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

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Why?" she asked, smiling at him and ignoring the little twinge of disappointment. "You're makin' pie. Ain't nothin' to be sorry over when there's pie."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"No, but I am," he said, frowning down at the pie. "I'm no good."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"You're plenty good," she assured him. "You're my favorite person here."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Maybe you just don't know a lot of people," he said, still looking miserable and feeling just about the same.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Nope, I do," she said, and went right up on her toes to press a quick, light kiss to his cheek. "Quit worryin'. I like your smile."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

He blushed and his hand immediately went to where she'd kissed him. He wasn't rubbing it off. He was just...surprised and pleased and surprised and he just wanted to keep that feeling.

"Oh." He blinked and found a somewhere within so she could see it. "Thank you."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Ain't nothin' to thank me for," she assured him, her cheeks flushing a little.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"That was nice," he said, feeling his cheeks heat. "Nicer than...a lot of other things. So, thank you."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I just wanted you to smile," she said, shrugging.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

He looked back down at the pie, still with a small smile on his face. "That's all?"

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Well, not all. But that's what's important now," she replied.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"You're not mad at me?" Ned asked a little nervously.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"Why would I be?" she wondered.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Because I'm..." He made a few gestures with his hands that didn't make any sense. "I'm...awkward."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"We're all awkward, Ned," she pointed out, grinning.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"No, I mean with the..." He gestured again and pointed at her face and wiggled his fingers and winced.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"No, it's okay. I like you," she blurted out, shrugging. "An' whatever your...you know, awkwardness has to do with, that's okay. You take your own time and do what feels right for you. Ain't gonna make me like you less and I ain't gonna get tetchy with you for being all...Ned."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"Okay," he said and tucked his hands into his pockets.

And then winced. Now his pockets were covered in pie mix.

"I mean, it's...I don't usually touch people." He looked a bit uncomfortable. "Or touch them back. It's...there's a reason. But, I liked that. It wasn't bad. I don't want you to think it's you."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I think you just got pie in your pockets," she noted.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I was hoping you didn't notice that," he said, blushing and unable to not laugh.

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"That was kinda silly of you," she pointed out, laughing.

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"I know," he said and continued to blush. "I wasn't think really clearly."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I didn't think it was me," she added. "And you don't need to worry 'bout the touching thing. Seriously. I get it."

[death-and-pies.livejournal.com]

"No, you don't," he said very, very quietly. "But, thank you."

[weefeetbigboots.livejournal.com]

"I can try," she offered.