multiversallogs | I want to rob lumber mills and hospitals with you

Entry tags:

I want to rob lumber mills and hospitals with you

Who: Steph and Kate!
What: A first date!
Where: Kate's place -> a restaurant in Spit Hearth -> TMU. They are busy girls
When: Sukkardi afternoon/night
Notes: Girlfriendsssssss
Warnings: None for now!

Tonight is date night. It's been a while since Steph has had a real date - she doesn't feel like the ones she set up here really count, they were nice, but they were more like spending time with a friend than a real date. This is a real date, her and Kate are somehow officially a couple, despite the fact this is their first date. Of course, the fact there already a couple mitigates some of the usual worries that are associated with a first date - all the questions will she like me, what if we have nothing to talk about, and what's going to be expected at the end of the night are already answered. Steph knows that Kate likes her, she knows they get along well and have plenty to talk about, and she knows at the end of the night they'll go home together because it's where they both live. They're taking things slow, working it out as they go and gently testing the boundaries of what each of them is comfortable with, so a real date is a good place to start feeling out this relationship and deciding exactly how it's going to work. Maybe that's why Steph is still a little nervous, or maybe it's just because it's been labeled a date and she's concerned that's somehow going to make it awkward between them.

Still, that doesn't put a damper on her excitement. She's picked out a nice restaurant (she owes Angela big time, her app was so helpful), she's got plans for after dinner that she hasn't told Kate about, and she spent the last three days repairing a dress she'd bought cheap because it was slightly damaged; she might not have her sewing machine, but it was easy to buy the basics to hand sew. The restaurant is in Spit Hearth, and the booking is for 7:30pm, so Steph plans to be out of the apartment an hour before then, giving them plenty of time to get there. Kate's been informed of this part of the plan, so she's home by the time Steph gets there at a little after 5:30, having come home from work. Steph says a quick hello before slipping into the shower; she lingers there a little longer than she should, hands on her scars as she reminds herself that a) there's going to be no nudity involved tonight, b) Kate's already seen most of her scars and c) even if she hadn't, it wouldn't bother her. Steph's never really been self conscious of her body, gymnastics kept her fit when she was younger, then vigilante training did the same, but the scars are something different. They look so awful, and she gets scared that someone's going to pull away because of them. Eventually she forces herself to stop thinking about, rinses the conditioner out of her hair, and gets out of the shower. It doesn't take her long to dry off, and then she puts on a bathrobe before heading out to the bedroom, figuring she can get dressed out there and free up the bathroom for Kate.

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What is she doing? No, really, what is Kate doing? She has no idea how she ended up here. Granted, she does remember kissing Steph and all that, but the prospect of an actual date seems to cement things into reality. She's already showered and dressed by the time Steph finishes with her routine and Kate finds herself sitting at the foot of the bed, hands on her knees, hair still a bit damp and in need of a decent blowdry.

They're so doing this backwards. Most people do a date first, then get to know the other person, and then decide they are a couple. Kate and Steph are seriously special and maybe this works out better for them. No pressure to impress and with them living together already, they get to skip that awkward stranger phase. But at the same time, it means they are moving faster than most, something that should scare the living daylights out of Kate, but doesn't. That doesn't mean she isn't nervous that tonight needs to be perfect and she still isn't sure how to go about this--Shouldn't they have met at the restaurant? Who gets who the flowers? Will there be a goodnight kiss even when they'll be walking through the same door in the end? All it means is that she just knows Steph isn't going to pressure her into more than what Kate can handle at the moment and to be honest, that's pretty much good enough for Kate.

As for scars, her arm has healed mostly and the infection is long gone, but the skin is still in that awkward shiny state that's wholly obvious in her sleeveless dress. Kate should be awkward, maybe a little ashamed of it, but who is she impressing? Steph knows what it looks like and she knows good and well what it looked like before it scabbed over.

Kate glances up when Steph walks into the room, eyes crinkling up at the corners as she smiles, instinctively happy to see her girlfriend. Her girlfriend. Wow. What a trip.

"Hey."

Steph doesn't exactly have a normal template for what a relationship is supposed to be - she didn't even know Tim's name for a long time - so she doesn't think to question it so much. Sometimes things just don't happen the right way.

"Hey," she can't help smiling back, and honestly, she wouldn't stop herself even if she could. She's so glad they've sorted things out, that they can be open about how they feel. Now she doesn't have to worry what it means when her smiles feel too bright.

There is a moment where she's not sure what to say, but she just shakes her head in amusement at herself and walks over to the closet, "Bathrooms all yours, if you're planning to dry your hair," It's accompanied by a look over her shoulder at Kate, her grin a little teasing. Partly because Steph's not planning to dry her hair; she'll just braid it up, but Kate tends to wear hers down.

She's also glad Kate decided to go for a black and white dress, considering her own is purple and it's probably a little too early in the relationship to go for matching outfits.

"Yeah, I was," Kate replies as she stands up and slips her stockinged feet into a pair of fuzzy purple puppy slippers. "I was trying to decide what to do with it, up or down, straight or curly, or maybe I'll just shave my head." She's familiar enough with both of their personal routines to know that Kate spends a little more time in the bathroom mirror getting ready for certain events. Steph will probably long be done by the time Kate is halfway through.

Now in the still steamy bathroom, Kate blows out the rest of the water in her hair and adds a few loose curls to the short strands. Her hair's beginning to grow out and she makes a mental note to get a trim soon before it gets too out of hand. Makeup's easy as there's not a lot to be added, just some shadow, liner, and mascara, a bit of blush and lipstick. With a step back, Kate twists and turns in front of the mirror that's attach to the back of the bathroom door, and inspects herself. She looks made up, like tonight is special--and it is--but she doesn't look like she's trying too hard. She is nervous, though, and it shows.

"Shave it," said with the straightest face she can manage, although it doesn't last long and she has to turn her back to Kate to hide the smile, occupying herself with grabbing her dress and a pair of tights from the closet. Just before Kate disappears into the bathroom, Steph adds, "I think it looks nice curled."

It feels oddly intimate to tell Kate, even though it's something she'd have said easily before they started dating. She tries not to think too hard about it, knowing she'll end up thinking herself in circles. Anyway, she should be getting dressed, which, as Kate knew, doesn't take her very long. She smooths out her dress, pulls on her boots and then heads into the bathroom.

She carefully keeps out of Kate's way as she grabs a comb and starts brushing the tangles out of her wet hair. But she smiles at her in the mirror, trying to be reassuring; she can tell that Kate's a little nervous.

Kate didn't hear that little addition, but she has curls in her hair anyway. It's not everyday she puts a curling iron near her head, but tonight isn't any other night.

Smiling back, Kate steps out of the way to sit on the bathtub's edge, watching Steph rake the comb through. For a few long seconds, Kate stares at Steph, taking in the way she moves, the way the dress falls along her body, the way her blue eyes sparkle that she's never noticed before. To her, Steph is perfect. There's nothing in her Kate would ever change.

"Are you gonna..." Kate wiggles her fingers near her own hair, indicating any style Steph has in mind. Probably something simple if she knows Steph well enough. She wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be a ponytail.

It's for the best that all those thoughts stay in Kate's head; Steph would be equal parts flattered and amused at how Kate is secretly a giant sap. Even as it is, she notices Kate staring and feels her cheeks flush a little. So, okay, maybe she's not as cool, calm and collected as she's pretending to be.

Kate's also not the only one who is going a little beyond her every day style. She's already parting her hair and starting a french braid on the left side, "I'm gonna see if I can remember how to side braid my hair without making a mess of it." It's been a while since she's put so much effort into her hair, but she wants to do something a little different tonight.

"You have to tell me if it looks terrible," This is Important, Steph feels.

Noticing the pink tinging, Steph's cheeks, Kate quickly glances down at her feet that are in dire need of shoes, trying to pretend like she wasn't staring. Play it cool, Bishop. Don't look so eager.

"It looks terrible." Hey, if Steph can tell Kate to shave her head, Kate can volley the teasing right back.

"I'm serious!" She tries to sound like it, but she's aware that she's pouting and that Kate can probably see the reflection of it in the mirror. The comb is tucked between her fingers as the braid reaches the back of her head - almost half way and it doesn't look too bad so far.

"My appearance reflects badly on you now," That's not really true at all. Steph won't let that get in the way of her teasing, though.

"How so? I look fine. You're old enough to dress yourself by now."

And Kate smiles so innocently and sweetly like she has no idea what Steph is alluding too. This is fun, comfortable, this teasing between them where they both know how far they can push things. If things can stay just like this, Kate can see herself getting comfortable faster than she planned.

"People will think you have terrible taste in girlfriends," She can't really help the emphasis she places on the last word, her tone almost a litte sing song.

The comb gets put down to free up her hands for the last bit of the braid, working it all the way around to the other side of her head and grabbing bobby pins from the vanity to keep it all in place. She's glad she decided to do this while her hair was still wet, it makes it so much easier, and it'll just dry in place.

"And why would I care? They aren't the ones who have to date you," Kate replies without a hint of hesitation. There's something about the way the words girlfriend and date sound coming from either one of them but Kate can't quite place her finger on it. She just knows she likes it.

She doesn't get up as soon as Steph finishes. She wants to sit here and watch her bit longer. Who could blame her? Stephanie Brown cleans up pretty well.

"Have to?" Steph turns to look at Kate, just so the other girl can see the full effect of her raised eyebrow, "I thought you wanted to?"

She knows that's not what Kate meant by it, but it's too easy to tease her. If she was really worried whether or not Kate wanted to be with her, she'd be making a lot less jokes.

Kate shrugs, smirking all the while. Steph isn't serious and Kate can tell, otherwise she would have been tripping over herself to make as many apologies as humanly possible. But instead, she stands up and leans in towards Steph, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Consider it my good deed for the day?"

She grins for the kiss, lightly flicking Kate's ear in return before turning back to the mirror, grabbing one of Kate's eyeshadows (they both like purple, it makes sharing easier). She closes her eyes to apply it, but her smile is still directed at Kate.

"I see how it is. I'm sure people will be amazed at how magnanimous you are."

With a grin, Kate leaves the bathroom but the door remains open so she can continue mocking Steph from a distance.

"My mother taught me well, I guess. Always find a way to be nice, she said," she continues, slipping on her boots and wriggling her toes for a more comfortable fit. "You were a lost cause until I showed up."

"Is this some sort of My Fair Lady thing?" She calls out, pausing for a moment to put on her lipstick, "Are you going to teach me how to be properly cultured?"

She checks her appearance in the mirror, and finding it good enough, follows Kate into the bedroom. After adding the final touches to her outfit with a pair of earrings and some bangles, Steph grabs her CiD and wallet, sticking them in her bra - she has no pockets, this is the next best thing.

"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain, Stephanie." Kate's poking at her curls in a compact mirror, wondering if she should add something to them. A barrette, a flower, something... She shakes it off because she knows she's just giving herself another reason to be nervous, like she actually needs one. Her hair is going to stay like this, in curls, with no more adornment. Her appearance is fine. She is fine. Tonight will be fine.

Her eyes are narrowed now, not at her reflection, but at Steph stashing her belongings in places they don't belong. Part of Kate wants to offer Steph some space in her purse, the other is far too entertained by Steph's antics to do anything. The latter wins out.

"Ready?"

She hums, amused, and affects a posh British accent, "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain." It's actually a fairly convincing accent, thanks to Robin training and spending a fair bit of time listening to Alfred.

There's already a lockpicking tool stashed in a boot, but that's for later.

"As I'll ever be."

That gets a small applause from Kate who has her house keys slipped over a finger so there's a bit of extra jingling with the clapping. "Very good, Miss Brown. Now if you could stop dropping your H's..."

Purse in hand, Kate glances around the room to see if they've forgotten anything. Nothing comes to mind except one particular problem.

"Um..." Kate hedges, looking even more nervous now, "Do we go together? Meet there? Or does one of us pretend to pick the other up?" Dating, must you be so hard?

Steph bows for the applause, then sticks her tongue out at Kate for the criticism. She has never dropped a H in her life.

That gets a laugh and she darts over to quickly kiss Kate on the lips, "Wait here."

Without another word, she heads over to the bedroom window and carefully climbs out. It's a little tricky with her dress, but she gets down to the ground and from there goes to the front door and knocks loudly.

Well, it's a very good thing that Kate only lives on the first floor or else Little Miss Brown in a Dress would have a long way down to the ground. For a minute, though, Kate's confused when Steph goes out the window because... seriously, what the hell? It's the knock that makes her jump and laugh because her girlfriend is a certified nut.

After waiting a few long seconds to make sure she doesn't "look too overeager", Kate pulls open the door with a faux surprised look. "Hi! You're early." They can both play this game.

"And you're gorgeous," There's a cheeky grin to accompany it, but she does mean it. Sometimes it's just easy to deliver compliments with an edge of teasing.

She offers her hand to Kate with a bit of a flourish, trying to ease both their nervousness with some theatrics, "Are you ready to go?"

Kate' cheeks turn a little pink at that. Even though she can clearly hear the teasing edge in Steph's voice, she knows there's truth behind the words and that kind of makes her feel warm at the bottom of her belly. But Kate's not admitting to this, no way no how. Not out loud in Steph's earshot anyway.

Slipping her hand into Steph's, Kate smiles and flicks off the apartment lights. "Indeed, good ma'am. Let us go yonder into... into... let's go eat, I'm starving."

"Nice try, but I think we might need to work on your improv skills," It's meant as a joke about the fact Kate couldn't really finish her sentence properly, but Steph's expression darkens for a moment when she realizes it might be something they really do need to work on. The ever present threat of the militia is still there; she forces herself not to think about it right now.

With a smile, she tightens her hold on Kate's hand and gently tugs her closer, "You're gonna like this place, I heard they do the best chocolate mousse in the city."

Kate notices that change in Steph's face, but doesn't comment on it. She doesn't know why it's there and asking about it might ruin the night they have planned. This is the first time they'll be holding hands out in public too; Kate should be nervous, but she's not. That says a lot of how quickly she's become comfortable in this new role, even if she's still not sure what she's doing or if it needs a label.

"Chocolate mousse?" Her favorite and she smirks at the fact Steph has been paying attention. "You're trying to make me fat. It's bad enough that you've brought a ton of food in the house, even worse that you cook." Kate can't complain too much. Waffles dripping in syrup and butter are so much better than cold cereal in the morning.

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