A/N: So, first off this is set during Katie's sophomore year away at NYU for college. Troubling times for Ked, I know, but it will end well in the end. We all know that at least haha. Enjoy xx Mariah
Katie tapped her foot as she leaned over the counter to grab the soda wand from behind it and fill a customer's drink. It wasn't even her table, they'd just flagged her down for more soda.
Tonight was hectic. With a game in Jersey, the diner was getting a lot of the post-game rush, which was great for tips, but Katie's feet were killing her and she still had three hours of her shift left. Then she had to close up and clean with Whitney. Who sucked at sweeping.
Great. She knew she wouldn't get home until at least one, maybe two-in-the-morning.
Once it was filled she made her way back to the table and slid to the customer with a smile, before going to her next table that had had a chance to take a look at the menu a little.
It was a pair of guys, who were each wearing matching Jets jerseys. They both looked up at the same time and she smiled cheerfully at them. "Hi, welcome to Joe's diner!" She exclaimed. "My name is Katie and I'll be taking care of you guys tonight. Have you two ever been here before?"
"I don't think so. Have we been here before Georgie?" the older of the two said, looking back at his menu.
"I don't think so," the younger one said. "We're just stopping for a bite in the city on our way home from the game."
"That was quite the game. My dad was texting me all throughout it," she laughed, smiling at them. "Hope you both had a good time." It looked to be a father and son pair, but she couldn't assume right off. "Can I start you gentlemen off with some soda or water?"
"We'll both take waters," the older one answered and she quickly slipped away.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she knew it probably wasn't her dad about the game. It was most likely Hannah. They were bickering about dirty dishes. Hannah was supposed to do them and once again hadn't.
She usually picked up the slack, but she was over it. Hannah was an adult and it was their apartment. It wasn't just Katie's responsibility to do the dishes an he wasn't about to let her best friend push the slack off on her or Brandon. It didn't matter if Brandon was Hannah's fiance or not, he didn't have to do the dishes because Hannah hated to. Plus Katie had a full schedule and couldn't, and they were starting to smell.
If it wasn't her best friend, it was Ned. She was currently trying to coax him to drive to see her for Andrew's house party the following day. As much as she loved her friend across the hall, she didn't want to go to the party alone. She knew it was a long shot that he'd come for just a few hours when they already had plans for him to come and see her for Halloween this upcoming weekend.
As she began to fill the cups with water, she took her phone out to check it for a moment. She was happier to see that it was her boyfriend.
October 25th - 9:30 pm Ned: Maybe. I'll get back to you. Jamison is riding my ass to get caught up on this month's reports
Katie sighed, slipping her phone back into her pocket. She almost wanted to say she would just type up the reports for him instead, but already had an Art History term paper due. Even if she was such a better and faster typer then he was, she couldn't take any more on her plate.
She grabbed the water glasses and walked back to the table with the two guys. "Here are those waters," she said cheerfully. "Can I get you guys any starters? They are half off from nine until close."
"What are you thinking, bud? Should we stick to healthy like mom said?" The older man said looking up at his son who sat across from him.
Katie's eyes flicked to the younger blonde who sat back in his seat and looked over at her. He smiled and looked back at the menu. "Are the cheese sticks any good?"
"They are delicious. I'd recommend the bigger order. I can never get enough of them," she explained, opening pocketbook and putting her pen to the paper.
"I think we'll get the bigger order then, like you said," the older man said. "With ranch and blue cheese."
"Alright, I'll put that right in for you two." She said and slipped away.
Katie quickly walked around the counter and punched in her code into the register. She put in the order and pulled out her phone, replying to Ned.
9:43 pm - Katie: That sucks babe. I really didn't want to go alone. I mean Hannah is coming, but she will end up getting super drunk and I'm just not in the moo to have a massive hangover on my one weekend morning off.
Not that Katie didn't love to get her to drink on with her best friend, but sometimes she just didn't need to drink that much to have fun. She sent it and sighed. Her shift seemed never-ending.
She couldn't wait to go home and go to bed.
Katie trudged up the seven flights of stairs to her apartment. It was nearly one in the morning.
The laughter from behind her apartment door was getting louder and louder the closer she got. She shoved her key and the door nd walked in, closing the door.
At first, neither Hannah or Andrew noticed that she was home. She took the opportunity and took her jacket and shoes off, rubbing the soles of her feet as she relaxed against the door. She nearly moaned. It felt so good to get her shoes off.
After a few minutes of massaging her feet, she realized that the drunken pair in the kitchen had simply upped their volume, more than likely on account of all the beer they were consuming. She could see that half of the case they'd gotten were stacked on the small kitchen table.
"Fuck," she hummed, rubbing her foot for another moment before she realized what she saw. "Really guys?"
"Oh, shit." Hannah hid behind the kitchen island. "Katie's home and I still didn't do the dishes." Hannah had never been good at whispering when she was drunk.
"Why the hell are there beer cans stacked on the kitchen table?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hannah, I know you've been drinking, but I'm talking to you."
"I drank the beer and Hannah drank the wine," Andrew confessed, burping embarrassingly loud.
Hannah burst out laughing as she stood up, leaning against the counter for support as she set the wine bottle on the counter too. It was nearly empty.
Katie's anger slipped for a moment and she laughed, rolling her eyes. "Just clean it up," she yawned and waved them off. "I'm tired." She walked over to the counter and took the bottle. "I think you've had enough." She tipped it back and finished the last of it off. "Do the damn dishes before I get the chance to see them."
During that brief moment, the drunk laughter from the pair died down, just enough for Katie to set the bottle back down.
"Are you going right to bed?" Andrew asked.
She rubbed her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'm tired."
"Darn," he sighed. "Okay. I was hoping to snag a little time with you and Han, once you got home. Before the party."
"Sorry," she squeezed his arm. "Maybe next time. Goodnight guys."
Ducking through the crowd of people in the tiny apartment, Katie shielded her cup. The last thing she needed right now was to spill anything all over her dress or someone else. A quick glance over her shoulder showed that she hadn't lost Toby in the crowd yet.
Had he seen her? Or was he just going to get another drink? And had she or Hannah forgot to mention he wasn't allowed to be fucking invited to Andrew?
Katie didn't put it past Toby to crash, but ugh, she couldn't remember. Andrew was friendly. He probably thought Toby was gay for God's sakes.
With a growl of frustration, she changed directions and slid between two couples grinding. The bass of the music pounded in her blood, mimicking the frantic flight of her heart. She didn't even want to come to this stupid Halloween party, but Andrew was her friend and she even thought Ned was going to come up, but at the last minute, canceled. It just wasn't a good time for him to skip out early at work and of course, Katie understood.
The theme of the party was "End of the World," so Katie had dressed as a fallen angel from Supernatural and Hannah was decked out with bloody bandages on her arm and forehead, a fake bow and arrows strapped to her back as a Hunter. When she'd seen the familiar face of her regrettable ex-boyfriend, Katie had groaned into her cup and made a break for the next room. His hair was streaked with makeup to appear dirty and bloody, his face dressed and his clothes tattered to look like a zombie.
It was ridiculous.
She had to find her best friend. Or Andrew.
Someone. Anyone who could save her from Toby possibly seeing her.
Katie eventually found Hannah and they ducked into Andrew's bedroom. Luckily it was empty and she laid back on the bed.
"What? Is there an emergency?" Hannah was panicking and followed her. "Do we have to get out of here or something?"
"No," she groaned. "Toby is out there. I had to hide."
"What the hell! He wasn't invited, was he?" Hannah scoffed and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"I don't know," she muttered. "Did we tell Andrew about him?"
"I don't remember," Hannah sighed, biting her nails before grabbing Katie's hand. "Let's go get him. He's in the kitchen."
They weren't able to find Andrew, but after a few shots, Katie forgot about Toby for long enough to dance with Hannah. She managed to avoid him for a good hour, until but he finally spotted her and started pushing through the crowd to reach her.
That's when she'd started to run. Well, duck and weave at as rapid a pace as she could without punch sloshing threateningly in a red Solo cup. With a bend of her torso and a swish of the hips, she curved around the last people between her and the apartment door.
Once in the hallway, she leaned a shoulder against the wall and slid down the room until she's in the corner, close to a doorway on the adjoining wall, yet relatively hidden from the door she just came through.
For a moment, she wished she'd given in to Ned's suggestion that she should've gone home instead of going to the party. She would've driven back with Ned on Friday. She would've seen her mom.
She should've gone to Grandview.
"Hey, Katie," the voice at her side made her jump. "Whoa, didn't mean to startle you."
"Andrew," she breathed his name out and she smiled at him. "Thank God. I thought you were someone else. I didn't realize you left."
"Great costume. Fallen angel? Let me guess.. you're a Supernatural fan," Andrew motioned to her wings and white dress before setting the paper bag he was holding, on the ground.
"Thanks. And yes, despite everything wrong about the spiritual world in that show," she gazed around the hallway and relaxed just a little. They were alone. Then she swept her gaze over him. "Yours isn't so bad, either."
Andrew was covered in fake blood and mud, his shirt ripped in several places. He laughed and shrugged. "I'm just a zombie. Everyone is," he sighed.
"I think yours is more unique," she reassured him. There was a bandage wound around his left thigh, seeping with faux blood and she smiled. "Nice touch."
He nodded and stepped closer, leaning against the wall next to her. "I almost dressed as a victim of Sharknado, but thought hobbling around on crutches without the leg might not be so fun. Why are you out there?"
Biting her lip, Katie shook her head and leaned back against the wall too. "It got a little too packed in there," she wasn't lying. It was packed in there, but she wasn't really bothered by it. Not as much as she was bothered by Toby's presence. "Hey, did you invite the guy from 7C?"
Toby didn't deserve a name. That bastard.
"I think so, why?" He asked. "Does it matter?"
"Did I mention that he's a prick and we dated?" She groaned and looked over at him.
Talking to Andrew was easier than she'd thought. She hadn't even realized she didn't tell him about Toby. She probably just talked about Ned. He was so good. She didn't like to think about the other guy before him.
Andrew was a good friend. She hadn't known what to think of him at first. He'd been borderline annoying the first few days they ran into each other around the building. She usually ran into him getting her mail or doing laundry.
One time he came into the coffee shop she was writing at, and for some reason, he kept sitting beside her, despite her scowl and short answers to his attempts to talk with her. She had been trying forever to get her writing to spark and finally had.
But when she had finally realized he wasn't hitting on her and just being friendly, she opened up and found herself sliding into the empty seat beside him when she came in again. Andrew had smiled at her and cracked a joke about the book she was holding. Holding her hand over her mouth to keep in the laughter, she'd snorted and he only could shrug. After that, they started hanging out together and exchanged phone numbers. She'd found herself opening up to him, little by little. Hannah loved him. They've covered their hobbies and favorites books and authors. She needed to get down to business. She guessed it started with Toby for her.
"It was more of a thing," she shrugged it off. "We weren't even really dating. It was only for like a month or two, but he's a creep."
Andrew looked back at her, one eyebrow raised. "And you've been avoiding him ever since."
She nodded and gave him a sheepish look. "It was an awful breakup because he hit me and I hit him back twice as hard," she laughed, remembering how purple his eye had been. "It's hard to avoid the guy when he's across the hall, but yeah, I try to."
"Uh-huh." Once more, Andrew rubbed his face and then looked back over at him. "Well, I'm sorry. I wish I'd known. Did he see you?"
"I don't know," she groaned. "I ducked out the second I saw him and I don't think anyone saw me come out here."
"What do you want to do?" Her friend asked. She looked back down and saw how close she's standing to him now. He's not that much taller than her, but at this range, she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "Do you wanna just go home, Katie?"
"I think so. I don't want to see or talk to him," she sighed. "I'm glad I got to talk to you though."
"Totally understandable," Andrew said and hugged her tightly. "Next time he's blacklisted. If it makes you feel better, I only invited him because I thought he was gay."
She laughed against his shoulder, hugging him even tighter. She loved Andrew. He was such a good friend.
"Isn't this great, Ned?" Katie asked him enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with glee as she brought a huge scoop of stringy orange pulp and seeds from the inside of the pumpkin, hollowing it out.
This was all her idea, of course. He wasn't the biggest fan of Halloween anymore, but Katie loved the holiday.
They had to carve Jack O'Lanterns! She'd told him earlier today as she dragged him up and down row after row at the pumpkin patch just outside the city, searching for two that she deemed perfect.
"I'm up to my elbows in pumpkin goop and my hands are cold. I don't think I'm enjoying this quite as much as you are," Ned answered, pulling apart a bunch of fibrous strands of pulp.
"Are you kidding me?" She laughed as she dropped another scoopful of mush onto the newspapers that covered the tabletop. "This is all part of the experience! These pumpkins are going to look fantastic on the fire escape. Really make it feel festive, you know?"
"Yes," he kissed her cheek as he stood, going to wash his hands once he finished scooping out his pumpkin. "Very festive."
"I know you don't like Halloween, Ned," she said, scooping the last bit of mush from her pumpkin, moving to wash her hands as well. "But thank you for being a good sport anyway."
He rolled his eyes, scrubbing the orange off his hands. He'd do anything for her, even carve stupid pumpkins for two hours. He smiled at her in return, stepping back from the sink to dry his hands with a paper towel. She started to scrub her hands and he kissed her neck, feeling her lean into him. She moaned, shutting the faucet and turning to face him. He bit his lip, grabbing her waist and planting one on her lips as he wet hands grasped his neck.
"Let's go finish the pumpkin," she moaned as he sucked at her collarbone. "We can do this after... I promise."
"We have that costume party at your work to get ready for," he groaned at the reminder that they had agreed to attend Katie's boss' Halloween party. "Are you really going to make me dress up in a costume for this, Katie?"
"Everyone has to come in costume! My boss insisted." She reminded him. "C'mon, it'll be fun. We'll drink, get all handsy on the dance floor and eat food. I'm only asking you to go with me because everyone met Toby last year... I want them to meet you. You're the real deal."
"I know," he sighed, feeling her tug him toward the table again. "I'm going because I love you, not because I like the idea of going to a Halloween party."
"I love you too," she kissed him and sat him in his chair. "Now carve. We're on a schedule."
He responded by sticking his tongue out and playfully flicking a piece of pumpkin at her.
Half an hour later, their carving mess was cleaned up and Katie proudly placed their finished pumpkins on the kitchen counter, ready to put them on the fire escape of her apartment. Ned had nothing but envy when he first saw what Katie had carved. She somehow had transformed her pumpkin into a cute grinning jack o'lantern.
It was simple, two triangle eyes and a lopsided grin. Very traditional.
"Do you like it?" She asked as he kissed her cheek.
"Love it," he said, groaning as he looked over at his. "Mine sucks." His pumpkin, despite his best efforts, looked like it was carved by a child. She noticed the way his shoulders slump as he looked at his.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head in the crook of his neck. "It's cute, Ned. Promise."
"It's fine Katie" he shrugged. "I've never been much of an artist."
She rubbed her hand up his back, smiling. "I think it looks good, babe. I like it. It's very you." It was his best rendition of a vampire that he could carve, being that he had absolutely no artistic ability at all. "I'm just happy you tried."
"You're so full of shit, Katie." He laughed, turning around to face her. "But I love you for it."
"You love me enough to humor me and wear a costume tomorrow night to my work party tonight?" She grinned and grasped his shoulders excitedly, hoping he'd say that he would. She crossed her fingers even. "I know I threw it at you earlier. I'm sorry."
"Oh, I suppose." He grumbled in mock suffering, rolling his eyes at her. "Only because it's for you, though."
"Sweet! I may have had my mom send me a few options for you to try on." She sat him down in his chair at the kitchen table and ran to her room.
Such small concessions on his part always made her so happy and she was just so damned adorable when she was like this around any holiday. Though he'd never admit it, Katie was the only person in his life who could sweet talk him into doing anything she wanted. Well, just about anything.
"You can't tell me that you're not at least a little bit excited to get dressed up," she said from inside her room.
"I'll do it, but I wouldn't say I'm excited about it." He replied, laughing as he went to look at the pumpkins on the fire escape again. They kind of looked okay now that he looked at them together. He took a picture with his phone and sent it to his mom, knowing she'd want to see them.
Delia texted him back almost immediately. Something along the lines of how good Katie was for him and was hoping he had fun. She also wanted to see their costumes if there were any.
"Oh, come on, Ned!" She groaned, laughing a little. "How can you not love a holiday? Halloween is the one time of year that you can be anyone or anything that you want to!"
"There is nothing I'd rather be more than your boyfriend," he said, walking over from the window as his mom replied again. "What are you dressing up as? My mom wants to know."
"It's a surprise and tell Delia to ask my mom," she whispered, seeing him enter her room. "Ned!" She closed her closet door, where her costume was hanging up. "I was going to bring them out to you. I didn't want you to see mine."
"Well, can you give me a hint?" He grinned, tucking his phone in his pocket. "Is it sexy?"
"Why does my costume have to be sexy? Maybe... I want to be scary." She folded her arms in front of her chest to make a point and rolled her eyes. "It's sexy, I guess."
"God, I hope it's hot," he murmured, leaning sideways and sneaking a playful slap to his girlfriend's butt to drive his point home. He licked his lips. "You'd look so good in whatever you wear babe."
"Do you really want to know that bad?" She asked, rolling her eyes at him.
"Well, yeah," he moved in a little closer, kissing her lightly.
"I'm gonna be little red riding hood," she sighed.
"You look so good in red," he groaned seductively. "I'll even be your big bad wolf if you wanted," he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist to pull her hips against his. "You can ride me, Little Red. I'll even let you leave on your sassy red cape if you want."
"What on Earth has gotten into you, Ned Banks? Do you really have that much of a hard-on for my Halloween costume?" She gasped, turning her face toward his just in time for him to capture her lips in a kiss that's just a bit too needful and lasted just a moment too long. She touched his face and smiled as she pulled back, touching her lips and shaking her head. "You are my bad wolf already Ned."
"I would've thought you'd know me a little better by now. I do imagine you wearing these sexy kinds of outfits all the time when I'm bored." He smirked, turning his attention to the bed where she had a few outfits laid out for him. "See, there's even a wolf costume here."
"That's for if you want to match me," she sighed, moving to look at the stuff on the bed. "Which you don't have to."
"I want to match you," he grinned as he pulled his shirt over his head and then kissed her again. "Want to match me?"
"Oh, you bet," she laughed, pushing the costumes off the bed and pulling her own shirt over her head. "Now, go."
Later that night, when it came time to get ready for the party, Katie and Ned quickly showered. He left the bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around his waist.
"Hey Ned," Katie poked her head out of the bathroom. "Can you grab my costume? It's hanging up on the back of my closet door."
"Sure," he went to her closet door, opening it.
Her costume was right where she said it would be, hanging up on the back of her door. As brought it down, he grinned. She was going to look smoking hot in this. The hanger held a very short red dress and an even shorter red velvet cape that cape with a choker. He brought her the hanger, which she took before he could see anything besides what he thought was a lace strap as turned around and quickly closed the door.
"You look so hot in red," he chuckled, knocking again.
"Go get dressed," she laughed from the other side of the door. "We're on a time schedule. You already distracted me enough."
He smirked and pushed up from the doorway to do what she'd asked.
Katie stood in front of the fogged up mirror after she'd just pulled on a black corset, which her mother had sent with a note, which read:
Thought this would look just perfect on you. Not only will it make the dress look better, but an even better surprise for Ned. Love you babygirl
Her mother had such good taste in lingerie. She was so excited.
Katie even had Hannah come in to help tie it closed, so that Ned wouldn't see anything. Her best friend left the bathroom laughing as Ned lingered by the door to try to get a peek.
"Give me something," he followed the blonde, who turned green eyes on him and shook her head. "Please."
"What's in it for me?" She exclaimed, smiling at him. "You already know you're gonna die when you see it. Just wait and give her this."
He groaned, backing off. He definitely knew that he was in for something great already. It was another twenty minutes before the bathroom door opened and he was waiting on the couch in the wolf costume.
Katie stepped out, her dress barely covering her thighs, but her knee-high leather boots are what killed him more. Her makeup was small, mascara, stunning eyeliner and beautiful red lipstick. The dress was tight against her curves, pushing her breasts up as she walked out into the living room.
"What do you think?" She asked, fixing the choker around her neck as she rested her hands on his shoulder, sitting on his knee.
"I'm thinking we shouldn't go to this party," he hissed. He was glad he hadn't put the mask on because he kissed her, his hands grasping her legs and parting them for her to straddle him. "You're too hot..."
"C'mon," she laughed, pulling her lips from his as she stood up. "Let's go have some fun at the party. I promise it'll be fun."
"Okay," he stood up, pressing their lips together once more on their way out.
The party was in full swing when Katie and Ned walked in the door, each of them carrying the Jack O'Lantern that they'd carved. They found a place to set them down and then took a moment to look around before pouring themselves a drink from the black witch's cauldron that served as punch bowls.
The whole diner was illuminated with twinkling orange and purple lights that hang from the ceiling above, and fake cobwebs were strung up in the windows and doorways. Several festive Jack O'Lanterns decorated the tables, glowing toothy grins at the guests as they helped themselves to bowls of pretzels, potato chips, and Halloween candies. Loud music had most party-goers swaying and dancing with bottles of beer or cups of rum punch in their hands.
"Katie!" Joe, her boss, yelled out as he emerged from the crowd of guests and rushed in their direction happily. "Nice costume!"
"Looking good yourself!" Katie nodded and hugged him.
Her boss was dressed in full pirate regalia and he looked as if he's ready to set sail on a grand pirate ship at any moment. "And who's this?" Joe turned to Ned, who moved his mask up, to show his face. "Is this that new boyfriend you mentioned?"
"Yes. This is Ned, my boyfriend." She introduced to two, who shook hands. "We've been together almost a year now."
"Glad to see you're with someone better than that prick before," Joe nodded, patting Ned's back as he stepped back. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Ned said, trying to talk over the music.
"Yeah. We're gonna go try and snag some food," Katie said.
"Alright, I'll see you around," Joe said and disappeared into the crowd.
Ned spun her around, bringing her to the dance floor. He was never one to be a party pooper. He loved parties, especially when Katie was on his arm.
It wasn't long until Katie's stomach rumbled and they were on a mission to find some food. More selections had been put out and they sat a table, eating the food, both too hungry to speak. After, Ned went to refill their drinks and he stopped at the food tables again. He watched as Katie continued to eat her cheese curds as she was on her phone until she glared at a group of girls, who were dressed as naughty fallen angels, red sequined devils, and flirty little fairies. He hardly gave any of them a second glance as they giggled and walked past him when he poured both of them another cup of rum punch and filled a plate full of snacks.
He looked around, finding her in the crowd and gave her a wink and a she smiled back him. He'd taken the mask off, saying it was too hot and she reluctantly let him keep it off. It was just easier to find his face in the crowd of people.
When the hour grew late and the party died down, they left, walking the five blocks to her and Hannah's apartment. After checking the mail and finding a Halloween card from her grandma in a bunch of coupons and other stuff, they took the elevator to the seventh floor and she squeezed his hand tight wither hers, lacing their fingers together.
"Thanks for being such a good sport about dressing up for the party. I know you didn't really want to." She smiled at him as the doors opened on the elevator. They stepped out and made their way to her door, both carrying their pumpkins. "I really appreciate you coming and meeting everyone. They all really liked you."
"If dressing up is all it takes to make you this happy, I suppose I could get used to it." He conceded, smiling. He kissed her then briefly as she leaned on the wall, swaying a little.
As Ned pulled away, she fished her keys out of her purse and opened the door. "I'm good Ned. Stop worrying."
"Are you sure?" He asked, grabbing her pumpkin that she balancing on her knee. "And I guess holiday parties can be fun."
"So much fun Ned," she smiled as they walked in and he put their pumpkins on the fire escape. Ned pulled back as Katie closed the window, leaning over the couch to do so, her skirt pulling on her ass. "Like the view?"
"For sure," his hands spanned her over her waist and brought her close once she closed the window. He patted her ass lightly, feeling her laugh as she kissed his neck. "You ready for bed yet?"
"Almost," she pulled back, smiling before she sighed and her hands fell at her sides. "Dammit. I left the mail in the hallway."
He came with her as she grabbed it, fishing the few pieces that had fallen on the floor. As she stood up, she smiled at him and his hands came around her waist. "You look so sexy Katie," he whispered, kissing neck as he leaned her against the wall. She held the mail tightly against his head as he did, moaning. "I had so much fun. The Christmas party is definitely a go."
"Oh good. That's on December twelfth." She told him, turning her head as he pulled back.
"I'm glad you could tell me earlier this time. I'll make sure I get it off. We're lucky I got Devon to cover for me this time." He laughed cupping her cheek as he kissed her. "I told him he owed you after all the picking on you he did in middle school."
"He so does," she groaned. She found herself laughing as she locked her legs around his hips and he picked her up.
Ned's lips were moving against his, his hands seeming to be everywhere at once as he pinned her against the wall. Her lips were at his neck, sucking whatever skin his costume failed to cover. It was the sound of a voice coming up the stairs when Katie slid down the wall, her feet hitting the ground quickly, panting as she pulled Ned closer to cover herself.
"Goodbye, mom. Love you. I mean, keep on with what you were doing," Toby chuckled, stepping up the last step of the stairs with green whole food bags in hand. He tucked his phone in his pocket and stepped toward them. "I definitely know how good the Katie show can be. I know how cold it can be too." Ned turned his head then. He was over this dude. Over everything to do with Toby. "There's nothing I wouldn't enjoy more than seeing you pull that costume off her right now."
"Right," he said, pulling away from her. "And who are you again? The ex-boyfriend across the hall?" Ned stepped toward Toby and Katie clung to his arm, the alcohol she'd drank at the party making more of an appearance again.
Toby didn't answer and Ned's anger pumped through his veins as he saw him chuckle and look over his girlfriend again. Toby wet and bit his bottom lip as he lingered around her chest and then looked back at Ned, whose hand was curling into a fist, just itching to hit him. He wouldn't give that prick what he wanted.
It had been weeks since either of them had seen each other, but feeling Katie lean into his shoulder and remembering how drunk she was, he turned, his hand resting protectively and respectively resting at the small of her back.
"Just get stay the fuck out of our lives Toby," he scoffed, helping her back into the apartment.
"It was nice to see you both," Toby said smugly, stepping back with his groceries in hand as he turned to his apartment door. "Especially you Katie. You're delectable."
"Let's get you inside and get you some water," Ned muttered, helping her toward the door. "You look exhausted."
"Okay. I like the sound of water," she whispered as she leaned in close to his face, her lips brushing the shell of his ear, nibbling on it. "I have something else I want to show you..."
"What?" He laughed and for a split second, he felt his cheeks blush at her response. He saw the way her fingers went toward the straps of her dress, but he stopped her as he pulled the front door of her apartment closed and locked it. What was under her dress? Then he regained his composure, kissing her lips lightly. "Katie, not here."
"C'mon then, let's go to bed," she whispered as Ned laid her down on the couch. He got her a drink of water and they just sat there for a few minutes. "I think I feel a little better," she said.
"Good," he smiled, kissing her lips briefly as she stood up and walked to her bedroom, but not before putting him on the bed in her room. "Wait here for me," she instructed him. "Take your costume off while I get ready and take my makeup off."
He'd taken his costume off like she asked, still keeping his jeans and police department shirt that he was wearing before. Ned had almost expected her to come in stark naked, but after glancing up from his phone, he found himself very mistaken.
Katie stood there, her cape still around her, but no longer in dress, but in a black corset that failed to cover anything. It was pure black lace, hugged tightly to the curve of her waist, skimmed her hips and ended at the very top of her thighs, making her bare olive-toned legs too long. Her nipples could be seen, flushed and hard. Just the way he liked them.
"Oh dear God," he marveled as he stared at her, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. "Hello..." She stood in the doorway, breasts pushed up, ass on full display and legs that stretched out like a staircase, leading to his picture-perfect heaven. For a few moments, he couldn't breathe as his eyes drank in a fantasy that had been brought to life. His gaze traveled over her again, chuckling. "I love this…"
"I can see you're in shock," she told him as she stepped closer.
He took off his shirt quickly after that, leaving him in just his jeans. "Let's just say I'm lucky," he agreed, meeting her halfway with a passionate kiss.
She giggled as she ran her fingers through his hair and their lips mingled. His lips had always been her weakness.
"And I'm very lucky too, if I do say so myself..." She kissed him again, letting him pick her up and throw her onto the bed.
He closed the door as he pulled his belt loose from his jeans and shoved those down before getting into bed with her. This was just the beginning to their first Halloween night in.
Katie wasn't coming home for Thanksgiving. She had two midterm papers due and was swamped with studying.
Ned had tried to prepare himself for it. He had somewhat seen it coming when she didn't come home for Halloween, but it still felt like he was deflating when he got the confirmation.
"It's more of a family time anyway," she told him over the phone. He understood. He did. "Plus my dad is working, so the plans are a little weird. I think my mom is taking everyone to grandma Faith's in Maine this year."
"Yeah, my mom is making a small dinner at the apartment. I think I'll just work and try to earn some overtime," he sighed, putting his key in the door of his mom's apartment. "Maybe then I'll be able to move out by the new year."
"Ooh, that would be nice." Katie giggled on the other end. "But you know I wish I could come. It's only a long weekend, really, and it's so close to winter break," she continued nervously.
"Katie," he intercepted as he walked into the empty apartment. He shrugged off his jacket and tugged his boots off while keeping the phone pressed to his ear. "It's fine. Really. You should stay in the city and work on your papers."
"I just don't want you to feel like I'm forgetting about you," she sighed on the other end. There was some crackling like she moved out of bed and the familiar squeak of her bedroom door as she closed it in the background. "This long-distance thing should be fifty-fifty. I should drive to see you more. You come all the time."
"Because I live with my mom and I love having the freedom of being with just you in the city. Don't be hard on yourself, babe," he reassured her, walking into his bedroom and locking the door behind him. "You have to have your priorities in order with school."
"You should be my number one priority, Ned," she muttered. "I feel bad. I really do."
He ignored that. "It's okay. I understand."
He did understand. But it's not okay. He missed her, so much. He hadn't seen her since Halloween. It was her turn to drive to see him. He doesn't blame her at all and he really does agree that it's best for her to stay in the city, but it sucked. The entire situation just sucked entirely.
"Hey, I'm starting dinner, so can I video chat you?" She asked a moment later, followed by the clatter of pots and pans behind her voice.
"Sure," he said and accepted the pop-up video chat request as he sat down on his bed. He smiled when her face popped up as she propped her phone up on the counter. "Hey, there's my favorite face."
"Hi handsome," she smiled at him before she turned around to turn on the burner. "I have no idea what I'm making yet, besides this chicken breast. Hannah is already on her way back to Grandview with Brandon. Something to do with wedding planning.
"That's nice for you. You had the whole place to yourself for a couple days," he tried to be positive, even if he wished he could drive and see her. He was already signed up to work the weekend though. "What about potatoes?"
"I don't know that's a lot of carbs. I'm trying to stick to my diet up until Hannah and Brandon's wedding in May," she shrugged, turning around with a sigh. "Maybe. I might make asparagus too."
"That would be a good choice," he said, laying back on his bed. "It would even it out."
Maybe they would be able to survive this long distance crap.