infinite1ups | Dinner (@americanass)

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Dinner (@americanass)

It was a good thing Claire didn't have any work to do that was terribly important, because she'd spent most of the day distracted thinking about the night before. Confessing her feelings for Steve had been on her mind for weeks, and she could never figure out the right time to go there. Maybe it had been her vulnerability after the nightmare, maybe not, but last night apparently was the time. Whether it was the right time, she still wasn't sure.

Neither could she gauge how Steve seemed to feel about the whole thing, as she hadn't had much opportunity to see him, much less talk to him. They both seemed to be busy, though she hadn't forgotten his offer of dinner that night. Just dinner, no mention of a date, not that she'd really expected that. They both needed time to sort this out, maybe sitting down to talk over dinner would help, especially after each took their time to think it over privately that day. She imagined he was thinking it over now, even if he hadn't considered it before.

As the afternoon inched closer to evening, she considered dinner plans. Claire knew her impulsive nature was influencing her now, but she couldn't help wanting to do something nice. Not a date. She wasn't going to go all out, just prepare a little something for the two of them. It was easy enough see him in passing, to request that he meet her in the dining room around six. And then she got to work.

Claire held herself to some semblance of playing it cool, of not trying to prepare anything too extravagant or that might give the impression that it was a date. No, it was just dinner. A simple pasta dish, a salad. No wine, that would... imply things, and it wouldn't do either of them much good anyway. At least, she thought she recalled that Steve's alcohol tolerance was on a level with hers.

Once the table was set, all she had left do was, well. Wait. He'd probably be on time, she guessed, but she was growing too nervous to check the time. Of course he'd show up, right?

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Playful and teasing wasn't something Steve ever really got to be, not with anyone. He held himself too seriously most of the time. But with Claire, in that moment, he was letting go, letting a bit of the version of himself he'd only ever given glimpses of run free. Secure in the fact that that it was okay to embrace the fantasies he'd never thought would come to light, he was at ease with her. He wasn't holding any part of himself back anymore.

Her pleas were impossible to refuse, and Steve wasn't inclined to deny her anything. Not when she was wrapped around him the way she was, not when her soft hands were on his skin and she was so warm and tight around his cock. Not when she was asking for exactly what he wanted to give her.

"Like what?" he encouraged, wanting more of those pleas, more of the voice that was quickly becoming music to his ears, though he knew the answer because she looked just as good to him. Better, maybe, spread out in in his bed like she was, breathless for him. Every heave of her chest brought her closer to him and he couldn't resist the urge to feel that press too. It was easy for him to simply balance his weight on one arm, freed hand moving to cover her breast once more. And the rhythm of his thrusts into her wetness stayed sharp, quick, inching one bit at a time toward roughness.

Which she still deserved better than but how he thought she deserved to be treated aside, she deserved what she liked and what was going to get her off.

"Like... fuck-" Claire cut off with a whine. Her capacity for coherent speech was severely degraded as Steve started up that steady rhythm. Instead, she was momentarily reduced to gasps and low moans, the hand on his arm gripping a little more tightly. She moved under him, careful to keep her hips at that perfect angle.

In her mind, she didn't consider it roughness as much as she saw it as passion, even if he wasn't exactly being gentle with her. She craved that feeling of wanting, of being unable to get enough of each other, of letting go of all the restraint and self-control they usually held onto.

And, well. Yeah, this was definitely working toward getting her off. Claire could feel it building, each thrust of his hips bringing her closer. Her voice grew a little higher in pitch, more desperate, and she was already starting to tighten around his cock.

"You look good on top of me," she finally managed to reply, a lopsided smile spreading across her face. "Even better than I imagined."

It was entirely true, but maybe she also was trying to get a reaction out of him. Maybe he'd laugh, or perhaps more likely he'd blush. Either way, it would be adorable. She enjoyed that they could have fun while being intimate; it just made everything that much more enjoyable. Which was saying something considering how enjoyable it was already.

"Feels better than I imagined, too. Don't stop," Claire said softly, pleading again. All of his teasing and encouraging gave her the impression that he liked her sounding that way.

Later, when there wasn't a deep pleasure building in his gut, Steve would want to hear all about how she'd imagined him looking. He'd want to hear all about every fantasy she'd conjured up about him. When he was less focused on her and giving her everything she needed, he'd want her to tell him everything she'd ever wanted from him just so he could start giving it to her.

"I've got you," he promised, his own voice equally soft, pleasure rumbling beneath it. He had absolutely no intentions of stopping, not now, not ever, not as long as she was still interested in having him, not as long as she still wanted him. "Not stopping until you come for me."

Steve wanted absolutely nothing more, though just fucking her for the rest of time came a pretty close second.

His hand on her body became a little firmer, kneading her breast under his palm. The urge to be gentle with her melting away in the wake of his need, tension working its way into his muscles as that need and the pleasure he took from her built higher and hotter in him. He brushed his lips to hers in a breathless kiss.

There he went, shattering her expectations. She liked that he could surprise her when she thought she might predict how he'd react. Just the words and the soft way he spoke had her shivering, her other leg lifting to wrap around his waist. No such thing as close enough, not now, maybe not ever, at least while they were alone together.

Claire returned the kiss more fully, raising her hand from where she'd been gripping the bedding to instead cup his cheek. Rough and tender didn't have to be mutually exclusive; it was all the same desire. She rocked her hips up into his thrusts, a little more insistent as her orgasm felt imminent.

But as much as Claire wanted - and needed - to get off, she was reluctant for this first time to be over. Still, they did have all night, and as many nights as they wanted. That thought all by itself was absolute bliss.

"You got me pretty close," she murmured, lips ghosting against his with the words. And it was true, he had her on the edge, moans strained and breathy. She was trying her best not to be too loud, though Steve was making that rather difficult. Not that she was about to complain.

Her being too loud was the very least of Steve’s concerns in the moment, few as those even were. Everything had zeroed in to be just her, just them, just the satisfaction of fantasies built up over who even knew how long. It was impossible to worry that someone might be by the door and overhear them, that answering all the questions that would come would be much sooner than they were planning on.

All that mattered was her pleasure, and his own by extension.

Making her feel good felt good and every thrust into her willing body took him closer and closer to the edge as well. He was closer than he wanted, because he, too, was reluctant to end their first time together. Even knowing they could spend all night exploring each other, neither needing much rest and he expected if his ability to heal could keep him hard, hers could keep her wet and ready too. It wasn’t something he’d spent much time considering, but the thought, as many had, had crossed his mind.

A smile tugged at his lips, still brushing against hers, the intimacy of the closeness even as he fucked her with hard strokes tugging at his heart. “Let go, then,” he murmured, his gentle encouragement carrying a bit of the sharpness of an order despite his best intentions. “Come for me, Claire. Let me have it.”

He wanted to see her face, feel her cunt squeezing him. He wanted it all.

In her rare, private moments of fantasizing, Claire had wondered if Steve's enhanced abilities enhanced, well. Everything. She was getting that answer right now, in spades. Just being able to keep up with the pace, and it didn't seem like he was straining at all, except maybe to hold off his own pleasure.

It caught her by surprise, the way the edge of a command in his voice was more or less all she needed to start her spiraling over the edge. Her hips stuttered in their rhythm as she rocked up to meet his, her cunt tightening around him just as he'd wanted.

All thoughts of trying to be quiet went out the window as she gasped, crying out with utter bliss, wave after wave coursing through her. She writhed beneath him, whimpering his name.

Moving purely on instinct, she held on tight with her arms around his shoulders, crashing her lips against his in a bruising kiss. And her hips kept moving, wanting nothing more than to feel him give in to his own pleasure and let go inside her.

"Give it to me," she whined against his mouth, breathless. "Come for me."

She didn't need to ask for it, but that she did was enough to send him toppling over after her. A few more quick thrusts and he was shuddering harshly as his own orgasm overtook him. His steady pace faltered, jerking without stopping as a deep and satisfied groan was wrenched from his chest.

Slowly, as the high settled, he stopped moving over her but he didn't pull away. He continued kissing her, gentling that as well as his heartrate started to come down again, his weight settling more firmly against her, and for a moment, or a few, he was content to just bask in the glow of the two of them while they caught their breath again.

He did smile against her lips, wound up nudging his nose to hers after a bit, a playful fondness that he was coming to like with Claire even if he'd never had that sort of thing with anyone before.

"That's better than I imagined." Of course he'd imagined. More than he'd ever thought he should do. Now, all those imaginings and fantasies were just more things he wanted to try with her.

She slowed as he did, pleasure still crackling through her, the intensity fading until only the afterglow remained. Her legs loosened from around his waist, her body relaxing more, but she kept her arms around his shoulders. His weight against her was comforting and steadying, it was safe.

A smile tugged at her lips, her expression one of utter contentment. Though she did subtly raise her eyebrows with that admission. The thought of Steve fantasizing about her was almost too much. If they hadn't just finished, she might have been ready to go all over again.

"I... might like to know about this imagining, at some point," Claire giggled, her cheeks flushing from the exertion as much as the topic. Nudging up for a quick kiss, she then tucked her face in against his neck. She needed that closeness.

"But now I just wanna hold you."

The flush in her cheeks was endearing, and not so unlike the reaction Steve would have if he came out and asked for the things he wanted. The exertion wasn't so clear on him, a faint sheen of sweat on his skin but within moments his pulse and his breathing were returning to normal, but he was more easily embarrassed than a man his age ought to be. So he thought at any rate.

He gave a little hum of pleasure, just stayed there with her face tucked into his neck for a second, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. They'd both be more comfortable if he moved, though, and so he did, simply turning them to one side. He got an arm under her, so he could really envelop her in his embrace, so he could cradle her close. Like she was something precious to him.

She was. Even if this thing went absolutely nowhere now that they'd done something with the sexual tension, he cared about her more than just someone he mentored. More than just a co-worker. More than just a friend.

"Nothing says we can't have both," he pointed out in quiet amusement. "But only if you're sharing first." No doubt if she did share, he'd just wind up aroused again though.

Claire was happy to let herself get wrapped up in Steve's arms; that was, after all, exactly what she wanted. She shifted as he rolled them over, nuzzling in against his chest. There was no such thing as close enough, not even when they were completely naked and wrapped up in each other.

It wasn't even on her mind that this could go nowhere. Not now. Getting through the sexual tension had only further solidified her feelings. Maybe it looked like it was too good to be true, to be so compatible on so many levels, but for once she wasn't resisting the chance to go after what made her happy.

And Steve made her ridiculously happy.

"Mm, I suppose I did confess to fantasizing first, huh? That seems fair." The amusement in her tone matched his, her voice equally as soft. Though she hesitates before speaking again. "I gotta admit, I've fantasized as much about cheesy romantic stuff as anything sexual."

The sexual attention was obviously there, but she was also absolutely smitten. It was so much more than sex.

"What? Like candlelight dinners, walks on the beach?" He joked, teased, but the interest in the answer was still genuine. He wanted to know everything she wanted. He wanted to know how to make this thing work and what was going to make her happy.

If it took candlelight and walks on the beach, if it took throwing rose petals down on the bed like people did in movies, he'd do it and he'd be happy to.

His feelings for Claire might be complicated, they were definitely complicated and they were going to take some time to sort out, to figure out what was real and what was his own fantasies and what was the heat of the moment, but if there was anything he was already sure of it was that he wanted her to be happy and he wanted her to want things the way he wanted them.

And he wanted them.

"Somethin' like that, yeah," she agreed, perhaps sounding a little shy. It felt silly saying it out loud. "Just, you know, cuddling up for movie nights. Maybe taking a long drive. Anything, really."

Everything was better when they were together, even the mundane stuff. Volunteering so much of her time to put in the extra work with Steve was as much to be around him as it was to be helpful. She felt sort of lucky that things had seemed to work out on both fronts. Their time together was always the highlight of her day, and she was proving herself to be useful for the team - it was a win-win.

"Of course, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about... everything we just did. Thought about that maybe more than I should've." Claire's voice was quiet, head still resting against his chest as she spoke. There was a low rumble of a laugh, and she continued, "And I can't tell you how many times you'd poke your head in my room to check on me at night, just when I was thinking about how much I wanted you to exactly that. But then I'd always imagine it ending up with you kissing me somehow."

Romance as she described it didn’t sound all that different from the way they already spent time together. It sounded like friendship but somehow somehow still more. Maybe just because they wanted it to be more. Because they knew they wanted it to be more now.

He gave a soft hum and his fingers began tracing idle lines against her skin, touching just for the sake of touching, just because he could now. They’d crossed the line and no matter how far over it they wound up going, right then and there there was nothing Steve wanted more than to just keep touching her. To keep holding her to his chest like he never had to let go again.

“It’s too bad you never said anything. We could’ve been doing this a long time ago.” Except that probably wasn’t true. Steve knew it was a unique set of circumstances, just the right feelings at just the right time that had brought them close enough together to even realize that it was something that could be real.

And he had no illusions that he’d ever have let himself want it if Claire hadn’t moved first. He’d have forever called it fantasy.

"I wanted to," she admitted, sighing. "I was scared. Thought I'd mess things up, make it awkward, or get in trouble somehow. Even if nothing ever happened between us, I wanted to keep working with you." Which was to say, she'd rather have Steve as just a coworker, mentor, and friend than not at all. To think she could have it all was basically a dream come true.

Those little touches were relaxing, as evidenced by the way Claire seemed to melt in his arms. She could fall asleep like this, she thought, but she wasn't ready for sleep just yet. No, she didn't want to miss this for anything.

"This morning I decided it was worth the risk to try," Claire added thoughtfully. "I figured if I waited for a sign from you I might never see one." Of course, she was teasing, knowing all too well that he was trying his best to be professional, no matter how deep and intimate those late night talks had gotten. She appreciated that he held her in such regard to be so careful with her.

And she had been careful in her own right, taking the time to sort out that her feelings weren't just superficial or flippant. She didn't make a move until she was certain about how she felt.

Her head lifted from his chest to turn her face up and smile at him, a touch playful. "We can make up for lost time all you like, though."

She joked, but she was right. There never would have been as sign. Because Steve never would have let there be anything more than there was if she hadn't made the move. He was glad she had. The options now laid out before them now were exciting and everything he could have imagined and more. Sooner or later they would have to figure out what those things were, what they wanted them to be, but for the time being just laying in bed and talking like they always did seemed right.

And Steve always liked the way they could talk to each other. It was comfortable. He could be more honest with her than he was with just about anyone. Even if he'd never thought he'd be able to tell her he was interested in her as more than what she was.

His expression brightened a little when she lifted to look at him, arching up to kiss her impulsively. Quick and light and just because he could. "Oh, I like," he agreed easily. "Just how long are we talking about making up here? Because I've been looking at you since...just about the first day I met you."

Looking at her, it was impossible not to think she was beautiful, not to want her. He'd just been resolved to never acknowledge it.

She loved that this was so easy for them, just laying there and talking. They'd spent so many hours talking in bed, late into the night, that even with the change in dynamic, it still felt natural. That emotional intimacy had already started between them, long before the physical.

Another thing Claire loved, was how easily those small shows of affection came. Little touches, little kisses, indeed just because they could.

But even still, she was surprised at what Steve said. That long? Claire never would've guessed. He hid it so well.

"Since we met, really...? I mean, about that long, yeah." Her cheeks were getting warm again, and now she wasn't sure if it was because she was blushing, or if she was getting worked up once more. Maybe it was both.

Regardless, she couldn't help but grin. "You know, when I first met you, I had one ridiculous but distinct thought. If you gave me a piggyback ride, I'd be your backpack. That's where my brain went at first."

At first, being the key words. Her other thoughts had been far less wholesome and goofy.

Edited 2023-05-20 01:18 (UTC)

Steve couldn’t help it. He laughed. The image she painted was so ridiculous, should remind him more that she was so much younger than him, technically, but all it really did was make him like her even more. It was endearing. He'd never call her innocent, knew her too well for that, but that didn't mean there wasn't an innocence to her and that her first thought had been wanting a piggy back? Was a hilarious reminder of just that.

"Why is this the first I'm hearing that one?" he teased. "I've gotta say, you wouldn't make a very good backpack even if you are about the right size for one. You wouldn't be able to hold much stuff."

He couldn't say he'd thought the same sort of thing. Every image he'd ever had of Claire was entirely inappropriate given the relationship they'd had until today. None of them had been romantic, at least beyond the way slow and leisurely sex could be. He couldn't call any of his thoughts about her even close to as innocent as a piggyback.

Steve's laugh was absolutely worth any silliness she felt at actually admitting that out loud. Claire decided she'd gladly make a fool of herself just to hear it again, just about whenever an appropriate opportunity presented itself. The smile on her face lingered as she leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"Oh, yeah. I wouldn't make for a very practical backpack at all," she admitted, giggling. "That thought didn't last very long because I got distracted thinking about possibly needing a stepladder to kiss you." Among other things, of course.

But she was curious to know what he'd thought about doing with her, too. Her lips trailed down over his jaw, then lower to kiss his neck, voice soft and low. "What about you? What'd you think when we met?"

He answered with a thoughtful him, thinking back. His thoughts about her had always run along the same lines, but his very first thought? Had it been so inappropriate?

Pretty much.

“The very first thing I thought was wondering what it’d be like to kiss you.” It hadn’t even occurred to him that the difference in their heights might make it a little less simple than that, but he had always been more than comfortable with simply leaning down as far as was needed, or just solving the problem by both of them sitting. “Which of course led me to wonder about the sorts of things kissing leads to.”

And that was pretty much where he’d stayed, whenever he’d allowed himself to think about it at all.

“I really tried not to think about you as anything but a colleague for a long time though.” To varying degrees of success.

"At first for a bit I was worried you didn't like me that much. That didn't last long before we started being friends, though." Much to Claire's relief, she and Steve simply got along too well not to be friendly with each other.

She smiled warmly, drawing back some to look at him. Though she was still very much staying wrapped up in his arms - there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

"Now, you can kiss me any time you want, and then all those things kisses lead to..." Clearly she had plenty of her own ideas as far as that was concerned.

“Not liking you has never been a problem,”Steve was quick to assure. In fact, the opposite had been a problem for him on more than one occasion. Keeping his attraction to her under wraps had been a struggle.

One he was more than happy to give up.

So when she smiled and said he could kiss her, and more, whenever he wanted, Steve just went with the impulse. His hand lifted to curl into her hair, draw her down to he could kiss her. Long and slow and deep, not so much of the lightness of their conversation. It meant something. It meant all of his fondness and all of his desires and when he broke away he did so with a quick nip to her bottom lip.

“We’re gonna have to start figuring out what we like.” The sex was going to be good regardless but if Steve knew anything it was that a little communication could make it great.

Not from personal experience or anything, but he knew.

That was reassurance that Claire hadn't realized she might have needed. There was, of course, no doubt that Steve liked her now, but it was still nice to know her initial insecurity had been misguided.

Before she could express her relief, however, he was kissing her. She could feel everything behind it, all those feelings and desires, and she melted into him, all other thoughts on hold. Her hand smoothed down his back, content just to touch him until he pulled away from the kiss. That little nip made her shiver.

"I can tell you, I like that," Claire murmurs, her voice a low rumble of contentment. "And I sure don't mind messing around and finding out what else we like."

He liked that little rumble in her voice, something unlike what he was used to with her in all the very best ways. He could get used to hearing that quality. Just like he could get used to having her in his bed.

Especially knowing that neither of them needed much sleep and there were better ways to spend their nights.

Even if that better way was just talking. Just doing exactly what they’d always done together. Steve wouldn’t trade those hours they’d spent for any amount of sex, any number of kisses. Everything that had come first was what was really important to him. All the rest was just extra. A really good one that he wasn’t giving up now that he had it but a bonus all the same.

With a little quirk of a smile he brushed another kiss to her lips, softer this time, briefer. “Good. Because I plan on doing our fair share of messing around.”

She could get used to those kisses, the soft ones just as much as the slow and deep ones. Naturally, she loved their conversations, and even their time spent together quietly. But this new development made her happier than she could even begin to describe.

A hand lifted to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheek. Steve's smile had always given her a little flutter inside, and now even more so.

"Yeah? Thinking about messing around some more tonight?" Claire asked, amused. She was all too aware of their lack of a normal sleep schedule, and the night was still pretty young.

Though she was completely content to simply snuggle up and talk, she had a feeling they might not be done exploring one another for the night. Maybe that was the best part, the fact that no matter what they did, she was just happy that they were together. Even if it did feel like kind of a cheesy thought, it was the truth.

Her nose brushed gently against his as she leaned in for another kiss. Just because she could. "I'm curious to learn more of what you like."

"I was thinking about it," Steve agreed playfully. "Unless you've got other plans."

He knew she didn't. He didn't. They'd made plans for dinner and to see where the night went and, unless something happened that required their particular brant of help, they were both free to just enjoy each other's company. Which was exactly what they needed to figure out how all this worked and what they liked together enough to keep going day to day without constant distraction.

At least for Steve. He was absolutely sure that until he got his head wrapped around this new development and what it meant and how they were going to move ahead, that was all that he was going to be able to think about. He was a single minded sort of man.

It just so happened that currently his mind was entirely on Claire.

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