still a little bit of you laced with my doubt

[chilichoc]

*Mel didn't cook at all when she was back in her world. For one thing, she didn't have time. For another, it would've reminded her too much of everything she'd lost. She got to the mansion the first time barely able to boil water, and learned to cook as much to impress Mail as to have something to do. It reminded her even more of him since the first time he disappeared, when she'd just mindlessly made food, unable to sleep or think, as a substitute for real action.

That's different now, but Mel's still nervous. Is it a little weird to celebrate an anniversary when half the couple doesn't remember most of the two years? Maybe, she's decided, but it'll be a nice date anyway.

She grilled some salmon and asparagus, made some rice, and arranged it all on two plates, with a sprinkling of some fresh dill she found in the fridge over it all. She takes her tray from the kitchen, and soon comes to the door with the MEL'S ROOM sign.*

Mail? I've got a surprise!

Comments

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

Wow! That looks amazing. You don't need any help or anything?

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

This is only half the surprise. *She grins up at him, and holds the tray out.* Take this, and I'll get the other half ready.

*She notices his notebook out on the desk, and it's comforting, in a way. As if they might have a normal to go back to after all.*

Working on something new?

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

Oh really? And what would the other half be?

Yeah, but it's nothing much right now. I just... have a hard time sitting still lately, for some reason.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

You'll see, *she says, with a little teasing lilt to her voice, and starts for her nemesis, the closet. But she looks back at Mail when he goes on.*

Hm, I wonder why. Want to go to the beach room after dinner? Maybe we can help you burn off some of that restlessness.

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a swim or a jog might be just what I need.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel goes into the closet, and maybe it's startled by her request, because there's a moment's pause between her asking it for what she wants and the blue-grey dress with the full skirt appearing on her. Her violet-painted toenails turn cotton-candy pink, but she expected no less.

She steps out, a little hesitant. She still doesn't feel comfortable in dresses. She's never sure if it's too much girliness or not.*

Surprise?

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

...wow, Mel.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel beams, and does a little twirl to make the skirt flare out.*

Only for you, Mail.

*She goes to get their dinners, turning a bit more serious.* Do you know what the occasion is?

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

I...



Well, it's not my birthday.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

It's okay.

*Mel had braced herself for the likelihood that Mail wouldn't remember, but she still frowns for a moment. She makes an effort to smile again, and gathers up the silverware and plates from the tray, and takes them over to the window seat. It's dusk in fake-Winchester, the sky a gentle lavender, and if Mel had to guess, she'd guess it was early summer there.*

We've known each other two years now.

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

Hey, I said it was all right.

*She sits down on the window seat and beckons him over. Yes, it hurts that he can't remember. Mel knows it isn't Mail's fault.*

And it's better than it was when you first got back.

*She believes, superstitiously, maybe, that him remembering her real name counts for more than almost anything else.*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

I know it is, but I still don't like that I couldn't remember.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel strokes his hair.*

We can pick out a new anniversary, how's that?

*A new beginning. She likes that idea, even if she still feels uneasy, and worried that he might change his mind. What can a dead girl really offer him?*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

Would it be a new anniversary if we started it right now?

You're ready to eat now, right?

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel gives a genuine smile at that, and returns the kiss.*

We could call it our zero-th anniversary. I bet no one else has had one of those.

I'm ready. *She watches him cross the room, just for the simple pleasure of it, trying to put her worries aside.*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

This was really fantastic of you, Mel.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

I hope you like it.

*She flushes a little. Cooking is possibly the only one of her abilities she's not completely confident about.*

Will you tell me what you were working on, or is it a secret?

*She takes a bite of salmon and rice, and decides it's pretty damn good for an out-of-practice cook.*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

This is so good, Angel, Um. It's not a secret. I'm just trying to work out some of the jumble that's been in my head lately, that's all.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel watches him closely to see his reaction, and grins, a grin that shifts into a softer, surprised smile at the nickname.*

Mail, you remember! *She reaches over and rests her hand above his knee. She didn't fail to notice his wandering eyes, or get a little thrill from how he looks at her.* You used to call me that before.

*She gives his leg a squeeze. She assumed it was a song that wasn't ready, and she's always tried not to be too nosy about his creative process.* If you think talking will help, I'll always listen, liebling.

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

[He gives her a puzzled look at first, before thinking back over what he'd said; then it dawns on him, and Mail looks her directly in the eyes, his own widening slightly.] Oh! I- have no idea where it came from. [His flush deepens as he tries to focus on his food.] It just slipped out.

[He takes another bite.] I've just been having a lot of noise in my head lately. Figured getting it down on paper would be the best thing for this headache. [If he can turn it into an actual song, great; if now, hopefully he can at least make it out with a clear head.]

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel takes a spear of asparagus on her fork and nibbles it thoughtfully. These little pieces of memory coming back are encouraging, but she can't help but be impatient for everything to return.*

It seems like the trick is not to try too hard. I know you want to remember, but don't stress about it. It'll come eventually.

*Mel counseling patience. She finds that pretty amusing.*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]

I'm- Uh. Not.

[chilichoc.livejournal.com]

*Mel sees that telltale blush, and she doesn't think it's embarrassment about not being able to remember. As much as they still aren't quite at ease with each other, one thing she's never felt to be missing is the electricity between them. She's been consciously trying to take it slow--slow for her, anyway, which means not pouncing on him every night. If she scared him away now, she'd never forgive herself.

She takes another bite of salmon. Her hand's still on his leg, and she shifts her fingers a little, sliding them a bit farther up his thigh.*

Good, *she murmurs, just to say something. Talking is seeming increasingly irrelevant.*

[downtothefilter.livejournal.com]