Library, Thursday [5/14]

[wildandbrave]

In between her morning walk and her arrival at the library, Cosette had stopped in town to get some kind of pretzel bread breakfast sandwich and some coffee.

. . . which was the entire, if not exactly interesting, story of why she was reading about pretzel bread and how pretzels were supposedly invented. It really didn't take much at all to get her to read about random things.

[OOC: No OCD today. ZOMG.]

Comments

[doesnotkneel]

"Cosette," Edward called merrily, bearing the now-traditional apple. "I spoke to Professor Parker."

[wildandbrave]

"Did you, now?" Cosette set her book aside and stood up to come around to the other side of the desk. "About the windsurfing? I must have been flinging myself off a cliff into the ocean at the time. What did she say?"

[doesnotkneel]

"That it's all right, as long as we wear the funny-looking vests and make sure she knows when we're going," Edward said.

He made a little bow and presented her with the apple halfway into it.

[wildandbrave]

"That's perfectly reasonable," Cosette decided, and accepted the apple with a giggle. "And I'm glad you're here, though if you're not careful I'm going to become disappointed if you don't turn up for a visit, with fruit or without it -- oh! I've some pastries today, if you'd like one? I stopped by the bakery this morning for breakfast and got some chocolate croissants while I was there."

[doesnotkneel]

"I'd be happy to swap my fruit for one of your croissants," Edward said, grinning some. "When do you reckon we should go? I've found work for my Thursdays now, but I'm otherwise unoccupied, especially in the face of such an important outing."

[wildandbrave]

"I somehow suspected you wouldn't have an objection to these, but I'm still glad to know it, seeing as I bought them with you in mind," Cosette said as she picked up the bag of croissants and held it out to him. "I'm done with my classes for the week, so I'm sure I can make the time, perhaps tomorrow if not over the weekend -- and what's this about work now?"

[doesnotkneel]

"I've got myself a turn at the post office," Edward said, as he stole a croissant from the bag. "Been long enough I've been wandering around here without a steady flow of income. Tomorrow's fine with me-- if the weather suits us."

[wildandbrave]

Did it still count as stealing if the croissant had been intended for you in the first place?

"Then the weather had better cooperate," Cosette declared, with a stubborn expression that suggested she wouldn't be above giving it a stern warning to do just that. "Oh! You'll be working with Éponine, then. I suppose this means I can come down and visit you on my breaks?"

What? She liked the idea.

[doesnotkneel]

Edward chuckled. "But then who'll bring you your fair share of fruits every morning?" he teased.

[wildandbrave]

"As if I would discourage you from that!" Cosette exclaimed. "Hardly, but I think it's only fair that I get the opportunity to return the favor."

[doesnotkneel]

"Well, if you choose to bless me with your presence, I shan't stop you," Edward said easily. "Be pottering about a lot carrying mail, I reckon."

[wildandbrave]

"It will be good exercise, " Cosette remarked, "and besides, I'm sure you'll look quite fetching carrying that bag. And I've already made up my mind to stop in for visits, so you'll only have to resign yourself to it now."

[doesnotkneel]

Edward let out a loud and clearly put-upon sigh.

"If you insist," he said, "I suppose I'll have to suffer through."

[wildandbrave]

"It's terrible of me to subject you to this, isn't it?" Cosette asked, feigning an immensely regretful expression.

It was, for the record, ridiculously exaggerated.

[doesnotkneel]

"Don't blame yourself too much, dear lady Cosette," Edward sighed, putting his arm on the desk for support. Yes. Support. "You do as you must."

[wildandbrave]

"I can assure you, monsieur," said Cosette, who just happened to lean back against the desk a moment later, "that I wouldn't do such a thing unless I thought it absolutely necessary. I'm glad you don't mind too much."

[doesnotkneel]

Just happened. Really. Much like Edward just happened to lean just a bit more towards her, too.

"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say I wouldn't mind," he said.

[wildandbrave]

And Cosette was only very intent on looking at him because paying attention to someone you were talking to was considered common politeness. That was it. That was the only reason.

"Well . . . I suppose I'd have been disappointed if you didn't mind at all."

[doesnotkneel]

Was that a strand of her hair, gone running off by itself? Edward reached out to tuck it behind her ear. Because he was a gentleman.

"I mind a bit," he offered. "I hope that removes any difficult feelings on your part."

[wildandbrave]

Well, Cosette had no intention of being so rude as to not thank him for his consideration. That was why she smiled at him, but leaning into him a little bit? That was a completely unintentional side effect.

"Oh, yes, I find those conditions quite agreeable," she said, nodding. "More than agreeable, as a matter of fact."

[doesnotkneel]

"We are agreed, then," Edward said.

And just to cut the conversation short of becoming any more inane than it already was, he bridged the rest of the distance, pausing just briefly to give Cosette a chance to back out of the kiss if she wanted to.

[wildandbrave]

But did she want to? The answer to that would be no, especially since she was kissing him back fairly enthusiastically.

Luckily Cosette had enough sense to put the apple down on the desk so she could reach up to put both hands on his shoulders.

[doesnotkneel]

Well, what did you know: kissing Cosette still felt very good even without the pollen mucking things up.

Edward cupped her cheek and slid his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The librarian wasn't around, right...?