength, or even the desire to make some sort of witty remark about Rory saying she tasted better. She didn't want anything to cheapen what had been an intense, but undeniably tender, meaningful moment.

Her hand slid up to cup Rory's cheek, occasionally brushing her hair out of the way as her thumb grazed her cheekbone.

"You couldn't have married her, you know."

Maris' voice was soft but there was an undeniable conviction in her voice. Like she somehow knew, maybe even all along, that it was a certainty.

Maybe she would have hypothetically put up with it, but on some level she knew it couldn't happen because...

"Because one day I'm going to ask you to marry me."

Maris' voice was even softer than it had been moments before, but she'd said it.

Something she'd never said to anyone else and would probably never say again, but it was something she'd often thought, especially lately.

She just hoped she hadn't misjudged saying it now. She didn't want to move too fast. If anything, that morning proved they still had a bit of a mess to sort through.

She certainly wasn't asking now. God, the very idea of proposing to someone after sex seemed tacky, but she wanted to say it. On some level it felt like Rory needed to know.

Gladly did Rory do exactly what Maris demanded of her, a shiver running through her at the very sound of her voice. She lay on top of Maris, shifting just slightly so she lay sort of half on top of her, half on the couch. Her fingertips dragged lazy circles over her skin as she held her close, ghosting soft kisses over her neck and shoulder. Each one almost an afterthought, to what, she wasn't even sure.

She loved these moments, almost more than anything. There was no need for either of them to have any semblance of their guard up, and in fact Rory knew that the world itself had no chance against them. They'd forgotten that once before. Never again.

"No?" She asked softly, her gaze never faltering as she looked at Maris. She felt her heartbeat pick up, maybe just from the mention of what they'd been through to get here -- or even anticipation she wasn't fully aware of yet.

Those words. If it were medically possible for her heart to stop in her chest for a few seconds and then pick up the pace, that's exactly what it felt like. She was speechless, truly struck dumb by the intensity of the feeling those words invoked.

When they had been together, the future was something that Rory liked to think fondly of. She knew well enough Maris didn't put much weight into matrimony, but neither did she. Even when they had discussions of whether they wanted kids or what it would be like to be old together. marriage was almost an after thought.

But Rory had thought about it, in great detail. When they were together, and oddly even more so when she had first moved to Maine. The idea of calling Maris wife... Wow.

She exhaled sharply, a grin splitting her features as she knew her eyes had glassed over with tears. "Well." She managed to choke out, almost hating how soft and affected her voice was. Rory brushed her fingertips over Maris' chin, before hooking her index finger under it and pressing her lips softly to Maris'.

"In that case, one day I'm gonna say yes." Surely there was no reason or even way to be coy about it. The emotion on her face said it all anyway. Rory was going to marry this woman, and the idea that she could have ever considered someone else was absolute ludicrous to her now.

"Oh my God. Rory! Spoilers," she teased, giving her a playful spank as "punishment" for ruining the surprise. But it was plain to see the idea thrilled Maris too. Her smile was wide, threatening to split her face in two as she leaned in for another kiss.

"But good," she murmured against her lips once it was finished. "Call me a traditionalist, but it just wouldn't feel right to have Keats born out of wedlock. Not that the idea of a love child isn't kind of sexy in its own way."

Her grin turned cheeky. She was beginning to realize that she just might want children as well, but since the idea was so new to Maris, a woman who had never really had to think about them before, it was still a tentative, playful one.

If anything, she felt a little too much when she allowed herself to think about it too hard.

"Kids are cruel, cruel creatures," she murmured between kisses. "We can't have him growing up like Jon Snow."

Rory laughed, her body instinctively arching into Maris' from that smack. "Yeah well, you started it." She chuckled, still sort of giggling as their lips met. Her chest felt tight and warm all at once, as emotion roiled just under every kiss they gave each other.

"Oh that's very true." She smirked, the idea solidifying so much in her mind she could actually see some version of their future. "I don't know, having a couple of little bastards could make him become some woodsman after killing a queen... you know what, you're right. We should get married." She laughed, kissing her again.

Every kiss seemed punctuated by the idea that these things were not just attainable, but what they both wanted. She kissed her quickly at first, but soon her kisses became more fervent than before. Her tongue swept over her lips and she kissed her once more before her forehead rested against Maris' to catch her breath. Her hand brushed against her skin, sliding down her arm until she could lace their fingers together.

"You realize I just want everything with you now. You sure you can put up with me forever?" It was a joke, but also an important distinction. Maris was her forever, and the road they took to get here just solidified how meant to be they were.

"I'm sure," Maris whispered, a gleam in her eye a sign she was determined to show her as much. Rory's kisses had sparked something in her, but not nearly as much as her words had.

Her lips kissed a slow, but undeniably hungry path down the curve of her neck, stopping to tease each nipple, the curve of each breast before taking one into her mouth as hand gently parted her thighs. She slipped inside her gently, but her thrusts, almost immediate, were steady with Maris taking care to drive her fingers in deep. She already felt close to her, maybe even closer than ever after their conversation, but she suddenly ached for physical closeness, with need to be sure Rory felt her too.

She moaned against her skin, reveling at the feeling of being inside her. She turned her head ever so slightly, the feeling of her cheek brushing her bare breast electric because it was heaven for any bit of their skin to brush. Her thumb circled her clit almost painfully slowly, a stark contrast to her increasingly rough thrusts. Maris rested their foreheads together, looking into her eyes because she knew the end would be near, cupping her cheek with surprising tenderness.

"You'll always be my girl," she whispered breathlessly. "You'll always have me. We'll always have this. Nothing is ever taking us away from each other again. Not a place, not a person." She bit her lip, curling her fingers inside her. "So relax. Everything's finally the way it's supposed to be."

"Good." Rory replied simply, but the emotion was clear in her voice. Before Maris, and even in the bleakest times after their breakup, Rory would tell herself that there was no such thing as a perfect match for anyone. She knew now (and again) that was a wrong thing to think. There might not be perfection in fallible people, but someone so perfectly matched, so perfectly a partner. That was Maris in every sense of the word.

The shift in the mood was palpable, even if it was always right under the surface. She hummed a soft sound as her head tilted to allow Maris more space to kiss her neck. "Fuck," She seethed through grit teeth, her thighs parting a bit more as Maris thrust inside of her. She bowed her head, rocking her hips into Maris' thrusts.

Rory's fingers smoothed through Maris' hair, her whole body hot and almost too-ready for her. She felt like a livewire, ready to erupt in sparks any second, but coupled with the way Maris knew her body, she was made into little more than a series of moans and sighs.

"Always," She agreed, her voice soft and breathless, feeling a rising emotion in her chest all over again that mingled almost deliciously with the pleasure Maris gave her. "You're mine," She hummed her words, gasping sharply as Maris curled her fingers inside of her. She rocked a little more intently, her fingers curling in Maris' hair as she kept her close. "You're everything I need." She managed to get out her words with some effort, gasping again as her back arched, growing closer by the second. "I love you, Maris." She almost whined her words, clinging to her as she relinquished whatever control she felt she needed to have to this woman.