Maris' book tour being delayed was both a blessing and a curse. She had initially been relieved that she had more time to prepare and rehearse what she would say to rooms full of people asking questions about the book she'd spent two years of her life writing and even longer researching. But it also meant she'd had more time to let worries and nagging insecurities fester, which is why she let out a very uncharacteristic shriek when she felt something dripping on her leg, worried she'd just stained her dress.

Luckily it was just a bit of water sweating off her cup rather than the iced coffee inside, but she still shoved her drink back down in it's cup holder with more force than necessary.

"Why is there so much traffic?" she said through gritted teeth. "It's a week day. Don't these people have jobs to go to? I'm going to my job."

Clearly in rare form because she was rarely on edge, Maris tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she gazed up at a stoplight, her sunglasses slipping down on her nose. "Do you think they'll cancel it if we're late?" she asked, turning to Rory even though they still had a half hour to get to New York and she knew the route like the back of her hand.

Rory couldn't help the bark of laughter that sounded suddenly at Maris' astute summation. "You're right, and we are neither." She laughed still, shaking her head at her fiancee.

She felt slightly more relaxed once they had parked, only then aware that the drive had made her tense from just picking up on the energy and also nerves over actually arriving on time. Slipping out of the car, she pulled on her jacket and turned to see Maris with the lighter.

A single raised brow but not a word. She understood even if it wasn't a habit she was particularly keen on. It was a tell of just how deeply into her nerves her fiancee was, and after all - she was here to support her love. Rory leaned against the back of the car, finishing her tea while she waited for Maris to calm herself.

"It's definitely not, and you give amazing lectures in the classroom, babe. You know this book and its material better than anyone, you wrote it! You're going to do so great. I'm just mad you wouldn't let me make t-shirts."

Maris wrinkled her nose at the notion of tee shirts, as sweet of an idea as it was then sighed before putting out her cigarette with the toe of her high heeled shoe. She popped a stick of gum (she usually couldn't stand seeing other people, especially her students chew it, but times like these called for minty fresh breath) in her mouth before leaning down to fiddle with her hair in the car mirror.

By some miracle she'd managed to snag an appointment with her overbooked stylist a few days before, a necessity as far as she was concerned because she had never been forced to let her signature cut become so shaggy and shapeless before.

"Do I look alright?" she asked, a question her fiance rarely heard before they headed inside.

Maris turned out to be right. The event wasn't much different than any other lecture she'd given. It was better, really. She was speaking to an audience who wanted to be there about a topic she wanted to talk about. She didn't have to worry about driving certain points home or altering her language in an attempt to be understood. There were no tests to worry about. It was more along the lines of intelligent conversation, a chance to share her knowledge, which was all Maris really wanted to do and the only reason she was a teacher in the first place.

The truth was, Maris liked being the center of attention, and though she'd never admit it, she kind of liked hearing herself talk. She'd never had such a big opportunity to indulge in both before, so she took control of the room about five minutes after she entered it and was practically glowing by the time her Q & A was done, her nerves gone as if they never existed at all.

"My dad said he's coming to the next one," she whispered once they were seated behind a tiny table piled high with copies of her book. Rory was going to be acting as an assistant of sorts, passing them to Maris so they could be signed. She was grateful for her fiancee's help, but even more pleased it gave Rory an excuse to stay close by.

Insanely proud of his daughter, John had wanted to go to the first stop on Maris' tour to support her, but she'd told him to wait. Her second stop was closer, only a town away from where her father lived.

And she sort of needed a first stop as a practice run. As confident as she now was, she knew some nerves would resurface when she knew her dad was in the audience. He'd always been the only person she cared about making proud.

Well, until Rory came along anyway.

Since refreshments were being served in another room and people hadn't lined up for the signing yet, she figured now was as good a time as any to lean over and steal a quick kiss from Rory without any witnesses.

"You sure you want to do all that?" she asked, nodding toward the books.

If Rory was biased, she'd venture to say it didn't matter. There was no objectivity when it came to the woman she loved. At Maris' question, she'd taken a moment to cup her fiancee's face in her hands and smiled. "You look amazing." Rory knew better than to launch into full Hufflepuff pep talk, but encouraged her all the same. Even without an over the top t-shirt.

Once inside, Rory hung back as Maris was swept up by the shop owner and doing her whole presentation. She had leaned against one of the bookshelves in the back, just admiring her fiancee as she spoke with such authority and answered questions like the expert she was. A time or few, she felt herself getting a little choked up. She was just so proud of Maris and all she was able to accomplish. Anytime their eyes met, Rory was already beaming a huge smile at her love. She knew she'd be proud of her, but feeling it was just beyond what she could have imagined.

"Oh good, he's going to be so excited to see you shine up there." She grinned, excited to see Maris' dad as much as she was excited for him to see Maris in her element.

Rory was glad for the moment they had together before the masses descended on their little table set up. Her arm was draped over the back of Maris' chair, her knees angled towards her as she greedily accepted her kiss.

"Oh I am very sure about that. I am ready with post-its to take names and correct spellings down. You know I'm living for this." She chuckled, leaning in and stealing another quick kiss as her fingers smoothed over her back. "In case I haven't said it enough, I'm so freaking proud of you."

"Oh, feel free to say it again," she teased. "Or show me just how proud you are later." There was a certain twinkle in Maris' eye when she said the last part. Reveling in all the attention she'd received and her own pride over a job well done, adrenaline was coursing through her veins, filling her with a thrill she'd never quite experienced before. And when she briefly laid a hand on Rory's knee it was very clear how she wanted to help burn it off once her signing was over with.

She took it away once people started lining up, pleasantly surprised to see most of them were women even though she probably shouldn't have been. Julie had been the epitome of girl power.

Not to mention an icon for women who loved women (although Maris had to admit she was slightly disappointed that the subject of her book wasn't just into the fairer sex). She was delighted that some had come in pairs, obvious couples like the two women behind the desk.

Maris smiled at Rory after an interaction with an especially sweet one, two older women who said they'd been waiting on a book about Julie for years. She settled back in her chair a bit, trying to ease the ache of spending so much of the afternoon leaning forward when she was greeted by a face (and a whiff of Chanel No. 5) that she would have recognized anywhere.

"Always knew you'd do well," she purred, a smug smile on her face.

"Oh my god, Caro!" Maris said, rising from her chair before she could stop herself. "What are you-"

"Like I'd miss this. Although I'm a little surprised it's taken you this long, you wouldn't shut up about Julie ten years ago." She pulled Maris into a tight hug, planting a very European kiss (that matched her very European accent) on her cheek before she tilted her head as if to study Maris, softened, then smiled. "You look good, Mar. Glad to see you got rid of that awful nose ring. I told you it didn't suit you."

"It was a stud," she said automatically, temporarily forgetting anything and everything else in the room, including why she was there to begin with.

She still looked the same. Older, to be sure but there were only a few new fine lines on what had always been a beautiful face.

She'd been such a sucker for it once upon a time.

And sucker really was the right adjective.

The chair beside her creaked and Maris was pulled back into reality. "Oh right," she said, quickly sitting back down in her chair and turning her attention back to Rory. "Rory, this is Caroline," she said, the other woman's full name feeling foreign on her tongue when they had been nothing if not familiar once upon a time. "She was my history professor at Columbia. Caro, this is my fiancee, Rory."

"Oh I'm going to show you." Rory countered with a smirk. "It's really sexy watching you out there..." As much as Rory really would have liked to carry on that particular conversation, she had a job to do and she was very serious about being there for Maris. She settled into a rhythm of talking to the next woman waiting to talk to Maris, getting their name to spell correctly and handing over the book. She genuinely loved it, and was beaming with every new person she met, and every bit of conversation she overheard next to her. Pride didn't even fully cover it anymore.

The woman who caught her attention certainly caught Maris', she could tell before she even spoke. A curious brow raised as she watched the two women interact. She was amused, yes, but with that curiosity came a slight twinge of jealousy that she wasn't anticipating. Of course she didn't think of this woman as a threat or anything, she wasn't that crazy, but there was that edge she wasn't prepared for. That amused her all the more.

The woman was the definition of a bombshell, and the accent to boot. Their familiarity was something that Rory was trying to place one way or another - all in the time it took for her fiancee to come back to earth. She smiled when Maris introduced her, standing to greet the other woman. "Nice to meet you." So this was the Columbia professor, clearly. The with a capital T.

"Nice to meet you," Caro said warmly. "I'd say Mar was one of my best students but that probably wouldn't come as a surprise although..." She turned her attention back to Maris.

"Fiancee?" she repeated if amused by the word. "You have a fiancee?" She smiled at Rory. "Oh, I've got some stories about this one."

Maris shifted a bit uncomfortably. She often joked about being something of a player in college but she'd never really told Rory just how wild she used to be. Not that she needed to know, of course. Or that Maris thought her fiancee was the sort of person who would get jealous or judgmental once she did, but...

It was a period in her life she didn't really look back on. And now one of the key players was standing right there in front of her.

Maris had been an adult, twenty when everything happened between her and Caro. She often reminded herself she had kissed the older woman first, which meant she started their little tryst but that wasn't entirely true.

Caro had subtly encouraged her, letting attraction to each other simmer for months, a sort of cat and mouse game that Maris would eventually learn was her professor's m o when she replaced her with a new adoring student a few weeks after they hit the brakes on their relationship. Her father had been right about exactly what sort of person Caro was all along.

They may not have been dating. They may not have even been exclusive, but it had stung and felt like a betrayal all the same to realize.

Maris may have been a player, but she had been no match for an experienced one like Caroline.

The other woman hadn't exactly broken her heart or even taken advantage of her.

But as the years passed and Maris was able to look back on their relationship with the clarity that came with age and time, there was no denying that something that had once been a thrill, not just because it was forbidden but because she thought it made younger Maris feel as mature, grown up, special as she already thought she was, just didn't feel good or even right anymore.

Maris was struck by the sudden realization that she really didn't want Rory to know about her past with Caro, never quite realizing how it would look to another teacher before. Maris knew neither of them would ever do what Caro had done, even though their students were younger.

She didn't want her fiancee knowing she had been some silly, stupid schoolgirl, either. She prided herself on being in control, but she wasn't entirely sure she had most of it while she and Caro were together.

"She really doesn't need to hear them," she said a bit too firmly. Her smile was slightly forced as she tilted her head to study the other woman. "Still at Columbia?"

"I am, although the department's been in shambles since Burke retired."

Maris nodded a little, more focused on signing Caro's book than talking about a now retired professor she'd never really liked anyway. Although she couldn't help but wonder if the other woman was still up to her old tricks. She was still attractive enough to have students drooling over her.

"You know, you'd be a great fit to fill one of the positions, follow in your father's footsteps. And you know I'd put in a good word for you. How is he, by the way? I hardly see him at historical society events anymore."

Maris passed Caro her book. "Busy. He got married a few years ago so... a little less time to be Mr. Academia."

In truth, Maris probably would have thrived as a professor. The atmosphere and maturity level suited her much better than high school ever had. As flattering as Caro's praise (because on some level, she still craved it like she had all those years ago) and offer was, she had other plans.

And no desire to accept the help of a woman who had nearly torpedoed her academic career in the first place.

She'd had her fill of people thinking she'd gotten where she was because she'd slept with Caroline Muller.

"That's sweet, but... I think we're moving abroad. After the wedding."

Not to be fully cocksure of herself, but Rory took great pride in being able to read her fiancee well. They were good at that in turn, able to know when they needed space and when they certainly wanted nary a centimeter between them. She knew when Maris was trying not to be but felt emotional, as much as she knew when she was bursting with joy. So as she watched the two women interact, her little bit of kneejerk jealousy transitioned into an immediate honing in on the palpable shift that she felt in Maris. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly for just a fraction of a second.

"Oh I believe it." She said through a smile, but it was a guarded one that didn't reach her eyes. Rory was generally a pretty warm person, welcoming and friendly, but that gave way to a fierce protectiveness when it came to anyone she loved. Particularly the woman she loved.

This woman was absolutely stunning, even if a little familiar in how she was regarding Maris. A myriad of questions rolled through her mind, but she ignored them all as Maris got to signing the book. Particularly as her fiancee shut down that line of conversation. She wasn't even consciously doing it, but her arm rested on the back of Maris' chair once she'd sat back down, her fingers passing gently over her shoulder blades.

It did make Rory feel good to hear her fiancee praised, but it was also a kind of a "yeah, tell me something I don't know" kind of feeling that went through her. Maris was brilliant, funny, charismatic, and a whole host of other things that made Rory so proud of her. Of course she could be a professor at Columbia. She could be anything she wanted and set her mind to.

Rory brushed her thumb against the back of Maris' neck as she nodded. "A new adventure for us. We have our hearts pretty set on it."

Caro raised an eyebrow, impressed by Maris' refusal and her plans to move, but was obviously more than a little amused by the idea the girl she'd once known, who had been so disdainful of relationships, settling down.

"Really? Where to?"

"Europe. England, probably."

"It would suit you." She smiled. "Well. Congratulations, Mari. On everything. I hope isn't the last book we'll be getting from you? I can't wait to read it."

Maris shrugged. "We'll see. Thanks for coming, Caro." She paused for a moment. "It was good to see you," she said, surprised by how much she meant it even though her feelings surrounding her professor's visit were complicated at best.

The two women said their goodbyes with Caroline giving Rory a little nod of acknowledgement before disappearing into the crowd.

Maris let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when her back hit the chair, not quite realizing just how draining her interaction with the other woman had been until it was over. But there were still a few more people in line so she plastered on her game face, managing a weak smile in Rory's direction as she squeezed her hand under the table.

She kept hold of it as they left the store when the day was over. Needing a moment to wind down and process everything that had just happened, Maris sat in the front seat of her car for a moment, keys hanging from, but not turned in the ignition.

"I think we might need to stop for coffee again on the way home," she half groaned as she looked over at her fiancee. "God, I'm so tired."

While two continued to interact, Rory kept a keen eye between the two of them, clocking shifts, where one (usually this Caro) would push and the other might push back. It wasn't a vibe she was used to coming from Maris, and was as curious as it was surprising. When she left, Rory just offered a tight smile and nodded her own goodbye. Her hand squeezed Maris', but she didn't open her mouth to speak about it or ask any questions. They didn't have time and honestly, she wanted to let the moment pass for a time.

Rory touched her fiancee for the rest of their time in the store, be it a hand on her thigh, her knee brushed against hers, an arm back around her chair. It was like she was afraid Maris might think she'd leave her alone in whatever these feelings were if she wasn't constantly reminding her of her presence.

The car was a mercy to be back inside, even if the overall experience had been downright wonderful. She was so proud, and this uh, hiccup wasn't going to take away from that. But still, she worried. "You were fucking amazing, Maris." She said with a small smile, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. She just held onto it for a moment, breathing, quiet in the car. "Do you want me to drive us?" She offered, but that wasn't really the question that was on her lips. Both hands squeezed Maris' one, as her gaze went to her face. She could tell when something was up, but it would take an absolute moron not to see it now.

"Are you okay?"

Seeing Caro again had been a shock, but the highs and lows of a very long day were what Maris really needed to recover from. Doing anything well required a good bit of energy and though not shy, Maris was the sort of person who appreciated space and needed to recharge her batteries after too much socialization.

But she'd never banished Rory the way she had others when she was trying to wind down. Maris knew she had shined that day, but her fiancee had been a huge part of the equation. Now that she'd experienced everything that went along with promoting her book firsthand, she was insanely grateful she'd asked Rory to come along on the tour. She wasn't sure how she would have managed without her.

"Thank you," she murmured, lifting their clasped hands to press a kiss to the back of Rory's. "You were a huge help today."

Not just in the organizational department, Rory's encouragement had helped banish some of Maris' nerves and gotten through the front door a little faster.

And she apparently wasn't done helping, just yet.

She felt a pang in her chest at Rory's offer to drive them home and an even larger one at her concern, though the latter was coupled with a tightening in her stomach, the sort that came with a conversation you weren't looking forward to having.

"It's just been a long day. I'm fine," she said softly, reaching out to trace Rory's jaw with her thumb.

And she was, now. Any scars (and they were fairly faint to begin with) Caro had left on Maris were long gone before she'd even met Rory. She was neither the strange combination of bed hopping commitmentphobe and the slightly infatuated schoolgirl eager for her professor's attention and approval she had been back at college but seeing Caroline again had been...strange.

Especially since she hadn't expected it.

The way it rattled her was unexpected too. Maris was used to controlling her emotions and prided herself on being able to handle whatever came her way. She had, really. Her interaction with Caro hadn't been a bad or even awkward one. But something about it... was it the fact that Rory was there?

She suddenly realized that Rory had never been in the same room as someone she'd been with before.

Exes (because even if they'd never been official, that was certainly what Caro was) were always tough to talk about, no matter how wonderful and understanding your partner was. But exes (or at least circumstances) you were slightly ashamed of...

She'd never told anyone about her and Caroline. Her father (and half of the staff and students at Columbia) had figured it out all on their own.

She wasn't sure where to start or if she even needed to.

What did it matter, now that it, and Caro's surprise visit was over?

But Maris' little tryst with Caroline and the mess left in it's wake had played a huge part in her life and wasn't Rory the person she was supposed to share it with?

"I was Caro's research assistant," she said, raking a hand through her hair and letting out a sigh because she knew there was no going back once she launched into her story. "She doted on me. Constantly told me I was brilliant and we..." She trailed off, turning her gaze to the window and hoping she didn't need to elaborate.

Rory was nothing if not patient, especially when it came to Maris and especially when it came to noticing when she might not want to talk about something. Rory was someone who didn’t like to be pushed into something she wasn’t ready for, be it just getting her day started or actually how she felt about a certain issue. Rory gave that same respect to her partner, without reserve. If Maris would rather just go home and talk about things that were far lighter, she’d be happy with that, trusting that Maris would talk to her in her own time about whatever weighed on her.

“I was glad to be, babe. I love watching you shine like that. The whole room was enraptured with you … and I wholly understood each one of them.” She smiled, brushing her thumb over Maris’ chin. “I’m so proud of you.” She said as soon as she caught Maris’ eyes, but turned her face towards her fiancee’s hand to kiss her wrist.

She would have been content enough with that, trusting what Maris said at face value. But again, she was patient, and quiet as Maris clearly mulled over something in her mind.

And there it was. Rory could have guessed it, just from the way the two women regarded one another, how something rich with history simmered there. She wasn’t threatened by it, but she was curious. Rory might experience some lingering jealousy, but she knew there wasn’t a thing on this planet or any other that could tear them apart again. Certainly not some older vixen or whatever.

“I might have guessed that.” She said with a soft smile, squeezing Maris’ hand when she spoke. “Besides, you are brilliant so she’d have to be an idiot not to see that but … She didn’t …” Her brow furrowed suddenly as she looked at Maris’ profile, a dryness in her throat. “She wasn’t taking advantage of you or anything…?” She asked gently, but there was a fierceness in her tone as well. “Just… to be sure.”

Had Caro taken advantage of her?

It was a question Maris had tried to find an answer to since she started on the path to becoming a teacher herself.

She wanted Caro long before the other woman offered her an assistant's position that meant they got to spend more time together outside the classroom. Maris had been bold enough to kiss her first. Maris had pulled her into her apartment a week later.

But how could she have been anything but enamored with a beautiful older woman telling her exactly what she wanted to hear: that she was beautiful, smart, brilliant, different than all the rest?

No kid would have been able to resist that kind of attention, especially coming from someone they already admired.

Yet Maris had taken the brunt of the fallout when everything blew up in their faces.

She'd had to listen to just how concerned and disappointed her father was, something she'd scorned him for then but completely understood now. God, no wonder he was mortified, being forced to interact, however briefly, with a woman his age that was sleeping with his daughter, a fellow professor who should have known better than to get involved with her student.

Maris had been the one everyone labeled a slut. Everyone suddenly whispered that of course she got good grades, how could she not when she was banging the person in charge of them?

That was the sort of talk that hurt most of all.

And maybe she should have known better, but Caroline definitely should have.

Just like she should have taken most or god, at least some of the blame.

No one seemed surprised, like they expected it from her. Maris' own father told her that this was simply how Caro was, but she'd never really believed it. She knew the other woman had other lovers (including male ones that she really tried not to think about) but she believed Caroline when she said she was special, different.

Which is why hearing the rumors she had found a new student to warm her bed a week after she let Maris think she was the one ending things was such a punch in the gut.

But did she really resent her for it? Maris had learned from Caroline, both in and out of the bedroom. She'd also inadvertently taught her what kind of teacher not to be and shaped her teaching style in ways she wasn't even aware of.

Where Caro was nothing if not familiar and complimentary, Maris was almost a little too distant from her students, stingy with her praise.

If Rory wasn't in the picture and she somehow found herself at Columbia thanks to Caro's recommendation she'd probably even be tempted to sleep with her again. At least once for old time's sake. If only to show her just what she'd missed out on, that she was different now because if Caro (and on some level, Maris' mother) had taught her anything it was there was a certain kind of power, safety, really in being the one who left first. And hadn't she done exactly that to Rory the first time around?

Caro had helped strengthen her already firmly held belief that it was better to be the one in control, the person who had held all the cards.

But the woman currently sitting beside her had helped her unlearn all of it.

"That... is a complicated question," she admitted as she turned toward her with a bit of a soft sigh and a faint smile. "You know me, I'm never scared to make the first move. Was a total mess though. You heard how she kind of knows my dad. He was real thrilled when he found out." She winced at the memory then took Rory's hands and kissed them.

"But are you really surprised I like them beautiful and brainy?"

It wasn’t as though Rory’s romantic relationships had always been with “age appropriate” women - whatever that meant. She’d had a fling or two with older women, though she supposed not really the same being the youngest fling she’d ever had was with a girl who was twenty-one when she was twenty-six. Not exactly a huge rebel on either end of the spectrum. The point being, she knew that oft times “age is just a number” really rang true - as long as everyone involved were consenting adults, of course.

But perhaps it was seeing this woman and how alluring she was. Maybe it was seeing her and kind of immediately imagining her as a bit of a succubus. That, she’d keep to herself. Caroline was obviously very attractive, and smart, and she could see an immediate attraction would be almost inevitable for any number of students riding the sexuality spectrum. Hell in another life she’d be giving her a second/third glance over.

Rory was a trusting person, sometimes too much so, but with that came her own way of following her gut which rarely led her astray. So she didn’t want to ask Maris that question, she didn’t want to put her on the spot or make her feel like she was being judged - which Rory would never do. But she wanted - no - she needed to be sure. Her rage could come swiftly when someone, the one she loved was concerned.

The moments she waited felt like agony, and yet she knew if Maris told her she didn’t want to talk about it, or didn’t have an answer, she wouldn’t have pressed. So the answer was … something anyway. Her own small smile mirrored Maris’, nodding as she took in the new information. “You aren’t, and I love that about you.” She squeezed Maris’ hands, just the idea of having her own mother find out about the less-than great women she’d been with when she was younger was enough to send her into a panic even now. And that was without an added power-dynamic complication.

“No, I’m not surprised.” She smiled, leaning over and pressing her lips to her shoulder, just needing to bridge the space and be closer. “I’m sorry that was such a damper on your day. Or … whatever it was.” She furrowed her brow a bit, reaching up to brush her knuckles against Maris’ jawline. “We’ve all had the shitty ones, no matter the circumstance. Thank god that’s over.”

Rory sat back up straight and regarded Maris for a moment, really looking at her. “You’re amazing,” She said, as though it were apropos of nothing. But she meant it, every little piece of new information, every bit of today, everything this woman was to her. “And strong, and resilient, and brilliant all before you’re painfully beautiful. Honestly I couldn’t take my eyes off of you in there, it was kind of a problem.” She smirked a little. “And fuck her, really.” She huffed finally, her mind circling back to the events that led them here. “She doesn’t get to diminish an ounce of your light.”

We've all had the shitty ones.

And there it was, one of the main reasons why Maris had been so reluctant to tell Rory about Caro. The fact that she was her teacher and their relationship was taboo, the sort they frowned upon and would never indulge in was part of it, but she wasn't ashamed so much as embarrassed at she'd been (in her mind) weak enough to let Caro get one over on her.

She'd been the Caro in almost all of her relationships. A heart breaker, if only to keep her heart from getting broken first.

She was different now, of course. Rory had always known Maris better than anyone because she'd let her. She wasn't really a robot. She had feelings, if anything she was probably more sensitive than most. Maris could give up control and let her walls down and Rory had seen her do both, but part of her still wanted her fiancee to think she was unsmotable because she'd probably never be rid of the idea that any sort of weakness, especially showing it, was unattractive.

"Oh, really?" she said, eyebrow raised and undeniably pleased her lecture had made an impression on Rory. "You'll have to show me how much you liked it when we get in the room."

Maris was definitely eager to get to the hotel. It wasn't quite summer yet, but the day had been warm enough to seem that way and she'd kind of underestimated just how much moving around she was going to do while giving her talk. As much as she liked her dress, which had been purchased for the occasion, it was ill suited because it was too hot for it and she couldn't wait to take it off.


The way Rory was talking, she was pretty sure it would stay off and she was eager for that too.

Caro or no Caro, the day had been draining. After a brief pit stop for the caffeine pick me up she had previously mentioned, they arrived at the hotel.

It wasn't anything fancy, but it was hardly a dump either. Maris reached for the zipper of her dress as soon as she shut the door behind them, but couldn't quite reach it.

"Oh my god, I've never been more ready to get out of a dress in my life," she snapped before letting out a little whine at her current frustration. "I'm roasting. Help?"

Rory knew what a proud woman her fiancee was, and it was something she loved about her. She knew what it was to be trusted by Maris, to earn every piece of information, every emotion, every story that made up the woman she was spending her life with. Each and every moment that they were able to find a way to be closer, to share more with each other felt like a gift to Rory. She wasn't going to be overly sentimental about it (shocker), but it meant something to her.

It made her think and maybe not for the first time, how lucky they were to have met each other at the exact right moment - er, moments - in their lives. If they had met when they were younger, would it have been too soon to recognize Maris as her person? Would the both of them have been so wildly into their fuck-around phases without wanting the complications of growing attachments, and let their fire burn out too fast? These were things she didn't need to dwell on, but it made her all the more grateful. Despite their breakup, and despite the circumstances Rory was in when they met again, she wouldn't change it. Every piece of their relationship and the rest of the relationships they'd had throughout their lives had led them here.

"Don't you think I won't." She smirked, leaning over and kissing Maris' cheek one more time before she sat back for their shorter drive.

The idea that this would just be the first of their stops on Maris' tour was exciting to Rory. They'd get to stay in hotels, experience a few new cities... and of course, Rory would get to dote on and be ever-enamored with her fiancee.

Rory munched on the cookie she'd gotten at the coffee shop along with her latte as they walked through their hotel, but the crumbs were gone and the wrapper disposed of the moment they got into the room. She'd just tossed her cup that now only contained ice away when she glanced over to see Maris struggling.

"You look really hot in it, though." She smirked, walking over and letting out a laugh. She took care to start to unzip the dress, maybe not as quickly as Maris would have liked, but making sure her still-cold fingers trailed down her spine. "And I mean really." Her voice had already grown lower, as she leaned forward and kissed Maris' skin between her shoulder blades.

She gasped sharply, startled when Rory touched her. Her first instinct was to shove her fiancee away, a sort of playful punishment for putting her ice cold hands on her, but as the moment the other woman's lips touched her skin, that was the last thing Maris wanted to do.

It earned Rory another sound, lower and more relaxed than the one that came before. It may have only been one kiss, but it was already beginning to soothe the tension her nerves over her first talk (and her unexpected blast from the past) had caused her. Even though she hadn't quite realized how much tension she was carrying to begin with.

She shifted ever so slightly, knowing it wouldn't take much for her now open dress to slip and fall from her top half, the bottom sliding a bit further down once it was exposed.

"What if I want you to get me out of it?" she murmured.

Rory let out a low laugh at Maris' reaction, thinking she should probably apologize but it was too amusing for the moment. Besides, she was in no rush to move her lips away from her skin as she kissed her. As cold as her fingers were, the rest of her seemed warm all over already. The day had already left her in awe of her fiancée, but as the day had progressed and the bit of drama joined the party, it left her with this need to take care of her.

In whatever way they were best at.

"I'd say ... we were on the same page." She smiled and continued to press slow, gentle kisses to the back of her shoulders, her lips traveling up the back of her neck as her hands slid into her dress from behind. Her hands were warming up by now, as she pinched the fabric of her dress between her fingers and tugged downwards. "I've wanted to do this all day, since you walked out in this dress." She murmured low against her ear, as she moved one hand up over her stomach, hugging Maris' back against her stomach as her hand reached up to cup one of her breasts.

Maris became a little less tightly wound with every kiss and touch. Her posture relaxed, her expression softened, her pulse quickened and the soft sounds of encouragement Rory's actions earned came more freely.

The good, bad and everything in between that had made up her day began to fade away until all that was left was her and an amazing view of the city skyline from the patio door in front of her.

Maris' dress slipped off her body and onto the floor without so much as a sound. She reached behind her and cupped the back of Rory's neck, silent encouragement to keep her kissing hers.

For a few moments, she was completely still, reveling in the feeling of being taken care of and held.

Her dress may have been gone, but her bra (black and boring because she wasn't going to wear anything that wasn't seamless and easily spotted under her clothes on a day where it was nothing if not important to look her best) and underwear remained.

Which meant a thin, but still torturous layer of silk remained between Maris' breast and Rory's hand, even if her touch was still very keenly felt.

"Take it off," she whispered, her tone softer than usual. It was an attempt to coax, rather than command. Maris' bossy, impatient nature seemed to have taken a backseat, at least for the moment because it was one she was entirely caught up in.

Something felt slightly extra intimate in some weird way, that neither of them could particularly see what affect they were having on each other. She was blindly focusing on how warm Maris was, the sounds she made and the way she moved in response to where and how Rory touched her.

With her dress pooled on the floor, it gave Rory more freedom to use both of her hands. One hand slid over her stomach, her nails gently raking over her skin while the other wanted the damn bra gone. She sighed softly against her neck as her fiancee's hand touched to her neck.

Such a quiet, simple demand sent a spiral of heat up Rory's spine. She murmured against her skin, a soft sound as the hand on her stomach made quick work of the clasp of her bra. The other hand aided to peel it off, leaving her lover exposed. Rory's lips trailed over her shoulder, sucking softly at the curve of her neck and her teeth scraping over her skin the moment her palm made its way back to her breast. The other hand joined, as she squeezed both of Maris' breasts in her hands, rolling her thumbs over her nipples.

"Did I tell you how fucking proud I am of you?" She hummed against her ear, one hand sliding down from her breast to smooth over her underwear, her palm delving between Maris' thighs so her fingers could slowly rub against her through the thin layer there. She kept a possessive kind of hold on her, her teeth nipping her earlobe as she huffed a soft sound. "Are you still roasting, babe?" Her voice ticked up in a cheeky tone, a smile against her skin.

She let out a soft groan as her breasts were really touched, her nipples stiffening under Rory's fingertips. They weren't the only thing that went rigid, for a moment she did too, automatically arching into the other woman's touch. She pressed back against her, wanting Rory close, but her body was beginning to relax, trust that the other woman would hold her, keep her upright as she fully gave in and let instinct take over.

Rory would never let her fall.

The hand between her legs garnered something closer to a whimper, though it was accompanied by a flash of agitation that made her body temperature spike just as much as her arousal. "Don't get cocky," she muttered. But as nearly naked as she was, she was also warm. Warmer than she'd been even with the clothes she'd been complaining about earlier.

But there were no complaints anymore. Except that she suddenly wanted her panties off, too.

Maris was glad Rory was proud of her. She would have thrived on her praise any other time. She wanted and on some level, even needed to hear it, because her venture into writing was nothing if not new but could she really be blamed for being distracted?

Even the skyline was beginning to blur from view as her eyes began to flutter shut at Rory's teasing, a low purr escaping her lips. "Touch me." It was even softer than her last request, but her voice was undeniably thicker.

Rory's own breath huffed in response to the sound Maris made, her thumb rolling over her nipple and reveling in the way it felt hard against her hand. She could feel how Maris relaxed into her, and she leaned into the way it felt to truly earn that. She wanted to take away every bit of tension in her body, she wanted her lover to feel relaxed and safe in her arms.

"Can't help it." She chuckled, beginning to rub her a little more through her panties. True enough, she couldn't help the surge of cockiness that mingled with the possessive feeling she already had racing through her. Anytime it seemed Maris might buckle a little, Rory squeezed her tighter, keeping her pressed against her.

Even as she reveled in the power she held right now, there was another kind of incredible power in Maris' words. She huffed a soft moan against her ear at Maris' request. She didn't waste much time at all, hooking her fingers into the waist of Maris' underwear and shoving them down. She didn't bother peeling them down all the way, instead she moved her hand between her legs again, her fingertips sliding over her pussy. "Oh babe, you're ready for me huh?" She kissed her neck, taking time to gently suck at her skin. She should have motioned her towards the bed, but instead, Rory found herself nudging her towards the window. She braced her hand that had been teasing Maris' breasts to press against the glass at the same time she began to roll her fingers over Maris' clit. They were high up enough she didn't worry about anyone really seeing them, and she wasn't sure how long they could sustain their position but ... it still gave the allure of danger that made her want to give her lover more.

When Rory guided them over to the window, Maris' stomach tightened. On one of the top floors, she knew there was no way they'd be spotted.

It wasn't fear. It was arousal. Even if she wasn't really an exhibitionist, part of her wished they could be seen.

Because passerby would have gotten quite a show.

She let out a breathy little cry as Rory's fingers worked her clit, the change in location making her undeniably warmer, wetter than she had been moments before.

For all her strength and careful control, there was no denying Maris liked this, either.

It was a thrill to be held so tightly, taken from behind because it meant she couldn't see what was going to happen next, let alone attempt to direct it.

It should have been nerve wracking.

But it was total bliss.

All Maris wanted to do was rock her hips and beg for more, Rory's name falling from her lips as her knees began to buckle, a sure sign she was close, sweat causing Rory's jumpsuit to start to stick to her back.

Rory probably should have let Maris lay on the bed, if she was really going to help her properly relax. And she would, just as soon as they fully enjoyed this, first.

Rory's teeth scraped against Maris' skin as she grinned, the sound she made urging her onward. She began to rub her fingers quicker against Maris' clit, rolling circular movements and then slowing down, pushing her fingers further between her legs until her middle finger could slide inside of her.

Her hand on her breast moved to the other, gently pinching her nipple as she began to thrust her fingers inside of her more. Every time they made love, or fucked, or anything in between, Rory felt like she was both giving part of herself and possessing her lover wholly. They just fit, they moved together, anticipated needs.

"That's my girl," She purred against her lips, her breath hot on her skin as she sucked her neck. The heel of her hand pressed into her clit, using her thumb to rub against her clit while she fucked her. "Deep breaths baby, relax." Rory felt a power trip as she held onto her, licking her lips as she felt her throat go dry. "I'm still going to need to taste you."

The room blurred and words (except for the occasional ah or a very hastily whispered fuck me) failed. The window, flashes of the streetlights and buildings below occasionally caught her attention but it was becoming more and more difficult to keep her eyes open and herself upright.

It may have been more difficult to see (or at least focus) on the world outside, but Maris found herself more and more focused on the idea that they could see her. Them and what they were doing, even if that wasn’t entirely true. Fantasy or not, it was turning her on, a surprise in and of itself because she had never really given the idea of being watched much thought.

But one of the best things about sex was its ability to slow your thoughts. Good sex required a kind of primal focus, a willingness to shed your inhibitions and just go for what felt right.

So Maris let herself say what she was thinking, even if she had a feeling it would surprise Rory, who knew her feelings about letting other people see them doing far more innocent things like sharing a quick kiss or holding hands anyway.

“Oh, god, that’s it,” she gasped. “Show them how you fuck me, baby. Show everyone how you make me come.”

She didn’t even hear Rory’s answer before she did. Acknowledging her fantasy, letting herself believe that was exactly what was happening was enough to make Maris come hard and with absolutely no inhibitions, her hand automatically smacking against the glass in an effort to steady herself, though she let out a throaty laugh as her body automatically relaxed, falling back into Rory’s as she kept rocking her hips to ride it all out.

In a moment like this one, or really, specifically this one, Rory felt like she was on some kind of a drug. This was a high, holding her lover, earning every shudder and sound from the woman she both loved and desired more than anything in the world. Rory was completely lost to her lustful abandon, focused solely on her lover and her pleasure.

Rory's fingers began to thrust harder, using her position behind her to push Maris slightly forward, giving her the angle to drive her fingers into her harder, faster. Part of her wished she had brought one of their straps so she could fully embrace this particular position, but the bigger part of her was so glad she didn't. She wanted to bring Maris to ecstasy with nothing more but her hands, her mouth, her body.

The words that Maris spoke came as a bit of a surprise to Rory. A hot flush claimed her as she let out a little sound like "Oh." It struck something primal, almost animalistic inside of her that felt untapped until even now. "Nobody fucks like we do," She moaned into her ear, doubling her efforts as her thumb rubbed in quick circles against her clit, her fingers driving inside of her fiancee faster, with more purpose to fuck her. She felt her clench around her fingers and that only made her go further, pumping her fingers as her arm burned for reprieve. She only slowed as Maris's head thunked on the glass, her own laugh echoing Maris'. "That's my girl." She purred into her ear, her teeth nipping a little harder at her skin.

She breathed heavily, holding Maris tightly against her for a few moments until she pulled her fingers out of her and gripped her thigh. "That was something." She chuckled, her clapping down on Maris' ass cheek and squeezing while the other brushed through her lover's hair, kissing the back of her neck again.

Rory made sure Maris was steady before she uncoiled herself, stepping back to take her denim jacket off. It was her turn to overheat, apparently. "Catch your breath. I'm not done with you."

Maris’ inched closer to the window, not really of her own accord. She needed something to lean on, especially after Rory let go. She let out a soft sigh of almost relief as she let her forehead touch the glass. It was smooth, cool, comforting against her flushed skin and she reveled in the feeling for a moment before looking over her shoulder to see what her fiancee was up to.

Maris may have been stubborn, the sort of person who took umbrage to being bossed around or told what to do, but there was no denying she liked this version of Rory and was more than willing to let her take complete control once she did get over her pesky hang ups and just gave in.

She was more than willing to go along with whatever she had in mind (and really, should she have been surprised that Rory had a plan?) but as she watched her undress, even though removing her jacket didn’t reveal much, she was filled with a fresh wave of want and a desire to catch her off guard as well.

“This is cute,” she said with a cheeky grin, toying with the bow in the center of Rory’s dress once she closed the space between them. They both knew she usually despised the word. Cute usually held the same teasing, sarcastic tone she used for other useless, borderline meaningless words like nice or fine. But she meant it this time.

“You all pink and girly, me dressed like a goth librarian…” Her lips twitched. “Well, formerly anyway.” She let the tie drop. "But I'll listen. What are you going to do with me?"

Something about the day had just struck a deep chord within Rory. The unbridled passion she had for her fiancee was always there, ready to be tapped into at a moment's notice, but this felt primal, possessive, somewhere that her pride over Maris and her need to keep her safe crossed paths. Her gaze took in her lover as she leaned into the window, a smirk gracing her features as she caught her eye.

Her bare arms of the sleeveless one piece felt like a relief, but it still wasn't enough. Especially not with the way Maris looked at her. She was in a mood, and while she knew that Maris took great pleasure in her own dominance, so did she.

"Cute." She repeated the word back to Maris, laughing softly as she shook her head. "If we were to trade aesthetics, I don't know if the world could recover." Rory's fingertips traced along the line of her jaw and hooked under her chin.

"I'm going to let you pick..." A brow raised in challenge, like a little game to be played between the two of them. "Either I perch you back against the window and make you come again with my mouth..." Each word was specifically chosen, a languidness to her tone as she leaned in to almost kiss her lips - but not quite. "Or you get on the bed, and let me fuck you with my pussy."

A fresh wave of desire washed over Maris and almost immediately settled between her legs, pulsing like a heartbeat.

For a moment she was struck silent, unsure what she wanted because she wanted everything.

Which is exactly what she asked for although she couldn’t help showing Rory she wasn’t the only one who could choose her (dirty) words very carefully, using the same challenging tone.

“Then why not keep being generous and give me both?” she murmured. “Lick, tease me until I’m begging to come and then throw me on the bed and give me what I want. Pin me down, use me to help you do the same.”

There was something to be said for the insatiable way with which Rory wanted Maris, and not just now. She couldn't remember the last time they'd only ended up having sex once in a night, probably when they were too exhausted, or in those times they had to sneak around when she technically shouldn't have been with her at all.

Tonight felt charged differently, her heart raced and her brain felt cloudy, filled with nothing but her desire for this woman.

The question she posed to Maris was supposed to be one that would serve to deepen her own desire as much as Maris'. Hearing the way she wanted Rory to fuck her was always a cherry on top situation. She liked the words, but loved the affect they had on the both of them once spoken into the space between them.

And her fiancee didn't disappoint. Her lips parted with a soft sound, almost awestruck by her. She recovered ... well enough, a slight smirk etched at the corners of her lips. "Oh you passed that test." She grinned, nodding towards the window where there was a barely-there windowsill she could maybe use... but Rory wasn't worried about that, she'd be doing a majority of supporting her anyway.

"Put your back against the window, and wait for me." She demanded coolly, her gaze never leaving her lover's as she began to peel the pink fabric away from her body to let it fall to the floor.

Maris’ lips twitched into a sort of self satisfied half smirk, one that said of course she’d gotten it right.

But her bravado didn’t really last for long. Something about the way Rory was speaking to her unnerved her as much as it aroused her. She wasn’t used to taking orders. She wasn’t used to wanting to. She never let strangers have a glimpse of her in moments like these (even the ones she had more of an upper hand in) either.

Not that they’d really catch a glimpse of her and Rory fucking.

Not that she’d really care if they did.

Part of her would have welcomed it.

Something about tonight did feel different and Maris couldn’t exactly put a finger on what that something was.

Was it the fact that Rory knew about Caro? Finally telling someone that story had been freeing, even if Rory didn’t know the half of it. But admitting what she had still left her feeling oddly vulnerable. Only she wasn’t closing herself off this time. If anything it had opened a sort of floodgate.
Maris suddenly wanted to share more, including more of herself with the woman in front of her.

She did as Rory asked, eyes noticeably dark in the dimly lit room that would only get dimmer because they were both too distracted to turn on a light.

But there was something to be said for doing something that felt so primal by moonlight.

She did as she was told, then watched Rory undress with a kind of quiet intensity, slowly spreading her legs to entice her once she saw she was done.

Rory wasn't passive by any means, or meek by any other. It was more that in their relationship, it could be fairly accurate to note that she was the softer one. She was always fine with that, when her fierce moments could rear up when she felt them. She knew that Maris loved her as she was, and she loved her fiancee the same way.

But sometimes she wanted to lean into the shift like this one. Her desire could take on that same ferocity that her love did, and tonight she felt that come on strong.

Rory's breath felt short as she stepped out of her jumpsuit. She licked her lips and gazed at her fiancee, a small smile curving her lips as the thrill raced up her spine that Maris was actually doing what she asked.

She kept her bra and panties on, a miss-match of shades of pink (because she couldn't not match entirely) and lace. Rory stepped to Maris slowly, her hands greedy as soon as she was close enough. She held her hips for a moment, leaning in and pressing her lips against Maris' in a passionate kiss. "God I love you," She murmured against her lips, stealing one more before she dropped kisses down her throat and her chest, cheekily flicking her tongue over one of her nipples.

Rory took her time, but took it quickly, another kiss against her stomach as she finally dropped to her knees with a soft thump sound. She didn't say much else, as words seemed to fail her completely. Instead, she slid her hand up Maris' leg, her other hand against her ribcage to guide her to lean into the window for more balance. She lifted her knee to rest over her shoulder as her tongue lashed against her thigh, her teeth nipping the spot moments later. Knowing how badly Maris wanted her was like a drug she'd get lost in, but couldn't sustain the moment too long before she had to press her mouth to her sex.

Leaning against the glass was practical, something Maris needed to do to keep herself upright, but it was vaguely erotic too and not just because of her current fantasy. There was just something about the way it felt against her skin, which was currently so hot it almost needed to be soothed.

Though not nearly enough as the increasingly insistent throb between her legs did. It was slightly ridiculous really. How badly she wanted, no, needed this after Rory had fucked her good and proper moments before.

It caused a breathy laugh to fall from her lips but it was quickly replaced by a low moan, a soft yes falling from her lips as Rory’s mouth slipped between her legs and her fingers found her hair.

Rory may have been the one on her knees, but Maris was completely at her mercy and completely happy to be.

It only took Rory casting her eyes upwards, taking in the view of her fiancee framed against the window to send a surge of desire straight between her legs. She whined a muffled sound against her, as her tongue flattened against her pussy and lapped slowly, taking her sweet time to taste the other woman.

Rory couldn't hold back the moan that came from her even if she wanted to; the taste of her lover's desire sent her into a heady space she needed to chase after. Her fingers dug into Maris' thigh, holding her steady as she moved her head and began to suck at her clit. The sounds Maris made only egged her on, that same primal desire taking over completely.

"Fuck, you taste so good baby," Her words came out in a rushed breath in the short moment she took before putting her mouth back where it belonged. Still gazing up at Maris, she began to rapidly flick her tongue against her clit. The position, not one she often took, felt appropriately like worship. She slid one of her hands to grip Maris' ass, pulling her towards her to encourage her to move against her tongue.

There was something uncharacteristically soft about the way Maris was behaving. The way let herself whimper and beg as Rory lapped at her pussy because their previous encounter had made her sensitive and completely lowered her inhibitions.

Her breath hitched, a full body shiver coursing through her as she started rocking her hips and Rory's hair tickled her thighs.

With very little break between this moment and their last one, Maris was starting to go hoarse, but she couldn't seem to stop, her verbal reactions to the pleasure Rory just as involuntary, unstoppable as everything else.

She reached up, slowly cupping her breast and starting to toy with it, a slightly clumsy motion because she was mostly focused on keeping herself moving and balanced, but it added an extra layer of pleasure, coaxing out groans that were just a little needier than the ones that came moments before.

Her stomach was tightening, her release building as her head started to spin, but she knew this wasn't how she was supposed to finish. She and Rory had made a plan and she was fully prepared to keep up her end of the bargain.

Especially because it meant Rory would finally get to come too.

"Well, come on," she gasped. "Are you going to throw me down and fuck me or what?"

Okay, maybe she hadn't gone entirely soft. Her eyebrow was raised in a challenge, even if she was currently having trouble keeping her eyes open.

Whatever twinge of role reversal or whatever they'd call it that was happening here, Rory felt extremely into it. She loved the way Maris reacted to her, loved the way her own body leaned into taking complete care of her fiancee. Every sound or movement she earned from Maris only made her want to seek out more and more.

Every sound that Maris made turned Rory on all the more, if that was even possible. It sent desire straight between her thighs, a throbbing between them that she couldn't wait too much longer to sate.

Rory moaned as Maris cupped her own breast, the feeling of knowing how much pleasure she felt and was taking for herself was driving Rory crazy.

Her lips abruptly tore away from her with a sharp gasp, a wicked grin on her lips as she nodded. "Oh there she is." Her voice was silky and dark with desire, her cheeks flushed from it as she pulled herself to stand. Her hands found Maris' hips as she leaned in and kissed her neck, taking time to touch her and kiss her for an extra moment.

But only for a moment. Her hands gripped her hips and Rory tugged her away from the window, using her hips and body to shift them over to the bed. Once there, she playfully gave Maris a little shove so she'd sit back on the bed, and somehow managed to step back herself.

"I'm so wet." She practically whined her words, the first real crack in that power-bitch facade she was playing with tonight. Her gaze never faltered from Maris as she unhooked her bra and let it fall to the ground, her own underwear gone next. "Lie back." She said softly, moving in towards the bed, her heart racing in anticipation.

"Did you miss me?" she teased back.

But her bravado didn't last for long. Maris was all too eager to listen, submit, do whatever Rory told her as she lead her over to the bed. She settled back against the pillows, graceful even in her urgency to give them both what they wanted, slowly spreading her legs like showing off just how aroused she was would be some sort of surprise rather than something the other woman had tasted firsthand.

"Show me," she murmured in the same soft tone, barely suppressing a shiver of anticipation at feeling Rory's slickness and throbbing heat against her own.

She leaned up, pressing noisy kisses to the other woman's breasts once she was close enough to reach them, playfully nipping at one of her nipples before taking it into her mouth to suck. She almost immediately gripped her ass with both hands, digging her nails in to pull her closer, a sort of silent signal for her lover to hurry up.

Her nipple left her mouth with a soft pop, Maris' eyes meeting Rory's for a moment before she immediately got to work on the other, though she sucked harder than she had moments before.

"A whole lot." Rory deadpanned, a grin flashing across her face.

Seeing the way Maris had splayed herself out on the bed sent a fresh wave of desire through her. Her eyes mirrored a depth of lust that even she couldn't boast feeling so strongly that it shifted her very mood. She always wanted Maris, but tonight she felt charged differently. She couldn't explain it, and thankfully didn't need to. She'd show it instead.

Rory hovered over her, but grew more impatient by the second. She let out soft moans as Maris' mouth moved over her hot skin, the throbbing between her legs driving her crazy.

A sharp gasp came from her at how roughly Maris grabbed at her, a moan echoing the sound as she leaned into her, the feel of her mouth on her hardening nipples sending a shiver down her spine.

Rory wasted no more time to grip her thigh, angling herself between her lover's legs so she could get into the position she knew worked best. Her fingers dug into Maris' thigh as she lowered herself to press her pussy against Maris'. A sigh that mixed relief and arousal loudly erupted from her, the ache she'd staved off by pleasing Maris gave way to the feeling of their slick heat pressed together.

"Fuck, baby." She whined as she began rocking her hips, building rough, needy friction between them. The sound of their sex filled the room with their moans, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned her head back, bucking her hips harder, moving faster as beads of sweat formed on her skin. But she could only keep her eyes closed for a moment or two, and soon enough her lust-hazed gaze was fixed on her fiancee, as she worked her body to give them both pleasure.

It was bliss. Maris let out an almost sob of pleasure as Rory's pussy finally brushed hers, only needing about one skipped heartbeat of time before she fell into the other woman's rhythm.

There was something increasingly hedonistic about it. Maris lost her usual grace, for all her joking, her bossy nature wasn't really back. It couldn't stay for long when sex like this was consuming, something you lost all inhibitions in. She couldn't think of anything of pleasing Rory. Of being pleased. Of pleasing each other every way they knew how.

The pleasure she'd gotten from playing with her breasts seemed to have set Maris on a mission to make sure her lover felt it too. There was something increasingly fast, rough about the way they were rocking and holding onto each other. So she was rough with them too, biting when she couldn't quite catch them in her mouth, gripping both hard with two hands like some sort of anchor as she groaned and tried to push back against her with everything she had, playing with her nipples when Rory let out the sort of whine she felt right between her thighs.

But it couldn't last forever, Maris' teeth sank into her lip, trying to mask a very needy whimper as her thighs began to shake, her hands, having found Rory's hips seconds before, gripping them hard enough to bruise as her body gave one last, blissful buck and she came against her.

Rory had been so focused on Maris' pleasure, that the force of pleasure that erupted through her the moment their bodies crashed together almost surprised her. Rory's breathing was already labored, even before the exertion she was giving into fucking her fiancee.

Rory too was nowhere near graceful or methodical about the way she moved. She felt like a woman possessed with the pleasure they were giving to each other, her breathing ragged and the moans that fell from her lips increasingly rough and hoarse. It was any wonder they weren't already getting a noise complaint.

A sharp hiss left between Rory's teeth as Maris' bit at her skin, and later she'd revel in the welts she'd left there. Rory fell forward, her hair a mess as she braced one hand against the bed next to Maris, the angle shifting and earning a sharp gasp that morphed into a whimper of her own.

"Oh fuck," She gasped, Maris' name falling from her lips like a desperate plea. She could feel Maris trembling beneath her, the way her hips bucked into Rory's earning a sharp little cry she probably should have stifled in some way. Her hips bore down against Maris as she rocked harder, erratic with the way she moved until her own orgasm tore through her, her thighs (and every other part or her body) trembling uncontrollably as she came with Maris' name on her lips.

If someone could hear them, they probably would have been surprised by how abruptly all the noise ended. When it was all over, there was a moment of complete stillness, quiet save for the sounds of their labored breathing in a now nearly pitch black room that smelled of sweat and sex.

"I want more," Maris purred, an almost warning, as she shifted ever so slightly, trying to allow a comfortable angle that kept Rory exactly between her thighs.

After two orgasms (and there was no denying tonight was a little more intense than usual) Maris was spent, in no condition for more right now, but she was still in the mood to play. She slowly slid her palms upward, caressing Rory's ass before slowly starting to play with her pussy from behind with a soft purr, eyes fixed on Rory's reaction because she knew her lover still had to be feeling sensitive.

Rory's breathing was so ragged it rattled in her chest, a breathy laugh erupting from deep in her chest as she collapsed forward and let her head knock against Maris' shoulder. She breathed deeply, pressing soft kisses against Maris' skin in between breathing.

"Do you?" She grinned, lifting her head to look down at her fiancee. Her breathing was still a bit labored, her heart rate hadn't really come down at all just yet.

The moment Maris' fingers touched her, an almost violent shudder raced up her spine. "Fuck," She hissed, her hips lilting towards her almost involuntarily. Her head bowed against Maris' as she took in a shaky breath, her hips rocking slightly as she lifted her ass towards her hand. She was already sensitive from her orgasm, but Maris had the unreal ability to draw out this insatiable need in her.

"Good," she purred, nodding encouragingly when the other woman fell into her rhythm. "You can't quit now, Rory. I'm already an orgasm ahead of you."

She smirked, mostly teasing about turning it into some sort of competition, but she also knew her fiancee had never been able to resist one.

Her breathing quickened ever so slightly, making it obvious that Maris liked pleasing women (especially this one) as much as she liked being pleased. She slowly pushed two fingers inside her lover, her thumb, sliding around front to rub and occasionally press against Rory's clit. She kept a slow, but steady pace, purring softly as she felt Rory react, each little spike of heat and fresh wave of slickness against her fingers a tibt victory until the latter made her realize something because she hadn't quite forgotten everything that had happened moments before.

"You know, I don't think I want to do this," she murmured, her fingers coming to a slow stop. She pulled Rory closer to explain her reasoning. "If I tasted you right now. I'd taste me too. I should, right? While my come is still all over your pussy?"

Her tone was calm, even, but there was no denying a shift in Maris and her mood. She really wasn't being passive anymore.

"Aren't you curious?" she asked, eyebrow raised, the way she ran her thumb slowly down her clit just another tease. "About what we taste like?"

"Yeah," Rory moaned, though it wasn't exactly the response she meant it to be. "You know I hate to lose." As though it were a real competition - but one really both of them would be winners on.

Oh she knew that look in her fiancee's eye, and that tone that gave her an actual shiver. It struck Rory for about the millionth time just how well matched the two of them were. They took such great pleasure and even joy in each others' pleasure. Knowing how much Maris loved (and was fucking exceptional at) pleasing her was a crazy turn on. Not that she needed any help in that area at present.

A pathetic kind of quiet whimper left her lips as Maris' fingers stopped, her hips involuntarily jutting towards her hand as though to chase after the way she touched her. But it was gone a moment later, replaced with a flood of heat at Maris' words. Rory was normally a pretty articulate woman, but she could only seem to dumbly nod in response to her question.

Her body shivered again, the touch of her thumb against her clit earning another moan. "Yes." She agreed with a nod. "I want to know what we taste like." The thought alone was enough to earn a new wave of desire, but seeing how much Maris wanted it was something out of this world. "Come on then baby."

Her eyes darkened as she watched Rory react to her words, a dull throb intensifying until it turned into a persistent one between her legs.

Maris wasn't the type of person to ask questions she didn't know the answer to, but hearing her desire was a shared one was heady.

"You first," she prompted, her hand coming to a stop between Rory's legs so she could bring her slick fingers up to her lips, slowly hooking one inside her mouth.

Their passion was always off the charts, and yet something about tonight felt utterly astronomical. Maris left her breathless with just words, the way she touched her was a bonus.

Rory couldn't really speak, though she did manage to raise a brow at Maris as she bowed her head and took her fingers into her mouth. She couldn't even help but moan as the taste of them hit her tongue. Her eyes locked on Maris as her tongue slid over her finger, her teeth softly nipping at the end of it. "Fuck." She cursed softly, holding Maris' gaze.

As she pulled back, her hands cupped Maris' face while she leaned in and pressed a hot kiss to her mouth, her tongue immediately seeking out hers like she needed to kiss her more than she needed breath at all.

Maris moaned as she was kissed. Rory's passion wasn't the only thing that took her surprise. For all her talk, she wasn't entirely sure there would be a difference when the taste of them hit her tongue.

There was. And she wanted more of it. She broke the kiss roughly, partly because it was hard to stop when her lover was kissing her like this, her heart pounding enough to be heard and felt as a dull thud in her ears.

Her mouth was between her legs a moment later, lapping greedily like she was the sweetest thing she'd ever tasted.

No, they were.

Something about this felt almost forbidden in its intensity. Sacred.

And Maris was definitely worshiping Rory's pussy, determined to catch every drop of her arousal on her tongue, her fingers curling around Rory's hip as she closed her mouth around her clit, sucking slow and hard.

Rory honestly probably could have reached orgasm again solely from the intensity of their kisses. Sharing in their taste and knowing it was getting to Maris as much as it was to her turned her on all the more so.

She barely registered the blur of movement as she sucked in deep breaths to aching lungs, her hands trembling as she gripped the sheets the moment Maris's tongue found her pussy. She let out a sharp cry, pitched higher than even her most passionate moments.

Her hips rocked into Maris' mouth, encouraging her, doing her own work to join in with how good it felt. "Fuck, baby" She whined, biting at her knuckles in some futile attempt to stifle how loudly she responded to her lover.

A moment later, Rory's fingers were tangling in Maris' hair, her hazed-over gaze focused on the woman between her legs as shockwaves of pleasure raced through her, building another orgasm with every stroke of her tongue. A shudder coursed through her as Maris began to suck on her clit, a string of expletives huffed out between grit teeth as she felt herself growing dangerously close.

Intoxicated by the taste trickling onto her tongue and nothing if not focused on task at hand, Maris' eyes slowly traveled upwards, momentarily confused (and more than momentarily turned on) by the sight of Rory attempting to muffle herself. In truth, she'd forgotten where they were, that this wasn't their bed and rented rooms required some degree of quiet.

Once she realized it, she was too far gone, too lost in how good everything felt to care.

"Don't," she breathed, voice soft as she raised her head, a brief break for air. She gently took Rory's hand away from her mouth, the fact that hers was glistening with her the other woman's arousal obvious even in the darkened room.

"Don't you dare hold back on me," she murmured before kissing her hard.

Maris did it because she wanted to (and okay, part of her wanted to experience the rush of tasting each other together again), but it did help quiet Rory too, which was a very good thing considering Maris fingers started to pick up where her mouth left off.

But where her lips had been slow, steady, soft and sure her hands were rough. She pumped her fingers inside her until her arm ached, taking Rory the way Rory had her at the window, determined to make her lover feel just as good.

The word enraptured had to be the one that best described how Rory felt. She was entirely gone to how Maris made her feel, caught up in the pleasure only this woman could give her.

She couldn't help the deep laugh that burst out of her when Maris warned her, a kind of breathy bark of laughter as she nodded. "I won't," She panted, nodding as she leaned up just enough to look down at Maris. "Promise."

Rory felt like whatever words she had at present were primitive at best, but thank god Maris kissed her to take away her need to find any more. She moaned deeply against her lips, the shared taste of them sending another shudder through her.

Her tongue moved against Maris' as her hips bucked against her hand. "Fuck," She mumbled into her lips, her voice a sharp whine as she began to shake. Her hands clung to Maris, fingers digging into her sides as she rocked her hips into her hand, an unrelenting kind of wild pace that only stilled when her hips jerked and another orgasm raged through her. There was no keeping her quiet then, oh well.

Maris only added to the noise, moaning in Rory's ear when she felt her tighten around her fingers, never stopping until she was sure every little jolt and aftershock had subsided, pressing an almost chaste kiss to her Rory's temple in an attempt to soothe her as she brought her lover down to lay on her chest.

She felt close, even closer to Rory than she usually did in a way she couldn't quite describe. She knew people said sex was about becoming one with another person and she understood that. She'd always felt that with Rory but tonight just felt different. Being with Rory was beginning to feel different out of the bedroom too. Not in a bad way. Not even in a way she was always aware of. It just...

They were different now. Marriage had never been something Maris took lightly, something she felt obligated or thought she might as well do. She'd taken it seriously. It was something she wanted to do but it was increasingly feeling like something that needed to happen because she didn't know any other way to describe how much she felt. How much her life wasn't just beginning to feel like hers anymore. It was theirs. And god, every day she loved her more and more.

Maybe what she was feeling meant a sort of marriage was already happening. Sure, they hadn't had a party or said any vows just yet but ever since they'd started living together everything just seemed to fall into place, further proof that this was how it was always meant to be, hopefully how it would always be from here on out.

She didn't know what to say to her. Not after all of that. All of that had been a result of not knowing how to express herself in any other way to begin with. Something like that was intense or god i love you seemed painfully obvious. So she ducked her head and dropped a soft kiss on her breast. "Don't go to sleep yet," she murmured.


Though never cold or one to deny her fiancee anything, Maris hadn't always held Rory as long or as often as she should have (or even as much as she wanted to), especially the first time around.

That was changing too.

She slid an arm around her, nuzzling her neck.

"I want more time with you."

Rory felt like her breath was near rattling as they finally collapsed into each others' arms, her lungs aching for full breaths that she was really only keen to give them between the kisses she peppered against Rory's lips, and neck, and shoulder.

The vibe tonight had been charged no doubt whatsoever, but in these moments of coming down, she felt the need to be so close to her. They were entirely secure in their relationship enough to know when they needed space in bed or otherwise, but Rory felt like she couldn't even get close enough to Maris. It seemed her fiancee was feeling the same kind of way.

Sometimes, moments like this one in particular made her pause and just take stock of where they were. Maris was the love of her life, and it was baffling to think back on any amount of time that wasn't clear, or wasn't even a possibility. Their future was so clear to her now, like any time she had been clear in their relationship before the dark years had only been a flicker of a candle to the intensity of her surety now.

Rory knew better than to call her fiancee cute in any sincere way, but she couldn't help the giggle that burst from her as she nuzzled her neck, the request/demand from Maris was just about as adorable as she could imagine. "Okay let's stay awake." She huffed softly before she noisily kissed her neck and rolled them just enough to be able to look at her. "Do we dare order our weight in room service goods? See how late we can stay up?"

"Mmm, I don't think we dare," she said, dropping a kiss on Rory's shoulder and putting a teasing emphasis on the last word. "Room service involves movement and other people and I don't think I'm willing to deal with either right now. Besiiiiides, I bought a Kit Kat at the gas station and shoved it in my purse in case the food situation at the shop was terrible. We won't starve. I'll take you out for a really big breakfast in the morning."

She rubbed Rory's arm a little. "Can't stay up too long though, another stop tomorrow. And we'll see my dad."

Maris was excited by the idea, especially since she hadn't seen him in person since the pandemic hit, but she knew she'd be nervous as to what he'd think of her talk. Most people wanted their parents' praise, but the fact that John was a historian himself added an extra layer of pressure. Maris wanted to prove herself, especially since her dad had never really seen her in her element and at work (even on the teaching front) before.

"He said he wants to take us to dinner after. Maybe we could tell him about the wedding too?"

"Oh, you're right I didn't think of that." Rory's brow furrowed a little before a little giggle burst forward. As though in her post-orgasm stupor, she thought food could just appear in bed with them without a person having to bring it or their having to move. "You're the brains of this relationship." She laughed, leaning in and kissing her a couple of times, quickly. "A really big breakfast, huh? I'm hoping for all you can eat pancakes."

Rory scooted closer into Maris, her head bowed to press a kiss to her wrist as she was rubbing her arm. Rory loved these moments, the peace that came over her in the midst of their affection for each other.

"Oh I can't wait to see your dad." She grinned, genuinely delighted by the reminder of what tomorrow entailed. "I love that idea, we definitely should. We have quite the habit of breaking news to him over dinner, don't we?" She smiled softly as she reached over to brush wisps of hair out of Maris' face.

"I used to be so nervous about being around your dad. I didn't know how to act, really." Rory mused quietly, thinking over all those years ago when she had first met John. She grew up without a father, and so she felt so often that she couldn't trust herself to not feel awkward or uncomfortable. John and Adam for that matter had been wonderful, and welcoming. "Now we just talk about you and it's great. Our favorite subject."

"Yeah, well he likes to feed us and we like to give him good news. Pretty good system if you ask me."

Maris bit her lip for a moment, understanding Rory's apprehension around her father. She had the same feelings of awkwardness interacting with her fiancee's mother.

She'd sort of offhandedly said as much to Rory, but with the protests and everything going on in the world lately, Maris found herself thinking about her own mother because she'd been reminded of just how little she knew about her and the other half of where she'd come from.

Since moving to Maine, she hadn't seen her father very often and their meet up seemed like an increasingly rare opportunity to have the sort of conversation she'd been putting off for years, but it seemed more important now that she was increasingly curious about her heritage, especially now that far off plans meant it would become somebody else's.

But Keats was little more than a dream at the moment and she wasn't sure she wanted to put a damper on what was bound to be a great day, one tailor made for celebrating. Her book and finally making wedding plans would have been beautiful memories all on their own, but the combination...

Asking about her mother, where Christina and by extension, she had come from and most importantly why she'd left (because Maris had never really asked and both Adam and John seemed all too happy not to talk about it or her mother in general) were not pleasant topics.

So the conversation would be avoided for now, but Maris couldn't shake the slightly thrilling, mostly sinking feeling that it would happen soon.

For better or worse.

"He likes you," she murmured, fingers dancing across the top of Rory's shoulder. She wanted to reassure her, knowing she needed the same as far as Rory's mom was concerned, but it was also completely true, obvious that her father, who could be even more antisocial than she was, adored her fiancee.

"Not sure how I feel about you two talking about me though," she teased, kissing along the curve of her neck.

"It's really how family should be, look at us." Rory laughed softly but she meant it on some level. Feeding each other notwithstanding, it was a kind of give and take that just felt nice, like it was supposed to be.

Families held a lot of baggage, for lack of a better word, and while she knew very little of her own father and honestly didn't want to know much else, their situations were entirely different. She always knew that she would support Maris no matter what, and she also knew that it must be difficult for Maris to even think over what else she'd like to know about her mother and her own history. She knew she would just be there to support her, however and whenever she needed her. It was just one of those things that made her realize just how ready she was to be her wife and everything that that meant.

Rory smiled softly, almost blushing at Maris' reassurance. It was really all she wanted, particularly from someone who was to become her father in law. "Does he? Good thing, otherwise I'd really go overboard in trying to win him over."

Chuckling softly, she kissed Maris' shoulder and just let her lips linger there. "Oh no, I'm going to get every single story out of him, sorry babe."

Maris' second tour date went even better than the first. She thought she'd feel nervous when she spotted her father (and Faye, who Maris had been surprised to see because she still had trouble remembering that her stepmother and her father were kind of a package deal more than five years after their wedding) sitting next to Rory in the front row, a tiny cheer section she didn't know she wanted.

And she was, but channeled the same energy she had the day before, maybe even a little more confident and relaxed thanks to the night she and Rory had spent together. The fact that she wasn't sweating to death in today's more weather appropriate dress worked wonders too.

There was no signing this time around, so she made her way to her family once most of the crowd cleared out, though a few people stopped her to ask questions and offer up praise along the way.

"You really know how to captivate a room!" Her dad said as he pulled her into a tight hug that was very welcome after months apart.

Maris pulled away with a grin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, well... " Her eyes suddenly narrowed. "Have you read it? You never answered me when I asked if your copies arrived."

"I read it!" Faye chimed in happily.

"Really?" Maris managed to keep her tone neutral, but she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Faye always struck her as more of a strictly romance novels with shirtless Fabio clones on the cover type.

"I loved it," she gushed. "What a woman, so fascinating. I can't believe I'd never heard of her before. I couldn't put it down. That bit with the convent and the dead nun..."

Maris grinned. "My favorite story too."

She leaned in and gave Rory a quick kiss on the cheek, wanting to make sure her fiancee knew she hadn't forgotten about her, then turned to her father.

"But have you read it?"

"I will!" he said, hands held up in mock surrender. "I can't wait, Mari, honestly. I've just been busy with this paper I'm writing and I want to give it the attention it deserves."

"Smooth recovery. Faye, you're my new favorite."

The older woman, never quite sure if Maris liked her or not, beamed before asking if they were going to dinner. Both couples hopped into their respective cars to head to the restaurant, Maris immediately lacing fingers with Rory behind the gearshift now that they were temporarily alone.

"So, how were they?" she prompted with a teasing grin, knocking her shoulder into Rory's as she turned at a red light. "Did Faye try to convince you to watch Outlander yet? Because I swear she's told me about Jamie like 57 times."

Rory had been so proud of Maris seeing her out there on the first day, but seeing her again, easing into her rhythm and just rocking it all over again made her all the more so. She was delighted to sit with John and Faye, even if Faye was a little much - even for Rory. But she was in a great mood, with a new dress and cardigan that were probably amongst her most comfortable she'd brought with them.

When it was finished, Rory took a step back to let John and Faye offer their praises to Maris. She loved watching the way her fiancee related with her family. "Careful John, she'll quiz you next time." She chuckled, returning the kiss to Maris' cheek and letting her hand rest around her waist.

As much as Rory had been planning on the night out with John, she was delighted to have Faye there too, and really get more time with the couple who would be her in-laws. She squeezed Maris' hand as they drove, her thumb brushing over hers. "They were great, I kept looking at them while you were talking. They're so proud of you." She pondered a moment, a small smile curving her lips. "But I'm definitely going to be watching now, Faye makes some really compelling arguments..." She teased, giving a double-squeeze to her hand. "You're really finding such an easy vibe when you're talking, you know? I noticed you looked more relaxed."

"Not on our tv you won't!" Maris shouted playfully. "There will be no men in kilts in my house."

Rory's praise wasn't brushed off. Maris appreciated it and felt the same way about her performance. It had been easier the second time around since she had some idea of what to expect. In truth, she had let a bit of the praise and good will she'd been receiving go to her head. A bit of pride was never a bad thing and it had given her confidence a little extra nudge. She was comfortable now, but as she pulled into the parking lot all she could really think about was Rory.

She looked around for a moment. Her father's dark blue SUV would be tough to spot now that it had gone dark, but he didn't seem to have arrived yet.

"He always drives like an old lady," Maris grumbled, though pretty much everyone moved at a glacial pace when you had a lead foot like she did.

But little extra time with Rory without her dad and Faye around was hardly a bad thing, especially when...

"I can't stop thinking about last night," she confessed softly, unbuckling her seatbelt and catching Rory's lips in a lingering kiss. She wasn't about to let herself get too carried away, but a small part of Maris would always want to steal moments like these because there had been so many of them peppered throughout the course of their relationship. Stealing kisses in the teacher's lounge once it emptied out or fucking in each other's offices even if they only had enough time to get one of them off. Their affair (because no matter how you spun it, that was precisely what the beginning of their second go at a relationship was) had been littered with them too. Maris was undeniably happy, more than content but she would always chase and on some level, crave the feeling that came with being with her love when she sort of wasn't supposed to, which is why their tryst at the pool and on some level, the idea of working together again, circling back to exactly where it started from, were so appealing.

It had be obvious to Rory, how much moments like these got to her. They were just kissing but her breathing quickened, a voice in the back of her mind telling her to stop and she would. She was nothing if not a paragon of self control when she needed to be, maybe even to her own detriment, but she wasn't about to pull away until she needed to, letting her eyes flutter shut as she cupped Rory's cheek, suddenly glad she'd sprung for tinted windows just in case her dad did manage to sneak up on them.

"I guess now is a bad time to tell you about the Scottish cult of kilted men I run." Rory laughed, shaking her head at her fiancee.

This was only stop two, but Rory was already loving this whole being on the road with Maris. It felt good to travel even by car these days, and getting out and feeling like they were seeing more of their world was freeing. The fact that this was really a celebration of Maris and her brilliant work was the cherry on top of the sundae. She loved that they got to do this together, and knew how proud she was literally only seemed to be the tip of the iceberg.

"Uh huh, we can't all be speed demons." She countered with a sideways grin while she unbuckled her seatbelt but made no move to get out of the car just yet.

Rory leaned into the kiss, smiling softly into it as her free hand reached up to touch under her jaw. "Me neither. It was ... something." She'd been like a woman possessed the night before, her need the driving force beyond almost anything else until they were spent, and spent again. Rory was an affectionate person by nature, but it always felt very different when the affection was given and taken how it was with Maris. Every kiss that they stole or moment they reached out just to touch each other felt like their own language of reassurance and love that belonged to them. They had overcome a lot, more than anyone weaker might not have been able to. She'd be forever glad they did, despite the harder times, despite the hurt she'd left behind her, too.

Rory's breath huffed a little sigh against Maris' lips, her own heart rate picking up as she kissed her. She knew they didn't have much time, but she would gladly take every moment she could. Her lips parted as her tongue briefly flicked against Maris' lips before she punctuated the move with another kiss. "You're going to get us in trouble." She warned, brushing her thumb in the space beneath Maris' lips in case they'd exchanged a bit too much of the lip tint she'd worn. "Or maybe just a repeat of last night, later, hm?"

Telling Maris something would get her in trouble was really only a surefire way to make her want to do it more.

She had never been a bad kid, but she was bold and a little too clever for her own good. Even now she sometimes did things just to see if she could and she couldn't help reflecting on the fact that she'd never had any embarrassing moments where her father walked in on her with a girl before, even when they were under the same roof. Okay, the whole Caroline debacle had provided her with enough embarrassment to last them both a lifetime but Maris was weirdly proud of her track record of never being caught in a compromising position firsthand.

Although the same couldn't be said for her best friend Eli, who, used to having an open invitation and free reign in the Forrester house, wandered into her bedroom one summer afternoon and dropped the pizza box in his hand once he saw Maris and her violin friend, Sarah making out under her PJ Harvey poster in 10th grade. Thank god neither girl hadn't quite worked up the courage to start taking off their clothes during their little meet ups yet.

But that was a story for another day (and hilarity aside, it was also the story of the first time she'd come out to someone) and Maris reluctantly managed the control herself in the here and now.


"Fine," she said with a slight sigh, flipping down her visor to check out her reflection in the mirror. She smoothed down her hair, satisfied she didn't have too much of Rory's lip tint on her before exiting the car.

It had taken a turn toward chilly once the sun went down so Maris popped the trunk to pull out the jacket she'd taken to keeping back there now that the weather was in that sort of infuriating place where you never knew if you needed to add or subtract a layer once you stepped outside.

Technically, it was Rory's leather jacket but it really did suit Maris, which is why she had no intention of giving it back. It was a nice contrast to her gauzy, slightly feminine little black dress and she slid an arm around Rory once she adjusted the collar and started heading toward the front of the restaurant.

"We really are going to stay up all night this time though." she whispered in her ear. "I don't know anyone in Delaware. They can see me exhausted but very, very pleased with myself."

Since her father still wasn't there yet, Maris and Rory camped out in a little alcove in the front entrance so John could spot them when he pulled in the lot.

But someone else seemed to have spotted them (or at least Rory) first.

A middle aged man wearing a football jersey seemed to have taken a liking to Rory, giving the sort of not so subtle once over that would have caused Maris to groan if she didn't want to make sure her girlfriend didn't notice. Realizing you were being creeped on by some neanderthal who wouldn't have had a shot even if he was less of a pig about it was never a pleasant feeling.

She tightened her grip on Rory's waist, giving him a look that said don't get any ideas just as her dad (mercifully) pulled up.

"Thank god," she said. "Come on, he saw us. I'm not sure if he called ahead so we should probably grab a table."

It was a nice, but not overly pretentious Italian restaurant that Maris' dad had taken her to on her birthday once before.

Their table dug into the bread basket, Maris tearing off tiny scraps to dip into garlic infused olive oil as the conversation progressed, wrinkling her nose as her father asked what was next on her agenda.

"Do you have another subject for your next book or..."

"I don't know if there's going to be a next book," she said honestly, hating how pathetic it sounded because she really hadn't been up to much of anything since finishing this one. She'd tried, of course, but she couldn't really find a topic that held her interest quite as much as Julie, at least one that hadn't already been explored a thousand times over, anyway. She'd picked up some freelance work here and there, writing tiny pieces for magazines and various websites but she didn't like that sort of hustle, the pressure to finish on time and mad rush to find something else to take it's place if you wanted to stay afloat.

She wanted to teach again, due in large part to the structure it provided. She liked having somewhere to go every day, a plan and schedule to follow. She loved the tour and she wasn't sure she was willing to give up writing entirely, but she was also ready to go back to normalcy.

Well, almost normalcy if they really did end up moving somewhere else.

"I mean, not right away. Its not really a good time to jump into a new project now that Rory and I working on wedding planning."

"Oh, that's wonderful," Faye gushed. "When is it?"

Rory knew her fiancee well enough to know just the sort of things that would turn her on all the more, and even if she meant what she said about getting them into trouble, she also knew the fuel she was pouring on the fire.

Though Rory had never been a particularly rebellious kid either, always erring on the side of responsible, she could tell a tale of her sister finding her with her high school half-girlfriend (whatever the fuck that meant) and she’d bribed her with everything under the sun not to tell their mother. That was a story for another day as well, but even thinking about getting caught by her mom before she was ready to come out had given her hives for a week.

Still, she laughed as they parted, flipping her own mirror down and running her fingers along her lips to make sure it hadn’t smeared much. “Fine,” She echoed with a huff of her own - feeling the slight sting of having a few hours left before they were alone.

Stepping out of the car, she pulled her own sweater on and turned to see Maris — her eyes immediately narrowing at the trunk stowaway. Oh it was infuriating and not because of the theft but because it did look so good on Maris … and she couldn’t help but want to shove it off her … or give her memories of the time she wore only that jacket.

“Oh, we’re going to be up when the sun comes up and then time for a power nap.” She said with a little laugh, leaning over and kissing her cheek. “I’ll make sure you’ve got a mile-wide smile tomorrow.”

Often times when they were out, or when Rory was out with friends or whatever, she had this problem that she didn’t even register when a man might look at her unless he was really obvious about it. She assumed it was because a man wasn’t even a blip on her radar. But Rory really was oblivious, simply turning an adoring smile to her fiancee when she squeezed her tight, enjoying that.

“Good call.” She agreed, brushing her fingers over Maris’ hip as they moved off to get a table. Talking around the dinner table was something that Rory loved to do, it reminded her of home and the way her mother always made it a necessity on the nights that they all could, so even a restaurant had that same vibe.

Rory nibbled at the bread while she listened to the Forrester banter, offering a soft squeeze to Maris’ knee when she talked about the lack of subject for her next book. They’d talked about this before, and Rory knew what their plans for the future entailed. Still, she would support her fiancee with whatever venture she wanted to take, or even if she needed to support her while some strike of genius suddenly hit her.

But Rory was excited to teach together again, and not just because of the clear aphrodisiac it was to the two of them. She loved getting to steal moments with her throughout the day or steal glances at her teaching a class. It’s where she fell in love with Maris, it felt fitting she’d always have a soft spot.

The wedding. Rory was beaming as soon as Maris mentioned it, that kind of glow she couldn’t dim down in the slightest.

“We’ve decided on September. The first weekend. We wanted enough time to plan something small but soon.” Her smile turned from the pair to Maris, her gaze lingering a moment longer because she was soft, dammit. “Quarantine really was tough on us to find reasons to wait much longer.”

There were other reasons why Maris was reluctant to jump into another big project. If the stars aligned and they really did get their dream house, moving to England would be a huge undertaking. A new place and a new job on an entirely new continent would be a huge undertaking, not to mention a huge adjustment.

Maris wanted to enjoy married life with no distractions, even though she knew Rory would be more than understanding and supportive if she did find something to work on.

She suddenly realized just how little her dad knew about the other parts of their plan just yet. She'd never even hinted that she was thinking about leaving Maine, let alone moving abroad. She'd never talked about going back to teaching even though she knew that was something he'd sort of been hoping she'd do. He didn't even know about Keats, although she supposed she could hold off on talking about that for a while yet.

Even though she had a feeling he'd be just as surprised to hear she wanted to be a mother as he had been hearing she wanted to be a wife.

Still, it was best to take these things one step at a time, so she nodded slowly, her lips twitching into a smile once she spotted Rory's..

"Right. And it really is going to be small, which is why I was sort of hoping you'd help us with something, daddy?" John nodded and Maris continued. "Would you maybe want to marry us?"

He blinked. "Like officiate the ceremony?" Maris nodded. "Mari, I'm not a rabbi!"

"Good, because we don't want one," she shot back cheekily. "Come on dad, it's not hard. You can like, get... officiated online. It takes like two seconds, plenty of people get their friends to do it."

"Are you sure you want me to do it?"

Maris snorted a little "Well, I can't ask Eli..."

"Oh, you definitely couldn't," John agreed immediately. "Poor kid was green through his entire bar mitzvah."

Maris let out a bark of laughter. "That's what I said! See, you have to do it, daddy, please?"

John softened, looking from his daughter, to Rory, then back again. "Well, alright. As long as you know you're getting a guy with absolutely no experience."

Maris beamed, turning to see Rory's reaction when Faye sniffled loudly, her eyes shinning from behind her leopard print reading glasses. "This is just, the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

Maris bit her lip, hurriedly picking up her menu to hide her (thankfully silent) laughter at her stepmother's reaction.

They were making big moves towards their future, more so than they'd ever planned on before. Even with that, it felt entirely right to Rory, their move, their marriage, the family they wanted to have. Nothing felt rushed or out of place, just easy conversations that then became plans that were becoming more concrete. Letting their families in on their plans made them feel all the more real.

Rory couldn't help but smile as Maris asked her father the big question, laughing when he insisted he wasn't a rabbi. That was a good thing in their eyes, really, as non-traditional as their "traditional" ceremony would be. It was going to be for them, and it only made sense that someone so beloved be the one to bless their marriage.

"Maris told me about that, poor Eli." She laughed, squeezing Maris' hand as she felt a bubble of nerves hit her, waiting for his shock to subside and turn into an answer.

His answer was the most Forrester thing she could possibly have mustered. Well alright, she grinned, a beaming kind of reaction. She'd never thought too much of father figures before, but seeing the way that John consistently and wholly loved his daughter that she loved with her whole heart made her feel a bond with him of sorts.

Even if Rory was laughing softly at Faye's reaction, her own eyes had gone a little glassy with tears as well. It was a big moment, and made their wedding day feel all the more real. "Thank you John, that means the absolute world to us." While Rory didn't often speak up to for the pair of them, she was confident in the assumption. She leaned over and kissed Maris' cheek quickly. "We still have a bunch of things to figure out ... and to tell my family so that'll be next, I think?"

"So you've got it mostly planned then?" Faye asked once she'd composed herself a bit.

Maris, having composed herself (and decided on chicken marsala) while she was behind her menu, put it down and made a bit of a face as she sipped her wine. "I wouldn't go that far, but... we're getting there. Assuming I can find a dress I actually like in time."

"Oh, I had trouble too, but the place I ordered from had a pretty big selection. It was fast, too. They have a showroom in Rochester too so you can go see how things fit. God, I can't remember the name now, but I could pass along the information if you like."

Maris was slightly taken aback by the offer, struck silent for a moment in a way she hadn't been when her father agreed to help with something much more meaningful. She knew her stepmother (not that she'd ever called her that aloud) was a sweet, helpful sort. It was just passing along a bit of information but it...sort of meant a lot.

Truth be told, Faye's style was a bit eccentric. She was the sort of woman who wore the bright, bold colors Maris hated. Today's flowy floral tunic had rhinestones in the center of various flowers. Her reading glasses had pink leopard print on the arms and her purse was one of those quilted Vera Bradley monstrosities, but there was no denying the other woman had looked nice at her wedding, even if Maris was loath to admit it at the time.

"That would be amazing Faye, thank you." She smiled at Rory. "We were both kind of complaining about not being able to find what we want."

"Oh, you girls probably won't have any trouble. The pair of you would look good in anything." She smiled. "Oh, wouldn't it be funny if you two picked the same dress?"

Maris smiled, sharing a knowing look with Rory. She liked her fiancee's sense of style and she knew the feeling was mutual on Rory's end. They wore each other's clothes occasionally, but they each had their own signature tastes. "Somehow I don't think that'll be a problem."

John groaned. "You're not gonna wear black, are you?"

Maris sipped her wine to bury her smirk just as the waiter arrived.