[IC] The Threads of Humanity (Kyrisse and Wick)

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

"Is that the yarn you just made yesterday?" Madison Layton asked her bestfriend. "What's the rush?" she asked as she stared at Chloe as she furiously knitted, the needles clicking together in a steady rhythm.

Chloe Cooper looked up, her hands continuing its work. "Oh, there's no hurry. I just feel inspired today." she grinned as she turned her light brown eyes on what she was doing. "The baby who will wear this is gonna be an artist one day," she said, not realizing that there was truth in what she was saying.

Madison reached up and tied her red hair up into a ponytail as she walked over to where her friend is. "Just where do you get these ideas? All clothes you've made has been selling like hot stuff."

Chloe shrugged. "I dunno. My designs are fairly normal. Maybe it's because the thread I use I spun myself. So that make it are customized, right? So maybe that's what makes them special? I dunno."

"Well, keep it up. At the rate we're going, we might actually be able to get the condo unit uptown that we were drooling at. Cause you know, between a talented fashion designer and thread spinner and a business major like me, we can get rich," Madison chuckled as the door chimed. She stood up. "I'm gonna go see what the customer wants."

"And ogle Andrew," Chloe said.

Madison laughed out loud and then placed a finger on her lips. "That too. You gotta admit. That boy is hot. But... don't say it too loud. I don't wanna be too obvious, you know."

Chloe laughed. "Whatever. I hope the customer buys stuff."

---

A few minutes later...

"This is Chloe Cooper, our designer. She creates the clothes we sell in the store. If you didn't see anything you liked, you could give her the specifications and we'l have your order ready in a week's time." Madison came back into Chloe's work room, followed by a couple.

The pregnant customer's eyes widened when she saw what Chloe was knitting. "Oh my God. Are you knitting baby clothes?"

Chloe looked up. "Yes, I---" she wasn't able to finish her sentence when the woman begn speaking again.

"That is exactly what I'm looking for. The color, the style. It's perfect!" she laid a hand on her bulging belly as her husband came to stand next to her. "How much is it?"

Chloe blinked and looked towards Madison, who was grinning from ear to ear and giving her a thumb's up sign.

---

A successful transaction later, Chloe was walking towards the local gym downtown, a box of newly printed jersey in her hands. Andrew was supposed to deliver it but she had volunteered to do it seeing that Madison was having such a good time chatting up with their salesman/delivery boy.

Checking to see if she was in the right place, she pushed open the door with her right shoulder and slipped into the gym. She walked over to the counter and flashed the woman behind it a smile. "Hi there! My name's Chloe. From C&M. I came to deliver the order placed two weeks ago by uh..." she paused to dig into her sling bag. "Mr. Adam Kaos," she finished.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam was in the gym working with an up and comer in the MMA community. He watched the young man raise his foot in a fast multiple kick and he dodged it and plowed his fist into the guy's crotch. As the guy fell to the ground he chuckled and grabbed a towel. Adam wiped his neck down and held out a hand to help the guy up. The guy was still moaning as Adam handed him a bottle of icy water.

"I know...Never let my guard down. I left my balls as the open target."

Adam laughed as he climbed out of the ring and headed towards the office. "You got that right!" He was still grinning when he walked into the office. His eyes settled on the young woman his office girl was talking to.

"There he is now." Sherry said to Chloe.

"Adam, this is Chloe. She brought the jersey's you ordered." Adam seemed interested in the jerseys and he opened the box immediately with a smile he looked them over. He glanced over at Chloe and noticed that she was pretty.

"So are you the delivery girl? I thought guys usually did that. These are great! Thanks for bringing them." Adam extended his hand to her. "I'm Adam, owner and sweaty instructor. I'm sorry, I probably don't smell too great right now."

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Chloe looked over to man that approached. Tall and toned, he looked hot especially with his hair slicked back with what looked like sweat from working out or training or whatever it is he did. She flashed him a smile. "Uh... yeah, Andrew was supposed to deliver these today. But he's preoccupied with looking after the shop," she explained.

And most probably flirting with Madison, she mentally added.

She reached out and shook the man's hand, a strange tingling sensation creeping up her arm as she did. She gave his hand a shake and then released it. Must be static in the air, she thought and decided to just ignore it. "I'm actually the part owner of C&M. You know, C for Chloe and M for Madison, my bestfriend."

Uh, I'm blabbering, she thought as she cleared her throat.

"Anyway, it's nice to meet you, Adam. And it's okay if you smell. You own the place anyway and... uh, no, I didn't mean you smelled bad or anything. And not that I actually tried smelling..."

Oh, God. Now I'm really blabbering.

Her cheeks turning pink from embarrassment, she flashed both owner and office girl an awkward smile. "Yeah, thanks for placing your orders with us and we hope to be of service again. Bye," she hurriedly said and turned towards the door. Without pausing, she pushed open the door and exited the gym.

Once outside, she rolled her eyes and sighed. Way to go, nerd. She shook her head and began walking away towards her car in the parking lot.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

When Adam had shook Chloe's hand he had felt the attraction and he was intrigued by her. Adam grinned at Chloe as she verbally kept tripping herself up. He thought she was adorable when she was that shade of pink. He couldn't help it and when she talked about him smelling bad he almost laughed himself silly. Sherry just stared at the obviously flustered young woman and she had to pick her jaw up off of the floor when the door shut behind Chloe.

"Oh my God!I can't believe she just did that. I would just die!" Sherry looked at Adam and slapped him in the stomach with the back of her hand. "Poor girl! And look who she is drooling over...You are terrible Adam."

Adam ran his hand through his hair and laughed at Sherry. "Terrible good or terrible bad?" Adam watched Chloe out the door and smiled. He was going to ask that girl out.
@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Minutes later, Chloe walked into their boutique, her cheeks still pink from the embarrassment she put herself into. Madison looked up when the door chimed, announcing her arrival. She was still laughing about something she and Andrew were talking about but was sharp enough to notice how flustered her friend looked. "What happened to you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chloe shook her head. Of course she couldn't hide it from Madison. "Made a fool out of myself in front of a cute guy," she muttered.

At the mention of a cute guy, Madison perked up, slid off the chair she was sitting on and trailed after Chloe to the office at the back. "Tell me all about it! Did he ask you out? Did you ask him out?"

Chloe looked up, an incredulous look on her face. After a long pause, she bursted out laughing. "Are you nuts? After what happened, I doubt he'd even want to talk to me again."

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

An hour later Adam stepped out of the locker room in his street clothes, which for him was blue jeans, a clean shirt and most days a flannel finished off with either sneakers or work boots. On this particular day he had a young woman in mind so he had opted for the sneakers. Running his hands through his wet hair he looked at Sherry and stopped. "Well? Do I look presentable enough?"

Sherry looked up at him and smiled. "Aye aye captain I would say you do? How's your breath?" He flashed his pearly whites at her and claimed.

"I brushed my teeth so... good." She smiled scrutinizing his appearance. She gave him a thumbs up.

"Okay, you are good to go. Good luck and have fun." Sherry called out.

"Thanks, I will!"

Adam walked to C&M and flashed a smile at Madison who was up front when he entered. "Is Chloe here. She delivered an order to me about an hour or so ago. My name is Adam Kaos."

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Madison was busy looking up designs she wanted Chloe to incorporate into their next set of boutique displays when Adam walked in. She looked up when the door chimed and returned the man's smile. Her eyes widened when he mentioned Chloe, quickly figuring out that this was probably the man her friend embarrassed herself in front of. Chloe was right. Sizzling hot, she thought as she nodded. "Yeah, she's here. Why don't you look around while I get her?"

The redhead gestured for Andrew to mind Adam as she made her way into the back office. "Does the name Adam Kaos ring a bell?" she asked her friend, who was busy spinning thread on her heirloom wheel.

Chloe's hand immediately stopped and she looked up. "Yeah, he's the guy I delivered to earlier," she said, the memory of how she had embarrassed herself making her cheeks turn light pink. "Why are you asking? Did he place another order?"

Madison shook her head. "No, he didn't but... he's out there, looking for you," she gestured towards the door.

Chloe stared at her bestfriend, taking a minute to process what she said. "He's what? He's where? Why is he looking for me?" she asked.

"I dunno, girl. But you should go see what he wants."

"But..."

"No buts, Chloe. Business is business, you know. Unless he wants something else," she winked and grinned as she pushed her friend out the door.

As the door closed behind her, a flustered Chloe stared wide eyed at the gym owner. And then taking a deep breath, she walked towards him. "Hey...Adam. Did you need anything else? You could have just called and we would process any other orders you may have," she said.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam looked up from the samples of designs and his eyes lit up when he saw Chloe. "Hey Chloe, I'm not here about the T-shirts. They are great. I'm here to see if you want to go out with me. It's almost five. I'm thinking we could get some dinner and maybe look at the stars or catch a movie. Ya gotta eat right?"

He could see her blush and he thought it was charming. Adam could feel the attraction in the air around them and he really wanted her to say yes.
@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Chloe stared at Adam, not really believing that he was actually asking her out after that embarrassing blunder earlier in the gym. "I...uh..." she started.

"She means yes," Madison called out as she made her way back to counter. She made a not so discreet wink at Chloe when the brunette turned and gave her a what-the-heck look. "It's a good thing you came to get her. Cause she almost always forgets to eat whenever she loses herself in her thread making hobby." She grinned at her now blushing and glaring friend.

Chloe took a deep breath and faced Adam. "Uh, sure," she said. "Sorry about my friend. She tends to poke her nose into things that are none of her business," she apologized.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam smiled handsomely. "I have a friend like that too. So do you need to get anything before we go?" He glanced at her friend and watched Madison for a moment as she seemed almost giddy about Chloe getting asked out. He waited patiently for Chloe.

"So how is business these days Madison? Design and clothing is a good choice. It's needed year round by everyone everywhere." About that time his stomach growled hungrily. His eyes got big and he grinned and spoke to her again laughing this time. "It's like food, we all need it."

When Chloe came out of the back room he held out his hand took hers in his. "You ready to go? I think my stomach is trying to eat it's way through me." He joked half seriously.

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

At Adam's question, Chloe nodded and went back into the office to get her handbag, still flustered about the impromptu invitation to dinner.

Madison watched her friend hurry in, chuckling at how frantic and at the same time she looked. She turned to Adam. "Business is always good especially if you have a talented designer like Chloe on board. She's the brains behind this whole business. I just manage everything else," Madison commented. "Now, Chloe is a sweet girl. You make sure you don't do anything to hurt her. If you do, the'll be hell to pay," she warned, wagging a finger at the gym owner.

When Chloe came back out, Madison gave her a meaningful grin that meant that she'd be expecting a detailed report later on. "Have fun, you two," she called out.

Chloe on the other hand, was too preoccupied with Adam taking her hand into his that she failed to acknowledge Madison's words. "Uh, yeah..."

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam liked the way that Chloe's hand felt in his. There was that underlying spark that ran between them and he could tell there was something about her that drew him to her. Once outside he looked at her as they walked back towards the gym. She was really very pretty and he considered himself lucky to go out with her.

"I was thinking eating first would be good. Is there anything you have a taste for?" He smiled to himself as he realized she was really a little bit shyer than he thought. When they arrived back at the gym they went out back to his truck. It was a new Chevy Silverado Extended cab and it was shiny teal. He beeped the locks open and opened her door for her and closed when she was inside then hopped in on his side.

"So where would you like to go? We can go anywhere you want to. Or if you don't have any ideas I'll pick but you have to tell me what you don't like or are allergic to so it might be easier if you pick tonight." He said all of this with a straight face in hopes that it might make her laugh a little. If she wasn't sure all she had to do was look at him to see that he was grinning.

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Relax, Chloe. It's just a date. It's not like you're marrying him after, Chloe silently reminded herself, mentally blaming her overprotective parents for making her so shy around boys. Of all four Cooper kids (Chloe included), her parents had always been stricter and more protective of her even though she wasn't the youngest. There was a time in high school when they chased away that boy that brought her flowers. She didn't even go to her prom cause her parents didn't agree with her choice for a date.

In college, she finally got some breathing space and had her first boyfriend. Surprisingly enough, he was the captain of the football team and a popular guy on campus. He was nice and sweet and spent most of his time with her. Chloe did everything for the first time with him. First date, first kiss, first long drive, first intimate encounter... But when she eventually gathered up the courage to bring him home and introduce him to her parents, she found out that he was cheating on her with a cheerleader.

She never dated after that.

She inwardly sighed and hoped that the night will go well without her embarrassing herself again. When Adam asked her where she wanted to go and what she wanted to eat, she gave him a smile and a shrug. "I'm not allergic to anything so you can choose wherever you want to eat."

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam thought for a quick moment and suggested a local diner that made good food. Once inside they were seated and ordered and he tilted his head. "Did your friend say that you make your own threads? I've never heard of anyone doing that. Isn't it difficult?"

When the waitress brought over their food she flirted a little bit with Adam. He thanked her for the food and totally ignored the flirtiness she delivered with it. The girl gave Chloe a fake smile and walked away a little perturbed at her failure to get his attention.

"Chloe? Can I ask you something? It's really important that you tell me the truth on this too. What kind of movies do you like?" He grinned at her and chuckled as he had made it sound serious. "Loosen up a little bit darlin' I'm not gonna bite you." He dove into his fried chicken.
@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Chloe visibly relaxed when Adam broached the topic of thread making. It was familiar territory. "Oh, yeah, I do. It's fairly easy since I grew up doing it with my grandmother but I suppose to other people, it probably looks extremely complicated. Madison thinks so. She's asked me several times to show her how to do it but she never learned," she chuckled, remembering the frustrated look on her bestfriend's face.

She stopped talking when the waitress came over with their food. It was pretty obvious that she was flirting with Adam and while she didn't think it should bother her, it sorta did. When the girl gave her a fake smile, Chloe returned it with a genuine one, albeit small. It's too early to be jealous of some girl smiling at him, isn't it? Get a grip, Chloe, she reminded herself.

When Adam began speaking seriously, Chloe turned her attention back to him, her brows furrowing. Did he notice that I was sorta jealous? Was it obvious? Did it show on my face? Is he angry? she worried. But when he finished his question and laughed, she stared at him for a few seconds before she laughed herself.

"Oh, sorry. Was I too uhm... uptight? I'm not really good with dates... uhm... dinner invitations that isn't from Madison," she quickly corrected herself, worrying that he might think she was assuming too much. Ugh. I'm such a blabbering idiot. Just stop talking before you embarrass yourself more, Chloe, she warned herself and muttered a soft "sorry" under her breath before turning towards her food to hide the embarrassed blush on her cheeks.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam watched her relax a little when she spoke of threading and he listened intently. It was interesting and he was able to see her become more animated as she relaxed. After they finished eating he paid the check and they walked outside. Once inside his truck he got an idea.

"Do you want to take a walk on the beach with me? It's not dark yet and the soft sand and waves will feel great on the feet." He figured he might as well tell her. "My house is on the beach and I like to take walks at night. It's relaxing."

He turned the truck towards his house and it wasn't anything fancy. It looked just like a house but it was up on stilts. He explained. "In case of a hurricane they make it tall to withstand flooding. It's kinda crazy but it's worth it. I get to live where most people only wish they could. Come on in."

He allowed her to follow at her own pace, so he let go of her hand and turned the light switch on. "I hope you like dolphins and beachy creatures. My place is kind of decked out in them, sorta."

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

By the time they finished dinner, Chloe had lightened up and had gotten comfortable chatting with Adam. When he invited her to walk on the beach, she shyly agreed. Hanging out with a handsome guy wouldn't hurt.

As they neared Adam's house, Chloe's eyes lit up at the sight of it. She had always wondered what it'd be like living on the beach, having lived in the city most of her life. It must be nice to be able to listen to the sound of the water and be able to go for a dip anytime you wanted.

She stepped into the house. Although his house wasn't anything fancy, she still thought it marvelous. He was right. He was living in a place where most people could only wish they could. Including her. "Your place is really nice," she said as as she walked to a window overlooking the sea. "Cozy and relaxing. The sound of the water is amazing. With how full I am from dinner, I might fall asleep listening to it," she chuckled.

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam looked around his house critically and smiled when she appeared to like his home. There were beachy colors everywhere and photographs of underwater sealife. He stepped over to the back door and took his shoes off and went outside barefoot. "Come on out Chloe. Take your shoes off so you won't get sand in your shoes." When she arrived in the doorway ready he reached for her hand and helped her to the ground. The soft sand was like walking on powdered sugar.

Tugging her a little he urged her to run with him and soon he stopped and rolled his pants legs up about six inches. Reaching over he rolled Chloe's up as well. He could feel the sparks again as he touched her skin. When he stood up he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips softly. When he pulled back the moonlight was shining in her eyes and he smiled and reached down and found a beautiful shell which he promptly handed to her.

Adam felt comfortable enough at this point to put his arm around her shoulders as they walked and talked.

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Chloe Cooper

_@Wick

Chloe looked at her hand in Adam's and again felt that electric shock go through her. It didn't hurt and it wasn't exactly unpleasant but it was definitely strange. Was it attraction? The kind that she always read about in books? Is her heart beating fast just because of running or was it because she was both nervous and excited to be alone with the man she embarrassed herself in front of earlier that day? When they stopped, she thought she could catch her breath and gather her thoughts. She watched him lean down to roll up her pants. It was really thoughtful of him.

When he straightened back up, she opened her mouth to thank him but her eyes grew wide when he leaned down, cupped her cheek and pressed his lips against hers.

At the contact, her breath hitched and disjointed images flashed through her head. A huge room with marble floors and ivory spires. Two women that looked strangely familiar. A man wearing armor with fire burning in his eyes.

When Adam pulled back, the memory receded as though it was never there in the first place. She didn't say anything first and just let him drape his arm on her shoulders. "What was that?" she finally asked. The question was both about the kiss and the strange images she had seen.

Did he see them too? Or were they just a product of her over imaginative mind? But if it was, why now? Why after kissing Adam?

Kissing Adam...

She paused at that thought and her cheeks promptly turned bright pink. What was she doing letting a man she had only met a few hours ago kiss her? She worried about what he would think. Would he think she was easy for letting him just kiss her like that? But if she had pushed him away, would he be offended?

[Wick]

Ares/Adam Kaos

Adam had his arm around her shoulders as they walked. He liked Chloe and he chuckled softly at her question. "A kiss." He stopped and looked into her eyes in the moonlight. "I hope you don't mind that I kissed you. You just looked so lovely in the moonlight... You are difficult to resist."

His voice became softer. "I'm betting you already know that though." His smile was soft and his eyes shone in the moonlight. "I hope you don't mind if I kiss you again." His eyes searched hers for an answer. He slowly bent his head towards hers and kissed her softly on the lips and then hugged her tightly to him for a moment. Then he took her hand in his and continued to walk with her on the beach.

Once they reached his favorite spot he sat down on the sand and tugged lightly so she might join him. "Come sit with me."