cartographie | inbox for golden peacock

[ cntd ]

Very proper. [ There's a soft fondness hanging in every word, another manifestation of all that vulnerability she's kept back and out of reach until enough time at the resort made it painfully clear that wasn't an option in a place like this, and Basch made it obvious there was no reason to keep hiding as much of herself as she could. ]

So proper, I think you should make a habit out of it.

[ Which is technically still telling him to, but she's charmed off her guard enough to want to make it clear Basch is welcome to occupy all the time he likes of hers.

As he lifts the sport coat out of her hold, Nami's eyebrows raise as her choice is met with unexpected confidence from Basch. ]

Is that so? [ Her head cocks in the direction of the line of fitting rooms, lips pursed in a barely suppressed grin. ] I'm ready to be impressed.

[ It's good she's that clear she welcomes the solicitation of real dates, because otherwise he'd worry about overstepping. There are still places he's shy with her.

But he does smile, even through his flush, and presses an affectionate kiss to her cheek. ]

Go occupy yourself for ten minutes so I can find the rest.

[ And when he does emerge from the dressing room, he has the sport coat over a well-fitting turtleneck, with oxford style shoes beneath dark slacks. He very much looks ready to drink wine and read books, especially with half his hair pulled back.

And he's clearly shy, even as he shows her. ] Well? Did I do alright?

[ Those ten minutes are spent browsing, pulling things off the rack to drape over her arm for Basch to look over once he rejoins her. Now and then she glances towards the fitting rooms, curious but giving him his space and resisting the urge to heckle. Nami's patience is rewarded after he steps out, perfectly put together.

It's only now, after months of learning and warming, that she can smile so easily while looking him up and down, obviously impressed by how well he knows what he's doing. ]

You didn't even need my help today. You know how handsome you are.

[ He's beet red with nerves and the compliment, but he meets her eyes anyway, smiling at the praise, and smiling at her tender smile. ]

Only because you've taught me. [ He barely resists the urge to fidget, instead reaching out to graze the back of her hand with his knuckles. ] Your approval is...good motivation too. [ There's a flash of hunger in his eyes, the shared memory of countless times she's praised him as he's made her groan with pleasure. ]

[ Maybe it's because she's so used to it, that she only realizes how much she enjoys Basch treating her like a lady, rather than a thief or a pirate. She can't imagine anyone caring about her approval beyond her crew, and his words leave her grinning and leaning in close to kiss his cheek. ]

Everything about you deserves approval. [ She draws back but stays closer to his side than she has been, adjusting the clothes in her arms as though to remind herself of the task at hand. ]

[ He catches her face in his hand, an oddly forward display of affection for being in public, then presses a light kiss to her hair. ]

I believe it when you do it.

[ And that, he knows, is how much he's grown to trust her. ]

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<3 wrapping this one for new things