Pillow Talk

[PurpleMage]

Serena prided herself in her roots, in that innate fighting instinct she had that pushed her forwards to find a way in life. Hearing Terrell’s story, though, moved the blonde in several ways. Hearing that man’s story and the tragedy hiding behind his very reason for becoming a wrestler made her see the man in other light and also reflect on herself. Because no matter how hard Serena thought her life had been, the truth remained that the blonde never had shortage of scarcity of anything. Yes, she had to struggle for some time after leaving the orphanage and in some way she had to settle for a career in the porn industry, but that decision only moved her to a position from where she now enjoys some comfort, an economical freedom that some would even describe as privileged, and that was shaking her foundations.

“Wow...” Serena was left with no words to respond. The fact that she didn’t even have a snarky reply it only meant that she was truly moved. Resting on her side she looked at him with her head resting on her arm. “I can’t even think how that must feel.” That was true. All along her life she had some friends but not someone she could feel a deep connection with, those friends that felt more like family and that when gone they leave a deep hole in the soul of people. For some seconds Serena would just lie there, feeling a little impotent because she couldn’t find anything comforting to say. “You know, I think it’s a quite admirable thing. What you’re doing, I mean. Joining a mostly female league and finding your way, carrying your friend’s hopes within you…” she sighed. “But also be careful, I don’t think being overburdened by someone who isn’t here anymore can do you any good.” When she least expected, some words of wisdom came out of Serena who was having one of the most serious conversations in her life.

[DSX93]

“Wow...”

"Yeah." When Serena turned to her side, Terrell would remain on his back, looking up at -- through -- the ceiling. "Yeah, I'm fine right now, but every now and again, these reminders would come up and...you know. It's like a part of you is missing. Some things aren't the same anymore."

A silence fell over the two of them. One that lasted long enough for him to start feeling self-conscious. Had he overshared?

And then Serena broke it. “You know, I think it’s a quite admirable thing. What you’re doing, I mean. Joining a mostly female league and finding your way, carrying your friend’s hopes within you…”

Oh. "Thank you." Relieved, he turned on his side to face her, a smile forming instantly.

“But also be careful, I don’t think being overburdened by someone who isn’t here anymore can do you any good.”

Oookay. That...That's...blunt.

Like a baseball bat.

But Terrell understood what she was trying to say. Which was why his smile didn't fade away entirely. "Yeah, I get you. It's like fuel. You know? Motivation to keep it pushing harder than I have been before I got signed. Take chances that I wouldn't have before. And I know I've got a long way to go, still, but right now..." He reached out to give her cheek a gentle stroking. "It feels like it's paying off already."

And speaking of taking chances...Well, now that he's said that, he pretty much has to shoot his shot here.

Alright. You've come this far. Just gotta get the words out.

"You've got any plans? I'd love to take you out."

[PurpleMage]

“Yeah, that’s just how’s best to go, one step at a time.” Serena felt a little relieved when Terrell responded to her remark. Sometimes the blonde could be a little too blunt with her statements, words hitting like a truck and the matter they were discussing was delicate enough for her to curse her damn mouth in silence just as words left her. Luckily, it looked like Terrell was eager to get the most of that advice and see it as a well-intended comment on how to react on things as big as friends dying and such. Maybe lying there naked after an exhausting but more than pleasant sex session helped ease any tension that could come from Serena’s words.

But then came Terrell’s proposition. At first Serena wasn’t capable of reading through it, but instants later she found herself in a position she wouldn’t be seen often: choking on her words. “Right, take me out whenev… oh. Oh.” The realization sank in and Serena closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh signalling her frustration with her own obliviousness. “Terrell look, not gonna run around the bush but I- I just don’t date, not in that way at least. Sorry if I made you think otherwise, I’m feeling like a fool right now and I wouldn’t want to hurt you because you have been nice to me. So you wanna hang out or fool around I’m okay with that but I’m not a relationship person...”

[DSX93]

Oh no.

Terrell knew as soon she let out that sigh: He just blew it.

“Terrell look, not gonna run around the bush but I- I just don’t date, not in that way at least."

And you knew that! You idiot!

He sat up and scooted away to a respectful distance.

"Sorry if I made you think otherwise, I’m feeling like a fool right now and I wouldn’t want to hurt you because you have been nice to me.”

"No no, you're cool. You're cool. I understand."

He made sure to say that right away. And afterwards, he was stuck: What now? What should he say? Should he say anything?

Maybe explain that he's new to casual sex? No, that's a terrible idea. If there was even the slightest chance that this won't get him ghosted or otherwise make for awkward pass by's, that will.

"So you wanna hang out or fool around I’m okay with that but I’m not a relationship person...”

"That's fine."

Was it really? Was that something he'd be okay with? His mouth had opened to say just that, but those second thoughts stopped him in his tracks. First off, he couldn't just up and say that. Not now; what if it makes him look too eager? Needy?

Or should he say something? Should he leave? She's not telling him to get out, but this could just be her being nice.

So much to process at once. So much that shouldn't have only one to three seconds to answer or act upon before it starts getting awkward, but does. And in response, Terrell froze. But he was painfully aware of each second that followed. A silence that he knew had to be filled, but he didn't know what the right words were.

All he had was honesty. And he'd spent too much time just sitting there to try to smooth his way past the truth, so he decided to say what had to be all but directly stated by now.

"I'm sorry. To be honest, I'm...I'm new to this whole casual thing."