Thankful Hideaway (Eli)

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THERE WAS SOMETHING THRILLING ABOUT THE teasing confidence that seized Ashley, standing toe-to-toe, she was a vision of mischief. Eli tried his best to trick her, but she wasn't easily ruffled. "I am not," He gasped, mouth dropping open. "Are you smack talking me, Fontaine?" He asked, appearing aghast, though his eyes were alight with humour.

However, when he bent forward to whisper in her face, they became close enough that he could see the flecks of grey and blue in her eyes. His breath caught in his throat involuntarily. It had been his doing, of course, but he hadn't been quite prepared. A memory flashed behind his eyes, of a stolen kiss in a hideaway that had sparked every nerve-ending in his entire body and brain. When he pulled away he was a little light-headed, laughing hoarsely as she hadn't moved an inch. How she managed to keep her composure he did not know.

"You're too good at this game," He said after a moment, bouncing back as he rocked them both on the spot, his knees bending but his feet planted. "I think you're cheating." He was joking, but he still tried to trip her up but bending his knees all of a sudden. Dropping in to a crouch with an open mouthed challenge on his face. Quickly, he rose up again, his calves burning but his feet firm as he released his grip on her hands to tickle her palm with the tips of his fingers, they were a little cold.

After a moment with no success, Eli pulled their hands towards his neck, tugging on the frayed ends of his scarf until it pulled away from him and dropped between their hands. Quirking his brows, he manoeuvred both of their hands until he was gripping both ends of his scarf and then flicked his wrist in attempt to loop it around her neck. He failed the first time, cursing under his breath with a laugh. "I'll get you..." He said confidently, trying another two times before he managed to hook the scarf around her neck.

It settled against her hair at first, catching on stray locks before dropping to her shoulders. He shimmied their hands until it fell from their and down behind her back before he let it sit their for a second. "Do you know what I'm going to do?" He asked secretively, though it was only an idea at the moment. Gripping her hands tightly, he pulled the scarf until it dropped at her lower back, attempting to tug her towards him with a snickering laugh. Eventually, he planned to drop it behind her knees and really trip her up, but he thought she might catch on before that. 

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley allowed her eyes to widen in innocent surprise at Eli's question. "Me? No, I would never do that to you," she answered, the tiniest of smirks giving her away. She couldn't help but tease him back, loving the fact that out of all the friends he had, she was the one he brought out here tonight. It was like things were really back to the way they'd been last year and she absolutely loved it. 

He accused that she was too good at this game and Ashley laughed, "I always lose at this game," she told him, laughing harder when he said that he thought she was cheating. "Really? I haven't done anything to make you even sway!" Ashley rolled her eyes. Eli was obviously getting into the game, coming up with new, creative ways to try and tip her over. The thing was, she always lost, but playing with Joe often enough made her pretty good at keeping her balance, at least for a while. She somehow kept her balance this time as he crouched and came back up. She giggled when Eli tickled her hands for a second, but then he was gripping hers again.

Eli pulled her hands toward his neck, and her muscles tensed as he started to play with his scarf. "What are you doing?" she asked, giggling as she did so. He eventually got his scarf off and was ... trying to put it on her now? Ashley tried to dodge it, not entirely sure what he was doing, but figuring he had some sort of plan in mind. Eventually, he got it over her head despite her attempts to stop him. "Dang it," she muttered, smirking at him. 

It was the weirdest sensation as Eli tugged on the scarf, trying to move it down from her neck. Ashley quirked her head to the side, her eyes questioning but she didn't ask again. When the scarf moved to her back, Eli whispered, asking her if she knew what he was trying to do as his grip on her hands tightened. Ashley's breath caught and she looked up at the Hufflepuff boy, momentarily forgetting what they were doing. He tugged her a little closer and Ashley moved forward until she was almost leaning up against him, standing on her toes to keep from tipping over as she stared up into his eyes, his laugh making her feel warm inside. After a moment she remembered that they were playing a game. Swallowing thickly, she rocked back, planting her feet again, but she'd been so distracted by him that she definitely had no idea what Eli was about to do.  

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THE SLY SMIRK ASHLEY ANSWERED ELI WITH went against the innocence in her tone. Though he knew she wouldn't say anything with any real bite. That she didn't mind the accusation any more than she did stretching it out. He laughed, shaking his head at the gall of her as his mind ran over every possible way he could beat her. Especially with the sheer confidence she exuded.

"Yeah, but..." Eli tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her. "I feel like you're just waiting for the right moment." And then he pushed her a little, but with no real force. Her palms were warming up against his. He'd always ran hot. His mom used to always joke that he was a walking furnace, back when she was around.

Eli couldn't stop laughing, even while he was scheming. It didn't help that Ashley was no better. Every time she giggled, high-pitched and melodious, he couldn't help but turn his head and snort in to his shoulder. Or shake it and snicker. They were like two little kids. And he reckoned they looked just as silly from afar, but he really didn't care. "Sh, this is my big move," He told her between bouts of laughter, his nostrils flaring and lips twitching as he fought to keep his cool each time he tried to loop the scarf and failed.

Eventually, Eli managed to tug and pull the scarf until Ashley had no choice but to move in to him. But, when he looked at her feet they were still firmly planted on the ground. Eli made one final tug and their torsos were sandwiched together. He could feel her weight leaning against him and he struggled not to move his feet to balance them both. She had fallen in to him so that when they laughed the combined vibrations tickled like a musical bass in his chest.

"Dammit," Eli whispered, his Adam's apple bobbing when he dropped his chin to look down at her. "I think I..." His chest heaved with a struggling breath as he looked at her, hypnotised. "I think I've just beat myself at my own game." He muttered under his breath. He didn't have to raise his voice very high, she was so close that her warm breath tickled his cheeks. His hands spun around the last loose length of his scarf and he pulled her in to him as his foot stepped back to steady them both. They were practically embracing now, the scarf locking them together as Eli's tongue dashed out over his lips and he smiled warmly, "I knew you had something up your sleeve."

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Eli said he thought she was waiting for the right moment and Ashley chuckled, "I think you expect too much from me." She kind of liked that though, the idea that Eli thought she had something up her sleeve when she was really just looking for a good time with him. His hands were warm against hers and Ashley found herself suddenly very glad that she suggested this game. She was having so much fun.

The two of them laughing together felt comfortable and natural, like they did it all the time, but of course they didn't and Eli seemed to have a plan. He was being more sneaky than Joe ever was. Normally Joe just pulled and pushed her hands, twisting from side to side sporadically until she lost her balance. Eli seemed to have a plan, telling her to be quiet so he could pull off his plan. He still wasn't explaining himself with it, but Ashley never really expected him to. Apart from that, she could hardly keep herself from giggling as the time passed and he continued to mess around with the scarf more and more. 

Once again, she was so close to Eli again, thanks to whatever he was doing with that scarf. Was that his plan? Use it to put her off balance? It wasn't a bad plan, in all honesty. At least, she had no counter-attack against something like that. He pulled the scarf again and Ashley finally lost her balance, one foot moving when he pulled her right up against him, both of them still laughing. She was enjoying herself she didn't even care that she'd lost. Ashley laughed against his chest, her hands still caught in his, the scarf holding them together. 

She heard Eli whispering against her hair and Ashley pulled her head back just enough so she could look up at him as he said that he beat himself at his own game. She shook her head, about to tell him that she already took a step when he somehow used the scarf to pull her so she was pressed up against him. She felt him step backwards so the two of them wouldn't tip over and Ashley rolled her eyes as he said she had something up her sleeve. "I already lost when you stepped," she told him, shrugging her shoulder and feeling their tied-together hands move up with it. She laughed again, then made a face as things suddenly changed. "My nose itches and you have me all tied up," she whined. "I think  you did this on purpose," Ashley accused, not even trying to pull away from him. Instead, she dipped her chin down, rubbing her nose against his shoulder until the itching stopped. Then she glanced back up at him again, heart stuttering at how close he was. Being so close to him like this was dangerous. Ashley had half a mind to kiss him, just because he was right there. She leaned closer, not even realizing it at first and then she paused, realizing this probably wasn't the best thing to do. Eli wanted her as a friend, that didn't mean he wanted to kiss her. She laughed and closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head to help get her self-control back. "So ... do you have a plan for untying us or do you want us to stay like this forever," she teased, hoping that would help lessen the tension she felt in that moment. 

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

ELI DIDN'T THINK THAT HE EXPECTED TOO MUCH from Ash. He thought maybe she underestimated herself. He had no trouble imagining her mind running like a clock. Though he was sure she probably wasn't in this case. They were having too much fun. It wasn't about winning. Not even when Eli was cooking up his own scheme. It was coloured in their uncontrollable laughter. Every move lightened by a giggle or a snort.

By the time that Eli had managed to pull them together, the laughter hadn't dimmed but there was a very obvious tension between them. Eli thought he might have been imagining it, but he felt it within him. Maybe it was the fact that up close Ashley was even more intimidatingly pretty, her smile a thousand watts. Or how nice it felt when she laughed and he felt it all the way in his spine. When he stepped back, she moved with him, though he'd inadvertently guaranteed that by tightening the scarf.

"Guess it's a draw then," He smiled, though it had never been about the competition and he didn't really care. His body was too warm and his ears had gotten hot from the proximity. "I took you down with me." He was watching her face, his chin dipped in to his chest so he didn't miss it when she laughed and her nose wrinkled. How she blamed him for it when it itched and he almost released their hands to itch it for her when she dipped her chin to rub it against his shoulder. It was quite possibly the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

Dropping his head back on his shoulders, Eli barked a laugh hoarsely. On the one hand it stopped him from reaching out to cup her face, but when he lifted his head to look at her again he hadn't anticipated that she'd lifted her own again and they were even closer now. Eli could practically feel the brush of her lips again. It was muscle memory and he ached to give in to his desire to lean forward. So consumed by it that for a second he thought she was leaning towards him. But then she laughed and he laughed, but it was weak.

"Here." It was easy for Eli to release their tangled hands. Too easy as the tension gave, though she was still leaning on him. He cleared his throat as he flicked the scarf out behind them and gently leaned away so that he could fold it over her shoulders. He took great care as he flattened it around them, his thumb curling around a lock of pretty golden hair before he pulled one end of the scarf around her neck and settled it on her other shoulder. "You can keep it warm for me." He wasn't cold, in fact he felt feverish as they pulled away. That lingering tension keeping his back straight and his eyes pinned to her face. Like he was searching for something. Some invisible cue. 

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

When Ash suggested this game, she'd never imagined this type of a scenario unfolding from it. Sure, she knew they'd hold hands and that one would probably bump into the other when they fell, but being pulled right up against Eli? It definitely was not what she planned, and she loved it. She grinned at him, loving the sound of his laugh and the feel of his hands still holding hers. Heck, she liked the feel of his scarf against her hands as well. 

He said that it was a draw and that he pulled Ash down with him. She could easily argue that point, but Ash found in the moment that she didn't really want to. She just wanted to enjoy these next few moments as much as she could, moments when the two of them were so close and it almost felt like he might want her as more than a friend. Of course, she knew that was ridiculous. After everything that happened last year, she was certain that all Eli wanted from her was friendship. She wasn't about to interfere with that ... but why was he making it so hard?

When she looked up after rubbing her nose against him, Eli was so close. Their eyes met and for just a second Ashley imagined that the look in his eyes was the same one he'd had the moment he kissed her all those months ago. She wished she were brave enough to just lean in and kiss him, but that would put their friendship in danger and the last thing she wanted to do was lose Eli again. So she laughed with him, pretending like she was perfectly content with the way things were. 

At her teasing, Eli started to unwrap the scarf from around their hands. Ashley looked down and watched him, not trying to move away from him even though she could have if she wanted. She looked up to him, surprised again when he leaned away and started putting the scarf around her shoulders carefully. Ashley grinned, "Oh, so that's what it's for this time? Not for pulling me around?" She couldn't hep it. The need to somehow find a way to lessen the tension was almost palpable. She reached up and felt the fabric, her eyes widening in surprise. "How come your scarf is so much softer than mine?" Ash demanded, lifting a bit of the scarf to rub it against her cheek. She closed her eyes so she wouldn't see the look on Eli's face. She was almost positive he was laughing at her. She sighed and opened her eyes again, smirking back at her friend. "Do you want me to loan you something in return so you know you'll get this back?" she teased. Ashley was almost certain he'd let her keep the scarf if she asked, but she wasn't asking that. She couldn't walk around school wearing a boy's scarf! At least, not unless she was dating him, which definitely wasn't something that was happening right now, as much as she wanted it to.

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

IT FELT UNBELIEVABLY EASY TO BE WITH ASHLEY again. Laughing with her as he pressed the scarf around her neck. And how easily she fell in to the pattern with him. Eli almost couldn't remember what it had been like without her. "It's multipurpose," He retorted, shrugging his shoulders before tugging a little on the end of the scarf before he finally let go. Eli watched as her eyes widened as she rubbed the fabric of his scarf against her cheek, wondering why it was so soft. Eli shrugged, remembering where he'd gotten it from originally.

"I, uh..." He swallowed, looking down at the ground with a smile. "My mom got me it a while back." She'd given him it for Christmas the year before she had disappeared, telling him that she was sick of seeing him freeze on his 'little adventures'. She'd given him a matching set of gloves, too. It was a soft woven orange and red. "I think she made it herself..." He muttered softly, a slight frown on his face as he tucked his hands in to his pockets.

"No, no you don't have to give me anything." He waved her off hastily, laughing under his breath. "You're not a thief," He said with certainty, looking up at her buried in the thick fabric and smiling at how endearing he found it. "Plus, you know I'd find you." He nudged her slightly, snickering slightly as she wobbled, a slight challenge in his expression.

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley couldn't help but laugh, yet again, when Eli quipped that the scarf was multipurpose. "Of course it is. I should have guessed," she answered, still chuckling. He was being silly and goofy, but she absolutely didn't mind that in the slightest. She loved the opportunity to tease him, even if it was over a sweater. At least they were able to laugh about it together, which was really what she wanted from it. 

Eli looked away from her, hesitating to answer her teasing question and Ashley quickly dropped the teasing demeanor. Somehow, her teasing him about his scarf brought something serious into the picture, which she definitely hadn't expected. He was smiling, but not meeting her eyes and Ashley watched carefully, jaw dropping slightly when he mentioned that his mom gave it to her. "Your-" Ashley broke off, feeling bad to have unintentionally brought up his mom. She knew it was a tough subject for Eli. She reached forward, wanting to take his hand or something to try and comfort him, but then his hands were in his pockets and he still wasn't looking at her. Now he was frowning. "At least it's something from her, right? To remember her by?" she asked softly, hoping she wasn't pushing things too far. Maybe he didn't want to talk about it. "Sorry," Ash added hastily, shaking her head as she looked away now. 

He laughed a little at her teasing, waving and saying she didn't have to give him anything and that she wasn't a thief. With a playful smile quirking on the corners of her mouth, Ash quirked her head to the side. "Are you so sure of that?" she asked, mostly just in an attempt to lighten the mood even more. "How do I know you'd find me? What if you got bored looking?" Ash teased, though she was a little curious to hear his answer. She took the pretense a little further, stepping away from him like she was about to run away with his scarf and hide somewhere. Of course, she wouldn't really take it far. She'd never take something that obviously meant so much to him. Ash took a few more steps away, wanting to see what Eli would do.

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THE REALITY WAS THAT ELI'S MOTHER WAS GONE. She wasn't coming back, at least from Eli's perspective. And while his dad and brother still held out hope, Eli didn't. But, he treasured the memories he had of her. With a soft, nostalgic smile, Eli nodded at Ashley as he turned to face her. "I gotta a lotta' things to remember her by." Eli said quietly, clearing his throat. "She was kind of a hoarder." And at that he could laugh, shaking his head lightly, his shaggy hair bouncing.

"Don't be sorry," He was quick to correct, reaching to stop her for a moment, if only to lay a hand on her shoulder to steady himself. "I don't mind." And he didn't, because as much as it hurt, he wanted Ashley to know her. Almost as much as he wished that his mom could know Ashley. He'd have told her about her if she were around.

It was unnervingly easy to bounce back with Ashley, or so Eli thought. But, it came as a great relief as she adopted that strangely familiar glint in her eye, a thrill running through him as his head tilted curiously. "What do you-?" He began to ask before barking a laugh. "Because you're not boring." He told her with surety, stepping with her as she took a dangerous step back. He kicked the damp grass at his feet, rocking from side to side as he hiccuped a laugh and shrugged on shoulder. "Plus I'm... easily amused."

With every step Ashley took away, Eli took one, too. A dangerous dance that had Eli forgetting his scarf entirely for a moment. Just watching the flirtatious way Ashley's body moved. Lithe dancing footsteps, like a fairy hopping backwards on toadstools. "What if you get bored?" He asked in turn, quirking his brows, he was smiling but a part of him truly wondered. She had such an exciting, extravagant life with equally extravagant friends. Maybe playing in the dirt and the leaves was only fun for a little while, he couldn't tell.

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley hated seeing Eli like this. She knew that he mourned his mother, that he was constantly mourning her. It came out in small glimpses like this, small moments where he actually let her see a little bit of the pain he felt. She wanted to be able to help, to do or say something that could take away some of that hurt, but she didn't know how. Ashley hadn't really known any real sorrow in her life. She still had both of her parents and all of her brothers. They were all fairly close and she couldn't imagine what it would feel like to lose any of them. Which was why she got tongue tied and had no idea what to say when Eli's mother came up. She smiled when he admitted that he had a lot to remember his mother by. At least he was looking at her now. "I'm glad," Ashley answered in a small voice. She was. She was glad that Eli had more than just memories. 

He told her not to be sorry, touching her shoulder and Ashley gave a hesitant smile. At least it seemed like he really meant it, that he didn't mind talking about this with her. "Okay," she responded shyly, "Just let me know if you're ever not in the mood or if you don't want to talk about it. I ... don't want to upset you." And that was what it came down to. As much as she loved to learn more about Eli and to hear the wistful tone in his voice as he talked about his mother, she didn't ever want to push him. She never wanted him to be angry with her because of her questions. She'd rather stop asking them than let it ever get to that point. 

Eli was taking steps with her, steps that made the vague idea in her mind start to clear up. It was almost like he was challenging her by taking steps with her. He probably had no idea. He laughed as he told her she wasn't boring, that he wouldn't get bored looking for her and Ashley grinned in response. It was the perfect thing for him to say, even when he added on that he was easily amused. Still, she loved teasing him. "Oh? That sounds almost like a challenge. Wonder if I could bore you," she commented, tapping on her chin with her pointed finger while taking yet another step away from him. It was almost time. 

He asked about her getting bored and Ash's immediate response was a real laugh. Eli, be boring? "That is completely impossible. You, Elijah Fleming, are the opposite of boring. Always." Even when they did nothing, he wasn't boring to her. Just sitting next to him made her heart race, just talking to him made her feel excited. She winked at him, taking one last step backwards. "You ... make me want to try new things," she added in a soft tone before she spun around and started to run. Hopefully she caught him off guard and would be able to get a good start ... though Ash wasn't entirely sure where she was going.

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY'D FALLEN OUT OF touch in the past, Eli still found it virtually impossible to think of Ashley doing something to hurt him. Especially when he understood her motivations from before. Plus, he was just blinded by the light of her. "I don't think you will," He muttered, looking down at his feet as he composed himself. It wasn't easy, but he still managed to smile when he lifted his head. Plus, she was quick to try and lighten the mood, which he appreciated.

They matched step for step, a provocative space left between them with every movement. Eli didn't rush to close it, he found it kind of thrilling. Like a dance across the dewy grass, his eyes pinned on hers raptly. "You know you're totally competitive, right?" Eli said with a breathy chuckle, tucking his hands in to his pockets as they dilly dallied. "It's kind of... entertaining." If only to rile her a little bit, she couldn't bore him if she tried. He almost wished she' would, he thought it'd be quite hilarious to watch.

Though he hadn't really been fishing for a perfect answer, Eli still felt relieved when Ashley gave him one. He didn't usually care so much about whether or not he was delivering and yet... there he was. "Oh yeah?" He said rhetorically, gnawing on the inside of his cheek when they began to hurt from smiling. She had winked at him. When she  took a step backwards this time, Eli took two forwards, closing the space between them. "Like what?" He asked, his voice a little gruff, but she'd already turned and began running from him. He'd thought about kissing her in that moment.

With a breathless laugh, Eli was struck still for a second, his heart racing as he watched her dash in to the distance. It didn't take him long to race after her, his feet thumping against the ground, arms peddling. That's what it felt like being with her, like he was caught running in a brisk fall wind.

She was definitely faster than before, Eli thought. Already a good distance between them by the time he'd rushed to catch up. He was forced to push himself in a way he hadn't expected to. So, by the time he did catch up, he was laughing uncontrollably. He caught her waist with one arm, digging his heels in and hooking her to a stop unsteadily, his knees locking as he bent and lifted her clean off the ground. "Cheater!" He declared, voice raised and gleeful as he locked his other arm around her and rocked them from side to side. "Your... feet are... banned from touching the ground." He told her breathlessly, his face tucked in to the crook of her neck before he relented and placed her back on the ground. 

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley blushed slightly when Eli admitted that he didn't think she'd upset him. Good. She didn't want to. Hurting Eli was honestly the last thing she wanted to do, ever. All she really wanted was to get to know him. More than the Eli that everyone knew, the one that was always laughing and making jokes and running around too. She wanted to know the serious parts of him, the parts that were sad over his mother, worried about school. She wanted to know it all, but before it was like there was a barrier there. Like she couldn't ask about certain things because she didn't know how he'd react. The wall was still kind of there, but every time they spent time together, pieces of it seemed to just fall down. She was starting to not worry about that as much. 

He was still stepping with her, his eyes glued to hers and Ashley wasn't pulling away. She laughed when he said that she was competitive and that it was entertaining. "Well at least I know why I don't bore you," she teased. "Guess I'd better work on that if I want to change your mind." Ashley couldn't help but tease him. She nodded her head firmly. "Right. Stop being competitive. Stop going outside. Spend all your time with your nose in a book in the library." She quirked an eyebrow at Eli. "That sound like a good enough start? Maybe I'll try it out tomorrow." Yeah right. There was no way Ashley would ever try to be boring. At least, not seriously. Maybe just to tease him now, though.

Ashley didn't know how this interaction with Eli could get any better. They were teasing one another and flirting (though he might not realize it) and she felt lighter than she had in months! Eli had that sort of an effect on her. She loved it. He stepped right up to her and Ashley knew that if she didn't run in that moment, she'd lose her determination to. Even after half a second, she didn't want to step away from him, but she did. Even as he spoke, asking what kinds of things he made her want to do, she was running, showing him rather than saying anything. 

She could hear him laughing from behind her and Ashley knew she made the right choice. Despite the fact that she definitely was going to try and be boring one of these days, she wanted to continue to have fun with him right now. She laughed as well, unable to help herself as she felt the wind on her face, sensing Eli creep up on her but hearing it as well. Ashley didn't know what she expected, but it wasn't for him to catch her by the waist and then lift her off the ground in a sort of bear hug. She laughed continuously, not even trying to stop. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight as she continued to laugh against him. "Then ... I guess ... you can't ... ever put me down," she answered between giggles. He released her, letting her feet touch the ground again, but Ashley was laughing so hard she just leaned on him. If she tried to stand on her own, she'd definitely crumple to the ground, still laughing. After a minute she looked up to him, finally having caught her breath and mostly stifled her giggles. "So, were you expecting that?" Ashley asked playfully.

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THERE WERE A LOT OF REASONS WHY ASH DID not bore Eli. So many he probably couldn't count, but he didn't stop her when she was thinking it over. He found it entertaining that she was considering it, even in jest. "Like you could do that." Eli scoffed, as if to fuel her more. "Plus, you were entertaining even when we were just studying." He shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly. "I just... I don't think you can do it, Fontaine." He kissed his teeth, maintaining his doubt for only moment before he gave in and laughed a little.

And then he was off, running after her with a permanent smile on his face. He hadn't planned to lift her when he'd caught her, but rather simply fell in to it without thinking. His heart singing as they laughed. Even when he placed her down, they were laughing. An uncontrollable bout that would taper and than begin all over again. He hadn't taken his hands from her waist, not purposefully, but rather that she was leaning on him and he liked the purchase of her warm coat under his hands.

He stopped laughing before her, when his fingers began to tingle and he realised how close they were once again. A chuckle turning in to a sigh which turned in to a tight swallow as he felt his chin brush against her head. All it would take is a slight dip and they could be kissing. His mind was evil for thinking it, but he couldn't help himself. He didn't notice when she stopped, only when she leaned away to speak to him. "I..." His thumb was drawing circles at her waist. "I never know what to expect from you." He admitted, sighing softly. "I think that's why you couldn't bore me, even if you tried."

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Eli telling her she couldn't do something was such a motivation for her to try and prove him wrong. Even though Ashley definitely did not want to bore him, she wanted to see if she could. Or if he really would find that entertaining. Surely she could be boring ... maybe. It was an interesting thing to think about, but the fact that Eli kept on saying that she couldn't made her desire to try grow stronger. Every single time. "I guess we'll have to wait and see," she answered, shrugging her shoulder and then smirking at him like she had something up her sleeve. This would definitely take some effort. 

Ashley didn't really plan to race him then, but it worked out perfectly. It fit with the conversation, it obviously took Eli by surprise and she loved every second of it, especially the part where he caught her. More and more, she was looking for excuses for him to touch her, or for times when she could touch him. Butterflies filled her stomach and her heart raced every time. She knew it was really just more evidence that she was falling for Eli, but she didn't care. She couldn't stop it and didn't want to try. 

She was still laughing when Eli stopped, feeling deliriously giddy from the chase and his arms wrapped around her. Slowly though she started to reign it in, leaning against him as she took a deep breath to give herself some control. She felt his finger on her waist, moving in calming circles as he started to speak and Ashley just wanted to melt into him, to look up into his handsome eyes, kiss the guy and ask him if he thought he could ever care for her as more than a friend. She didn't want to ruin things though. She smiled up at him when he said he never knew what to expect. "Ahh, well there it is then. Once you get to know me even better and I become predictable, that's when I'll start to bore you. Wonder how long that will taken," she teased, unable to resist. A brisk, strong wind swept by them and Ashley shivered noticeably. She ducked her head down and leaned against his shoulder, knowing that even if she was cold, being closer to him would help her warm up a little. 

The bell in the clock tower rang, signaling that it was almost time for students to be in their dorms. "I don't want to go back," Ashley groaned, closing her eyes and pretending like she didn't hear anything. She wasn't ready for this day to end.

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THERE WAS ALMOST A CERTAINTY TO ASHLEY'S voice. Like she really thought that he would eventually find her predictable and boring. He thought that would be the day, but even if he knew the way her steps sounded on stairs or, how many breaths she took a minute. He still thought she'd find some way to surprise him, even unintentionally. But, he didn't argue with her, shrugging instead. "Your guess is as good as mine." There was a softness to him that left him unsteady. Like, if she pressed too close he might disappear inside of her. Consumed.

Eli's arms tightened around Ashley instinctively when she shivered. Time had flown past and he hadn't even noticed. The air had cooled considerably. And they stood there for a moment, silent and comfortable, until the large bell tolled and they were jarred from their bubble of contentment. He didn't want to leave either, but when he sighed he could see his breath. "Me neither," He muttered, blinking in to the distance as he hugged her to him once before slowly letting go. "But then we'd freeze and die, which wouldn't be boring at all." He smiled down at her, letting her go, but slinging his arm around her shoulder casually. "C'mon, I'll walk you back, you bore."

[END ELI]

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!