Such a quiet joy, knowing I'm your pick-up fix.

[youfallback]

Who: Carolina and York
What: Their final date Just a totally normal night followed by not-normal angst.
When: Night of the 19th into the morning of the 20th
Where: Carolina and York's room
Rating: PG-13 to start


[Carolina's not been planning this date night for too long, but it's nice to have these little breaks from the drama that comes standard with the Castle. She's glad to see more of her team here, but there's always that slight shift in the dynamic that requires work to juggle. The date night is welcome by the time the week wraps up and as she starts tugging her dress on. Mostly everything is already set up, her quarters decked out in fancier trimmings than usual. Candles lend their soft glow to the ambiance and the low tinklings of music drifting from her stereo are light enough to easily be talked over.

Overall, though, she would consider the whole week to have been productive, considering they finally got the chip in her helmet to hopefully jog her memories if she ever disappeared. And tonight is a way to celebrate everything that's been slowly going right since the mess that was the season before. Well, that and an excuse to get all dressed up and eat fantastic food, which is what she'd told York that morning.

It's just a minute before 1800 that things finally get set all in place and she sits on the couch to wait.]

Comments

[encryptedlock]

[And as per their unspoken agreement, York doesn't make it back until 1800 himself - though he's taken the time to remove his armor down at his almost-never-used room one floor down. He's in a nice suit, though in his opinion it doesn't hold a candle to that dress of hers.

He knocks at the door at 1800, flowers in his hand.]

Evening, beautiful.

[youfallback]

[Carolina glances up at the door when he knocks, grinning as she pulls it open and immediately invites him back in. Part of what she loves the most about dressing up is the element of surprise. York has his own bit of surprise with the flowers and his own suit. Sure, she doesn't verbalize it as much, but he cuts such a fine figure. Instead of the usual wait for him to do the leaning in, Carolina will step right up again for a quick kiss.]

Hey, handsome, are those for me or Tardy?

[encryptedlock]

[York smiles brightly and kisses her back quickly before handing the flowers over.]

These are for you. The fruit basket I ordered for later is for him.

[He inhales deeply, partly to catch the scent of the roses and partly out of an intense satisfaction.]

You look great, too.

[He shuts the door behind him and places an arm around her companionably.]

[youfallback]

[With a grin, Carolina accepts the roses and wishes up a vase to put them in, which she can conveniently set on the counter, too. But right now he's got his arm around her and she's fine with staying put for a few moments longer.] Thanks. Ready for dinner?

[The kitchen table's been moved from its usual spot, the couches pushed out and a series of pillows settled in front of the fire, with covered trays sitting just beside them.]

[encryptedlock]

Always.

[He moves over but doesn't sit down just yet. This looks quite interesting and maybe just a little decadent.]

What do we have? Besides, you know, the excellent company.

[youfallback]

[Carolina stands next to him, before realizing that she forgot to set out the glasses and the champagne. Well, she can always wish them up.

And so she does, glasses first, to set on the stone in front of the fireplace, followed by the bottle.]

Finger foods. We're trying something different tonight.

[encryptedlock]

And champagne? I like where this is going.

[He'll take a seat and motion her to come join him on the cushions. Finger foods means at least a little feeding each other, doesn't it?]

[youfallback]

[Oh it definitely does. Carolina does indeed come join him on the cushions, settling down nice and close before reaching for the first tray of food. Underneath the foil are a myriad of finger foods, from fruit to small hor d'oeuvres with bits of chicken or seafood.

She'll reach over to start pouring the champagne into the two glasses.] I like where it's going, too.

[encryptedlock]

Good.

[His grin gets wider as she takes the cover off the tray, and he snuggles a little with her before grabbing one of the finger foods.]

Is it a pretty random selection, or do you have a theme?

[youfallback]

[It's more or less a random assortment and Carolina's not about to pretend otherwise.] Figured randomizing it would get a good chance of us finding things we like.

[Once the champagne's poured, she'll set one glass on the floor next to him and hers on her side. However, once that's all settled, she'll grab a little cracker+meat in fingers, raising her eyebrows at him.] Ready?

[encryptedlock]

I'm ready.

[He raises an eyebrow and looks at her questioningly. Is the idea to feed each other? He's totally okay with him, if so.]

[youfallback]

[That is definitely the intention and she shifts so she can bring her hand toward his mouth.]

[encryptedlock]

[He'll eat it carefully from her fingertips, only licking them excessively a little tiny bit when he takes his bite.]

Mmm.

[Almost before he's done chewing, it's his turn and he selects a little shrimp thing and holds it out for her.]

[youfallback]

[A little bit of color sneaks up into Carolina's cheeks and neck at the touch of his tongue on her fingers. She also grins just a bit wider at him as she opens her mouth for him. They can pretty much do this anytime from here on out because she is definitely digging it.]

[encryptedlock]

[Oh, good. She does seem to like that little bit of tease-licking. Once he's done chewing he takes a moment to select the next little bite for her.]

This is a great idea.

[youfallback]

[Grinning, Carolina nods and opens her mouth again.] I know.

[If nothing else, her confidence is back in full force after a rough past few months.]

[encryptedlock]

[Good, because that's exactly how he likes to see her. York pops the fried shrimp thing into her mouth and grins. She'd really put a lot of thought into this - he's not sure he could have come up with finger foods without some help.]

How'd you think of it?

[youfallback]

[As he's popping the bit of shrimp into her mouth, she reaches up to try and snag his wrist in order to keep his fingers in her mouth for just a little longer. See if he's into that kind of thing.

So her response is a little delayed if she's successful.]

[encryptedlock]

[Oh yes. He's definitely up for that kind of thing, and York catches his breath as she lets his fingers slide into her mouth.]

Mmm.

[youfallback]

[Carolina grins wider as she not only accepts the little bite of shrimp, but very overtly runs her tongue along his digits as she watches for his reaction.]

[encryptedlock]

[York bites his lip and his eyes light up, a grin suppressed just barely. So this is how she wants to play, is it? He'll rub his thumb against her jaw lightly in response, though he eventually takes his fingers out of her mouth.]

[youfallback]

[She hums appreciatively at the touch on her jaw, but once he plucks his fingers from her mouth, she chews that bit of shrimp and answers him.]

Thought back to when we first started dating. [And York has made all kinds of finger food, but they'd really not been in the correct place to do anything like this.]

[encryptedlock]

I like it.

[Especially when they can cuddle up while they eat.]

I'll have to think of something to top this for next time.

[youfallback]

[Carolina grins as she grabs a little bit of meat and cracker with a cream cheese to stick them together.]

Next date's all you.

[encryptedlock]

Sounds fair.

[He opens his mouth and raises an eyebrow in anticipation. He also scoots a little closer to her so they can rub knees together.]