( Sansa supposes she shouldn't have been surprised that Baby reached out to her again after talking at Mahogany that day but she is all the same. At Kimberly's suggestion, she's wearing something a bit more brief but while she did concede to the shorts she's still wearing long sleeves - something has to be covered up. If she looks strange, she looks strange, but for now this is how she feels most comfortable.
She's agreed to meet him at B-Sides since she's free from work before he is and so that's what she does, taking a moment to look up and down the racks of records while she waits. She has no idea how music can be crystalized and preserved as a frozen moment of time on these records but she likes the idea of it. )
Baby? I'm here when you're ready. If you need to finish something up, I don't mind.
[ Baby doesn't really wait around when he hears Sansa's voice, rousing Otis and murmuring to him it's time to put on his good face and go meet someone new, which makes the dog wag his tail as he gets up and shakes himself, letting out a low bark.
Baby walks out from the back room to greet Sansa, only to stop dead in his tracks. Because instead of her usual floor length skirts, she's wearing shorts. Long, long pale legs on full view. ]
Oh. Oh, wow. [ It's a completely genuine exclamation, soft and awed, but he closes his mouth as soon as he realizes, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. ] Hey, hi. This is Otis, by the way.
( Sansa blinks at him for a moment, not certain what he's referring to when he says wow and then she realizes it's her and she's a little embarrassed. From what she learned from Kimberly, this is what he would like to see her in, but she's still a little awkward dressing this way. It isn't done in Westeros. Sansa resists the urge to tug at the hem of her shorts and kneels down to greet Otis instead. )
Hello, Otis. Would you like a pet? I think you would. ( It's the closest Sansa Stark ever gets to babytalking and she isn't quite managing but she does rub Otis behind the ears and down his throat and chest a bit before she looks back up at Baby. From this angle, she can see just how lean and tall he is. Oh. That's nice. )
I love dogs. It's been a while since I've had any sort of pet.
[ Baby watches her fold herself down to greet Otis and there's a part of him that is suddenly, fiercely jealous of his own dog. Because she pets him, smiling at him as she does, and Otis wags his tail, pushes his head closer to her hands, that greedy old man, and Baby clenches his jaw, before shaking himself. That's ridiculous.
He smiles when Sansa looks back up at him, and leans back against one of the shelves. ]
I've never had one before Otis here. But I went to the shelter and met him and it was just... a love at first sight kind of thing for both of us. I had no idea what I was doing at first. [ He chuckles, reminding himself how thankful he was for Robbie and his help, then.
But that's also not why he asked Sansa to come over. He steps closer again, holding a hand out for Sansa. ]
( Sansa frowns a bit, concerned. She reaches for Baby's hand and grips it tightly enough to use it as leverage to stand again and when she's upright, she touches her hand to his shoulder briefly to right herself before taking it away. She would normally have her hands in the folds of her dress, worrying the fabric, but she cannot do that while she's wearing these Godsdamned shorts. )
[ Baby shakes his head quickly, not wanting Sansa to worry. Hopefully, it should be a nice talk, and so he smiles, letting out an amused,slightly self-conscious chuckle. ]
Nothing's wrong. I just realized that, last time, when we met up at Mahogany, I didn't... make my intentions clear, I guess. And I'd like it to be clear that I like you, and would like to take you on a date. If you'd like that.
( That is actually a lot less ominous than the various scenarios that Sansa had played through in her head and she tries not to be obvious when she lets out a sigh of relief. She nods her head before looking up at him again, clearly announcing that she would like that very much. )
I would like that. ( the smallest of laughs. ) Is it because I wore the shorts that Kimberly told me to wear?
[ Not that he truly thought she wouldn't be interested - according to Kimberly, Sansa was into him, so it was barely a risk, but still. They could be dancing around it for ages if they really wanted to, and he's glad they're not doing so.
At her question, Baby chuckles, shaking his head. ]
You look beautiful, but no. I actually - I thought last time was a date, already, but I realize that I didn't actually say that. And I was reminded that the two of have grown up very differently and that I should probably tell you.
[ He bites his lip. ]
So, yeah. I want us to date. And all - that entails.
I would like to. ( Still, her words are cautious because there are things that men expect, that she's certain Baby will expect, that she's not certain she can provide. )
I know there's things you'll expect of me and I'll do my duty but I don't find joy in a man's bed. I'm afraid of it.
[ His stomach bottoms out at her words, his mouth parting in slight shock. He shakes his head, reaching out to take one of her hands in his. ]
No, no, that's not - I mean, it is what I meant but I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do. I want us to see where things go, together, but I'm not getting ahead of myself. This, you and I dating? It shouldn't be any kind of duty, or unpleasant, and if it is, don't say yes. Don't go out with me. I want you to have a lovely time, not for it to be something you're doing because you're afraid.
[ He takes a deep breath, dry-swallowing visibly. ]
But if you do, truly, want to go out with me - because you like me and my company, not for any other reason, I was thinking we could start with a picnic on the beach. Let Otis run around in the sand.
[ Damn, but he's never spoken that much in consecutive sentences. Feel proud, Sansa. ]
( Sansa sighs a bit and squeezes his hand back. It isn't that she doesn't want to date, she does, but she's afraid of the physical things that might come along with it. Still, he says he won't push her and she has to accept that as fact. He hasn't pushed her thus far. This place won't allow someone to violate her - it's in their laws. She can trust the laws even if she can't trust him and she does trust him, even if she shouldn't yet. )
I do like your company and I want - I want to spend time with you. I want to go to the beach with you and Otis and I want to hold hands like we are now. I want to play piano with you and dance and kiss. I just don't want my fear of the bed to come between us, is all.
[ Kimberly said she wanted to kiss him, but Baby, since she told him about her past, had not really tried or thought it would be on the table, either. And he remembers everything about his talk with Kimberly, and how he said he could be patient, and he would be. She needs to be treated with the utmost care, and Baby feels like he can do that.
He may not yet have her trust, but he can earn it. ]
We can do all that, and I'll respect your pace, and your wishes. And if, at some point, you feel more comfortable, then we can revisit the other stuff. But I will not ask anything of you, okay?
[ He's pretty sure he can show Sansa that sex isn't something to be scared of, but this is neither here nor there. They can talk about this again, later, when things are more comfortable for her. ]
( Sansa gives him a sweet smile and now that they've discussed her fears and he's assuaged them she feels like she can relax and let go of some of the tension she constantly holds. Knowing he won't pressure her in the bed and require that as a contingent of being with her makes her feel like she can take things slow. )
Perhaps I will feel more comfortable as time goes on. I don't want to always be afraid, Baby. I want...I've never had anything like this. I want to enjoy my time with you no matter what form it takes.
( Sansa's cheeks color a bit and she nods. She isn't shy, however, and her smile is brilliant at the thought of being able to kiss him. She's been thinking about it since they met at Mahogany and she really hopes that it will happen tonight. )
[ Well, Otis might not actually be the only one getting some affection right now. Baby licks his lips, nodding as he steps ever closer, his hand moving up to cup her elbow, the other brushing her jaw, tilting her face up just a fraction. ]
Oh, I do.
[ And so he leans in, pressing his lips to hers, soft and chaste, eyes fluttering closed. ]
( Sansa has never had a kiss she's truly wanted. This kiss is so different than the others she's had in her life and she hardly knows what to do when his lips touch hers. She feels warmth suffusing her limbs and she tilts her head, a little uncertain about how to deepen the kiss but wanting to try. She slips her hands up to cup his face, thumbs brushing against his cheekbones. )
[ His hand slides into her hair, keeping her close as he doesn't push until he feels her leaning in, her hands on his face. He smiles into it, deepening the kiss by licking her bottom lip, a little hesitant, still soft. ]
( Sansa whimpers a little when he licks her lip and she parts her mouth a bit, doing the same to him. She's trying to mirror the things he does that she likes in hopes he likes them too. )
[ It's one of these hesitant, discovering kisses, a little sweet but turning more intent with every passing second, Baby's free hand curling around Sansa's hip, touch as light as he can make it. He keeps a modicum of distance, intent of honoring what he said about respect, about not pushing her.
He pulls back a moment later, lips lingering on Sansa's for a second as he opens his eyes, thumb brushing her jaw. ]
( The touch at her hip doesn't bother her at all and when he pulls away, Sansa whimpers a little and wishes it didn't have to end. But it does, if only because they do have to breathe, and when he asks if she's all right she gives him a shy look and a quick nod. )
You won't hear me complain. I just mean it, when I say I don't want to push you.
[ He gives her a truthful, open look, eyes wide and eyebrows lifted. His smile is still there on his face. ]
And I need to close up. Want to go for a drive with Otis and I? I'd say we walk back, but you'll freeze to death.
[ Even if she's used to the cold, those are tiny, tiny shorts, and she's not wearing tights, or leggings underneath. Baby isn't going to be the reason why she turns into a popsicle. ]
The cold doesn't bother me. It doesn't get cold enough here in the city to even warrant a cloak in the North.
( Sansa gives him a little smile, a little bolder than she'd been before. She isn't good at this like Margaery was but she did observe her and how bold she'd been and Sansa has always been a quick learner. )
Are you concerned for my delicate constitution? If so, I'll allow you to drive me.
[ He smiles at her smile, her words, and nods, reaching over the counter for the store's keys and Otis' leash. The dog gets up and is all tail-waggling the second he sees it, and lets Baby clip it on to his collar without fuss. It all takes no more than a couple of seconds, and then Baby is grinning at Sansa again, offering her a hand. ]
I am, indeed, very concerned. Who would I be to let a lady walk around in this weather?
[ He motions for Otis. ]
I'm taking him to the park, if you want to join us?
I would like to but, as you said, perhaps a change of clothing is in order. If you drive me home, it won't take long to change into something more suitable.
( Sansa eyes him and smirks a bit, feeling just a little more confident than she'd felt before their earlier, more serious, conversation. )
Will you forgive me if I dress in one of the dresses Kimberly has informed me are so dreadfully prudish and dull?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; post kimberly-thread.
She's agreed to meet him at B-Sides since she's free from work before he is and so that's what she does, taking a moment to look up and down the racks of records while she waits. She has no idea how music can be crystalized and preserved as a frozen moment of time on these records but she likes the idea of it. )
Baby? I'm here when you're ready. If you need to finish something up, I don't mind.
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Baby walks out from the back room to greet Sansa, only to stop dead in his tracks. Because instead of her usual floor length skirts, she's wearing shorts. Long, long pale legs on full view. ]
Oh. Oh, wow. [ It's a completely genuine exclamation, soft and awed, but he closes his mouth as soon as he realizes, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. ] Hey, hi. This is Otis, by the way.
[ As Otis steps closer to Sansa, sniffing her. ]
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Hello, Otis. Would you like a pet? I think you would. ( It's the closest Sansa Stark ever gets to babytalking and she isn't quite managing but she does rub Otis behind the ears and down his throat and chest a bit before she looks back up at Baby. From this angle, she can see just how lean and tall he is. Oh. That's nice. )
I love dogs. It's been a while since I've had any sort of pet.
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He smiles when Sansa looks back up at him, and leans back against one of the shelves. ]
I've never had one before Otis here. But I went to the shelter and met him and it was just... a love at first sight kind of thing for both of us. I had no idea what I was doing at first. [ He chuckles, reminding himself how thankful he was for Robbie and his help, then.
But that's also not why he asked Sansa to come over. He steps closer again, holding a hand out for Sansa. ]
So. I wanted to - talk to you.
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Is something wrong?
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Nothing's wrong. I just realized that, last time, when we met up at Mahogany, I didn't... make my intentions clear, I guess. And I'd like it to be clear that I like you, and would like to take you on a date. If you'd like that.
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I would like that. ( the smallest of laughs. ) Is it because I wore the shorts that Kimberly told me to wear?
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At her question, Baby chuckles, shaking his head. ]
You look beautiful, but no. I actually - I thought last time was a date, already, but I realize that I didn't actually say that. And I was reminded that the two of have grown up very differently and that I should probably tell you.
[ He bites his lip. ]
So, yeah. I want us to date. And all - that entails.
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I know there's things you'll expect of me and I'll do my duty but I don't find joy in a man's bed. I'm afraid of it.
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No, no, that's not - I mean, it is what I meant but I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do. I want us to see where things go, together, but I'm not getting ahead of myself. This, you and I dating? It shouldn't be any kind of duty, or unpleasant, and if it is, don't say yes. Don't go out with me. I want you to have a lovely time, not for it to be something you're doing because you're afraid.
[ He takes a deep breath, dry-swallowing visibly. ]
But if you do, truly, want to go out with me - because you like me and my company, not for any other reason, I was thinking we could start with a picnic on the beach. Let Otis run around in the sand.
[ Damn, but he's never spoken that much in consecutive sentences. Feel proud, Sansa. ]
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I do like your company and I want - I want to spend time with you. I want to go to the beach with you and Otis and I want to hold hands like we are now. I want to play piano with you and dance and kiss. I just don't want my fear of the bed to come between us, is all.
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He may not yet have her trust, but he can earn it. ]
We can do all that, and I'll respect your pace, and your wishes. And if, at some point, you feel more comfortable, then we can revisit the other stuff. But I will not ask anything of you, okay?
[ He's pretty sure he can show Sansa that sex isn't something to be scared of, but this is neither here nor there. They can talk about this again, later, when things are more comfortable for her. ]
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Perhaps I will feel more comfortable as time goes on. I don't want to always be afraid, Baby. I want...I've never had anything like this. I want to enjoy my time with you no matter what form it takes.
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It's okay. Yeah? We'll just take things, one step at a time.
[ His smiles grows bigger, looking down into Sansa's eyes, dropping the seriousness as he sees the tension leech right out of her shoulders. ]
Did you say you wanted to kiss me? [ His voice is soft, a little amused, very fond. ]
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Yes, if you wished it?
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Oh, I do.
[ And so he leans in, pressing his lips to hers, soft and chaste, eyes fluttering closed. ]
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He pulls back a moment later, lips lingering on Sansa's for a second as he opens his eyes, thumb brushing her jaw. ]
All right?
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Oh, yes. Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.
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You won't hear me complain. I just mean it, when I say I don't want to push you.
[ He gives her a truthful, open look, eyes wide and eyebrows lifted. His smile is still there on his face. ]
And I need to close up. Want to go for a drive with Otis and I? I'd say we walk back, but you'll freeze to death.
[ Even if she's used to the cold, those are tiny, tiny shorts, and she's not wearing tights, or leggings underneath. Baby isn't going to be the reason why she turns into a popsicle. ]
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( Sansa gives him a little smile, a little bolder than she'd been before. She isn't good at this like Margaery was but she did observe her and how bold she'd been and Sansa has always been a quick learner. )
Are you concerned for my delicate constitution? If so, I'll allow you to drive me.
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I am, indeed, very concerned. Who would I be to let a lady walk around in this weather?
[ He motions for Otis. ]
I'm taking him to the park, if you want to join us?
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( Sansa eyes him and smirks a bit, feeling just a little more confident than she'd felt before their earlier, more serious, conversation. )
Will you forgive me if I dress in one of the dresses Kimberly has informed me are so dreadfully prudish and dull?
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/scene?