bakerstreet | (no subject)

(no subject)

GIFT MEME

you know the story: a bow, some wrapping paper, and a surprise in wait for someone. does anyone ever read these prologues when there are prompts available?

H O W T O P L A Y
1. Respond to this post with your character(s)--be sure to note any preferences you may have on giving/receiving!
2. When replying, RNG 1-12 for your gift.
3. Start tagging!

O P T I O N S
01 — the special occasion's gift. 'tis the season -- valentine's, birthday, or otherwise! you're basically obligated to get them something.
02 — the belated gift. so it's definitely a special day for the two of you -- you just don't remember what. luckily, it's the quality of your present that matters, right?
03 — the passive-aggressive gift. you're not mad. you just really felt the need to buy your unbelievably allergic friend a cat for no reason.
04 — the actually aggressive gift. you hate this person. but punching them in the face is really a gift to the world -- doesn't that count for anything?
05 — the joke gift. everybody knows laughter's the best present. just because nobody else laughs at the whitewash-bucket-over-the-door trick anymore doesn't mean this person won't!
06 — the gift of affection. maybe they did a good job with something! time to show your appreciation while conserving your budget and dispense one headpat. maybe two.
07 — the worst wingman ever gift. whether it's a pair of socks, teaching the skill of making snake straws, or pledging to serve as the wingman they so desperately need, you are not improving their life. oh well.
08 — the gift of time. maybe they're working too hard, spending their hours with the wrong friends, or just prioritising silly things. whatever the case, you're here to give them your time -- never mind any other plans they may have had today.
09 — the courting gift. have you even confessed yet? eh, who cares. clearly bribery's the best way to express your feelings.
10 — the gift to yourself. so you just bought a tea-set for a coffee person, wrapped a vacuum for your new housemate, or bribed someone at the dmv to pass along a sparkling driver's license just when you need a patsy to drive you around town! has anybody ever told you what a good friend you are?
11 — the half-wrapped gift. whatever you were preparing to give them, they just walked in on the middle of you getting busy with five rolls of wrapping paper. quick, guy, explain.
12 — the all-purpose gift. either you're regifting a spare toaster or you've realised there weren't enough options on this meme. invent away!

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Ben winked as he chuckled. They would have quite the evening later. "I don't think anything could make you more desirable to me than you already are."

But for now, the appetizers were theirs to enjoy. At least until they cleaned their plates and the main courses were brought out.

There was no hiding the darkening of her cheeks, nor a need to. Rey wanted Ben to know what was on her mind - what she was definitely planning for later, when they were away from prying eyes and ears and safe in their amazing room. And this - the dinner, the other plans that have been made, are only going to add to the anticipation.

Which would, in turn, make that time alone all the sweeter.

For now, food, and flirting, and utterly enjoying this time together away from everything else.

When she blushed, he did too. This night was meant to be everything Rey ever dreamed of and he'd try his best to make sure of it.

The entrees they ordered did not disappoint. The plates were set like works of art, the aroma was delightful and if the taste was even half as good as what the rest of their senses were just blessed with, it would still be an amazing meal.

Along with the dishes came a bottle of the Naboo's French Malbec, presented to the both of them for inspection before it was even opened. The sommelier poured a small sample in each glass, touting how the particular flavors in this wine matched and enhanced various qualities in both the lamb and beef dishes they'd selected.

Ben blushed slightly as he picked up the glass, swirling it a little as he'd seen the experts do. It might have looked like he was just taking in the aroma first, but really, he was giving his wife the once-in-a-lifetime experience of that first sip.

It was already more than she'd anticipated, and there was still so much more to come ... including a long night spent in bed, but very little sleeping. They've got to enjoy this place, and their room as thoroughly as possible, after all!

The entrees arrived, and they both looked and smelled amazing. Honestly, Rey couldn't wait to dig in, but first, there was the wine to consider. While she might not drink often, and certainly didn't know anything about wine, she listened carefully to the sommelier, serious as she swirled and smelled its bouquet, too.

Well. It certainly smelled good. And in no way was she going to be disappointed in it, simply because this was probably one of the top five moments of her life thus far - the other four all starring Ben, as well.

"It smells lovely. I'm sure it will really ... bring out the flavors of dinner, too."

Ben finally took a sip, but wasn't really sure what to make of it. He didn't have the practiced palette of a wine connoisseur. The sommelier could have told him it tasted like just about anything, and he would have bought into it.

"Would you like a glass?" He asked Rey. The bottle was going to be a little much for just the two of them.

Really, it was less about the knowledge of what the bouquet of the wine was supposed to be, and more about the ambience of their evening. So, while Rey didn't mind the sommelier explaining about the wine, she really just wanted to get back to sharing dinner with Ben. For as happy as she would have been spending the night at home, sitting on the couch eating and laughing and just enjoying being together, she was definitely going to enjoy this time away from everything, too.

"Oh, please", she asked, nodding. Why not? Might as well spoil themselves rotten while they had the opportunity.

Ben agreed, getting a glass for himself as well, and soon, they were left to themselves again. First and foremost, they split their dishes to share. If it happened to result in a little bit of handholding while things cooled down, well, that was just an added benefit.

"I don't know which of these is better." He grinned upon tasting both the filet mignon and the lamb. "They both tie for being the second most incredible thing at this table."

Rey's dork winked.

Privately, Rey celebrated that fact. Sure, the waiters and the sommeliers were just doing their jobs, but she really wanted nothing more than this precious time to be with Ben without anything else to worry about. Every moment was a gift, and she was adamant upon enjoying them to the utmost.

So, with the food split between plates, and wine to go along with it, and time to sample a bit of both, and Ben being Ben - sweet and dorky all at once, Rey was, indeed, very happy.

"Mr. Solo, didn't you know that flattery will get you everywhere?"

Not that she didn't have plans of her own for the remainder of the evening, once dinner and the carriage ride were finished and behind them. Sleep? If she had her way, they wouldn't be getting much at all.

"Well, Mrs. Solo..." He winked with a smile. Saying that name was still very strange to him. Perhaps, in time, it would flow a little better. "I don't want to get everywhere. Just where you are."

They enjoyed their second course nice and slow, with hardly an interruption from anyone or anything. Ben didn't really even notice the waiters taking their empty plates away, only the intricately decorated platter of pastries that replaced it. They were all small, bite-sized morsels. Each one was different, an artistic display of colors, textures, flavors and shapes.

"Wow..."

Rey hadn't quite gotten used to it, either, the realization that she was Ben's wife still pleasant enough to cause her heart to do a funny flip in her chest every time, and now was no exception. "Good thing that's always going to be with you, isn't it?"

Thankfully, now that dinner was served, there wasn't much of a reason for the waiter to come back until the plates were cleared, signaling that they were ready for dessert. And although Rey thought that nothing was going to be better than the main course, which was probably the most decadent meal she'd ever had the good fortune to eat, the pastries were a very, very close contender.

"They're almost too pretty to eat - !"

... Almost.

Given that both of them were doing far more admiring than actually eating, Ben chuckled. "Do you want me to see if they'll wrap them up for us to enjoy later?"

Well, the appetizers and main courses had been more than enough, and although Rey wanted nothing more to enjoy each and every little pastry laid out so prettily on the platter, she just couldn't manage it yet. Perhaps the best idea was to save them for later. "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind. Maybe we'll feel decadent later tonight and eat them while we're in bed."

"Or in the hot tub." He winked. That was even more decadent, wasn't it?

The waiter took the tray and had the pastries boxed up. Far from the usual doggie bag, this was a present in and of itself, complete with a ribbon and bow. Fitting, given the holiday season. And nothing but the best at the Naboo.

Ben arranged for the box to be dropped off in their room, as there was still another blissful part of their romantic evening to be enjoyed.

"I do believe our carriage awaits our arrival." He held out his hand.

The suggestion alone was more than enough for Rey to duck her head to hide both her surprised, pleased grin and the way her cheeks reddened at the thought. "Yes, or .. there."

Of course their leftovers would be packaged up like a present, just another thing to spoil themselves with during their one night vacation. She shouldn't have been surprised, after everything they'd experienced already, but she absolutely was.

Honestly, she couldn't imagine living like this on a day to day basis!

Rey easily and eagerly accepted the offered hand, squeezing gently as she smiled up at her positively beaming husband. "A carriage ride, too? You are spoiling me tonight."

"Only because you deserve it." he squeezed back. Ben leaned down, kissing her sweetly.

Once they had their coats, he led her to the front of the hotel lobby. Just outside the door was a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage and the horses themselves were all white as snow and everything was draped in gorgeous holiday lights.

A bellman held the door for them.

"Ladies first." he gestured to the open door and the plush seats.

Rey could get lost in Ben's sweet kisses. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, that would have to wait until they were safely ensconced within the privacy of their room - their lavish room.

He helped her into her coat, and took her hand in order to lead her into the lobby and outside, where the carriage was waiting. And it was such a beautiful sight against the starlit sky and the snow-covered woods that she almost cried. What a perfect evening. What a perfect present. What a perfect husband.

Carefully, she stepped up and into the carriage, quickly settling as she waited for Ben to join her, more than ready to begin this next portion of their evening. "Join me?"

He laughed a little as he climbed up, grinning at the beauty and marvel of it all. "I do believe we did that already."

Joined. For better or worse. Until death do them part.

He settled into the seat next to her and wrapped his hand around her's. The horses began a slow steady trot away from the hotel, toward the path in the woods that was also draped with gorgeous lights.

"Merry Christmas, Rey."

Her favorite place to be was curled up close to Ben's side, and now was no exception - she didn't think that she was going to be very cold, not with her coat and the soft blanket on her lap, but she also knew that Ben would keep her warm, too.

She was happy. And this was absolutely the best way to celebrate the holiday. She couldn't possibly have asked for anything more - and she was certain that she'd never smiled as much, or as widely in her life.

"Merry Christmas, Ben."

The woods were beautiful. The trees and topiaries, all dolled up in lights, looked like they belonged in a fairy tale. (As if the evening needed another excuse to be magical.)

It was all so incredible, the happy couple hardly said a word to each other the entire ride. But gentle hand squeezes, shoulder nudges and soft kisses needed no translation.

[ooc: Aw. That last line is a perfect ending point, I think.]

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