serbaird

[serbaird]

@thomasrainier. call.

ㅤ“ Tell me -- ” Gregor at least looked entertained in the face of defeat. He'd not had much silver bet on that last card game and liked the company well enough that he didn't so much mind losing it. Raising his brows at Thom, he had to ask: “ Did I just get swindled? ”

[serbaird]

anyway, feel free to like that starter call or send in a meme (preferable). i was gonna do more tonight but i'm sleepy and i wanted to finish a series i'd been watching so, lol. also open to plotting, if anyone wants some of that. i'll be back around tomorrow!

[serbaird]

@supportary. call.

ㅤ“ I have a secret that I must tell you. ” Gregor wore a fine smile as they walked, as they so often did these days, through their familiar field of wildflowers. He clasped a small bunch of them in his hand, which he had been picking as they walked along. For her, of course. As always. Lightly, that smile begging to turn into something more of a grin: “ A devastating one, in fact. You must swear to me that you shall never tell another soul. ”

[serbaird]

dialogue starters from LITTLE FISH (2021). feel free to change pronouns/context/etc. as appropriate.

“I was so sad the day I met you.”

“Just stop listening, stop thinking. Tune it out.”

“All these little pieces. There’s so much to remember.”

“Focus on the important things.”

“I should be writing this down.”

“Are you calling me? Cowards like me only text.”

“Can I kiss you?”

“So, do you love him?”

“We’re just what’s happening right now.”

“It feels wrong to make this about us.”

“Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here an hour ago!”

“You let me do the worrying over here.”

“Please, let’s not get into that again.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t think you’d take that so seriously!”

“Did you know this was happening?”

“I don’t care about anybody else! I’m talking about me!”

“Roses felt too easy but I didn’t know what you liked, so I got you daisies.”

“That’s a pretty intense second date question.”

“Sorry. I’m just being nosy. Just tell me to shut up.”

“I’m just not very good at this.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Sorry I haven’t called.”

“You must think I’m the biggest asshole on the planet.”

“So you’ve made up your mind, then?”

“Do I get a say in this?”

“I’m not fucking upset!”

“You don’t sound very not fucking upset!”

“This is fucking scary for me too! I’m scared! I’m fucking scared.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. I wanna fucking marry you.”

“Do you know there’s a type of memory exclusively tied to touch?”

“I haven’t forgotten how you feel.”

“Will you touch me?”

“They say you can’t forget feelings.”

“Can I come in? I’m coming in, alright?”

“Hey, it’s not your fault. Relax, it’s not your fault.”

“Do you know what they’re talking about? You can’t lie to me about this stuff.”

“This is going to get worse.”

“I love him. I love him so much. But it’s a sinking ship.”

“Our first kiss can’t be in line for the loo.”

“I just know that after I saw you, I wasn’t sad anymore.”

“I haven’t forgotten how I feel.”

“Life goes forward. Not backwards.”

“What were we even trying to save?”

“Is that all I love about him?”

“I have to ask you something. I’m not sure how.”

“I trust you.”

“I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know what else there is.”

“Close your eyes. Just close them.”

“How long was I out for?”

“Did I hurt you?”

“Oh, fuck off. Fuck off! For fuck’s sake! That’s so annoying!”

“I could see your stupid lip and your stupid smile, you stupid twat.”

“Hey, can we just get in the car and go on a road trip or something?”

“It’s a good job you’re handsome.”

“I have something that I need to say to you… but it doesn’t feel like the right time. But I don’t think I can wait.”

“You make me laugh every day, and you make my life worth living, and you make me feel like I’m not alone.”

“You’re the person who makes it okay that I’ve gotta grow old and die someday. Because at least I got to spend it with you.”

“I was so sad the day I met you. I can’t remember why.”

[serbaird]

HELLO it feels like gregor o'clock, please like this post for a starter.

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ Mm, I don't think so -- ” Gregor had barely gotten his quip in before she kissed him, and he was content to shut up so that she could have her fill. Or maybe so that he could have his. These days, he wasn't really sure it mattered, wasn't sure there was a difference; they were terrible, so long as they were in the privacy of their own home, and neither of them seemed to be able to get enough of the other. He could live with it -- but God help anyone who had to deal with them on their honeymoon.

ㅤIt was a short while before a grin crept across Gregor's lips. It made kissing rather difficult, in the end, though not for a lack of trying. At least he had no problem with filling the space with more talk, as he took her hand again and placed it upon his chest, over his heart.

ㅤ“ See, what did I tell you? Racing. ”

“ i think so too. i think we should have been married months ago, but apparently planning is a big part of this whole thing. and scheduling. pesky, if you ask me. ” she notices where he’s looking, and all too happily kisses him — something quick, but sweet.

forty - one days felt like a long time to be mrs. fraser - baird, almost entirely too long. she was happy to know he felt the same. it still felt surreal, finding someone who wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. she was happy it was gregor in the end. “ have i mentioned that i can’t wait to marry you? because i can’t. i’m really, really excited. ” and with that, she’s kissing him again.

[serbaird]

gregor is a dancing badly and singing along to the radio in the kitchen while he's cooking tea kinda guy and i care for him

[serbaird]

ㅤGregor hummed an affirmative when she asked what he'd said. He would have continued to lie there with his eyes closed, comfortable, if he'd not felt her shift beneath him. Blinking a few times, he offered her a sleepy smile, and pushed himself upward slightly so that he could kiss her. “ Sorry I've made you cry, ” he laughed gently. “ I'll keep it to myself next time, shall I? ”

ㅤHe spent a moment looking at her, weight resting on his forearm all the while. Tired as he was, Gregor could have happily wasted away an hour or two just looking at her like this. If only exhaustion didn't have other plans. The loving gazing would have to come later; for now, he was content enough to kiss her again, soft and lingering, before he settled back down against her. It was getting harder and harder to stay awake, but at least he managed:

ㅤ“ And for what it's worth -- you make me really, really happy too. ”

her pajamas for the night ( or morning? she didn't even want to look at what time it was ) was a tshirt he'd left behind at some point. when they finally got into bed, she had to resist the urge to fall asleep right then and there. she hums happily as he kisses her, arms wrapping around his neck and cheek snuggling into locks of blond hair. she'd almost drifted off, but then he speaks: i love you.

" what did you say? did you say you love me? " eyes pop open and she looks down at him. she doesn't know if she's happy that someone like him loves her or if she's just exhausted — either way, she feels her eyes start to sting with tears. " i love you too. " sylvie moves her head to kiss his temple, then cheek rests against his hair again. " you make me really, really happy. i didn't think i could ever be this happy again, but . . . christ, look what you're doing to me. " a sniffle, and she laughs. " anyway. i love you too. is the point of that. "

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ Oh, you know her, then? ” Gregor grinned. His apology for such a cruel, cruel jest came by way his offering her another soft kiss. How could he say such things in the face of her words? He rested his head back down in the grass and trailed his hand up and down her side, lazily and happily as you like.

ㅤIn a perfect world, they would be able to stay here forever. This moment and this feeling would never pass, and nobody from the Palace would ever steal them away from each other again. Wishful thinking. At least the reality of his world was currently far, far away, the only proof of its existence that small, worried voice in the back of his mind. It tried to remind him of the dangers at court, but he knew them well and knew too that Sylvie's life could not continue to be dictated by them. She had been through too much. This, at the very least, was a well-deserved break.

ㅤThere might have been a hundred things he could have said to her, then. Foolish jokes, sincere confessions; Gregor was master of them all. But he simply tilted his chin up again, enjoying the feel of her touching his face. If his eyes fell closed, it was only because he was so relaxed. Gregor had no intention of falling asleep, however. He did not wish to miss a moment of this.

ㅤSoftly, then, after a few moments more: “ Hm. Do you think we would have gotten here if we had both stayed in Highever? ”

she feels as though she'll melt into a puddle at his words, at the way he gently handles her. it's hard to look away as he speaks, and hard to control the way her expression softens as he looks at her. perhaps she finds it hard to believe that someone could say such beautiful things about her. regardless, she kisses him again. and again. and again.

" she must be quite an incredible woman if she's captured your heart in this way, ser knight. " she grins against his lips, kissing him one more time before she lays atop him again, fingers dancing across his cheeks. " someone as charming and gallant as you deserves such a love. " a pause. " i think you'll be pleased to know she feels the same — and that she feels lucky to have someone like you in her life. "

[serbaird]

ㅤGregor pulled back from their embrace as Sylvie did, though his hands still rested upon her. The smile remained, bright and happy, at his lips -- until it didn't, until it faded, slowly as anything. They were so close now that he might feel her breath against his skin, and it would take no effort at all to move just slightly to be able to kiss her. His eyes lingered on her lips. A moment passed, perhaps, with Sylvie's hand soft against his cheek, and he wondered... what were either of them waiting for?

ㅤShe seemed to read his mind and moved, parted her lips, leaned upward to finally kiss him. Gregor shifted in kind, his hand falling to the middle of her back, his breath caught so very briefly in anticipation. And somehow still, neither of them kissed the other.

ㅤThe sound of the door creaking open earned perhaps one of the most irritated looks that Gregor had ever worn. With a deep and annoyed sigh, he shut his eyes briefly, collecting and composing himself as a woman's voice broke the silence in the room. “ Uh -- Ser Gregor, ” she started, laughter desperate to break through her words. Ser Moira. One of his fellow knights. Gregor removed his hands from Sylvie, then, and stepped back, looking off to Moira expectantly. She must have seen the irritation in his face. “ Your presence is required in the courtyard. ”

ㅤHe nodded, muttered a small fine that seemed to please Moira enough for her to at least look away for the time being. Gregor turned his attentions back to Sylvie, looking every bit as disappointed as he felt.

ㅤ“ I shall... find you again, once this business has concluded, ” he promised. He still wanted to kiss her but it felt as though the moment had passed. And, truthfully, he had no desire to kiss her with Moira as an audience. Instead, then, he took her hand in his own and lifted it to his lips, placing a soft and lingering kiss to the back of it. And then he smiled. “ And we may... conclude our own. ” He bowed then, handsome and knightly. “ My lady. ” And with that, he made to follow Ser Moira away from the only place in the world he wished to be.

he kisses her cheek again — though this time, it doesn't feel like a tease as it had that first time in the meadow. sylvie finds relief in this, even laughs as he lifts her from the ground and arms tighten around him once more. the longer she's in his arms, the safer she feels. all that turmoil she had inside was over. she was safe. she was with him.

" then i shall be happy to be the cause of your smile. and happy to be with you. " she can't pull away — she doesn't want to pull away. her heart is pounding in her chest, and she wants nothing more than to melt away into him. her knight of flowers. " there is so much i want to tell you. so much i need to tell you. i don't know where to begin or where i will find the time. " finally, she pulls back to look at him, and she feels her heart leap into her throat. she's sure her expression mirrors his, one that screams how happy and relieved the other must be feeling.

oh gregor . . . she thinks, hand reaching up to cup his cheek. all she wants to do is kiss him. it's all she's been able to think about whenever she's thought of him on her travels. why she didn't do anything about the very obvious feelings the two harbored for each other, she didn't know — and looking back on it now, it felt rather silly not to. what was stopping her from doing this now? no fear of death. no fear of judgement. all that was in the world was him and her.

finally, she goes for it — lips slightly parted, ready to take his in a kiss — but it doesn't happen. milliseconds before they actually touch, a door cracks open, squeaking rather loudly. how convenient, sylvie thinks. that we chose the room with the loudest door in the castle. she turns her head to look at who interrupted them, eyes casting daggers. whoever interrupted them better have a good excuse.

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ Oh, I must, my lady? ” Gregor laughed softly. He stood there, arms crossed over his chest and that usual grin upon his face, amused as anything at her desire to hear all the gossip from his latest trip to London. Only, not any of the gossip about her peers. Just herself. “ The Earl of Salisbury was quite interested in hearing after you. He was taken with a great desire to speak to me of your... famed beauty. Though, he was also disturbed by certain rumours regarding yourself. ” His grin widened, then. “ Does she truly pass her time with sheep?! I recall he asked me. ”

@serbaird liked for a one-liner.

❝ You must tell me more about myself, ❞ㅤMarian said, grinning.ㅤHer sword lay flat on her lap, stone in her hand, hair braided up and out of her face.ㅤ❝ Please, Gregor! What gossip? ❞

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ Hm. Should I just go naked for you forever, then? Would that be better than wearing a shirt? ” he laughed softly. Gregor sat up briefly to remove his shirt then, and he allowed himself a proper exhale when Sylvie had removed her own. He wasn't a swearer -- until he was, in those rare times when it was necessary. Such as right now, at the very sight of her, gorgeous and almost naked and, as per usual, making his heart race off and away in his chest.

ㅤ“ Fuck, Sylvie. ” A person could be forgiven for thinking he'd never seen her in a state of undress before, from the look on his face to the way his eyes lingered upon her. He ran his hands up her thighs slowly, as a grin spread across his lips. Finally, he caught her eye again, and raised his brows. “ Is it hard? ” he asked. “ Being the sexiest woman alive? ”

ㅤGregor was grinning still as he settled back down to kiss the bare skin of her stomach. “ Now, I think this is where those daydreams were going, ” he said in low tones, leading his kisses down her body with a contented hum.

" hm, i think you might be. " sylvie hums, laughing gently as he kisses her, though it quells as lips brush against her neck. truthfully, she'd be content to stay here with him for an eternity — everything about him was addicting, she thought. arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. it was then she remembered he'd made breakfast — sorry, gregor, she thinks, nuzzling her nose in his hair.

it was nice, she thought, having him here. " god, this thing's in the way. " fingers pinch at the shirt he wears, pulling it from his back and letting go of it, just for fingers to find their way in his hair. " no good, really. annoying, aren't they? shirts. " sylvie murmurs, already moving to pull hers off. " and if yours is going off, mine might as well too. " before she finishes speaking, she's pulling her shirt over her head, arm stretching over their bed to drop it to the floor.

[serbaird]

ㅤGregor allowed himself to be led to her bedroom, far too tired to say anything against it and not particularly in the mood anyway. It was slow going, getting himself undressed, namely due to the fact that he could barely take his trousers off without feeling like he was going to fall over. But he persisted and, in the end, was victorious in his goals. The trousers were left in a heap on the floor, promptly joined by his shirt. It was around then that he decided he really couldn't be bothered with his pyjamas, and opted to crawl onto the bed with Sylvie in his little boxer shorts and his undershirt.

ㅤ“ Can I have a kiss? ” he asked, holding himself over her on hands and knees just long enough for her to oblige him. Only then did he settle down, lying more or less on top of her with a very heavy and very, very tired sigh. Head tucked into her neck, he let out a quiet hum.

ㅤPrecious few people made him feel the way that Sylvie did. Half-drifting into sleep, now, his mind had decided to remind him of this. How long had he known her now? A year? A little over? Had it really taken him so long to realise the extent of his feelings for her? Better late than never. He tilted his head up slightly, pressed a gentle kiss under her jaw. And then, almost casually, eyes closed and fingers tracing circles across her arm: “ I love you. I'm really glad we met, despite everything else. ”

" i think so. " which pajamas were they? well, they'd find out soon enough, she thinks, as she takes a drink from her mug. part of her wonders if it's normal for eggs to be this blurry — she ignores it by cutting into them with her fork and eating them. regardless, she'll be happy to be home. sylvie can't quite tell if she's exhausted from sitting in the dark, rainy night in his car for hours or from the conversation, but regardless of what the cause is, she's excited to fall asleep with him.

the breakfast is filled with their idle conversation, mostly fueled by the fact they were both exhausted. sylvie was happy when they paid and left, hand in hand. she wanted to feel him on top of her. she wanted to fall asleep that way.

" i think i could fall asleep on the floor right now. " sylvie kicks her shoes off at the door and rests her forehead against his arm. please come to bed. she thinks, hand curling around his wrist and pulling him towards her room. " come on. "

[serbaird]

ㅤSylvie's words were met with a nod of the head, and perhaps the sweetest smile that Gregor had ever given her. His eyes wandered her face for a few moments, taking in the sight of her and delighting in it, before he kissed her again. What a mad few years. What a blessing for them all to have led here, to this garden on this rare and beautiful sunny day. Gregor didn't know what he'd done in life to deserve this, but he was glad. Endlessly so, and convinced that he'd remain that way until he was old and grey-haired.

ㅤIt took him a fair while to finally stop kissing her, one of his hands having moved to her cheek and his other still at her waist. His heart was racing away in his chest, which might have embarrassed him were he not so desperately smitten with her. He sat back and sighed, smiling still, his bottom lip briefly caught between his teeth.

ㅤ“ I'm glad I make you happy, ” he said finally. It was all he wanted, at the end of the day, Sylvie to be happy and healthy and thriving. The hand that had been at her cheek fell to her hip, and his eyes trailed over her face again, and he felt so happy and so full of it that his chest might burst. “ You're alright, I guess, ” he grinned. “ Not like I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore. Or that I have trouble getting to sleep if you're not there. I mean... married or not, you know I'd spend the rest of my life with you anyway, right? ” He leaned in to kiss her one more time, short and sweet. “ But I do like the idea of... Mrs Sylvie Baird. Or whatever we choose. ”

she doesn't want to stop kissing him. even though she asked him to keep talking, she wants to just kiss him. you've got me bad, sylvie fraser. he got her bad too — life was just better with gregor baird. sylvie never felt so loved, so cherished, so happy before.

" well, i happen to like that gorgeous mug very much. " she hums, kissing his cheek and then laughing. she happened to think he was very handsome — she still wondered how someone like him was content to be someone like her. sylvie was beyond questioning it at this point. he asked her to marry him, and she said yes.

she kisses him again, and again. finally, she stops with a soft hum, nose brushing against his. " well i'm deeply and desperately in love with you too. just thought you might like to know. " head pulls back ever so slightly, just so she can look at his aforementioned gorgeous mug. " you make me so, so happy, gregor. i hope you know that. "

[serbaird]

ㅤThe hug was nice -- and much needed, if Gregor was being completely honest with himself. He wound his arms around her in turn and stood there for a few moments, eyes closed, chin resting against the side of her head. He might have even allowed himself a soft sigh. The cheek kiss got a smile from him, at least, and he was more than happy to follow her into the café -- the only decent place that was open at such a ridiculous hour.

ㅤ“ Eat and book it sounds like a good plan to me. I'm shattered. ” He did look particularly tired, and if he weren't so hungry then he might have suggested they go straight to Sylvie's and skip the food.

ㅤIt wasn't hard to get a table; there were only a few other people around, either getting back from a night shift or grabbing a quick bite before work. More than enough space for them to grab a seat. Soon enough, they'd ordered and the food had come, along with two great mugs of tea.

ㅤ“ Do I still have those pyjamas at yours? ” he asked after a few moments spent eating. Gregor was currently mopping up egg yolk with his fried bread. “ I can't remember if I took them home. Guess it doesn't matter, I could fall asleep fully clothed right now. ”

" 'course you can. " fingers stretch out and lace with his, and sylvie gives his hand a comforting squeeze. it was an intense night, and an intense atmosphere they'd created. she was grateful he felt so comfortable with her, and grateful she felt so comfortable with him. they had a good thing going — one she wanted to keep. one she wanted for the rest of her life.

soon after, their surveillance time ends and sylvie's all too happy to be going to their diner. since he brought it up, she'd been dreaming of her order there — full english, vegetarian. with those mushrooms she liked. and, as soon as they arrived, the first thing she did as soon as they exited the car was hug him, tightly. " see? i keep my promises. " she murmurs with a soft grin, kissing his cheek after.

her arms drop and she takes his hand, leaning into his shoulder. " i'm starving. and exhausted. but mostly starving. " sylvie rests her chin against his arm, and looks up at him with those big, expressive eyes of hers. " lets eat and book it. what do you think? "

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ Oh, you can't be asking me questions like that! ” Gregor laughed. Where could he begin? Eyes cast upward briefly, toward the heavens, and he sighed, leaning down to search through the inside pocket of his coat. This was the thing about Gregor: his work coat was barren, held nothing of importance to him, but the jacket that accompanied him in his real life? There was usually a book of some kind tucked away somewhere. This one had accompanied him on the train ride over, and held it up briefly so she might see. “ I'm on the Brontës at the minute. Birthday present from one of my Leeds mates. Y'know, so I don't forget about Yorkshire while I'm down here. ” He laughed, and gestured, then, half-offering it out as if to ask do you want to borrow it?

" i could show you, you know. we can make mugs. or plates. or both! " sylvie laughs, wide smile setting into a satisfied grin. it felt so natural with him — she wonders if he feels the same. " okay, fine. i won't ask. " she fakes a sigh, but gives his hand a squeeze. " who's your favorite poet, then? you must have one. and if i'm going to fancy a poet, i should find one i like too. besides you, that is. "

[serbaird]

ㅤ“ I dunno. Hotel, probably. I assume Clara'll be sorting things. She's good like that. ” A happy smile soon lit up Gregor's face again. He was excited to see them. Clara's work had brought her to London a couple of times but not near enough for his liking, and he'd only gotten to Leeds the once since he'd moved. Work stuff, no time for visiting, just a trip to Elland Road -- weird, without Lachlan -- and back down London again. It would be nice to see them both for a while, to catch up, and finally have Suzanne meet Sylvie.

ㅤ“ I'll call later, shall I? ” he asked, though evidently he was only half-thinking about this particular conversation. His eyes had fallen to her lips again, as they were wont to do these days, and he had other things on his mind. “ Hmm, forty-one days really is a long time, isn't it? Might even say too long. Does it feel like time's going slower to you too? ”

" forty - one? do i really have to wait that long? " she kisses him before his hands rest against her back, and is soon to rest hers against his arms. she'll be excited to see suzanne and clara — even more excited that their arrival means that her and gregor will be married in mere days.

" we could bring them to our normal spot. " she shrugs, squeezing his forearms. a cozy spot, perfect for them now that they weren't going out tons with coworkers or friends. perfect for the occasional drink. " tell them your beautiful, beautiful fiancée says we'll make time for them. as much of it as they want. are they planning on staying here or are they finding a hotel somewhere? "