[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...]
[Conversation over dinner is light and animated and natural, the way it's so often been when they've enjoyed lunch or coffee together, but now there's no longer anything hidden between them, no invasive thoughts Gale finds himself having to try and talk himself out of. He welcomes Amelia's help with dishes, which go rather quickly given it was just the two of them, and he catches her with a chaste kiss in parting when she leaves to go get cleaned up.
He spends the next part of the evening getting his things together for the next day; the list is short, but he knows himself well enough to know how absent-minded he can be when he's in a hurry, and it's in his best interest to make the next morning as smooth for himself as possible. Presentation materials are where they belong in his bag, clothes are laid out, and when he's satisfied, he goes to put water on for tea.
It's only once he does so that he realizes Amelia has not yet returned— had she dozed off after getting cleaned up? Entirely possible, he reasons, it had been a long and eventful day, though pleasantly so. He approaches the closed door to her bedroom and prepares to knock, pausing with his hand mid-air as he hears shuffling from the other side.
Perhaps he should leave her be? It would be entirely reasonable if she wanted some time to herself after the last 24 hours they'd had, but he won't pretend that he knows what that feels like— even before dinner, it had been all he could do to keep himself from succumbing to the urge to take hold of her by the waist and kiss her breathless, to let the world around them fall away once again now that all pretense had been discarded.
He draws in a breath and lightly raps his knuckles against the door at last.]
[The door opens to reveal Amelia, dressed in a light pajama set with a long-sleeved top and some loose shorts.]
Hey.
[She closes the door behind her and leans her back against it.]
Tea sounds good. How long until it's ready?
[The tone of her voice is casual and not showing any reluctance. Sort of. There is the tell of how she intertwines her fingers and flexes them in front of her.]
[She is, as always, a sight— it's been thrilling, seeing her so far from campus, being allowed these small glimpses of the side she'd kept secreted away in hopes of maintaining distance.]
We have a few minutes. I've only put the water on so far.
[There's something about how casual she sounds that strikes him as just slightly odd, and a glimpse of her fidgeting out of the corner of his eye makes him raise an eyebrow and give a crooked smile as he tips his head slightly, curious.]
[Her mind is always a constant flow of what to do next, pre-planning ahead or changing things at the last minute so that it could be done right. Ever since they've decided together what they were together, Amelia's head is now filled with what ever day, hour, down to the very last second should be like with Gale.
How is it when she looks into his eyes and his smile, that her tendency to predict and act accordingly falls away. The chains of the past and the fogginess of the future melt away and makes her aware of the present within his gravity.
So without a word, she draws him into a kiss, gentle at first. She murmurs one more practicality and as a way to be sure he was fine with this and with her.]
[It's easy, so easy, to let himself fall into that kiss, hand instinctively coming to rest at the small of her back as he gently kisses back, smiling against the curve of her mouth as she offers one last practical reminder.]
It's early yet.
[He murmurs his own response as he steals another kiss, just as gentle as the first, but clearly interested in whatever she may have in mind.]
We have plenty of time.
[Wasn't that something novel in itself? Already, he wants to fill both his days and nights with her, to build his life with her in mind— perhaps a dangerous inclination, given how his brand of devotion had been his downfall in the past, but he knows that this is different in every way. As new as their relationship is, he sees a warmth and passion in Amelia that he doesn't know Ariel had ever even been capable of.]
Then... [She lightly nips at his lower lip for emphasis as it becomes clearer with each passing second that they were not going to sleep separately tonight.]
We ought to use our time wisely? Is that what you're saying?
[One never knows what will happen the next day. Not all of them were guaranteed the luxury. Even the most treasured people could be here one day and then disappear as if they never existed at all. This is why, her hand begins to find the edges of his shirt and slide underneath, teasing his skin with the tips of her fingers. Every second counts with Gale, to show him what he meant to her now and going forward.]
Then forget the tea and come back inside here with me.
[And maybe, she didn't have to be afraid to demand something more out of life again even when she was denied before.]
[The brush of her fingertips against his skin sends a thrill through him, that nip of his lip only serving to kindle the spark that's already been lit. His own fingers tease against the bottom edge of her shorts, brushing against her thigh, and he lets out a noise of approval that catches at the back of his throat.]
Oh, tea be damned.
[He leans in for another kiss, parting his lips against hers, less careful than those that had preceded it. He would be perfectly happy if they never slept separately again, in truth— he wants to spend each day doing all that he can to make her happy, to love her the way she deserves and ensure that there is never another moment where she feels alone.]
Let's make the most of the time we have, then, shall we? I am entirely yours.
[His voice has already taken on a raw and husky edge; it's almost ludicrous, how quickly she's able to compromise him, but he has no regrets.]
[She squirms a little under his touch, eager with a touch of impatience. There is just one more practicality to address and it's one that this time, won't catch them off guard.]
I, um... [Give her a second, she's kissing him back and when they take another breath she stutters it out.]
I stopped by the drug store today and so... You don't have to grab anything from your room.
[God her cheeks are burning up, but she does twist the doorknob open behind her and tugs at his shirt as if to lead him to her bed.]
[Difficult it is for him to stop claiming kisses long enough for her to get her words out, they evoke an unexpected reaction from somewhere deep in his chest, a surprising surge of eagerness rising to the surface at the promise of what that means— more than just the physical aspect, there's an implicit trust implied that he decides he very much likes, not to mention it serves as a reminder that she's been thinking about these moments just as much as he has.
He exhales against her lips as she opens the door and pulls him through, allowing himself to be led without hesitation, stumbling forward just one step to keep up before he slides a hand beneath her pajama top and up the length of her back, stealing another eager kiss as they approach the bed.]
You've— [He lets out a breathless little laugh between kisses as they reach the bed, and somewhere in the back of his mind he's vaguely aware of the fact that they're apparently going to claim every bedroom in this damn place.] Truly thought of everything.
[A chuckle escapes her lips as she returns his kisses. Once more, she finds herself, back against the mattress, Gale hovering over her and her hands moving up to lovingly cup his face.
What did she ever do to end up here? She has never known the universe to be especially kind and the joy she feels is as unreal to her just like how Gale voiced how unreal her presence was to him.]
And that's no thanks to you. [Her finger pokes his nose playfully.]
I have a much better idea of what I'm dealing with after last night.
[He laughs more openly at her teasing; it's so easy to smile and to laugh with her regardless of what they're doing, but that she can be so playful even now only spurs him onward, and he turns his face just enough to kiss the ball beneath her thumb as he hovers over her, smiling indulgently.]
Naturally, you're a very quick study. I knew you were brilliant.
[Just how quick, he's sure they're about to find out— he has every intention of making the most of the time they have now, given this opportunity to make up for all they've lost.]
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recluserose) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
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
He spends the next part of the evening getting his things together for the next day; the list is short, but he knows himself well enough to know how absent-minded he can be when he's in a hurry, and it's in his best interest to make the next morning as smooth for himself as possible. Presentation materials are where they belong in his bag, clothes are laid out, and when he's satisfied, he goes to put water on for tea.
It's only once he does so that he realizes Amelia has not yet returned— had she dozed off after getting cleaned up? Entirely possible, he reasons, it had been a long and eventful day, though pleasantly so. He approaches the closed door to her bedroom and prepares to knock, pausing with his hand mid-air as he hears shuffling from the other side.
Perhaps he should leave her be? It would be entirely reasonable if she wanted some time to herself after the last 24 hours they'd had, but he won't pretend that he knows what that feels like— even before dinner, it had been all he could do to keep himself from succumbing to the urge to take hold of her by the waist and kiss her breathless, to let the world around them fall away once again now that all pretense had been discarded.
He draws in a breath and lightly raps his knuckles against the door at last.]
Amelia? I'm making tea, if you're interested.
no subject
Hey.
[She closes the door behind her and leans her back against it.]
Tea sounds good. How long until it's ready?
[The tone of her voice is casual and not showing any reluctance. Sort of. There is the tell of how she intertwines her fingers and flexes them in front of her.]
no subject
We have a few minutes. I've only put the water on so far.
[There's something about how casual she sounds that strikes him as just slightly odd, and a glimpse of her fidgeting out of the corner of his eye makes him raise an eyebrow and give a crooked smile as he tips his head slightly, curious.]
Is there something on your mind?
no subject
We might not need it.
[And then one hand reaches out to take his.]
The tea I mean.
no subject
[His curiosity remains piqued, and he takes a step closer as she takes his hand in hers, his smile pulling a touch wider.]
You have my complete and undivided attention.
[Tea is suddenly seeming incredibly unimportant.]
no subject
How is it when she looks into his eyes and his smile, that her tendency to predict and act accordingly falls away. The chains of the past and the fogginess of the future melt away and makes her aware of the present within his gravity.
So without a word, she draws him into a kiss, gentle at first. She murmurs one more practicality and as a way to be sure he was fine with this and with her.]
You'll have to wake up early tomorrow.
no subject
It's early yet.
[He murmurs his own response as he steals another kiss, just as gentle as the first, but clearly interested in whatever she may have in mind.]
We have plenty of time.
[Wasn't that something novel in itself? Already, he wants to fill both his days and nights with her, to build his life with her in mind— perhaps a dangerous inclination, given how his brand of devotion had been his downfall in the past, but he knows that this is different in every way. As new as their relationship is, he sees a warmth and passion in Amelia that he doesn't know Ariel had ever even been capable of.]
no subject
We ought to use our time wisely? Is that what you're saying?
[One never knows what will happen the next day. Not all of them were guaranteed the luxury. Even the most treasured people could be here one day and then disappear as if they never existed at all. This is why, her hand begins to find the edges of his shirt and slide underneath, teasing his skin with the tips of her fingers. Every second counts with Gale, to show him what he meant to her now and going forward.]
Then forget the tea and come back inside here with me.
[And maybe, she didn't have to be afraid to demand something more out of life again even when she was denied before.]
no subject
Oh, tea be damned.
[He leans in for another kiss, parting his lips against hers, less careful than those that had preceded it. He would be perfectly happy if they never slept separately again, in truth— he wants to spend each day doing all that he can to make her happy, to love her the way she deserves and ensure that there is never another moment where she feels alone.]
Let's make the most of the time we have, then, shall we? I am entirely yours.
[His voice has already taken on a raw and husky edge; it's almost ludicrous, how quickly she's able to compromise him, but he has no regrets.]
no subject
I, um... [Give her a second, she's kissing him back and when they take another breath she stutters it out.]
I stopped by the drug store today and so... You don't have to grab anything from your room.
[God her cheeks are burning up, but she does twist the doorknob open behind her and tugs at his shirt as if to lead him to her bed.]
no subject
He exhales against her lips as she opens the door and pulls him through, allowing himself to be led without hesitation, stumbling forward just one step to keep up before he slides a hand beneath her pajama top and up the length of her back, stealing another eager kiss as they approach the bed.]
You've— [He lets out a breathless little laugh between kisses as they reach the bed, and somewhere in the back of his mind he's vaguely aware of the fact that they're apparently going to claim every bedroom in this damn place.] Truly thought of everything.
no subject
What did she ever do to end up here? She has never known the universe to be especially kind and the joy she feels is as unreal to her just like how Gale voiced how unreal her presence was to him.]
And that's no thanks to you. [Her finger pokes his nose playfully.]
I have a much better idea of what I'm dealing with after last night.
rounding this one out to fade!
Naturally, you're a very quick study. I knew you were brilliant.
[Just how quick, he's sure they're about to find out— he has every intention of making the most of the time they have now, given this opportunity to make up for all they've lost.]
๐