Time Waits for No One: Closer Than Family(Closed for The_Gladiator)

[The_gladiator]

"Why, what did you think I was going to ask for?" he said raising one eyebrow curiously.

 

[purplerouge]

Roxy laughed a little, shaking out her hair now that all the pins were gone. "With you, I can never be sure," she teased, sipping at her beer.

 

[The_gladiator]

He laughed, "I think you were looking for me to ask for something... Maybe you owe hmmm me a back massage later?" he said with a laugh, and a small smirk.

 

[purplerouge]

"A dance and a back rub? All for taking out pins?" she asked, though she couldn't help laughing again. "Fine...but you're cooking breakfast in the morning," she told him, used to bartering things out with him.

 

[The_gladiator]

He laughed, "Good I am a better cook than you anyway." Mark said with a laugh, "I should charge you more for that but I loike cooking for you." he said with a smile.

 

[purplerouge]

She glared at him playfully, taking another sip of her beer. "I like when you cook for me too," she agreed with a grin. "And I think it's the perfect price, considering the fact that I can't get as drunk here as I want to. Someone has to be responsible and drive home," she reminded him with a shrug.

 

[The_gladiator]

"I guess I owe you, you're also supposed to be making sure I don't sleep with any strange person Like April." he said with a laugh finishing his second drink and getting to his feet, "A dance m'lady?" he asked offering her his arm.

 

[purplerouge]

"Mmm...forgot about that. So yes, you do owe me," she agreed with a smile, taking a big sip of her beer before she got to her feet when he offered his arm. "But of course," she told him with a small laugh, taking his arm and following him out onto the dance floor.

 

[The_gladiator]

He pulled her close in a more traditional slow dance his hands going around her waist as he danced her out of the spot light, "Less formal." he said softly smiling down at her, "Hope you don't mind." he said, seemingly not even noticing the increased intimacy of this form of dancing.

 

[purplerouge]

Her arms automatically went around his neck when he pulled her close, desperately hoping the surprise wasn't evident on her face when he moved them out of the spotlight. It annoyed her that she felt butterflies in her stomach, something that made her feel like a teenager. "I don't mind," she replied softly as she shook her head, smiling up at him as they swayed to the music. "Thanks for coming with me tonight, by the way. I know it put you in a tough spot with Lisa."

 

[The_gladiator]

He sighed and nodded, "But I promised, and I care for you, that's more important than some stupid fight." he said hugging her before reintroducing space between them, not noticing that space had decreased leading to the tips of her breasts brushing his chest as they swayed.

 

[purplerouge]

She smiled as he hugged her, though their closeness nearly made her groan when she felt her chest brush against his. She had no idea what was wrong with her, but kept telling herself she needed to get a grip before she did something that would ruin their friendship. "Still...thank you. It means a lot to me," she told him, then took a deep breath as she prepared to say something that would probably ruin everything. "I care for you too, which is why I want to know...do you think she's right for you? I just want to see you happy," she told him softly, hoping he would percieve it as her being a concerned friend.

 

[The_gladiator]

Mark's face closed down. But didn't push her away but there was now an obvious tension that had not been there before, before she spoke. "I don't know." he finally said, not really knowing what to say, unconsciously putting more space between them as he drew into himself.

 

[purplerouge]

Roxy could practically feel the tension rolling off of him, causing her to swear softly. Why the hell had she gone and asked him that? "Damnit...I'm sorry, Mark. It's none of my business...I shouldn't have asked that," she murmured, her hands moving to his shoulders as she pulled back to give him a little more space.

 

[The_gladiator]

"Some days I think We are, but other days its not easy. But isn't that how relationships go?" he asked almost as if he were making excuses for why he stayed.

 

[purplerouge]

She smiled a little, knowing she was the last person who should be asked that. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in a serious relatonship, though she was quite certain it was at the end of high school. She gave a small shrug, lifting a hand to run it through her hair as she tried to figure out what to say. "I really don't know, Mark...just be happy. I hate it when I see you hurt," she said softly, bravely resting her head against his shoulder after she gave him a reassuring hug.

 

[The_gladiator]

He nodded and hugged her close, "Thanks for your concern, It does mean a lot to me." he said softly, "I just don't like to talk about it." he said softly.

 

[purplerouge]

She nodded, closing her eyes as they moved to the music. "I know. When you do want to, promise me you won't be afraid to talk to me," she murmured.

 

[The_gladiator]

He nodded, and then seeing her eyes were closed he said, "Ok." He felt awkward now, the gentle buzz he had had gone from the stress.

 

[purplerouge]

She smiled when she heard his answer, knowing that he'd never lie to her. She opened her eyes, lifting her head to smile at him. "You look like you could use another drink," she teased softly.

 

[The_gladiator]

"Yeah, that sounds good." he said letting go of her and stepping back, seeming lost in thought. "Shall we?"

 

[purplerouge]

She nodded with a smile, though she could tell that he seemed a little distracted. "We shall," she answered, then walked over to the bar with him.

 

[The_gladiator]

After another Drink mark only seemed sadder, "You know she uses sex as a weapon?" he said abruptly.

 

[purplerouge]

Roxy looked up from her glass, caught off guard for a second. "Lisa does?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "What do you mean?" she asked, her dislike for the woman increasing fast.

 

[The_gladiator]

"Forget it, I shouldn't have said anything. Just know this is costing me a few weeks." he said, blushing a little, "But I made a promise to you." he stood, "I'll be back have to use the bathroom." he said walking off to avoid explaining his slip of the tongue.