we walked in the garden, we planted a tree [Aidan]

[starchilde_lost]

[August 30th, 2011]

She'd been spending a lot of time at the waterfall lately. The rave was over, but Rachel could still feel the tremble of the bass under her skin. The hangover was past, but she could still feel the pain of guilt and confusion. She had just wanted to have some fun, let loose for a night and now she was starting to think that she'd ruined one of her closest friendships here on the island.

Not to mention opened herself up to an entirely new avenue of sexuality she'd never considered before.

But at the heart, she thought the sexuality thing wasn't even the important part. Well it was important, but she knew eventually it would take care of itself. She'd just never thought of it before, was all and was trying not to think about it now. The really important part was that she was pretty sure her best friend would never speak to her again and that hurt Rachel more than she wanted to admit. So Gabrielle maybe had a little crush on her? So had Alistaire Stuart, and they'd managed to stay friends, but lately Gabby wasn't even talking to her and that made things worse. She couldn't repair, or work on, or even talk about their friendship if Gabby wouldn't even see her.

Standing on the edge of the cliff and looking down, Rachel wondered if things really had been simpler back home. Kill Gabriel. Kill the bastards that had killed her family. Sleep with Korvus, who loved her and she... she loved him. At least she was pretty sure she did. The longer she was here, the more she started to doubt that. And did that mean she'd taken advantage of him? Had she taken advantage of Gabby? She didn't want to think that she had. she didn't want to admit that her loneliness combined with the alcohol and drugs and... she'd just gone too far.

But if she couldn't talk to Gabby... she couldn't work it out. God, was there anything Rachel could do right? She looked down at the rolling water and debated with herself before deciding that ultimately, she couldn't make a decision today. If Gabby wouldn't talk to her, she couldn't make amends. And she wasn't home so she couldn't sort things out with Korvus. All she had was today and a deep pool of water just begging to be dove into. Which is what she did, diving with almost perfect accuracy to the center of the pool, trusting that it was deep enough for the dive.

It was, but as Rachel surfaced she realized that diving from such heights had it's disadvantages. Like stripping the tops of bikinis off one's body. Looking around, Rachel tried to see where her top had gone, or if she was going to end up rushing home with her hands as her only modesty.

Comments

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

Aidan had met some interesting people at the waterfall, Effy and Coraline and a few others as well. He didn't go there to meet people, necessarily but he always kept in mind that something like that might happen. It was a good place to clear his head and despite he told others, he knew that he needed some time to think clearly. Adjusting to his humanity wasn't automatic and as well as he'd like to think he was handling it he knew that there were some... bumps along the way so far.

He might have been enjoying some aspects of his humanity just a bit too much and even though he was conscious of replacing one addiction for another it still seemed as if he was in danger of doing that. Aidan was finding that arousal and more specifically, sex, without the desire to feed and kill was entirely too enjoyable.

So Aidan thought if he could get some time to himself to wrap his head around that and the exact nature of his feelings for Martha, then maybe he could catch things before they got to far. Any thoughts of that were out the window though once he got to the waterfall and there was a gorgeous, topless redhead in the water.

"You realize that this isn't exactly a private place to swim, right?" Aidan called out. "Or did the rave confuse you on the proper dress code for this area."

[starchilde_lost]

"AH!"

As soon as the voice sounded, Rachel sank back under the water, looking around for the source as she blushed furiously. If she had her powers, no one would have been able to sneak up on her like that, let alone...

"...Aidan? Is that you?" Even better. The other person she'd been flirting with at the rave. Like that wasn't awkward at all in her current state, especially since she had some vague memories about talking about skinny dipping and more flirting and awkwardness. She made sure she was low enough in the water that nothing showed too badly before calling out again.

"I don't suppose you saw where my top went? It came off when I dove."

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"That would be me," he said, holding back a grin. She was obviously rather embarrassed about the loss of her top, so he'd let her off light for the moment. At least until they found her top.

"And no, I didn't. I assume this wasn't a voluntary removal then, despite our talk from the other night? You're blushing so much you're going to raise the temperature of the water a few degrees," he said as he scanned the water. The blush did look good on her though.

[starchilde_lost]

"I am not!"

The reply was automatic and the best she could do under the circumstances. So he remembered the conversation, too, just her luck. She watched him scanning the water and hoped fervently that it was because he was looking for her top, not trying to get a better view.

"And the implication was that I wouldn't be alone under those circumstances, and until you showed up, I was." Wait. "I mean, what would be the point?" That didn't help.

"Do you see my top anywhere or not?" From her current vantage, she didn't have the best view, not unless she stood up and that really wasn't happening at the moment.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"Not yet," he said, shaking his head and ignoring the other comments for her sake. She was embarrassed enough he didn't need to bring to the forefront just how confusing she was being as a result.

"If we don't find it soon, you can have my shirt," he reassured her, pulling it off and setting it aside just in case they would need it. It would be more amusing if they didn't find it, but only for him.

[starchilde_lost]

Well, at least he was a gentleman and made the offer. She wasn't sure many of the guys here would have, certainly few of the ones at the rave. Of course, she probably shouldn't have judged them based on that night, not with all the drugs and alcohol floating around.

She was trying hard enough not to judge herself.

So as a distraction she decided to enjoy the view a little. Only fair since he'd gotten a good look at her, and she had to admit she liked what she saw. He was leaner than Korvus, but still looked strong, tall enough. Pretty much what she remembered from the party only... shirtless now. They were even.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

Aidan noticed her checking him out, the learned habit of noticing everything one that didn't just go away when his humanity restored. Besides, he didn't mind being checked out.

"I think I see it," he said, noticing a scrap of fabric floating up against one of the rocks. Slipping into the water, he headed over to wear it was. Sure enough, it was either her top or someone wasn't fortunate enough to find theirs after losing it. Or they didn't care.

"So are you in the medical profession as well?" he asked, moving over toward her as he held up the top. "Or is there another reason you're studying my anatomy."

Oh yes, he remembered that discussion from that night.

[starchilde_lost]

"Hey, only fair, you saw me. I'm just returning the favor."

She gave him a mock-disparaging look, glad she'd gotten the blushing thing under control. Mostly under control.

She held out her hand for her top, gliding through the water towards him, but still staying far enough under the water to make sure he didn't get another show.

"Are we suddenly shy?"

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"Actually I didn't get that good of a look," he confessed. It seemed a shame, too, since what he had seen was rather nice, but he'd rather any exposure he was... exposed to was of the willing nature.

"Maybe I've been shy the entire time," he said, handing the top back to her. "Although if I recall from our conversation, I was the one more ready to be daring."

[starchilde_lost]

"I... actually can't quite remember the whole conversation."

Rachel shrugged, a little embarrassed, a little relieved. Embarrassed that she'd done the things she did under the influence and relieved that at least she didn't have to fully remember.

"But was that a dare implied?"

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"It might be," Aidan said, locking eyes with Rachel.

Vampires in his world had no magical stare that could mesmerize others, their telepathy was more complicated than that and infinitely more difficult for most, but they did have the benefit of experience. If eyes were the window of the soul, most vampires were old enough to show you whatever scene they wanted. Darkness, mystery, and a depth that didn't belong on someone who looked as young as he did flickered across his eyes as he held Rachel's gaze.

Without bobbing or weaving, he reached down and slipped his trunks off, letting them float up to the surface of the water before he pushed backward, slowly drifting away from her.

[starchilde_lost]

Rachel wasn't afraid of a thousand-year-old stare, she practically had one of her own. One that had seen and experienced pain over and over again in far away lands and far away planets. She wasn't afraid of the darkness, how could she be, but it was something she filed away for later. He had secrets, but didn't they all?

In fact, she didn't even flinch until she realized he was actually going through with it. Then she backed away a little, laughing behind her hand.

"I can't believe you actually did that." She had her bikini-top in her other hand and had been planning on putting it back on, but after a moment... she tossed it onto the shore and made sure the bottoms followed. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this."

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"You're still not showing anything and your suit is in easy reach," he reminded her, even as he was grinning at her. He was surprised by it too, although pleasantly so. From what he recalled, Rachel had a very fit body and her shoulders at least appeared to bear that out.

"The real test is to see if you'll go for another jump in off the waterfall."

[starchilde_lost]

She blushed a little more, not really all that surprised that he was upping the ante on her. Treading water, she gave him a smirk of her own.

"I've already gone once, I'm pretty sure it's your turn."

She had no idea what she was doing, but she was having fun. And she was putting a premium on having fun right now, only now she was at least making sure she was sober for it.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"Not a problem."

Swimming over to the side, Aidan pulled himself out of the water and climbed up to the falls. He wasn't ashamed about being naked at all, and to be honest he was far more concerned about not scraping anything particularly sensitive as he made his way up to the top of the falls than he was about what he was exposing to her.

Once up to the top, he paused for a moment to make sure the way below was clear before running to the edge and diving into the water. It was an odd feeling, the wind rushing all over his body with the beads of water zipping across his skin just before he hit the water. He went smoothly in, kicking toward Rachel and staying under long enough just to enjoy the slightly blurred view under water before popping up not too far behind her.

[starchilde_lost]

She wasn't really surprised that he called the bluff. But then it hadn't really been a bluff so much as a reason to get him to go first. She had to admit, she was a little shy about the whole thing and needed a little more time to work up the courage. Except she realized that she spent more time watching him instead of psyching herself up.

She was only human.

She turned around as he surfaced, not really sure what to say. So instead, Rachel simply made for the bank and pulled herself out of the water, shivering a little as the air hit her skin and she headed towards the path to the top. She made a point of not looking back to see if he was watching - of course he would be - and she just focused on the climb to the top.

Once there, she paused, looking up at the sun peeking through the trees before taking a deep breath into her own dive. It was one of her favorite things about the island because it was the only thing that felt even remotely like flying. Only instead of pulling out of the dive and soaring to the sky, she hit the water, breaking the surface and diving deep. Chasing the air bubbles to the surface, she hoped the cool water was enough to cool her burning cheeks.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

Aidan watched intently as she got out of the water. The interesting tattoos that were on her face were also along her back as well, although they seemed a slightly different style. She looked amazing though, long and lithe limbs that were obviously used to exercise with the right amount of curves in the right places.

The dive was graceful and fluid and he appreciated her body almost as a work of art, as well as something that was just, pure and simple, sexy. He watched her form flicker under the water until she came up through the surface.

"I know it sounds like a line," he said. "But you have... one of the most attractive bodies I've ever seen."

[starchilde_lost]

"I... um... thanks." She couldn't help the stammer, or the sudden blush that re-appeared on her cheeks. It was automatic, she never really saw herself like that. Sure she knew she was attractive, she'd had people telling her that all her life, she'd read the minds of men in clubs, she knew it, but having someone say it? Just say it like that still took her by surprise. Especially since all she saw in the mirror these days were the marks on her face and back. Not the most pleasant way to view oneself.

Taking a deep breath, she had to admit, "You looked pretty good up there, too. Kinda hard to look away, honestly."

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

"It was... very difficult to remain a gentleman when you first came up out of the water," Aidan admitted. It was kind of endearing how she took the compliment, and he was glad that she didn't protest it or have an ego about how good she looked.

"And I promise you can look as much or as little as you want and I don't even give you a hard time about it," he said, moving a little bit closer to her.

[starchilde_lost]

Rachel snickered, "I don't think anyone's given me permission to ogle them before. It's definitely a first."

She watched him move closer, trying to figure out what, if anything, was happening here. Nakedness? Check. Attraction? Yeah, she had to admit she was attracted. The rave hadn't changed that in the least. Hell, the rave had probably started it. And there didn't seem to be a soul around to say boo.

"I'm gonna take you up on that, you know." She drifted a little closer, too. feeling her heartbeat take a jump. At least she wasn't risking a friendship with this, right? She hardly knew the guy.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

Well, the closer proximity was definitely welcome, giving him a more clear view of her body. It was forward of her to do while acknowledging that she was going to look him over. She seemed to be getting more and more daring, which was more and more exciting for him.

"As long as you don't mind me doing the same," he said, circling her just a bit, his foot casually brushing up the outside of her calf.

[starchilde_lost]

"Well that would hardly be fair of me would it?"

She shivered a little when she felt the underwater graze, looking up at Aidan through her damp eyelashes before meeting his gaze head-on. With a little kick, she propelled herself right up next to him, heart hammering as that little voice inside her head started screaming at her again.

"Tell me something, Aidan, at the party, if I'd gotten drunk and asked you to come home with me, would you?" She was close enough to feel the warmth of his body through the water, but she didn't touch him. Not quite yet at least. Maybe her decision wasn't quite made, but she was working on it.

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

The temptation to touch her was strong, but he didn't just yet. She didn't seem quite ready, as if she was psyching herself up for something still. He moved his arms lazily though he eater though, running them close by her, not quite touching.

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "Except to make sure you got home okay. It would seem like taking advantage. But tell me," he said, moving forward so that their chests brushed against each other. "If I kissed you while you were sober, would you kiss back?"

[starchilde_lost]

"Yes." The answer was simple and immediate. She would kiss him, hell she wanted to kiss him and probably more. With him this close, she could take in a million little details she'd not noticed before. The name of the tattoo on his chest, the depth of the cleft on his chin and the way the drops of water settled in his hair. So yeah, she'd kiss him in a heartbeat.

Rachel held her ground, she didn't move when he brushed against her, but she certainly felt the shock that went through her when he did. And she liked it. Moving with him, she reached out to place her hand against his chest, trying to focus both on keeping her head above water and keeping her body close to his.

"If I followed that kiss with an invitation back to my hut, would you come with me?"

[likesthestooges.livejournal.com]

Her touch against his chest was almost electric, her hand warm against his cool skin and he could swear he could almost feel her pulse pounding through her palm.

"Absolutley," he said before wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her hard.

It was almost like a damn broke, and suddenly his body was flush with desire. His kiss was heated and passionatr and promised much, much more to come.