[OOM] Oswin, Moriarty and Delicious Cake.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"You know where the kitchen is," Moriarty says as they enter, setting down the basket, and the violin next to it. "I'll be with you momentarily.

The moment in question, it seems, is being mostly devoted to finding a change of clothes from his wardrobe. Victorian clothes are all good and well, but they're stiff, and a lot of layers, and they tend to pick up the smell of London like nothing else.

(Moriarty rather hates the smell of London.)

The kitchen is, at least, in the same place. It would be inconvenient if it was somewhere totally different.

Comments

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty does appreciate not having his flat on fire. He feels it creates a more subtle ambiance.

"Aye, ma'am," he says, and dutifully sets to very, very carefully turning the oven to the correct temperature setting.

[souffle_girlek]

That earns him a wicked grin - the whole giving orders thing could go to her head. But she's kept busy enough mixing the ingredients together, carefully checking off each one when it is added. She's discovered it really does pay to be overcautious.

"So, reasonable quantities of faith? Was there a shortage on when you went to get some?"

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

That grin makes him blush a little, ducking his head.

"I've heard of your culinary disasters before. It made sense to reserve at least a little bit of faith," Moriarty says wryly.

[souffle_girlek]

She scrunches her nose, remembering some of the more... notable entries into the 'failed' class.

"... Yeeeeah, that's fair." She likes baking people things. She never said she was awesomely good at it.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"But you seem to be doing excellent work on this one," Moriarty adds.

[souffle_girlek]

"Meaning so far nothing looks curdled." She snickers, stirring together the wet and dry ingredients. "I think I spotted a bunt cake pan in that cabinet over there, can you fetch it out and flour it?"

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"I never said that," Moriarty protests, searching for the cake pan.

It doesn't help that he's not sure what one is, but he comes up with something at least moderately suitable eventually.

[souffle_girlek]

"That'll work." Sort of - but she's not looking for pastry perfection here, she just wants edible. Carefully she pours in the batter, smoothing it out in an attempt to keep from poking it in a 'and now you will behave, yes?' manner.
"Right, into the oven with that, and then forty minutes until judgement." Which in her life, has too often been '... and how did it get burned again', tragically.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty pauses.

Then: "What are we meant to do for forty minutes?"

[souffle_girlek]

"Well, the washing up, for one. So pop your shirt off, quick as you like." She replies sunnily, as she collects up the dirty bowls and measuring spoons.

...

There's never a bad reason to aim for shirtlessness, is there?

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"I don't see how those two things are connected," Moriarty says dubiously.

(And yet, still does exactly as she says.)

[souffle_girlek]

"They're not." Because while she's opportunistic, she's also honest. "I just enjoy the view."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty's blush is faint, but spreads all the way down to his shoulders.

Pause. Then, cheerily: "You know, if I'm taking my shirt off for this, then it's only just and correct that you do so as well."

[souffle_girlek]

"And suddenly he's interested in fairness." She grins at him in that horridly wicked way, but once she has the bowls soaking she really cannot find a reason to say no. Today isn't one of the few bad days, the ones that sneak up and vividly remind her of the body-horror of realizing what a full conversion entails. It's easy to shrug off her top, though she momentarily regrets not picking something more fancy than a simple black satin bra. She could have been so much more creative.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"I've always been interested in fairness. Very fair fellow, I am," Moriarty chirps.

- He also stares a little, when she shrugs off her top, before determinedly finding something else to look at. Bubbles. He'll look at the bubbles in the sink.

[souffle_girlek]

"Hey." Her hand is warm, where she catches his arm to get his attention. "You alright? We don't have to do... any of this, if it makes you uncomfortable."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty turns a little, catching her eye with a shy smile.

"I am - good. Comfortable. But I did not wish to be discourteous by staring," he says.

[souffle_girlek]

"If I was worried about you staring, I wouldn't have taken my shirt off." Oswin points out, giving him a reassuring grin.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty grins back, ducking his head.

"Well, most of my, er, previous dalliances have been - relatively straightforward, contained within a fairly uncomplicated social structure."

Beat. "Which is to say, usually the young wives of wealthy men, who hold their ear and might then talk them into providing patronage and funding for my research and study. It's a lot more - prescribed. Less complicated. Everything is a known quantity."

Another beat. Moriarty rubs the back of his neck absently. "Which is to say that I don't really know how to proceed with a - thing where there is both an emotional involvement and ... er ..." He waves a hand vaguely. "Dalliance-ing."

The blush has spread even further.

[souffle_girlek]

The blush is precious and Oswin believes she is being a very good person for not saying so. At minimum, it's earned her an extra slice of cake. Assuming it's edible.

"Being honest helps. Being open to ask for what you want, and also knowing you're allowed to say no." She replies, "Emotional involvement?"

It saves her from somewhat snarky comments about how boring knowing all variables in a dalliance must be.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"I'm just - well enough at ease with the physical act. Sufficiently practised for purpose. Less comfortable with navigating the social interaction around it," Moriarty says, rubbing his chin. "Unless that social interaction involves not asking too many questions beforehand and leaving immediately afterwards."

He peers at her. "Um, yes. Or attachment, might be a better word. I'm unaccustomed to having any kind of particular affection for my, er, partners."

[souffle_girlek]

"Leaving immediately afterwards is not an option, mister." Oswin emphasizes, because if there's going to be requests, that's definitely going to be one. "And you can call it attachments or emotional involvement or whatever, doesn't mean a girl doesn't like hearing about it."

Subtract love, add anger. She likes reversing that equation.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"I, er, duly noted," Moriarty says, ducking his head.

[souffle_girlek]

She pokes his shoulder - even shirtless, this works as a method of Moriarty-wrangling.

"Strong implication also works. I've been told I'm fairly bright."

This is a lie. She declares she's a genius frequently - no needing to be told or false modesty here.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

Moriarty bends to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Only fairly bright?"