[But considering how far they've come, it's more than likely to happen. At his direction, she moves and sweeps up her jeans, wrapping them around her arms. God, it's been a long while for her since she's done any of this. Recklessly falling into another person's arms, waking up the next morning in a bed that isn't her own next to someone she didn't think she'd fall in deep enough with...
When she glances over at Gale, however, and the way he looks at her and remembers everything from last night... Amelia, for once, doesn't feel burdened. She feels incredibly light even after all the promises she's made for the new year with him.]
[Right. He doesn't want to rush things along further than she's ready for, but he has to admit, if there are more mornings like this in their future, there are certain things that seem to be a pleasant inevitability. Rather than worrying about when they reach certain steps or milestones, he intends to enjoy every moment of the journey at whatever pace works best for them— but there's no denying the future is promising.
He's partway through sitting back up and raking his fingers through his mussed hair when she asks him about the shower, and he freezes mid-motion, his face coloring suddenly despite all the playful flirting and doting he's already bestowed upon her this morning.
Did she just ask if he—
He clears his throat softly, giving her a sidelong glance that he hopes isn't too eager, just so that he might preserve some of his dignity.]
[Clearly, he's unable to say the right thing in this moment, so he finally tosses the covers back and gets to his feet. He does not want this to go anything close to the way the last time he'd inadvertently embarrassed her did.]
You could— take back taking it back. I was surprised, that's all.
[He moves to put his arms around her middle from behind, if she'll let him— just a reminder that he's a very cuddly and lovable wizard, in case she forgot.]
[His arms around her middle are surprising but not unwelcome. She takes another deep breath and glances up at Gale when he makes the admission that her offer is something very new for him. Maybe she shouldn't have reacted so harshly, knowing how impulsively she asked in the first place...
So she'll lean her back against him and reach up with one hand to pat the side of his face.]
Fine. The offer's back on the table. I did spring it on you suddenly, so that's on me.
[This is the struggle part of their relationship.]
Nothing has to happen, of course. I'd rather we take our time instead of rushing headfirst into whatever our fancies hit us with all the time.
[But it does say a lot that she's comfortable enough with him to want to share a moment as private and intimate as bathing.]
[He lets out a soft huff of affectionate laughter as she pats the side of his face, leaning down to lightly nuzzle against the line of her jaw, her neck, his beard gently scraping against her skin before he follows up with his lips.]
If it's back on the table, then I would love to join you.
[Nothing has to happen, just as he'd told her the night before, but the offer is one that invites an intimacy that's a bit different from what they'd shared the night before, a vulnerability that he recognizes does require a great deal of comfort for one to show.]
We could follow some fancies. [He makes an effort to sound playfully innocent as he fully hugs her from behind, the warmth of him against her back.] But only if you like. As ever, I am more than happy to follow along at your pace.
[He's been patient and no less adoring for it so far— a single night is hardly going to change that.]
[A pleasant shiver goes up her spine as he kisses her jawline and she feels her stiff mood soften once again. She finds that she could never be irate at Gale for too long, not when he willingly and freely showers her with affection like this.]
No promises on the fancies.
[She doesn't even sound as strict when saying that and she turns herself around so she can wrap one arm around Gale's shoulder; from this angle, he can see her smile again.]
[Her smile sends a surge of warmth through him; though it seems a rare sight for so many, it is one he finds himself looking forward to each and every day, as though it were the sun itself, and he acquiesces by leaning down to press a soft, heartfelt kiss against her lips, his arms still snugly around her waist. Brief though the kiss may be, he can taste just a hint of coffee on her lips, as he's sure she can taste on him, as well.]
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[But considering how far they've come, it's more than likely to happen. At his direction, she moves and sweeps up her jeans, wrapping them around her arms. God, it's been a long while for her since she's done any of this. Recklessly falling into another person's arms, waking up the next morning in a bed that isn't her own next to someone she didn't think she'd fall in deep enough with...
When she glances over at Gale, however, and the way he looks at her and remembers everything from last night... Amelia, for once, doesn't feel burdened. She feels incredibly light even after all the promises she's made for the new year with him.]
Are we showering or taking turns? Your choice.
no subject
He's partway through sitting back up and raking his fingers through his mussed hair when she asks him about the shower, and he freezes mid-motion, his face coloring suddenly despite all the playful flirting and doting he's already bestowed upon her this morning.
Did she just ask if he—
He clears his throat softly, giving her a sidelong glance that he hopes isn't too eager, just so that he might preserve some of his dignity.]
Is that an invitation?
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Never mind. I take it back.
[The very gall of this man to make her feel embarrassed after their big step!]
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Wait, Amelia—
[Clearly, he's unable to say the right thing in this moment, so he finally tosses the covers back and gets to his feet. He does not want this to go anything close to the way the last time he'd inadvertently embarrassed her did.]
You could— take back taking it back. I was surprised, that's all.
[He moves to put his arms around her middle from behind, if she'll let him— just a reminder that he's a very cuddly and lovable wizard, in case she forgot.]
Nobody has ever offered me that before.
no subject
So she'll lean her back against him and reach up with one hand to pat the side of his face.]
Fine. The offer's back on the table. I did spring it on you suddenly, so that's on me.
[This is the struggle part of their relationship.]
Nothing has to happen, of course. I'd rather we take our time instead of rushing headfirst into whatever our fancies hit us with all the time.
[But it does say a lot that she's comfortable enough with him to want to share a moment as private and intimate as bathing.]
no subject
If it's back on the table, then I would love to join you.
[Nothing has to happen, just as he'd told her the night before, but the offer is one that invites an intimacy that's a bit different from what they'd shared the night before, a vulnerability that he recognizes does require a great deal of comfort for one to show.]
We could follow some fancies. [He makes an effort to sound playfully innocent as he fully hugs her from behind, the warmth of him against her back.] But only if you like. As ever, I am more than happy to follow along at your pace.
[He's been patient and no less adoring for it so far— a single night is hardly going to change that.]
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No promises on the fancies.
[She doesn't even sound as strict when saying that and she turns herself around so she can wrap one arm around Gale's shoulder; from this angle, he can see her smile again.]
But let's get cleaned up together then.
no subject
Let's— as my lady wishes.