champagne's for celebrating

"Good," Thalia breathed, realizing now just how tight her chest felt. Theory's smirk was almost smug in nature and was doing all sorts of things to her she couldn't quite put into words. She'd missed her quite a bit and suddenly it became clear just how much. The distance that lay between them, however small, suddenly seemed stifling. Like something she needed to conquer, however terrifying and unknown it might be. But at the same time, it was frustrating - why did Theory seem to take the words right out of her mouth? Admittedly she'd always been the anxious type, at least deep down, but somehow Theory had a way of making her even less certain about who he was and what she wanted. From her, from life, from everything.

Just as she began to wonder if she ought to move closer, Theory did just that, sliding closer to her in the water until she was practically curled around her. It alarmed her how quickly her body reacted to the contact; usually she wasn't the type to enjoy being physical contact, not really, but Theory's touch suddenly made her body ache, like she wanted more but had no possibility of ever getting what she needed. It practically made her feel sick. It was a feeling only quelled by returning the contact, and pressing up lightly back against Theory, the best she could. But she'd have to be more brazen to get closer, not just try to stay still and refrain from floating away...

Theory continued talking even when she felt like the words were being violently stolen from her own mouth. They'd done well, she said, but one of Acere's wolves had tried to hurt someone more seriously. Now that didn't sound good. "He does sound like a fool, though hardly a threatening one," she maintained her position, sure that Theory and her pack would fare well if they attempt a raid on them again. The thought was hardly a pleasant one, no matter how strong her convictions in Theory's strength might be. So strong, in fact, that the thought of another fight actually gave her pause. "Maybe," she responded, wondering just how a fight between them would go now. Once she'd been agitated by Theory's victory over her, when she was so much younger; now, the thought of Theory pinning her down, her teeth holding tight on her skin, was practically dizzying. "I'm not sure I'd mind if you won though," Thalia finally let slip out, her words quieter than she'd expected.

Theory was so close now, but still she wanted more. How close could they really get in the springs? The water felt incredibly good but somehow solid ground, even in spite of the rain, was sounding more and more appealing. "Would you mind if we got out?" Despite the uncertainty between them, Thalia knew she didn't want to break the contact between them, not any more than was absolutely necessary... and she was beginning to realize more clearly that Theory felt the same, given where her head was resting on her spine. She was trying to keep her breath steady, certain that its uneven rhythm - coupled with the loud heartbeat pounding between her ears - would be noticeable if not for the rain. Worried that Theory would misconstrue her words, and remembering just how quickly she had the tendency to pull away when things between them got too confusing, she decided to make her point more clearly - spinning around and moving to press her nose to the side of Theory's throat, recognizing all at once that her scent was more intoxicating than she'd initially realized. Breathing it in wasn't helping things at all.