Seeing Sense (Kira)

[Deleted]

Grey smiled softly down at Rae. He didn't know what she thought he was thinking but he didn't want her to know what he was thinking. He pushed his thoughts of revenge aside. He watched her carefully, he knew he had to do something. It was for her. He smiled as she kissed his cheek. "it's gone," He whispered in her ear.

He smiled at her request for a drink and let Patrick and Walter help her up. But he wasn't going to let her walk down the stairs by herself, that was why he scooped her up in his arms. He wasn't going to let her risk herself anymore. He smiled at her. "But I like holding you." He replied, before taking her down the stairs.

[Lotus]

Rae smiled softly. "You're weird." Then she leant up slowly from where he held her and kissed him on the cheek briefly. She felt her cheeks flush again as she snuggled into his arms. When they were downstairs Grey gently placed her on the couch while he wandered into the kitchen with Patrick. Walter stayed behind and sat next to her, reaching out and taking a hold of her hand.

"Everything will be okay sweetie, I promise. You've got three guys looking out for you and we'll do anything for you." He smiled and ruffled her hair to which Rae moved out of the way, scrunching her nose up in the process. Which, in turn, hadn't been a good idea because she ended up holding it in pain. "Yeah, probably shouldn't do that, seeing as you did run into a wall." He grinned at her and she playfully pushed his shoulder away.

"Shut up you." Then she turned serious. "But, thank you. It means a lot."

[Deleted]

Grey was smiling as he made his way into the kitchen with Patrick. He knew he should be worried about Rae and he was, but at the same time he was happy over how she was acting with him. The way she kept kissing his cheek sent his heart a mile a minute. It was only a small gesture, nothing really, but it meant the world to him because it was hope. Hope that one day they could be something more the just best friends.

Patrick grinned at the look on Grey's face, to which he rolled his eyes at. He wasn't going to let the guy have the satisfaction of being smug to him about how much Rae was on his mind. He tried to focus on making drinks for everyone rather then Patrick's suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

He stopped in the doorway of the living room. Watching Walter and Rae. He didn't want to interrupt cause it seemed as if the were having a serious conversation. Patrick, of course, didn't notice this and just went barging in. "Move over people! Sexy arse needs to sit down!"

[Lotus]

Rae giggled at Patrick's words and actions, shaking her head softly at him. "You really have a way with words." She giggled and stood up, "I'll leave you two lovers for my own if that's okay." Then her eyes grew wide, "Not that y'a know...Er..." She trailed off and turned her back, moving over to the other couch before sitting down. She kept her head ducked down when she heard the chuckling from across the room. She looked up briefly to see Grey's eyes wide in shock and Patrick and Walter completely cracking up.

"Just shut up..."

[Deleted]

Grey put a hand over his mouth to try and stifle the laughter, his shoulders shaking with the effort. He went and put the tray of drinks down on the coffee table, picking up the glass for Rae and putting it into her hand. He was still chuckling slightly.

He sat down next to her, draping his arm over the back of the sofa. "But it's so funny." He grinned. He lent over and kissed her cheek, right where her blush was brightest, without even thinking about what he was doing. He pulled back suddenly.

"err...I'm sorry...I..."

[Lotus]

Rae snuggled down into the couch as she took the drink from Grey. She took a sip and smiled, her favourite and she loved the look on his face that she'd actually drunk it without being persuaded. She shook her head at his words and then he kissed her cheek. Her blush brightened even more and she ducked her head, all of a sudden the room was quiet and Grey's voice echoed around the room with his apology. She shook her head and looked up to him smiling, "Don't be."

She reached out and interlaced their free hands. "So, shall we play?" Then she directed her gaze at Patrick and Walter. "Behave you two."

[Deleted]

He looked down at her small hand in hers and smiled. Maybe kissing her hadn't been a bad idea, she hadn't run away from him again. Maybe they really did have a shot. He hoped it was the case, he really hoped that they did. Everything would be perfect if she could see him like that. He smiled and lent back into the sofa.

Looking up in time to see Walter and Patrick winking at each other flirtatiously. He rolled his eyes. "Who's going first?"

[Lotus]

Rae smiled and smiled and squeezed his hand with as much pressure as her bruised, battered, tiny hand would allow. She looked from their joined hands up to the look on his face and couldn't help as her heart did somersaults. Maybe this could actually work; the could actually make the transition from best friends to lovers. She hoped so, because she couldn't believe he had the same feelings.

She finally looked away from Grey to look at Patrick and Walter, not being able to stop the giggle that escaped her lips at the sight of them. "I think Pat should." Patrick shot his head up and grinned. "Remember the rules mister." He nodded his head and thought for a moment before a grin spread across his face.

"I have a dare for Walts."

[Deleted]

Grey glanced down at Rae to catch her looking at him. He smiled and lent towards her slightly before turning his attention back to the others. He couldn't help but chuckle at the gleeful expression on Patrick's face. He felt sorry for Walter cause he was more then sure that whatever this dare would be, it would bad.

Walter's face paled at the thought of Patrick picking his dare. He knew the guy all too well and was fully aware of how bad and humiliating this was going to be. "What is it?" he groaned, Grey laughed whilst Patrick grinned.

"I dare you! Walter. To get down on your knees," He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Remember the rules!" Grey called out in response. Stopping Patrick before things got too far.

Patrick waved a hand nonchalantly at Grey. "Yeah! Yeah! I know...as I was saying, Walter, I dare you to get down on your knees and lick my foot! On the bottom!"

Walter groaned loudly.

[Lotus]

Rae couldn't help but laugh at the dare Walter received, because not only was it childish but his reaction was hilarious. "You're gross Pat." She said in response and Walter nodded along with her comment where as Patrick simply laugh and stuck his foot in the air. Rae turned to look at Grey and she smiled, "Are we meant to be adults or kids?" She giggled and leant into him closer.

Walter got the dare over and done with quickly, running to the table to get his drink and swallowing it quickly in an attempt to wash his mouth at. When he looked up his face was priceless and all of the cracked up after not one of them was able to keep a straight face.

Walter huffed, "Fine. I choose it to be my turn next and I dare..." He pondered for a few seconds before his grin turned wicked. "Rae. I dare our little, innocent sweetie. You up for it?"

"Of course I am. Get on with it and choose something." She saw the warning glare from Grey and she squeezed his hand tighter in reassurance.

"Compliment each of us on two things about ourselves." He smiled softly and she nodded her head before looking at Patrick.

[Deleted]

Grey laughed loudly at the look on Walter's face, wrapping his arm tighter around Rae so that he wouldn't have to let her go. "Adults in body, children in mind" He whispered back to her, seeing the corner of her mouth lift up in a smile. Making him smile louder.

He flinched in disgust as Walter bent down and licked Patrick's foot. The look of glee on Patrick's face was disturbing and the glare from Walter suggested that he was going to pay for that later. He still laughed, they all did. It was a nice sound to hear, especially when Grey could pick out Rae's musical tones. It was nice to hear her laughing so happily again. It had been too long.

But he tensed slightly when the dare was her turn. He was scared that she would get hurt. He knew that Patrick and Walter wouldn't hurt her intentionally, but their joking could affect her. It could make her go downhill again and he was scared about that happening.

[Lotus]

Rae smiled at Patrick and he started to get a worried look in his eyes. "Remember you've gotta compliment me." She only nodded her head in response before smiling sweetly.

"Okay, Pat. Your two compliments are. One, you're great at being the bluntest one of us. Two, you have a really sweet nature about yourself despite your cocky attitude." Then she turned her attention to Walter and her smile widened. "Walts, your two are. One, I haven't known you all that long but you're like a brother. Two, you have an excellent way at making people happy, especially Pat." She grinned and he simply chuckled. "Okay, Grey." She turned round in her seat to look at him and watched him for a little bit before trying to figure out his two. There were so many for him, but she didn't know which ones to say that would mean the most. "Err..." Her face flushed a little and just as she was about to start Patrick interrupted her.

"Get on with it. I'm dying of old age over here!"

"Pat?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up. Okay, Grey. One, you've been my best friend since we were little and I couldn't ask for someone better than you; you're just that great. Two, you have that smile that makes anyone feel better, especially when it lights up your eyes." There, she'd said it. She cleared her throat and turned away. She knew it was her turn to dare someone, but she just needed a few moments.

[Deleted]

Grey was smiling at Rae as she spoke to the others. How could she think that people hated her when she treated them like that? She was the nicest person he had ever known. She was so sweet and thoughtful. But anticipation was building up inside of him. What was she going to say to him? He was scared, So much could change between them depending on what she said.

He looked into her eyes and waited. His breath caught in her throat and for a moment he thought she wasn't going to say anything. That thought scared him more then anything else she could say to him, it had him worried. He glared at Patrick who just shrugged and gave a cheeky smile.

His entire attention was focused on Rae and what she had to say. A smile slowly began to form on his face at her words. He knew it, but hearing her say that he was her best friend reassured him and made him feel better. It seemed to help evaporate all of the guilt he felt about not being there for her and letting her get hurt because she still cared about him.

He grinned at her and clasped her hand in his. She wouldn't look at him and he began to worry, but he couldn't let that deter him. he reached out a hand and took hold of her chin, turning her face towards his. "Your smile is beautiful.." He whispered to her gently.

[Lotus]

Rae looked into Grey's eyes and couldn't help her cheeks from flushing when he said those words. She smiled up at him softly; for a full blown smile made her cringe from the pain it brought to her nose, and couldn't contain it any longer. She flung her arms around his neck, ignoring the pain, and nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck. She held him tightly and she felt his arms wrap around her tightly too. She pulled back a little and realised she'd ended up straddling him. Her face grew incredibly warm and she looked to Grey who seemed to be grinning whilst she just cleared her throat awkwardly.

She tried to move away, but he just grabbed her waist softly and made her sit on his lap. She smiled up at him and kissed his cheek softly.

"Now, I know we're playing dares. But can you just keep going? This is too good to be true."

Rae turned to Patrick and gave him a dead look. "Well, you just ruined the moment, so no. Weirdo." She smirked in his direction before looking around the room. "My turn to dare?" She got nods and knew exactly who and what she wanted to dare. She looked back to Patrick and kept a straight face. "Pat. I dare you..." She dragged it out just to make him impatient. "I dare you to get on your knees and lick Walts foot on the bottom." She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

She then turned to Walter and smiled, nodding her head. "Payback is sweet." He simply nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

[Deleted]

Grey held onto her waist lightly and smiled back at her. Pulling her against his chest so that her back was leaning against him. He was over the moon at having her this close and he didn't plan on letting her go anytime soon. He kissed her cheek back in return and smiled. The fact that she was willingly sitting with him like this sparked hope in his chest. Maybe they really did have a chance to be together and right now, he couldn't wait to take her on that date.

He jerked his attention back to the game, smiling at playfulness in Rae's voice. He laughed loudly at the look on Patrick's face. "You deserve it Pat!" He teased with a grin, resting his chin on Rae's shoulder. He smirked at Walter who was looking very pleased with himself, holding out his foot victoriously.

The look on Patrick's face was even better then what Walter's had been. Disgust was mixed with annoyance at being outplayed. It was strangely satisfying, even more so when Patrick realised he had already finished his drink. Causing them all to laugh histerically.

"Your tun Patrick!"

[Lotus]

It was hilarious and she knew it hurt to laugh, but she couldn't help it. It wasn't so much the dare he'd got given but the look on his face when he realised what he had to do. Rae watched this time as Patrick licked the underside of Walter's foot from top to bottom, grinning to whole time. Walter sat there with a victorious smirk on his face and she couldn't help but feel far better than before; of course these three didn't hate her. When Patrick pulled back he turned around and playfully glared, "You will pay Miss Odell."

She grinned back at him as brightly as the times she found herself in would allow her, "Bring it Mr Richards." She stuck out her tongue and settled back into Grey's chest. "Okay, now it's your turn Grey. Choose who you want to dare." She smiled softly up at him, hoping it wouldn't be him so she looked over at Patrick and Walter; where Patrick was trying to sneak a drink out of Walter's glass.

(OOC: We'll do Grey's dare and then do a skippetty to the next day or something where her receptionist comes to talk to her.)

[Deleted]

Grey looked around the group and smiled. He glanced down at Rae with a grin and kissed her cheek. He could see the slight nerves about being picked in her eyes, behind that gorgeous smile that only she could give. He leaned in so his mouth was just a breath away from her ear. "You.." He said teasingly, smiling at her.

He pulled back and thought for a moment. He knew he needed to be careful with Jae, he didn't want to scare her or make her get upset. He wanted her to have fun. He hoped that she could have fun. He chewed his lip as he thought. Suddenly an idea came to him. "Oh! I've got one you'll all love!" He lent back with a satisfied grin, tracing circles on Rae's hips. "Right... Rae I'm going to give you thirty seconds to go into the kitchen and grab as many things as you can, then you'll have a minute to use those things to style fabulous new outfits for Walter AND Patrick! They'll be a forfeit if you fail!" He grinned.

[Lotus]

Rae nodded her head, "Dare accepted." She stood up slowly from Grey's lap and smiled down at him. "Can you just wait till I'm in there for my thirty seconds and back out here for my minute. I'm not exactly as quick on my feet as I'd like to be." She grinned cheekily and set off to the kitchen as she saw the nod. She got inside and stood in the middle, "Ready!" She called. She heard the go and set to work. Thirty seconds wasn't long, but luckily her mind was made for something like this.

She went to the fridge and grabbed the squirty cream and the cherries, then to a draw and picked up the tin foil and cling film. She didn't really want much else and it was perfect timing too, because her time was called. She made her way back into the living room slowly, trying to balance everything as she went. "Done." She smiled proudly and she laughed when she saw the slightly worried looks on Patrick and Walter. "I'll be nice."

Her minute was started after the two of them stood up and she set to work. In the minute she'd created toga like clothing out of the tin foil and cling film, her hands working as nimbly as they could given the present circumstance. Then she had grabbed the squirty cream and gave Patrick and moustache before giving Walter a beard. She picked up the cherries and opened the lid, popping one in her mouth as time was called. She saw them watching her with the cherries and she giggled softly, "I didn't bring them out to use, I wanted a reward for my supposed masterpiece."

She took a step back and admired them. When she stepped back she was meant with a firm chest and she titled her head to see Grey. "Did I do okay?" Even though this wasn't really her designing clothes, it felt like something to do to build her back up towards that and she hadn't even thought twice about it.

[Deleted]

Grey was smiling as he watched Rae work. He was happy to see her working, it may not be what she used to do, but it was still being creative. He was glad she hadn't lost her spark or her love for designing. He knew then that he would help get it all back.

He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and smiled at her."I think they look fabulous darling!" He said playfully, flicking back his hair in a girly way.

[Lotus]

Rae couldn't help but giggle and she leant up to kiss Grey's cheek softly. "Thank you." She whispered before pulling out of his hold and walking up to Patrick and Walter. "What do you think guys?" She grinned cheekily.

"I feel like a cooking experiment." Patrick grimaced.

"Oh Pat, shut up. You look divine. And if you're a cooking experiment, I'd happily eat you up." Walter winked in his direction and Rae covered her ears.

"GUYS! Too much info!" She grinned at them and stuck her tongue out; yes she was a grown woman acting like a three year old, but she couldn't really care less.

***

They'd carried on playing dares till the late hours of the day before they were all exhausted from laughing too much. It had been fun, and Rae had slowly come out of shell a little more; to everyone's complete happiness. Grey carried her up to bed and she snuggled up with him by her side into a peaceful sleep whilst Patrick and Walter took the spare bedroom.

***

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Rae groaned as she opened her eyes. She didn't quite know what that knocking was as she sat up slowly. Grey woke up after her, after feeling her stir, and she slowly got out of bed. She rubbed her eyes and stumbled a little to the door. Someone was knocking on her front door. She shot Grey a confused look, "Do I go look?"

[Deleted]

Grey slept well. A peaceful and contented sleep. Because Rae was right there, she was curled up beside him. She was seeking his comfort and support. He was glad that she was. He woke when he felt that warmth and comfort disappeared.

For a moment he was disorientated. But then he saw her sitting up and he smiled a lazy smile. He liked the idea of waking up to Rae. Then he noticed the confused look on her face and heard the knocking on the door.

"Shall I come with?"

[Lotus]

Rae nodded her head nervously and held out her hand for Grey to take, which he instantly did and she took a deep breath. She felt the reassuring squeeze on her hand and she nodded her head, telling herself that she could do this. They slowly made their way downstairs and she unlocked the door. She heard padding down the stairs and turned around to see Patrick and Walter running down in their boxers. "Guuys..." She moaned out. Why did they have to look like that, because that definitely gave away what they had been up to in HER spare bedroom! "You're cleaning those sheets." Then she turned around and opened the door.

There stood her secretary, Ingretta. "Er hey. What are you doing here...?" Rae asked, slightly confused as to why she would be here. Then it hit her, she was here to bare the bad news that she was fired from her job completely. "Just give it to me bluntly. I know it's bad..." Rae felt her knees buckling but before she could go anyway, Grey's arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her up. Patrick and Walter stood behind the door listening in.

"Not at all Rae. In fact I'm here to tell you that you start work again tomorrow. People are demanding you back after somehow finding out everything you've gone through; you're pretty much a star to the people here. You have many requests waiting for you and people can't want to see you step back in the place you belong." She grinned softly, but Rae could only stand there staring.

"What...? I mean, I heard you, but what? The people hate me. And look at me, I'm not fit to go back there. They'll all just want to mock me..." She trailed off when she saw the shake of Ingretta's head.

"Quite the opposite actually. Just come along a see okay? I'll be on hand just like always and bring anything, or anyone," She said, eyeing up Grey. "You need." She leant forward and kissed Rae's cheek before walking back down her steps with a cheery wave and a call of goodbye.

"I'm confused..." Was all she could say, and that earnt her a round of laughter from all three men.

[Deleted]

Grey was beaming. Rae was going back to work! That was great. He could have kissed Ingretta right there and then on the doorstep, if he wasn't holding Rae of course. This was just what she needed. To get back to doing something that she loved, designing was more then just a job for Rae. It was a part of her. The same way that painting was a part of him. He smiled as he remembered evenings spent together when they were kids, especially around the time when The Hunger Games was on, where they would have Rae's house to themselves and they'd sit up in her room. Grey painting or drawing whilst Rae designed clothes; sometimes Tribute ceremony outfits, others just whatever came to mind. She was amazing at it and she needed this.

He turned his head to try and look at her properly. Laughing with the others at her bewilderment before voicing his thoughts. "Rae, you've got to do this. You need to go back to work. It'll make you feel better, to start designing again. Trust me." He smiled and kissed her cheek.

[Lotus]

Rae nodded her head stiffly. How could she though? How could she go back to the place where her whole life was turned upside down because that one person didn't like her ideas and she'd been kicked off and sent on trials. Her life had turned terrible in a few mere days and she couldn't face the thought of going back there and having to be around all those memories. She then shook her head stiffly, before nodding it again. She didn't understand, people hated her. Didn't they?

She reached out a hand and pushed her front door closed before leaning forwards and resting her head against the cold wood. Grey's hands were still around her waist but they loosened a little as she moved. Her head was spinning and she tried to ignore it, but it just didn't make sense to her. She thought her life was pretty much over and she'd have nothing left, but then unexpected things happened. She just hoped this thing was a good thing.

She heard murmurs behind her, and she just assumed that the three guys were wondering why her actions were how they were; why she wasn't happy.

[Deleted]

Grey looked at the back of Rae's head. He had hoped that she would be happy, pleased at least. He had wanted her to start designing ever since she had come back, he had thought that maybe she would want to do that to. But now he wasn't so sure. Only, he knew it couldn't be because she didn't want to. Designing was a part of Rae and it was something that she lived for. He just hoped that she would want to start again, and going back to work was the bets possibly chance.

He dropped his hands from her waist and glanced at the guys behind him. They looked just as worried. Grey chewed his lip. "Rae, sweetie? What's wrong?" He didn't know what else to say, what else to do. He felt so hopeless and useless. He just knew that he needed to somehow get Rae designing again and then he would get her back to how she was. She could be happy again. He knew that she could.