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Calamity texts Finley like, the minute the sun goes down. Probably right as they're waking up, unless they've been up with the sun at all.
i miss you. coming over
and then, about a half hour later, the upstairs hallway light comes streaming down the steps as Calamity lets themself into the apartment.
"Fin...?" They sound a little hesitant, for all that they haven't left their plans up for negotiation.
Calamity got a reply after a few minutes with: Okay! I'm here.
"Come in!" Finley calls out from the bedroom. "I'm finishing up, be out in a minute."
"'Kay," comes the reply, and then not a lot else. But when Finley appears, they're sprawled out on the couch with their boots kicked off, munching on a pop tart.
"Hey," they grin, and wave the pastry at zhem.
A few minutes later Finley steps out of the bedroom, looking freshly bathed, hair still damp but pulled back into a slick ponytail. They're wearing a t-shirt with a cute cartoon cat on the front, and cargo shorts. Prettyed, as they have been more often than not lately--skin looking pristine and fresh and almost too-glossy from just getting out of the bath.
"Hey," they reply, flashing a smile--teeth not as pronounced as they would be otherwise, but still unnervingly sharp. "How are you?"
There's a few blinks, like Calamity's still getting used to how different Finley looks, but their smile doesn't falter and they shift on the couch to offer zhem a seat. "Pretty okay. Workin', layin' low 's well as I can, you know. Kinda usual shit. Sneakin' into places I don't belong." Their grin widens.
"Oh?" Finley steps over and sinks down onto the couch beside them, glancing over. "Any interesting places?"
Finley still seems creepy, but zhe seem a little less creepy than Calamity last saw zhem, maybe? And more... at ease, maybe. Zhe seems calm and content tonight.
"Yeah - you know that new theater 's bein' built? Met Phae in there - and the owner, apparently. He didn't care we were in there, gave us a tour and everything..." Calamity drapes their legs over Finley. "Pretty sweet place, real fuckin' fancy."
Finley rests a hand on Calamity's leg, rubbing a bit as zhe watches them. "Oh?" Zhe blinks. "I hadn't heard. He was nice, then?"
"Yeah - He's uh...one'a you, I guess. Little creepy, 'f Phae hadn't been there I would'a left as soon as I heard anyone there, but...he's Italian? And rich as fuck, like you gotta be to do something like that."
Zher head tilts. "Is he creepy like me?"
"Nah, just creepy like any rich old fucker offering people like me'n Phae a private tour." Calamity shrugs. "'S alright though, he's got this whole...room above the place where he can watch the shows. Made the walls invisible, it was pretty fuckin cool. Could see a lot of the city."
"He made the walls invisible?" Finley blinks.
"Yeah - I dunno how, like...they were still there, I wasn't gonna fall off the edge, but I couldn't see 'em. And I guess it was only invisible to us, anyone on the ground would just see the regular building....?" Calamity trails off, like they're suddenly not sure anymore. "Is...that's a thing yinz can do, right? I just kinda, I mean...Phaedra didn't seem like it was a huge deal...?"
"I can make things invisible, like I can myself and others. I've heard of people being able to claim places and do incredible things like that, but I'm pretty sure it would be invisible to everyone...? But maybe he just knows more about Obfuscate than I do. if Phaedra wasn't worried, I guess it's fine."
"I dunno. 'S just what he said, don't really trust him all that much anyway. Like...he's rich and nice, and that's not a thing that happens," Calamity says with a scoff. "But yeah. 'S about all I've been up to, you just been workin'?"
"Mostly, yeah." Finley nods. "When I'm not, I've been spending a lot of time... on myself. A lot of meditating and... thinking. Not all bad, though. It's helped some, I think. But I still have a long way to go before I'm where I want to be. My adopted sire has been helping a lot. Helping me get my head straight."
"You um...you got a little less of a vibe, yeah." Cal's laugh is a little uncomfortable, like they feel guilty for even saying it. "'S cool you got someone to help you with it, 's that part'a why you're trying bein' pretty, too?"
Zhe nods. "It forces me to think about things I'd rather not. But... it also makes it so people... don't shun me as much. Makes me not feel quite so... separate, from humanity. It's... uncomfortable, but... I think it's something I need to work through."
"Guess that makes sense. Shitty that it brings up memories, an' stuff though." Calamity finishes their poptart and holds an arm out, offering more cuddles. "'F I had to think about past shit like that...dunno 'f I could do it. Easier to just deal with people not likin' me, I think."
"I would do that, if I didn't have to deal with the threat of possibly becoming a monster without morals if my humanity broke too much..." Zhe shifts closer, curling up against Calamity's side.
Calamity huffs. "...Okay I guess that's fair. I...I'm glad you're not so much of a monster. Shit's scary." They rest their chin on zher head, and fall silent for a few moments.
"I uh...one other thing's I figured out who's the one who paid for that whole rat-people thing. And the kidnapping."
"What?" Finley jerks back a bit to blink at Calamity, eyes widening. "How? Who?"
"Talked to some people I know." They shrug, and look away. "Another rich asshole, name's Godric Cowell. Gets muscle from the mob sometimes, 'f he needs it."
Finley is quiet for a moment. "What are you going to do about it?"
They're very carefully not looking at Finley, now. "Dunno." It's a mutter, and they shrug.
Finley frowns deeper. "It... kinda looks like you do know, Calamity... What are you planning?"
Calamity squirms. "...'F I don't tell you, you ain't gonna have'ta hide anything 'f people ask questions."
"But if you tell me... I could help you..." Finley murmurs. "Which would make it less likely for people to track you down to ask questions..."
"Figured how to do this kinda shit out fine 'fore I met you, you know..." But Calamity's voice is soft, and they give Finley a little smile. "I just...don't want you to have to be around my fire. Or any'a that."
Finley eyes them. "I'm not sure if you're admitting to having killed people before you met me or not. Or... if you don't plan on killing him...?"
"Wh - no. Fuck no, I don't - no." Calamity shakes their head vehemently, pulling back from Finley a little and looking mildly horrified. "Just gonna fuck up some of his shit, Jesus Fin..."
Finley blinks, looking caught off guard by their vehement reaction. Zhe frowns deeply, pulling back from them. "Oh... Sorry..." zhe murmurs.
"It's - 's fine. I just don't do that shit. An' definitely not on purpose." Calamity settles down a little, and pulls zhem back into their side if zhe will let them. "But you shouldn't be around 'f I set shit on fire, 's bad news for both of us, yeah?"
"...Yeah, I guess so," Finley murmurs, looking away. "But I could... help hide you. Before you went. So no one would see you."
"...That'll last even if you're not around?" Calamity slowly, tentatively almost, brings a hand up to play with Finley's ponytail. "Be helpful as fuck. But I - I don't wanna get you mixed up with it, 'f shit goes wrong, I...don't want you to be in trouble too."
"I don't think it would last... long," Finley murmurs. "But if you'd rather I not be involved at all... Okay."
"Don't wanna get you in trouble. An' I don't wanna make you frenzy 'cause I'm setting shit on fire too close. I like you too much," Calamity mutters, and squirms again. "But 'f you could figure out how to hide me for a little..."
"That's why I offered to hide you, then stay back while you go to... burn stuff, or whatever," zhe says softly. "But I'm not afraid of trouble if it helps protect you."
"I mean if...'f you really wanna. Prob'ly be safer, I'm good at gettin' into places without anyone noticing, but...fuck it. Yeah. Thanks." Calamity lets out a breath, and tightens their arm around Finley a little. "Don't tell Rena, 'kay? She'd prob'ly say I'm gettin' myself into too much trouble..."
Finley looks relieved, and curls back up against them, arms wrapping around Calamity in return. Their body is warm and breathing--feeling alive, currently. "She's gonna be really upset if she finds out you're hiding it from her, Ember..."
"'F she finds out later it's fine, I just don't want her to try an' stop me. Dude deserves to pay for what he did." It comes out almost a growl. "An' he deserves to know who he fucked with."
"I doubt she'd stop you," Finley replies. "She'd probably want to help, too."
"Feel like she'd say I was doin' stupid shit and was gonna get myself killed. I dunno. She's pretty overprotective sometimes. An' she - mmph. She's dealin' with a lotta her own shit, I don't want her to be worrying 'bout me, too."
"I guess so." Finley frowns. "Whatever you think is best."
"She - I mean she knows me. An'...I dunno, she knows I'm a firebug and...'s whatever. It'll be good to have you helpin' though. 'S just a house I'm gonna torch, no people or nothin'." They shift on the couch until Finley's kinda halfway on top of them, and let out a soft sigh. "You...hungry? Or..." A flush builds on their cheeks and their pulse jumps just a little. "...Whatever?"
"Are you going to burn down his house? Are you sure that will send the right message? Do they... know you're psychic?" Finley asks.
Finley shifts with Calamity, blinking down at them. Color rises to their own cheeks, offering a shy little smile. "Oh, um. ...Do... you want to try kissing...?"
"I mean, the rat fuckers were killed by fire, right? An' I...maybe I'll leave a message. Haven't decided yet. Do...who know I'm psychic?" Calamity cocks their head curiously, but then dips it as Finley continues.
"Only 'f you wanna. I dunno, Haven't kissed anybody since..." They grimace and gesture. "Pittsburgh. An' even that was just...tryin' shit out, I dunno."
"The Godric guy," Finley replies distractedly, shifting a bit as their eyes flicker down to Calamity's lips.
"I want to. Try, at least."
"Oh uh...I dunno. Me 'n Dandelion both were, but maybe it was coincidence? Never really found...out...?" Calamity trails off as they realize how distracted Finley is, and their heart thuds in their chest. A hand runs down the length of Finley's ponytail, and Calamity gently coils the end around their finger as the corner of their mouth twitches upward.
"Well...?" But they lean up before Finley can answer, and press their lips ever so gently against zhers.
Whatever Finley may have replied, it's forgotten for now. Zhe had started to lean in as well, meeting Calamity half way. Zhe keeps zher lips closed, for now--avoiding the brush of sharp teeth in favor for the caress of soft, warm lips. Zher arms tighten around them.
Calamity's pulse spikes when Finley returns the kiss. Their hand tightens around zher ponytail, almost instinctively, for half a second before they let it go, instead resting their palm against the middle of zher back. They don't wrap their arms around zhem, don't squeeze, just...tentatively rubs their thumb along Finley's spine.
A few long seconds later they pull away, a sheepish grin splashed across their face, but only stay there for a moment before pulling Finley toward them for a more heated kiss. Heated, and searching, as their lips part slightly, and they grip the back of zher shirt with both hands, tugging it up incidentally.
Finley meanwhile clutches onto Calamity as if they're afraid they might run away or turn into mist at any second. But the kiss is soft, patient, and when Calamity pulls back Finley offers a flushed, shy smile in return. Zhe starts to say something, but only manages to get a breath out before they're cut off by the second kiss. Zhe makes a soft, surprised sound at the heat felt there. Finley is a bit more tentative about exploration--likely afraid of hurting Calamity. But zher lips part just a little in return, daring just the gentlest brushes of tongue against theirs.
Calamity is too busy slowly melting into the couch to even think about running away. And it's not as if they'd want to, they were the one who suggested this in the first place, and they run their hands up Finley's back, pulling zhem entirely on top of them and wrapping their arms around zhem. Fin's tongue makes them smile, and they break the kiss with a small gasp.
"What..." they murmur, turning their head so their lips brush against Finley's cheek. "You were gonna say somethin'...?"
Finley shifts awkwardly--clumsy more than reluctant, but soon settles into a comfortable position on top of them, without putting too much of their body weight onto them. It makes them fumble into the kiss a moment--but then zhe is eagerly continuing it, until Calamity pulls back.
"Huh?" Finley mutters, as if zhe'd forgotten--then lets out a soft breathless laugh. "I was just... gonna ask if it was o-okay, but... I think... so...?"
"Oh -" Calamity breathes out a quiet laugh. "Yeah...'s pretty okay. I guess. You know." They're clearly understating it for comedy, and they hum in contentment, nuzzling at Finley's neck before kissing the same spot.
Finley smiles sheepishly, head tipping a bit to let them nuzzle. Zher arms tighten around them again, an unnatural strength to their grip. "Is... it something you'd like to do again, sometime?"
Finley's tight embrace makes Calamity tense just a little, their hands gripping zher shirt as they let out a quiet gasp. "What...? ...Kiss you?" And then one of their hands slides up into Finley's hair to hold zhem close as they claim another kiss. Their teeth scrape against zher bottom lip.
"Yeah, maybe." They don't bother to pull away at all, and their tongue brushes against Finley's lips. "Maybe a little?"
Feeling them tense, Finley quickly loosens their grip, zher hands moving to rest on Calamity's sides lightly instead.
"Y-yeah--I meant that--" Finley sputters, a little too gullible to realize Calamity is teasing zhem. "...Oh," zhe continues once the kiss is broken, shivering a bit.
Then, a little more boldly, zhe presses zher lips a little harder to Calamity's. There's the barest brush of sharp teeth across their lip in return.
Calamity's breath catches and they shiver, and let out the quietest of whimpers. Their hand tangles in Finley's hair a little, and they shift onto their side so they can drape a leg over zhem, keeping their bodies pressed together.
"You're so easy to tease," they murmur with a wicked grin, and start to tug the hairtie out of zher hair.
Zher hair falls out of the hairtie fairly easily, as silky as it currently is--but still mostly damp.
Zhe giggles, head dipping and tilting away briefly. "I... guess so, yeah... I didn't think you would enjoy teasing me, like this."
"I -" Calamity's grin falters and they brush Finley's hair away from zher face. "If you don't want me to I totally don't gotta. You're...fuckin cute when you're flustered, 's all, but I...'m not gonna do anything you don't want me to."
Zhe blinks, looking back at them. Zhe smiles warmly, squeezing at their sides. "I know you wouldn't. It's okay. I... I don't mind, really, even if I get awkward and flustered."
There's a long second where Calamity just looks at Finley, like they're trying to make sure zhe really means it. "M'kay," they finally say, and smirk, leaning in close - but stopping short of actually kissing zhem. They tilt their head slightly, exposing that lovely vein in their neck, their pulse still racing despite their relatively calm exterior.
Finley's eyes snap immediately to their neck, lips parting as a hungry expression flits over zher face.
But zhe pauses, forcing zhemself to look Calamity back in the eyes. "Um... Does... this... change anything? Do you still just... want to be friends with me?" zhe asks softly.
"...I." Calamity's gaze flicks away, looking past Finley into the couch. "I don't - I mean. Friends don't like...do this shit, right? But I - I mean I like what we got already. Whatever that is? I...I mean I dunno. I don't really...date. But this is...I mean it's pretty fuckin...I like it. A lot. It's fun. More'n I...I mean kissing's mostly been kinda...meh. To me. The idea, I mean. 'Les I know somebody really well."
Finley watches them closely, searching their eyes and face. "We don't have to be more," zhe assures softly. "If that makes you... uncomfortable... or whatever. We can just--be whatever. Friends or... just... undefined... I just... figured I'd ask..."
"It's - I mean what d'you want that's more?" Calamity makes brief eye contact, looking a little guilty. "'M just...I dunno how any of this shit works 'cept that I never felt like most'a the normal 'relationship' shit was for me." Their pulse is still racing, and one of their feet taps against Finley's leg, like they've got nervous energy that's gotta go somewhere.
"There's... nothing more I want," Finley assures, smiling softly. "I guess, just... if I were introducing you to someone, would you want me to tell someone--um, 'this is Calamity, my friend' or... 'this is Calamity, my... partner'. Or... whatever term."
"I um...I don't know. Both'a those ain't really right. Kinda feelin' like somewhere in the middle. Is there a middle?" Their whole leg is shaking now, and they disentangle their hand from Finley's hair to grope in the pocket of their ever present sweatshirt.
"I... don't know," Finley replies, frowning softly--more concern than upset. Zher hand lowers to rest lightly against Calamity's thigh to try to soothe the tremors. "There's not... rules, or anything. That we gotta follow. We can just... be us, and not worry about it. If you want?"
"'F that's okay? I like us. Whatever the fuck we are." Calamity offers Finley a small smile, and their pocket clinks quietly - the muffled sound of a lighter opening and closing. There's a glance down at the hand on their thigh, and the movement slows, then stops.
"Also...you should maybe kiss me again. I liked that, too." Their smile turns into a smirk.
"Of course it's okay." Finley smiles wider. "I mostly was just asking so I knew what to tell Phaedra, really... But... I'm sure she will understand."
The sound of the lighter opening and closing makes Finley tense, just briefly--but then zhe smiles again and leans in to kiss them softly on the lips.
"You can just tell her we're making out, now..." Calamity's smirk widens - and then disappears again as Finley tenses.
"-Sorry," they mutter, and pull their hand quickly from their pocket.
It returns to tangle in Finley's hair, and Calamity returns the kiss with near desperation, properly catching Finley's bottom lip with their teeth this time. It's a long moment before they come up for air, and they tease their lips against zhers again, not quite committing to a real kiss.
"Don't--it's... okay," zhe murmurs against their lips. After a moment zhe smiles, giggling flusteredly as Calamity teases zhem. Finley makes a soft content, pleased sound in the back of zher throat, before they lean in to kiss a little harder, briefly, then zher head tilts to bring zher mouth against Calamity's throat. Pausing, silently waiting for permission.
Calamity tips their head back in response with a quiet sigh, fingers tangling in Finley's hair.
"Bite my lip hard enough'n it'd work too, yeah?" They're breathless, pressing their hand against the back of Finley's head like they're afraid zhe'll change zher mind.
Finley pauses a beat as their brain registers this visual, then shivers a the thought. "Oh. Um... Yeah..." Zhe pulls back a bit to stare. "It'd get--some of your blood in your mouth, probably... But if you don't... mind?"
"'S up to you..." Calamity offers Finley a lopsided grin, their hand loosening on zher hair. "Had blood in my mouth before, 'm good with whatever."
Zher face goes a little redder as zhe stares a moment, then swallows. "O-okay..."
The kisses continue. Gentle and careful at first, Finley still clearly nervous about hurting them. But it slowly builds up confidence and purpose, until zhe is kissing them firmly and hungrily, sucking at their lower lip.
Then fangs carefully pierce skin, bringing the Kiss and filling Calamity's mouth with a coppery taste. Not that they likely are able to focus on it very much, currently. Finley holds them close, arms wrapping around them again as they let the blood trickle rather than suck too hard.
Calamity, on the other hand, has no hesitation, returning Finley's gentle kisses with much more intense ones. They pull the Kindred on top of them again, an arm loosely draped across zher back.
Sharp teeth break delicate skin, and Calamity shudders and whimpers, gripping the back of Finley's shirt and pressing their body against zhers. They don't break the kiss, instead running their tongue against Finley's lips and hooking one of their legs behind zher knee.
It's intimate, blissful, and intense. Finley presses back against them, fingers gripping handfuls of their sweatshirt, clutching desperately.
It goes on far longer than is necessary. Not that Finley was drinking very much. But the bite mark was carefully shallow and Finley only swallowed the tiniest bit slowly. By the time Finley finally lets their fangs withdraw from Calamity's lower lip, the poor psychic is likely dizzy--not just from blood loss. Zher tongue licks slowly along the bite mark, healing the cuts there, then kissing away the remaining traces of blood from the corners of their mouth, then down at the smudges on their chin.
At some point - it's not like Calamity is keeping track, but at some point - their hand moves from gripping the back of Finley's shirt to digging fingernails into the couple inches of bare skin exposed below zher shirt. As Finley drinks, Calamity starts to melt against them, shivering slightly, and they whine in protest when zhe finally pulls away. Their head tilts backward (exposing their neck. Again.) and their eyes flicker open, pupils large and dark.
"Fuck me, could do that all night..." they breathe, their grin lopsided as they raise their head just enough to look at Finley.
"So...where's your favorite place, then?" They're slurring just slightly, drunk on pleasure.
Finley licks zher lips clean as zhe watches Calamity, a satisfied smile lingering on zher lips.
"I... I dunno," zhe murmurs, smiling wider. "I might... need to test out other places too. To... compare..." The temptation works, as Finley start kissing--then biting, at Calamity's neck. Is zhe even drinking, at this point? Or just letting Calamity feel the kiss?
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