In Too Deep

[morganknight]

[If you have to make a critical mistake, make a good one. That appears to be the lesson here.]

[Because to him, a waterpark feels like a Big Deal! Way bigger in scope than cheerful flirtation and some casual dates. It means swimsuits, and going down slides together, and a level of general physical closeness that he had been absolutely unprepared for when he escalated their banter to a level he thought Aerith wouldn't go for. Absolutely a critical mistake, but as nervous as he might be, he is not complaining.]

[Instead, he's hurriedly sending a text as he's getting out of his car.]

I'm here!

Comments

[cetrary]

[ Underestimating what Aerith will jump on is indeed a critical mistake. Not that she actually thought things would go this way. Honestly, she thought he, like her, was just teasing. So maybe she's a little nervous. Just a tiny bit. It's entirely possible that she's spent way too long thinking about what she's supposed to wear or bring...do you bring things?

There doesn't seem to be enough time before he's pulling up and texting that he's here. ]

Be right there!

[ Scrambling to grab a small bag she rushes out. Of course she's all smiles, waving at him with a little bounce. ]

Hope this is alright to wear! [ It's just a pink outfit that she likes to think works decently as both pre-waterpark and actually in the park clothing. Or so she hopes. ]

[morganknight]

[Morgan's playing it cool as she walks out, but inwardly, he breathes a sigh that's mostly relief but with a little regret as well. He isn't getting the full swimsuit assault quite yet! Not that she doesn't look absolutely gorgeous in that outfit -- she absolutely does and he's already gleeful about how he will be the envy of literally everyone just by walking at her side. This just lets him acclimate.]

[As for him? The usual black Armani T-shirt, but swim trunks instead of khakis. Actually dark blue instead of black, which for Morgan is an immensely colorful outfit indeed.]

You look amazing.

[He can say that without tripping over it, which is... admittedly, not something that would normally be a problem, but today is different.]

[With an excessive of theatrical gallantry, he opens the passenger door of the Ferrari Infinity, then bows to gesture her in. (Is he showing off by picking her up in what is either the coolest or second-coolest car in the world, depending on whether you're asking Morgan or his best friend? Actually, no. He always drives it.)]

[cetrary]

So do you! Except now I think maybe I should have thrown a shirt on overtop. At least until we get there.

[ But oh well, too late for that and a person only lives once, right? She's going to do her best to look cool, like she's not silently thinking about if she made the wrong choice or not. At least Aerith's got a surprising amount of practice at replacing her doubts with bright smiles.

She even manages to do a little pump in the air with her fist to accentuate the idea of going forward. ]

But there's no going back on it now! [ Not when she's sliding into the seat of the car. ]

What a gentleman. [ It's a very light bit of teasing. Look, she really actually can't help teasing people a tiny bit. The more she likes them, the more she feels like doing it. He really should take it as something of a compliment. ] Thank you! You know, I don't think I've ever been in a car this fancy.

[morganknight]

[The teasing is a feature, not a flaw. Playful banter is just one more attractive quality of hers. It's not like he can stop grinning, anyway. ]

Nuh-uh. No doubting. I said you look amazing and I'm standing by that. I could always take my shirt off early if it helps!

[His friends and family would just groan if they heard Morgan making yet another gratuitous offer to strip his shirt off. But in his defense, he's worked hard to be in excellent shape. Why shouldn't he want to flaunt it just a bit?]

[In what may perhaps be a miracle, once he shuts her door he actually rounds the car instead of just leaping over it or straight into his seat or anything like that. Of course, considering he keeps watching her out of the corner of his eye, modesty or common sense probably have nothing to do with the decision. Only once he's slid into his own seat and has no choice but to look away does he ultimately manage to do so.]

I wouldn't mind if you got very used to being in a car this fancy...

[cetrary]

Hmmm..... [ The way she taps her chin and drags that hmm out is far too long. Way too overdramatic. But that's the fun isn't it? She also gives him a very slow look over just to add to how hard she's thinking about this offer. Finally her eyes light up and she nods. ]

Yup, that'd definitely help!

[ She takes a moment to adjust herself in the seat, having to rearrange the skirt a few times-- which results in her pushing herself up to pull it some. Does she try to do this when she catches that he might not be looking? Yes. Is she successful at all? Probably not. When he comes in she has a sheepish smile on her face, finally all settled, and maybe kinda hoping she didn't look too silly bouncing up and down to not trap her skirt uncomfortably under her. ]

Really? Volunteering to be a chauffer for me or something else? [ the teasing comes right back ]

[morganknight]

[Morgan pretends not to notice her adjusting that skirt, which is easier because of its length.]

[Truth is, he's honestly glad to see her go through all of that. As a general rule, in any situation beyond casual flirtations, he gladly cedes as much power as possible to the girl. He's tall and in shape, has money and social standing, and some fairly serious experience in romance... there's just so much room for power imbalance, and he's trying to push back on that. But at the same time, giving up all that control and getting nothing back can be dangerous. He briefly dated a girl who played the cool, confident, in-control role to the hilt, and 'disaster' is way too mild a description for what came of it. Aerith might be trying to keep her adjustment discreet, but she's willing to do it in his presence even if she might look a little silly, and that's a measure of willing vulnerability that makes him feel comfortable and relaxed.]

[...because she does have a lot of power over him! To the point that he might really be concerned if she weren't willing to cede some of it back (and if she had ever given any indication of being anything other than a decent and trustworthy woman).]

I'm happy to give you a ride anywhere, any time. But I was thinking more of a scenario in which the places we happened to being going are frequently the same place, which we're traveling to together...

[And on that note, he drops the car into gear and slips it into the street, smooth as glass.]