Kimb was so tired she wasn't sure she could even explain it. She'd seen Romilda earlier in the week, but it already felt like ages. She was barely sleeping. When she did sleep, it was often at the Museum - and though she didn't very much like it, it was bloody convenient. She made sure Jonesy the security guard was more on guard when she was there, and he even walked her to and from her office to the door.
She opened the door and sighed heavily as she set her things down. She really shouldn't be taking the break from work, but Romilda has tempted her with food and she was hungry. She could also use a bath and a night's rest in her own bed. She popped in the shower before Romilda came over and dried her hair quickly with a charm before pulling on some pajamas. She set some water to boil for cocoa and sat down on the couch to wait for Ro, though it soon turned into a half-lie/snuggle and her eyes drifted shut before she could help herself.
Romilda finished wrapping her Christmas presents before heading over to Kimb's, bringing the other girl's two wrappedparcels with her since she wasn't sure when she'd be seeing her again before the holiday. It was odd not working together, and she felt a lot of regret that the other girl was having to work so hard. Still, she was really liking her new job. It was different, less clerical, more actually doing something, and that felt good.
She had picked up some food from Kimb's favorite place, Macaraoni and some Fried Chicken. The menu had amused her, and she'd ordered something for dessert with lots of Chocolate in it, which sounded both good and necessary.
Her hands were full when she reached the door, so she kicked it with one foot as she juggled bags of food and parcels.
"Kimb?"
Kimb startled, jumping up quickly at the sound before realizing it's origin and heading for the door. She opened it with a sleepy smile and immediately took a bag from Romilda and led her to the kitchen. She hadn't meant to doze off and the water had started to whistle almost immediately after Romilda had knocked. Merlin, Kimb was going to burn her flat down one of these days.
"How was your day?" Kimb asked over her shoulder. She set Romilda's bag down on the kitchen table and turned to her with a smile. She did miss her, and not just at the office. She missed her smile and her sweet laugh and this waiting period of not wanting to pressure wasn't as bad as it could have been. They were too busy for it to be anything but good when they saw each other.
"Good," she said, smiling back at her friend. "Busy." On impulse she leaned in to give her a hug, wrapping her arms around her friend. Lately it had been easier to touch again, which was a good sign, she thought, not that she didn't feel comfortable around Kimb.
"You look tired," she said softly. "You're working too hard aren't you?" Her arms were still around the other woman when she pulled back to look at her, taking in the circles under her eyes and the weary look about her features. It was strange a bit, intimate, but nice, to just stand here like this, and she realized that it felt good.
Kimb sighed softly, shaking her head to deny the fact that she had been working too hard. She brought a hand up to brush back the hair that had fallen into her eyes, maybe to cover the circles she knew Romilda must see. She wasn't working that hard - a bit more than normal, but really, she hadn't skipped a meal today... at least. Still, she leaned into Romilda's embrace without even meaning to. It felt safe and familiar and she missed it without even realizing.
"It's got to get done," she finally justified because it was the truth. She gave Romilda a tired smile. "But, I'm sleeping here tonight, so don't worry too much. Real sleep in a real bed."
"Not all by you," Romilda argued. "Have them hire a temp to do my old job. I know you, you'll work yourself to death and then where will the museum be? They already have enough corpses running around."
They were still very close and she reached up to push Kimb's hair back behind her ear. "You do need sleep though. And you should sleep in tomorrow. Just a bit. Don't make me stay and make sure you do," she teased.
Kimb flushed, knowing Romilda was telling the truth and a bit embarrassed to be read so well. They had been looking at temps all week, but the break in hadn't helped any. She leaned into Romilda's tough and wrapped her arms back around Romilda in return.
"You're always free to stay, even if you aren't playing anti-alarm clock," Kimb said with a smile, and though she realized it might sound too intimate, they were standing very close and she knew Romilda wouldn't think too much of it... or she hoped.
"Good," Romilda said. The time had come where she probably should have moved away, but instead she found herself moving in closer, her head coming down to rest on Kimb's shoulder, her own eyes closing. "Maybe I will."
She could hear Kimb's breathing, faster than it was, and she wasn't sure what she was doing only for once she wasn't overthinking anything, wasn't expecting anything or having any sort of agenda.
"I missed you," she whispered. Her lips were close to Kimb's neck and she slowly opened her eyes, even though all she could see was blonde hair and warm soft skin.
"I missed you, too," Kimb replied. She placed a reassuring kiss to Romilda's temple before pulling away, though she hated too. Still, the kettle wasn't going to wait any longer and the soft, low whistle had burst into a shrill cry in the last second and of course it would ruin any moment they had been having. She cast Romilda an apologetic look before filling them each a mug and setting to preparing the cocoa. "Busy or not, I'm glad I get to see you - even if not everyday anymore."
Romilda felt a flash of uncertainty as Kimb pulled away, and she turned to her, keeping her expression even, as if it didn't matter. "It is nice to see you," she agreed, leaning back against the countertop and crossing her arms around her front. "I brought you your present."
Kimb's eyes lit up at mention of a present and she looked over at Romilda to give her a bright smile before finishing up the cocoa and getting out plates for their food.
"Do you want me to open it now? If not you can put it under my tree - and I have one for you there, too!" Kimb let Romilda fix her plate before conjuring two trays for everything and leading Romilda back into the living room. She set the trays to lower onto the coffee table before sitting down on the couch and waiting for Romilda to join her. She wanted nothing more than to move back into her arms like they had been before the tea kettle interruption, but they should probably eat first - not to mention, Kimb didn't know how best to approach moving into Romilda's arms short of crawling in her lap and just doing it. Kimb was needy, but she had some sense of pride and it wouldn't let her submit herself like that just yet, not with everything that had happened in the past. There were still things lurking in dark corners for them, but Kimb was glad for her fire and the warm light of the Christmas tree. It was bright and cozy in her flat, and that erased most other thoughts from her mind without even trying.
"Thanks for the food. You and Zach are the only ones who bring me macaroni, though most days I think I bring him more macaroni than he brings me." Oh, and Romilda had even remembered the packets of ketchup. "Here's to a decent meal and good company!"
"We can open them now," Romilda said. "I wasn't sure what you were doing with your family for Christmas, so I thought I'd give you your present now."
She took some chicken and some of the macaroni and she'd gotten a side salad which was sort of cheating but made her feel better about all the other calorie laden food. She took her plate over by the sofa and sank down onto the couch with it before looking over at Kimb.
"Zach's a good guy," she said. "We've had fun doing Oliver! even though I don't think he'd admit it. Are you going to come to the show?"
"I'd like that," Kimb said with a childlike little grin. "I'm probably going over to Kristine's for lunch with them. We don't really do presents or anything in the morning and they already owled all of mine over here. I'll probably just sleep in," Kimb admitted, though the thought didn't bother her. It would be a welcome rest and a break from work.
"Do you and Harry have any plans? He's got a godson right?" Kimb supposed he'd probably spend time with his godson on Christmas and she wondered where that put Romilda. She knew her well enough to know she didn't really have any family save her brother, and Kimb couldn't imagine that would be a happy Christmas, even if they were in the same country. And here came the hard part - Kimb certainly didn't want Romilda to spend the hols alone, but she had Natalie and maybe some aunts or uncles Kimb didn't know about, and she didn't want Romilda to feel like she had to accept the invitation. But, Romilda changed the conversation to Oliver! and Kimb was glad, she wasn't sure how to ask anyhow, not yet anyway.
"Yes, Zach promised me front row seats if I brought him macaroni. Somehow I talked him into going to the orphans after party with me and getting something nice for them. He might very well murder me before the end of the night, but it will be fun!"
Romilda looked up at that, surprised, but hid it quickly. It was like that then was it? An answering smile that was not quite real flickered across her lips.
"That sounds great," she said. "I'm glad you've gotten close with him." Obviously she had waited too long then. "You guys will have a good time." She picked her fork up and finally started to eat.
"As far as Christmas goes I won't be doing too much. I think Harry's home, so I'll spend some of it with him. Maybe some with Dennis if he's not being a bastard. Pop over to Nat's Aunt Mary's with her for her pudding. It's the best."
"Zach's sweet, if not a bit caustic." Kimb twirled her fork about in her macaroni, wondering why is was so hard for her to just ask Romilda if she wanted to spend some of the hols together. She thought maybe Romilda was even hoping she would ask - she looked different somehow just then and Kimb wanted the stiffness in her smile to go away because that was how Romilda smiled at other people and not at Kimb. She wanted their smile to come back, though natural happy smiles they gave each other. She was so glad she'd found a friend in Romilda and she hated the uneasiness that sometimes crept between them and she'd give anything to keep it at bay.
"You can always come over on Christmas Eve if you want," Kimb blurted out before glancing down because looking at Romilda would suddenly reveal all her insecurities. It was because she had mentioned Dennis, and Natalie (and even though Kimb had met Natalie years before, she was rather sure the girl probably had a bad opinion of her now - most of Oliver's family did.) Kimb wanted to be a part of Romilda's holidays, too. "I just- well, if your not too busy, I'd like it," Kimb finished, casting her gaze up at Romilda and giving her a hesitant smile, hating the blush spreading over her cheeks. "I mean, I'm sure you'll be busy with Dennis and Natalie and Harry, but-" I won't be, no that didn't sound right. "I'd like to share- well, be a part of... it's no big deal, really. Don't go out of your way-" Oh, Oh, she was rambling horribly and once it started she couldn't be stopped and it just embarrassed her that she did and so she focused on her plate and not Romilda and braced herself for the 'No' that was going to come out of her mouth any second.
There was something sweet and fumbling about Kimb's words, and Romilda looked up at her, eyes serious. "I'd like that too," she bit her lip, considering. "You know what would be fun? If you think you'd like to? They're putting on the Nutcracker in Muggle London. We got a bulletin at the playhouse. If you think that's something you'd like to do?"
"Oh! Yes, I haven't seen that in so long. It will be fun. We can get dressed up and make a real go of it," Kimb bit her lip, looking delighted and thoroughly pleased. Oh, she was so glad Romilda hadn't said no, and she really did like the Nutcracker. Christmas wasn't looking to be too bad after all.
"So," Romilda said after a moment. "You'll be my date then? I mean...if you want.. if you and Zach..."
"Zach?" Kimb mumbled, too much macaroni in her mouth. She raised a brow before swallowing quickly. She wiped her mouth before giving Romilda a queer look. "I'd love to be your date, but what does Zach have to do with anything?"
"Didn't you say you were going with him out? I mean I know he and you and..." She let out a breath. "Are you and he seeing each other now?" Kimb's eyes widened immediately and she couldn't stop the little grin that spread across his lips. Oh, it wasn't her business to tell, but she was glad she wasn't the only one who thought he was straight.
"No, no," she said quickly, reaching out to touch Romilda's arm reassuringly, lest she misinterpret her reaction. "He's... well, I'm not his type and he's not mine - well, he is good looking, but he... oh, don't tell him I told you, but he fancies men." She couldn't help be a bit reassured herself at that moment - Romilda cared and wanted her to be her date and was worried, wondering really, if she had moved onto Zach. Maybe they weren't both lost causes after all.
At that, Romilda's eyebrows went up. "What is it about me and the men around me being gay?" she asked, shaking her head and pulling her knees up a bit to balance her plate on. "If Dennis admits it I'm going to know it's more than just coincidence."
She looked over at Kimb and smiled, one eyebrow arching up. It was the first flirtatious thing either of them had done in a long time, and it felt good. Really good. "So. Are you going to tell me what your type is?"
"I don't know," Kimb bit her lip, teasing in return. "I've decided not to set myself to anything definite these days... the best things are often a surprise, I think." She shrugged and gave Romilda a little wink.
"Yeah." Romilda's expression softened. "They definitely are." She put her plate aside and then looked over at Kimb. "I think just taking things as they come is a good idea."
She leaned back on the sofa and gently reached to tug a strand of Kimb's hair between her fingers. "I am finding though that I have a fondness for blondes."
Kimb smiled and gave Romilda a devious little smile as she set her own food aside. "Is that so? Funny that, I think I've always been a fan of brunettes." She gave Romilda a sweet smile and leaned back against the couch, though she was closer than before. "Especially brunettes with a good taste in shoes."
It was odd, a bit like they were starting over, only not, better, different, more real, something. Romilda waited a moment and then slowly leaned in, her lips brushing the corners of Kimb's mouth and then, finally, kissing her.
"I missed you," she repeated.
Kimb was elated at the kiss. This felt comfortable and right, not rushed at all and Kimb was so ready, so glad that Romilda was letting her in, glad she could be there for Romilda, be her friend and more. She shifted closer instinctively and placed her hand on Romilda's waist, her fingers tightening in the fabric of her top instinctively.
"I know, I missed you, too."
Romilda leaned in, her mouth slanting over Kimb's, her arm wrapping up and around her neck so her hand slid into her hair. She couldn't help the little smile that threatened to overwhelm her, feeling oddly good for the first time in a very long time.
It was a long, slow kiss, and eventually she pulled back, looking at Kimb, pleased and happy and just feeling very right.
"So. Are you going to open your presents?"
"Only if you open yours too," Kimb said with a grin, standing and walking over to her tree and grabbed Romilda's gift. She handed it to her and sat back down with a smile. Inside was a framed print by Alphonse Mucha. "He's my favorite artist..." she clarified. She hoped Romilda liked it. The woman in the painting reminded Kimb of Romilda, long curls, beautiful - a bit of a secret in her eyes.
The present was beautifully wrapped, and Romilda reached over for the bag with Kimb's two presents in them, taking them out and handing them to her before picking up the box.
"I hope you like them," she said. "I really wasn't..." She slit open the paper on the back with her fingers and slowly unwrapped the box, staring down at the contents and feeling wholly inadequate.
"Oh, Kimb. It's beautiful." She felt, inexplicably, tears coming to her eyes and she blinked, laughing all the same.
Kimb grinned at her own presents - they were darling and they'd go well with her new coat. She looked back up at Romilda and frowned a bit at the tears, but smiled hesitantly. Romilda didn't seem unhappy, but Kimb hated to see her eyes water.
"I'm glad you like it," she said and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Thank you for my gifts," she said with a little smile and placed another quick kiss there before sitting back and placing her gifts back in the bag and setting them to the side.
"It's really amazing," she said, looking down at it again with a little feeling of pleasure. "I think it's probably one of the nicest gifts I've ever gotten. Really."
There were a few up there. A bracelet Colin had given her, some things from Nat or Sadie, but this was special, it was from someone that meant something to her.
"I think the shoes will fit," she said. "I paid close attention to your size. And I know you like to look taller."
"I'm really glad you like it," Kimb said sweetly. "It reminded me so much of you when I saw it." Kimb liked giving to other people - the smiles on their faces were more than enough gift for her.
"I saw! I got this great coat the other day and they are going to go perfectly!" Kimb loved that Romilda had noticed that about her. She hated flats and these were just the right height, not too tall. "Maybe I'll wear them on Christmas Eve, but I'll have to find a dress to go." Kimb shrugged and grinned at Romilda, feeling giddy and light. It was turning out to be a great night, even if she was tired from work. Having Romilda here made her feel light and wide awake.
"I think that sounds like a good idea." Romilda looked at Kimb for a moment before putting her gift back in the box and on the table, and then, reached for Kimb's hand, pulling her close.
This time the kiss was less hesitant, more intimate, and she could hear her heartbeat in her ears, the sound of their breathing. She traced her tongue over the corners of Kimb's mouth, between her lips, entwining with it's twin. She wasn't that much bigger than the other girl, but big enough to pull her onto her lap, hands sliding down her back, over the warmth of her spine.
"Sometime you'll have to model them for me. Dress or no dress." Kimb flushed immediately at the last statement, but kissed Romilda in reply, wrapping her own arms around her before tracing Romilda's lower lip with her own tongue.
"I don't think that will be a problem, dress or no dress." She sighed happily before reaching up a hand to cup Romilda's cheek. She'd missed this, missed the easy feel of their mouths together without hesitation. Of course Kimb still worried a little in the back of her mind, about Romilda's healing and needing to be loved, but she wasn't pulling back and neither was Romilda and they hadn't been quite this free with each other since the first time, and even then, there was still hesitation. Kimb reveled in this new feeling. She was more determined to find a temp for work, now more than ever - if only to spend more nights like this with Romilda in the very near future.