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[paged]

hit me with your best shot ❢ meme continuations ❢ aus ❢ idek

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[paged]

[ She smirks into her hand before leaning back in her chair, ]

Yeah, well, I'm determined to forge my path the way I want it. Anything that gets in my way... needs to look the fuck out.

[ She giggles at the end of that, reaching up to cover her mouth as the waiter came back at that time to refill their glasses right as she says that.

She offers a weak 'sorry'. ]

[endlesswar]

[The waiter is more than happy to comply. They're a nice couple having a good time.]

Hey. You gotta do what you gotta do. We're only here once.

[Which is another way to perfectly legitimize every decision from here on out.]

Why would anything try and stop you?

[paged]

[ She waits until the waiter leaves before answering him, taking up her glass again. ]

Nothing's worse than decisions being made for us.

[ Her tone is more somber, carries the weight of experience before she takes another swallow of wine. She doesn't need to think about her brother right now. Doesn't want to. ]

[endlesswar]

That....yeah.

[The whole mood is brought to the brink of an indistinct precipice that their brief relationship so far is not yet ready to traverse. Frank knows when to back off. Now is a good time time to do that.]

It's all part of developing into a person you're meant to be.

[He lightly clears his throat.]

How're you feeling about dessert now?

[paged]

[ She's silent for a long moment, trying to swallow down the morose mood that decided to crop up at that line of discussion. She shakes her head, ]

I think I'm ready for that shrimp alfredo, actually.

[endlesswar]

[His brows lift and a smile slowly spreads over his mouth.]

I'll get the waiter.

[paged]

[ She gives a nod of thanks.

But in the end, she only manages to get halfway through the plate. That and the tiramisu comes with her in her to-go bags along with some more bread. She finishes up the rest of her wine as she empties out the cash from her wallet. Feeling like she could use a wine to-go.

When she stands up her equilibrium already feels a little off. ]

I think we need to take the subway back...

[ There's no way she's walking back like this. ]

[endlesswar]

[Frank uses just a little bread to sop up his sauce like he so longed to. And he's not about to encroach on a lady's dessert. He gets his cannolis to go, thanks. As discussed they go dutch. And he is more than happy to figure out the tip and everything. When they're rare and square he has his own doggie bag.]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[The smile comes free and easy, wine has loosened him up. Not to the point of reeling.]

Shall we?

[He offers her his arm because it's polite and he'd hate for her to take a tumble and compromise the precious cargo.]

[paged]

[ A part of her wants to resist taking his arm but she knows damn well she needs the support. She's not hammered but she's definitely buzzed. She takes the arm with a polite 'thank you' and tries not to lean on him while they walk.

Sometimes she manages it and other times she's almost laying her head on his shoulder before straightening herself back up. ]

[endlesswar]

Thanks, have a great night.

[That's Frank to the hostess. He is taking steady, measured steps saying nothing but offering stability for Karen. She still has her wits about her.

Right?]

Got everything?

[Alllll the take out.]

[paged]

[ She adds, to the hostess, remembering there was one: ]

Thank you so much! It was all delicious!

[ Trying her best not to slur the words with more 's' sounds in them. And she nods at Frank, holding up her plastic bag, reinforced with another bag just to make sure none of it would fall out. The night air is a little chilly when they walk out into it. ]

Thank you for taking me there. I probably never would've found it on my own.

[endlesswar]

[There are enough people about as a buffer. More noise in the room. Frank is smiling. Not a thing amiss or anything at all.]

I'm glad you were game to try something new. Any time I can find a true fan of Italian cuisine is a great time.

[He grins at her and leads them to the nearest subway entrance to the underground.]

[paged]

[ She tries her best to mind her steps on the stairs, not wanting a spill of any variety. ]

There are plenty of people on campus like that. Haven't you seen the trash cans overflowing with pizza boxes?

[endlesswar]

I like pizza as much as the next person. That's not what you call authentic. No way.

[He's the solid rock here, and they take one step at a time. Easy progression. To counterbalance Karen, he's got his own doggie bag in his other hand.]

You know what I'm talking about, real home cooking.

[paged]

[ Karen snorts as she uses his steadiness to guide herself. ]

I haven't had home cooking in... years.

[ The closest she gets is restaurant food and she spends most holiday breaks on her own despite the invites from her friends to come meet their families. ]

[endlesswar]

None of your roomies handy around the kitchen, huh?

[And judging by their previous conversations maybe her home life wasn't the sort to nurture a Norman Rockwell image.

Phew. Now at the bottom of the steps they head to the turnstile.]

Same stop as the university for you right?

[paged]

[ She laughs at that, ]

They try but we're better at sticking to simple pre-made stuff. Or just stuff like salads.

[ Not the healthiest but also why they exercise and try to stick to salads and fruit. ]

Uh, yeah. I can walk to my place from there.

[endlesswar]

[Easy to smile and laugh with her. He nods his head.]

Ah. So this is were we part ways?

[Because it feels so soon. Frank tries not to project his disappointment.]

[paged]

[ She smiles to herself, ducking her head. ]

Pretty sure you wouldn't think highly of me if I invited you back to my place...

[ Because yeah, he was handsome, cute. Showed her a good time. And they were just having fun on a date, right? ]

[endlesswar]

[The curve of his smile simmers and he reaches up to tuck a strand of hair back into place.]

Hey. It's cool. I just want to be sure you make it home okay. I did promise to roll you back if necessary. Didn't include an invite that I recall specifically.

[paged]

[ She smiles more at the gesture, surprised and charmed by the gentleness of it. ]

No, it didn't.

[ She bites down on her bottom lip a little before adding, ]

That's why I'm asking now.

[ Because he's smart, he's funny, handsome. He's not like the other guys that tried to angle for more before and it's what makes her actually want to say 'yes' to the idea this time. That and she hasn't been laid in months. ]

[endlesswar]

Lead the way, Miss Page.

[That's a yes and then some. Frank doesn't get going immediately because the expression on her face is goddamn incredible.]

How on earth would I think less of you.

[paged]

[ She shrugs, still smiling but starting to walk again, tugging him with her, ]

Guys do that. Which is bullshit because a lot of them want sex but then call a girl a "slut" if she says yes after the first date.

[endlesswar]

[Happily he follows closely. She might be unsteady on her feet still so that's another reason.]

Oh, I know. Don't make a lick of sense. Not like sex is a one person act. Even if nothing happens, I've had a wonderful time.

[paged]

[ She allows herself to lean on him a little more as they walk to the landing for the train. She can already feel it coming through her feet before she hears it echoing off the walls. ]

God forbid women know what they want sexually.

[ But she nods, ]

I have, too. I... wasn't expecting it.