The Visit

I just parked! Brt! You hit Send on your phone then pull down the driver side visor to check your makeup one last time. Your eyeliner is on point, and your hair is swept up in an elegant twist with a few tendrils curling down around your face. With a satisfied grin at your reflection, you flip the visor back into place and gather your things: a black leather purse (into which your phone goes), and a bottle of red wine. You take a deep breath and laugh softly at the excited butterflies in your stomach. You and Jax have been dating for a few weeks now, but this will be the first time having dinner at his place. “Okay, [[here goes nothing]]!”

Jax's condo isn't far from the guest parking area. You stroll along the sidewalk marveling at perfectly clipped, dark green grass. The sky above is stained with brilliant shades of purple and pink as the last of the day's light fades. You reach condo number 12 and realize with a giddiness that you're at his place. A light above the small porch has been left on, casting a soft golden hue on a short set of stairs. You pat your hair one last time to make sure it's secure, then you... [[knock on the door.]] [[ring the doorbell.]]

You rap gently on the door, your stomach continuing its ridiculous dance. After a few moments, the door opens and he's standing before you, smiling softly. “Alessandra,” he says. Everyone else calls you Lessa, but the way Lex seems to purr your full name makes you want to squirm a bit. It rolls off his tongue like a caress. "It's so good to see you." [["It's good to be seen..."|Seen]] [["It's good to see you too!"]] [["Uhm, thanks..."]]

You reach out and press the doorbell, and hear a chime softly echoing through Jax's condo. After a few moments, the door opens and he's standing before you, smiling softly. “Alessandra,” he says. Everyone else calls you Lessa, but the way Lex seems to purr your full name makes you want to squirm a bit. It rolls off his tongue like a caress. "It's so good to see you." [["It's good to be seen..."|Seen]] [["It's good to see you too!"]] [["Uhm, thanks..."]]

"It's good to see you too!" You smile brightly at him, and his smile widens. He's often so serious, but his smile makes the most adorable crinkles around his eyes. "Come on in," he says, opening the door wider and stepping aside so that you can [[enter|come in]].

"Uhm, thanks," you say, meeting his eyes, and then blushing. "Please, come in," he says, opening the door wider and stepping aside so that you can [[enter|come in]].

"Thanks," you say, stepping across the threshold. Jax's condo is modern and spacious; its walls decorated with black and white photography. To your right, you can see into the kitchen, and there's a hall to your left that has a few doors lining it. Ahead of you is a dining room, and beyond that, leather couches. The scent of cooking food wafting from the kitchen is mouthwatering. You say a silent 'thank you' that your stomach doesn't growl. [[“Your place is really nice!”]] [["Wow, this place is huge!"]] [["Did you take the photos?"]] [["It smells amazing in here."]]

"Your place is really nice!" you say. "Thanks! I really love it here." [["Did you take the photos?"]] [["It smells amazing in here."]]

"Wow," you say, taking it all in. "This place is huge!" "Ah," he says, tucking a stray strand of his hair behind an ear. "It is a bit large for one person, yeah." [["Is it just you here?"]] [["Did you take the photos?"]] [["It smells amazing!"|"It smells amazing in here!"]]

"Did you take the photos," you ask. The images are clearly all by the same artist; someone who has mastered the technique of catching light in just the right way, while also balancing shades of black, white, and grey. "I wish," he laughs. "They're my sister's work. I used to be Cecily's number one fan. I bought almost everything she put out. Now she's gotten the attention of some galleries in New York and I can barely afford prints!" The admiration in his voice makes your heart melt a little. You can often tell the measure of man by how he treats the women in his family. [["It smells amazing in here."]]

"It smells amazing in here," you say, inhaling. "Awesome," he says. "I remembered that... [[you are a vegetarian."]] [[you like chicken."]] [[you love a good steak."]]

"I remembered that you're a vegetarian," he says. "I made portabella raviolis with a smoked Gouda cream sauce." "That sounds amazing," you say. A man who can cook! Be still my heart! "I think this wine I brought will go perfectly with it!" "Oh!" he says. "Uhm, great! Let me get some glasses." He shuts the door behind you then beckons for you to follow him into the kitchen. It smells incredible. Besides the herbs, onion, and melted cheese, the air is heady with garlic, and you see a loaf of bread toasting in the oven. Jax opens up a [[cabinet]]...

"I remembered that you like chicken," he says. "I roasted a chicken with rosemary and thyme." "That sounds amazing," you say. A man who can cook! Be still my heart! "I think this wine I brought will go perfectly with it!" "Oh!" he says. "Uhm, great! Let me get some glasses." He shuts the door behind you then beckons for you to follow him into the kitchen. It smells incredible. Besides the delectable scent of rosemary, the air is heady with garlic, and you see a loaf of bread toasting in the oven. Jax opens up a [[cabinet]]...

"I remembered that you love a good steak," he says. "I just finished searing our ribeyes - your timing is perfect! I've been playing around with a reverse sear lately, and I have to say, I really like how tender it turns out." "That sounds amazing," you say. A man who can cook! Be still my heart! "I think this wine I brought will go perfectly with it!" "Oh!" he says. "Uhm, great! Let me get some glasses." He shuts the door behind you then beckons for you to follow him into the kitchen. It smells incredible. Besides the mouthwatering scent of charred meat, the air is heady with garlic, and you see a loaf of bread toasting in the oven. Jax opens up a [[cabinet]]...

"It's good to be seen," you say. "Mmmm," he hums, smiling. He opens the door wider and motions for you to [[come in]].

...and pulls down two wine glasses from a top shelf, then he opens a drawer and takes out a wine key. "I've got to get the bread out of the oven," he says, handing you the key. "Would you open the wine for us, Alessandra?" As he hands you the key, your hands touch gently. He lets his fingers linger, a feather-light caress atop your palm. A thrill goes through your body as his touch leaves trails of heat on your skin. You... [[shiver and lick your lips slightly.]] [[stand there wide-eyed and blinking.]] [[say, "Sure thing!"]]

(set: $eating = "diningroom") "Let's stay inside tonight," you say. "Great!" he says, and the two of you bring the food to the dining room where place settings have already been laid out. Jax goes about serving the food and then pours you both some wine. Your eyes widen a little when he goes past the proper height. [[A very generous pour!|Eating]]

(set: $eating = "outside") "Let's go outside," you say. "It's such a lovely night." "And we can watch the sun set over the lake," he says. The two of you bring the food to the porch. He enourages you to have a seat while he moves the place settings from the dining room to the small metal table on the porch. Jax goes about serving the food and then pours you both some wine. Your eyes widen a little when he goes past the proper height. [[A very generous pour!|Eating]]

At least he didn't fill it to the brim, you think. (if: $eating is "diningroom")[Jax puts the wine bottle down and picks up a set of matches to light the candles he's set on the table. He reaches over to the wall behind him and dims the lights a bit. Not too dark, and not too bright. Just enough to feel a little bit magical. In fact, it's all a bit enchanting - the candles, the sunset, and Jax, looking so damned handsome.](if: $eating is "outside")[Jax puts the wine bottle down and picks up a set of matches to light the candles he's set on the table. The sun is sinking fast and the two of you take a moment to look out across the lake. It's all a bit enchanting - the candles, the sunset, and Jax, looking so damned handsome.] "Thank you so much for cooking for us," you say with real gratitude. When was the last time a guy even cooked for you? John made a frozen pizza for you a few days before your break up... "My pleasure," he says. [["Oh was it?"|was it]] [["Everything looks delicious!"|delicious]] [[Blush and say nothing.|blush]]

"Oh was it?" you say, winking gently. "Haha! Indeed," he says, his voice low. He reaches out and picks up his glass. "Cheers. (if: $eating is "outside")[To many more sunsets.](if: $eating is "diningroom")[To many more home cooked meals.]" You lift your glass and... [[say, "To everything being as delicous as this meal looks."|everything delicious]] [[say, "Cheers! To many more!"|many more]] [[clink yours against his.|clink]]

"Everything looks delicious!" "Thank you," he says. "I really love cooking for others." He reaches out and picks up his glass. "Cheers. (if: $eating is "outside")[To many more sunsets.](if: $eating is "diningroom")[To many more home cooked meals.]" You lift your glass and... [[say, "To everything being as delicous as this meal looks."|everything delicious]] [[say, "Cheers! To many more!"|many more]] [[clink yours against his.|clink]]

Jax reaches out and picks up his glass. "Cheers. (if: $eating is "outside")[To many more sunsets.](if: $eating is "diningroom")[To many more home cooked meals.]" You lift your glass and... [[say, "To everything being as delicous as this meal looks."|everything delicious]] [[say, "Cheers! To many more!"|many more]] [[clink yours against his.|clink]]

Looking at him through your eyelashes, you let a shivering breath out and lick your lips. Just the tip of your tongue. Nothing too overt. Not yet. He lets his touch linger a moment before he flushes. With a soft laugh, he pushes his hair away from his face. "So!" he says. "We have a choice! Would you like to...[[eat in the dining room]] or [[eat out back on the deck]]?"

You feel your face turn scarlet, as fire flares across your skin like an electric current. You know that after this, you'll think of a thousand things you could have said, but when was the last time anyone's touch made you feel this way? He smiles shyly at your wide-eyed expression and pushes a lock of hair behind his ear. "So," he says. "We have a choice! Would you like to...[[eat in the dining room]] or [[eat out back on the deck]]?"

"Sure thing!" you say brightly, swallowing a bit and closing your hand around the wine key. He sets the two wine glasses on a counter and puts on oven mitts. The opened oven sends a rush of heat into the kitchen, along with an even stronger scent of garlic. The memory of his caress seems just as hot. "So!" he says. "We have a choice! Would you like to...[[eat in the dining room]] or [[eat out back on the deck]]?"

"To everything being as delicous as this meal looks," you say. "You've spoiled me!" "You deserve it," he says. Then, seeming to feel as though he's said too much, Jax flushes and takes a hasty sip of wine. Smirking slightly, you follow suit. [[The wine slides over your tongue|drinking]], smooth, with a slightly dry finish.

"Cheers! To many more!" you say, clinking your glass against his. The glass makes a bright ringing sound, and you meet his eyes as you both take a sip. [[The wine slides over your tongue|drinking]], smooth, with a slightly dry finish.

Silently and with a nervous smile, you clink you glass against his. You were never great at coming up with toasts. [[The wine slides over your tongue|drinking]], smooth, with a slightly dry finish.

"It's... good," he says, smiling. "You sound surprised," you say, laughing gently. "I... don't really drink that much," he says, swirling his wine a bit and watching the blood-red liquid line the glass. Seeing you watching him, he blushes and says, "I saw someone do this on a show." "Swirling it helps the wine be exposed to more air," you say, showing him with your own glass. "It's supposed to make it smell better too." "Oh!" he says. He mimics your movements, then takes a sniff. "It... smells like wine?" He blushes again, shaking his head and takes a big gulp. "Speaking of smells," you say, putting your wine down. "This all smells amazing." You both [[take a bite of the food]].

"Incredible," you say. "Is this your recipe?" "Something I modified from a cooking blog online," he says. You eat in companionable silence for a few moments. The wine really does compliment the meal well! "Delectable," you say, adding... [["It's rare for me to meet someone who can cook!"]] [["It's as delicious as you are."]] [["I'm an expert at pre-made meals you can microwave..."]]

"It's rare for me to meet someone who can cook!" you say. (if: $eating is "diningroom")[He stares out over the living room, gazing silently out the sliding glass doors that lead to the deck.](if: $eating is "outside")[He stares out over the lake, silent for a moment.] "Our mother left when I was very young," he says. His voice is low and he's not looking at you. "My father worked second shift - we never really saw him except for on the weekends. I took care of my sister, Cecily. She's a very picky eater, so I had to learn to cook to keep her from wasting away." He takes another sip of his wine, then meets your eyes with a soft smile. You notice that he's nearly finished his glass. [["Oh, uh, I shouldn't have pried."]] [["Well, you must have succeeded. This is great."]] [["I'm very sorry you had to do that."]]

"It's as delicious as you are," you purr, reaching out and gently touching his hand. He gives a short laugh, blushing and tucking his hair behind his ear. He turns your hand over and gently strokes the soft skin on the back of your wrist. "You look quite edible yourself this evening, Alessandra," he says. His gaze is suddenly heavy, and a slight uplift of his lips sends fire coursing through you in a slow burn. Without taking his eyes off you, he takes another sip of his wine. You notice that he's nearly finished his glass. [["I like how it feels when you touch me..."]] [["That tickles!"]] [["You're welcome to have a taste..."]]

"I'm an expert at pre-made meals you can microwave," you say. "This is really delicious, though!" He chuckles and says, "You're sort of adorable, you know that? Thanks for letting me cook for you. I always prefer cooking for other people." He winks at you, still smiling, and takes another sip of his wine. You notice that he's nearly finished his glass. He reaches for the half-full bottle and refills your glasses. "Well, I humbly offer myself as tribute for future meals," you say, [[raising your glass|raising your glass]].

"Oh, uh, I shouldn't have pried," you say, feeling awkward. "No, no, it's totally all right," he says. He shakes his head a bit, as if to clear it. "It was a long time ago!" He smiles and takes another sip of his wine. You notice that he's nearly finished his glass. He reaches for the half-full bottle and refills your glasses. "To the future," you say, [[raising your glass]].

"Well, you must have succeeded. This is great." "Thank you, and thanks for letting me cook for you! I always prefer cooking for other people." He takes another sip of his wine and you notice that he's nearly finished his glass. He reaches for the half-full bottle and refills your glasses. "Well, I humbly offer myself as tribute for future meals," you say, [[raising your glass]].

"I'm very sorry you had to do that," you say. You reach out and take his hand, squeezing it gently. "It's okay," he says. "It was a long time ago!" He smiles and takes another sip of his wine. You notice that he's nearly finished his glass. He reaches for the half-full bottle and refills your glasses. "To the future," you say, [[raising your glass]].

"I like how it feels when you touch me," you say, leaning towards him. "You have the softest skin," he says, looking at your wrist as he traces soft circles on your skin. There's a catch in his voice, like he almost sounds surprised. Taking a deep breath, he gives your hand a gentle squeeze and recovers his hand so he can pour you both some more wine. "Cheers," he says, [[lifting his glass to yours|raising your glass]].

"That tickles!" you say, giggling. But you don't pull your hand away. "Sorry," he says, chuckling. "You have the softest skin." Taking a deep breath, he gives your hand a gentle squeeze and recovers his hand so he can pour you both some more wine. "Cheers," he says, [[lifting his glass to yours|raising your glass]].

"You're welcome to have a taste," you say, arching an eyebrow at him. "Oh really," he says, his voice suddenly deep and full of desire. He lifts your wrist to his mouth, first caressing your skin with his lips, then gently letting his teeth graze you. His eyes close as he bites down gently. There's no pain from it, but the pressure of it sends an ache of want through your body. You hear yourself make a shallow gasp, and he opens his eyes to meet yours, his glinting in the candlelight. "You're trouble," he says, putting your hand back down on the table. "I rather like that." He drains his glass of wine and then refills both your glasses. "To getting into trouble together," he says, [[lifting his glass to yours|raising your glass]].

You clink your glasses together, and drink deeply. The wine is delicious, the food is delicious, and he is delicious. "You're so beautiful," he says suddenly. He's smiling at you, his eyes half-lidded. [["Uhm, I guess..."]] [["Thank you!"]] [["You're quite the looker yourself."]]

"Uhm, I guess," you say, lowering your eyes. "No, I mean it," he says, leaning towards you. "There's shomething about candlelight that makesh almost everyone look good. But you, you are just shtunning." Whoa, he's kinda tipsy, [[you suddenly realize]].

"Thank you!" you say, always happy to take a compliment gracefully. "You're welcome!" He exclaims, leaning towards you. "There's shomething about candlelight that makesh almost everyone look good. But you, you are just shtunning." Whoa, he's kinda tipsy, [[you suddenly realize]].

"You're quite the looker yourself," you say, winking at him. "Mmm," he purrs, leaning towards you. "There's shomething about candlelight that makesh almost everyone look good. But you, you are just shtunning." Whoa, he's kinda tipsy, [[you suddenly realize]].

"Hmmm," he says, looking at his empty glass. When did he drain that? you wonder. Wow, no wonder he's tipsy. "I'll just have to drink of your lips instead," he says, leaning forward. Whoa! you think. He's going to kiss me! As much as I'd like that, I feel like it'd be taking advantage of him in this state. Is this how I want our first kiss? I think I should... [[definitally take him up on this.]] [[not take advantage of him.]] [[wish I'd do something cool, but freeze instead.]]

(set: $drunk = "advantage")You're not one to let an opportunity like this pass you by! You lean in, eager to feel his lips against yours. His eyes are closed, and he misses his target at first, landing his lips sloppily on your chin. You pull back, laughing gently, and put your hand on his face to help direct him. Your touch seems to wake him, though, and he blinks his eyes open. His brow furrows and he pulls back. "I... I'm so shorry," he says. "I think the wine has gotten to me more than I realized. The room is... I think I sshhould lie down..." Before you can react, he stumbles to the couch and flops down on it, stomach first. You... [[clean up the dishes and give him some time.]] [[take off. You've done what you can here.]] [[watch him sleep.]]

(set: $drunk = "notAdvantage")There's no way you're going to ruin your first kiss with a guy like him. He's worth waiting for until it's perfect and you're both fully present for it! He leans forward to kiss you, but you gently put your hand on his face and say, "Not yet. Not like this, Jax." "Wah?" he says. "You don't want to kiss me?" "Oh wow, that's so far from the truth. I want to kiss you more than anything, but I won't take advantage of you." "Oh," he says, sitting back in his chair and raking his hand through his hair. "You know, the room kinda is a bit wobbly. Or maybe I'm a bit wobbly. I... thanks." "Stay here, I'm going to get you some water," you say, patting his shoulder. You make your way to the kitchen, fill a glass from the tap, and start to return to the table. Halfway there, the sound of snoring greets you. You find Jax on the couch, curled up and softly snoring. He looks so vulnerable and adorable. You... [[clean up the dishes and give him some time.]] [[take off. You've done what you can here.]] [[watch him sleep.]]

(set: $drunk = "notAdvantage")Jax leans in towards you, and you freeze, your eyes wide. He's going to kiss me! you think, but halfway to you he sort of sways and nearly falls out of his chair. You reach out, steadying him. Your touch seems to wake him, and Jax blinks his eyes open. His brow furrows and he pulls back, shaking his head. "I... I'm so shorry," he says. "I think the wine has gotten to me more than I realized. The room is... I think I sshhould lie down..." Before you can react, he stumbles to the couch and flops down on it, stomach first. You... [[clean up the dishes and give him some time.]] [[take off. You've done what you can here.]] [[watch him sleep.]]

After making sure that he's comfortable and breathing fine, you set about cleaning up the dishes. At first, you're worried that the noise will wake him, but every time you turn off the water you can hear his delicate snores wafting from the living room. What a lightweight! you think. But then you remember how much he drank and how fast. You were making your way through your glass a lot more slowly, so you only have a slight tingle from the wine. A half hour passes as you put things away. You found plastic containers for the food on your first attempt at opening a cabinet, for which you're grateful. Feels a bit less like snooping through someone's home. You're just putting the last wine glass back on its shelf when you hear Jax [[clear his throat from behind you|Finale]].

Checking on him one last time to be sure that he's okay, you quietly slip out the door and into your car. What a lightweight! you think. But then you remember how much he drank and how fast. You were making your way through your glass a lot more slowly, so you only have a slight tingle from the wine. You head home, trying to figure out how you feel about the evening. Things were going pretty well. Why did he drink so much? A few hours later, [[your phone rings...|FinaleHome]]

You take a seat on a huge leather recliner near the couch and watch him sleep. It's pretty boring. He's beautiful, sure, but the snoring is kind of silly. Even if he does have the face of an angel when he's out cold. What a lightweight! you think. But then you remember how much he drank and how fast. You were making your way through your glass a lot more slowly, so you only have a slight tingle from the wine. Your mind wanders a bit, and you pick up a magazine from the nearby table and flip through it. Eventually, the snores stop, and you peek over the magazine to find him looking at you. "Hey," you say. "Hey," he says. He sounds [[so dejected!|Finale]]

(if: $drunk is "advantage")[Jax rakes his fingers through his hair. "I'm really sorry," he says. "I don't usually drink. It went straight to my head. I'm glad we didn't do anything further. I really wouldn't have wanted anything to happen while I was drunk." Well, now I feel like an ass for trying to kiss him, you think. "I'm sorry too," you say. "I shouldn't have tried to kiss you once I realized how much it hit you." "Thanks... for saying that," he says. "I actually did have someone do that to me once. It's why I don't really drink." "Wow," you say, feeling even worse. "I'm sorry that happened to you." "It's in the past," he says. "I'm just glad it didn't become the present again!" "Me too," you say. He stands up, more stable than before, but still with a bit of a sway. "I'll walk you out. Thanks for staying." You gather your things in silence and he walks you to the door. "Hey, uhm, thanks for coming over. I'll call you, okay?" he says. "Sure," you say. "I'd like that." The door closes behind you as you step out into the night air, wondering if you'll hear from him again.](if: $drunk is "notAdvantage")[Jax rakes his fingers through his hair. "I'm really sorry," he says. "I don't usually drink. It went straight to my head. Thank you for not taking advantage of me. I really wouldn't have wanted anything to happen while I was drunk." "Of course," you say. "I don't want our first kiss to be like that. I want you present, willing, and able, Mr." He laughs, then says, "I uh... I actually did have someone who took advantage of me once when I'd been drinking. It's why I don't really drink. I really appreciate that you didn't do the same." "Wow, I'm so sorry that happened to you," you say. "It's in the past," he says. "I try to learn from my mistakes, but... well, I guess I'm still learning." He stands up, more stable than before, but still with a bit of a sway. "I'll walk you out. Thanks for staying, Alessandra." "Of course," you say. He steps closer to you and opens his arms to you for a hug. You step in, and he pulls you close, his arms wrapping around you tightly. Securely. Just enough to feel like you're being enveloped by him, but not crushing you. "Thanks for... being someone I'm safe with," he whispers into your hair. You feel him kiss the top of your head gently. "Always," you say, squeezing him tightly before releasing the hug. He helps you gather up your things, then holds your hand as he walks you to the door. "I owe you another meal," he tells you. "This time, I'll stick to lemonade, like I usually do." "Sounds like an awesome plan," you say. "Can't wait to see you again." "Same. Have a safe drive home," he says. You walk out into the night air and let go of a breath that you didn't realize you'd been holding. I'm so glad I listened to my gut, you think. The sky overhead is full of stars and you look up at them as you walk, marveling at the night you just had.] The End... for now. [[Play again?|The Visit]]

(if: $drunk is "advantage")["Hey, I'm really sorry," Jax says. "I don't usually drink. It went straight to my head. I'm glad we didn't do anything further. I really wouldn't have wanted anything to happen while I was drunk." Well, now I feel like an ass for trying to kiss him, you think. "I'm sorry too," you say. "I shouldn't have tried to kiss you once I realized how much it hit you." "Thanks... for saying that," he says. "I actually did have someone do that to me once. It's why I don't really drink." "Wow," you say, feeling even worse. "I'm sorry that happened to you." "It's in the past," he says. "I'm just glad it didn't become the present again!" "Me too," you say. "Hey, uhm, thanks for coming over. I'll call you, okay?" he says. "Sure," you say. "I'd like that." You hang up, wondering if you'll hear from him again.](if: $drunk is "notAdvantage")["Hey, you. Wow, I'm really sorry," he says. "I don't usually drink. It went straight to my head. Thank you for not taking advantage of me. I really wouldn't have wanted anything to happen while I was drunk." "Of course," you say. "I don't want our first kiss to be like that. I want you present, willing, and able, Mr." He laughs, then says, "I uh... I actually did have someone who took advantage of me once when I'd been drinking. It's why I don't really drink. I really appreciate that you didn't do the same." "Wow, I'm so sorry that happened to you," you say. "It's in the past," he says. "I try to learn from my mistakes, but... well, I guess I'm still learning. Listen, thanks for... being someone I'm safe with," he says softly "Always," you say. "I owe you another meal," he says. "This time, I'll stick to lemonade, like I usually do." "Sounds like an awesome plan," you say. "Can't wait to see you again." "Same. Have a good night," he says. You hang up and let go of a breath that you didn't realize you'd been holding. I'm so glad I listened to my gut, you think, marveling at the night you just had.] The End... for now. [[Play again?|The Visit]]

"Is it just you here," you ask, taking in the huge space. "Uh, now, yes," he says, looking uncomfortable. "My ex and I got it together, but she's been gone for... a long time now." "Oh, I'm sorry," you say, feeling like you pried. "No worries," he says. [["Did you take the photos?"]] [["It smells amazing!"|"It smells amazing in here!"]]

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