[There's a pause, but then it's followed by a certain nod.]
I'm fine with it. More importantly, I want you to be fine with it and not feel like it has to be hidden.
[Because just now, thinking back on how things were handled with Dr. Manx, Amelia realizes that she doesn't want to tip toe around other people regarding her and Gale. What they have isn't even approaching questionable aside from their true first meeting (which by all means can just be between them).]
Besides, if Dr. Prescott was anticipating something then we might as well let it pay off for her.
I maintain she could not possibly have known you would be there.
[He almost feels as though he's trying to convince himself on that point— but to think otherwise would mean considering that Tara might well be omniscient, as she has so often claimed in jest, and that was truly too terrifying to think.]
She must have thought to stir up something up to goad me into talking, something of that nature, but— I digress.
[That part, though equal parts puzzling, amusing and borderline infuriating, was not important. He reaches out with his free hand to gently take hold of hers, giving it a small, grateful squeeze.]
You're very thoughtful. [He knows precisely why she took care to tell him it didn't need to be hidden.] I think we can certainly manage balancing honesty with some preservation of privacy, hm? I'll refrain from shouting from any rooftops, but I can't promise you won't find the occasional note attached to the coffee waiting on your desk.
[God, but she's terribly cute when she scoffs at him like that, even in jest.]
I have a feeling Professor Lens already has her own ideas about things, but as you say. I shall be the very soul of discretion.
[Even know, there's a playful twinkle in his eyes as he gets to his feet and begins to gather some of their bags, taking the liberties of lightening Amelia's potential load in the process.]
I do like the way you think. Let's go, shall we?
โจ๐น
[The afternoon is largely uneventful in the most pleasant way possible; Gale does manage to focus long enough to give his presentation one last read-through and to make a few last adjustments according to his notes and having taken Amelia's feedback into consideration.
He does touch base with Tara, updating her while giving as little detail as possible, but naturally, she hardly needs any to put the pieces together. He looks quite put-upon as he holds the phone a foot away from his ear, his friend's delighted laughter loud enough to travel across the room, and once he's wrapped up his conversation with her, he clears his throat softly and looks to Amelia.]
Tara is— just an hour short of arriving in town, but she was quick to insist on staying at a hotel. Says she'll see us in the morning for coffee and that she's grateful to have, and I quote, a "reprieve from looking after me."
[Amelia had been sitting on a sofa seat with her tablet reading a novel while Gale was on the phone with Dr.Prescott. at the sound of the older woman's laughter, she starts to slide down her seat until only the crown of her head is visible.
By the time Gale finishes his call and addresses Amelia, she has covered her face with the front flap of her tablet cover.]
[Gale's own face has colored significantly; he's not surprised that his dear friend is having a bit of fun at their expense, especially as she's had to deal with his being so morose these past weeks, but there is something unsettling in just how triumphant she had sounded.]
I'm sure she— means well.
[Of course she does, but that doesn't stop the both of them from feeling a touch embarrassed. He tucks his phone back into his pocket as he moves to join her, gently reaching out to take hold of the cover flap and pull it back just enough to reveal her eyes.]
That does mean we have the place all to ourselves. Surely that will help us both to breathe easier.
[Fewer opportunities to trip over themselves trying to figure out how they want to present this to others.]
[He winces just slightly, even as his smile quirks to one side.]
I have a feeling she'll have all sorts of opinions. On the one hand, I suppose we ought to count ourselves lucky that we have friends who are so invested in our well-being, but...
[He lets out a vaguely performative sigh, shifting to flop back against the couch beside her, tipping his head back to rest atop the curve beneath the window.]
[It certainly is frustrating at the best of times, but this once... well. He's not about to argue with how things have turned out.
He turns his head to look at her, still resting it against the back of the couch.]
Mm, all set. Really, I was prepared even before leaving Waterdeep, but your looking through my presentation certainly helped to soothe my nerves. Everything is in order— I have to thank you again for your feedback. It means a lot to know that someone who isn't in the field doesn't find it entirely dull.
[If nothing else, Amelia has increased her scientific vocabulary and there's nothing wrong with that even if she would have to do some research and cross referencing of certain terms in Gale's presentation.]
Learning shouldn't stop even at our age. I enjoyed the intellectual exercise your presentation gave me. You'll perform well tomorrow, that I have no doubt about.
[There's something like affection that swells in her heart as she looks at how he rests his head against the couch. Once again, it amazes her how much has happened in the past 24 hours starting right here...
Well, the heat creeping up her neck is no good. She looks away.]
[It has been an eventful 24 hours, to say the least, and he wouldn't change a single moment of it. There's a brief pause that hangs between them; a moment of quiet, blooming affection as he fondly meets her gaze, and it's all too easy to recall what had happened the last time they were in this very spot, not so very long ago.
She turns her head away and he's certain her thoughts must have started to wander in the same direction; he clears his throat and props himself upright as he grabs the arm of the couch, running a hand through his hair as he gives her a boyish look.]
Ah— balsamic chicken? It should be done shortly, I took care of the bulk of it before calling Tara.
[It was oddly nice, to be able to speak with her about something so mundane as dinner. They had spent so long taking care to only interact in public, to keep things friendly, and over the last few years, he had forgotten how it felt to simply share the smaller, daily ins and outs of one's life with someone else.]
You should have plenty of time to finish your chapter beforehand.
[It's such a simple offer, but he finds himself charmed by it all the same, glad for the opportunity to do something so normal together without having to carefully navigate the rules they had set in place for themselves. He nods once to concede as he gets to his feet, heading towards the kitchen at an easy pace.]
That sounds like an excellent start. If you're feeling especially ambitious, we could put together a salad.
[He winces playfully; he's teasing himself as much as her with that one, whether she realizes it or not— the previous night's meal had included more vegetables than he was usually inclined towards, largely because he'd shopped with the intent to cook for Tara as well as himself and wanted to avoid a scolding.]
There is roasted cauliflower, but there's enough parmesan in it that it may no longer count as a vegetable.
[He chuckles warmly, moving to pull a series of vegetables from the fridge to lay out on the counter.]
Very kind of you. With everything else already in the oven, I think this can be a joint effort.
[The idea of simply slicing vegetables together is oddly thrilling. He's sure she would laugh at him if he said so, but he catches himself letting out a soft, incredulous little laugh as he passes her a tomato, shaking his head as he begins to slice up cucumber.]
Every now and then, it just hits me— I can't believe you're really here.
[She takes out the cutting board and knife to start on the tomato he's just passed to her and pauses midway through a slice. There is nothing she can do to hide the redness creeping up into her ears and up her neck as she resumes slicing.]
You're in the sciences. My presence, while observable, doesn't or at least shouldn't, count as a phenomenon.
[Yeah, she's embarrassed to hear what he said even after everything, so what!!]
[He ducks his own head, his smile shyly pulling to one side as he steadies his focus on the cucumber in front of him, a flush creeping into his own face.]
I thought I'd done such a tremendous job of spoiling things, it almost seems like one.
[He casts her another sidelong glance.]
I've wanted to make you dinner for awhile. Rather nice, having the opportunity to work on it together.
[How dare he keep doing this to her?? Amelia keeps her gaze on the tomato, continuing to cut deliberately thin slices so she can concentrate on something else other than his saccharine words and his warm, flushed smile.
"You're so difficult!" she wants to say, Miss Difficult herself. Luckily, she pulls back that impulse and tries for something nicer, gentler.]
You're right. It's nice.
[Okay, stiff, but sure. She mumbles something under her breath.]
But you could wait at least wait until after dinner...
[He bites back the urge to laugh, clearing his throat instead as he fixes his gaze on his work, neatly finishing off the cucumber and setting it aside.]
Right— no complimentary remarks until after dinner. I'll keep that in mind. Your students are right, you are strict.
[Said with glowing affection, of course, and if she dares to look at him, she'll catch a brief but cheeky wink before he turns to reach for a salad bowl.]
[He laughs openly, taking up the cutting board and sliding his own offerings into the bowl as she takes that very teacher-like tone with him.]
Yes, of course. Not to worry, I have no intention of giving it anything less than my best.
[The perfectionist in him demands it, truly.]
I shall take great care not to over-extend myself. Actually, I'm quite looking forward to you having the opportunity to see me in my element. I'm more interested in sharing my work with you than some of the stuffy old guard we're guaranteed to see.
[She works on mixing all the salad ingredients together and talking through it.]
We tend to be very locked in on our respective fields, but I think it's important that as a fellow colleague, to be aware of advancements in other subjects or at least familiarize myself.
[And, well. The salad is complete and she carries the bowl over to the table, while speaking over her shoulder.]
And I think we've been doing a lot of familiarizing.
๐น๐
[Dinner was obviously delicious. Their conversation continued, light and practical stuff such as parking directions, getting Amelia an entry ticket into the convention center, and where to meet up with Dr. Prescott. She felt herself smiling a lot more than she has in months throughout it all.
They finish dinner. They get through the dishes and somehow she's able to withdraw herself long enough to at least clean herself up and change.
Her bedroom door remains closed for a little longer, but she hasn't gone to bed yet if the shuffling of her feet say anything...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
recluserose) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
no subject
I'm fine with it. More importantly, I want you to be fine with it and not feel like it has to be hidden.
[Because just now, thinking back on how things were handled with Dr. Manx, Amelia realizes that she doesn't want to tip toe around other people regarding her and Gale. What they have isn't even approaching questionable aside from their true first meeting (which by all means can just be between them).]
Besides, if Dr. Prescott was anticipating something then we might as well let it pay off for her.
no subject
[He almost feels as though he's trying to convince himself on that point— but to think otherwise would mean considering that Tara might well be omniscient, as she has so often claimed in jest, and that was truly too terrifying to think.]
She must have thought to stir up something up to goad me into talking, something of that nature, but— I digress.
[That part, though equal parts puzzling, amusing and borderline infuriating, was not important. He reaches out with his free hand to gently take hold of hers, giving it a small, grateful squeeze.]
You're very thoughtful. [He knows precisely why she took care to tell him it didn't need to be hidden.] I think we can certainly manage balancing honesty with some preservation of privacy, hm? I'll refrain from shouting from any rooftops, but I can't promise you won't find the occasional note attached to the coffee waiting on your desk.
no subject
I appreciate the former, but as for the latter, at least make sure Professor Lens doesn't see it. I never said to disregard any indiscretion.
[She's mostly joking. Probably.]
Well, let's put everything in the car and head on out. Let's eat in again tonight.
no subject
I have a feeling Professor Lens already has her own ideas about things, but as you say. I shall be the very soul of discretion.
[Even know, there's a playful twinkle in his eyes as he gets to his feet and begins to gather some of their bags, taking the liberties of lightening Amelia's potential load in the process.]
I do like the way you think. Let's go, shall we?
[The afternoon is largely uneventful in the most pleasant way possible; Gale does manage to focus long enough to give his presentation one last read-through and to make a few last adjustments according to his notes and having taken Amelia's feedback into consideration.
He does touch base with Tara, updating her while giving as little detail as possible, but naturally, she hardly needs any to put the pieces together. He looks quite put-upon as he holds the phone a foot away from his ear, his friend's delighted laughter loud enough to travel across the room, and once he's wrapped up his conversation with her, he clears his throat softly and looks to Amelia.]
Tara is— just an hour short of arriving in town, but she was quick to insist on staying at a hotel. Says she'll see us in the morning for coffee and that she's grateful to have, and I quote, a "reprieve from looking after me."
no subject
By the time Gale finishes his call and addresses Amelia, she has covered her face with the front flap of her tablet cover.]
That's good. Yes.
[Her voice is muffled.]
Well, whatever makes her life easier.
no subject
I'm sure she— means well.
[Of course she does, but that doesn't stop the both of them from feeling a touch embarrassed. He tucks his phone back into his pocket as he moves to join her, gently reaching out to take hold of the cover flap and pull it back just enough to reveal her eyes.]
That does mean we have the place all to ourselves. Surely that will help us both to breathe easier.
[Fewer opportunities to trip over themselves trying to figure out how they want to present this to others.]
no subject
Right... Well, as for me, I'm not telling Berna anything until she returns from her trip.
[She doesn't want her phone to blow up with her texts tyvm]
I'm sure she'll feel equally vindicated about the turn of events.
no subject
[He winces just slightly, even as his smile quirks to one side.]
I have a feeling she'll have all sorts of opinions. On the one hand, I suppose we ought to count ourselves lucky that we have friends who are so invested in our well-being, but...
[He lets out a vaguely performative sigh, shifting to flop back against the couch beside her, tipping his head back to rest atop the curve beneath the window.]
They do enjoy a laugh at our expense, don't they?
no subject
[And that's annoying!!
Amelia glances at Gale, closing her tablet and setting it aside on the coffee table.]
Any way. You're all ready to go for tomorrow? Nothing's missing and you have backups?
no subject
He turns his head to look at her, still resting it against the back of the couch.]
Mm, all set. Really, I was prepared even before leaving Waterdeep, but your looking through my presentation certainly helped to soothe my nerves. Everything is in order— I have to thank you again for your feedback. It means a lot to know that someone who isn't in the field doesn't find it entirely dull.
[He hopes to be engaging, at the very least.]
no subject
[If nothing else, Amelia has increased her scientific vocabulary and there's nothing wrong with that even if she would have to do some research and cross referencing of certain terms in Gale's presentation.]
Learning shouldn't stop even at our age. I enjoyed the intellectual exercise your presentation gave me. You'll perform well tomorrow, that I have no doubt about.
[There's something like affection that swells in her heart as she looks at how he rests his head against the couch. Once again, it amazes her how much has happened in the past 24 hours starting right here...
Well, the heat creeping up her neck is no good. She looks away.]
What's for dinner?
no subject
She turns her head away and he's certain her thoughts must have started to wander in the same direction; he clears his throat and props himself upright as he grabs the arm of the couch, running a hand through his hair as he gives her a boyish look.]
Ah— balsamic chicken? It should be done shortly, I took care of the bulk of it before calling Tara.
[It was oddly nice, to be able to speak with her about something so mundane as dinner. They had spent so long taking care to only interact in public, to keep things friendly, and over the last few years, he had forgotten how it felt to simply share the smaller, daily ins and outs of one's life with someone else.]
You should have plenty of time to finish your chapter beforehand.
no subject
[She closes her tablet and stands up.]
I'd like to help if there's anything else to do. If it's just setting the table I can do that while you make the food.
[All it takes is one step at a time and Amelia finds that it's much easier with Gale than she initially thought even with their tendency to stumble.]
no subject
That sounds like an excellent start. If you're feeling especially ambitious, we could put together a salad.
[He winces playfully; he's teasing himself as much as her with that one, whether she realizes it or not— the previous night's meal had included more vegetables than he was usually inclined towards, largely because he'd shopped with the intent to cook for Tara as well as himself and wanted to avoid a scolding.]
There is roasted cauliflower, but there's enough parmesan in it that it may no longer count as a vegetable.
no subject
[Amelia's appetite is very healthy and balanced; that's been apparent during previous shared lunches and the Korean BBQ dinner.]
I'm more than happy to pick up the slack.
no subject
Very kind of you. With everything else already in the oven, I think this can be a joint effort.
[The idea of simply slicing vegetables together is oddly thrilling. He's sure she would laugh at him if he said so, but he catches himself letting out a soft, incredulous little laugh as he passes her a tomato, shaking his head as he begins to slice up cucumber.]
Every now and then, it just hits me— I can't believe you're really here.
no subject
You're in the sciences. My presence, while observable, doesn't or at least shouldn't, count as a phenomenon.
[Yeah, she's embarrassed to hear what he said even after everything, so what!!]
no subject
I thought I'd done such a tremendous job of spoiling things, it almost seems like one.
[He casts her another sidelong glance.]
I've wanted to make you dinner for awhile. Rather nice, having the opportunity to work on it together.
no subject
"You're so difficult!" she wants to say, Miss Difficult herself. Luckily, she pulls back that impulse and tries for something nicer, gentler.]
You're right. It's nice.
[Okay, stiff, but sure. She mumbles something under her breath.]
But you could wait at least wait until after dinner...
no subject
Right— no complimentary remarks until after dinner. I'll keep that in mind. Your students are right, you are strict.
[Said with glowing affection, of course, and if she dares to look at him, she'll catch a brief but cheeky wink before he turns to reach for a salad bowl.]
no subject
[She finally finishes with the tomato and decides to work on tearing up some lettuce.]
If I recall correctly, this morning should have tided us over until dinner.
[That's literally what he said after all! And wonders of wonders, that might have been her being flirtatious.]
no subject
[He can feel the flush creeping down to his neck a bit, though the fact that Amelia is flirting without the aid of soju is quite entertaining.]
I hope you don't think that's the only reason I might offer compliments, mind you.
[His tone remains one of playful warmth as he takes up a couple of radishes to be washed.]
They can be offered for their own sake.
no subject
[It's said as if with a sigh, but it's undeniably fond in that Amelia sort of way. She finishes sorting the lettuce and turns to him.]
You should save some of that energy for tomorrow.
no subject
Yes, of course. Not to worry, I have no intention of giving it anything less than my best.
[The perfectionist in him demands it, truly.]
I shall take great care not to over-extend myself. Actually, I'm quite looking forward to you having the opportunity to see me in my element. I'm more interested in sharing my work with you than some of the stuffy old guard we're guaranteed to see.
no subject
[She works on mixing all the salad ingredients together and talking through it.]
We tend to be very locked in on our respective fields, but I think it's important that as a fellow colleague, to be aware of advancements in other subjects or at least familiarize myself.
[And, well. The salad is complete and she carries the bowl over to the table, while speaking over her shoulder.]
And I think we've been doing a lot of familiarizing.
[Dinner was obviously delicious. Their conversation continued, light and practical stuff such as parking directions, getting Amelia an entry ticket into the convention center, and where to meet up with Dr. Prescott. She felt herself smiling a lot more than she has in months throughout it all.
They finish dinner. They get through the dishes and somehow she's able to withdraw herself long enough to at least clean herself up and change.
Her bedroom door remains closed for a little longer, but she hasn't gone to bed yet if the shuffling of her feet say anything...]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
rounding this one out to fade!
๐