Archive of Our Own ^beta

Rex prides herself on having built an interesting and satisfying life, but there are always surprises left for her.

Firstly, that the bar would not only succeed, but would thrive so vibrantly that Marz had signed off on an extension. Secondly, that Marz would also assign the colony's top architect to design it.

"I have sketches," Soleil says, jolting Rex back to reality. Sol is sitting on a bar-stool, solemn and straight-backed, regarding Rex intently.

Rex smiles easily, leaning on the bar. "Lets see 'em?"

Soleil pulls out an actual physical folder of sketches in real paper. They're gorgeous. The extension melts into the existing structure of the bar like it had always been part of the plan, transitioning into an outdoor area with seating and an awning. Rex pictures the outdoor tables lit by candlelight, populated by people drinking and laughing, and her heart does a funny little flip.

"This," Soleil indicates the awning, "can fold back, depending on the weather, and there are heaters integrated into the lamps, to get year-round use out of the space. What do you think?"

Rex tears her eyes away from the sketches to look at Soleil, who is still looking very attentively at her. She has beautiful eyes — a rich red-brown, dark and deep, the kind of eyes a woman could get very lost in if she wasn't careful. And Soleil is single. She was wrapped up in Tangent for a good six years, but it's been eighteen months, and it would be worth a shot.

"Whatever you say, gorgeous," Rex gives Soleil a lopsided grin, "I've seen more than enough to know I'm in safe hands."

For a moment, Rex thinks she's overstepped. Soleil's gaze sharpens, laser focused, in a look that would turn a lesser woman's insides to slush. Oops. Made her mad.

Then a moment later, she realises the soft lighting of the bar and the light brown of Sol's skin is very effectively covering a blush. Rex cocks her head, smile widening. Soleil had seemed cool and unreachable, a distant and brilliant star, but here she is blushing like a maiden. Cute!

"I," Soleil pauses, carefully gathering up her sketches, "I'll be along tomorrow before opening to discuss next steps. We may need to close the bar for a short time, but I would like to minimise any disruption."

Rex smiles at her, a little more gently this time. Some people need a lighter touch, and Soleil may well be one of them. "Bright and early," she replies, giving Soleil a cordial nod.

Then Soleil turns and heads out of the bar in a straight line, head held high, back straight and shoulders square. Rex is re-evaluating that clean, sharp demeanour in light of Soleil blushing and stammering just a few minutes before.

Well! Well. Rex lies awake that night, thinking about the quick bright sharpness of that look, the thrill of Soleil's attention and that cute rosy blush, until the long day drags her into unconsciousness.

When Rex shows up at the bar early the following morning, Soleil is already standing outside, fingers curled around an insulated flask. Rex tries to picture the expanded bar, all the room she'd have for events and activities. The colony is getting bigger — there's a few small children darting around, and outside Rex can see Anemone playing catch with six-year-old Echinacea.

"Good morning," Soleil murmurs, following Rex inside the bar and putting her flask in her bag and her bag on a chair, "I hope the rest of your night went well. I've discussed with Al and Bernie, and they think the best way to go about this would be to close the bar for a short time. It's inconvenient, but less disruptive in the long term."

It's not ideal, but… "I did say I trust your judgement," Rex smiles at her, "especially after seeing what you have planned."

"You're very trusting," Soleil observes, "especially with your passion project."

Rex shrugs gamely, sweeping an arm around the room. "I saw what your plans were for this place, and I think you care about what you're doing and want to do good work. That's enough for me."

Soleil is watching her intently, pacing around the edge of the room. Soleil moves like a knife, clean and precise, blue and yellow ponytail swaying gently as she comes to a halt. "That's true," she says eventually, and she sounds a little surprised someone has noticed.

"I pay attention," Rex grins, and dares to give Soleil a showy appreciative once-over. She who dares does not always win, but Rex likes her odds.

For a second, Soleil's brows draw together, and Rex's heart drops. Then one of her hands comes up, and she catches the sharp edge of a smile from behind Soleil's fingers, and the beginnings of that charmingly girlish blush.

"Hoping to get me alone, Basorexia?" Soleil's voice is cool, but there's a glitter in her eye that Rex very much likes the look of.

Rex rubs the back of her neck. "I like the vibe," she shrugs, gesturing as if counting off a list, "I like the way you look at me, and you're smart with a great ass."

Soleil tilts her head. "So that's a yes," and there's that crafty little smile again, "you were hoping to get me alone."

Oop, called out. Rex gives her a sheepish grin, then tilts her head behind the bar. "Would you like a look at the staff area?"

"I'm not making any changes to the staff areas," Soleil observes, but she takes a step closer.

Rex winks at her, backing up past the bar and out of view of the windows. Soleil stands in the middle of the floor, watching her go. She's still looking a little rosy-cheeked, but she's just standing there, and for a moment Rex wonders if she might have misread and starts formulating an apology.

"Sorry, I," Soleil half-laughs, "it's been a while. You're inviting me somewhere private to do…?"

"Whatever you want, beautiful," Rex gives her a lopsided grin, and watches Soleil's gaze drop to her mouth. Yes! If you want it, come and get it!

Soleil bites her lip. Rex watches the movement of her throat as she swallows, watches her take a step forward and then another. She extends a hand, and Soleil takes it, and leads her behind the door labelled "Staff only". The door shuts behind them, with a final click.

Soleil grabs her by the harness and pulls her in close, eyes intent. "Well hello," Rex laughs, leaning in until she can feel Soleil's breath against her lips.

"Hello yourself, charmer," Soleil murmurs, "how's your bite, or are you all bark?"

Rex laughs, stepping forward to trap Soleil between her body and the door. Soleil makes a tiny breathless noise, eyes going very wide.

"My bite's worse than my bark," Rex purrs, directly in Soleil's ear, "much worse."

She feels the catch in Soleil's breath as much as she hears it. "Then stop talking," Soleil growls, "and prove it."

Oh, that's permission. Rex shoves Soleil up against the wood and kisses her — not roughly, but assertively, which judging by how easily Soleil just about melts was absolutely the right choice. Soleil's plenty muscular from plenty of physical construction work and time outdoors, she's letting Rex push her around. There is a delicious thrill in having Soleil at her mercy because she wants to be.

With the utmost reluctance, Rex pulls away, getting a brief and gratifying glimpse of flushed skin and blown-out pupils before moving in to kiss her neck. One of Soleil's hands immediately claps over her mouth, stifling a moan. Someone's used to needing to stay quiet. Is this the first back room you've hooked up in, Soleil?

"Aw," Rex grins into her neck, desire curling in her gut, "someone's all wound up."

Soleil makes a frustrated noise through her fingers and promptly grabs a handful of Rex's ass, pulling their bodies closer together, not that there's much closer to go. Rex gently nudges her thigh between Soleil's knees, pressing up between her legs, and Soleil just about sobs through her fingers.

Then there's a chime, and Soleil growls, head dropping back against the door. "I have," she manages after a moment, "another appointment."

"Bail," Rex suggests hopefully, "something came up."

Soleil gives her a Look. It's a forbidding look, although the flush that starts at her temples and continues all the way down under the collar of her (slightly translucent, Rex notes) shirt softens the effect a little.

No dice. Oh well, Rex can work with this. "Well, got plans for this evening?"

Soleil gives her another one of those very intent looks. "I don't know," she says, "I didn't think so, but I think I may be about to stand corrected?"

"You're having dinner with me," Rex smiles, "in my quarters. And, one more thing…"

Rex pulls the collar of Soleil's shirt aside, picking a spot that probably won't be visible to a casual observer, and bites down. Soleil laughs breathily, one hand idly petting Rex's hair. "I did ask you to prove you were more bite than bark," she murmurs, "more —mm— more fool me…"

Rex straightens up, rolling her shoulders. "I know more tricks too," she shoves her hands in her pockets, watching Soleil straighten herself up, "although, next time?"

"Mmm?" Soleil lifts an eyebrow, already reaching for the doorknob.

"No need to cover your mouth, I love knowing how well I'm doing," Rex beams, reaching past her to open the door and bounce out into the bar space, "see you this evening!"

Soleil laughs, a little disbelievingly, picking up her bag. "I take feedback very seriously," she replies, "I will see you this evening."

Then she strides off, straight as an arrow, head held high. Rex watches her go, chewing her lip, then shrugs and starts unloading the steriliser from the previous night. There's plenty to keep her busy until this evening. She can't wait.