for Sherlocks

[stillnotrachel]

The library remains a location non grata for Rache. On the other hand, Bar is rather skilled at book recommendations and the couches down here are every bit as comfortable.

Tonight, she has a copy of Persuasion and a mug of (lightly spiked) apple cider. Based on the way she pauses every few chapters to take a drink and watch the crowd, she might not be adverse to company.

Comments

[stillnotrachel]

Rache beams.

"Hello."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"Rache," he concludes. "New accomodations? What happened to the old ones?"

[stillnotrachel]

"Same ones," she corrects.

"At least, the same ones following the unexpected side effects of defeating a particularly hostile demon.

'Confluence of multiple competing magical systems' was the final diagnosis."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"Fascinating."

He comes closer to the couch and reaches out to trace a fingertip down Rache's cheek.

"I have an unaccountable urge to take you upstairs and learn all the differences."

[stillnotrachel]

A blush rises in the wake of his touch.

"Well," she murmurs.

"There's an idea."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"Do you approve?"

Even the blush is different. Once again, the flesh has changed but the person inside is just the same.

[stillnotrachel]

"Entirely."

The blush deepens when she adds, "I missed you."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

He grins.

It's not quite a blush of his own, but it is bright and sweet and caught off-guard.

[stillnotrachel]

It is entirely perfect.

It is all the encouragement Rache needs to kiss him.

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

Beaming, he kisses back.

[stillnotrachel]

Eventually, however, she does need to pause for breath.



"I believe," she whispers against his mouth, "that you were interested in conducting an investigation."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"I was," he concurs. "Shall we be about that?"

[stillnotrachel]

"Well, it would be more easily handled in private."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"Of course. Whose room would you prefer?"

[stillnotrachel]

She shrugs.

"Mine is a touch disorganized, but not problematically so."

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

"Yours it is, then."

He kisses her once more for luck, then straightens.

[stillnotrachel]

Rache stands up and heads for the stairs, depositing her mug on a vacant table as she goes.



Her room, 122, is one of the other things that has not changed.

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

Strat follows.

Of course the room is the same; why wouldn't it be?

[stillnotrachel]

The changes, such as they are, are all inside the room. There are more books scattered around the room than the last time Strat was here. There is also (unsurprisingly) women's clothing heaped over the armchair, and draped at the foot of the bed.

(Rache has a fondness for trying things on and not hanging them back up right away.)


They have not gotten very far in the door before Rache decides that Strat is deserving of another kiss.

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

Rache is a person of discerning taste, clearly!

Humming, Strat kisses back. His hands settle at Rache's waist after a moment. There will be time enough to explore, eventually.

[stillnotrachel]

Rache loops her arms around his neck, sliding a hand up into his hair.

She nips experimentally at his lower lip.

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

Her teeth are, as ever, well-received. He sighs happily into her mouth.

[stillnotrachel]

She makes a pleased sound in return and nips a little harder.

[finaldiscussion.livejournal.com]

Strat... more or less purrs.

[stillnotrachel]

That is a sound she will never tire of.

She licks into his mouth, light and teasing.