Finessed by the Tiger // Lemon//

Chapter 5

Editor's note: All original characters and story plot details belong to the original author/creator Lily Dusk. This is a lemon fan-fiction and goes a bit of a different direction than the origin story. Also, a rather long fan-fiction, figured we would all need something to help carry us over between episode updates. Starting this off when Poppy leaves Tora with Quincy after dinner Episode 45.)

I finally get to the top of the stairs, or at least the floor that Tora lives on and I am out of breath. That wouldn't have been so bad if I weren't lugging groceries up the stairs with me. I look down at the bags in my hands and wonder if this was a mistake. Before I could turn around to make my escape, I adjusted the bags in my hands and knocked on the door. I stood there waiting, staring straight ahead of me.

"I hope he isn't mad"

After another minute, the door quickly opens. At first Tora had a frighting death glare on his face, fixated above my head. He looked down, and a look of utter surprise crosses his face. He drops his hand from the doorknob and just stands there frozen, trying to determine what I am up too.

Poppy: "Look, I know we said our goodbyes and that you might not want me here, but you looked like you could use some company and a fresh cooked meal last night. So here I am."

I stood there with my shoulders squared, not willing to budge from my spot. Time to catch the tiger by the tail. In an Oscar worthy pose, I stood my ground and starred him down. He continued to stand frozen in place.

Poppy: "I AM NOT LEAVING, until you have eaten something".

Out of nowhere and lightning fast, Tora reaches his hand out and pulls me into his apartment with a look of sheer panic.

Once inside the apartment, I stumble forward trying to rebalance myself with the added weight of the groceries. Tora is behind me locking the deadbolts on the door. I take this moment to look around the room. It looks like a man cave, with very little color. There is a basic black sofa over to my left, with a red blanket unceremoniously spread out on the floor in front of the couch.

I take a few steps closer, seeing has there is something almost hidden by the blanket. It looks like it might be a T-rex pillow, laying right next to the red blanket, on the floor.

Poppy: "Men and their dinosaurs. Ha-ha"

Shaking my head, I turn around finally take in Toras appearance. He is leaning against the door, running his right hand through his hair, carefully watching my every move. He is in a tight black spandex tank top and undeniable grey sweatpants. Captivated by his tattoos I move forward; I really want to touch them. Stopping myself from moving forward and not being able to control myself, the only thing I am left with is to try to keep eye contact. "Do not look down Poppy, control yourself."

Left not knowing what to do or say...

Poppy: "So, you slept on the floor last night? Wouldn't a bed have been more comfortable?"

Tora: "Didn't make it past the living room last night."

Tora steps forward and is finally right in front of me. I resist the urge to reach out and trail the outline of his tattoos and find myself looking up into ember eyes. Tora raises a hand and moves a strand of hair out of my face, that must have come undone on my journey up the steps.

Tora: "Bobby... I"

Not giving him a chance to finish his sentence, and trying to hide my blush, I raise the grocery bags. Putting on a huge smile I manage to squeak...