Amber's skin was still slightly damp as she pulled on her jeans and shirt over her underwear. A glance in the mirror confirmed that her hair was fast on its way to becoming chaos itself, escaped strands plastered all over her head. That required immediate attention by undoing her ponytail, brushing rigorously to work out the knots, then tying her hair up again. Better but not perfect. Most of her face was splotchy red, except of course for her lips, which were relatively pale. Damn it. Amber allowed herself a quick frown while Eric's back was turned; on the heels of their fight, she hadn't given much thought to the after of their gym trip. No makeup, a boring plain outfit, and a pathetic hair style to go with it. The tank top and yoga pants had been a hit, but this...
It was strange to think back on the morning's fight, tingling still with afterglow but not oblivious to her day's several losses. Watching Eric pack up the last of his things, just as she was hers, bumbling and grinning all over the place as if he'd won first, second, and third place in a triathlon (and in a way he had), it almost seemed none of it had ever happened. Like he hadn't jumped from her family as if they lived in nuclear waste zone, or hadn't yelled that his mom-- and everyone he was related to-- wasn't worth his time. No wonder he didn't want to see her family, if that's how he felt about his. Amber would spend dozens of dollars not to have to see her relatives for more than a few days at a time, but she wouldn't ban them from her life either.
Surprise, surprise. Sex and games hadn't solved anything (except, temporarily, for Eric's mood). Amber wondered how long it'd be before they were bickering about that again; she herself wouldn't bring up the topic of Thanksgiving, at least, not about the possibility of them going anywhere together for it, but they wouldn't go long without delving into the subject of family once more. It seemed to pop up naturally, between them.
Zipping up her bag, Amber slung it over her shoulder and stepped over the many and large puddles. Wouldn't do to get her pristine-white sneakers dirty. Once she'd reached the door, she opened it and reached out her hand for Eric's. Wary as she was, it didn't mean she couldn't enjoy Eric's easy, sauntering jubilance while it lasted. "Let's go," she said. "If you're starving, I'm just about ready to take up human flesh." Outside, the air was less dank, the lights stronger and clearer. The two women passing by, sadly, cast them no strange looks; they must've not been around to hear their noise. Amber wanted to tease Eric about fucking in the gym, locked room or not, but that'd invite his sour mood right back, so she didn't comment on it. For now.
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It was strange to think back on the morning's fight, tingling still with afterglow but not oblivious to her day's several losses. Watching Eric pack up the last of his things, just as she was hers, bumbling and grinning all over the place as if he'd won first, second, and third place in a triathlon (and in a way he had), it almost seemed none of it had ever happened. Like he hadn't jumped from her family as if they lived in nuclear waste zone, or hadn't yelled that his mom-- and everyone he was related to-- wasn't worth his time. No wonder he didn't want to see her family, if that's how he felt about his. Amber would spend dozens of dollars not to have to see her relatives for more than a few days at a time, but she wouldn't ban them from her life either.
Surprise, surprise. Sex and games hadn't solved anything (except, temporarily, for Eric's mood). Amber wondered how long it'd be before they were bickering about that again; she herself wouldn't bring up the topic of Thanksgiving, at least, not about the possibility of them going anywhere together for it, but they wouldn't go long without delving into the subject of family once more. It seemed to pop up naturally, between them.
Zipping up her bag, Amber slung it over her shoulder and stepped over the many and large puddles. Wouldn't do to get her pristine-white sneakers dirty. Once she'd reached the door, she opened it and reached out her hand for Eric's. Wary as she was, it didn't mean she couldn't enjoy Eric's easy, sauntering jubilance while it lasted. "Let's go," she said. "If you're starving, I'm just about ready to take up human flesh." Outside, the air was less dank, the lights stronger and clearer. The two women passing by, sadly, cast them no strange looks; they must've not been around to hear their noise. Amber wanted to tease Eric about fucking in the gym, locked room or not, but that'd invite his sour mood right back, so she didn't comment on it. For now.