voidseeing | Appointments Post

It's my fault for not warning you that was a possibility.

[Will a kiss on the forehead be enough of an apology for it? Or he could also cut a piece out of the okonomiyaki and set that on her plate, because that's guaranteed to taste delicious.]

[Elizabeth smiles again after the kiss and takes a sip of her wine to clear the flavor.] Anything I should be aware of in this one?

No, this one should be safe. The worst you'll find in it is some squid or other seafood, and at least it's cooked this time. That should be the last of the surprises, I promise.

[He's still going to taste it first to check, just to be sure.]

They've been mostly good surprises! And I promise not to hold the... umeboshi incident against you. [She grins and watches Gai, clearly waiting for the go-ahead.]

[He laughs and gives her a thumbs-up to signal that it's safe to eat.]

Good. For a moment there, I was fearing for the rest of our evening.

Afraid I would throw my drink in your face and stalk off? [She grins and starts in on what Gai's given her. It is good, though she thinks she's more fond of the sushi.]

That, or worse. I do like this suit.

[And now his smile edges more into the territory of a smirk.]

And I was under the impression that you did, too.

[Elizabeth takes her time eating her next bite, contemplating.]

You have a point. [She smirks back.]

I'd like to at least be able to make it back before it gets too badly damaged.

[He lets a little heat creep into his voice, just teasing. He's been behaving himself for the most part this evening, he's allowed a few lapses occasionally.]

I'd like to see you in it again, so I can accept that stipulation. [She points at Gai with her fork.] Nothing happens to the dress, at all. Yes?

And I'd like to see you in it again, so you have my word on that too.

[But he holds his hands up playfully in a surrendering gesture.]

I'll refrain from saying what else I'd like to see in public.

[... so much for trying to behave.]

Gai! [Elizabeth toes him under the table again, looking amused and shocked again.] I should hope you would!

[...though she is a little curious now...]

[The fact that she's curious is exactly why he isn't going to answer, instead returning to eating as if he were innocent as can be in all of this.

Now she can ponder what exactly it was that he was going to say were they not in a public place.]

[Elizabeth eyes Gai for a moment, knowing full well that something's happening behind that innocent face.]

[She goes back to eating, still eying Gai suspiciously.]

[Right now he actually IS being innocent and just eating, though what might be going on in his mind is a mystery. Or maybe not, given the comments he just made.

He looks such a model of perfect behavior that it might actually come as a surprise when he reaches out beneath the table to poke HER with his foot, still smiling away the whole time. But knowing him, it's probably not much of a surprise at all.]

[Elizabeth makes a strangled surprised noise when she feels Gai nudge her. Though frankly, given how much she's done it to him in the past hour it should have been expected.]

I have a feeling I'm going to be constantly wondering what you're thinking about.

Isn't it more fun that way?

[His tone of voice is such that it could either be entirely innocent... or anything but. Which is half the fun, in his eyes.]

That remains to be seen. Sometimes a girl would like to know where she stands. [Elizabeth gives Gai a scrutinizing look and keeps on eating.]

[He smiles now, his expression smoothing out into something gentler.]

I've already been more honest with you than I've ever been with anyone before.

[She smiles back, pausing on the okonomiyaki to look a little wistfully into Gai's eyes.] So if I asked, you would tell me the truth?

[He meets her gaze unflinchingly and nods his head. For someone who is usually so guarded, his expression is for once open and honest. He isn't holding anything back this time.]

I would.

[She rests her fork on her plate, thinking for a moment.] If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

[Gai doesn't even have to think for five seconds about that one, not when the answer is right in front of him.]

What I have right now.

[Not exactly what Elizabeth was expecting, but it doesn't matter. The answer still nearly stops her heart. It could have been a line from anyone else but Gai. And he probably didn't think it would result in what Elizabeth says next:]

Do you... want to take the rest of this home? Get a, ah, box and go back...? To your apartment?

[Because those were the magic words, apparently.]

[That wasn't quite the expected result, no. Not that he's displeased with it at all-- it was going to come to this point eventually, but the fact that it's ELIZABETH who is the one impatient to take the next step makes him feel just that much more comfortable about this whole thing. He couldn't quite erase his concerns that maybe he'd pressured her into this somehow, or that she was still doing this because it was what she thought he wanted.

Seeing her genuine desire for this warms his heart... and maybe something a bit lower too. The best part is, he was being completely, 100% honest. This IS the happiest he's ever been in his life. As far as he's concerned, things can't get any better than this.]

For lunch tomorrow?

[Now he's REALLY smiling.]

Sounds like a plan to me. I'll flag down a waiter.

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