For Wilke: New York Christmas date

[happy_dsign]

Daphne wasn't going to waste the chance to have an awesome 'Christmas in New York City' type date with no expense spared, even if any shopping would probably not survive the change back to the island. She was okay with that, it would still be fun shopping without a budget.

She also wasn't going to sit around and wait for Wilke to come up with the idea. She had a feeling the island wouldn't stay like this long enough for that to bear fruit, after all. Which is why she bundled up in a cute mint green and cream striped sweater, jeans, and a warm coat, and marched up to Wilke's apartment, knocking firmly.

"Get your coat, you're taking me on a date," she announced as soon as he opened the door.

Comments

[more_than_that]

He was thankful the wine steward showed up then to go through the whole opening/cork sniffing/wine tasting ritual, because that blush on her cheeks was distracting as hell. And not just because of what it might mean.

[happy_dsign]

The dinner was delicious, the conversation easy, and the cocktail was pretty damn good, too. By the time they were ready to leave, Daphne had a pleasantly giddy feeling, and she found herself leaning against Wilke comfortably as they walked out to hail another cab to take them to the Empire State Building.

[more_than_that]

Wilke held the door for her then climbed in after, turning to her when they were on the move. "So. Was it everything you wanted it to be?"

[happy_dsign]

Daphne shrugged. "Mostly. I think the atmosphere would be a little better with real people, but the food was amazing, and it was still really cool getting to eat there." She grinned and nestled against him, resisting the urge to do more--for now.

[more_than_that]

"Yeah, it is kind of creepy when it looks like we're eating on the set of Paranormal Activity or something," he laughed back, fingerspelling the movie's title. "Those things are the only reason I'm going to be glad to have the island back again."

[happy_dsign]

It wasn't the only reason Daphne would be glad to go back, but there were a lot of things she was really going to miss about this city, the food and the shopping only being a few of them. "At least you can tell who's real and who's not, but yeah. It never really stops being creepy, even when you get used to it."

She leaned across him to look up as the cab pulled to a stop in front of the Empire State Building. "Last stop," she announced, pulling back and smiling at him.

[more_than_that]

Wilke opened the door for them and helped her out of the cab. Thankfully, they were right at the front doors, so the dash through the cab was only a few cold steps. Minutes later they were rising high up the elevator - way too fast for his liking.

"Ugh," he said as the floors flew by. "I think I left my stomach back in the lobby."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne laughed, feeling that same drop in her stomach that he described, but finding it thrilling more than anything. "You must be no fun on roller coasters," she teased, clinging to his hand as they shot up to the top of the building.

[more_than_that]

"Oh, I'm very fun on roller coasters," he protested, linking their fingers and tugging her forward; the better to wrap his arms around her. "I just like the wind in my hair when I lose my stomach to the G-forces."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne went into his arms with a smile, leaning against him and looking up at his face. "So if this was an open-air elevator you'd be happier? Do those even exist?" She wrinkled her nose, grinning up at him as the elevator slowed to a stop.

[more_than_that]

"I think so, but I've only ever seen them on construction sites and they don't move fast enough for stomach displacement."

Wilke grinned and dropped a soft kiss to her lips, then lead them out onto the observation deck.

[happy_dsign]

Daphne followed him out, walking straight to the edge of the deck to look out at the city. "From up here it could almost be the real New York," she murmured, taking in the twinkling lights. "If you ignore the company." There weren't many ghosts up here, but there were a few, wandering the observation deck rather aimlessly. They were easy enough to ignore with a view like that, though.

[more_than_that]

Wilke followed her to the railing and stood behind her, his front to her back, blocking the wind from her. Well, that and being as close as possible, too. He wasn't a saint or anything. He could only sign to her in this position, but that wasn't a problem. Sometime over the last year, he'd gotten almost completely fluent in it.

"Funny," he signed, "I barely noticed they were here."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne smiled and turned in his arms, looking up at him. "Oh? Why's that?" she asked softly.

[more_than_that]

"Why do you think?" he asked brushing the backs of his fingers along his cheek.

[happy_dsign]

Daphne blushed faintly, half-closing her eyes as she leaned into his touch. "This has been a wonderful night. Everything I hoped it would be." She tilted her head up in silent invitation.

[more_than_that]

"I'm glad," he mouthed a second before he accepted the invitation and dropped his mouth to hers in a long, slow, and very deep kiss that didn't end until his hand was tangled in her hair.

When he pulled back, his breathing was a little erratic, but he was still smiling. "Nice to have an ace up my sleeve the next time I screw up."

[happy_dsign]

"I would say 'don't screw up', but I think we both know it's inevitable," Daphne teased, rising up to press a quick kiss to his jaw before turning around again to take in the view for a little longer.

[more_than_that]

Wilke laughed but only because it was true. He was a guy. Fuck ups were in their very nature. He wrapped his arms around her and settled his chin on top of her head, content to just enjoy the moment while she took in the view. And trying very hard not to think about the hints she'd been dropping all night.

[happy_dsign]

It was warm and comfortable in his arms, and the view really was stunning, but his body pressed against hers was kind of distracting, especially with what she had planned next. After a few minutes she lifted her hands, murmuring and signing, "Should we go back to your place now?"

[more_than_that]

He raised his own, glad she couldn't see the smirk on his face. "Good idea. I'm tired after such a long day."

[happy_dsign]

Daphne snorted quietly and turned to face him again, arching an eyebrow. "Not too tired, I hope," she said softly, taking his hand and heading toward the elevator.

[more_than_that]

"Oh yeah?" he asked, eyebrow disappearing into his hairline. "Any particular reason?"

[happy_dsign]

Daphne pressed the button for the elevator and the doors opened immediately. Apparently ghost tourists didn't have to use it, so it had just waited for them. She tugged him inside before answering, pressing against him once the doors had closed, and murmured, "The night is still young. If you fall asleep on me I'm going to be very disappointed."

[more_than_that]

The shoving against the wall thing had to happen a lot more often, he thought as his pulse started to beat in his ears. "I'll certainly do everything I can to try and stay awake," he chuckled, "but you might have to put some work into it if it means that much."

Then he took her mouth in a deeper kiss than before.