Second Floor Common Room [Tuesday Early Afternoon]

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

The facts were these: Ned was baking a pie again. He'd almost tried to theme this particular pie with that of a volcano but the volcano was long gone and so was that idea. Ned didn't really want to simulate lava in a pie anyway.

He'd chosen a new recipe this time, something he'd never baked before and had set out to prep and cook in the common room.

He wouldn't call this a routine yet but it was relaxing. And it was nice to get out of his room and do something besides annoy himself with all his issues.

[Open common room is open. Work is boring. I am hungry.]

Comments

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Another fruit," he told her, smiling lightly. "Kinda like a strawberry only different shape, taste and texture. If you like strawberries, you'd probably like these."

He stopped his thumb for a moment only so he could put each finger against her jaw, comparing skin colors, touching skin, trying to hold onto whatever was causing his lack of nerves right now.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

She kinda wanted to ask what he was doing, because she'd apparent;y absorbed his nerves, but in the best way. It was like her stomach was jumping, but in a nice way, and she wasn't scared, it was just...different.

"Are they red, too? I like bright colors a lot."

Even Kaylee knew that was kind of an inane thing to say.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"They're red," he said, taking his eyes off his fingers to meet hers and kind of smile a little. "I wouldn't bake you a dark pie. I know better."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Oh, good. Am I that obvious?" she laughed softly.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"No," he said and shook his head, eyes going back to his fingers which were tracing circles on her cheek now. "I just happen to know pies. And you. A little."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"You know me pretty good," she corrected softly. "I ain't too complicated."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"You don't really know me though," he said, looking back at her eyes. "I'm sorry about that."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee smiled and shrugged. "I like what I know, though."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"You might change your mind," he said, eyes going back to his fingers against her cheeks, "if you knew all of it."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I'm pretty sure there ain't nothin' that could make me change my mind," she said quietly.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I got the pie off your face awhile ago," he said, seemingly randomly telling her that. And still keeping his fingers against cheek.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"That's good," she said absently. "Pie on face ain't attractive. Usually."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"It was on you," he said and blushed even harder, scrunching up his nose and eyes and trying to make it go away.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee beamed at him. "Yeah?"

It was the nicest compliment she'd gotten in recent memory.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Nice enough that I think I should call you Pie Face," he said, trying not to laugh. Trying trying trying. And failing. "Or Kaylee."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

Kaylee made a face. "'I'd rather you call me my real name than Pie Face. But Kaylee works too."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"What's your real name?" Ned asked, thrown by that and stopping the movement of his fingers to just rest them on her cheek.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Kaywinnit Lee Frye," she said, blushing faintly. "There's a reason it's Kaylee."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Kaywinnit Lee Frye," he repeated carefully. "I like it. It's different. I like Kaylee though too. I'll call you Kaylee. That's who you are to me. Who I like."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Don't tell no one the other name, either," she said, smiling softly. "It's a secret."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I won't, I promise," he said and tapped her cheek with his fingers. "Wanna know my real name?"

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

She nodded, an eyebrow going up.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Ned," he said and spelled it out with his thumb against her cheek. And tried to keep a straight face.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

She didn't even try to not laugh. "Wow, y'learn somethin' new every day, right?"

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Some people might know my name," he said which was true. He hadn't met a whole ton of people since arriving. "And now you know for sure. Good, right?"