continued thread with @solarsurfer!
While Rapunzel’s intentions were quite likely clear, even as infused with the sweetness of the moment as they were ( Jim’s fingers chasing away the faint remnants of tear tracks ushered forth by the disastrous dinner, her arms encircling his waist as her hands clenched lightly at the fabric of his shirt, the sensation of his chin atop the crown of her head as if it was as natural a place for it to occupy as any ), she had failed to predict just how powerful of a reaction they might conjure. However, it set alight within her a quiet anticipation.
Needless to say, her prior experience with forays into similar territory bordered on slim, regulated in actuality to a boy she had chanced short outings with a number of months ago. As the son of a respected colleague of her father’s, Rapunzel had deigned to accept his initial offerings, though she was in possession of the full knowledge that Frederic would find no fault with her should she have chosen otherwise. When their association ended with a physical refusal of his undesired advances, she had discovered that, in some respects, Gothel’s deterrents weren’t completely baseless.
Now, with Jim, was contrasting in almost every possible method. In all of their time passed in one another’s company, she had remained on alert; not in distrust of her newfound companion, yet a fresh wariness earned through the perils of navigating her first relationship of a similar nature. Never had Rapunzel felt anything near to discomfort in his presence, though, until her circumspection fell to the back of her mind ( not dormant, yet relaxed ). The unconscious decision hadn’t proven to be a imprudent one at any point, endearing him to her all the further.
When she parted from his embrace, a hint of color flushing across her cheekbones, she was more pleased with the response than she would have even previously imagined. Regardless, Rapunzel didn’t wish for such to appear her primary objective, though she was dubious that he would reach a conclusion along those lines; thus, she maintained a steady gaze upon Jim’s face as opposed to elsewhere before dashing inside to inform her mother of their alteration in plans. As she’d thought, Arianna was more than sympathetic, assuring her daughter that no affront would be met with from Frederic. With that affirmation to settle any lingering misgivings she had harbored as to their endeavors, she had exited through the front door to join Jim in his jeep.
Throughout their drive, Rapunzel wasn’t ignorant of Jim’s attentions. Although she primarily spent the trip witnessing the lights’ flashes illuminating the asphalt and specters in the form of misshapen trees emboldened by the darkness, she wasn’t averse to sneaking her own periodic glimpses towards him in return. She liked the way he looked in the glares of color beaming through the window on the driver’s side ( green, yellow, red ), and how his hands gripped the steering wheel. Perhaps most of all, Rapunzel liked the appearance of his countenance when he looked at her.
What would parking under the stars entail, exactly? She wasn’t definite on a majority of it, but the notion that she wasn’t suffused with concern should she wish to stop before he did was a comforting one.
Her mind was jarred from those thoughts by the precipitous swerve of the Jeep, and the resounding honk which was shuttled in their direction. Rapunzel’s pulse had quickened at the surprise of it, a huff of humorous relief escaping from her lips. Appreciating the influx of air as one of the windows minutely lowered, she then fully shifted her gaze to Jim upon reception of his suggestion.
“We should!” Her agreement was adamant. “It’s been forever since I’ve had a milkshake.” Tilting her head, Rapunzel feigned a study of him for a moment. “I’m trying to decide which flavor I think you’d get, but I’m not sure.” Although her eyes narrowed, the grin etching itself across her visage undermined the effect.
Then, shelving her debate for the actual moment of truth, her face lost all such pretense. “You should pick the music. I’m pretty sure you have better taste than I do.” Or at least, a far more vast expanse of musical history. There had been so much Rapunzel had opted to avoid due to Gothel’s influence, even if she could have easily discerned paths around the woman’s awareness.
On the other hand, what sort of music would Jim deem suitable for their excursion? “I just want to know all the things you like.”
