bakerstreet | what if we kissed under the abhorrent skull floating on the ceiling because we're marked for death?

[ But she didn't need to convince him that something was off. He was equally stuck in place. It wasn't, perhaps, the strangest thing that had ever happened to him, but he still didn't like it. ]

No, you're... definitely not lying. [ He gestured similarly. ] I'm in the same spot.

[ He even tried to lean to one side or the other, rocking his body and stretching until he was about to lose his balance, and his feet didn't lift slightly. His feet were sealed to the ground. ]

This... could be a problem.

[ Her eyes widened a little, at that. Like Akira, she's experienced stranger things - the red string coming to mind - and it was worrying. ]

I don't see any else having issues .. [ Well there were a few people being..*cough* very couple-y, and others at the table who were not paying them any mind. But she didn't see anyone rubbing their hands together and nya-ha-ha'ing at the predicament either. ]

... any ideas? [ Obviously they can't stand here forever, but what rooted them to this posit... NAAH. ]

[ No, there wasn't an immediate threat present. No Shadows manifesting, no villains looming in any way that's obvious. No wave of panic suggesting that this is a larger problem. Which means it's either a one-off trap, targeted to them, or just something that other people aren't running up against because they're solving it for themselves.

He sees the other people around them, the couples kissing here and there beneath the mistletoe, and the back of his brain tickles. He glances up again. It couldn't be... ]

Well. It's certainly strange. [ After a moment, he reaches out, just to gently touch her arm. Just to see if he can. And he makes contact, with no issues.

He looks up again. ]

I have a theory. [ He flashes her a slightly bashful smile. ] You might not love it.

[ At the touch to her arm, Rebecca glanced up curiously, pulled from pondering about trying to slide her feet out of her shoes. But no, that wouldn't work either. ]

Huh...? [ Oh she doesn't like how almost ominous that sounded. ]

....well... what's the theory...?

[ Perhaps it didn't need to be too ominous, but he also hadn't planned to ask a kiss of her so quickly. It's a little forward, even if he obviously wants to, because who wouldn't? That being said, maybe it won't be so bad after all... ]

Well, you see how there are some, ah, couples being... affectionate, and walking around free? [ He knows she's noticed. The blush on her cheeks is obvious. ] I think it might be connected.

[ And then he points up, directing her towards the mistletoe. ]

Maybe a kiss and we're out of here.

[ Boy has she noticed. He had to have noticed the blush and the way she was trying not to look in their direction, both out of shyness and to give them privacy -- the theory... well... it..was possible.

When she glanced up and saw the mistletoe in turn, she reached up and facepalmed. ]

Erm...th.. that could be true... [ But what if it wasn't? What if it was a SPECIFIC kiss and not.. what if ..she should stop thinking about the 'what if's. ]

Are... you all right with that? [ It was pretty forward, and she'd certainly not planned on such so soon.. she wasn't -against- it though.. ]

[ That seems an appropriate reaction. He can't blame her at all for how she's feeling, because this is certainly... a lot... and not how he would have wanted this to go.

But he is finding it hard not to stare at her mouth, so. There's that. ]

It's the best theory I have right now. [ He says with another small shrug. He's smiling, just a little, warm and reserved as usual. ] And, well. It's not exactly the romantic moment I might have liked, but...

[ He clears his throat a little. Leans just a hair closer. ] I do really want to kiss you in general. If you're okay with it.

[ For someone who was far more comfortable with keeping private things private- she was very glad that it seemed like everyone around them was otherwise occupied to not pay attention to either her or Akira. Even so she blushed a bit more at that admission. It did suck a bit that they were 'forced' to do it because of magic mistletoe, but... she wasn't -that- upset about it, when she thought about it. ]

.. yeah, I.. it's alright with me. [ Hopefully this works! Afterwards.. well she'll cross afterwards when she gets to afterwards. ]

[ Yes, it's a small mercy that no one seems too interested in them or what they're up to. He's a little less bashful than she is by nature, but he still doesn't like drawing too much attention, and more than that, he doesn't want her to be uncomfortable either.

Still, she is very pretty when she blushes. ]

As long as you're sure, [ he says, reaching up to gently cup her cheek. To tilt her towards him as he leans in, slow enough that she can stop him at any moment that she wants, until he moves in to press his lips to hers. It's not aggressive, but it's more than just a chaste brush of lips. This is a kiss. ]

[ She steps a tiny bit closer when his hand reached up to her cheek, the blush growing moreso. Tentatively she responded in leaning a bit closer, even if there was a small flinch out of nervousness briefly, until she felt his lips against hers. It wasn't a short peck - but instinctively she caught her breath, fingers curling at her side and not ..entirely sure where to put her hands. At least at first.

She settled on resting her hands just lightly against his sides, just in case this turned out to be a horrible horrible idea and she had to push him away. Except it didn't feel that way, and her chest felt tight. Part of her thoughts focused on a mantra of 'please work please work please work-'..though even that was drowned out mentally when she - after that slight pause of indecision - leaned in a bit more to return the kiss properly, feeling quite like a furnace from how much she was blushing. ]

[ He was torn on how to react. How to touch her, how to kiss her. He didn't want to force this on her, after all, didn't want to do anything she wouldn't like, but he did think this was going to work. Hopefully. And more than that, he did want to kiss her, a great deal. It would be almost impossible not to, looking at her, knowing that she liked him more than a little.

So when she was frozen, he felt a knot of anxiety inside of his chest, that only loosened when her hands were on his side and she started to kiss him back. Just a little. And so he kissed her more, cupping her cheek, holding her in place. Taking the time to enjoy this, if only because he didn't know when - if ever - he'd get to do it again.

Before slowly breaking away. ]

Hopefully, that will have... done it.

[ She almost almost reached her arms around when she felt his hand against her cheek. Her fingers did twitch a bit against his sides instinctively, a near smile twitching in her lips. He..was a surprisingly good kisser, and he was definitely considerate about it. She was a little bit disappointed when they pulled away again, but the blush more than made up for it. ]

Y-yeah..hopefully.. [ It took her a second to tentatively step back, partly because it felt like the room was spinning from that kiss, and partly because she was nervous that it didn't work. But luckily, she did feel herself stepping away. ]

Oh..! It... it worked..!

[ She tested, lifting one foot, then the other, turned in a circle and even gave a bit of a bounce or two -- without thinking that she just gave Akira quite the display there -- to confirm it. Then she glanced up with a shy smile. ]

I.. I'm not sure what I would have done if it hadn't.

[ Kissed him again because clearly the first time wouldn't have been good enough, probably? ]

[ It really is unfair that she somehow manages to look even more beautiful when he draws that, her cheeks flaming and her eyes sparkling. As flustered as she clearly is, he likes to think she looks pleased about things, but maybe that's just hope. It's hard to tell when this is all so... unique.

But then she shifts back, and it seems like her feet are moving properly. He adjusts his own, lifting them easily off the pavement. Testing the limits of their new freedom, as it seems the spell is thoroughly broken.

Of course, she just has to bounce in place and cast a different kind of spell on him. He's staring. He can't really help it. But not too long, and not too overtly. ]

I'm glad it did. Though I suppose being stuck having to kiss you isn't the worst thing. [ His smile is warm, slightly teasing, and he settles with his hands in the pockets of his winter coat. ] Though next time, it'd be nice if it was entirely something you wanted.

[ Just casually pointing out that he thinks there will be a next time. ]

[ She clears her throat a little awkwardly, embarrassed at that. ]

Well .. I mean it.. certainly could have been a worse way to break a.. curse. [ The teasing only makes her blush more, pausing at the latter, and it seems like the blush gets even more red, if it was possible. ]

.. yeah, yeah it would. [ She certainly would't be against it, if things went that way. And .. to be honest, given the positive interactions she's had with him thus far, there really might be a next time. ]

O-oh.. Right, erm. [ She glanced over at the table with the eggnog a little hesitantly. ]

I was going to ask if you still wanted to join me, but.. I don't know if we can trust those snacks now. [ they SEEMED liked they were fine, but what if they were similarly enchanted too? ]

[ It's understandable, really, that she's blushing up a storm, all things considered, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining to look at. She's just cute, all the way through, and while he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable, making her a little flustered, well. That might be nice, now and then. ]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

[ It would sting, a little, after all that if she didn't enjoy kissing him, or didn't want to do it again, but as embarrassed as she looks, she looks pleased, as well. That's worth something.

He follows her glance over to the table of snacks, and food, and who knows what else, and does raise his eyebrows a little. ]

It's tempting, but... who knows what we'd get up to, after that? { Not that he'd mind, but she already looks fit to catch fire. ] Though who knows? Maybe the worst that'll happen is another kiss.

[ Ack. That.. he had a point, if there was mistletoe that forced people to kiss if they were under it, what might the snacks make people do? If it was just kissing that was one thing, but.. ]

N--never mind, that's .. yeah it's probably for the best that we don't touch those. [ Not just for her sake, but his too. Even if his teasing comment made her cover her face as if THAT could hide the blush. ]

Haa.a. sorry, I didn't think about that - [ She had to admit she wouldn't mind -- gah, maybe there was something in the air too! ]

I wouldn't..want to get into that kind of situation because of magic mistletoe or enchanted Christmassy snacks. [ She'd rather get into that situation on her own. With a mutually consenting partner. ]

[ Oh, no, the way she hides her face is just even cuter. He should stop pressing her buttons, but she's so adorable, he almost can't resist. ]

It's quite alright. It would be kind of interesting, to see what they do.

[ Though he is assuming all of the affects would be... amorous, rather than anything else. Who knows what they'd really be capable of. Or they could just be totally normal sweets. A shame he'll probably never know!

He drops his voice a little, to a more private tone, even though no one around them seems to be paying attention. ]

But I think any of that, I'd much prefer you wanted to do entirely on your own. [ And his tone doesn't make it too hard to guess what "that" might be in reference to. ] Even if we've got out first kiss out of the way.

[ He's doing it on purpose, she's positive now. ]

You should be careful yourself you know - it's one thing to be curious, but what if you ate something and it was..was a.. you know.. [ She leaned forward a little. ]

An aphrodisiac?

[ GASP! THE SCANDAL. Well she was oddly more worried about it being some kind of drug that would have them behaving outside of the norm. It's one thing if they were in private but -- well there's also a certain OTHER matter like - ]

I mean..I... I don't do that kind of thing on the first date.

[ Not that this was a -date-, and .. okay if she REALLY hit it off with someone MAYBE, but still why IS SHE EVEN ENTERTAINING THE THOUGHT. ]

You're.. you're enjoying this aren't you? [ Accusing him (correctly) of getting a kick out of teasing her! Fiend. ]

[ Well, he is called Joker for a reason.

He can't help the smile that twists his lips when she leans in and says that word on such a scandalized voice. That's one of the things he'd considered, yes. Not that he'd even remotely need one to want to get closer to her. But ultimately, he wants that - when and if it happens - to be entirely a clear-headed decision on her part.

Which doesn't mean he can't tease, mind you. ]

I wouldn't think you did, [ he says, honestly. She is a sweet girl, and the last thing he wants to do is imply anything about her character. Even if he might like it if she did. ]

Maybe a little. It's cute when you get all flustered. [ He shrugs his shoulders. ] But I don't want to make you uncomfortable. And I certainly never want to push anything on you.

[ That much is true, and there's not a moment of hesitation in his voice. ]

[ She'd facepalm if she realized that. Of COURSE that's why he was called Joker!

The slight worry eases into a small smile when he admits he didn't think of her as the kind of girl who slept around on the first date. Phew. Chuckling a little, embarrassed, she also can't be surprised he likes to fluster her- seemed that that was something she'd never escape from life. ]

Well.. it's okay, I'm a big girl, I can handle a little teasing.

[ Just as long as he wasn't creepy about it like Weisz or Sister. Especially Sister. Ugh. She can't handle that level of perverted teasing. ]

You don't give the impression that you're the kind of person who would be comfortable with doing anything like that. I think I can trust you that far, at least.

[ And likely farther than that, but she still didn't know him that well yet. ]

[ That and perhaps a few other reasons, but they can cross that bridge when they get to it. ]

Oh, I'm sure you can. Just let me know if I get close to crossing a line.

[ Because that's never going to be his goal. He wants her flustered, not upset or with her feelings hurt. He's well aware that there is a line - better than some people he could name.

He smiles a little more warmly when she says that. ]

Glad you think so. I hope you always know you're safe with me.

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[ That and perhaps a few other reasons, but they can cross that bridge when they get to it. ]

Oh, I'm sure you can. Just let me know if I get close to crossing a line.

[ Because that's never going to be his goal. He wants her flustered, not upset or with her feelings hurt. He's well aware that there is a line - better than some people he could name.

He smiles a little more warmly when she says that. ]

Glad you think so. I hope you always know you're safe with me. <small.[ For a moment he pauses, tilting his head. ] Unless I have to kiss you to get you out of any more traps, I suppose.

[ She smiles, appreciatively, and nods. ]

I can do that.

[ Aww - she reached out and patted his arm gently, her smile genuine and warm. ]

I appreciate that - I don't think we'd be friends for very long if I felt uncomfortable around you. But it's always easy to talk with you, Akira. [ She pauses. ]

Even when you're teasing me. [ Sticking her tongue out at him. ]

[ Just the fact that she'd reach out and touch him was a nice sign. He clearly hadn't rattled her too much. ]

That's a good point. And I look forward to being very good friends with you for a while.

[ Ah, but her sticking her tongue out was adorable, too. And did, intentional or not, make him think about her mouth all over again, and how nice it was to kiss. ]

It's not my fault you're so cute when you blush. What am I supposed to do, not play with you?

[ She smiles back at that. ]

The same goes for me - I look forward to be friends with you for a while too. [ Possibly even more than that, depending on how things go. Though she gives an embarrassed little laugh at his continued teasing. ]

Oh heaven forbid, I wouldn't want to keep you from being able to do that. [ She chuckles softly. ]

It's okay, I don't mind. [ Her friends teased her all the time for those reactions! ]

what if we kissed under the abhorrent skull floating on the ceiling because we're marked for death?

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