DATEPOST

[softlyfalling]

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[softlyfalling]

[ well she definitely needs to lie down and be dead but also

first she needs to lean down and kiss him, because she's a disaster and happens to be extremely weak to that— ]

[selfpreservationist]

[oh

that's not

at all what he was expecting

which she'll probably be able to clue in on by the way his breath catches right before their lips meet, a soft shocked inhale, but as soon as they kiss he's leaning into it, his hand holding hers tightening as if to say--don't you dare take that back]

[softlyfalling]

[ she's always hyperaware of other people's reactions so she's like 75% sure she made a very stupid move until his hand tightens holding hers, at which point she very obviously relaxes.

that's

nice.

she's just sort of going to rest her other arm at his back, and let herself lean against him, pulling down lightly on his lower lip. ]

[selfpreservationist]

[he's tense at first when she touches him, but slowly he relaxes as he feels the warmth of her body leaning against his. his hand not grasping hers touches her cheek, and he sighs into her mouth, deepening the kiss]

[softlyfalling]

[ that's all right? that's all right.

she readjusts her hand to lace their fingers together a little more comfortably, and returns the intensity in the kiss until she has to pull back for air, breathless. ]

[selfpreservationist]

[he squeezes shrike's hand, for himself as much as her, and when she breaks the kiss he's almost tempted to steal the breath from her with another one--but he needs to breathe, too. he stays close, watching her face]

...

[softlyfalling]

[ she'd be beet red if her blood wasn't a slightly too-dark color; her eyes slide down to focus on their hands, but she also doesn't... let... go... ]

I... might've gotten a little carried away, but...

[selfpreservationist]

[softly, his voice almost a murmur]

If I had known reciting poetry would induce that kind of reaction in you... I would have done it sooner.

[softlyfalling]

I'm being personally attacked.

[ it's said with the slight cadence of a joke, though, and she squeezes her eyes shut and... very gently bonks her forehead into his. ]

It was very smooth.

[selfpreservationist]

I suppose I got lucky.

[gently strokes his knuckles along her cheek]

... Shrike, look at me.

[softlyfalling]

[ breathes in, breathes out, opens her eyes. though her breath kind of hitches at his knuckles against her cheek. ]

...mm.

[selfpreservationist]

... you're really alright with this?

[softlyfalling]

...I mean, ah. I don't kiss people I don't want to kiss, and.

[ wheeze ]

You're quite likable, actually.

[selfpreservationist]

When you... put it that way, it sounds so simple. So easy to understand.

[softlyfalling]

I can't afford to be complicated in all aspects of my life or otherwise I'd never stop panicking.

[ just going to casually... brush some of his hair out of his face. ]

[selfpreservationist]

[his eyelids lower]

... I should warn you away. But I'm... selfish. And I crave... this. I want to be held and touched and cherished the way one would a lover. But I also know that I am... a greedy, jealous man. I should tell you this was a mistake, but I... can't.

[softlyfalling]

[ she gives a slightly lopsided smile— ]

...well, if having made some really truly egregious mistakes in my time’s done anything for me, it’s that it’s given me a bit of a sense of scale as far as mistakes are concerned.

I, er, just—well, I’ve been a lonely person, too, with the good fortune to find people I care a great deal about, and I suppose I’m confident enough in my footing to say I wouldn’t mind kissing you again.

[selfpreservationist]

...

I definitely... wouldn't mind it, either.

[softlyfalling]

...

...how about right now, then?

[selfpreservationist]

[chuckles and leans in to brush his lips against hers again, soft, while he lets go of her hand and draws his arm around her waist to pull her close]

[softlyfalling]

[ this time she doesn't hesitate, letting herself be pulled in and cupping his face in both her hands. she kisses him slowly, lips parted, exploratory—feeling this out. ]

[selfpreservationist]

[he's much the same, cautious but curious, and savoring every moment. a low noise escapes his throat between kisses, clearly pleased and relaxed, not unlike a cat purring]

[softlyfalling]

[ ...cute.

she brushes one thumb over his jawline, lightly, and her other hand combs back into his hair as she sighs into him, pushing forward a little to deepen the kiss. ]

[selfpreservationist]

[a palpable shiver runs through him at all these soft, gentle touches and he parts his lips with an eagerness to feel more.

his hands at her hips tighten, tugging her as close as she can get, one hand dragging up her spine]

[softlyfalling]

Mn—!

[ it's half surprised squeak, half pleased noise, and her back arches a little into the touch. she didn't exactly need encouragement to get more into this, but she'll take it; her teeth nip lightly at his lip as her arms tighten around his shoulders. ]