losthunter | Sleepovers with Someone to Cling to ((Verity))

Verity's life lately... Well, he'll hear about that. Later. It'll be a hell of a story over the wine, that's for sure. For now, let it suffice to say there's a reason she suggested this get-together, and not just because she knows he's had a letdown lately.

Her preparations for the evening have also been thorough. Having put herself in charge of the food, but remembering how much fun it was cooking with him last time, she brought things he'll be able to help with: homemade pizzas. The crusts have been par-baked, but there's plenty of toppings to arrange. He's an artist so she trusts it'll be pretty. There's salad and fruit too, things for breakfast, and plenty of snacks. They won't be going hungry. And with the strawberry-infused vodka she brought, they won't be going sober unless they want to.

For now, Ver's wearing a cute patterned tee and jeans with sandals; presumably, her sleepover wear is in the back slung over one shoulder. Outside chances it's in the basket she's carrying that looks like it's full of food.

Knock, knock.

It will be a good night for both of them. A night of sharing sorrows. And stories. And finding comfort in each other.

Hunter answers the door with a smile. "Ah, good, the evening's entertainment is here." He winks playfully.

Once Verity enters the apartment, she will note that the kitchen is right to the left. There is also space for her to set down any grocery supplies on the counter-top. Hunter's kitchen is pretty small, just big enough for a bachelor. It has a fridge, microwave, double-sink, stove and espresso machine.

"Hmm?" Ver makes a show of looking behind her before she steps inside. "Wait, I'm supposed to be the entertaining one?"

She puts the basket down on a counter before reaching out to pull him into a hug. Spending so much time close to people who won't hug her has made her particularly needy tonight. "I've missed you."

He doesn't need to worry about her judging the apartment small; she grew up in Manhattan. She used to live in an apartment where the tub and shower were in the kitchen. No, seriously, this is a thing builders used to do. She has dealt with far worse layouts, and smaller kitchens.

Hunter hugs her tightly in return. She can be needy with him. She will get a full quota of hugs tonight. "I have missed you too."

"And I am sure I could be very entertaining... with a few drinks in my system."

The hug gets her humming, soft but happy. "I'm sure we'll manage to entertain each other. You don't need drinks in you to make me happy." The hug is enough of an example of that.

"Your place is nice," she adds, not quite letting go of him but relaxing enough he can step back when he's ready. "How're your roses doing?"

"But the drinks are an added perk."

"Well, how about I show you to the bedroom..." A slight playful wink, before he continues. "...To set aside your night stuff, before taking you to the roses and let you see them?"

"Usually." No reason to deny they both enjoy that sort of thing.

"Straight to business, hmm?" Two can play these flirting games. She half lets go, tucking herself against his side for the walk and keeping one arm around him. She will be shamelessly checking everything out. After all, he's an artist--she expects his place to be gorgeous. "Sure, we can do it that way. Lead on, my dear."

Of course, with the open concept of the apartment, as Verity looks around she will immediately spot the dining area. The table has six chairs, but is currently set for two people. There are some snacks already set out on the table. And for style, a couple of floating candles.

The living room is also visible from where they stand. There is a large couch, with one elongated side to it (where Hunter likes to lounge) in front of his entertainment center. Hunter has a few video game consoles set up to the TV. His bookcase holds a selection of video games, but also a large selection of books. There is also a coffee table and a large two-person chair.

Hunter leads Verity to a door that leads from the kitchen... into the bathroom. The most noticeable thing about his bathroom is the large two-person jazuzzi corner tub. Hidden around the corner is also a large corner shower. Hunter obviously takes his cleaning routine pretty seriously.

There is another door in the bathroom that leads into his bedroom. The bedroom is large enough for a three-door closet against the wall, and his washer/dryer tucked into the corner. Hunter's bed is King-sized.

The fireplace and seating area is also pretty noticeable. There is another large corner bookcase, with a lot more of Hunter's reading choices lining the shelves. And some artwork tucked here and there.

"Feel free to put your belongings away, anywhere."

The table being already set with snacks and candles makes her smile. It's those little sorts of things that make her feel really valued. But it's the artwork she wants to look over. That and the books, she's so curious about his tastes in that regard.

The path through the bathroom is a little odd, but still not the strangest layout she's ever seen. There's doors, at least. The big tub doesn't go unnoticed, but she won't comment on it just yet. Pretty soon she's got something better to think about. "A fireplace in the bedroom? Luxurious."

She will not comment on the goofy bedding. If it makes him happy she's got no right or reason to remark. For now, she'll put her bag down by the foot of the bed. "I can change and unpack later. I'd rather see the roses while there's some sun."

There is a huge rose in the desert piece that is hanging in the dining room area. The petals of this piece have been glued onto it, to create a realistic feeling to the rose itself.

There is a small 5-by-7 pencil drawing of a happy girl at the fair that is in Hunter's bedroom bookcase.

And the portrait of the unnamed piece of his mother is hanging over his bed right now.

"I like being warm," Hunter laughs about the fireplace comment.

"Right this way," Hunter takes her arm to lead her two sliding doors, entering where his art studio is located. Here there are tons of unfinished sketches on his work desk. A few canvas in mid-completion.

There are also three completed pieces that Hunter had finished this week, that are haunting images of some homeless youth. The first is a young girl at the bus station, about to run away from her home. The second, is a pointillism of another runaway heading down the street with her suitcase. The last is a young man sleeping outside after a winter storm.

There is another large sliding door that leads to the balcony, where Hunter continues to lead Verity. She might notice the hot tub to the right... but eventually the large rose garden to the left might grab her attention. Hunter has home-made rose trellis', covered with a variety of colors and species of roses.

Each and every piece of art meets with her approval. Not just because he's her friend. She loves the colors and the experimentations. His art isn't thirty-seven of the same thing, and she appreciates that. The picture of his mother is met with a long look before she comments, "I'm not sure if she's going to be pleased or disappointed by the fact we'll just be sleeping."

It's good he's taking her through the studio quickly because those sad pieces would worry her and they have enough sad things to talk about tonight. The hot tub is noticed, yes, but her attention is quickly drawn by the roses. "Oh, Hunter, they're beautiful. So many different kinds..."

Her teasing comment about his mother makes Hunter blush slightly. Of course he just can't come up with a witty or crude reply -- because of the personal meaning connected with the art itself.

"Well, cuddling will be included."

The rose trellis twine up against two walls of the balcony, covering a lot of space. Hunter walks into the garden, smiling at Verity's compliment. "Thank you."

It's a delicate situation and hard to judge, but Ver thinks that sometimes it's best to not treat the dead like venerated saints. His mother was a person, and would have had opinions about things. But if it upsets Hunter, she'll stop. "Oh, she should be happy with that then."

Verity follows him into the garden and lets her hand slide down his arm to settle in his while they enjoy the flowers. "I love roses." Given her hair color and rose-based perfume, it shouldn't be any surprise. "Do you know what kinds they are?"

Hunter does feel closer to his mother, just by the painting being there. But he is still 'getting to know her' and the role she plays in his life. So eventually he will be comfortable with playful or flirty replies. Right now, he is content to think that his mother is there to watch over his dreams.

"Most of the roses are American Beauty's," He answers her. With her arm on his, Hunter is still able to use his free hand to pick out a soft peach rose for Verity.

"But I also have a few Ann's Beautiful Daughter, Belinda's Dream and Carefree Beauty varieties. There are also a few crossbred roses."

That's fair, and she wouldn't want to intrude on that. She's just glad her idea has worked out so well. But she won't let it go to her head and start thinking she might know something about this 'feelings' business.

She leans forward to examine the rose, taking in its perfume and brushing a fingertip over the petals. "They're lovely. And they must like you to bloom so nicely." And out of season... she does wonder about that. "I can see why you like it out here so much."

"I do talk to them. And sometimes, when the mood strikes, I sing too." Hunter replies softly. Almost all of his gardening products are all natural too.

"You sing to them? Lucky plants." Verity can see he takes very good care of them, from what she understands of plants. Which is, admittedly, very little. "Do you wanna sit out here a while? Or should we keep troubling talk from little ears?"

"I am sure that a lucky young lady could get her own song." Hunter kisses the top of her head.

"Troubling talk is not recommended for the roses. But I have plenty of spots where we can get into serious thoughts."

"There is a hot tub..." He gestures to the other side of the balcony.

Ver hums at that thought, quite pleased. She would like that very much.

"There is a hot tub," she agrees, "and if I'd known I would have brought a swim suit. Which I'll know to do next time. But I can sit and keep you company if you want to relax in it a while."

"I wouldn't want to sit in it alone, when there are things on your mind. If you change your mind, you could borrow a pair of my swim trucks. I promise not to peek too much..." Hunter winks, playfully covering his hand, but peeking through two of his fingers.

"How about wine by the fireplace?"

Verity rolls her eyes at the promise and the playacting, but she's smiling all the while. "Just enough, right?"

"That sounds perfect." It'll be a good spot to cuddle and talk. "You get the wine ready, I've got a few things to put in the fridge for later." She is so bossy.

"I am an artist and do appreciate the human body, in any form it presents." Hunter chuckles lightly.

"Mmmm I do love good, solid directions." Hunter playfully responds to her bossiness. He takes her back to the kitchen, so she can unpack her supplies. Before grabbing the wine, Hunter is going to use his muscles to a slight advantage, moving the bigger two-person chair into the bedroom, by the fire. The two smaller chairs are set against the wall.

Then he gets the wine and two glasses.

"Oh, well, that's different." Maybe. She'll see.

"I knew you liked me for a reason." It won't take her long to unpack the basket and put some things in the fridge. He gets a look when he picks up the big chair, but if it looks like he's got it she'll help out by making sure the doors are open for him.

While he gets the wine she asks, "You want anything to eat with that?" Between the two of them, there should be plenty of options.

"A little bit of cheese and crackers would be great right now." Hunter sets a little side table by the chair, so they have a place to set down their snacks.

"Sure thing." That's quick and easy. She brought a nice gouda and some herbed chevre. A little of each, some crackers, some figs cut into quarters, and a little mound of pâté. Technically more than asked for, but options are nice. And she has a feeling they'll be having a late dinner since they've got so much to talk about.

He isn't waiting for her long before she's ready to join him in Cuddlesville. Only thing left to do is take off her shoes and get comfy. Which she does with an arm stretched across the back of the chair to invite him in for comfort.

I like the apartment map!

So much fun doing that (at work, shush)

Clearly they need to give you a more interesting job.

The job and the design tools are interesting. Just too tempting

It's not goofing off it's learning the software through trial and error!

excellent, I will use that for my next raise request

You can buy me something pretty if it works. ;)

So many pretty things come to mind

Oooh baby. ;)

for now, here are a few image links...

Yay art! :D

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