Sleepovers with Someone to Cling to ((Verity))

[losthunter]

It has been a quiet week for Hunter. One of the advantages of the quiet is the fact that Hunter has had lots of time to work on his artwork. (Perhaps a little bit too much time, in all reality).

So receiving a message from Verity was a good thing, all things considered. Hunter really had wanted to speak to her, about some small things going on in his life. And just have a fun night with a great friend. So they had decided to have a good-ol' fashioned sleepover.

Knowing that Verity was going to stay the night -- and having no qualms with sharing his bed with his good friend -- Hunter had made sure to bring out his best rose-themed sheets for the King-sized bed.

He also raided the closest convenience store to stock up on a few snack goodies for the evening. But of course, for the wine selection of the evening, Hunter went to one of his favourite stores. There he also picked up some cheese selections of the evening.

Almost was ready for Verity to arrive. Hunter's apartment is very open concept. The kitchen, dining room and living room are all visible from the doorway. Of course, his art studio is a little more tucked away -- close to the balcony, and where Hunter grows his roses.

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[losthunter]

Hunter goes to the table, holding out Verity's chair for her. He then lights the floating candles, before sitting himself. There is a remote nearby, which he can put on some soft jazz.

"To my beautiful date." He toasts her, smiling softly.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Thank you." She can accept the chivalry without making a scene; instead, she makes a mental note to balance the scales later. The choice in music gets an approving smile.

"Oh yeah? Well, then, to my handsome bedmate." Two can play at that game, Hunter.

[losthunter]

Hunter laughs softly. "You know, I never stayed an entire night with a woman in my bed."

"I will try not to hog the covers too much."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I don't think my anatomy will make much difference when it comes to the actually sleeping part," she points out. "If you start hogging the covers I'm not above kicking you."

Do not take that as an opening for a short joke, Hunter, if you know what's good for you.

[losthunter]

He is so tempted to call her his short, cuddly teddy bear right now. But look at him resist.

"You could always cuddle closer, instead of kicking. Just saying..."

[brave_heart_verity]

"To conserve bodily warmth?" Not saying she won't do that, but.

She'll enjoy some of her pizza while he tries to find a safe answer.

[losthunter]

"Is this a trick question?" Hunter starts to dig into his pizza too.

[brave_heart_verity]

"They're all trick questions, darling."

But she won't be pushing for an answer, because the food is yummy and deserves to be enjoyed for a few minutes.

[losthunter]

The enjoyment of the food takes his attention too. It is nice to relax in the company of Verity. And to not have to worry about conversation.

And the pizza... damn, it is delicious.

[brave_heart_verity]

Companionable silences are exactly what it says on the tin. Not everything needs to be filled with words and noise, and he's got such lovely music on. Having someone to enjoy it with is all her soul needs sometimes.

A good pizza is a thing of beauty. When she's down to the last couple slices of hers she nudges her plate in his direction. "Want to try some?"

[losthunter]

"Please." He holds out his plate for one of her slices. "I am a little excited to try a pizza with blueberries."

[brave_heart_verity]

She'll slide it over with a smile. "It's like when we had the fig and brie grilled cheese. Creamy and a little sweet. I'm just realizing I feed you a lot of things that're basically bread with melted cheese, I'm going to have to branch out soon."

[losthunter]

"I am never going to complain about bread and melted cheese." Hunter tells her. He tries the piece, his tongue busy with the new tastes.

[brave_heart_verity]

"A man after my own heart." She'll finish off her salad while he explores the new flavor combinations. "Still, I really can cook other things. Some of them don't even have any cheese involved at all."

[losthunter]

"Hey, I am not afraid of cheese." He pats his finely-toned stomach. "But I am always excited to try new things."

[brave_heart_verity]

"You must work out constantly." She puts in a fierce few hours of training every morning, which is half the reason she feels free to indulge when she eats. "Would you feel you'd shown me your full ability as an artist if I only saw things you painted in shades of green?"

[losthunter]

"I do. It is one part of my regime that is still kept in my life."

"No. And I understand. You have so much to show. I am excited to see and taste it."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Well, whatever you're doing is working."

Ver gives him a little smile and a nod. He gets it. It's so nice to have someone who understands her so easily.

"So am I. It's nice to have someone to cook for."

[losthunter]

"I must admit, it is a little selfish of me. Because for me... the happiest part is seeing you."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Even better." Ver reaches over to touch his shoulder, quick and light. "That's the best part for me, too."

[losthunter]

Hunter finishes his meal, wiping his mouth, then moves from his seat to where Verity is sitting. "I love you. So much."

He kisses the top of her head. "The cooking is a bonus."

[brave_heart_verity]

Ever the practical one, she'd just been reaching to gather up the dishes to bring them to the sink. The hug is a lovely surprise and she leans into it with a contented hum. "I love you too, darling. And you're right, the cooking is a bonus. The fact I'm willing to do the dishes too is obviously the best part."

[losthunter]

"That is a lovely surprise." Hunter agrees. "I do have a big enough sink, if you want some help."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I wash, you dry? I'm kinda picky about my knives." She doesn't want them getting dinged up in the sink, and they're sharp enough to make accidents likely. "It shouldn't take long between us."

[losthunter]

"I can handle drying. And trust me... I don't want to get in between you and your knives." Hunter laughs.