Marshall just partially lied to Proof again that night. When asked what spurred the notion of a spontaneous kick back, Marshall withheld the fact that he had been relentlessly anxious for five hours straight.
"Just wanna relax." he told Proof, as he rolled a blunt in the passenger seat of his car.
Somewhat expectant of how their night would go, Marshall and Proof entered the apartment. As the door opened, feminine giggles peaked their curiosity. Denaun sat on the couch, the back of the recliner hindering their view of who sat. Marshall was not surprised that Porter had invited a girl over, he did not care to find out who. He walked first to the kitchen counter, setting down the bag of liquor. Proof walked into the living room in pace to take a seat next to Denaun. Paying a quick glance down at the recliner, he stopped dead in his tracks. Marshall noticed from the kitchen as he did a double take down at the recliner. His own view of their guest was still obstructed. Proof seemed stunned, even under the circumstances of the night's influences, Marshall was disturbed by this reaction.
"Hiiiiiiii..." She drew before he could take his first step out of the kitchen area. His mind hastened to recognize the somewhat familiar voice. As he neared, Proof met his eyes still blankly, and then back to their guest. It seemed it had all happened too soon as Marshall too became bewildered by none other than Maureen Doc, curled comfortably into his recliner. His equally glassy eyes beheld hers. He had never seen her this way, never even imagined her this way. The helplessly joyful look on her face was brilliant, but dark. His chest clenched as he further glanced down the length of her bare legs, the illusion of shorts hidden beneath a baggy t-shirt.
"It seems an invite was lost in the mail." Denaun stood and stared down at her too as if she were a view for all to take in.
"It does appear that way, we have decided." She giggled and locked eyes with Marshall.
Now he was stunned, so Proof spoke up.
"Porter... What's going on?" He said carefully, weary of how Marshall would react once he registered the situation.
Maureen sat up cooly and spoke for herself.
"I came looking for Marshall."
"Why the fuck is she blazed, Porter?" Marshall's harsh voice eventually blundered through the mellow atmosphere. His eyes lingered at her ribs which caged a poor lung.
"We had a little sweet tooth."
The empty glass and plate of crumbs still sat on the side table. Both Marshall and Proof's eyes widened in astonishment. Marshall dropped to his knees, attempting to blink away the glaze from his eyes to actually see that this was real.
"Maureen." He spoke deep and toneless. "Are you okay?"
"Mhmmmm." She hummed melodically and boldly as she leaned in closer. She smiled mischievously, and licked her lips, her eyes cracked with reds and pinks.
"She been waitin' a while. We'll step outside while y'all say your little hello's." Proof lingered behind Marshall for a few moments, but then stepped out with Denaun on the small balcony off the living room. Marshall's heartbeat echoed until they were alone.
"What the fuck is going on, Maureen?" He grasped her cheeks in his hands and stared desperately into her eyes. Far more at ease, she brought her fingers to the back of his hands and nuzzled into his touch, closing her eyes peacefully.
"Look at me." He demanded, and her eyelashes fluttered blissfully.
"What're you doing? How are you here?" He practically begged, all the worry that suffocated him in the previous hours attempting to claw its way out.
"John came. He told me you gave him a hard time when he came to you. You knew he was coming"
"What happened? Did he do something?"
"He didn't have anything to bring." She laughed.
"My Mom had him stay for dinner, though. He got piss-poor drunk with her, they kissed apparently. So I had to drive him home."
"What the fuck? I tried to call you. What the fuck do you mean they kissed?"
"I don't know." She laughed again. "But it's funny to think about isn't it? My poor dad."
My poor Maureen, Marshall thought.
"Please don't tell me you smoked anything. There's a fucking hole in your chest." His hands fell and stopped to trace her collarbones, needing to feel that she was alright.
"Noooooo, just some cookies."
"Multiple? Maureen, you're supposed to eat halves at a time. How many?" Even this concern did not seem to phase her, she remained calm, serene. Marshall had never seen her in such a state, not even in drunken confidence.
"Just three. Ugh, but my mouth is so dry." Lazily leaning out of his grip, she reached for her empty glass. "More milk, please sir?" She spoke in a broken british accent, that he resented for the fact that it made him smile.
"Stop it, you need to get back." He pushed it aside.
"Nooooo." Her eyebrows furrowed dramatically, and her lips pouted. "Let me stay a little longer."
"It's late, she's gonna realize you didn't come back."
"She's drunk. She told me she wouldn't even be up when I got back."
"Still," He forced himself to insist, Porter had ruined the night anyhow. "Me and Proof will drive you. You can't stay here tonight."
With Marshall still kneeled down before her in front of the recliner, Maureen pushed herself off of the seat and into his lap. Against this, his protests faltered and his arms accepted her body. He too had indulged in Porter's sweets, and the dopamine lingered. He relished in her limbs eager attempts to coil around his body. She was warm and her embrace tender. It felt too good for him to resist. He had missed her. He wondered how just moments before he even managed to tell her she could not stay. All night he had been consumed in her absence, and despite his attempt to suppress his feelings, it was this that he longed for most.
"Don't make me go yet. I waited for you. I've been waiting all day."
His muscles tightened, a shameful groan escaped his throat, and she relaxed further into his lap. "Just a little while longer, Marshall, please?"
She did not need to beg. In that moment, as far as he was concerned she never had to leave. A distant part of him relished in her begging to stay with him, it thrilled him. He cocked his head back and gazed foggily at her, he had been waiting all day. Leaving no room for another breath, he grasped the back of her neck and the small of her back, sure not to touch her side and he mushed his lips onto hers. Their noses bumped, teeth clashed, he licked the sides of her mouth. Neither cared, they were equally desirous.
Forcing himself off, she was breathless as he pulled away. Her eyes just barely open, she too grasped the sides of his neck, gently attempting to pull him back. Fighting against her pulls, he forced out, "Don't ever take anything like that from anyone again. I don't care if they are friends of mine."
"Okay, okay, yes-" She assured him desperately in an attempt to reach his mouth again. He chuckled and let her, her tongue was eager to tease boldly.
"Whoo! Looks a lot warmer in here!"
Denaun exclaimed as he and Proof stepped back inside. Marshall tensed as his friends walked in on them, but Maureen remained eager. His eyes fluttered bashfully, and he forced their kiss to break.
