Actual conversation

Instead of trying to come up with anything specific to talk about, Ethan and Layla just... Talk.

They talk for hours, at first just sipping tea, until eventually Layla decides to make dinner, insisting Ethan stay for it as the storm continues to rage. She did, at least, consult him on what to make, and settled on pork chops.

They talk while she cooks, while they eat, and while they clean up together.

Speaking to Layla, once he forgot about her chest and what was between her legs, was effortless for Ethan. Despite the fact she was twice his age, born and raised in a different world than him he felt such an ease of connection with her it would have scared him if it wasn't so engrossing.

The storm didn't ease, and the night wore on.

"Well, I wouldn't go that far..." Layla sighs ruffling her thick hair.

"Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it."

Layla scoffs. "You're so mean!"

"You were the bully!"

"I wasn't a bully! I was just..." she stammers, fighting back a smile. "Okay. Time out," she signals with her hands, "I think we lost the plot a little."

Ethan tuts, leaning back on the couch. "Right. Well... I don't remember how we got onto that..."

"Right?!" Layla cocks her head, squinting one eye. "Uh, god I think I need a drink..."

"Careful there," Ethan teases, "At this rate, people might think you have a problem."

Layla scoffs and laughs, flipping Ethan the bird. "Oh shush! My only problem are the twenty-one-year-old pains in my ass!"

"Hm, pains?" Ethan looks around. "You got more young men waiting in the wings."

Layla starts to protest, but instead just laughs. "Aaron! God that kid..." she rubs her brow, "I love him, god do I love him, but fuck. He called to get me to ship him his old Nintendo."

"Why?" Ethan can understand why he would want it. Retro gaming was quite the rage.

"Fuck if I know," she sighs, "Would it kill him to come get it himself? Does he really not want to visit me that bad?"

"Ah," Ethan reads the mood. "I'm sure he's not trying to avoid visiting."

Layla makes a loud 'hm' sound. "Well, at the very least he calls. I haven't even spoke-" she catches herself, tossing Ethan a glance. "To his father in years."

Ethan is 100% sure that's not what she was going to say.