bakerstreet | Little Steps

Little Steps

little steps

No matter how much they care for the other person and want to be with them, some people simply can't dive head first into relationships. Little things that form intimacy and romance, little acts we take for granted - being close, holding hands, kissing, showing affection in public - they won't or can't do...at least not right off the bat. Something in their past, their experiences, their trauma, or even their personality holds them back. For both them and the person they're "dating," as it were, this can lead to a frustrating experience.

Still, steps can be taken towards letting the walls fall down. Little, tiny steps, but those can mean the world all the same.

The People
One With the help of a partner, one person warms up.
Two Both sides of this couple are learning how to be in a relationship and to be open.

The Actions
Talking → A relationship can't exist if there's not some communication, so either learn to use your words or become so close you can speak without them.
Spending Time → Even such mundane occurrences as watching TV or cooking together is new ground.
Touching → You might just find you enjoy reaching out and touching them.
Kissing → Another kind of touch, when you think about it.
Cuddling → ...at least they're warm and, hopefully, soft.
Sleeping → You're at your absolute weakest when you're asleep. It shows trust to doze off around this person.
Public Display → It's one thing to be in love in private, but showing you care in public is a different story.
Kind Words → Three little words (more or less) are all it takes. Why, then, are they so hard to get out?
Sex → The ultimate stumbling block to some. To be laid blissfully bare is to truly let your guard down.

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[ They haven't really talked about it, because, well-- it felt like they haven't really needed to.

The first time they kissed was when they were fifteen, and it just sort of happened. It felt so natural then that, even with the swarm of butterflies that filled Mari's stomach, it was ultimately something of a non-event. Like it was only a matter of time. But then there was the Love Live to aim for, practicing day in and day out, her twisted ankle, their failed concert -- and before she knew it, she was on the other side of the ocean, and the natural course of things was severed. Talking to Kanan at all had become a coveted luxury, much less about anything like-- like that, and what it meant for them now that they were apart.

Yet when they kissed again a week ago, one night when Kanan slept over at the hotel, it came with just that same ease: a two-year gap effortlessly closed, crumbling every uncertainty that had surfaced within Mari in that time into sand.

In the end, being with Kanan is just... being with Kanan. It comes with a sense of security strong enough to eclipse any need for questioning or doubt. As Mari had learned the hard way, however, questions can be of utmost significance, and sometimes things do need to be said, even if they seem only obvious in her head.

Because here Kanan is, deeply immersed in conversation with a passerby fan on what was, until five minutes ago, her alone time with Mari. And it's not like Mari's the type to get jealous, or like she can fault any girl for getting all starstruck at the sight of Kanan, but.

But but but.

It's her Kanan time.

The urge to wrap herself around Kanan's arm and drag her off bubbles up in her chest, but Mari stomps it down. That's the sort of thing she'd do when she was eight. She doesn't want to be petty, and she doesn't want to be mean, so instead she patiently waits the two whole more minutes it takes the girl to finish talking, get her signature and leave, and only then wraps herself around Kanan's arm and drags her off. ]

For real, you're always such a girl magnet, Kanan! [ It's easier to be cheerful about it with the girl gone, as having Kanan back to herself instantly boosts her spirits eightfold. ] You'd better watch out not to make me jealous. ♪

[ It's her joking voice, because that's always easier, and-- because even Mari knows it's silly, really. It's not like Kanan being snatched away by a random groupie she met on the street is a serious worry of hers.

But just the same, she wants to say those things, if only so that Kanan realizes them. ]

Eh, I wouldn't dare.

[The reply comes without a second thought; her hand finding Mari's in a habitual, well-practiced motion, fingers intertwining, forearms side by side. Brief as their separation was, she still missed the familiarity from the soft palm against her own, the comfort from her fingertips fitting into the spaces between knuckles.

Her tone is light, casual. An unfortunate effect and reflection of the joking voice -- she picks up on the words, yes, but not quite the intention behind them.]

I probably just look more approachable. I kinda have to, working at the shop and all.

[Mari has come a long way beyond the reticence -- what some might call prickliness, at best -- which made peers shy away in their younger days. The reputation of her name, the force of will which her voice and behaviour care little to hide, the brilliance of burgeoning maturity in her appearance characterizing fine young lady than sweet adorable child...these, however, can be intimidating, particularly to people lacking the history between them.

For Kanan (and Dia too, she is sure), to have gotten past Mari's defenses back then, to enjoy a place in her heart, always remains a treasure worth holding dear. Kinda like an accomplishment. One that she now knows to cherish, after what they've gone through over the past two years.

So perhaps, to a certain extent, she doesn't mind much if others are indeed intimidated by Mari, when she has felt and known for herself firsthand how Mari truly is.]

Ah! [ A sharp, anguished cry! Mari turns away, burying her face in the crook of her free arm. ] It's Kanan's most powerful weapon, the humble-beam! It's too much for me! Noooooo!

[ If this were a superhero show, this'd be where Mari disappears in a huge burst of white light! But as it is, you'll just have to picture it. She allows a moment for the imaginary dust to settle before peeking out from behind her arm, grinning. ] --You know that you're cool, right?

[She catches Mari's gaze when it is turned on her again, drawing a horizontal V across her own eyes and accompanying the move with doot-doot sounds. Humble-beam (New and Improved).

Very cool.]

Ha. I doubt even you believe that. [Okay. Enough grooving. Dancing hand lowered, she pats the back of the one in hers.] Though it's sweet of you to tell me such nice things.

[ Mari nearly stumbles there, though whether it's from the force of the attack or her own chortling is hard to determine. ] I'm dead-serious! Did you think that girl was squealing like that because she thought you looked approachable? [ She butts Kanan's shoulder with her own, laughing still. ] If you're going to keep being this oblivious, I'll get worried, you know?

What for?

[Pointless question.

Then again, Mari hardly brings up the topic, or sticks with it long, often. So. Joking or not, she recognizes that it wouldn't do to brush the concerns off.]

Like, you know how Chika gets when she's on about μ's. [After the all-nighter DVD marathon, they all do, maybe a tad more than necessary.] That girl from earlier -- hers is only the same sort of admiration.

Ah, so you can tell when you're being admired! [ The relief in her voice is only teasing-- probably. ] Okay! Pop quiz!

[ Half-turning so that they're face to face, Mari leans in, and points a finger at herself. ] Then, what sort of admiration is mine?

Eh?

[A trick? A TRAP??? ( ;´꒳`;)

A few moments, and some squinting, later.] Did it exist, in the first place?

Booooo! Miss-Take! [ Your punishment: a rather merciless prod to the cheek. ] Two tries to go!

[WHY THIS. Too belated for any real effect, she clutches her cheek protectively.]

And the guesses are limited?!

~~[Somewhere in the unseen distance, Ruby is feeling vindicated for an unexplained reason.]~~

Fifteen! Fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven--

[ AND TIMED!! ]

I give! I give!

[NOT THE FACE ANYMORE PLS.

As if she could have guessed twice under eleven counts...]

[ Excuse you, she had a full twenty seconds to start off with! Wasting nine of them looking adorably confused was all on her! ]

Oh? What's this? Contestant Matsuura is resigning this round! Things are looking bleak for Team Green, folks! [ There are teams now, it would appear. And an audience?? Anyway-- ]

But don't give up hope, you haven't completely failed your team members yet! You can still turn things around with this bonus question! What do you say, Contestant?!

[ﾅﾆｿﾚｲﾐﾜｶﾝﾅｲ]

_{What team members...} Sure...?

[She hasn't merely lost control over the situation. The situation has strapped on a jetpack and is zooming to the next country.

Meaning! Nothing can get any worse!]

Woaaaaaah!! She's done it, folks! Contestant Matsuura is taking on the special challenge, one that is said to be conquered only twice a century! The last challenger to attempt it ran home in tears after being asked to spell caterpillar backwards in English three times out loud, but to save her team from its shameful demise, Matsuura has accepted!

[ WHEW. Okay, even Mari needs a quick moment to inhale. ] Now! The rules for this round are a liiiittle bit different. You only get One, [ she thrusts up a finger, ] single guess -- however, there is no time limit! Be sure to think your answer through before you give it, for the fate of your team rests on your shoulders!

And now, if you're prepared! [ She lets go of Kanan's hand there, because this really calls for a Dramatic Mari Twirl, and you can't do that while holding hands. ] Your question is---!!

[ She settles, folds her hands behind her back, and leans in again: ]

How do you feel about me?

...?

[It's a lot to follow, and more to digest. But when the cues eventually register, she finds herself laughing too, despite the flush rising up her face and neck -- which definitely was caused by more than just shortness of breath.

So much fuss over this.

Leaning closer, as well, reducing the already small gap keeping them apart.]

Wouldn't you like to find out.

[How she managed to keep the nervous tremor from creeping into her voice is miraculous in itself.]

Hmm? [ Her features crack into a grin, the rising warmth in Kanan's cheeks mirrored in the pinkening of Mari's ears and nose. ] Don't tell me you're answering my challenge with a challenge? [ A giggle. ] Kanan, so bold!

[Another softer "heh".]

I was saving it for a special occasion. My birthday, maybe.

[Because if Mari rejected her, she could still sulk and eat cake at Chika's until one of the elder Takamis threw her off a pier or something. Not exactly a premise she'd willingly admit to, though.]

I wanna use a lifeline. Or spell caterpillar backwards.

[ Mari blinks, then cocks up one eyebrow, something between bemused and entertained. Why on her own birthday-- wouldn't you normally make it the other way around? She almost goes to say this out loud, but then a far sweeter opportunity rears its beautiful head. ]

A lifeline? Okay! [ Without missing a beat, Mari whips out her phone-- ] Then we'll call Dia and--

Wah, stop, stop. [Plucking the phone out of Mari's grasp equally quickly.]

Wouldn't she hang up? All, like, [using her snootiest Dia impression...] "Kindly refrain from involving me in such frivolousness."

[A++ vote of confidence for friendship here, Kanan.]

Well, the first time, sure! Dia's all about persistence! By the sixth or seventh time I call she starts to see sense and gives me what I want.

[ The very face of true friendship right here, the both of them. ]

Anyway, might as well give it a go, right? As your host, I can't possibly deny a contestant's earnest request for a lifeline! [ Plucking that phone right back. Ah, the joys of being a whole centimeter taller... don't you wish you could just dangle it over her head the way you do with Chika. ]

[Dia will murder her and step on her bones. Today is the day AZALEA becomes a Dia-Hanamaru duo. A Diarumic duo.

No, both. They're both going to die in terrible and ugly ways.]

Don't call her for six or seven times, sheesh.

[With all the conscientiousness and sensibility of an understanding young adult, she snatches the phone from Mari again. Nyeh.]

OK! For the time being, let's settle for five!

[ See, she's so accommodating!! And making another grab for her phone. Mari can tell this struggle will only get harsher the longer it goes on, and Kanan's truly a force to be reckoned with at her full power level -- so the second she gets the phone between her hands again, she's hitting speed dial. And speaker. Have I mentioned how accommodating she is. ]

Greetings, Miss Kurosawa! I hope this evening finds you well! [ She's going to keep stepping back and spinning from side to side as she talks, ensuring to the best of her ability that the phone remains in the right hands at least until it's served its purpose. ] You see, we have Miss Matsuura here on our show, and she requested a lifeline for a question she absolutely cannot answer, and it just so turns out her contact is you! And so--

[ What follows is a truly one-of-a-kind sound, distinctive in how utterly impossible it is to misplace while in fact being totally silent.

The sound of Dia pinching the bridge of her nose really, really hard. ]

... Mari-san. Kindly refrain from involving me in such--

i liked all of these, so i tried mashing em all together! |Db

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rip oyakata

tables turning, blah blah blah

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