two houses, both alike in dignity

[gygaxed]

[ All things considered, Eddie had originally been set up for an extremely ordinary life. With his mother dead and his father in prison, he had been shuffled off to live with his uncle in a shabby trailer in nowheresville, Indiana. But his uncle was whip smart, and had quite the knack of technology and coding. The first app he had created had been a hit success, and soon Wayne was creating one successful app after another. This had catapulted them into fame and fortune, and Eddie quickly went from only being able to afford clothes from the Goodwill to being dressed in clothes that looked just as shabby but now cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

The family that accumulated around them wasn't a family bonded by blood, but it was family nonetheless. Both Wayne and Eddie collected friends that were closer to them than their own blood had ever been. It wasn't a surprise to Eddie when Wayne packed them up to move out to the west coast, where they would be immersed in the heart of a thriving technology epicenter. It was like an arms race, with multiple companies fighting tooth and nail to get an edge over one another. Eddie was quick to learn what was now the family business, and thus Munson Enterprises was born. They were rough around the edges, some news outlets called them 'scrappy' but they posed a real threat against the previous titans of the industry. One of those was Cunningham Corp, a long established, old money sort of family.

They hated Munson Enterprises openly, and thus, a rivalry was born. For his part, Eddie didn't really care about something like a tech company rivalry. For as much as his uncle tried to impart upon him just how serious everything was, that he would be the CEO one day, Eddie was more interested in sneaking off with his friends to explore and party in the city. He was twenty now, and already had earned something of a playboy reputation for himself. That wasn't entirely true, but again, Eddie didn't care. He was having fun, and had found a few friends within the company that were now as close to him as siblings. Eddie, Steve, Robin, and Nancy would often wreak their own sort of havoc on the town, still hungover or high when they settled in front of their computers the next day.

Robin is the one that that shows them the post about the party Cunningham Corp is throwing to celebrate their founder's daughter's 18th birthday. With wicked smiles they bend their heads together and plot to crash it. It's masquerade themed, which Eddie finds incredibly corny, but it's the perfect way for the four of them to sneak in unnoticed. They don't actively plan to cause trouble, but Eddie has a feeling trouble will have a way of finding them.

The four of them slip into the night club with ease, its patrons in sharp suits and racy cocktail dresses, all of them donning a mask. Eddie himself wears a well fitted black suit, with a glittering mask that vaguely resembles a raven obscuring his face. He's never seen Chrissy Cunningham in person, only pictures of her from paparazzi, and that's why he doesn't recognizes the pretty young woman that he has found himself in front of. Robin and Nancy have long since separated from the group in what he's sure will only be them spending time with each other, and Steve is trying his luck with any woman that will give him the time of day.

That leaves Eddie and this mystery woman, with her bright, strawberry blonde hair that reminds him of a sunrise. He leans up against the wall, flashing her his most dashing smile. ]

Lame party, right? [ Of course, he has no idea that this party is all for her. ] The Cunninghams are totally stuck in the past.

Comments

[cheerleader]

[This is really the first time Chrissy's been allowed to be in a club. She grew up safely tucked away in her family's compound. When she was old enough to go to school, she was securely transported to a small, all girls private school. With as wealthy as her family is, Chrissy's grown up knowing that she's different. She's been made to be nervous of strangers, to be wary of being taken and used to extort money from her parents. But despite her shyness, there's a curiosity about the world around her. She wants to see more than what's in her family's compound. She wants to meet as many people as possible.

And that's why her father indulged her with this party at one of the clubs he co-owns. There's security everywhere, enough that Chrissy feels safe trying to mingle. Only the music and the lights combined with the amount of people here are overwhelming. She lingers on the outskirts of the crowd, standing out in her long white dress and feathered wings.

He finds her when she's fussing over trying to make her dress seem shorter or sexier somehow, and the second she realizes he's standing there she tries to play it cool. Unfortunately, her shy smile betrays her. The way he's leaning against the wall and smiling has her blushing, and she's grateful that she's wearing a mask so he can't see it completely.

Of course, all perfect moments have to come to an end eventually. This one does quickly, before it even has a chance to really get started. He insults her party and her family, and she actually laughs.]

You know, this is my party.

[She points out, watching his face so she can see his reaction. It feels almost mean to just leave it at that though, so she's quick to add on a follow up meant to reassure him.]

But it's not really my style either.

[gygaxed]

[ Holy Shit. Of all the people at this party, he's managed to find himself in the company of Chrissy Cunningham herself? The only thing that steadies his suddenly wildly pounding heartbeat is the fact that he hasn't given away who he is. He's just as likely one of the sons of her father's many friends as he is the the next in line to take of her family's rival business. Any attempt at being suave and debonaire is robbed from him as he attempts to formulate a response. ]

Sorry, didn't recognize you under all the glitz and glamor. [ He laughs it off, tries to laugh things off as though he vaguely knows her. The rest of the people in attendance vaguely know her, and he hopes to blend into that. Because being found out so quickly would be a major problem, even he knows that. ] Guess I should say happy birthday.

[ But he doesn't actually say 'happy birthday', and doesn't plan on that. He only has to pretend to treat her like the princess she undoubtedly thinks she is. This could be a good thing, he thinks, to be able to pick her brain while she hopefully has no idea who he is. ]

I've got a bad habit of saying things without thinking.

[cheerleader]

Yeah, I noticed.

[The way she says it isn't judging, or mocking him. It's just simply amused and genuinely fascinated. She has no idea who he is, but doesn't really know most people at the party. Some of them are girls she went to school with, but most people are her parents' business associates and their adult children. Chrissy feels invisible here. It's the world she was born into, the world she's held captive in. But it's not the world she wants to belong to.

Suddenly, figuring out where he belongs and what he's about are far more interesting than caring about her party.]

But I have a bad habit of thinking too much about everything. I think that means we complement one another.

[With his tall height compared to her short, his darker features compared to her lighter, his sleek suit compared to her flowy white dress. All of it is stark opposites, and she thinks they really complement one another nicely.]

You don't have to stay, though. Not if you really think it's boring. I wouldn't want you to be stuck having a bad time.

[gygaxed]

Is that so?

[ There's a certain power dynamic that settles into place, with Eddie knowing who she is without her sharing the same information. It makes the interaction feel somehow dangerous, sends his heart thrumming in a way he can't control. She's just a girl, in the way that he is still largely just a boy, and in the hazy night club, with masks and suits and dresses, they can be whoever they want. Eddie doesn't want to be the next in line to her family's rival company, and so he chooses not to be. ]

What can I say? [ Eddie lifts a hand to shake the rocks glass that is only now ice and melted water. ] I'm a sucker for free booze.

[ And with that the's guiding them both towards the nearest bar. He orders himself a bourbon, and smiles when she names some fruity drink he's never heard of. There's no denying she is impossibly beautiful, even though he has yet to see her entire face properly. The pieces are easy enough to fit together. And he's already decided that for tonight he isn't Eddie Munson, so he can simply enjoy her company for what it is. ]

Tell me the truth-- [ The words come out around the glass he presses to his lips as he downs a swallow of expensive bourbon. ] Is this really your kind of party?

[cheerleader]

Me? [She's laughing as she questions him, taking a sip from her drink that's more juice than alcohol. There's enough in there to help her relax though, and she shakes her head to answer him.]

No way is this my kind of party. I didn't get to choose anything about it. This was all my mom's idea.

[But she's here, and she's in costume, and everyone else is dancing and socializing with one another. He may have picked up on the fact that no one else really seems to know who she is or recognize her. There's armed guards in the room that know, they have their eyes on her right now. But no one here stops to address her by name, no one has once tried to steal her attention away from him.]

I'm Chrissy, by the way. But I guess you already know that.

[gygaxed]

Yeah, kind of put that together already.

[ He laughs, but it's not unkind. There's just something about her that makes him want to tease her a little. He's more careful than usual to not push anything too far. There's a certain thrill in trying to flirt with a girl whose family hates his on principal. But Eddie is acutely aware that there are armed guards around every corner, and the room is likely filled with people that wouldn't mind taking a swing or two in his direction. ]

I'm Eddie. [ His last name is omitted, and he hopes she doesn't ask. There's a strange feeling of not wanting to lie to her, even though he's already doing that by omission. He raises his newly refreshed glass to her in a toast. ] So what are you wishing for, birthday girl?

[cheerleader]

Honestly?

[Not that she isn't going to tell him the truth. But she stretches the word out as she takes a sip from her glass, smiling around the rim as she enjoys the sugary sweetness of her drink.]

I want to get out of here. But there's no way I can sneak out.

[The fact that he's teasing her a little makes him fascinating. Eddie is funny, she realizes. And good at making her blush, though she doesn't think that's much of a challenge. Still, she's feeling warm and flushed, and in a good way. He seems to be at least into teasing her, if nothing else. And that makes her feel special in a way that her father's money can't buy.

So she takes another drink before setting hers aside, rising up on her tiptoes to lean and whisper to him.]

Are you good at being sneaky, Eddie?

[gygaxed]

[ That answer surprises him, in the best possible way. There are plenty of rumors he's heard about her, that she's an ice princess, that she's holier than thou, the list goes on. It doesn't seem like any of those rumors really got the story right. It's not like Eddie knows her, not when they've only exchange a few sentences and can't even see each other's faces. Despite that he feels like he knows her, intimately, and if she wants to blow this joint, he's going to make it happen. ]

I'll be honest, it's not one of my strong suits.

[ But he's got a wicked smile on his face that shows the wheels are turning. He sizes her up, mentally comparing her to Robin and Nancy. He thinks Robin would be the better fit, the hair color is a close match, though Chrissy's hair is definitely longer. But with the mask and a some creating hair pinning, he thinks they could get away with it. Convincing Robin to go along with this potentially insane idea he's got brewing is another story, but he thinks he can pull it off. ]

Lucky for you I'm a creative thinker. [ Eddie offers an arm to her, scanning the crowd for his friends. ] Come on, I'm going to introduce you to my friends.

[cheerleader]

You have friends?

[She hates herself the second that awestruck sentence comes out of her mouth. Of course he has friends, it's just her that's not really allowed to do things like hang out with other people. There's a visible wince as she mentally berrates herself, before she can hear her mother's voice in her head, scolding her for being so stupid. Soon enough though, the excitement of a possible escape has her smiling. Not even the two guards following along behind them can ruin the anticipation.

Her hand is on his arm, and she's walking pressed in close to him. And she thinks that maybe it's crazy because they haven't really seen each other yet. But she thinks he's the most fascinating and attractive person she's ever met.

By the time they find his friends in the crowd, she's smiling up at him like he's hung every one of the stars in the sky. A couple of people wish her a happy birthday as they walk past, and she doesn't look away from him when she says thank you. She's a little smitten already, just from his personality alone.

Her cousin Billy seems to have noticed as well, because before Eddie has a chance to actually say anything to his friends, he's snaking his way through the crowd to them. He doesn't say anything as he looks Eddie up and down, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth. With a catlike smile that's definitely predatory, he reaches up to press a hand against the top of Chrissy's head, tipping her so he can press a carefully placed kiss to her hair. He never breaks eye contact with Eddie as he does.

Don't fuck around, he whispers to her before he pulls away, the warning meant for the both of them.

Knowing she's on watch after that, she shrinks inside of herself, eyes focused on the floor instead of on Eddie. The light she had just been radiating completely snuffed out.]

That was my cousin Billy. He's...overprotective.

[The same as everyone else. She suddenly feels trapped, like there's no way they're going to be able to get out of here unnoticed.]

[gygaxed]

[ Eddie is just thinking his plan might be perfect when Billy makes an appearance. Well, shit. That throws a bit of a wrench into things. But Eddie is determined to make his plan work. It just needs to be adjusted, that's all. Eddie gives Billy his best innocent smile as the man stalks away, before turning conspiratorially towards his friends. ]

Chrissy, this is Steve, Robin, and Nancy. Guys, this is Chrissy.

[ His friends stare back at him with open shock and mild horror, evident on their faces even half obscured by masks. They're used to Eddie and his wild ideas, but this has apparently reached a new level. Steve doesn't even bother to keep his mouth from hanging open. Eddie just shrugs and smiles, already sure that he'll be able to make this work. And if he has to throw the weight of his family name around a little to accomplish that, so be it. ]

Now Chrissy's got a birthday wish and I think we can help her out. [ He smiles at Chrissy, and it's warm and reassuring. ] I need to chat with my lady friends for a moment, but Steve will keep you entertained, wontcha, big boy?

[ Steve doesn't have any time to argue because Eddie already has Nancy and Robin hooked on either arm. As he expected, both of them respond in a chorus of no fucking way. But with a bit of time, Eddie works his magic on them, coupled of course with a few promises if they help him out. He knows how hungry Nancy is for any opportunity to make a name for herself, and that does the trick. Then there's the problem of Billy, and Eddie suggests Nancy take point on making sure he remains distracted. He's surprised when she insist that at the very least, she and Steve work in tandem on that. That brings up some questions, but now is not the time to ask.

The three of them return to Steve and Chrissy, and it seems like Steve has found his groove in keeping her entertained and amused. ]

Hope we're not interrupting. [ He puts a hand on her shoulder, smiling down at her. ] Chrissy, the girls are gonna go with you to the bathroom, then we'll get out of here.

[ Eddie chooses not to explain further, winking at her through the mask. ]

I know how you girls always like to go in groups.

[cheerleader]

[Everything feels like a blur. First there's disappointment that Eddie's leaving her with someone else to slip away with two other girls. But Steve is funny and kind, and he makes her softly laugh and feel at ease until Eddie comes back. The suggestion to go to the bathroom is almost met with a protest that she doesn't even need to go.

Then she realizes what's happening. Smirking, she nods in understanding, and slips away with his friends to the bathroom. The guards don't follow, because Nancy and Robin look like her friends from school. That, and they're not allowed in the bathroom with them.

Inside, they have Chrissy switch outfits with Robin, making sure to keep the door to the bathroom locked so no one can come in. They work quickly, and by the time they're done, she thinks Robin could pass as her well enough with the masks on. She makes sure her new mask is secured before they slip out of the bathroom, Eddie grabbing hold of her hand before they get too far.

She watches as Nancy and Robin head into the club, the armed guards following them as they believe Robin is her. Chrissy gives a small gasp of delight, allowing Eddie to tug her along after him out of the club. She glances back toward it once they're a safe distance away, and she bursts out laughing.]

I can't believe that actually worked! You really are a genius, Eddie!

[gygaxed]

[ While the girls carry out their part of the plan, Eddie tries to fill Steve in best he can without the other man going completely mental. Maybe he can't even blame Steve for his outrage, considering just how crazy it all is. But Eddie talks Steve off the proverbial ledge, promises he can make it worth his while if everything goes smoothly. And things going smoothly means Steve needs to play his part just like the rest of them. Eddie usually isn't so keen to throw around to throw the weight of his uncle's company around, but these are special circumstances.

He has to hand it to Nancy and Robin, because when they emerge with Chrissy from the bathroom, he can scarcely tell the difference. With theoretically the hardest part of things out of the way, Eddie wraps an arm around Chrissy-now-Robin's waist and guides the two of them out of the night club.

The dress Robin had been wearing is a deep shade of violet, with a plunging neckline and carefully placed sequins. It had been a scandalous length on Robin, but on Chrissy, it settles just at her knees. It's baggy on her, but not so much that it stands out as not being hers. Once they're on the street and a reasonable distance away, Eddie is laughing as well, pulling his mask up off his face. She might recognize him now, he realizes, but doesn't think it will matter. ]

I guess I get lucky every once in a while.

[ That's true enough. For every equally hair brained scheme he's had, most of them have failed. He's glad Chrissy can see him at his best. ]

So where to? [ There's plenty of options: other clubs, restaurants, dive bars, all easily walkable. ] It's your birthday, after all. I just promised we'd be back in an hour.

[cheerleader]

[Chrissy's a little more shy about removing her mask. All of the insecurities her mother has thrust upon her from a young age make her wonder if it isn't better that he just see her with it on and leave things to his imagination. He's removed his though, and so she slowly works Robin's mask off her face. It's held by the string in one hand, and she reaches up to unpin her hair to let it down. She shakes her head to help strawberry blonde curls cascade down her back.

Still a little timid, she glances over at Eddie. Oh god, please let him think she's pretty.

The sight of him unmaked makes her take pause, heart skipping a beat. He's even more attractive with his mask off, and she blushes as he catches her staring.]

I've always wanted to see the beach. Can we go? Please?

[She knows there's one not too many blocks away from this location. But she's not sure if they'd be able to walk there and enjoy things and have time to walk back. That doesn't stop her from looking up at him so sweetly, eager to see the ocean up close.]

[gygaxed]

The beach, hm?

[ The answer surprises him. He would have thought she'd want to head to some equally high class establishment, and that would have been fine by him. But the beach is unexpected, sends a giddy thrill rising up through him. Eddie know exactly which direction to head in to get them there fastest, thinks they'll have plenty of time to have their fund before they need to get back to her party. ]

You've got it.

[ The streets are crowded with people, and even as nicely dressed as they are, they don't turn any heads. They reach the beach in record time, Eddie stopping to remove his socks and shoes and roll of the bottoms of his pants before heading out onto the shore.

It's surprisingly peaceful, the night time revelry lost to the sound of waves hitting the shore. She's so beautiful beneath the moonlight, with her mask removed and practically glowing. It's in that moment that he wants to kiss her, but instead he bites down hard on his lip. He thinks that should wait, at least for a little while. Instead he just takes her hand, waiting for her to remove her shoes before they walk out across the sand. ]

So, are you really saying you've never been on the beach before?

[cheerleader]

I've never been allowed!

[Laughing as she explains it makes her feel less self-conscious somehow. He's definitely not kept under lock and key by his family. He's just Eddie, and he gets to come and go as he pleases. And right now, he very much so pleases to escort her to the beach. Which is so charming that she's a little more smitten with him.

It's a warm June night, and the sand feels amazing on her bare feet. Even with as wonderful of a sensation as it is, she's completely captivated by the sight of the ocean at night. The moon shining down on it is heavenly, and she pauses in walking long enough to really take in how beautiful it is.]

My parents are paranoid someone might take me away or hurt me, I guess. I've never really left my family's compound. But now that I'm eighteen, maybe things will be different.

[She sounds hopeful, but knows that isn't likely. Her head turns, looking away from the water and up to him. The sight of him in the moonlight nearly steals her breath away, and her eyes widen in surprise that she's managed to meet someone as attractive as he is. Chrissy is struck with the sudden urge to kiss him, but she isn't sure how to go about initiating that.

In the end, she gives his hand a squeeze and leads him out to the water so they can get their feet wet.]

[gygaxed]

Just between you and me, your folks sound kind of insane.

[ Though Eddie can understand, at least a little. He's not a stranger to unusual rules coming down from his uncle on how he's meant to conduct himself, what he can and can't do. Those rules were definitely less strict than Chrissy's, and Eddie tended to just ignore the ones he didn't care for. It was something of a balancing act, breaking the rules just enough that he didn't piss off Wayne too badly.

As they make their way across the sand, Eddie wonders about the different rules in their lives, thinks about the disproportionate risk they might be taking. Though truthfully, it's hard to think about anything for too long, because every time he looks down at her his train of thought goes careening off course. ]

You're not worried about me spiriting you away, are you? [ He flashes a mischievous smile in her direction. There's something about that idea that's very appealing, for reasons that have nothing to do with their family's warring companies. ] Because I'm starting to feel like I've broken Rapunzel out of her tower.

[cheerleader]

Should I be worried?

[She teases, her smile still shy but shaping into something more coy. Flirting isn't something that she's ever really done, but it almost feels natural to her when it's with him. The fact that he's the nephew of her family's biggest rival is still unknown to her. Her parents keep her shut out of the business side of things. The whole Rapunzel locked away in her tower thing he's just said is pretty accurate, really.

The longer she smiles up at him and looks into his eyes, the more she notices his full lips and the way he looks in the moonlight, she's aware that maybe she's not the one that should worry after all.]

I think maybe my parents should be the ones that are worried. They've kept me locked away just so they can marry me off to whoever they think makes the most money.

[She has the sneaking suspicion that Eddie is not the person they'd choose for her. And really, she's fine with that. The kind of man that her parents choose for her is likely to be someone she doesn't want to be near, much less be married to. Whatever Eddie's job is, whatever his family is like, she knows their roles are different. Hers has always been to be good and pretty, be seen and not heard. She's known from a young age that her worth lies in how perfect she seems, so her parents can match her with someone they think will improve the family's position.

It doesn't matter to her what background Eddie has. Where he comes from, or where he wants to go.]

But you know, I think I'd let you steal me away. If you really wanted to.

[It's all flirting, isn't it? Just playful talk to let each other know they're into one another.

She pulls away as she feels her heart start to race, and runs ahead so she's knee deep in the ocean. Her arms stretch out as she does, and she shouts in joy as she spins. This is the best night ever.]

[gygaxed]

Only a little.

[ Eddie winks at her, but the idea of stealing her away is strangely... tempting. It's not like he's never flirted with anyone before, never had feelings for someone but this is distinctly different. Flirting with Chrissy, laughing with her, it's like nothing he's experienced before. As they were somehow made for each other, everything about them in perfect alignment.

Aside from the fact that their families hate each other, that is. And he's starting to wonder if she even realizes who he is. If she's been as shut away as she says, then she might have no idea. Eddie isn't sure how he feels about this now, keeping that from her. Especially now that he's realized how badly he wants to kiss her. ]

Hey, wait up!

[ She's bounding off into the water, and Eddie laughs as she goes. He pauses for a moment to roll his slacks up higher, though he supposes some wet cuffs wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen to him tonight. Eddie catches up with her and grabs her by the wrist, spinning her back to face him. As she turns back to him he swears his heart stops, the sight of her is near overwhelming. Framed by stars, haloed by the moon and surrounded by the sea-- it makes his insides feel like they've been set on fire. ]

I should tell you... [ He trails off, cupping her face in one hand. They are mere inches away from each other, and he wants to kiss her, he's going to kiss her, but-- ] I'm Eddie Munson, by the way.

[cheerleader]

[The smile on her face quickly dissolves into a look of shock as he tells her his full name. Munson, she knows. She's heard a lot about Wayne Munson the past handful of years. None of it good. Her parents would definitely consider him to be an enemy. And by extension, Eddie an enemy. He's absolutely not someone they would ever let her be near.

Her heart races, pounding in her chest, as she tries to sort out her thoughts. She's attracted to him. It feels like they had an instant connection. And he's so kind and gentle with her. And right now, she very much wishes he'd kiss her. Just so she can see what it feels like to kiss him, so she knows for sure that their connection is as electric as it feels to her right now.

Cheek leaning into his touch, she's almost nuzzling his palm as her smile slowly comes back. It's painfully shy at that point, because it feels like he has to be judging her for letting him get this close. After everything she's told him about who her family is and how they try to protect her, she's making puppy eyes at the guy that should be her biggest enemy.]

Munson, huh? My parents would kill you if they knew we were out here.

[She sounds so soft and breathy, and so stupid. But he's so close, just inches away. And she can't think of anything other than kissing him. Her head turns for just a second, pressing a kiss to the heel of his hand. Unwilling to look away from him any longer than that, she turns back so her cheek is pressed gently against his hand.

And...oh.

Is he closer now? She thinks he might be. Her tongue grazes against her lips to moisten them. It doesn't dawn on her to go slow, to stop and consider that the boy she's convinced she's in love with has come from the only family hers is at constant war with. Completely smitten, Chrissy only cares about the way he makes her feel. Not the family he was born into.]

[gygaxed]

[ If she rejects him right then and there, Eddie thinks his heart might actually break. Not that he can really blame her, given her family's tendency to hate anyone from his family on sight-- and vice versa, to be fair. But Eddie doesn't care about any of that, and it seems like she might not either. Especially when she kisses his hand and nuzzles back into it. His heart leaps into his throat, and it takes all his effort to sound even a little bit smooth. ]

Got it. Do me a favor then and don't tell them about me, okay? I'm kind of a fan of being alive.

[ He laughs a little, but his mouth suddenly feels dry. If she was bothered by him being a Munson, the time to let him know has come and gone. And so Eddie pulls her in to kiss her, firm and greedy. The kiss is-- electric, like the entire world lights up around them. He takes his time with it, unsure if he'll ever get the chance to do it again. When he finally pulls back he's a little breathless, but his eyes shine in the darkness, the moonlight swallowed up within them. ]

Oh yeah, they're definitely going to kill me.

[cheerleader]

[Her first kiss is everything that she hoped it would be. It's unyielding and intense, and makes her feel like every single nerve ending is on fire. He gives her no quarter, and she gets a thrill out of that, drawing out the kiss until he's ready to pull back.

Her eyes open to his when he does, and she's taken in by the depths of the darkness of his gaze. She's completely speechless as she stares up at him, wishing they could go back to the start so she can relive her first kiss over and over. It's then that she knows he's likely ruined her for anyone else. No one will ever compare to him, and this moment is magical enough that she'll never be able to recapture how important it is to her.]

That was better than I thought kissing would be like.

[A soft admission, one that has her feeling brave. She leans in to claim a sweet and gentle kiss of her own, one that she lets him take over and deepen how he likes. He coaxes her lips into parting for him, and swallows her gasp as his tongue once again explores the depths of her mouth. It's a brand new sensation, one that she quickly becomes addicted to.

When she pulls away, her cheeks are flushed, lips red and kiss swollen. If she hadn't looked completely in love with him before, she does now. Chrissy's always been told romance and love weren't options for girls like her. She had a higher purpose. She thinks of how lucky she is that she's been able to experience the gift of love at first sight tonight.

But she also knows that she has no idea how she'll be able to let him take her back, knowing he'll slip away from her and she may never get to see him again.]

I don't want to go back.

[She's pretty sure someone in her family actually will kill him. Probably Billy.]

[gygaxed]

[ Of course this is her first kiss. That admission shouldn't surprise him, it doesn't, really. But it sends a strange fluttering through him, as though it means she's meant for him, they are meant for each other. It feels like it may as well have been his first kiss too, because no other kiss he's had before comes close to it. ]

I'm glad you liked it.

[ The swagger is gone from his words, instead they come out like an innocent, awed revelation. To know that she is feeling what he's feeling, it is the closest thing to divinity he's ever experienced. Then she's the one initiating the next kiss, and the feeling intensifies. He has to have her, he knows that with wild certainty. Whatever it takes, their families be damned.

Eddie goes into this next kiss with more confidence, more hunger. She seems so pliable to his touch, so eager for everything he wants to give her. As if she has been waiting all this time for him to find her. Maybe she has. When he pulls back the next time, he takes a moment to just admire her, the flush in her cheeks and the way her lips have become kiss swollen. Perfect, she's perfect. ]

I know. [ And the temptation to take her by the hand no, and go somewhere, anywhere, far from here is overwhelming. But at the very least he needs to collect his friends, and then they're free. ] Just need to go get my friends and we can get out of here.

[ It's a whispered promise, as he presses light kisses along the side of her face. Eddie takes one of her hands in his, their fingers threading perfectly together. He tugs her back towards the sand, though it's with great reluctance. ]

[cheerleader]

[His confidence feels to die down into something more soft and gentle, but there's still a certainty and ease to everything about him that keeps her at ease. Her inexperience doesn't seem to be a hindrance like she thought it might. Anything she's never done before and doesn't know about, Eddie will show her. They hardly know one another, but she's positive that he won't mind that. Not with how much he seems to enjoy kissing her.]

I'll follow you anywhere, Eddie. But...where are we going once we get them?

[She whispers in return, smiling and blushing as his kisses make her giggle. With their hands together, she's even more reluctant to leave the beach. It's tempting to just pull away and run, so he has to chase her and they can have more time to waste here together. They can't leave his friends at her party alone though, and she finds contentment with the fact that it really seems like he won't easily let her go.

Growing up, she read books about princesses finding their true love. She had never been given the freedom to believe she'd have one of her own. But she had dreamed she might, and meeting Eddie tonight has proven to her that the reality of love is even better than it is in the stories. People might tell her that it's impossible for her to fall in love with him at first sight. And maybe she would have agreed with them yesterday.

Tonight though, her heart has been stolen away. And she doesn't want him to give it back. Raising their joined hands, she presses a kiss to each and every one of his knuckles. Even that contact is electric for her, and a shiver courses through her that has nothing to do with the night air.]

[gygaxed]

We'll figure it out.

[ It's a little foolish, proclaiming they'll run away together without any sort of plan. But Eddie just seems to know that things will work out, somehow, because it's them. Because now that he's found Chrissy Cunningham, he's never going to live another day without her. It's a wonder to him that he was able to live at all before this day.

They make their way slowly from the water, taking their time with each other. Every kiss yields the temptation to draw it out forever, to lay her down in the sand and claim her as his own. If it weren't for the fact that his friends are currently covering for them back at the party, he thinks he would do just that. Once the sand gives way to pavement, they reluctantly get back into their shoes, dust as much sand away as they can manage.

Eddie keeps an arm wrapped around her shoulders as they meander their way back to the night club, occasionally pausing to press her up against the side of a building, tug her briefly into a dark alley and get another taste of her. Eddie feels on top of the world by the time they walk through the doors-- a feeling that very quickly shatters when they take in the sight in front of them.

Their ruse must have been discovered, because a fight seems to have broken out on the door floor. It seems Eddie in his friends weren't the only one from the Munson side of things to sneak in, because there are several pairs of people at each other's throats, while others goad them on. ]

Oh, fuck. [ Eddie's voice is a trembling whisper as he lets go of Chrissy's hand to push his way into the fray, moving to separate Steve and Billy. ] Enough, enough! Knock it off!

[cheerleader]

[Chrissy's floating on air as they make their way back. No amount of stealing extra time with gentle touches and sweet kisses seems to be enough to her. The part of her that's young and in love wishes he'd decide not to go back to the party at all, that they'd just turn and find his car and run away together. She realizes that's still an option as he pulls her into the alley by the club, and they share one final hungry kiss.

All they have to do is find his friends, and they can go.

Any hope Chrissy naively had of that plan actually working is crushed when they step into the club and there's chaos unfolding between their families. Her heart sinks the second he lets go of her hand, eyes widening as she takes in the sight of Billy and Steve looking ready to kill one another.

She calls to Eddie, but her fearful voice is lost among the shouting and violence that's unfolding around them. The second he steps in close enough, Billy rounds about on him, and Chrissy shrieks and rushes to push herself through the crowd to try to get between her cousin and the man that she loves. She makes it just in time for Billy to take a swing, and she doesn't have time to register what's happening before Eddie's pulled her behind him.]

Stop! Billy, please! Don't hurt him!

[Eddie's hands on her seems to make her cousin and everyone else in her family see red. The shouts grow louder, as the armed guards move in toward the center of the room. Chrissy panics, turning in on Eddie so she can bury her face against his chest. She has a very real fear someone may actually kill him, and thinks maybe she can shield him with her body to keep him safe.]