[Natalie Arazi]

Every sound and move made by the lawyer was intoxicating. Natalie took it all in, giving into her own selfish nature of just adorning those details about her. Clever lips pressed to the curve of her neck before she finally eased herself up to catch her eyes. There was something about just being able to look at her that made her breath stall in her throat.

"We should get up." Natalie repeated after a few spare moments, but her voice was low and humor etched its way into her tone to match the curve of her lips.

[Theodora James]

It was easy to get lost in the particular way she smiled. It was all so funny to her, probably because she had no idea how overwhelming she really was. That was a hard sell for another morning.

"I know." She replied. Teddy couldn't really offer her another minute, because she was positive she knew what would happen. At a certain point, she needed to make contact with her office, even if it seemed like an inconvenience.

"Go on." She had to move first, after all.

[Natalie Arazi]

It was easy to find humor in the way they acted, if only because Natalie had never found someone so completely intoxicating. Obsessed was the perfect word to describe her inability to stay away from the lawyer for too long. And now, as they both agreed they needed to get up, there was a struggle in actually doing so.

"Alright." She breathed, like they could do with a warning of the soon to come distance. But she still kissed her first. Drawn out for as long as she could before she finally pressed her palms to the bedding and slowly hauled herself upright.

[Theodora James]

Despite the determined singular word Teddy had been given, nothing eventuated at first. Instead, she was consumed by a single, drawn out kiss. It felt like a signature being left on her for the inevitable distance. When she finally moved to draw away, Teddy felt the natural urge to keep her regardless of the importance.

Exhaling a sigh, she didn't make an active move to leave the bed that wasn't her own. Instead she settled in those sheets for a little longer, letting clever eyes take her in completely.

[Natalie Arazi]

It was like a weight had been added to her body when she pushed herself up. Toned arms shouldn't have been matched with resistance, but she selfishly wished to stay under the covers with the lawyer all morning. Responsibilities called to them though, and she was lucky to still have her counterpart there as it was.

She said off the edge of the bed, dark eyes fixed on the closet rather than daring to turn and look back. Securing the first article, Natalie stepped into it, with a pair of sweatpants to follow. Without her gaze fixated on Teddy, however, it settled on the small portion or her closet that was given to her. Fingers curled around fabric that caught her eye, and she pulled it off the hanger and finally turned, revealing the university sweatshirt. "Mind if I wear this?"

[Theodora James]

Small moments of solitude provided a lot of clarity. Something as simple as this felt secure. Teddy knew she wouldn't catch her eyes at this point, and that was fine. Bright eyes didn't need to be special to take in every detail of her form the second she was free from all cover. They followed up the line of the clothes she chose to wear in the space between them, taking their time to ease away to realise where she was standing.

Dragging herself up, she sat at the edge of the bed. She held something oddly important in her hands; a worn University of Cambridge sweatshirt. Dropping her jaw, she willed something smart to pass her lips.

"No." She didn't mind. A shallow breath followed before she forced another drag of air; "Please do."

[Natalie Arazi]

There was something to be said about the article that seemed so out of place compared to the rest of the lawyer's wardrobe. It was well loved, and judging by the university crest, likely to be years old. Natalie couldn't help the way she was drawn to it.

A small smile formed on her lips as was granted permission and she pulled it over her head and down her torso. She flattened the material against her stomach before lifting her hands up to drag her hair out from under the collar. "What do you think? Can I pull off the Cambridge look?" She asked jokingly.

[Theodora James]

Were it any other person, Teddy would have found it strange to be asked permission to wear such a thing. But this was Natalie, and niceties were built in like a second nature. It was a small reminder of how rare that goodness was. Something so seemingly unimportant such as the article of clothing in her hands now felt weighted in gold, especially when it left her hands and found its way onto the body that held it. And she had the audacity to ask how it looked.

Sitting at the edge of a bed that wasn't her own, her hands pressed to either side of the mattress like she was willing to ease herself up. By now she should have known what she wanted to wear, but the back of her mind refused to let those thoughts piece themselves together as she found herself starting.

"Without question." She said after a few moments, forcing herself to her feet before she dragged her gaze away to the minimal space she stole from her closet. As she dragged the minimal clothing on first, she refused to look as she finally continued; "Keep it."

[Natalie Arazi]

Really, her question was never intended to be taken seriously, but somehow the lawyer offered what sounded like a genuine response. It dragged a little laugh out of Natalie as she shook her head. "I couldn't. There must be a reason you've kept it so long." Though, that wouldn't prevent her from borrowing it now that she'd put it on once. Without bright eyes on her, she brought the collar up to her nose, guessing correctly that it smelled like her.

Her own gaze lingered on Teddy's form, especially as it came near to dress herself as well. The urge to reach out was overwhelming, but she did her best to keep her hands to herself for the time being. "Did you enjoy university?"

[Theodora James]

Of course she would respond like that. At this point, Teddy shouldn't have considered anything less. She laughed at the implications of its importance. "It's going to stay here regardless." Technically, she had no choice but to keep it, "I brought it here under the misguided assumption that I'd need something to sleep in."

Clearly, that need never eventuated. Reaching out, fingertips brushed the deep mauve colouring that caught her attention first. Drawing it from the hanger, she slid her arms through the silk fabric, making quick work of the buttons as she considered the new question asked.

"Absolutely." It was an answer without thought, "It's a prestigious school. I couldn't imagine a better education. My father went there too; he was overtly proud when I got the acceptance letter."

[Natalie Arazi]

Dark eyes were fixated on the clever hands working to cover Teddy's form up, though that hardly meant she wasn't paying attention. It was interesting to think about the lawyer in university. It seemed so fitting of her to go to someplace like Cambridge, and the way she spoke of it only made it moreso.

It was sweet. How proud she was of it, and how proud her father seemed to be, too. "Are you two close?" Slow steps took her backwards as she reached for the door, drawing it open and letting two very excited dogs barge into the bedroom.

[Theodora James]

The question was something she had grown used to by now. Teddy supposed she brought it on herself, but she didn't have a problem with talking about the loss of either of her parents.

She didn't look at her as she'd walked away without so much as a single touch; she dragged the zip up at the back of her skirt before she turned around to watch the interaction between Natalie and her dogs. Something about it always seemed so humble, and so she stayed back.

"We were." Teddy replied lightly, giving her a small smile for good measure.

[Natalie Arazi]

Briefly, her dogs pulled her attention away from the lawyer as they came in, tails wagging. The smaller of the two was already standing on her hind legs. Natalie humored her and picked her up with a scoop of her arms.

It wasn't enough to keep her from hearing the past tense in her counterpart's response. Dark eyes were quick to turn back towards Teddy, filling with sympathy. "I'm so sorry."

And just like that, she was taking steps back to her, dog still in arms. "How long has it been?"

[Theodora James]

It was good for a brief time because there was no eye contact. Teddy knew that despite how Natalie seemed busy that she was still listening. Her attention split down the middle and though the lawyer stood on her own, she didn't feel alone.

Because she was being looked at. Realisation must have sunken in because Teddy knew that look so well. Distance was breached and she folded her arms across her chest, well aware that her hands were busy.

"Just last year." She replied, but she managed to keep a stoic smile on her face as she delivered the news. "It's fine." Teddy quickly added, trying to interject before the usual assumptions could be drawn.

[Natalie Arazi]

With her approach, Oz's nose stuck out towards Teddy, sniffing the air around her. A short answer was followed by even shorter reassurance that Natalie struggled to believe so easily. If anything, her animals proved her to be right. The German Shepherd found its way over towards them, looking up at the lawyer with a similar look Natalie held.

"That must have been very hard." Though Natalie wasn't one to call someone out, she still couldn't help herself with the statement. She couldn't imagine loosing a parent already. "Is that part if why you moved here?"