[ problem is, Dick Grayson is not someone who's good at having difficult conversations. he's more used to pushing them aside until they come to a head, yet Margaery pushes on and he sighs at his phone, reading the message a few times over. ]
I am, and I want that.
[ so then why does he sound so hesitant? it's the commitment, the closeness, the reflex to run as soon as it gets real, before he can fuck it up and have to watch it burn. how the hell can he put that into words for her? and is he fucking it up already??
Hey, yeah, I--know it's a boomer move but I can't express things over text sometimes.
[ alright, he needs to chill the fuck out because he's pretty sure she can hear the nerves in his voice. ]
And I wanted to hear your voice.
[ nice save, Grayson. ]
We should talk, right? About what it means to be exclusive? About us? I like you, Margaery. [ a pause, like even he's in awe of what he just said. ] I really really like you.
No, no. I don't mind, really. I prefer calls to texts when possible.
[ she does hear the nerves in his voice, which puts a lot more context into his hesitance. her tone remains steady, although when he confesses, it's impossible to keep herself from smiling. ]
I really really like you too, Dick. I can't stop thinking about you. Do you know how strange that is? I have a hundred things that could occupy my thoughts and instead, I'm just wondering what you're doing and wishing I could tell you every little detail about my day because I want you to know about it somehow.
So, yeah. I'd like for us to only date each other, if that's alright. I'm ready to call you my boyfriend, but if that's too soon or too much, I'm happy with just dates, too. And we can figure it out as we go.
[ Margaery hesitates before adding, ]
Remember what you told me at your place? I'm not going anywhere, either. So take your time, because we have plenty.
[ so what she's saying is that he should call her more. that's fine, he can do that. her words pull a smile across his face and settle the quivery feeling inside him.
how is it that she stays so honest? so open? ]
Yeah, we do, don't we? [ she'll hear the smile in his voice now as he warms and agrees. ]
But...if I can spend more of it being your boyfriend, why wouldn't I? I'll be your boyfriend if you'll be my girlfriend and we can only date each other. Not like I've been seeing anyone else.
[ a breath of a laugh. ]
That whole thing, I just didn't want it to be forcing us into something if it's too rushed, but you're right. It's something we were bound to talk about sooner or later, and if we're both ready, then we're ready.
[ she's closed her eyes at some point while he's talking, and the sound of his laugh makes her ache - in a good way. the fact that she's spent hours already snuggled up to him and knows how it feels when his chest shakes with amusement and the way she can catch a stronger whiff of his aftershave sometimes - all good things. the best things. ]
Dick Grayson.
[ he can probably hear her smile now, as clear as day. ]
Will you be my boyfriend? Will you promise to let me bring you meals during long shifts and accept all my random texts throughout the day as just an integral part of my charm?
[ heβs grinning, hearing the smile in her voice as she says his name. thereβs something so sweet about hearing that, like it belongs there, uttered in her voice.
and he laughs, low and warm and so charmed. ]
Yes, Margaery Tyrell, I will. You can bring me anything you want, whenever you want, and Iβll take all your texts, even if itβs to share the smallest little thing youβre doing with your day.
[ she laughs too, her smile so wide that it almost hurts, and maybe it's a good thing he's not here because she would just get shy about being so openly happy - ]
Thank you.
[ at least she's not embarrassed about the tender note in her voice. ]
And hey. This is new for me, too. Whatever happens, we can talk and figure it out together, but I think we've got the most important part down. But, now that I have your attention, I'd like to take you out this weekend. Do you like arcades?
[ is he really that obvious? that itβs the unknown that scares him about being in this territory?
she acknowledges it like itβs nothing at all, holds all that joy in her tone, all that vulnerability, then playfully suggests their next date. heβs got a handful. the thought lands so fond and soft in his heart. ]
Of course I like arcades. [ he has brothers, and an unhealthy competitive streak. ] You think our relationship is ready for that level, though? I canβt guarantee Iβm gonna go easy on you once Iβm in it, Margaery.
[ her laugh rings with delight; the sound of someone who might be equally competitive. ] Maybe I don't want you to go easy on me. Maybe I want to see who can win the most games to get a better prize for the other person.
[ a deliberate pause. when Margaery speaks again, her voice is lower. huskier. ]
And maybe if you win, I already have some rewards for you in mind.
[ he recognizes the way she laughs, the way her tone is laced with the promise of a good opponent, one who challenges him just the way he likes it. his smile tempers to something darker as he leans back in his chair and gets sucked right into her. ]
Yeah? So--let me get this straight. If you win the most games, then I get a good prize, and if I win, I get to discover what rewards you have in mind?
[ god. she loves all of his laughs, but that one has her biting her lip and shifting in her seat. it may or may not help that some of the rewards she has in mind aren't exactly kid-friendly.
that is exactly how she thinks he'll sound when they finally get around to playing with blindfolds and - ]
Exactly. [ it's fine if she sounds a little more breathless, it works in her favor. ] So don't go easy on me, because I really... really wanna reward you. And if you're anything like me, you don't like an easy win either.
[ he might kick her ass in the shooting games, but she's got a pretty good shot when it comes to the driving ones. ]
[ his voice drops like he's going to let her in on a secret, the same way her words hold that promise in them. he had a feeling sheβd have a hot bedroom voice, and she doesnβt disappoint. it takes him up a notch immediately, starts him simmering in that breathy tone. ]
Do you? Then youβll like me calling you baby when I get that reward, then. I think itβs gonna sound a lot better, if youβre gonna do half of what Iβm imagining you'll do.
[ her laughter this time is low and scattered, a string of pearls unleashed after tension. her voice, though, is equally breathless. ]
I think so too, baby, especially because you already have an idea of how adventurous I can get. Do you want to hear a preview anyway? I'd be happy to give you something to think about until we see each other again.
[ he's going to be thinking about her plenty until next time, and the yearning is already so built up, with all the teasing they've been doing, all the graphic words they've been trading as if they had been partners for years, rather than two people who've never even gotten a taste. ]
Yeah, tell me.
[ and fuck if her laugh doesn't make him imagine just how she'd react watching him fall apart for her. would she be as delighted? his own voice lowers, smooth and husky and intimate. ]
Give me a preview of what you'd do if I won all those games for you.
[ her exhale is low, but maybe he can pick up on it anyway, with the tension between them over this call. ]
I'd make you take me somewhere isolated with your bike. Off-road, or a parking lot empty for the night. Somewhere closer than either of our places because I won't want to wait.
[ pause for effect, or maybe she's also seeing it in her mind's eye, if her forced slow breathing is any indication. ]
Have you ever had someone give you a blowjob while you're up against against your bike?
[ heβs practically holding his breath to pick up on a her little sounds, of course he hears the way she exhales.
he hums in return, something quiet and involuntary as she paints a picture that pools warm wanting in his body. ]
Mmβno. Canβt say that I have. Itβd hold me up, though. Itβd be warm against me while you get on your knees in front of me. You wouldnβt tease me too much, would you? I wouldnβt want to wait, either.
No. [ immediate, but soft. ] When we're exposed like that, I won't tease. And chances are, I'll be equally eager, if not even more so. Just being around you... [ she trails off before she sighs, ] it's magnetic. I can't help but want to touch you.
[ not just in inappropriate ways, but the way she likes to lean into him, or cling to his arm, or even hug him from behind - all of that is completely new, too. ]
Why do you think I don't want to wait until you take me home? I want to give into the way I feel about you, and make you feel it, too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I am, and I want that.
[ so then why does he sound so hesitant? it's the commitment, the closeness, the reflex to run as soon as it gets real, before he can fuck it up and have to watch it burn. how the hell can he put that into words for her? and is he fucking it up already??
he calls. ring ring. ]
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the surprise is short-lived. she picks up immediately, already starting to smile appreciatively at the way he's taking initiative. it's a good sign.
when she speaks, her voice is soft, ]
Hey. I'm glad you called.
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[ alright, he needs to chill the fuck out because he's pretty sure she can hear the nerves in his voice. ]
And I wanted to hear your voice.
[ nice save, Grayson. ]
We should talk, right? About what it means to be exclusive? About us? I like you, Margaery. [ a pause, like even he's in awe of what he just said. ] I really really like you.
no subject
[ she does hear the nerves in his voice, which puts a lot more context into his hesitance. her tone remains steady, although when he confesses, it's impossible to keep herself from smiling. ]
I really really like you too, Dick. I can't stop thinking about you. Do you know how strange that is? I have a hundred things that could occupy my thoughts and instead, I'm just wondering what you're doing and wishing I could tell you every little detail about my day because I want you to know about it somehow.
So, yeah. I'd like for us to only date each other, if that's alright. I'm ready to call you my boyfriend, but if that's too soon or too much, I'm happy with just dates, too. And we can figure it out as we go.
[ Margaery hesitates before adding, ]
Remember what you told me at your place? I'm not going anywhere, either. So take your time, because we have plenty.
no subject
how is it that she stays so honest? so open? ]
Yeah, we do, don't we? [ she'll hear the smile in his voice now as he warms and agrees. ]
But...if I can spend more of it being your boyfriend, why wouldn't I? I'll be your boyfriend if you'll be my girlfriend and we can only date each other. Not like I've been seeing anyone else.
[ a breath of a laugh. ]
That whole thing, I just didn't want it to be forcing us into something if it's too rushed, but you're right. It's something we were bound to talk about sooner or later, and if we're both ready, then we're ready.
no subject
Dick Grayson.
[ he can probably hear her smile now, as clear as day. ]
Will you be my boyfriend? Will you promise to let me bring you meals during long shifts and accept all my random texts throughout the day as just an integral part of my charm?
no subject
and he laughs, low and warm and so charmed. ]
Yes, Margaery Tyrell, I will. You can bring me anything you want, whenever you want, and Iβll take all your texts, even if itβs to share the smallest little thing youβre doing with your day.
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Thank you.
[ at least she's not embarrassed about the tender note in her voice. ]
And hey. This is new for me, too. Whatever happens, we can talk and figure it out together, but I think we've got the most important part down. But, now that I have your attention, I'd like to take you out this weekend. Do you like arcades?
no subject
she acknowledges it like itβs nothing at all, holds all that joy in her tone, all that vulnerability, then playfully suggests their next date. heβs got a handful. the thought lands so fond and soft in his heart. ]
Of course I like arcades. [ he has brothers, and an unhealthy competitive streak. ] You think our relationship is ready for that level, though? I canβt guarantee Iβm gonna go easy on you once Iβm in it, Margaery.
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[ a deliberate pause. when Margaery speaks again, her voice is lower. huskier. ]
And maybe if you win, I already have some rewards for you in mind.
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Yeah? So--let me get this straight. If you win the most games, then I get a good prize, and if I win, I get to discover what rewards you have in mind?
[ his laugh is smoked honey. ]
There's no downside, baby.
no subject
that is exactly how she thinks he'll sound when they finally get around to playing with blindfolds and - ]
Exactly. [ it's fine if she sounds a little more breathless, it works in her favor. ] So don't go easy on me, because I really... really wanna reward you. And if you're anything like me, you don't like an easy win either.
[ he might kick her ass in the shooting games, but she's got a pretty good shot when it comes to the driving ones. ]
Also, I like it when you call me baby.
no subject
[ his voice drops like he's going to let her in on a secret, the same way her words hold that promise in them. he had a feeling sheβd have a hot bedroom voice, and she doesnβt disappoint. it takes him up a notch immediately, starts him simmering in that breathy tone. ]
Do you? Then youβll like me calling you baby when I get that reward, then. I think itβs gonna sound a lot better, if youβre gonna do half of what Iβm imagining you'll do.
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I think so too, baby, especially because you already have an idea of how adventurous I can get. Do you want to hear a preview anyway? I'd be happy to give you something to think about until we see each other again.
no subject
Yeah, tell me.
[ and fuck if her laugh doesn't make him imagine just how she'd react watching him fall apart for her. would she be as delighted? his own voice lowers, smooth and husky and intimate. ]
Give me a preview of what you'd do if I won all those games for you.
no subject
I'd make you take me somewhere isolated with your bike. Off-road, or a parking lot empty for the night. Somewhere closer than either of our places because I won't want to wait.
[ pause for effect, or maybe she's also seeing it in her mind's eye, if her forced slow breathing is any indication. ]
Have you ever had someone give you a blowjob while you're up against against your bike?
no subject
he hums in return, something quiet and involuntary as she paints a picture that pools warm wanting in his body. ]
Mmβno. Canβt say that I have. Itβd hold me up, though. Itβd be warm against me while you get on your knees in front of me. You wouldnβt tease me too much, would you? I wouldnβt want to wait, either.
no subject
[ not just in inappropriate ways, but the way she likes to lean into him, or cling to his arm, or even hug him from behind - all of that is completely new, too. ]
Why do you think I don't want to wait until you take me home? I want to give into the way I feel about you, and make you feel it, too.