bakerstreet | Flirt

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.

It's a good quality, in my opinion.

[It also helps him out, since he's not so great at social cues.]

[Oh, she's noticed, Donnie. That's why this works.]

Good thing your opinion of me is one of the very few that actually matter to me.

Yes well... As it should be.

[He's puffing up his chest now.]

[Oh. She kind of likes that, even if he's just joking.]

And as it'll continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Good, good.

[Honestly he doesn't know what else to say about the subject so... Giving her hand another squeeze, since they haven't let go of each other's hands yet.]

[She looks down at their hands as he gives her hand a squeeze, thinking about it for a moment before looking up at him again.]

I'll be honest... I really like this.

[And at "this," she holds their hands up just a bit so there's no confusion over what she means.]

[Her clarifying is helpful, even though he thinks he has very few things he could mistake her liking in this moment.]

Yeah... Me too.

[Which is more than obvious from the fact he hasn't let go of her hand yet.]

[Her smile widens significantly, which makes her glance away with a bit of a sheepish expression.]

Is there anything else you think you might like? Like... my head on your shoulder or something? I don't want to just assume you're okay with anything.

I mean, that's fine? It's not like you're going to uh... Grab my butt or something like that out of the blue, so head on shoulders is fine.

[He also realizes after he said it that his example was kind of dumb, so he's looking away sheepishly.]

[She laughs before she can stop herself, though it seems like that laughter is borne from more nervousness than anything else.]

No! No, I'm uh... not much of a groper or anything.

[That was dumb. Super dumb. But there's too much of a height difference for her to rest her head on his shoulder while they're standing next to one another, so she can't really distract him with anything but another small squeeze to her hand.]

Maybe I'll get more comfortable the next time we're watching a movie together. But above-the-waist comfortable.

[Maybe a little disappointed by her laughing and answer, but it's so brief it's barely noticeable.

He just lets out a short laugh of his own to cover it up.]

Good to know, good to know.

[And yeah, he's gotten kind of used to people he likes being taller than him. The hand squeeze does make him smile a little more.]

That would be nice, both things.

[Look, if he's setting boundaries and the boundaries are "no butt touching," MJ can and will respect that until he tells her that those boundaries are null and void. Maybe he'll do that after she tells him the same, but that's for them to figure out later.

For now, he's smiling far more than he usually is, and while that's nice, MJ does like to push the envelope a little whenever possible.]

The same goes for you. If you wanted to get comfortable. Above the waist or whatever.

[She's got more going on above her waist than he does, though, so that's up for him to interpret or ask about, if he can get around the "whatever" part.]

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