[Oh my God, he still wants to focus on the tea? Clara looks stunned by that at first, but since she can't very well turn down good tea she sets to work getting out all the things they'll need to prepare it just how she likes. Of course, she knows that he needs the time to gather his thoughts and is just using the tea to deflect and cover up, the same way they both use humor.
She's halfway inside her pantry when he finally speaks again, and though her eyes aren't on him she hears every single word. When she peeks back out and closes the door behind her, she's got a bag of cookies in one hand, and a bag of chips held between her teeth. Once she brings them both over to sit on the counter and her mouth's free, she's able to really address what he's said. Not before nodding toward the snacks to let him know he can have some, of course.]
Yeah, but that's not your decision to make. It's not a matter of have to, not to me. I want to.
[Acting on an urgency to be in close to him again, she steps in until she's right in his personal space. They can still focus on tea even with her standing up in his business, right? That becomes a little more debatable as she first rests her hands on his hips, then slides them up to rest against his shoulders instead. ]
Think your only choice is just letting me do what I want, at this point.
[ a shallow smile crosses his lips as she rummages around for milk and snacks, more or less knowing it would go this way. maybe tea was also an excuse to stick around for a while, not that he'd admit it. he's about to argue with that, he really is. it is his decision whether or not to let her in, but... then she's close to him and pushing closer. a little shiver tracks down his spine in reaction to her hands at his middle, but then her hands push up to his arms and it's all he can do not to melt into a punisher shaped puddle right here. ]
Don't think I could stop you. [ she's a force to be reckoned with, but that's the way he's always liked his women. she has to know already that he'd do anything she ever asked of him in earnest. he can't help himself. but then he slowly comes to the realization that... maybe she doesn't know that. she didn't even know he liked her until moments ago. he reaches out to toy with the hem of her tank top this time, idly rubbing it between his fingers. ] I wanna be with you, too. Dark, gritty, and everything else.
[An eyebrow arches as she feels him toying with her top. Everything is happening quickly, and maybe that's a good reason to put the brakes on and make sure that they don't go too far tonight. Hearing what he wants to be with her the same way she does him makes her arms stretch upward so her hands can press against the back of his head. As she's taking in a sharp breath she guides his forehead down to hers. They just stand there like that, close and sharing each others breaths. It's oddly endearing and likely the most romantic moment she's ever initiated. Just simple acceptance of one another and wanting to be together despite all the odd shit that goes on in their lives.
It's a nice feeling, and she clings hold of it with hope that she can give him something good. He deserves happiness wherever he can find it. Her eyes slide closed and she sweetly kisses him, far more gentle and chaste than the others they've shared.]
Good. Cause there's not a single chance you're getting rid of me now.
[And right then the tea kettle decides to go off, whistling loudly and ruining the moment.]
[ how did clara know forehead touches were frank's love language huh!!!! he feels exposed. but kind of in a good way, actually, obligingly bowing his head until his face rests against hers. it feels nice to just be for a moment, shutting his eyes into the kiss when it happens. ]
This another thing I have no choice on? [ he barely gets through it before the kettle is screaming, and frank automatically disengages to pull the water off the burner. he's... oddly domestic, isn't he? ]
[There's a retort on the tip of her tongue, but it dies off as she watches him move around her kitchen. He certainly is domestic, and it does a good job of making him even more attractive to her. As he gets the kettle and pours the water over the tea bags in the mugs, she very slowly works at eating a cookie. Her eyes never leave him the entire time.
She can imagine them being mundane and domestic together in between their chaotic and dangerous lives, making meals together or her waking up in the morning to find him preparing coffee. Struck with such a strong sense of longing for that kind of life, she smiles like a total idiot as she stands at his side to start dipping the teabags so they're ready faster.]
So. What're your thoughts on dates, Mr. Old Fashioned? I'll let you have a choice on where we have our first one.
[ her impatience is, as always, adorable, but he doesn't say anything, watching her back in that quiet observatory way he has. her smile confuses him, but he doesn't ask about that either. dates. with him? clara wants to be seen in public with frank? he doesn't even like being in public most of the time, but the pressure is on to think of something good when she presses him that way. ]
Do you know how to shoot a gun? [ yes this is the first thing he thinks of. shut up. also you're welcome. what a practical first date this could be!! he's actually proud of himself here. ]
[Somehow, that question doesn't really take her by surprise. She doesn't answer right away, ducking her head to try and hide a coy little smile from him. Leaving the teabags alone for now, she turns and leans back against the counter. Should she pretend she doesn't know how and let him teach her? No, she can't pretend not to do something just for that. Clearly, men love when you are better than they are at something they love.]
I've had some experience with one, yeah. Though one of them was more a giant blaster cannon than a gun, but the point is they both had a trigger and I used them. I've got you covered if you'd like to play around with maces for an hour or so, too.
[The idea of going and shooting guns with Frank is oddly appealing. He'll be at ease and she'll get to show off. What more could she want?]
[ giant blaster cannon. maces?! frank's eyes light like it's christmas morning. this is really happening to him right now. ] Then a .45 shouldn't give you any trouble. What do you say? [ gun date gun date gun date. this is like the best day of his life clara you have no idea. ]
[Oh, he looks so excited. Like a little boy getting a puppy. She couldn't tell him no, even if she wanted to. Which she doesn't, because the idea of a gun date sounds oddly thrilling.
Grinning, she rises up on her tiptoes as she leans in to kiss his cheek.]
Only if you promise not to laugh at me doing it in a dress.
Laugh? [ does she mean pop a boner because he can't promise that a t a ll. ] Why would I laugh? [ u kno, ever. he deadpans, though the reflex to touch his cheek after she kisses him is automatic. ]
Is this leaf water ready or what? [ lay it on him ]
[Frankly, she'd be offended if he didn't pop a boner when watching her with a gun. Thankfully, that doesn't seem like it will be a problem. Unlike the tea, which isn't as dark as she wants it to be but is also as done as her patience will allow. Laughing because how dare he call it leaf water (although accurate), she sets to putting things in said tea to make it taste amazing. Idk what these things are bc Texans only drink iced sweet tea.
When it's all said and done, she holds a mug out for him to take.]
It's better than just leaf water. Give it a chance.
[ english people drink tea with milk okay. lots of milk because they're gross. which is why frank is wrinkling his nose, but shrugging optimistically. ]
Don't tell Micro. [ that he willingly drank tea with her. he'd never hear the end of it!!! frank takes a cautious sip... and well. it's definitely not coffee. and he would probably like it better plain. but he's stuck with it now so here they are. ]
[Oh, he doesn't want anyone to know? Clara pulls her phone out of somewhere and grins as she takes a picture of him drinking tea. She doubts he'll ever do this again, and she wants to always remember that time he suffered through leaf water just because she likes it so much. It's very sweet. Too bad she's busy teasing him.]
Oh, I won't tell him. Can't promise I won't show him though.
[ wooooowwww he manages to make a super offended look + ew gross tea look p much silmultaneously right before she snaps the picture. ] That's not right, Clara.
[All she does in response is laugh and move the phone up over her head like he might try making a grab for it. But at her 5'1", it's basically laughable because he's so much taller than she is. ]
It's the only picture I have of you. How else am I supposed to remember you during the day when I'm busy?
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She's halfway inside her pantry when he finally speaks again, and though her eyes aren't on him she hears every single word. When she peeks back out and closes the door behind her, she's got a bag of cookies in one hand, and a bag of chips held between her teeth. Once she brings them both over to sit on the counter and her mouth's free, she's able to really address what he's said. Not before nodding toward the snacks to let him know he can have some, of course.]
Yeah, but that's not your decision to make. It's not a matter of have to, not to me. I want to.
[Acting on an urgency to be in close to him again, she steps in until she's right in his personal space. They can still focus on tea even with her standing up in his business, right? That becomes a little more debatable as she first rests her hands on his hips, then slides them up to rest against his shoulders instead. ]
Think your only choice is just letting me do what I want, at this point.
[She's teasing. Mostly.]
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Don't think I could stop you. [ she's a force to be reckoned with, but that's the way he's always liked his women. she has to know already that he'd do anything she ever asked of him in earnest. he can't help himself. but then he slowly comes to the realization that... maybe she doesn't know that. she didn't even know he liked her until moments ago. he reaches out to toy with the hem of her tank top this time, idly rubbing it between his fingers. ] I wanna be with you, too. Dark, gritty, and everything else.
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It's a nice feeling, and she clings hold of it with hope that she can give him something good. He deserves happiness wherever he can find it. Her eyes slide closed and she sweetly kisses him, far more gentle and chaste than the others they've shared.]
Good. Cause there's not a single chance you're getting rid of me now.
[And right then the tea kettle decides to go off, whistling loudly and ruining the moment.]
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This another thing I have no choice on? [ he barely gets through it before the kettle is screaming, and frank automatically disengages to pull the water off the burner. he's... oddly domestic, isn't he? ]
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She can imagine them being mundane and domestic together in between their chaotic and dangerous lives, making meals together or her waking up in the morning to find him preparing coffee. Struck with such a strong sense of longing for that kind of life, she smiles like a total idiot as she stands at his side to start dipping the teabags so they're ready faster.]
So. What're your thoughts on dates, Mr. Old Fashioned? I'll let you have a choice on where we have our first one.
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Do you know how to shoot a gun? [ yes this is the first thing he thinks of. shut up. also you're welcome. what a practical first date this could be!! he's actually proud of himself here. ]
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I've had some experience with one, yeah. Though one of them was more a giant blaster cannon than a gun, but the point is they both had a trigger and I used them. I've got you covered if you'd like to play around with maces for an hour or so, too.
[The idea of going and shooting guns with Frank is oddly appealing. He'll be at ease and she'll get to show off. What more could she want?]
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Grinning, she rises up on her tiptoes as she leans in to kiss his cheek.]
Only if you promise not to laugh at me doing it in a dress.
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Is this leaf water ready or what? [ lay it on him ]
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Idk what these things are bc Texans only drink iced sweet tea.When it's all said and done, she holds a mug out for him to take.]
It's better than just leaf water. Give it a chance.
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Don't tell Micro. [ that he willingly drank tea with her. he'd never hear the end of it!!! frank takes a cautious sip... and well. it's definitely not coffee. and he would probably like it better plain. but he's stuck with it now so here they are. ]
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Oh, I won't tell him. Can't promise I won't show him though.
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It's the only picture I have of you. How else am I supposed to remember you during the day when I'm busy?