April hadn't thought too much about actual means yet, obviously prior to de-aging she had a job, and she'd even technically still received a paycheck from them since then but... It didn't seem real, she found the whole thing kind of overwhelming to think about, and if she was being totally honest getting drunk and sleeping with beautiful men and women did help keep her mind off of things, avoidance was not a smart coping mechanism, but it was none the less a coping mechanism in some ways.

April chuckled at the thought "I've had a little of the opposite, older me definitely wasn't as physically active." Living and working on a base tended to have that effect. She wondered idly if her older self had ever gone totally insane and and gotten into a relationship. Shudder the thought.

"I... I've barely thought about that, I really should. I don't really have the training to go back into her old job." 'her' was an odd way to refer to yourself in the future, but then again the whole situation was odd.

April snickered. "Of course I'm biased, you're beautiful and frankly much more interesting than most people I meet. Also... I'd be lying if I said that you understanding the whole being younger than you should be situation is weird wasn't appealing. Most people act like I've lost a limb or something, but it's mostly just strange." Christ, her brother looked at her like she was a ghost.

"Generous, or totally exhausted." She drawled before leaning back and taking a sip of wine. Shortly thereafter, their main courses were served and April partook in the pasta, enjoying it quite a lot. Not the best Italian she'd ever had, but considering the price and the company it definitely ranked.

If Stephanie were in a different position like the one April found herself in, she would have handled things differently. Specifically, she would have not handled things. Hopped between beds of conquests and hotels, balancing a life of sex and crime. That was not what she got this time, though; those pieces of her pie chart were dwarfed by the need to shelter, protect, and feed Malia.

Those two indulgent pieces of pie though… they weren’t gone from her life.

Thinking about who they were in the future was an odd, detached experience. When April referred to her older self as a different person, Steph did not bat an eyelash. The people they had been really were different people. She only knew so much about the stranger she would have been once upon a time. ”You’ll figure out your own thing. Fortunately, while I’m sure I got better with a camera over the years, I’m no slouch now.”

They did have a sense of shared experience. That was rare, and not an opportunity Steph should ignore. Plus, she was being promised sex that would leave her thoroughly spent, which was indeed promising. She smirked off the comment, but their food arrived to break up the pace of the night. They could take time to appreciate the food, recount favorite treats and bad first dates.

And then came the dessert menu. Stephanie placed an order for tiramisu, but her eyes stayed on April. The wine was doing its part, but so was the persistent flirting of her dinner partner. As the waitress walked away, Steph leaned across the table and whispered, ”Sorry, I can’t turn down tiramisu. And maybe I want to torture you a little. Make you wait a little longer for what we both know is coming.”

April chewed her lip a little thoughtfully, she'd not really thought this whole thing through that far yet. As a matter of fact she was avoiding it actively. She'd really not been expecting the evening to take this sort of a turn, she tried hard not to let it throw her off her game. It was something she should dwell on, but definitely not for tonight. The promise of intimate time with Stephanie was more than just a fleeting distraction, it was exciting.

"We'll see. Maybe I become a criminal mastermind this time around." She joked, wanting to move on the subject from the discomfort.

Some women may have tried to cover up snorts, or things that may seem unattractive in a superficial sense. April was not one of them. She definitely snorted in what her mother would call an 'un-lady like' fashion. She didn't really care, if there was one thing she would avoid doing as much as possible, it was being dishonest with other people and herself. She didn't disguise things, and she didn't apologise for anything.

"Hmmm. I suppose I could partake in something sweet before we move onto something sweeter." She hummed, not remotely caring how cheesy the line was, her grin betrayed her knowing exactly what she'd said. Choosing words carefully in this scenario was absolutely not difficult. April ordered some too.

There was a clear shift Stephanie had to be aware of in the conversation. She had led them down too serious a path. April was still figuring out what to do with her life, and while Steph assumed she was content floating around and doing her own thing, maybe the aimlessness bothered April. Probably best they move on, and April even did them the favor of an ironic joke. "Well, if you decide to do that, let me know. I've got connections," she assured April with a wink, implying it was in jest.

April was easy to be around. Unconcerned with acting too cool, the way she snorted when she laughed was endearing, as was her cheesy lines. "Well, I certainly do look forward to getting a taste when we get back," she assured April in a hushed voice as a serving of tiramisu was brought to the table. "I do hope to take my time... savor it," she mused as she took a small corner from her dessert and ate it, pulling away her spoon slowly.

"But there's no need to rush, right? I'm sure you're feeling good and patient right now?" she asked, smirking as she took another bite while her eyes remained, drinking April in.

April giggled at the thought, of Stephanie committing crime. Pulling off Machiavellian schemes, or jewel heists between feedings for Malia. "I'll keep you in mind, I'm sure." She joked back, grinning like a fool at Stephanie's form. It really was an easy interaction, most of April's tended to be but there was something intrinsically stimulating about Stephanie's presence that she really enjoyed.

Another snort. "I've always enjoyed euphamisms, even more so when they form a roadmap for an evening." She winked. "It's very good to know that you like eating sweet things~" She gestured to the tiramisu in amusement.

"Hmmm. Patient. I can be patient, if the payoff is good enough. You know, build up can be good. I do enjoy a good climax." She replied non-nonchalantly, taking a final sip of wine and a bite of dessert.

It was nice that April laughed. She wanted that notion to be funny. If someone met Stephanie and could picture her pulling off an art theft or a bank heist, she was putting out the wrong vibes. No criminal should want people to look at her and assume she had the capacity to do criminal things.

April was definitely more direct than some women Stephanie played cat and mouse with. That was obvious, considering they had all but confirmed they would be sleeping together before orders could be taken. "Oh, I do. There are just some treats I want to savor on my tongue, you know? Just take time. Maximize the satisfaction," she purred, taking a larger bite of tiramisu. Okay, maybe as the conversation went on, she was less concerned about drawing things out.

The smolder and heat in Steph's eyes was plain as she maintained eye contact. "Well, if I'm going to share my time, I always make sure the payoff is well worth it." The hand not being used to eat an Italian dessert slipped under the table cloth, moving from Steph's leg down to April's knee. "But please be courteous to my little apartment-mate. When I make you want to cry out and moan-- and you will want to, I promise-- make sure you find ways to quiet yourself. I'm sure you can think of something to keep your mouth occupied with..." Her impatient hand moved forward and in, caressing as far along April's inner thigh as Steph could reach. These tables needed to be smaller.

April giggled once again at more innuendo, it was just so amusing to play the game of innuendo to her. Maybe she was a little immature, maybe. There was something weird and honest about it. It was like the same satisfaction you got from being openly rude or crass with family and loved ones, they knew you didn't mean it. April really did appreciate honesty, and straight forwardness in people.

"Well luckily for you darling, stamina is my strong suit." She purred in return and grinned in amusement, enjoying the lax nature of the conversation. She was definitely eager, but April was used to taking her time. Going at her partners pace so to speak. She was flexible.

And so April leaned in and was about to take a bite out of her dessert when she felt an adventurous hand reaching along her leg, down to the knee as Steph spoke. At first it was amusement, the little game carrying on. Cat and mouse.

And then. She became the mouse. She would have snorted a drink if she was holding it when Stephanie dropped the disguise. "Well I'm sure you can find something t-" she quickly slapped a hand over her lip as a jolt of electricity ran up her body, just barely suppressing a squeak in time that would have drawn some real attention to their table.

She held her hand there on her mouth for a few seconds, deliberately not taking Stephanie's hand away, and exhaling slowly. "I thought you were the one checking if I was impatient." She murmured, very quietly, visibly keeping her voice under control. April was okay with being the mouse.

Being playful was more fun when you had someone to play off of, and April was bouncing that energy back and forth with Stephanie. Each time it passed from one to the other, the heat between them increased. The innuendo and the veiled promises and threats of what they would do back at the apartment made the torture of waiting all the sweeter.

Torture was not accomplished with words alone, however. Steph was nothing if not a woman of action with her wandering hand. The contact registered and April played it cool into Stephanie's touch found a sweet spot along her thigh. She could see the jolt pass through April's eyes as it shot through her body. That look. The way April did what she could to contain her voice. That was what she wanted.

"Oh, I am," she whispered confidently, though the moment was infecting her as well. Her heartbeat quickened the longer she left her hand touching that hot skin left to her by April. "And I think you're, in fact, quite impatient." She took another bite of her tiramisu and her fingers pressed again. Oh, if they were maybe six inches closer... "But I don't know. You're sitting there, waiting ever so patiently. Maybe I'm wrong? Maybe... you don't mind waiting...?"

Admittedly, most of April's encounters since she'd woken up in New York had been the opposite of this, she was almost always taking the initiative in some way or another. She'd definitely not felt like this in a long time, but she also wasn't opposed to it. April tried to maintain her composure, taking a large bite out of her dessert, not leaving much left.

The hand. It was driving her mad. She'd already been excited, now she was trying very hard not to wriggle and writhe a little in her seat. Stephanie's hand was like a cube of ice on her leg, a cube of ice that was threatening to do more than it already was.

"I-" April opened her mouth to respond and ended up biting her lip, the fingers pressing in again as Stephanie took another bite were just...

Yup. She was done.

April's eyes drifted a little dreamily and she slowly exhaled, doing her utmost to force some control into her voice for a moment, very aware of how close Stephanie's fingers were to driving her even more crazy. "I-I mind." She exhaled again.

A very uncharacteristic blush began lighting up April's usually steady cheek tone as her legs wriggled a little. "I-can we get out of here?" the words came out even quieter, pleading even. She was struggling to maintain eye contact.

Cat and mouse was a fun game. April was a cat as well, but she had no problems letting herself be the mouse. That was quite the choice now that Stephanie had her cornered like delicious prey. The way Stephanie touched the blonde affected her, and she was not going to shy away from that.

It was in her eyes. It was in her voice. April needed things to progress and she was not above begging.

Good, because f**k if seeing April in need like that was not driving Stephanie absolutely mad with lust. She pulled her hand back from scorching skin and raised it above the table."Check. Please."



The Rover ride amounted mostly to cozying up in the back seat and Stephanie expressing all the restraint she could. She had a babysitter at home. They had to wait, though that still meant risky touches exchanged. Any of those touches risked pushing them past their thresholds and April's body was so literally hot, it was raising Steph's own temperature.

They made it into the small apartment where Wendy was waiting on the couch. She gave a report of how Malia was that Steph did her best to be attentive for, because it ws important. She did also want the babysitter to hurry up after she confirmed Malia was in bed and sleeping.

"Thank you for the short-notice help, Wendy. You'll definitely be hearing back from me soon," she promised, guiding the sitter toward and out of the door. "Get home safe. Thank you again! Night!"

She let Wendy get a few yards away before she closed the door.

And then Stephanie turned to April, who had not strayed more than a few feet away while she dealt with Wendy. She grabbed a handful of April's dress to pull her, spin her.

And she all but threw the blonde up against the door with a slam. Steph wasted no words pressing her body against April, capturing those tantalizing lips in a scorching kiss. Everything about this was scorching. April's whole body felt like she had been left in the sun, radiating heat. Stephanie did not care-- she was not going to let unexpected heat convince her to allow even a millimeter of distance to exist between their bodies.

April let out a sigh of relief when Stephanie relented and asked for the check. Not because she wasn't enjoyng it, but because this small part of her thought Stephanie was going to toy with her more, and she didn't know if she could keep things PG in that restaurant much longer.

The ride back was even harder. April had run into this problem a lot recently... Cab rides took too long. Being in the position she was, she definitely exchanged the occasional risky touch, or went in for what would likely be a heated kiss... But she never let it get too far, if only because she was letting Stephanie take charge and dictate the pace of the night, which hadn't been the initial plan but at this point April definitely couldn't see how things could go differently. Every near make out was stopped with a gentle, if firm hand from Stephanie maintaining control of the situation. April happily conceded. 

April quietly set her coat aside as they entered, keeping her lips sealed shut as long as humanely possible, smiling at the baby sitter absent mindedly and just staying near Stephanie. It wasn't that she was being super submissive or anything, she just didn't trust herself not to embarrass her host. And it would also do well to wait until they confirmed the child was in bed, before traumatising her at all.

April stood but a few feet from the door and watched the baby sitter go, letting out a brief sigh of relief and beginning a slow glance around "nic-" she was cut off with a sudden squeak as Stephanie yanked her over. April was a fairly strong woman, but she was not only not expecting it... But was pretty into it.

An involuntary shudder escaped April as she was pinned against the door, her hands quickly wandering Stephanie's back without restraint, or much care for gentleness.

It was nice to be on the same page with someone. April wasted no time letting the heat of the moment take control. They had been building to this through a sexually-charged dinner date and a torturous car ride. The moment they had the room to themselves, Steph knew she was going to find the nearest hard surface and pin April to it. April responded by finally touching Steph's body properly.

As Steph's tongue slipped past April's lips, her hands reclaimed the thighs she teased under a table less than twenty minutes earlier. They ventured away long enough to bunch up the hem of April's dress and pull it up off her body. She had enjoyed the dress long enough, but now she wanted it on the floor.

Now Steph's hands could find purchase at April's backside, cupping and pulling her in as her lips and teeth found April's neck. "Well, now that we're alone," she murmered against April's hot skin, "I think... I made some promises..." A squeeze. "And I intend... to deliver..." With her hands already in a position of power and the door offering help, Steph mustered up all the strength her somewhat lengthy frame had to lift April so she could carry her toward the bedroom.

Nails and squeezes and general intensity accompanied being pinned to a door, April was just letting the moment guide her. She hadn't realised that this was the plan, but she also wasn't surprised. There had been so much tension built up over their encounters during the day, an explosive release seemed about right.

The kiss was just as intense as she'd expected, wanted. Being denied it for so long made it all the more exciting, she was also extremely aware of Stephanie's hands once more on her thighs, leaning into the touch even more than before. There as no social etiquette to keep up here anymore, just mutual desire.

Shudders were running up and down April's body like electricity with every little touch and just as Stephanie broke the kiss and let April exhale and get some air into her lungs she rasped. "W-well you said you wanted it on the floor" Glancing down at the unceremoniously discarded articular.

Bites and kisses on April's heated skin were driving her even more crazy, she was responding to each and every touch of Stephanie, giving back her own less aggressive touches in kind, occasionally enjoying the taste of Stephanie's lips and just getting lost in the moment.

She was so lost in it that April was only dimly aware that she was off the ground, and then tossed onto the bed. A very genuine giggle escaped her mouth as the women moved onto dropping what little clothing remained, and fulfilling promises.

((FTB))

Steph tossed off the sheets, feeling seriously overheated now that the throes of passion were finally subsiding and she was tangled with April's bare body. The experience did not disappoint in the least, and every inch of Steph's skin felt as heated as April's own.

And now that they had thoroughly sexed one another up in Steph's bed and the wall and the floor, Steph could comment on that. "You're fucking hot. I mean, obviously, but like... your skin. You run so much hotter than I'm used to." It had to be a medical thing, or perhaps... well, she'd keep her speculating quiet.

Wrapping an arm around the blonde's back, Steph sighed and looked toward the door. "You know, this is the point in the afterglow where I'd start thinking about kicking a lover out the door." Sure, it was pragmatic and a little cold, but it was true. "But... we did talk about that. And that was pretty magnificent. I suppose if you were hoping to save yourself a trip home, I could handle a sleepover. See how it feels waking up and having breakfast before I kick you out on that perfect ass."