MHA #2 | Wednesday Evening

[knife_bender]

Diego had been sensitive to the fact that Annie had been pretty insular the last couple of weeks, and that throwing her a huge party for her birthday wouldn't have been a good idea. Even if the tub from the rager was still in the kitchen.

So he decided to keep it low-key this year, taking Annie to Baltimore for a fancy dinner that required him to wear a tie for once. There was little chance that could lead to anything upsetting unless a witchy looking redhead happened to be eating there that night.

Luckily for them, no such thing happened. Everyone made it home in one piece with no triggering of any trauma. Well, except for the tie thing. Diego hated wearing ties.

[For the birthday wife!]

Comments

[defenderofdesmoines]

"I also got shot while you were a cat," Annie pointed out, her smile growing just a little more. "So yeah, the bar was pretty low. You still leapt over it, babe."

Similarly, it would have taken real work on Annie's end to do worse than last year's party, particularly in light of the Hargreeves being reunited for their birthday this year. (Even if, like, it was a little confusing to Annie how old everyone actually was, now.)

[knife_bender]

"I can make it even better," Diego said. "I could carry the birthday girl to the bedroom. Dealer's choice on how I do it--fireman carry, princess carry, your legs wrapped around my waist..."

[defenderofdesmoines]

"You have to ask?"

That was as much warning as Diego was going to get, since Annie had a definite favorite. That, and how she reluctantly removed her hand from his tie to slide both arms around his neck before jumping up to wrap her legs around his waist.

Not that she wouldn't love it if he just threw her over his shoulder like a caveman one day, but this was both a position with deep roots in their relationship history and it allowed for Annie to do her best to distract him the whole -- you know, however many feet to the bedroom.

[knife_bender]

Diego laughed softly as he caught Annie when she jumped up, settling his hands under her ass. Which was basically his favorite thing. "I ask because it's polite. We both know how much being polite means to me."

[defenderofdesmoines]

"Oh yes, that's definitely one of the things you care about the most," Annie decided, just helpfully reaching down to loosen Diego's tie for him a tad once she was settled and sure he had a good grip on her. Maybe some of these buttons could be undone, too. "I've always been a big fan of your politeness."

Honestly, she kind of was, because Diego's manners seemed to be very situationally-dependent, and she usually benefitted from them.

[knife_bender]

And here he was, politely carrying her to the bedroom and impressively not getting distracted while she undid his shirt. "You're a good influence on me."

See, now he was politely squeezing her ass as his legs bumped up against the edge of the bed.

[defenderofdesmoines]

"Maybe, but you're a bad influence on me," Annie replied softly, giving his tie another little pull as she moved his collar so she could bite at his neck. There was also the beginnings of a sort of neediness, too, as she shifted in response to that squeeze.

His bad influence was her favorite thing, in case anyone was wondering.

[knife_bender]

"I am a great influence," Diego murmured, placing a knee on the bed so he could gently lie her down. He was following along with her due to the whole tie thing and he was absolutely never going to complain about that.

[defenderofdesmoines]

"You're my favorite influence," Annie told him, and while she was making sure to mind that she didn't pull too hard or at an angle that would choke him uncomfortably, she was all about his tie. (And in a way, that was a credit to Diego's influence, too -- a pre-Diego Annie would never think of a tie as much of anything but component of a suit.)

So, as soon as she was on her back, she was using that grip on his tie to tug him down against her, lest Diego get any big ideas about doing anything that wasn't kissing Annie right now.

[knife_bender]

Diego's only idea right now was to kiss Annie. She absolutely did not have to worry about that. He settled himself between her legs, happily going in whatever direction she wanted to lead him.

This was, admittedly, something he hadn't thought of when he put on a tie tonight. What a pleasant surprise.

[defenderofdesmoines]

He'd probably enjoy what she was considering for once she got it off him, too.

"This is almost as good as having your long hair," Annie observed, arching her neck and bossily tugging Diego's tie down to angle him towards where she would like kisses and bites, please. Helpfully. Politely, even!

[knife_bender]

Diego laughed softly, ducking his head down so he could bite at her neck. "It's certainly classier than my long hair."

[defenderofdesmoines]

Annie sighed happily, tipping her head back and using her grip on his tie to steer him a little more down towards her cleavage. You know, while she had this wonderful little means of exercising control, and all, might as well make the most of it. "You made the hair classy."

Especially once they'd cleaned it up a little, post-asylum-escape.

[knife_bender]

That there might be an Annie-only opinion. Lila liked to call him the Wolf Man, after all.

Diego's response to that was a nip against her collarbone before moving down to her breasts. He slid one of his hands along her leg, slipping it under the hem of her dress to rest against her thigh. One of his favorite places to put his hands, even when her legs were covered.

[defenderofdesmoines]

You know, Lila being Lila -- it was entirely possible she meant that as a compliment.

Annie shifted her leg under his hand, a little impatient as she knotted the tie in her fingers to just keep an encouraging hold on it for now. The angle wouldn't really allow her to steer more, but she was really warming to how much Diego seemed to be enjoying her use of it. Her free hand slid down through Diego's hair and along his back, light and appreciative and exploratory for the moment.

[knife_bender]

Diego smiled against Annie's skin before biting down lightly again. "You know if you want me to move lower you'll probably have to let that go."

[defenderofdesmoines]

"You're wearing too many clothes, anyway," Annie told him, flushing dark pink at the implication and letting go of his tie...so she could start working to loosen it. "This included."

But also, like...she was going to make sure it stayed close. Just an idea she had.

[knife_bender]

"Is me getting naked an official birthday request?" he asked, leaning up to look at her.

[defenderofdesmoines]

"You know what? Yes," Annie decided, lifting her brows (and blushing darker at what she was about to ask, but not because she was embarrassed so much as, like, anticipation.) "In fact -- since it's my birthday, I'd like you to strip for me."

Oh, no, but poor Diego was so very modest about his body, however would he manage to fulfil such a request?

[knife_bender]

Diego grinned, amused at both the request and the blush. "Well if that's what the birthday girl is requesting..."

He started to pull away, already loosening his tie some more. "I feel like there should be music."

[defenderofdesmoines]

"Don't throw that where I can't reach it," Annie told him, pointing to the tie as she pushed herself up to sitting (and probably forecasting that she had plans for his tie.) "And...here, hang on --"

Her eyes illuminated as she focused for a second, and the stereo out in the living room came to life.

Granted, the last thing it had been playing had been Christmas music, so...she might have to get up and change that unless Diego wanted to strip to Jingle Bell Rock?

[knife_bender]

Diego threw back his head and laughed at the music choice. "How appropriate."

So, no, he would not be changing the music.

When he did get his tie off he tossed it towards her. "A tie, for my number one fan."

[defenderofdesmoines]

Annie immediately gathered up his tie, drawing it out smooth and long between her hands and grinning at Diego. (Her blush had gone nowhere and would be lingering, but she was clearly delighted at all of this.) "Oh my God, thank you," she breathed reverently, giggling before biting her lower lip and lightly winding the tie around one wrist, experimentally, as she watched him.

[knife_bender]

"Anything for the birthday girl," he said, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. There was some vague hip wiggling to the classic Christmas hit that was probably ruined for the both of them now

Ruined in a good way.

[defenderofdesmoines]

"I've never been so turned on while listening to Christmas music before," Annie noted appreciatively, a little tempted to start dispensing with her own clothes -- but she also didn't want to distract from the show, nor did she want to deny Diego the pleasure of taking off her tights after he'd been looking forward to it. "You're good at this."

To be fair, he could have held perfectly still and taken off his clothes in obvious discomfort, and she would have still said he was the best stripper she'd ever seen.

(Annie had never actually seen a professional stripper, technically, but that was beside the point.)