RP: Sculptures and Surprise Feelings Who: Kit and Astoria When: Monday, August 21 Where: Astoria's flat What: Kit has a surprise for Astoria, and it's not only the dinner he's cooking her. Warnings: None
Kit had only told her that he wanted to cook dinner for her tonight, so he'd be arriving at her flat before she came home after work. And he definitely was going to cook her something. He'd never be called the world's most brilliant cook, but he was far from horrible. He had a few solid meals he knew how to make that she would enjoy.
So he did leave well in time to put the chicken in the oven to roast, and to prep the other things that wouldn't take as long to cook as that.
And then he got to doing what he'd really wanted to do in her flat without her there. He knew he was taking a bit of a risk, rearranging some of her things, but he thought -- hoped, more like -- that she would be pleased by what he was doing and not upset. He could always set it back to rights, after all.
His artistic eye was a help as he cleared the spot he'd envisioned for his wall statue, as he called it. The pieces were mostly flat, and he hung them on the wall with care. When he was done, it looked almost as if an occamy wound its way in and out of her wall, head here, rendered in exquisite detail, and bits of body positioned precisely here and there, and the feathery tail at the end.
It had taken him a long time to do since every bit of it, scales and feathers, had been detailed by hand as he preferred to do it, rather than cheating with magic. The paints applied, baked on, and only hints of magic used here and there in its creation.
The art he put down, he artistically repositioned, and in the end, nothing was too crowded or overdone, for his eyes was keen. He could only pray that she would enjoy his gift, so long in the making.
⚜
When Kit had told her he wanted to come to her flat and make dinner for her, she'd been touched by the gesture, loving the idea that he wanted to spoil her in such a sweet way. But then, that was Kit. He was such a sweet, genuine man, and Astoria constantly considered herself exceedingly lucky for having found him. They'd only been officially dating for a couple months, but there'd been so much build up to it that it had felt longer.
Even so, she was taking things slow with him; she hadn't even told him she loved him yet, though she'd felt it for a while now. Despite the incessant pressure from her parents (and, she was sure, from his), she was in no rush to get married yet. No, she wanted to give them both time to get used to being together, to the possibility of that future together. There was no reason to rush.
Although she normally would have gone straight to her closet upon arriving home to change out of her work clothes and into something more comfortable, knowing Kit was there made her abandon that routine, and she apparated instead into her living room. She didn't even get a chance to greet him or enjoy the scent of dinner before she spotted the very different artwork on her wall. Astoria stopped and stared at the sculpture hanging on the wall between the living and dining room for a long minute, her lips parted in both surprise and awe.
⚜
He heard her apparate in and he moved to hover uncertainly in the doorway to the kitchen, rather anxious if he were completely honest about it. He hoped her reaction would be positive but there was no promise of that.
"I know it was presumptuous of me to hang it, but it looks best on a wall," he half explained, half apologized. "You can always move it all back."
And it really did look best on a wall. It showed off to its best advantage that way.
⚜
She hadn't heard him approach, but she did hear his voice, and she turned to look at him, her expression still clearly showing her surprise. "Why in Merlin's name would I want to move anything back?" she asked, looking at him a bit like he'd grown an extra head or something.
Astoria looked back at the sculpture again, shaking her head in awe. "It's absolutely brilliant, Kit," she breathed, taking another step closer and lifting a hand as though to touch it. Her fingers stopped a breath away, not wanting to disturb the artwork. It truly looked as if the occamy was about to fly off the wall; it was stunning.
Turning, she crossed to him and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard. That he'd put so much into a piece of art for her... and then he'd come here and set it up, surprised her with it... it felt like her heart would burst with the feelings she had for him, and kissing him now felt like the best way to show him how much she loved the sculpture.
⚜
"Because your boyfriend was a presumptuous person who rearranged your artwork?" he suggested, only half joking. He would remove it if she wanted but this had been a somewhat daring surprise to do for her. He had his moments, he really did, underneath his somewhat mild exterior.
Kit watched her, drinking in her rapt expression. Seeing her admiration. Seeing that he had, in fact, pleased her. Something inside of him swelled and tightened all at once. It made him so happy.
It still surprised him when she threw her arms around him though. His wrapped around her, lifting her up, as he returned the kiss enthusiastically. He twirled her around lightly and then set her on her feet again. "I'm glad you like it," he said breathlessly.
⚜
Astoria merely shook her head at his suggestion, not deigning to dignify that with a response. It had sounded like he might have been kidding anyway, but she didn't think his presumption had been inappropriate in this case. He knew her well enough by now to know that his artwork was precious to her and that she was thrilled to display it in her home.
As he spun her around, she laughed giddily against his lips, smiling widely at him when he set her back down. "I love it," she countered, just as breathless, her tone slightly more serious. You, her words almost said, I love you. She couldn't bring herself to be the first to say it, though, just as she'd not been the first to initiate their first kiss (although she had admittedly thrown him as many signals as she could). It was that traditionalist side of her that held her back, though that moment just now had been a small break from her normal composure.
⚜
Kit nudged his nose against hers, smiling. Then he couldn't resist and stole another kiss, lingering for a long moment to savor the feel of her lips curved up into a smile against his. A hand cupped the planes of her face and the smile wouldn't leave his lips.
He knew she'd said she loved the art. But he could swear he heard under it that she loved him. It made his heart hammer in his ears. He was not a man who rushed into declarations or even close relationships. Whether friendships or more, he took his time with them. But he knew he cared very much for her. More than that, really.
"I wanted to give you something special," he told her. He'd known that from the moment he'd started to get to know her as more than just a passing Slytherin acquaintance.
⚜
"You did," she assured him, still very close to him. In the time since that day after her concert when she'd spilled her wine in his lap and their snogging had gotten a bit heated, she'd felt far more relaxed in their relationship as far as displays of affection went. It still surprised her just how easy it was to be with him, how much she wanted to kiss him. But she also still wasn't in a rush for anything else. She quite liked the pace they were going.
She turned to look at the occamy sculpture again, still staying close to him with one arm around him. "It really is perfect," she sighed contentedly, resting her head against his shoulder. "I can't imagine how much time and energy went into making it." And it really touched her heart that he'd done it for her.
⚜
He turned his head and nuzzled her temple lightly. "I wanted it to be perfect for you," he admitted. He didn't want her to know quite how much time and work he'd put into it, though it was nice to have all of that acknowledged, and without prompting at that. But then, she greatly admired art and knew more than some how much work something like what he'd made her took.
"And," he said, a little smirk playing around his lips. "I didn't lie. I'm also making you dinner tonight." Because he was a man of his word, and because he really wanted to hopelessly spoil her as much as he could. She deserved it. It was a bonus that it meant he got to spend time he might not otherwise get to spend with her.
⚜
She wasn't sure how many times or ways she could tell him that he'd done precisely what he'd set out to do--made it perfect for her--so she just smiled and nudged him lightly, turning her head to brush a kiss to the corner of his lips lightly. Whatever his parents might have thought of his career choice, Astoria held nothing but respect and admiration for his artwork, his talent, and she hoped he knew that, knew that she supported him in it completely.
"Ooh!" Now that he'd brought it up, she could smell the food cooking, and she felt a light rumble in her stomach. Had she eaten lunch today? She must have. And then she remembered how she'd picked at it while working through a particularly frustrating set of accounts. It was something she tried hard not to do, as she knew the importance of breaks for mental and physical health. "What are you making?" she asked him curiously, pleased that he'd made himself at home in her kitchen, something that didn't get near as much use as she thought it should.
⚜
He took a moment to claim her lips in a kiss again, as her head was upturned like that. He couldn't quite help himself. He did enjoy kissing her.
"Roast chicken, red potatoes, there will be a little bit of sauteed asparagus, and a salad if you want." He didn't claim to be a brilliant cook. But the things he did know how to do, he knew how to do wrll. And he slowly added things over time. They tended to usually be rather healthy, too, always a plus to someone like himwho tried to stay in shape.
⚜
"Mm, oh that sounds delicious," she replied, smiling at him. A rather perfect meal, really, made all the better for the fact that he was actually cooking it for her himself. It was more than what she could do, though she'd been spoiled growing up with house elves and having one herself. And Codby was certainly a far better cook than she could ever hope be and was very good to her, though that might have been because she'd always made it a point to treat him well.
"Do you need to get back to it? I can just keep admiring the occamy unless you need a hand with anything? I could set the table," she offered, still smiling. She couldn't seem to stop smiling, and she had a feeling it wasn't just because of the surprise--it was just him; he brought it out in her.
⚜
Kit had had house elves growing up too. At lest, his family had a couple though he had none himself now. He'd had to learn to provide for himself in some capacity or another over the years, and he was definitely an advocate of the thought that every man should be able to cook at least a few good meals for a woman.
Though he took a certain small amount of enjoyment in it as well. "Nothing more strenuous for you than setting the table," he decreed, raising her hand to his mouth again to press a kiss on its back. "Look to your heart's content. You can even take it down to look if you want. There's a bit of magic involved, but it should yield to your touch."
⚜
"Well then, I'll set the table for us," she agreed easily, feeling ridiculous for the way her stomach fluttered at the kiss to her hand. He must have done that a hundred times by now, and it still made her all fluttery. It was ridiculous!
"Oh, no, I won't be taking it down, not until I move." The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to process what she was saying, and she flushed a deep pink when she finally realized what she'd said. Of course, it wasn't a very direct implication, but she knew what she'd been thinking of behind the words, as she knew the only way she would move out of this flat was if she were getting married. He probably didn't know that, though, so there was no reason to be embarrassed, which meant the color in her cheeks could go down any time now, thank you very much!
⚜
He glanced up at the words from checking on the vegetables, taking things off the stove one at a time. He'd timed it almost perfectly, knowing when she'd be home. He noticed the pink and didn't make the immediate leaping connection to where her mind was going mostly because he was distracted by the food and how pretty she was when she blushed.
"Are you thinking of moving?" He asked curiously. He figured if she was it was a relatively new thing since she hadn't mentioned it yet and they'd talked about a lot of things lately.
⚜
At his question, the obvious deduction still flustering her, she flushed a bit deeper pink and shook her head. "No, of course not. I imagine I'll stay here until I marry... If I do ever, I mean. Not that I'm considering that at this juncture. Good gods, I'm going to stop talking now!" She brought her hands up to cover her warm cheeks, turning back to the sculpture. Gods, she was being ridiculous. It wasn't like they hadn't talked about the concept of marriage before, that it was something they were both interested in long term.
She honestly had no idea why she was so flustered or how he managed to get her riled up like this. Perhaps it stemmed from how baffled she still was at times that she could feel this way about him when she'd never thought it possible before. "Let me just... set the table now," she murmured, wanting to move past her ridiculous fluster without further comment. She pulled her wand and set about the task.
⚜
Kit wasn't stupid, but his brain was not off on that particular tangent at the moment, and he did have a history of being a little oblivious. It all made sense when she flushed deeper and blurted it out, and the man just blinked for a second.
They had mentioned marriage, casually, a few times. They were purebloods, both of whom had problems with families putting pressure on them. It was only sensible to feel out the waters there, to see if they were on the same page.
He poured the veggies through the strainer and set them aside, and turned off a few things, knowing they'd keep cooking in the residual heat for a few more minutes at least. Then he went over to her, behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. He pressed his face against her hair.
"You're so cute when you get flustered," he teased her gently.
⚜
When he came over and held her from behind, it didn't do anything to dim the flush to her cheeks, but she did lean back against him. He was so patient and kind with her, and she loved him for that more than she felt comfortable saying just yet.
"Stop that! You shouldn't think that way, else you'll try to get me flustered on purpose," she accused, though there wasn't any real heat to it. And the way he responded to her getting flustered always made her feel a bit better and less ridiculous.
⚜
He pressed a kiss to that red cheek. With her colouring a flush only made her more attractive, in his opinion, and he definitely found her attractive. He smirked against her jaw, something she could probably feel.
"Uh huh," he said, completely unbothered. "Because I like seeing you all blushing and flustered and cute. Such a terrible boyfriend, but yes." He chuckled quietly and pressed a kiss to her jaw, giving her a light squeeze, feeling that she had relaxed a little from his accidentally flustering her, which had been the whole point.
⚜
He was taking far too much pleasure out of this, and it only made her cheeks keep burning. It wasn't the first time Astoria had mentally cursed her pale skin and natural inclination to blush, but at least with him, she knew she could trust him not to be cruel with the power he wielded. So long as he kept the flustering to private like this, she rather though she could survive it.
"The worst!" she agreed, though there was a small note of humor to her tone, clearly conveying that she didn't truly think that of him. No, as boyfriends went, she rather thought he was the best, not that she had much to compare him to. "My birthday's next week, you know," she said as casually as she could. She'd never been romantically entangled on her birthday before, so she couldn't help wondering how different it might be this year.
⚜
He never teased her like this in public, or at least where they could be seen. But he liked drawing out different reactions from her. His teasing held no malice about it, just a gentle, impish sort of humor. He liked to see her comfortable enough to get out of her shell with him too.
"I know. I've already been looking for the perfect present," he said. He should have given this to her for her birthday, but honestly he just couldn't wait. Plus he wanted to get her something shiny to wear. It might only have been a matter of months, but he wanted to get her something to sparkle with. He pressed a soft kiss behind her ear.
⚜
"Oh, have you?" she asked lightly, hoping for a nonchalant tone. She did enjoy getting gifts, probably because outside of her parents, the few people who would give her gifts knew her well enough to get her things that she absolutely adored. She had high hopes for what Kit would pick out for her, though she had no idea what she might get him once his birthday came around.
She shivered faintly at the kiss behind her ear, turning her head slightly so that she could give him a kiss. It was something she'd gotten a bit more comfortable with over the last month or so, though it still gave her butterflies in her stomach to do it. She rather hoped that feeling never fully went away.
⚜
"Mmmhmm," he said, being purposefully mysterious. He wanted her curious. He hadn't yet chosen something but he had a good idea of what he wanted for her.
He kissed her and lingered for a moment, unable to help himself. He was in no hurry, but he'd definitely found that he wanted her and ... well, loved her, but he wasn't sure how to use the word casually just yet. "Buuuut just because I know what I want to get you, doesn't mean I don't want to know what the birthday girl herself wants," he drawled.
⚜
And curious she certainly was. She wouldn't press though because as much as she didn't typically love surprises, this was different. This was Kit, and she trusted that she would love whatever he surprised her with, as he'd already done today.
The kiss, with her back pressed against his chest, her head turned to the side, had her body humming in a way she wasn't sure what to do with. This was all such new territory for her, but the physical desire was getting more difficult to ignore. At least he knew she'd never been with a man before, so she had hope that when... if they did reach that level of intimacy, he would be just as patient with her there as he had been in every other facet of their relationship.
She wasn't quite ready for the kiss to end yet, but his words teased a light laugh from her. "Just you," she murmured in reply, her cheeks flushing all over again. "Honestly, I've got plenty of things, and you've already given me extraordinary pieces of art. So simply time with you is perfect," she added, trying to downplay what she'd meant by that. She had no idea how to communicate with him that she was curious about edging a bit more into intimacy with him, which probably meant she wasn't as ready as she thought she was.
⚜
He hummed softly against her jaw and kisses her again. He wasn't meaning to fluster her again but some of the ground they were covering was new for them together and new for her period. It was going to be a little awkward sometimes and he could handle that.
"Me, huh? Nah, that's much too simple a gift," he teased gently, making it easier if he could. He kissed her again, lingering again, enjoying the feel of her lips against his. "But seriously, you have as much of my time as you want."
⚜
"I don't think it is," she countered just as gently. She rather thought time with him was the best gift, but it felt far too cheesy to say outright like that. All of these little kisses were making her want to forget about dinner and show him her bedroom, though that thought surprised her more than she wanted to admit. That sort of intimacy still made her nervous, if only because she'd never experienced it with a man before, but if Daphne was to be believed, it wasn't anything to be nervous about.
"You mean when you're not taking your clothes off for the camera?" she questioned teasingly as she turned in his arms, bringing her arms up to drape over his shoulders and the back of his neck, and continuing to ignore the flush to her cheeks at the thought of him taking his clothes off at all.
⚜
He chuckled, his arms tightening around her and keeping her flush against him, almost as if they were slow dancing. "Hmmm, well, would you rather I spend that time taking my clothes of for you?" he said with a dramatic eye waggle, managing to flirt dramatically and in a silly manner, though he had to admit he'd been thinking about it a lot more lately. He was never one to push, would never be one to push, but it was in his mind, yes.
⚜
Astoria was sure she'd stopped breathing. He was being silly about it, but there was a part of her that wanted to take the question seriously, that wanted to answer it honestly. She licked her lips to stall, the words lodging in her throat as she had no idea how they'd be received considering the tone in which he'd asked that...
Beep! Beep! Beep! The timer going off couldn't have been more perfect, and she sighed in relief, letting out a soft chuckle. "That'll be the chicken, yes? Here, let me get us a bottle of wine," she said, though before she left his embrace, she leaned up to brush her lips against his once more. And then she went to the wine chest next to her refrigerator to choose a wine to pair with their dinner. She could figure out how to answer that question another time.
⚜
He chuckled at the interruption, though a small part of himself... wondered. That look in her eye. But he wouldn't press it. But he would enjoy today, and his treats for her and trying to spoil her. He went back to the kitchen to fetch the wine glasses and to take the chicken from the oven, and he started serving everything up for their fabulous evening.