[Naturally, Gale would think she looked lovely in whatever she wore. He smiles warmly as she makes her appearance on the doorstep, glancing at the door with some amusement as she closes the door behind her and he can hear it latch. The rushed nature of it all, of course, does not go unnoticed.]
Is she? Good, we're safe.
[There's a teasing note in that last word, his smile quirking to one side.]
It also means I have time to do this.
[He invites himself to gently bring his hands to rest against her waist, leaning down to greet her with a kiss now that he can do so openly; it's careful, chaste, not too much, but feels especially sweet after a few days apart. He's missed her.]
[The hands around her waist and the kiss gives her a bit of a start, but it wasn't an unpleasant reaction. After an initial scrunch in her nose, Amelia relaxes, her expression softens, and she kisses him back. She draws back first, her cheeks red. There's an indignant huff as she glances to the side muttering.]
Always the opportunist aren't you?
[Regardless, she takes a hold of one of his hands, ready to depart.]
[He can't deny being amused by her being startled; certainly, there will be a lot for them to get used to moving forward, a rhythm they'll need to work on finding together, but for right now, he's resolved to let himself enjoy the opportunities to surprise her. He savors those moments before the kiss breaks, a mischievous light having risen to his gaze as she draws back, her face flushed.]
Guilty as charged, I'm afraid, but sated for now.
[She takes his hand and his own fingers curl against hers easily; much like their day visiting the market in Neverwinter, it feels easy, natural. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance before he starts to walk her towards his car; they'll want to make sure they're gone before Berna comes back, especially as he's certain there will be no escaping her upon Amelia's return.]
I have waited months to be able to do that. I don't imagine I'll tire of it anytime soon.
[Amelia puts a palm on her forehead as if trying to register the content of Gale's words. Waiting for months? What on earth is this man doing to her now?
She gets in the car herself with a pretend roll of the eyes.]
I don't know if I can do anything to tire you out. I'll stick with you to see what I can come up with if that makes you feel any reassurance.
[So she says, but there's a smile on her face as she pulls her seatbelt on.]
But first, sushi. I'm actually a little hungry and I know you were looking forward to talking about future plans.
[That startles a laugh out of him, roll of the eyes and all.]
Cheeky. Consider me sufficiently reassured.
[Amused, he circles around to slide into the driver's seat, settling in and adjusting his mirror just slightly.]
Dinner first. [He agrees with her warmly, though seeing her comfortable with teasing him always makes him feel a certain way, both pleased and exceptionally fond.] I promise, talk of plans won't be nearly as clinical as it sounds.
[Addressing the practicalities of having gone from being 'friends' to actually allowing themselves to be a couple does have a few daunting tasks ahead, but he's not intending to raise any of that tonight. With that said, he pulls away from the house she shares with Berna— they escape the driveway without being caught by her roommate, for now.]
[The drive to the restaurant is uneventful aside from their natural banter. When they enter the restaurant, they get seated at the counter where the gruff, but hospitable sushi chef presents them their omakase selections, asking for any preferences or dietary needs. Notably, Amelia really likes mackerel, hamachi, medium fatty tuna, squid, and the tender freshwater shrimp.
They get started with warm sake and Amelia blows away the steam before sipping it gingerly, finally relaxed.
Well, for now.]
That hits the spot. But I think I'll have to take it easy on the sake, lest we get another drunken episode from me.
[Gale especially enjoys the intimacy offered by the counter-side seating, showing a genuine interest in watching the chef behind it work— he had stated no preferences, asking the chef to surprise him in full, eager to embrace the adventure of the experience. Sake, of course, is the only way to begin such a meal, and his lips quirk to one side at Amelia's decision to take precautions, wrapping his fingers around his own cup and carefully lifting it to blow.]
I think it rather worked out, in the long run, but that's probably wise. Sake doesn't go down quite the same way as soju, fortunately for us.
[He helps himself to a sip from his own cup, eyes closing briefly as he exhales.]
I can't remember the last time I had sake— this was an excellent choice.
[She smiles into her sake cup, only somewhat hidden.]
I'm glad. Sushi seemed like a good way to just pace ourselves.
[Instead of jumping the gun like they might have been tempted to do. Amelia sets down her cup and leans her face into her palm as she glances at Gale.]
So. Plans.
[Smooth, Amelia. She drums her fingers against the table.]
I haven't thought about telling my parents about you yet.
[He appreciates that she gets right to the heart of things— were it up to him, he likely would have talked himself in circles before managing to do so, partly because he so enjoyed her company, but at least in some part because there was, potentially, a bit of awkwardness to be navigated. Not much, by his measure, but they now found themselves quite suddenly in a very serious relationship less than two weeks before some fairly significant dates, as family went. There was the potential for a great deal of pressure that he's not so certain either of them needs at this moment.
He bows his head slightly, his smile pulling to one side.]
Plans.
[He takes another sip, setting his cup down in front of him. That she hadn't thought about telling just yet doesn't trouble him the way it might have, once— Amelia never makes him feel as though he's something she wants to hide, only that she herself is quite serious, rational. For as impulsive as they've been, it makes sense to approach other aspects of their relationship as reasonably as possible.]
I hadn't thought to tell my mother just yet, either— although there is a chance Tara might let it slip beforehand, but I've a mind to ask her to let me handle it when I feel it's appropriate. At the very least, if she hears before then, I think she'll have the good sense to act surprised.
[He chuckles softly, angling himself towards her as he rests an arm against the counter.]
I don't think either of us should feel pressured to change any standing plans at the moment, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to make time for you in between.
[Amelia nods at his response, regarding their plans and his mother. From what she gleaned whenever she was brought up, she seemed like a lovely woman, spirited in a different way from her own mother. The young professor was loathe to admit that she was similar to Susan Steinbeck, but her severity does come from somewhere, much like how Gale's gregarious nature most likely stemmed from Mrs. Dekarios.]
If you'd like though and if you're able... I don't mind having you meet my parents after New Year's, just so that they're aware.
[The chef serves them their first plates of hamachi and Amelia is quick to slide Gale's plate closer to him before helping herself.]
I haven't made it a habit to tell them the nitty-gritty details of my personal dramas, but I'm not so heartless of a daughter to not let them know about you. You're probably the most upstanding person I've brought into my life recently.
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sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
no subject
Is she? Good, we're safe.
[There's a teasing note in that last word, his smile quirking to one side.]
It also means I have time to do this.
[He invites himself to gently bring his hands to rest against her waist, leaning down to greet her with a kiss now that he can do so openly; it's careful, chaste, not too much, but feels especially sweet after a few days apart. He's missed her.]
no subject
Always the opportunist aren't you?
[Regardless, she takes a hold of one of his hands, ready to depart.]
no subject
Guilty as charged, I'm afraid, but sated for now.
[She takes his hand and his own fingers curl against hers easily; much like their day visiting the market in Neverwinter, it feels easy, natural. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance before he starts to walk her towards his car; they'll want to make sure they're gone before Berna comes back, especially as he's certain there will be no escaping her upon Amelia's return.]
I have waited months to be able to do that. I don't imagine I'll tire of it anytime soon.
no subject
She gets in the car herself with a pretend roll of the eyes.]
I don't know if I can do anything to tire you out. I'll stick with you to see what I can come up with if that makes you feel any reassurance.
[So she says, but there's a smile on her face as she pulls her seatbelt on.]
But first, sushi. I'm actually a little hungry and I know you were looking forward to talking about future plans.
no subject
Cheeky. Consider me sufficiently reassured.
[Amused, he circles around to slide into the driver's seat, settling in and adjusting his mirror just slightly.]
Dinner first. [He agrees with her warmly, though seeing her comfortable with teasing him always makes him feel a certain way, both pleased and exceptionally fond.] I promise, talk of plans won't be nearly as clinical as it sounds.
[Addressing the practicalities of having gone from being 'friends' to actually allowing themselves to be a couple does have a few daunting tasks ahead, but he's not intending to raise any of that tonight. With that said, he pulls away from the house she shares with Berna— they escape the driveway without being caught by her roommate, for now.]
timeskippin a bit for my sanity
They get started with warm sake and Amelia blows away the steam before sipping it gingerly, finally relaxed.
Well, for now.]
That hits the spot. But I think I'll have to take it easy on the sake, lest we get another drunken episode from me.
[you know the one gale]
you do us both a service, and these nerds, too
I think it rather worked out, in the long run, but that's probably wise. Sake doesn't go down quite the same way as soju, fortunately for us.
[He helps himself to a sip from his own cup, eyes closing briefly as he exhales.]
I can't remember the last time I had sake— this was an excellent choice.
no subject
I'm glad. Sushi seemed like a good way to just pace ourselves.
[Instead of jumping the gun like they might have been tempted to do. Amelia sets down her cup and leans her face into her palm as she glances at Gale.]
So. Plans.
[Smooth, Amelia. She drums her fingers against the table.]
I haven't thought about telling my parents about you yet.
no subject
He bows his head slightly, his smile pulling to one side.]
Plans.
[He takes another sip, setting his cup down in front of him. That she hadn't thought about telling just yet doesn't trouble him the way it might have, once— Amelia never makes him feel as though he's something she wants to hide, only that she herself is quite serious, rational. For as impulsive as they've been, it makes sense to approach other aspects of their relationship as reasonably as possible.]
I hadn't thought to tell my mother just yet, either— although there is a chance Tara might let it slip beforehand, but I've a mind to ask her to let me handle it when I feel it's appropriate. At the very least, if she hears before then, I think she'll have the good sense to act surprised.
[He chuckles softly, angling himself towards her as he rests an arm against the counter.]
I don't think either of us should feel pressured to change any standing plans at the moment, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to make time for you in between.
no subject
If you'd like though and if you're able... I don't mind having you meet my parents after New Year's, just so that they're aware.
[The chef serves them their first plates of hamachi and Amelia is quick to slide Gale's plate closer to him before helping herself.]
I haven't made it a habit to tell them the nitty-gritty details of my personal dramas, but I'm not so heartless of a daughter to not let them know about you. You're probably the most upstanding person I've brought into my life recently.