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[ripher]

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USERNAME: GILES

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[rationalism]

[ three blondes. might he have a type.

she doesn't mention that she doesn't mind not having a roommate because there is no one to hear her scream from her nightmares.

instead she accepts the invitation with a smile. ]

That would be nice.

[ripher]

[ He definitely has a type. Case in point: the way he smiles back at her, more than a little boyishly helpless. He clears his throat, shifting his weight a little on the couch. ]

I have to admit, I was glad to hear from you. Even if it was a mistake. If that's, uh. If that's not too forward of me.

[rationalism]

[ his admission draws a honk of a laugh, bright and sudden, and she hastens to explain herself. ]

Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just... really hard to be too forward with me.

[ she who propositioned richie as a form of barter system before he shot her down, she who propositioned elias before they'd even met, she who married alex after an 18 month bangathon. ]

Usually it's the other way around.

[ripher]

[ The laugh is a surprise, but a very endearing one -- Giles ducks his head with a smile, looking fondly at her as she recovers. ]

Well. In that case, perhaps I can say that I had hoped that I would.. that I could help take your mind off things. And not just with tea and, ah. Books.

[rationalism]

Yeah?

[ her smile softens with affection. he's being awfully brave right now. and in the face of her laughter! what a guy. still, maybe it's for the best she let him take the lead and not climb into his lap and get to kissing.

she wasn't joking, she usually is the too forward one. it'd suck to scare him off. ]

What did you have in mind?

[ripher]

[ A moderate victory in that she doesn't immediately seem put off by the idea. Giles lets that carry him onwards, enduring the faint heat on his face at being so bold with a young woman. He tries not to let his gaze linger on her mouth. ]

I had rather hoped you would let me, um. Kiss you. If you'd like that.

[rationalism]

[ she sets her tea aside, clasps her hands in her lap, nods like a bobble head a bit. ]

I would very much like that.

[ripher]

[ It's all quite adorable. Giles' smile grows. With deliberate care, he leans over to put his own cup of tea on a nearby table that has enough room between the stacks of books. Then he resettles on the couch, a little closer to Grace, and drapes his arm over the back of the couch again.

A moment of consideration. He scooches a bit closer. Reaches up a hand to touch her cheek, tentatively at first, and brushes a lock of hair back behind her ear, gazing into her eyes. He gives her a small, slightly embarrassed smile. Unsure of how to begin, now he's been given the responsibility. ]

You are very attractive, you know.

[rationalism]

I know.

[ her mouth slants into a half smile, teasing, and she winks.

he touches her so gently that warmth unspools in her chest and she wonders if it was unfair to put the onus on him. usually it is so she doesn't come on to strong but his hesitation gives her pause.

should she take the lead? well, maybe it's like hitch. he did the lion's share of the work. she can do the rest.

she closes the distance between them, leaning forward, a hand on his knee. with an exhale, she presses a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth before she shifts and kisses him properly. ]

[ripher]

[ There's a moment of cowardly relief, that she's taken the initiative, quickly overtaken by an affectionate warmth, a boyish thrill, as she kisses him. She tastes sweet and slightly smoky from the tea and the cereal she's been eating; her lips are soft, her hand on his knee a gentle pressure.

Giles allows his eyes to slip closed, his hand going to her cheek, combing into her hair and holding her there as the kiss lingers. Then, moving in closer, kissing her again with rising desire, more firmly this time, and again, stroking her hair, his other hand going to her shoulder to encourage her closer still. ]

[rationalism]

[ she hums a soft note, pleased, moves into him like water. her hand slides from his knee to his thigh, warm and steady. ostensibly, it is for support as she shifts closer but grace is more than capable of holding herself up with the cling of her fingers. ]