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]

Taking a last bite of his sandwich, Grant looks up at her, a warm smile on his face. "Yeah. I don't...I don't have family anywhere else, so I'll be there. I was...that is..." He pauses, his foot shifting against hers under the table. "Um...I'd really like to spend Christmas morning with you, if you wanted."

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I'd like that." She finishes her own sandwich, pressing her foot against his. "We could--"

Beep-beep!

"--eat pie now," she concludes, giggling at the interruption as she springs from her chair again. "Hang on--I'll be right back."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Grant can almost feel the wave of relief washing over him as Mar'i agrees to the idea. They'd already spent Thanksgiving together, but that had been a rather impromptu celebration, brought on by the trickery of certain members of the Justice League. This is a little different - almost like another date, but with far more people there.

He laughs in response to her giggling, then rises from the table, taking his cup with him, looking at Mar'i's and taking hers as well. Following her into the kitchen, Grant moves toward the kettle. "I could do with some more tea. You?" he asks, picking up the kettle, heading toward the sink.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Yes, please." She pulls the pie out of the oven and frowns a little, reaching for a knife. "I'm not very good at cutting these...." She starts cutting, then looks over at him. "Uh, I hope you don't want ice cream with your pie. I don't think I have any right now."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Grant stands at the sink, filling up the kettle, then plugging it in as Mar'i pulls the pie out of the oven, setting it on the counter. Upon hearing the "I'm not very good at cutting these..." comment, he turns, tilting his head to the side curiously, then walks over to her, standing behind her.

"Here, let me give you a hand with that," he says softly. Placing his left hand gently on her hip, Grant reaches out with his right, his chest resting lightly against her shoulder, and guides her hand. One slice, then two. "And don't worry about the ice cream, ok?" he asks, hand still resting on hers.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Her cheek brushes his as she turns her head to kiss him. "I won't."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Grant's hand falls away from hers as she turns toward him, and he leans forward, kissing her softly, her words whispered against his lips. The kiss ends a moment later, his hand still resting on her hip. "Ah..." he fumbles, looking briefly at the pie, then back at her, color rising in his cheeks. It was just a kiss, you dork...

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

She searches his face, looking worried. "Did I do something wrong?"

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"Huh? No, of course not," Grant replies, meeting her gaze. "Just surprised me, that's all." There's something there behind his expression, but he's trying to suppress it. She did all this work for him to make this night absolutely perfect - the last thing he wants to do is ruin any of that. "Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?" he asks, hoping to head off any other questions.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I guess that depends on how you define 'lately.'" She's still regarding him seriously, but she turns away soon to open another cabinet and take out two small plates. "Could you get forks?"

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"Sure thing," Grant says, pulling away from her, heading to the silverware drawer, pulling out two forks. "Oh, the tea!" he says quickly, hearing the kettle boil, unplugging it. He frowns for a moment, trying to remember what she did before, then spies the teapot. Removing the lid, he pours the water of the leaves, allowing it to brew for a little while, looking back at her, resting against the counter.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Two slices of pie go on two plates, and Mar'i takes them back to the table.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

Pouring two cups of the fragrant tea, Grant picks them up and grabs the forks, then returns to the table, setting Mar'i's fork and cup in front of her, kissing her lightly on the cheek, and then returns to his seat. "It smells incredible," Grant says, flashing her a smile as he picks up his fork, eyeing the delectable baked good.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

She summons up a smile as she sits down and digs in. "I didn't think to ask what kind of pie you'd like, but most people like apple."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"As long as it's hot, apple pie is great. I'm not usually big on fruit pies, but apple is one of my favorites," he says, rambling. Stabbing at the flaky crust, Grant's smile widens. He pops the forkful of pie into his mouth, chewing thoughfully, then giving a contented sigh. "Oh, wow...Mar'i, you're going to have to take me to that bakery."

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I can do that, sure. They don't have very good coffee, but no one goes there for the coffee anyway." It's good pie. She doesn't hesitate to work through her slice, but her eyes never leave him.

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"That's alright," Grant says, looking up at her, surprised to see that she's looking directly at him. He pauses, lifting a hand to his face. "Do I need a napkin?" he asks. Do I need a napkin? Wow...Grant lays the fork down, a few bites of his slice remaining. "What is it?"

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

She sighs and puts her fork down, her own slice unfinished. "I keep thinking there's something you want to tell me, only you haven't, and I don't know if I should ask you, even though I want to know, but if you don't want to tell me, I can't make you."

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

So this is it, then...

"Oh..." he replies, casting his eyes down toward the table, not able to look at her at the moment. "I didn't..." Grant pauses, bring his hand to his face again, rubbing gently at his forehead.

"Everything was wonderful. The food. The condo. You. I...I didn't want to screw any of that up..." he murmurs, trying to buy a little time. Somehow, he'd hoped he could keep this from her forever.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Whatever it is--" She reaches out to take his hand. "Whatever it is, I promise I'll listen very carefully. X'hal bear witness."