The room was dark but Sinn could see Mitchell sitting down slumped over. He started when she knocked, looking up suddenly. Force of habit caused a smile to try and pull its way across his face, but whatever weighed him down made the effort too hard and he gave up with a shrug. Damn, she thought, she'd seen that look before; it spoke of deep loss and sorrow. It was probably the same look she'd had when she'd heard about her father.
Without a second thought she went over to him, easing into the narrow space between him and the sides of seat, wrapping her arm around his waist. A slight tug and his head rested against her, as he wrapped his arm around her as well. There were a few shuddering breaths before he sighed and leaned on her harder, letting her support him. She stayed silent a long time before finally asking, "Who was it?" knowing instinctively what'd happened.
There was another shuddering breath from him."My little brother, Tate. Just got word." Her heart sank at hearing his normally strong voice sounding so strained and she tugged again, still offering support.
"Were you close?" she whispered, and felt him nod, his dreads brushing her neck.
"Parents weren't much to speak of, we relied on each other," he took another breath, "Told him not to join up but he felt it was his duty. Worst part, he's already been taken care of, didn't get to say good-bye," Mitchell's voice caught on the last part of the statement and Sinn only murmured softly, knowing words would be pointless.
The parallel sent a cold knife into her gut, reopening the wound left by her father's death and she squeezed harder. She reached over and grasped his free hand letting her thumb rub over the scarred knuckles as she leaned her head against his. Moisture filled her eyes and she tried blinking it away rapidly, unsure if it was for his loss, hers or just the futility of the whole situation. A loud sniff escaped her and Mitchell pulled her tighter as if realizing she was getting comfort from him too.
They sat in the quiet darkness a long while, just supporting each other in the narrow seat. She reached up to toy with an errant dread, rolling it between her fingers before dropping them back to his hand in her lap. The hand under hers flipped allowing their fingers to intertwine, as if seeking ways to be closer.
"So who'd you lose?" he asked, "Seems like you recognized what happened too easily."
She let out a shuddering breath of her own before answering, "My Da, never got good-bye either," she replied, rubbing her cheek against him.
She felt his head nod on her shoulder. "How'd you handle it?"
"Threw up, then bawled my eyes out," she admitted with a weak chuckle, "Women have it easier that way I think, it's assumed that crying's natural for us. Like something that makes your nose stuff up and your eyes leak is 'natural'."
He straightened enough to turn and look at her face, a sad smile around his mouth as he took in her watery eyes. "Don't give me that," he teased, "Bet you're still gorgeous when you cry." Running a thumb under one eye briefly, he slumped back against her their bodies settling together for the most comfortable position.
"Thought you were taking off," his voice was low and she shrugged the shoulder he was leaning on.
"Venom's ornery but she won't leave without me," she tried for joking, "I take being bossed around better than Ser'agh." He chuckled weakly, more in recognition of the attempt than the actual joke.
"Just wait until you're the boss," he teased, "There's a durasteel fist under this soft skin, I just know it." She chuckled back, appreciating the healing ability of laughter. "Most people go on and live their lives day to day, forgetting there's war out there. Then you get a reminder like this," he heaved a heavy sigh, "I'm guessing it still hurts for you."
"It'll always hurt," she said, "But it gets easier to take."
Especially when you keep moving and distract yourself, she didn't say. She was used to staying aloft to distract herself but right now being on the ground with Mitchell wasn't so bad. She realized just how close they were, practically wrapped around each other. Their bodies had started having a conversation of their own, with subtle rubs and touches. Seemed like Mitchell had noticed it too when he touched his mouth to her shoulder.
"It's nice being with you like this Gorgeous, comforting," his sighed words tickled her skin, "Too much, I think."
There was a longing in his voice that pulled, echoing through her. She felt it too, longing for comfort that could be found in someone's arms. Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, she thought, maybe she and Mitchell could distract each other for a while. Just being two people escaping pain by enjoying the act designed to create life.
"Maybe right now that's not a bad thing," she whispered, "I think we both could use some comfort," His head lifted at her words, his face a breath from hers.
She let her eyes close, leaning in to rub the tip of her nose to his cheek then her lips. He followed suit copying her gesture. A tilt of the head and they brushed their mouths together, lips parted so she could taste his breath. His arm tensed but he didn't pull her closer, just brushed his mouth back to hers with a sigh.
With the next swoop in she pressed her mouth to his more firmly while letting her hand move up the smooth muscles of his arms. The caresses lasted longer until their mouths opened and their tongues began to explore together slowly. When they finally separated, they remained millimeters apart and Sinn opened her eyes to meet Mitchell's. She could still see the shadow of pain in them but there was a hopeful hunger obscuring it; not banishing it altogether but making it easier to bear for the moment. He leaned in again pressing a soft kiss to her cheek before looking back into eyes.
"Is this a maybe?" he murmured.
Meeting his bright green eyes Sinn gave him a quick smile. "I'd call this a yes," she sighed, "You got a place we can continue this?" He smiled back, running a thumb over her cheekbone.
"I do," he replied. He kissed her lightly again then stood and clasped her hand helping her from the chair. She followed without a word as he led her to a small room in the back of the shop with narrow bed. Ducking his head at her raised eyebrow, he chuckled.
"Not what you think, Gorgeous," he said, "Sometimes I get caught up in my work and it's just easier crash here."
"So I'm the first girl you've brought back here?" she teased, getting him to smile again.
"The only one," he affirmed sliding one arm around her waist as he closed the door with the other. She turned, pinning him to the door and this time when their mouths met there was no gentle coaxing, just hunger and trying to forget the world beyond the space they occupied. Pain wouldn't be allowed here, just the pleasure they gave each other.
Lips melded, they stripped each other quickly. His fingers were surprisingly nimble at the buttons of her shirt and he paused for a moment to run the back of his hand over her lacy bra before divesting her of it. She heard a soft growl as his hands slid to her full breasts and his thumbs spiraled around the hardened tips. They pulled apart long enough for Mitchell to shed his own shirt, then Sinn captured his mouth again as he tugged them to stand next to the bed. Unfastening his pants she was only mildly surprised that he wore nothing underneath, instantly feeling the brush of hair and his firm flesh against her palm. She stroked him quickly as she nudged his pants down from his hips, letting them fall as he groaned into her mouth.
His hands jumped on her body as if indecisive about where to go, then finally settled for unfastening her pants and sliding his hands beneath to caress her ass. She dropped her mouth to his neck, biting gently as he moved her pants and lacy panties down far enough that they fell on their own then pulled her onto the bed. She gasped as he laid her back, cupping her breasts together and licking first one hard nipple then the other, moving back and forth in quick succession.
He looked up at her, his green eyes gleaming through the dreads that had escaped the tie that held them back, smiling as he moved down her body his mouth barely leaving her skin. There was a brief nuzzle at the dark curls above the apex of her thighs, then he moved lower, suckling her center as he slid a finger inside of her. The effect was instantaneous, blinding light exploding behind her eyes as her body vaulted from the bed. He continued moving his mouth as if he hadn't noticed her reaction, sliding another finger inside and making her spasm again. He kept going and it wasn't until she cried out and collapsed shuddering that he finally stopped.
Mitchell sat up, grinning widely, but looked surprised as Sinn sat up as well. She had a grin of her own as she pushed him onto his back and began tracing her own path down his body. Her nails grazed the muscles of his chest and stomach but she ran her lips down the marks she left soothing them. Lifting her head she gave him another wicked grin watching his face she crouched between his legs and lowered her mouth to lick him. His groan was music to her ears and she repeated the move letting his vocalizations encourage her.
His member fairly jumped in reaction at her touch and Mitchell groaned again. He was moving under her and she smoothed her hands at his hips gently pushing him down. She ducked her head to run her tongue up the length of his shaft before swirling it around his head. Lapping at him similarly to what he had done to her she took him into her mouth and sucked gently. There was a tug as he twisted her hair through his fingers and she leaned down to take him further into her mouth. His groan sounded torn from him and she couldn't help but smile at his raw reaction. It wasn't until she lifted up and ran her tongue over the slit in his head tasting the essence that gathered there that she stopped.
She crept back up his body meeting his smile with her own before claiming his mouth again. Bracing her hands against his shoulders she moved until he was at her center, then lowered to encompass him. They both shuddered briefly as their bodies joined, his hands clenching at her hips before she began to move. Her body rolled over his, seizing after only a few strokes but she continued. Delight ran rampant through her as she raised and lowered, squeezing her eyes shut against the explosions behind them, then opening them to watch Mitchell writhe beneath her.
Her motions were demanding, causing spikes of pleasure that threatened to lock her up every few thrusts but it felt too good to stop. Intense panting came from both her and Mitchell as he bucked under her, their hips crashing together. His fingers moved to her thighs gripping so hard she was sure there'd be bruises as he flailed under her. She rode wildly until she felt a last surge from him, his body jerking as his eyes flew open and he gasped hard. It ignited a one more sizzling burst in her and she finally stopped, panting as she slumped over his body. Her hands pressed against his shoulders she fought to catch her breath then gave up and slid limp to his side with a smile.
She had just enough energy to stretch beside him, her eyes closed as she clung to consciousness. The light brush of his hand on her cheek and forehead made her smile widen as she heard him chuckle.
"Making sure you're alive," he teased, and she was able to chuckle back.
"Me? Not sure," she joked breathlessly, "Think I'm a puddle." The weakest guffaw she'd ever heard burst from him and they both laughed as they lay exhausted. Half rolling to face him, she'd noticed he'd done the same and he reached over to trace her cheek again. The pain in his eyes had been burned away for the time being and she could see a grateful light that she was sure her own eyes held.
"So what are we?" he asked and Sinn sighed, having known he probably would.
"Two people that needed each other," she said, lightly kissing his fingers as they passed over her lips, "Still not looking for long term but maybe we could be there if we need each other again." She wasn't sure how he'd take her noncommittal answer and was relieved when he smiled.
"I don't mind," he stated as he sat up, "I like the idea of you needing me every now and then."
He scooped up their clothes and tossed them on the bed then reached down to help her up. Pursing her lips she smacked a kiss at him as he looked her nude body up and down one last time while she started to dress. The quiet in the room was peaceful, their mutual pain muffled for the time being. After pulling on his pants Mitchell waited until she was clothed before he reached over and pulled her into a firm hug.
"Don't worry about me grounding you," she heard him say, "I'll just leave those bay doors open and you can breeze in whenever you like," she pulled back enough to look him in the eye then smiled as she gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.
"Deal, always did like someone holding the door open for me," she chortled as she stroked his face, but before she could say more several loud bangs crashed against the door to the back room.
"Sinn! If you're done fooling around we gotta take off!" Venom's voice shattered the moment and made them both chuckle. Giving him another kiss and squeeze she walked over to the door, opening it as Venom's hand rose for another knock. The older bounty hunter looked over Sinn's disheveled clothes and into the room where Mitchell stood shirtless. Her eyes widened as a knowing grin appeared on her face.
"Well, maybe I was a bit premature," she smirked, "We could hold off if you two need more time." Looking back at Mitchell Sinn saw him smile and give her a nod of encouragement.
"Thanks partner, we're good for now," Sinn said, "Let's fly." She blew Mitchell a kiss, laughing as he pantomimed catching it and tucking it in his pocket before she and Venom headed back to Reckoning.