[The fact that he followed her doesn't actually shock her- at least she had a moment to compose herself in the meantime. It was comforting, almost, that she could count on still being able to keep a guy hooked....
Horrible pun aside, she doesn't actually look over at him.]
Why would I do that?
[She tilts her head and glances over at him with a little grin.]
Pretty princesses like you have a nasty little habit of being scared of pirates like me.
( he digs his hook into the shelf above his head that he's borderline already hanging onto, carving a line into it with a loud scraping sound, mostly just trying to earn a reaction from her. harry doesn't mind a little hard to get; if anything, it just makes him want her more. )
[Cool, calm, collected- it's a good thing Audrey has practice at all of the above. There are princesses that would be scared or intimidated by this- him... And she'd be lying if she said her heart wasn't pounding against her chest.
But she refuses to give him the reaction he's looking for.]
Should I be?
['A little' would be her honest answer, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing that.]
( hmm, hmm, she just may prove to be a tough one to crack, but it makes harry all the more determined. he decides to lean his body against the shelf instead, frees his hook so he can try to further this little cat and mouse game with princess audrey.
his lips quirk up into a smirk as he draws her hair over her shoulder, a slow motion, really dragging it out. )
You suppose all the rumors about pirates are true?
[Her smile is a little too sweet at that 'perhaps'... and she's a little too tense as he uses the hook to slowly move her hair. Her eyes dart from his lips (that stupid smug smirk) to his eyes- where she attempts to keep them from now on.]
Which rumors would those be? That they all need a good bath or that they're too arrogant?
( audrey's free to look wherever she very well pleases — for now, he's content to meet her determined gaze with a looming stare of his own, dark ringed eyes absolutely twinkling with mischief. harry laughs at that, a slightly manic thing, before letting his voice drop to a low whisper, which might sound threatening if he were saying anything else. )
No.
That they're all excellent at getting whatever they want.
[she'll just look at his eyes right now, no matter how uncomfortable it's making her. And the laugh makes her pause for a moment longer than she'd like. It was more of struggle now, not wanting to be the first to give in.]
Is that what they say?
[She may be leaning closer to him, an eyebrow raised.]
Aye — proof? ( another laugh, short and quick, as she leans in a little closer to him, and harry finds himself appreciating the near foot he has on her height-wise. ) I can give you your proof princess, easily.
( and harry takes a half-step forward, just barely pressing audrey against the bookshelf, certainly invading her space now, bringing the very tip of his hook just beneath her chin so he can tilt her head up towards his; he doesn't press hard, it's merely for showy dramatic effect.
what isn't very showy is the way he just goes for it, finally growing too impatient with this little game of theirs and stealing a kiss from audrey, hard and wanting and not really very sweet. )
[Finally. Audrey wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to keep that up. She lifted her chin easily, not needing the hook for much guidance.
In fact, there's a glimpse of a mischievous grin before he's kissing her. She inhales sharply, thrilled by being caught in between him and the shelves, before she's pressing back against him. She has no experience kissing this way, mind you, but she's doing her best to match it. ]
( there's a whole lot of excitement in this for harry — the thrill of a successful conquest, like what he imagines unearthing buried treasure would be like. you know — if he'd ever been allowed off of the isle before being shipped off to this school. there's the sheer adrenaline rush that kissing a perfect auradonian princess allows, especially in the middle of this far-too-fancy library full of books he'll never willingly touch.
audrey, though, he certainly will touch, leaning his weight against her a little more and pinning her against the shelves. he draws his hook upward, sticks its point into the surface of a wooden shelf above his head, lets his free hand slide against her jaw, asking for more with the parting of his lips.
it's a little rushed, maybe, but someone could walk down this very row of books in a heartbeat. not that harry would mind very much — quite the opposite, actually — but he imagines this princess would like to save face. )
[One of Audrey's hands reaches behind her, fingers gripping the shelf to keep herself steady as he presses against her and she leans against the shelves. She feels as though she may faint otherwise. (That was an exaggeration, perhaps.)
The thrill that they could be caught, that she could be caught in this compromising position, just made her all the more giddy. With his hand against her jaw and his lips parting, she found it more than easy to comply. Her lips part for him as her other hand moves up behind his neck to keep him close.]
( harry's content to keep kissing her, urged on by her own hand against the back of his neck, fingers nearly in his hair. lips part, and he licks into her mouth, lets his tongue slide against hers, savoring the sweet taste of her lip gloss — a flavor unlike anything he's ever tasted, like nothing they'd ever been provided on the isle. it's absolutely intoxicating, makes him want more.
even still, the pirate can't keep in his own snarky remarks for too long, murmuring between kisses in a low voice as lips graze the corner of her mouth, accent thick, ) I didn't know they taught princesses how to kiss like this in Auradon.
[All of it's just a little too much for the princess- of course that hadn't taught princesses how to kiss like this. Everything was sweet and charming and perfect. It was nothing like this- and perhaps that's what made all of this extra sweet.
She's grateful for his snark, as ridiculous as that may sound, if only because it gives her a chance to try and catch her breath... And make a small sound in the back of her throat. Despite her worry that someone may have heard, it doesn't stop her from answering.] They don't- I'm a quick learner.
Mmm, ( harry hums, low in the back of his throat, smiling wide like the cat who got the canary. he's enjoying this far too much, watching the princess try gathering herself, feeling her pant softly as she tries to catch her breath.
there's something far-too-satisfying about corrupting innocence, though from what he's gathered, audrey isn't quite as innocent as she lets on. there's certainly a darker side of her, simply begging for someone to release her. ) Pity.
Here I thought I was going to have to actually pay attention during Remedial Goodness 101.
[Audrey shivers as he hums- angry that she doesn't catch it in time to stop it. She runs her tongue over her lips and huffs out a soft sigh, just about grinning.]
I can't imagine Fairy Godmother even talking about kissing.
[Actually, she can- and she stifles a giggle at the mental image, her hand at his neck moving up just enough to tangle her fingers in his hair... And, as though she's proving how quick a learner she is, she presses her lips against his again- mirroring what he'd been doing with his tongue earlier.]
( harry nearly protests the mere mention of fairy godmother despite being the one to essentially bring her up, but there's simply no time, what with audrey pulling him into another hard kiss.
well, well, well, it seems as though audrey is a quick learner, he thinks as his lips part to allow her tongue to slide against his. it's hard for him to keep his hands — well, hand, singular — to himself, fingertips slipping just barely beneath the hem of her sweater to brush against the soft skin just above the waistband of her skirt. teeth catch at her lower lip, dragging, in between a kiss, and harry's eager to earn himself more reactions from her. )
[Even though the princess was the one to start kissing him again, she's still so easily overwhelmed. Her fingernails lightly scrape over his scalp and tug at his hair- but what she wasn't expecting was his wandering hand (which she'll allow for now)...
Or his teeth nipping at her lower lip and dragging. That was new, not that she minds. But it definitely gets a reaction- more of a whimper this time, not quite at the back of her throat.
Breathy and light, she's still mentally praying that no one hears her and decides to come investigate.]
( lo and behold, the king himself arrives in a fluster of excited energy, nearly overshooting the blanket she's sitting on entirely; he makes it, though, flops on the ground and inadvertently kind of uses audrey as a way to stop himself, leaning against her.
1. he's definitely out of breath. 2. he's definitely pressing a kiss to audrey's cheek, laughing sheepishly as he greets, ) Hi.
( ben reaches for audrey's hand across her book, links his fingers with hers, more than a little starry-eyed as he meets her gaze. that little boop is sweet, makes him scrunch his nose in return. )
This might sound cheesy, but I didn't even kiss you yet and I'm already feeling about a million percent better.
[Audrey squeezes his hand- but as he admits he's already feeling better her smile gets a little bigger and she ducks her head. She has an answer for that- psychology wise- but she likes it a lot better when it sounds like she's the entire reason.]
It's okay, I like cheesy. I'm glad- [She pauses and shifts her weight to rest on her free hand- leaning closer to him.] Just think of how much better you'll feel when you do kiss me, then.
( heat radiates from ben's cheeks — from running all the way here, duh, no other reason, he's the king, he's refined, it's fine — as audrey leans in closer, closes the distance between them for him. )
— Yeah. You're totally right.
( which definitely warrants a kiss, a soft breath of laughter muffled as he finally closes that last inch of space between them, pressing his lips against hers, soft and warm and inviting and tasting a little like bubblegum. )
[she knows how to get what she wants- her smile remains coy as she looks up at him through her lashes. She barely gets an "I know" in before he's finally kissing her.
She smiles and runs her thumb over his, pressing back into the kiss with closed eyes.]
( ben's maybe a little bit of an overeager kisser, but that's okay; he sits up a little straighter so his other hand can cup her cheek — gosh, her skin is so soft — and continue the kiss, head starting to swim a little.
when he finally lets their lips part, he straight up falls back against the ground, head against the blanket and tilted up so he can watch the clouds pass by, a giddy exhale of breath matching the smile on his face. ben squeezes her hand, asks, maybe rhetorically and maybe for real, ) How'd that work so well?
[It was easy enough to let him get carried away, she was all too happy to follow his lead. Her heart flutters as he grasps her cheek and when they finally part? She giggles and watches him fall back on the blanket.
Audrey squeezes his hand back, watching him watch the clouds.] I don't know, but now that we know it does...
[She leans over him, hair falling over her shoulder and brushing against his before she leans down and kisses him slowly. She has to shift her weight from her hand to her forearm to do so, but it's worth it.]
( solid plan, audrey, a+, 100%, ben's all on board with this, the way she takes the initiative here.
he looks up at her with about a thousand hearts in his eyes, sheer admiration for this princess, strong-willed and forward, who knows what she wants and takes it. like another kiss, capturing his lips slowly as she leans her weight against him, and how could ben ever want anything more? his eyes flutter closed as her lips meet his and he kisses her in return, warm and slow.
maybe he should get overwhelmed by stress more often, if this is where it leads him. )
[If he starts getting overwhelmed by stress more often, she'll start realizing what he's up to.
Not that she'll care, necessarily. She was happy to make him happy- especially if this was the way to do it. Especially if he looks at her like he was just now. She let's go of his hand, albeit a little reluctantly, to instead move that hand up to his cheek. Her thumb traces over his cheek as she keeps her kisses soft and brief- there's just a lot of them.
She breathes out a short sigh after a moment, lips hovering over his, before she speaks softly:]
Audrey grins- even if that bow could be seen as mocking, there was no teasing behind his words. And perhaps, after her meltdown, people were starting to take her more seriously.
Perhaps.
She squeezes his hand as he takes hers, stands and carefully climbs onto his back. She has to let go of his hand to wrap both her arms over his shoulders- but she's not complaining, really. ]
[ Not that it seems to dull his enthusiasm any. He jostles her on his back, getting her into something he can manage for whatever distance they're going, and grips her legs, locking them in place. ]
But I follow instructions decently, and I have an impeccable sense of direction.
[ His tone is equal parts reverent and teasing, but he starts off without a second thought about it. No trace of a mock-gallop yet, but he does almost-trot as he starts off, and squeezes her legs; he doesn't miss the underlying intention behind the move, and he can't say he doesn't appreciate it. ]
[ She leans a little to whisper in his ear: ] Why would I want any of them to when I have you?
[ Honestly. He was strong, easy on the eyes, and eager to agree with her ridiculous whim. Even if this had started off as a ploy to see whether he'd be agreeable to the idea or not... the outcome was definitely nice enough. ]
[ Teasing's fine. Teasing's great. No protesting from here. He cackles a little at the grip on his shirt, and quickens his pace, passing through the front doors when they get there. ]
[ No such thing as treating people with kid gloves on the Isle; those who might have needed it don't last long, and it's useless for everybody else, and so he's not on the Isle anymore but that doesn't lessen the mentality any. She's strong like an Isle girl, so there's not a second thought, only action.
He snickers at her words, and when he gets to the turn he makes it, trotting his way through. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-07-29 07:53 pm (UTC)[The fact that he followed her doesn't actually shock her- at least she had a moment to compose herself in the meantime. It was comforting, almost, that she could count on still being able to keep a guy hooked....
Horrible pun aside, she doesn't actually look over at him.]
Why would I do that?
[She tilts her head and glances over at him with a little grin.]
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Date: 2017-07-29 08:38 pm (UTC)( he digs his hook into the shelf above his head that he's borderline already hanging onto, carving a line into it with a loud scraping sound, mostly just trying to earn a reaction from her. harry doesn't mind a little hard to get; if anything, it just makes him want her more. )
A pity, that.
Are you afraid, princess?
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Date: 2017-07-29 08:46 pm (UTC)But she refuses to give him the reaction he's looking for.]
Should I be?
['A little' would be her honest answer, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing that.]
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Date: 2017-07-29 09:05 pm (UTC)( hmm, hmm, she just may prove to be a tough one to crack, but it makes harry all the more determined. he decides to lean his body against the shelf instead, frees his hook so he can try to further this little cat and mouse game with princess audrey.
his lips quirk up into a smirk as he draws her hair over her shoulder, a slow motion, really dragging it out. )
You suppose all the rumors about pirates are true?
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Date: 2017-07-29 09:22 pm (UTC)Which rumors would those be? That they all need a good bath or that they're too arrogant?
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Date: 2017-07-30 01:48 am (UTC)No.
That they're all excellent at getting whatever they want.
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Date: 2017-07-30 02:02 am (UTC)Is that what they say?
[She may be leaning closer to him, an eyebrow raised.]
I guess I'll need proof.
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Date: 2017-07-30 03:12 am (UTC)( and harry takes a half-step forward, just barely pressing audrey against the bookshelf, certainly invading her space now, bringing the very tip of his hook just beneath her chin so he can tilt her head up towards his; he doesn't press hard, it's merely for showy dramatic effect.
what isn't very showy is the way he just goes for it, finally growing too impatient with this little game of theirs and stealing a kiss from audrey, hard and wanting and not really very sweet. )
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Date: 2017-07-30 03:35 am (UTC)In fact, there's a glimpse of a mischievous grin before he's kissing her. She inhales sharply, thrilled by being caught in between him and the shelves, before she's pressing back against him. She has no experience kissing this way, mind you, but she's doing her best to match it. ]
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Date: 2017-08-01 01:39 am (UTC)audrey, though, he certainly will touch, leaning his weight against her a little more and pinning her against the shelves. he draws his hook upward, sticks its point into the surface of a wooden shelf above his head, lets his free hand slide against her jaw, asking for more with the parting of his lips.
it's a little rushed, maybe, but someone could walk down this very row of books in a heartbeat. not that harry would mind very much — quite the opposite, actually — but he imagines this princess would like to save face. )
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Date: 2017-08-01 02:22 am (UTC)The thrill that they could be caught, that she could be caught in this compromising position, just made her all the more giddy. With his hand against her jaw and his lips parting, she found it more than easy to comply. Her lips part for him as her other hand moves up behind his neck to keep him close.]
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Date: 2017-08-01 05:35 am (UTC)even still, the pirate can't keep in his own snarky remarks for too long, murmuring between kisses in a low voice as lips graze the corner of her mouth, accent thick, ) I didn't know they taught princesses how to kiss like this in Auradon.
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Date: 2017-08-01 05:57 am (UTC)She's grateful for his snark, as ridiculous as that may sound, if only because it gives her a chance to try and catch her breath... And make a small sound in the back of her throat. Despite her worry that someone may have heard, it doesn't stop her from answering.] They don't- I'm a quick learner.
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Date: 2017-08-04 05:34 am (UTC)there's something far-too-satisfying about corrupting innocence, though from what he's gathered, audrey isn't quite as innocent as she lets on. there's certainly a darker side of her, simply begging for someone to release her. ) Pity.
Here I thought I was going to have to actually pay attention during Remedial Goodness 101.
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Date: 2017-08-04 05:48 am (UTC)I can't imagine Fairy Godmother even talking about kissing.
[Actually, she can- and she stifles a giggle at the mental image, her hand at his neck moving up just enough to tangle her fingers in his hair... And, as though she's proving how quick a learner she is, she presses her lips against his again- mirroring what he'd been doing with his tongue earlier.]
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Date: 2017-08-04 06:04 am (UTC)well, well, well, it seems as though audrey is a quick learner, he thinks as his lips part to allow her tongue to slide against his. it's hard for him to keep his hands — well, hand, singular — to himself, fingertips slipping just barely beneath the hem of her sweater to brush against the soft skin just above the waistband of her skirt. teeth catch at her lower lip, dragging, in between a kiss, and harry's eager to earn himself more reactions from her. )
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Date: 2017-08-04 06:15 am (UTC)Or his teeth nipping at her lower lip and dragging. That was new, not that she minds. But it definitely gets a reaction- more of a whimper this time, not quite at the back of her throat.
Breathy and light, she's still mentally praying that no one hears her and decides to come investigate.]
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Date: 2017-07-29 07:57 pm (UTC)I wouldn't say so- since I'm expecting you now. :)
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Date: 2017-07-29 08:17 pm (UTC)don't judge me if i'm out of breath when i get there because there are a LOT of stairs between my study and the gardens.
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Date: 2017-07-29 08:30 pm (UTC)Too much. ;D See you soon!
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Date: 2017-07-29 08:54 pm (UTC)1. he's definitely out of breath. 2. he's definitely pressing a kiss to audrey's cheek, laughing sheepishly as he greets, ) Hi.
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Date: 2017-07-29 09:15 pm (UTC)In fact, she looks up just as his lips meet her cheek. She brightens and turns her head towards him, laughing with him more than at him really.]
Hi.
[She reaches up and brushes some of his hair from his eyes... And boops his nose.]
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Date: 2017-07-29 09:28 pm (UTC)This might sound cheesy, but I didn't even kiss you yet and I'm already feeling about a million percent better.
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Date: 2017-07-29 09:41 pm (UTC)It's okay, I like cheesy. I'm glad- [She pauses and shifts her weight to rest on her free hand- leaning closer to him.] Just think of how much better you'll feel when you do kiss me, then.
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Date: 2017-07-30 02:05 am (UTC)— Yeah. You're totally right.
( which definitely warrants a kiss, a soft breath of laughter muffled as he finally closes that last inch of space between them, pressing his lips against hers, soft and warm and inviting and tasting a little like bubblegum. )
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Date: 2017-07-30 02:20 am (UTC)She smiles and runs her thumb over his, pressing back into the kiss with closed eyes.]
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Date: 2017-07-30 03:24 am (UTC)when he finally lets their lips part, he straight up falls back against the ground, head against the blanket and tilted up so he can watch the clouds pass by, a giddy exhale of breath matching the smile on his face. ben squeezes her hand, asks, maybe rhetorically and maybe for real, ) How'd that work so well?
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Date: 2017-07-30 03:45 am (UTC)Audrey squeezes his hand back, watching him watch the clouds.] I don't know, but now that we know it does...
[She leans over him, hair falling over her shoulder and brushing against his before she leans down and kisses him slowly. She has to shift her weight from her hand to her forearm to do so, but it's worth it.]
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Date: 2017-08-13 06:50 pm (UTC)he looks up at her with about a thousand hearts in his eyes, sheer admiration for this princess, strong-willed and forward, who knows what she wants and takes it. like another kiss, capturing his lips slowly as she leans her weight against him, and how could ben ever want anything more? his eyes flutter closed as her lips meet his and he kisses her in return, warm and slow.
maybe he should get overwhelmed by stress more often, if this is where it leads him. )
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Date: 2017-08-15 04:31 am (UTC)Not that she'll care, necessarily. She was happy to make him happy- especially if this was the way to do it. Especially if he looks at her like he was just now. She let's go of his hand, albeit a little reluctantly, to instead move that hand up to his cheek. Her thumb traces over his cheek as she keeps her kisses soft and brief- there's just a lot of them.
She breathes out a short sigh after a moment, lips hovering over his, before she speaks softly:]
Is it still working?
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Date: 2019-09-01 12:29 am (UTC)Audrey grins- even if that bow could be seen as mocking, there was no teasing behind his words. And perhaps, after her meltdown, people were starting to take her more seriously.
Perhaps.
She squeezes his hand as he takes hers, stands and carefully climbs onto his back. She has to let go of his hand to wrap both her arms over his shoulders- but she's not complaining, really. ]
Do you know where my room is?
[ The thought really only just occurred to her. ]
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Date: 2019-09-01 12:54 am (UTC)[ Not that it seems to dull his enthusiasm any. He jostles her on his back, getting her into something he can manage for whatever distance they're going, and grips her legs, locking them in place. ]
But I follow instructions decently, and I have an impeccable sense of direction.
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Date: 2019-09-01 02:39 am (UTC)Yeah? Ok, so go towards the dorms and I'll give you directions from there.
[ She wraps her legs around him for extra support- even though he was holding her up, she wanted to feel extra secure.
And it was kind of a power move on her part, sure. ]
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Date: 2019-09-03 03:18 pm (UTC)[ His tone is equal parts reverent and teasing, but he starts off without a second thought about it. No trace of a mock-gallop yet, but he does almost-trot as he starts off, and squeezes her legs; he doesn't miss the underlying intention behind the move, and he can't say he doesn't appreciate it. ]
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Date: 2019-09-03 04:44 pm (UTC)I don't think I ever want to walk on my own again.
[ It's teasing, but there is that hint of truth behind it. She likes this, why would she ever give it up???? ]
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Date: 2019-09-03 10:04 pm (UTC)[ It's absolutely a tease, because who would do that, but then Harry might if she started insisting, so what does he know. ]
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Date: 2019-09-03 10:22 pm (UTC)[ Honestly. He was strong, easy on the eyes, and eager to agree with her ridiculous whim. Even if this had started off as a ploy to see whether he'd be agreeable to the idea or not... the outcome was definitely nice enough. ]
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Date: 2019-09-05 12:47 pm (UTC)Good answer.
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Date: 2019-09-05 03:15 pm (UTC)I'm a princess, all my answers are good.
[ She's teasing, mostly, fingers gripping at his shirt as he's a little rougher in the way he shifts her again. ]
Once we're in the dorm hall, it's up the stairs and down the left hall.
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Date: 2019-09-05 03:46 pm (UTC)[ Teasing's fine. Teasing's great. No protesting from here. He cackles a little at the grip on his shirt, and quickens his pace, passing through the front doors when they get there. ]
Yes ma'am. How's the ride so far?
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Date: 2019-09-05 04:35 pm (UTC)The ride is very enjoyable so far, thank you.
[ Even with him picking up speed like that-
There's something nice about the fact that he's not treating her like she'll break if he's rough or goes fast. Thrilling, almost. ]
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Date: 2019-09-06 05:22 pm (UTC)He snickers at her words, and when he gets to the turn he makes it, trotting his way through. ]
Where to next?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-10 02:17 am (UTC)End of the hall, stairway on the right.
[ Yes it's a spiral stairway.
Yes she has a tower room. Sorry not sorry about all those stairs, Harry. ]