bakerstreet | Flirt

[... oh. Well, if the hand-holding had caught her by surprise, this chivalrous gesture outright shocks her. Her face actually goes a little warm, but she ignores it in the hopes of minimizing any potential schmaltz. It is weird, but it's also... nice.]

Wow. That was actually sweet. Thank you.

[His own face is going a little blushy now at her words.]

Yeah well... Baby steps?

Baby steps.

[She tilts her head a little, giving him a considering look. She hasn't let go of his hand, and she doesn't really intend to until he shows signs of wanting to pull away.]

Can I hug you, or would that be a bit much? It's okay if it is.

[No signs of being bothered by it, except maybe the blush. As to what she's asking, he nods.]

Yeah, it's fine... I mean it's fine if you want a hug.

[She looks at him a little longer, as though just to make sure he's sincere about it. Then she cautiously takes a step towards him, slipping her free arm around his shoulders and lightly resting her head against his. The height difference makes it just a little awkward, but it still feels nice. At least, it does on her end.]

Still fine?

[Whelp, that's a hug. He wasn't expecting the head part either. So his face is very warm right now, as he'll bring his own free arm to wrap around her in a very proper way.]

Y-yeah, still fine.

If it's not, I'll let go.

[She says it quickly, picking up on that stammer and not wanting to send this progress derailing so soon.]

But if it is... I don't mind staying like this a little longer. But only if you're really fine.

I'm fine, honest!

[Just not used to having a girl he doesn't see as family this close. So just a wee bit awkward on his end.]

[He's nervous, she can tell that much easily, so she holds him for just a few seconds longer before giving him one final, gentle squeeze and stepping back. She still had a hold of his hand, though.]

Thanks. For that. I've wanted to hug you for a while, so... that was nice.

[Yeah they are still holding hands, this is fine.]

... Oh, well. Um, you could have hugged me before now?

I didn't exactly get the impression you wanted hugs.

[The sarcasm injected into that statement is palpable. He'd freaked out when she'd admitted to thinking he's attractive, so there's no way she could have assumed physical affection wouldn't have been a terrible idea.]

Mmm, well... People I like have a free pass to hug me.

[And hey, that was mostly because he never takes anyone human saying he is good looking as being right about it. Totally different things!]

I'll remember that. Hopefully not so often that you end up regretting saying that to me. But in case it wasn't clear, you've a free pass to hug me or anything else pretty much whenever.

[By "anything else," she mostly means hand-holding or kissing her hand or anything else they end up doing today, though given that that all seems to be veering towards the very tame, she doubts she'll end up wanting to take those words back.]

Ah... Okay I'll keep that in mind, and really if you do it at an awkward time you'll know.

[Donnie may not say anything, but his body language will tell her. And he is also blushing at her extending the same offer to him.]

I'm not exactly the most touchy-feely person myself, so I'll try not to abuse the privilege.

[She just shrugs after a glance down at their still-joined hands.]

I just figured it wouldn't hurt to explore our boundaries if we were going to keep... dating or flirting or whatever we decide to do.

[That sure is their hands still together, yep.]

Right right, makes sense to have that all out in the open. Then there's nothing to worry about accidentally going over them without knowing.

[She lightly brushes her thumb over his knuckles, just getting used to the feel of his hand in hers for an extended length of time.]

So... what are yours? Boundaries, I mean. Where should I avoid touching at all costs and what should I ask permission for before just diving in?

... Back.

[he said that a bit too quickly, so he looks away for a moment before clarifying.]

I mean, if I'm not wearing my battle shell don't touch my back? Although I'll doubt that will be an issue at all.

[Since he only takes the damned thing off to sleep... and maybe bathe.]

Asking for hugs and stuff like that is also a good idea, if you want to avoid uh. Awkwardness.

[Or to put it simply, if he doesn't initiate the touch ask first.]

[She blinks, thinking at first that he wants her to move back, either physically or emotionally. But when he clarifies, she nods in understanding.]

I'll avoid your back. Promise. And I'll always ask about the rest, and you'll always be free to tell me no.

[The corners of her lips quirk up into a small smile.]

You're free to touch me whenever. But yeah, if you're going to go for anything on the risqué side of things, check in first. I'll, um... I'd probably be okay with it, but a heads-up would be nice.

[He nods at her first words and... The blush is back as soon as she says risqué side of things.]

I would never touch you like that without asking first!

[If it happens by accident that's a different thing altogether.]

[She doesn't mean to make him blush again; she just wants to make sure she lays everything out clearly for him!]

I know! I just didn't want to give you blanket permission without including that caveat. I don't want to give out mixed signals or anything.

Ah.

[It's reassuring, although his face is still blushy as he gives her hand a slight squeeze.]

That's a good thing to do, not that I uh. Think like that?

[He may be a male teenager, but that kind of thing only pops into his head when outside forces bring it to his attention the majority of the time.]

[That squeeze to her hand works to reassure her, and she manages a nod and a bit of a shrug all at once.]

I don't really know how you think. You keep me on my toes. That's... that's part of what I really like about you, actually.

[he stops himself from saying "join the club" because when things start to get into certain territories? he kind of stops thinking rationally and logically and that kind of bothers him.

Damned emotions.]

Oh, well um. I like how you're just... straight forward with things.

[God that sounded stupid, but he felt like he had to say something nice about MJ too.]

[The vague smile she'd been sporting grows wider at that compliment, and there's a bit of a pleased glint in her eye at her response.]

Glad you noticed. It's definitely one of my better qualities.

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