starry eyed

Matilda is blind, but Raguna is starting to wonder if she isn’t psychic or otherwise reading his mind. Sure, he’s awful at hiding many emotions but he thought he could at least hide his thoughts! But Matilda hadn’t stuttered, and the cupping of her hands and open mouth didn’t need any more invitation.

“Uh, it’s really fine, but if you insist… here.” A fresh pastry is taken from the basket, held up and lightly touched to her lips so a bite could be taken. His heart is starting to beat even faster, the woman is too endearing and cute for her own good, and especially too good for him! But that didn’t mean he’d squander the opportunity. It was a good memory and it’s okay for him to indulge in chances like this, right?

“It may be a while before the dress dries, unfortunately. It’s a warm day but clouds have really started to move in, so the laundry will take longer. I have a few things out hanging myself. Did…” Did you have to leave so soon? Raguna bites his tongue for a moment, he didn’t want to be too selfish but that she would already be leaving was somewhat disappointing. It wasn’t his place to take too much of her schedule, however. He liked being around her, but he had to respect that she had her own things to do around town. And he could be getting back to work himself. “Did you have a lot to do today? Aha… I hope this doesn’t hurt your errands or time too much, miss Matilda.”

The sweet was just as good as when she taste tested, a mental sigh of relief considering one of the worst things she could possibly do was serve him something completely different, or worse, inedible. “Mm, thank you, that is quite enough for me.” Her bite looks more like a nibble after all they were for Raguna and she may or may not be thinking on how this could qualify as an indirect kiss. Or she was being silly about that kind of situation.

“Me? Not necessarily.” She visits the town and rents an inn room for a few weeks before traveling back home, all on the basis that she is here for work. The truth of the matter is that Matilda has yet to even come close to taking over the family’s business; visiting the townsfolk and this particular farmer was all she looked forward to, even using the idea of opening a shop here in order to get closer to him after posing it to him.

He takes a bite of the cookie.

    “You suck…”

“You look disappointed, is there something else you wanted?” Raguna knows, of course. Is he teasing her? Maybe a little bit. Maybe her plays have started to rub off on the farmer. He hasn’t let go of her after all, fingers affectionately petting her cheeks.

“You can ask for anything.”

“...You’re only saying that because you know I can’t be upset with you. To think that you would be the one to start teasing me. Ha! I wonder whether or not that means I should keep my distance from you or step up my game.”

Gently cradles Matilda's face in his hands before leaning down and placing a long, firm, affectionate smooch RIGHT to her head.

She braced herself, eyes closed (as per usual), lips maybe a tad puckered however her excitement quickly dies down after realizing what’s happened. The gesture is sweet, of course, but Matilda expected a bit more.

“That was a good effort. But I don’t think it did anything.”

WAIT FOR HIM

Unsurprisingly, Raguna elects to stay next to her in the kitchen. He may not have an apron on but that doesn’t mean he won’t assist with keeping things arranged and giving the sauce a stir. Even if she hadn’t suggested it, he couldn’t help but be a little curious about the taste and profile. The spoon is lifted from the pot and touched to his lips. He smacks them, then grabs a little more spice to sprinkle in there.

“It’s tasting fantastic, I just added a little more basil… once that’s mixed in, I think this is set. Oh yeah. The dough looks good too, you should have more confidence in yourself… even if I don’t mind helping.” He chuckles with a smile. Standing side to side with her in the kitchen was something he was more than fond of doing. There was something mesmerizing about the way she cooked. The way her hands flexed and traced around the counter to find the items she was using. It was so impressive how she managed. If Raguna were to be blindfolded he’d have burned himself three times over. But Matilda was doing great.

Room is yielded to her as she mixes everything together, stepping to her other side with a gentle touch of her hand to make sure she knew where he was. As much fun as it was to surprise the woman in one way or the other, this wasn’t the place to do it.

“I’m looking forward even more to dinner. And you. Hmmm.” He looks over the spaghetti, considering his appetite and mood. “Is there time to toast some bread you think? There’s a fresh loaf I picked up from the market in the pantry. It’d be perfect to go with this.”

Matilda takes a taste after Raguna gives his input. “You’re right, a bit of extra basil really does perk it up!” While everything seems to finally simmer down Matilda takes her time to gather what mess she’s made, it’s difficult to know whether or not something is truly clean so while she takes more time than most at least she’s methodical in the way that she moves. 

“That’s a great idea. I wasn’t sure if you had any butter or else I’ll be sticking my fingers into everything, not very hygienic. A shame I didn’t think to bring that cheese wheel you gave me because it’s still being worked on at home, but then again I also didn’t think that I would be welcoming you home with dinner just yet.” After a week of cheese filled meals the family had to take a break despite the dairy wheel looming over them in the kitchen. She grabs a couple of plates to set up the table.