Something I Need || Atticus

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The paintbrush was held casually in one hand as she stared at the canvas. A soft frown settling on her lips. Her left hand held the palette, already covered in various blends of acrylic. Something wasn't right. She didn't know what it was but there was just something off about the painting. It was like it wasn't completed. That there was something missing. Her teeth snagged her bottom lip. What was wrong with this picture? She shook her head, letting out a frustrated scream, and tossed her paintbrush and palette onto the table beside her.

Walking over to the stereo, she picked up her iPod. Skipping through various songs, she found the one she was looking for. One Republic. Something I Need. With the frown being replaced by a small smile, she went over to another easel, set up a new canvas and soon began to paint. She let the music (which blared throughout the studio at full volume, making nearly everything vibrate) just envelop her body. Her feet soon beginning to tap along to the chorus, and it wasn't long before the painting began to take shape. She laughed when she saw it. The very familiar face that was appearing on her canvas.

Now, it wasn't that often that Evie did portraits of those closest to her. Always thinking she couldn't recreate them. But, the song had gotten to her. Her mind on the man that was on the canvas. She had no idea what the time was, there was no clock in her studio, and she had no idea when he'd finish work but she did know that she very much wanted to see her husband right now.

The young woman was dancing now as she painted on the large canvas. It was A1 in size. A grin was on her face as she actually began to sing along to the incredibly catchy lyrics to the song. "You got something I need, in this world full of people there's one killing me, and if we only die once, I wanna die with you" a laugh left her lips as she continued to paint. At the moment she was trying to perfect his eyes. Those beautiful cerulean blue eyes. And of course that pesky part of brown. Thinking about it, this was actually the first time she'd painted her husband as just him. She'd painted a few portraits of him with their friends, but never just him.

It was actually turning into a rather nice portrait too. Looking around, she saw a perfect space in her studio that it could be hung. Of course, it was nowhere near finished - but the proportions all seemed about right. Though, she'd have to see him again to make sure. Taking a few steps back, she looked at her smiling husband's face. There was no detail as of yet, but it was him. There weren't any doubts about it. All thoughts on her previous painting were forgotten. Now this was a painting she was already growing to love.

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The day started with an irritating- beep, beep, beep- as the alarm clock on the side of his bed sounded that it was time for him to get up. As every morning, Atticus groaned a little and opened his eyes a fraction to look at the time, resisting the urge to throw the clock at the wall and instead, tugged the wire out of the back to disconnect it. Both the noise and movement caused his wife, Evana, to stir in her sleep, her much smaller leg brushing against his own as she nestled into his side and wrapped her arm across his chest. As he looked down at her, Atticus couldn’t fight the smile that formed on his face even if he wanted to. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, earning some incoherent mumbling in response that almost made him chuckle. This was one of those mornings he almost wished he didn’t have a job to go to because he could just spend the whole morning just like this but unfortunately, he did have work today. Before he had disconnected it, the clock had read four thirty a.m. which meant he had a hour until he had to be in for his shift which in turn meant he could stay like this with the woman he loved for a little longer.

When Atticus did finally get up and out of bed he was careful as he lifted her arm off him (as much as he didn’t want to) and slowly climbed out of bed. They were both pretty used to his early morning shifts by now, he left the room quietly to have a shower, then returned and maneuvered carefully and quietly around their bedroom as he got changed and ready for work. As he did so, Evie stirred awake, peering over at him through heavy-lidded, still sleepy eyes, giving him a soft ‘morning, what time is it?’ and a tired huff, her eyes closing again when he answered her. Again, he couldn’t help but smile as he stood looking at her for a moment before turning around and leaving the room again. Going to the kitchen- the first thing he made was a mug of coffee for himself before he cooked up a breakfast for not only himself but Evie also, taking it on a tray to the bedroom and softly waking her up. They spoke as they ate and even for a bit when they finished before Atticus took the tray back into the kitchen again, rinsing off the plates and putting them on the side dish rack to dry.
It was as Atticus finished off his mug of coffee did Evie walk out, only wearing one of his jumpers that she must’ve just pulled on and her brown locks in a fluffy mess atop her head. She looked adorable. And beautiful but then again, to him she always looked beautiful.
He wrapped his arms around her waist as she wrapped hers around his neck and he leaned down to kiss her softly though, he had to go so their moment was all too brief for either of their liking. She made him smile though when she asked if he had to go to work, knowing very well that he had to and then…then she was just plain old cruel. Trying to persuade and tempt him to stay by telling him exactly what they could do if he did and oh god, was he genuinely tempted and was so close to calling in sick…but his morals got in the way. He was committed to this job and the thought of someone losing their life because of his own selfishness won in his internal conflict but he assured her, they would spend tonight exploring her suggestions.

Atticus arrived at work a little later than usual- at twenty to six, but his shift didn’t start until six a.m. anyway. He chatted with some of his colleagues, checked the van was up to stock and that they had all their equipment and waited with his partner for their first call- which wasn’t long. The day was busy but it seemed he and his partner were receiving call outs that weren’t too severe. In fact, some of them were just fucking annoying…a guy cutting his finger open, a girl burning her hand with straighteners, a drunken homeless man asleep on a bench at the park. Things that people didn't need to call an ambulance for and waste paramedic's valuable time with. There was a RTC in the afternoon too which was serious but there was no serious trauma or fatal injuries which was actually kind of disappointing but, hey, Atticus couldn’t really complain but he'd being lying if he said he hadn't hoped for something a bit...well, more.
Despite the lack of excitement in this shift, by the time he was finished at seven p.m. he was exhausted. Once again before leaving, he spoke with a few of his colleagues, joking around and stopping for a moment to laugh with some of the staff that had temporarily paused what they were doing to watch one of the male nurses hitting on a very believable transvestite and getting the shock of his life when the man opened his mouth and spoke to him.

On his way to Evie's studio (because he knew that should always be the first place to go to to check for her) he stopped by a local store, picking up some milk, eggs, bread and a few other bits and pieces because he realized they were almost out of each this morning and then, he continued on to his wife's studio. 
The moment he was outside the studio he knew she was in there. How could he be so sure? Because he faintly could hear the music that she was blaring out on the inside, it made him chuckle quietly to himself as he opened the door and entered her studio- placing the bag of shopping on one of the empty side tables and made his way to the back where he knew he'd find her. 
And there she was.
Her back was to him as she looked at her latest painting and Atticus snuck up behind her- the music covering any noise he'd have made on approach, putting his hands on her hips and giving her a light jolt- only just abrupt enough to make her jump if she was lost in her own little world. Then, he wrapped his arms around her waist, looked over her shoulder and down at her face "Hey you" he spoke with a grin, probably only just audible under the music despite how very close he was to her.
It was only then did he glance up to take a look at her latest work of art only to be pleasantly surprised to see that it was a portrait...of him. That meant she had been thinking about him and that made him smile. He leaned down, and whispered into her ear so that she could hear him "Who's that handsome fella you've painted?" his voice had a light laughter in it.

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Her eyes were focused on the face of her husband. Well. The portrait of her husband. Her actual husband was sneaking up behind her. Evie was oblivious. The music covered up all sounds and she was so wrapped up in trying to think of the perfect blend of colours that she wouldn't have heard even the slightest of movement anyway. Then. Out of nowhere. She felt hands on her hips. Giving her the fright of her life. She jumped out of her skin. However, the woman soon relaxed as she knew exactly who it was that had given her such a fright. He really was an arse but, for some strange reason, she loved him for it. Though, she didn't forgive him for the scare, and as he looked down at her over her shoulder, she brought up her paintbrush and made a light blue line down his nose. "Hi." she spoke, her tone thick with annoyance.
Leaning against his chest, she looked once more at the painting as he did. Now that she had actually seen her husband she noticed that a few details were not quite right; she stretched her arm out to grab another paintbrush to fix these mistakes, not wanting to leave Ati's embrace.
Once the object had been snagged by her fingers, she blended a few colours and fixed a line along his jaw and another along his hairline - having to stretch her arm out to do so. Now, that was better. When it came to her art, Evie was a bit of a perfectionist. She didn't like anything to be wrong. And this portrait? Nothing could be even remotely off. Though. Seeing as he had scared her, she was very tempted to give him a very cruel makeover indeed.

At his whispered words she chuckled. A smile was on his face which only made one of her own appear. Tossing her pallete and brushes to the side, she turned to face him, her arms wrapping around his neck. Reaching up, and having to go on her tip-toes due to his damned height, she kissed him. Then she answered his question. Turning her head slightly to look at the portrait, she spoke "Him? That's my lover. He comes down to my studio and we get up to all kinds of things.. But don't tell my husband. It'd crush him" she had tried to put on the most serious, honest voice she could though the giggles were threatening to break through with every word.
Of course, she'd never cheat on her husband. Just like she knew that he would never cheat on her. Teasing Ati was just one of her favourite ways of spending time. And she knew he knew it. Looking at the portrait once again she let out a small chuckle "he is handsome, I will give you that. But I don't think I've done him justice. He's much better looking in real life" she spoke softly before starting to tease again "I only wish my husband was that good looking."

Turning more serious, she pointed toward her previous painting. Abandoned in a state of disarray. "I got a block. I've been comissioned to paint two pieces of London for £300 a piece, and this is the first but I feel like it's missing something. And I need to complete these pieces. It's a lot of money and I know we could use it.." she spoke, her words becoming hurried as the stress began to work it's way into her body again.
Evie stared at the piece for a second before looking back at Ati "..and then I got fustrated. Which made me want you-" and at that her panicked tone began to subside, instead, becoming slightly more seductive "-and you know you've always been able to get rid of my stress." A slight grin was playing on her lips as she looked into her husband's eyes. One of her hands beginning to trail down his chest. Now, it wasn't a common occurence for Evie to try and seduce her husband in her studio but part of her mind was on their morning. And he owed her after going to work instead of spending the day in bed with her.

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There was no keeping back the laughter that fell from his lips when Evie jumped out of fright. Though she soon settled and relaxed after realizing it was him, Atticus still knew that she was going to be a ticked off with him in her own way- which showed when after taking a paintbrush that had and running it down his nose, creating a line of light blue before she spoke her one syllable greeting with a very bemused tone.
Then, she leant back against his chest, looking at the painting with him and he rested his stubbly chin lightly on the top of her head and watched as she picked up her paintbrush again, dabbled with paint on her paint palette and lifted her arm to make some small changes to the portrait of him.
When she chuckled, he could feel it lightly against his chest and then, she tossed her palette and brush to the side, turned to face him and wrap her arms around his neck. Making him smile with slight amusement as always when she had to stand on her tip toes to reach a height to kiss him which still wasn’t quite tall enough until he leaned down to meet her lips, then wrapped his arms around her waist again. Upon hearing her answer his question, his face would’ve been completely blank (in order to play along) if it wasn’t for the smallest little smile that pulled up the corners of his lips ever so slightly and the flicker of amusement in his blue eyes.
“A lover and a husband? Poor lads but, you’re secret’s safe with me, love.” He fought the laughter that threatened to break into his voice.
 “So many compliments for this ‘lover’ of yours. Why, I outta..." He narrowed his eyes, pretending to be jealous of 'another' man and giving his voice a light tone of a threat, letting his sentence trail off but suggesting he'd fight any 'other' man who was tying to win her heart. Though, his lips twitched a little when she jokingly spoke how she wished her 'husband' was as handsome as her 'lover.
“Ah, well, you win some, you lose some.” 

Ati’s wife’s change to a more serious tone made his change to match she pointed towards a painting that was seemingly unfinished (though it looked like it could be finished to him). As she explained her troubles, he listened to her without interruption. She was clearly stressed as the words that left her lips came out hurried, and with that underlying panic he heard through her voice whenever she was stressing herself out.
However, after her first rush of words, when she continued her next words and her tone transformed into a seductive purr accompanied by a small, devilish grin playing on her lips and a playful spark in her hazel eyes as she begin to trail one of her hands down his chest. So many thoughts ran through his head then, so many thoughts of exactly what they could do right here and right now.
In response, he leaned down to her ever so slightly “You always figure it out, love. It takes time sometimes, but that spark of brilliance always hits you.” Atticus spoke before his gaze went to her lips. Then as his hands traveled down to her bum, he laid a kiss on her collarbone and whispered “Though, I can definitely think of a few ways to help ease your stress.” He Atticus moved up to her neck, laying another- teasingly light- kiss on her pulse point, then her jaw line, then her cheek before letting his lips brush the corner of her mouth. But, he didn’t kiss her on the lips, oh no, she liked to tease him so much…sometimes it was fun to give her a little taste of her own medicine.
Instead, as he laid that final light kiss to the corner of her mouth, one of his hands went to the side, dipping his fingers into the paint on the paint palette she has tossed aside and then, after laying that small kiss he pulled back (as much as it was difficult for him to do so too) and he flicked the paint at her face. Returning the favour of her drawing a light blue line down his nose by lightly splattering her soft ivory skin with purple paint of a lavender shade, a wide playful grin breaking out on his face after doing so.
"...whoops?" 

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Evie was trying her hardest not to smile when Ati played along with her little joke. She could hear the laughter threatening to break through, giving him props for actually managing to keep a straight face. He could've been an actor if he hadn't decided to join the army and then a paramedic. She found herself chuckling then. The pay would have been so much better if he'd have been an actor.
Those thoughts soon left her head when she heard the light threatening tone in her husband's voice. She couldn't help but feel ever so slightly aroused by the thought of him fighting off any other man trying to get her. Though, she felt sorry for any man that got on the wrong side of him. He was tall, muscular, and after serving in the army for six years then that man was pretty much fucked. She chuckled at his next words. "True, very true" she told him. Of course, she knew that she'd won one. If she didn't see it herself, then her friends always referring to him as her 'fit soldier husband' should have been enough to tell her how handsome her husband once but she knew it. Ever since he first stepped foot into her parents café ten years ago, she knew he'd be the most gorgeous man she'd ever see in her life.

The stress she was feeling over her painting quickly evaporated as only one thought ran through her mind. And as her husband leant down and spoke, she smiled at him. Love filled her heart at his words. He knew her so well, and he had faith in her. How could she not feel so strongly toward him just then? But that love soon transferred into lust as she saw his eyes flick to her lips. His hands moved, causing the smallest of smirks to appear on her lips. She went onto her tip-toes as he leant down to kiss her collarbone so he wouldn't have to lean too far. She knew they had a rather large height difference.
At his whispered words, she found herself grinning. "Oh? Care to show me?" she whispered back, tilting her head slightly as he placed a kiss on her neck. He moved upward then, to her jaw and then to her cheek. It was when he kissed the very corner of her mouth was she ready to meet the next kiss with her own lips. But the kiss never came. For a brief moment she was confused. A very brief moment indeed. Because then she saw his fingers laden with the light purple paint she once had on her palette. His lips left her skin as he leant back, and she could do nothing (as one of his hands was still around her) as he flicked the paint in her face. And then he spoke. One word which registered as only one thing in Evie's mind. War.
"Whoops?" she spoke, a surprised - and ever so slightly annoyed - tone in her voice "oh, was that supposed to be an accident Atticus? Because it very much seemed like you did that on purpose." She narrowed her eyes at her husband as she wiped at her face with her hand. Most likely just smearing the droplets of paint but she didn't care. There was only one thing on her mind now. It was no longer sex. Oh no. It was revenge.
Taking a few steps away from her husband, she walked backwards until she was leaning against one of the side tables. Reaching out, her eyes never leaving her husband's, she took one of the tubes of paint. Making a quick mental note on exactly what brand and colour it was so she could order more when she got home. Then, she slowly and deliberately unscrewed the cap before pointing the weapon at Atticus. "You've started a war, soldier, and I'm afraid it's a war I don't think you're going to win. You're on enemy territory now, and they've got the upper hand" she told him, only now the grin breaking out on her face once more.
She squeezed the paint tube so the bright, acid yellow covered her husband. With a light giggle, she tossed the empty tube to the side and quickly spun around. Jumping over the table, she ran to the other end of her studio. She knew that the fight wasn't over. But her words had been right. This was her territory. And she knew exactly where everything was. And in the cupboards behind her just so happened to be her large tins of white and black paint. If it's a war he wanted, it's a war he would bloody well get.