Baby, it's cold outside....

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Their first date had been a picnic, but it's really not good picnic weather any more. Mar'i can withstand the cold of space, but she much prefers warmer temperatures, and of course Grant doesn't have her advantages. She grins at the memory of him in the EVA suit on the moon, while she'd flown around free of such restrictions. The look of awe on his face when they visited Tranquility Base, though ... both of them careful not to disturb the famous landing site. Thanks to her ability to carry him in flight, he'd been able to see the footprints of the Apollo 11 crew, still preserved in the lunar soil.

She doesn't get to entertain much at her condo. Public identity or not, she's cautious about inviting people over, so none of her classmates from the university have visited. Study sessions have always been held in the library or at someone else's residence. But Titans--Titans are always welcome.

Especially the Titan who's coming over tonight.

She hums happily to herself as she moves about in the kitchen. She isn't a very good cook (especially when she measures herself against Alfred or even her stepmother or Aurora), but she has portobellos marinating in the refrigerator, ready to be grilled and served with a green salad.

Now, where did she put those kaiser rolls?

Comments

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

It doesn't snow in San Francisco, not with any kind of regularity, but it is blustery and the days are growing colder. Although another picnic would have been nice, he'd much prefer to be indoors. This, of course, is his first visit to Mar'i's condo and even though they've been dating for the better part of two months now, he still is rather surprised that she has extended him an invitation into her home. Truthfully, there are moments where he is convinced that he is dreaming.

Although it's been a while since their first date, they've shared several moments together, alone and in the company of others, most recently in the gym at Titans Tower. Grant had been rather shocked when Mar'i expressed concern that he might leave the team - he hoped that he'd assured her otherwise.

I just got here. I have too many reasons to leave now.

That Mar'i is one of those reason should be rather obvious - it is to him, anyway. A smile crosses his face as he walks up the stairs to her front door, pausing as he reaches the landing. Much like on their first date, Grant is wearing one of the outfits Kory and Bette had picked out for him when he'd first returned to the team.

She had told him earlier that he didn't need to bring anything with him, that she would prepare everything. It was only fair after all the trouble he gone to set up the picnic, she'd said. A quick glance down to the wrapped bundle in his hand and a small sigh later, and Grant knocks on the door.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"No problem," Grant says, disappearing into the dining area for a moment, setting the salad bowl in the middle of the table. He returns, heading for the indicated cabinet, drawing out a couple of bowls, then begins checking the drawers. "There we are," he says quietly, pulling out a couple of forks, then returning to the dining table, setting everything out. Surveying his handiwork briefly, then pokes his head back into the kitchen. "How's everything looking in here?"

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

He doesn't look up at her as she takes his hand in hers, his eyes straying to their joined hands, fingers tightening within hers. Four years he'd spent away from the Titans, two of which had been specifically devoted to dealing with this thing. Now, when he's come to it at last, to dealing with this again, he wants nothing more than to run out the door, to bolt from the table, to catch a bus back to his grubby apartment in Newark. Somehow, telling this wonderful woman whom he has come to care for very much about what happened...it becomes more terrifying than any super-villain he's ever squared off againt.

"Remember...when you told me about...about Ibn?" he asks quietly, his attention still firmly fixed on their joined hands. "I told you that sometimes...people don't tell others what's going on with them because they think it would hurt more to tell the truth than to keep it inside?"

Grant breathes a heavy sigh, giving her a hand a firm squeeze. "You saw it the day we met, that there was something about me...the way I acted if you touched me or came too close. And..." His voice falters, eyes squeezing shut. "I'm sorry..."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

He wanted something lighthearted to watch with her, so after the dishes were clean, Grant had selected Mar'i's copy of My Fair Lady. The space between them on the couch had been small, but it was noticeable. Grant had anticipated that she would have been hesitant to be close to him after the talk, that she would have been nervous to touch him.

Once Eliza Doolittle began singing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," Grant reached out to the Tamaranean, pulling her close, letting her shoulder rest against his side. Although they haven't talked about it, he can tell that physical contact and affection are very important to her. Is he still nervous? Of course. But he won't let that stop him from letting her know how much he cares for her as much as he is able.

The movie ends, and Grant rises from the sofa to gather his things, then moves to the door, holding Mar'i's hand, watching her face intently. "Can we do this again soon?"