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Howard Stark doesn't give up. (keptlooking) wrote in toboldlyrpg,
@ 2017-09-11 23:52:00

Entry tags:

! enterprise, - holodeck, ^ log, howard stark | mcu, mary crawley | downton abbey

WHO: Mary Crawley and Howard Stark
WHERE: The Holodeck Ballroom
WHEN: 226408.26, evening
WHAT: Howard promised Mary a date and he delivers.
RATING: G.
STATUS: Log; Complete.

It had taken him a little under two solid weeks of work, learning how to access the holodeck’s programs, learning the programming language, and then finally refining the tableau that he’d created until he was (mostly) happy with it, but Howard thought the effort had been worth it as he stood in the middle of the ballroom. He hadn’t activated the full program yet- he was still in design mode and likely would be for a very long time, but this wasn’t bad for a first try. The crystal chandeliers glowed with just the right amount of simulated candle light. The tables that lined the edges of the room were covered with matching cloths that were the right balance of scratchy-fine, exactly like what a person would find in one of the nicer hotels in London during the war. The dais at one end of the room was before a dance floor that was the perfect size for either an intimate gathering or a crush of people celebrating the fact that they were still alive. It was as close to perfect as he was going to get it. This time. Now all he had to do was wait until it was time to pick up Mary.

Howard was already dressed in his suit. It wasn’t a tuxedo- no matter how good he looked in one, it would have been a little too much for this setting, he thought, but was a nicely cut and perfectly tailored dark blue pinstripe with a matching vest. He’d chosen a contrasting tie in a subtle red stripe to match the ridiculously fragrant, deep red Mister Lincoln rose in his lapel. Out of all the things he’d needed for this evening, that was the hardest thing to get. Apparently the cultivar had been cross-bred too many times and the modern version of it was too orange, too waxy, and the scent was off. He’d had some strong words with the replicator (or at the replicator, since it was a machine) until he’d finally got it just right.

Once he thought about it, that really was the theme for the evening. “Just Right.” Not perfect, like he would usually aim for. Not good enough, like when he truly didn’t care. Just right. He wanted things to be just right for Mary. He wanted to make sure she was happy and comfortable and taken care of.

Huh. That was a funny thing. Especially for him. He’d have to think about that some more later.

He checked his pocket watch and then instructed the computer to end the simulation. The next time it ran, it would be for his lady’s pleasure.

Howard had a way of building things up that had left Mary feeling incredibly excited, yet slightly nervous, for their evening date. She still wasn’t quite sure what he expected or wanted from her. Well. Mary had some idea. He was a man, so of course he wanted to sleep with her. Truth be told, she wanted to sleep with him too, but after her previous experiences aboard the ship, she knew that she didn’t want it to just be about sex between them. Mary hoped that he would be honest with her about his intentions so that she could ultimately decide what she wanted to do.

He suggested to Peggy that she help Mary pick out a dress that was in line with what women wore on evenings out in her time period. Peggy was always a big help with things like that, and she and Mary settled on a red dress that she felt comfortable in. Mary was glad that styles hadn’t changed so much 20 years in the future and found the dress to be very appropriate, compared to some of the later and more modern styles.

She flitted around her room, absentmindedly tucking pieces of hair away and triple-checking her appearance while she waited for him. When Howard finally knocked at the door, Mary’s heart leapt a bit in her chest and she hurried to greet him. The door opened and she grinned at the way he was dressed.

“You look wonderful,” she said, holding out her hand to him.

Okay. Howard was man enough to admit (to himself) when a woman left him speechless. Mary did more than that, though. She had this wonderful, confounding habit of taking his breath away. In his less self-aware moments, he blamed his frequent reaction to Mary on all that fine British breeding, but deep down he knew what the real issue was. And it wasn’t even really an issue.

As soon as she opened the door, Howard was left breathless and floundering for a full half minute, his mouth as dry as the Sahara. Or the Gobi. The Gobi was actually far drier.

“You…” Howard cleared his throat and took a deep breath, trying to shake himself out of it. “You look like Christmas morning, Beautiful. Just like Christmas morning.”

Mary laughed and there was actually a bit of color high in her cheeks. There was no doubt in her mind that she was a beautiful woman, but the way Howard reacted sometimes left her feeling sheepish. She didn’t think he was faking it either. Yet, part of her couldn’t believe that he was so flabbergasted by her.

“I suppose that is a compliment?” she asked as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.

Howard curled his hand around Mary’s, caressing her fingers lightly. “It’s the best compliment a kid like me knows, Doll.” Which was true. He couldn’t think of another way to express that feeling of wonder, of excitement, of possibility. Looking at her… Anything could happen. Simply anything.

“Ready to hit the road?” he grinned. “I got us a table at a real hoppin’ joint.”

“Lead the way,” Mary replied. The slang would take a bit of getting used to, but Mary could understand what he was talking about. Back home, she didn’t go out to clubs and such. Everything was very formal, though she had a feeling that tonight would be decidedly informal. Honestly, she was looking forward to that.

He led her to the holodeck, which Mary had presumed would be the case. It reminded her that she would have to show him the Downton simulation one day. She waited with anticipation as he called up the appropriate program.

This was Howard’s favorite part, watching the anticipation and, finally, the sweet release of satisfaction when curiosity is finally satisfied. His eyes didn't leave Mary’s face as the door opened up and revealed the ballroom he’d created. Already, the big band music was spilling out into the hall, a swinging number by Count Basie that was heavy on the horns that made him want to dance. He’d have to teach her the steps, but Howard didn’t think that would be a problem.

“Welcome to the Palladium, Lady Mary,” he said softly, leaning in so his lips were close to her ear. “Feel like dancing?”

Mary almost couldn't believe her eyes at the sight that greeted her. It was so… perfect, right down to the very last detail. One never would have guessed that they were still on the ship. Even though the scene wasn't quite from her time, it felt much more like home than the Enterprise ever would.

She grinned at him, taking his hand in hers. “I'd love to,” Mary replied. “Did you actually put this together for me?” That was almost as hard to believe as the simulation itself. It told her that he actually gave a damn about her and the sort of things she might like.

Howard beamed when she took his hand. He lifted her fingers to his lips, keeping the kiss to a gentle brush against her skin. “No, I did not put it together for you,” he teased. “I did it for us.”

He laughed, pulling her along inside and letting the automatic doors slide closed behind them. The maitre d’ greeted them by name and led them to a table that was in a little alcove, surrounded by red velvet curtains. It was close enough to the dance floor that they had an unobstructed view and far enough away from the band that they didn’t need to shout. Before the man left, Howard asked him to bring a bottle of pink champagne to the table as he assisted Mary into her seat… not that she needed assisting. But it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Part of her didn't know whether to shed tears at that or to laugh with joy. It was rare that such a sweet thing was done for her. And the fact that he said it was for them only made it that much more special. Men professed to love her quite often, but most would never go out of their way like this, even if they knew how to make something of this nature.

Her eyes were bright as she took in everything around them, all of the sights and sounds of a 1940s jazz club. When they were both seated at the table, Mary reached out and tugged gently on the lapel of Howard’s jacket, bringing him in for a kiss.

Howard didn’t need to be told twice. He happily claimed Mary’s lips for his own, keeping the kiss just shy of hungry. While he had no problem closing the drapes around the table so he could strip her out of that dress and kiss every bit of skin she’d let him get close to, it was early in the evening for that. He only pulled away when the maitre d’ returned with their bottle.

“So… You like it so far, yeah?”

She hoped that he could feel every bit of passion that she had for him in that kiss, and how much she appreciated the work he'd put in. That was why his question earned him a raise of her eyebrows.

“No, I absolutely hate it, Howard,” she deadpanned. “That was why I kissed you.” She too felt the call to want to do more than kiss him, but that was for later in the evening, after a bit of serious conversation. At least she could say that doing all of this for her led her to believe that he wanted more than to bed her. Mary sat close to him, her arm threaded through his as he poured their champagne.

“That’s what I figured,” he teased back, grin growing wide as he passed her a flute of champagne. “But can you blame a fella for wanting to be certain before he gives his girl a surprise?”

Mary took the glass of champagne and then glanced at the room around her. “You mean there’s another surprise other than this?” she asked. The dance hall seemed like a pretty big surprise itself. Her eyes traveled back to his. “Am I your girl?” Mary’s tone was curious. Did he mean his girl for that night or was he talking about something more serious?

“It’s not as big a surprise as the club, obviously, but I’m hoping you’ll like it.” Howard was the kind of man who didn’t enjoy waiting. Patience wasn’t necessarily one of his virtues. But this was a situation where he wanted each of the things he’d done for her to have its own specific impact, so he decided to hold off giving her the smaller gift currently weighing down his jacket pocket.

“And whether or not you’re my girl is up to you, Beautiful.” He felt he’d been pretty clear on his intentions and his interest. The ball was in her court.

Mary smiled at him and put the glass of champagne down on the table. “I think that's part of what we need to talk about.” They were getting down to the serious part early in the night, but perhaps it was for the best. “If I was to be your girl, I wouldn't want for it to be just for tonight, or until you found another pretty woman on the ship. If you only intend to sleep with me…” Mary paused here and shook her head. “I have had casual sex before and it's not something that I want. I suppose the question is whether or not you actually have a desire to be with me or if I'm simply a body that could be interchanged with any other woman.” She sincerely hoped that it was the former.

Howard watched Mary carefully while she spoke, nodding along with her so she knew he was listening and taking in the things she was saying. After a moment, he sat up a little straighter, still looking at her, though he addressed the computer. “Computer, can we turn down the volume here for a bit? Seventy-five percent, please.”

With the noise from the band and the crowd around them down to a dull roar, Howard leaned in and took both of Mary’s hands in his. “Mary… I could have had a quick roll in the hay with Natasha about five minutes after I showed up here.” Which was a little blunt, but the woman had come on hot and heavy and maybe in her time that was perfectly fine, but for him it was a little much. He enjoyed the chase. “What I’m enjoying here is the chance to get to know you.” Which was entirely true, but he’d be a heel if he wasn’t just as truthful with the rest of it.

He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “I’ll be perfectly honest, baby… I’m not perfect. I work too much, sleep too little, and my eyes wander a little too often. But I’ve never been unfaithful in any relationship I’ve been in. Things have always been buttoned up with the past before I’ve moved on… And sometimes that buttoning up has involved too few words and too many diamond bracelets.” He brought her hands up to his lips and brushed light kisses across her knuckles. “But I want to see where this goes. If you’ll have me.”

Mary raised an eyebrow at his mention of Natasha. She hadn't known that, and Mary agreed that was rather quick, though she also did not know a lot about the time and place that Natasha was from. “So long as your hands don't wander,” she said. “But I should like to think that you'll have no real reason to wander anyway.”

She brushed her fingers along his jawline. “None of us is perfect, Howard.” If he wanted her to elaborate on her flaws then she could, but she wasn't going to offer them outright. “I simply wish to be treated with respect. If you believe that you can do that, then I would like to see where this goes too.”

Howard’s expression lightened, becoming more like the smirk he usually wore. “Babydoll, my hands will be the best behaved hands you have ever seen. When it comes to other women. With you… I make no such promises.” Because after the taste he got on Fornax, his palms positively itched to make contact with Mary’s skin.

To prove his point, he pushed his chair back and stood just enough to pick her up in his arms so she could be seated in his lap when he sat back down. “I can do respect. I’ve already got that for you… And heaven help the dummy who tries to disrespect my girl.”

Pulling her into his lap took her aback a bit, but she went willingly, wrapping her arms around his neck. She reminded herself that they weren't actually in public. This was a computer simulation where none of the other “people” in the program would even acknowledge them.

“Your hands don't need to behave with me,” she confirmed. “I might actually like it if they're a bit rude.”

Oh, that might have been a mistake. One of Howard’s brows perked up toward his hairline as he wrapped his arms around her. “Well, I was thinking more friendly than rude… and it all depends on what a bit is.”

“Friendly works as well,” she said, leaning in closer to him. “Are you looking to act on those inappropriate thoughts that you said you'd rather share face to face?” Her heartbeat had already picked up speed in her chest. Depending on how the night went, Mary wasn't opposed to letting Howard take her home.

“Always.” Howard knew an opportunity when he saw it and he would be a real dunce if he didn’t act on the one Mary was presenting him with. He dragged his neatly-manicured nails down her back as he leaned closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers though he was acutely aware of her mouth and how close she was pressed to certain parts of his anatomy. “I think it might be more of a demonstration than a lecture, though.”

“I certainly wouldn’t turn down a demonstration,” she breathed, now that he was so close to her. “I was hoping for a preview. Of course, you also set up this entire simulation and promised me that you would take me dancing, so it would be a shame if you didn’t dance with me.” How patient could he be? And Mary truly did want to dance. She’d hate for all of the work he put into this to go to waste.

“I wouldn’t want my girl thinking I go back on my word,” he smirked, stretching just a bit to sneak a kiss to the tip of her nose. “I promised you dancing, so dancing you will get.” He stood, still cradling her in his arms, against his chest. “What do you think, Beautiful? Something slow?”

“I think that will suit to start,” she replied, wrapping an arm around his waist as he led her to the dance floor. The volume was back up and as if on cue a slow jazz number began to play. Simulations were wonderful things sometimes.

There was no real dance form for jazz dancing, so Mary got into a relaxed version of the ballroom dancing form with Howard, her chest against his and her arm stretched across his back. She liked having him this close. Liked it quite a lot. “This whole thing is incredible, Howard,” Mary said of the dance hall. “It was such a wonderful surprise.”

Howard didn’t think he was being too terribly forward when he pulled her in tight, smirking as they started to move with the music. “I’m glad you like it. I was hoping it was worth the wait.” He wasn’t naturally a graceful dancer, his talents lay elsewhere, but he knew a few moves. He demonstrated one as he lead Mary into a neat little dip.

She gave a little cry of surprise as Howard dipped her, though she was laughing when he brought her back up. “It was. I'll have to show you the simulation of my home someday. It's quite accurate to the real thing.” Jadzia had done an amazing job with it from pictures and Mary’s recollections.

“I look forward to seeing it.” That it would be a simulation helped. Howard was confident to a fault, but it would have been a different story, meeting Mary’s family. Women he was great with. Scientists he could handle, no problem. But families? Not so much. Not nearly as much trouble as he had with politicians, but it was a sliding scale, depending on whether or not she had older brothers.

“We still have the holodeck for a few more hours, if you’d like to spend some time there tonight.”

There were no people in the simulation, which quite frankly made it a bit creepy at times since the real Downton was usually abuzz with activity. However, adding simulations of real people would have been even creepier so Mary chose not to. Howard should be thrilled that he won't have to meet her grandmother.

“I'd love to, if you would. Personally I think it's beautiful.”

Howard pulled Mary close, spinning the both of them around in a few quick, tight steps, the motion designed to bring a smile to her face. “Tonight is all about whatever will make you happy, sweetheart. So if you don’t mind playing tour guide, I’d love to see it.”

Mary thought for another moment and then shook her head. “Let's save it for another time. Tonight I'd like to dance with you.” And see where the night would lead in the end.

These dances were much faster than Mary was used to, but she felt like she was catching on quickly. It wasn't like ballroom dance, where it was formal and there were set steps. This involved doing whatever one felt, and even Mary had to admit that it was fun. She stole a kiss from Howard before he twirled her again.

Howard laughed at the stolen kiss as the dance floor and sea of bodies seemed to swallow them up. “Anything you want, sweetheart. Anything at all.”