Open : Well, isn't this a relief?

[venusvandam]

There had been more than a few moments when Venus had threatened to lose hope. She is strong: she knows that. She showed that. It's just that things were so very grim for a while there: no power, food that was difficult to come by, things that chewed other things, all of it could get a lady down.

But, now that things are looking better, well, so is Venus. Now that the sky is back (and as strange as that is and things are just ... better. Showers are so very nice, and so is being able to cook. Between helping Derek to get the fitness center back into order and getting her apartment back into order (though she misses having a reason to sleep with Derek every night), Venus is busy. But when she has a bag of homemade food (chicken and potato salad), she ventures toward the garage where she knows Adam works. She wants to see him! She's missed him! She's worried. So, she hopes he's there. She hopes he's all right.

She hopes they've all come out the other side of all this insanity all right.

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[adamparrish]

Adam can't really say how relieved he is that things are starting to get back to normal. It probably says something about how much he's grown that the first places he checked on were his and Ronan's apartment, the Barns, Monmouth and then his garage - in that order. There had been a time when he would first check on the garage because it was the only thing that was his and just his. Adam is unaccustomed to having things that are just his. Now, he's more worried about other things. People.

The creatures had scared him, but they'd survived that. The hunger was nothing new to him. He'd been hungry his whole life. That tended to happen when your parents forgot they had a kid more often than not. It was losing things and that people he cared about were in danger that bothered him the most.

The garage doors were rolled up so he saw Venus coming. Adam swiped the back of his hand over his brow and stood up from what he was working on, leaving a grease stain on his forehead. He doesn't smile but for anyone who knows Adam, he looks pleased to see her. He was wondering about her. But Adam, being Adam, doesn't ever want to impose himself on anyone's life. Venus has Derek. He never wants to interrupt them.

"Hey," He says, wiping his hands on his dirty jeans. "You're okay?" She looks okay.

Adam, for his own part, is still feeling residual aftershocks of Ronan's dreaming another Night Terror and then the ley line collapse. It's going to take him a long time to repair all the lines and his mind with them. Right now he has the hollowed eyes and gaunt look of someone who's tired and hungry and has no idea what to take care of first.

[venusvandam]

"Oh, honey, I am so glad to see you," Venus says and sure enough, she throws her arms wide and whether Adam likes it or not, he is going to get hugged to her chest. She doesn't care if she gets a little grease on her: it'll wash out or it won't. She just wants to hug him. "I missed you."

It's a lingering hug and even when she leans back a bit, still holding his shoulders. "I brought you food and if you have time to take a break, I would love to get caught up and see how you've been?"

Adam could never interfere or overstep. Why, he's the very son Venus wishes she could have and know. She thinks most highly of him.

[adamparrish]

Adam has come to expect hugs from Venus. Maybe because of the disjointed mental state he's in, he doesn't think so much about it. But he hugs her back and even leans into it. He only seems to realize that he's doing something he wouldn't normally do in the aftermath of it, once it's already done. Although he would never admit it aloud, he likes that Venus wants to hug him though. He likes being okay with someone hugging him.

"I'm glad you're okay." He missed her too, but saying that would make him feel weird. He hopes she knows that he missed her though. Venus has become a friend to him, someone outside of his Henrietta crowd that he can talk to with no judgment.

When she pulls back a bit, he looks up to her, his eyes dilated and tired. There's the smell of a forest about Adam right now, if one were to notice. Cabeswater keeps speaking with him, wrapping him in a warm blanket and asking him for help.

Adam nods. "A break and food sounds good. Are you sure? I mean... you're not busy and you have enough food?"

[venusvandam]

"I'm good, darling," she says, eyebrows forming a 'v' in her forehead as she keeps an arm around him. The hollows under his eyes concern her. "Let's sit, shall we? I hope you like what I made. It's so good to be able to cook again, I think."

She's scanning the garage for a place to sit, not having to look too far, thankfully, keeping Adam close and guiding him there. "Tell me about you and your friends. You're all well?"

[adamparrish]

"Whatever it is, it'll be good." He tells her of the possibility of food.

The garage has been restored to it's original glory, which isn't very glorious at all, really. It's a garage, spacious with all the normal things you would see in the garage of a mechanics shop. Spread out on the floor is the makings of a motorcycle he's been piecing together for Ronan. Adam covers that up with a tarp just in case Ronan decides to pop by as he so often does.

He and Venus move over to an old couch that's seen better days. The cushions are stained and dirty, of course, the lining of the couch frayed at the edges here and there. Adam eyes it and then looks to Venus. Then he goes to get another tarp and lays it down on the couch for Venus to sit on. That's better.

Finally, he sits down too, exhaling a sigh as if he's just expended a whole lot of energy that his body isn't sure he has to spare. "Everyone's alive. All our stuff is coming back. We still have the night terrors. I just... need the forest to finish rebuilding itself so I can get into it." He speaks freely about the forests, not thinking that maybe he shouldn't. Adam is not in his right state of mind at the moment. "I think we're all just tired." Or maybe just Adam is tired, a weariness that's bone deep at the moment.

"Are you and... Derek okay?" He asks her.

[venusvandam]

"We're fine, sweetheart," she tells him, body angled so that she can rest an elbow on the back of the couch and touch, hand running over the back of Adam's head, kneading his shoulders. The poor sweet boy. She cannot claim to understand all that he says, but she knows that there is more here than meets the eye.

"What happens when you can get into the forest?" she asks, true curiosity and kindness in her face and tone. Is that, she wonders, somehow mixed in with the 'night terrors' whatever they are? "I hope you're not working yourself too hard. You need to rest. We all do, I imagine."

[adamparrish]

There are very few people who Adam would let touch him in that way. Venus is one of them. She doesn't seem to mind that he's always dirty and carries a weight on his shoulders that no kid should have to carry. She doesn't try to fix him. She doesn't make him feel like he's not good enough. Ronan is the same way. And as Adam has found with Ronan, when his mind is like this, all scrambled as it is, touch helps to keep him grounded.

"I can fix the ley lines." Adam says, once again without thinking. It should be noted that even in this state he wouldn't say these things to just anyone. He's grown to trust Venus though over a long period of time for all the reasons listed above. "They're broken. It messes with my head."

He reaches up to tap his fingers to his temple, brow furrowed. "I can hear them but... I can't get to them yet."

[venusvandam]

Ley lines?

Venus, though she's read a lot, can't claim to know what those are. She keeps watching his face as she cards through his hair. "What are those ley lines, sweetheart? How do you fix them?"

There is, after all, a lot of things to be fixed right now. Maybe these ley lines are some of those things? But what does it take to fix such things? She doesn't know and worries that he's going to further drain himself and to what cost? "I need to make sure you take care of yourself. How can I help you do that?"

[adamparrish]

"Ley lines? They're invisible lines that connect natural landmarks around the entire world, centers of mystical convergence." Which, he knows sounds insane. He'd once thought Gansey insane for his ridiculous quest, but went along with it because it was fun, it was different, it was interesting, and he'd wanted so badly to have a friend, for someone like Richard Campbell Gansey III, Noah Czerny and Ronan Lynch to like someone like him.

As Ronan says now, they would have liked him anyway. And as Ronan says now, Ronan had liked him even before Gansey had brought him home to Monmouth like a stray outdoor cat that he was trying to make into an indoor cat.

"The center in Henrietta is Cabeswater, a massive forest on the outskirts of the city. I sacrificed myself to it. Now it speaks to me. It lets me know when it needs help." He's only just recently realized that there are ley lines over the entire globe. He's only just recently realized this monumental task he's sacrificed himself for. He has a million theories about it, none of them certain.

The only thing Adam Parrish is certain of is that he will do whatever it takes to keep Gansey alive. He'll do whatever it takes to keep the vision Cabeswater had shown him from being true. He will not cause Gansey's death. Adam is many ugly things. But he is not a murderer, especially not toward one of his closest friends.

Blue eyes turn to Venus. "The ley lines are broken right now. It takes... a lot out of me." Because when the ley lines are broken, they make sure Adam is broken too.

[venusvandam]

"Oh, sweetheart." Venus cups his cheek. She doesn't think he's crazy. She can't understand it, but that doesn't make it any less real. And the toll is clear on his face, too. "That is a great weight to carry. How can I help you?"

Even if it means food, or learning how to knit him a sweater. What else can she do to help him?

[adamparrish]

"I chose it." Adam says of the weight. "I can handle it" The fact that he lets Venus cup his cheek without any tensing probably says a lot to his state of being right now. He's kind of out of it.

Also, he has to admit that it's something of a relief for someone to acknowledge the toll his sacrifice has taken on him, no matter that it was a decision he had made himself. None of his friends have. They were all too angry with him for doing it. Ronan looks at him with concern every now and then when Adam catches him staring at him without Ronan knowing. That's it though.

No one can really help him. People come along with him to the forest, but Adam does his thing alone. But he's figured out that he has to let people in, let them help where they can. "You brought food?"

[venusvandam]

"I did, yes," she says, turning to reach for the bag, drawing out what she brought: fried chicken and potato salad (though it's not the best potato salad, what with her not being able to find as many eggs as she needed) and some brownies (that, you see, is where the eggs went). She also has a thermos of tea. "Eat up, sweetheart, this is all for you." And his friends if he wants, but Adam is welcome to have it all. She pries open the lid to the chicken and the smell wafts out, then the potato salad and the brownies. She rummages back in the bag for a fork and a paper plate, too, though she won't tell if he eats right out of the containers.

[adamparrish]

All this food is for him? Adam looks from it up to her with the eyes of a person who is surprised and unaccustomed to being cared for or thought of at all by any adults. It's always been him by himself. Venus thought about him even when he wasn't around her. She had to to have made all of this for him. Right? It's a strange feeling, being thought of, existing outside of himself.

The scent reaches him and his stomach growls involuntarily. He licks his lips and tilts his head. "Will you eat with me?"

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

The world is getting back to normal. Derek has to feel nothing but relief. In his own world, he can be bad ass. He can kick down doors and take names with the best of them. In this world, there are obviously things that are beyond him. Not that he hadn't handled it right alongside everyone else, right alongside Venus, but he doesn't belong in a world like that, a world that's falling apart in obvious ways rather than metaphorical, philosophical and moral ways.

In spite of all he's seen in the last few months, it probably says something that he still thinks the monsters he puts behind bars back home are the scarier ones. Those monsters wear masks that make them look perfectly normal and yet they still commit atrocities against their own kind. These monsters the last month? They were obvious monsters with no psychological motive but to destroy and kill.

After Derek has closed the rec center for the day, once night has fallen, Derek lingers behind to clean up. He finds himself at the weight rack, lifting some weights just because he can. Working out helps him to keep his mind straight. And his mind needs some straightening.

He'd thought he was alone, but when he spots Venus watching him, he pauses and lifts the weight to set it back in the rack. "Thought everyone was gone, pretty girl." He says, lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe at some of the perspiration on his face. She must have been back in his office doing some of the paperwork.

Derek looks over to her. "Glad all this is back. You alright?"

[venusvandam]

"Oh, lover, I get to see you lift that weight and flex and move. I am more than all right," she drawls, teasing and sincere all at once. Her man is one gorgeous piece of masculinity and she isn't afraid of acknowledging that.

He'd done just fine through all of this. Venus had been proud of him, really. There is no shame, either, at being relieved that things are clearing up, even though she has no idea how or why it is now.

"Since I can cook again, how do you feel about eating in tonight? When you're done working out, of course."

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

Her teasing gets a small grin from Derek as he drops his shirt back in place and looks over to her. Here he was feeling like hell and she comes in and makes him feel better with just a few words. Never underestimate the power of being wanted, appreciated, desired. Never underestimate the power of being needed by someone else. Derek has always been afraid of letting that go too far in the past. He hasn't been afraid with Venus yet.

"Goes both ways, pretty girl." He offers, looking her up and down. He cants his head to the side, a gesture that he hopes will bring her closer. But just in case, he adds it audibly. "Come here, mama."

Derek hadn't even realized he was hungry until she had mentioned food. He has to admit that it's nice to be able to eat on a regular basis now. He can definitely put away some food, has always been able to eat a lot. If she comes closer, he'll scoot to the end of the bench, grip her hips at either side and bury his face in her stomach to take a deep breath of her. "What are you thinkin' about making?"

[venusvandam]

Even as she walks closer, her hips swaying, a smile playing over her lips, Venus says, "I'm feeling the urge for comfort food, lover. Something with lots of butter, maybe some mashed potatoes and some kind of beef if we can find it, mm?" She wraps her arms around him, letting him rest right under her bosom as long as he likes. "We might even be able to put ourselves together a dump cake, don't you think?"

Just being this close warms her: there is strength in vulnerability in a man, if you ask Venus. Someone who isn't afraid of letting his guard down. She knows that isn't easy for Derek and is glad when he does it.

"We can eat til we may pop and all that makes fine leftovers, too." Especially now that they have a means of storing them.

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

He likes watching Venus walk, that perfected hip sway that not every woman has or can pull off. It's seductive all by itself. Truth be told he could use some comfort food. He could use some Venus time, just the two of them, getting back to where they were before this place had destroyed itself, or whatever had happened. He wants to make sure that he and Venus are still good, still the way the two of them were and should be.

This is definitely about Derek being vulnerable and a little bit insecure and unsteady. He needs to settle back into this world after it was turned upside down. He needs to be sure of her, of himself, of them together.

Just like a cat would, his face is rubbed a bit against her stomach. He grins a bit as she continues on about the food they could gorge themselves on tonight. It sounds so good to him. In fact, it sounds better than good. But Derek also wants more, which is why he tacks another question onto the end of her plans. "And I can stay the whole night with you?"

[venusvandam]

"I would hope you would, lover," she tells him, fingers running over all she can touch: head, shoulders, neck, arms ....

"I've gotten spoiled having you around and have no desire to have that change, so you are welcome to stay as often as you want." She doesn't want to press, but that would be more than welcome. Comfort by touch and proximity after all, given and taken freely.

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

Venus seems to know him well enough not to press. It's usually when he feels cornered that he starts screwing things up, both purposefully and not. Derek has felt stuck before, like there was no way out. It's one of his biggest fears. He's usually good at saying what he wants and listening to what someone else wants and saying whether or not he can give it. Derek doesn't like games and he doesn't like to play them, not when they involve the heart.

He soaks up all of her touch and then gently squeezes her hips and presses a kiss to her stomach before leaning back and looking up to her. "I think we've got a plan then. I'll shower and meet you there. Or maybe I can use your shower at your place."

[venusvandam]

"You are welcome to my shower, lover," Venus says, leaning down to kiss his forehead, hands cradling his cheeks before she steps back and he can rise if he would like, or to continue to work out.

Either way, when he's ready, she slips her hand into his and they can stop at the grocer's where they have some luck with a sirloin steak and walk to her apartment together. She can let him in and let the door close behind them as she makes her way to the kitchen to set down the meat. "You know where everything is, darling," she tells him. "You make yourself right to home. I'll start supper."

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

Derek doesn't work out much longer. It might have been good for his psychological state. But in the moment, he feels like Venus is even better for him than iron and sweat. That's a first. Exerting himself through working out has always been his go-to when his mental state isn't all that great. It seems he has another sort of drug competing with his go-to. Strangely, he's okay with that.

He might not be as talkative as usual, but he's with Venus when they lock up the rec center. He's with her when they go to the grocers and when they step into her apartment. He lets her go and he makes his way to her bathroom. Truth be told, he's left more and more things here in her place so that he doesn't need an overnight bag. But he sets his bag on the floor anyway.

His shower is nice, the warm water cleansing the day away. When he steps out, he freshens up a bit more and then pulls on some sweatpants and leaves it at that. He can already smell the food cooking when he pads barefoot into the kitchen aligns himself behind Venus, hands at either side of her waist. "What can I do to help?"

[venusvandam]

"You can just stay like that. You look, feel, and smell delicious." Venus leans back into his warmth and strength. "What do you want to drink, lover? Something more like wine or something more like sweet tea, mm?" She's got both and she will do all she can to make sure Derek feels good, that they do all they can to get that stability back.

"Then once you decide that, you just keep me company and make sure I don't overcook our steaks."

[ex_bloodcakedarmor707]

Her compliment makes him grin a bit into the hair at the back of her head. He's more than willing to stay right here doing just this while she cooks. He might kiss at her shoulder and neck as he does though. It's hard to stop himself sometimes with her in close proximity.

"Mmm give me some sweet tea." Wine has a tendency to dull the senses. Derek can be a masochist when it comes to his own mind, a product of living in a dark place with dark secrets for so long through his childhood. He's in a dark place, he lets himself feel all of it, every inch, every nook and cranny.

He pulls away to get two glasses from the cabinet and fill them with ice and from the pitcher of sweet tea in the fridge. He sets them on the table and then finds his place behind Venus again. "You know what I like? I like bein' at work and lookin' over and seein' you at the front desk. That's a good thing."

[venusvandam]

"Is that so?" she asks, grinning at him as she goes about her cooking. "Well, I'm glad of that, because I sure like being able to look back and see you there, too, lover." Derek almost seems to move with grace even when he doesn't think about it. "I don't know if you have caught me staring every now and again or not." Because, oh, how she has stared.