Chapter Text
“No no, Patsy. Use the first one, it looks better on you.” Trixie had popped her head out of the closet to check Patsy’s make up status before going back in and continuing to root through Patsy’s dress.
Patsy rolled her eyes and wiped the lipstick off, picking up the other tube and putting on the slightly darker shade. She was a little on edge, her nerves getting the better of her for once. It was just Delia. Delia, who she was comfortable with and who made her stomach do flips at the same time. Nothing to worry about. Patsy stared at herself in the mirror. God she even looked nervous. She touched up her lipstick, wiping away a smudge with her middle finger.
“Ok Pats, how about this one?” Trixie held up a dark green, slightly low cut dress that came to just to her knees. It was nice, and one of Patsy’s favorites, though she didn’t have many opportunities to wear it. Patsy nodded in approval and slipped it on. She held her hair to the side as Trixie zipped up the back for her.
“Oh Patsy that’s the one,” Trixie beamed at Patsy and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “And the neckline shows off your beautiful collarbones stupendously, which I’m sure Delia will appreciate.” Trixie wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“Oh goodness, Trixie, please,” Patsy smiled shyly, slapping Trixie’s hand away playfully. “Do you really think this dress is alright?”
Trixie sighed, turning Patsy so they were standing face to face. “Patsy you look beautiful, really. You’ve put on about hundred different dresses and this is definitely the one. Don’t be so nervous, it’s just a date.”
“It was only four different dresses,” Patsy mumbled, looking down at her feet. “I just want to make a good impression.”
“Trust me,” Trixie put her hands on Patsy’s shoulders reassuringly. “You already have.” She gave Patsy an affectionate smile. “You could wear a potato sack and she’d still think you were beautiful.” Patsy let out a soft laugh at that, some of worries starting to shrink at Trixie’s gentle assurances. Trixie was right; there was nothing to worry about. No need to be so tense. Only Delia.
“Now,” Trixie pulled her toward the vanity, “Let me get a proper look at that pretty face…"
When Trixie had deemed Patsy to be Date Ready, they had gone to wait down stairs. Delia was due to arrive any moment. Patsy could feel her anxiety steadily rising. Her leg was bouncing nervously under the table as she sipped her tea. Trixie noticed and gave her a gentle kick to snap her out of it.
“You stop that, you’re fine. ”
Patsy was about to respond when they heard the front door open and Barbara enter, chatting quietly to someone. Patsy and Trixie looked at each other before standing up, placing their mugs on the table.
Barbara stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, chipper as usual, “Would you guess who I found walking up the steps?”
Delia was now standing next to her, looking like a bundle of both nerves and cheer. “Hello Patsy, Trixie.”
Trixie was quick to respond, “Good evening Delia, nice to see you again.” She turned to Barbara, “Barbara, why don’t I help you clean up your instruments,” she said this giving her a Look that tried to convey everything that she was trying not to say.
“Oh really Trixie you don’t have to--”
“I don’t mind,” she grabbed Barbara by the arm and began to lead her away, “Come on Babs,” Trixie gave Patsy a thumbs up as she rounded the corner, Barbara trailing along behind her.
Now that the room was empty of its unwanted occupants, the remaining pair stared at each other from across the kitchen, remembering the last time they had been in this same position. Patsy took a deep breath to steady herself and slowly made her way across the kitchen to Delia. Her heels clicked on the tile, a small smile growing on her face.
“Hello,” She said simply as she stopped in front of Delia. When they locked eyes, she could feel the tension between them. It was as if the air between them was vibrating from it, or maybe that was just her nerves. She glanced down at Delia, who was looking impossibly pretty in her blue and white dress, and Patsy couldn’t remember why she’d ever thought this was a bad idea.
Delia was leaning against the doorframe, appearing more excited than anything. Her eyes swept over Patsy, who was trying not to come off as nervous as she felt under Delia’s gaze. Delia’s eyes paused at Patsy’s clavicle for a split second longer than they should have, Patsy noticed, before coming back to her face. At least Trixie was right about her collar bones. Patsy thought she might have a heart attack on the spot.
“I like your dress, it looks beautiful on you.” Delia gave Patsy a warm smile.
Patsy was definitely having a heart attack. This was it. No, Patsy willed herself to speak, form a response Patsy, you can do it. Anything, pull it together. “So do you.” That was horrible. Was that even an appropriate response? What did she just say? “I mean, you look nice as well.” Patsy was sure she was dying.
Delia just laughed and took Patsy by the arm. “Let’s go get dinner, I’m starving.” Patsy let herself be led out of the house, not even trying to hide her grin. “And you don’t have to be so nervous,” Delia told her gently, “Just relax. It’s only me.”
They walked along the street with their arms linked; a suggestion by Delia to ‘ward off the evening chill’. Patsy wasn’t sure if that was the real reason, but she was certainly not complaining. Though the proximity didn’t help her pounding heart and sweaty palms.
They chatted about their days on the way to the restaurant. Somewhere along the way, Delia decided to try and see how hard she could make Patsy laugh-- which turned out to be a great decision because Patsy had, what Delia claimed to be, the best laugh ever.
Their dinner was going smoothly. Well, really it was going perfectly. Beyond perfectly even. Patsy would argue that it was the best dinner of her life. Not only was the food excellent, but the company could not be compared. Delia had entertained her with stories of growing up in Pembrokeshire, with twelve rowdy cousins and her overbearing mother. However, at the mention of her mother, Patsy noticed that Delia’s mood seemed to shift a bit. She didn’t want to prod, so she was grateful when Delia began to open up on her own.
“I just want to warn you,” Delia set her fork down on her plate with a soft clink, and folded her hands in front of her. She stole a quick glance up at Patsy, searching her face for some kind of reaction. So far, just plain curiosity, perhaps a tinge of worry. “My mother may not be entirely... thrilled... with how fate planned things for us.” She finally looked Patsy in the eye, worry written all over her face as she waited for Patsy’s reaction.
Patsy chewed thoughtfully and took a sip of her drink before carefully asking, “Can you elaborate on that a bit?”
Delia chewed the inside of her cheek, “She just… has always been on me about how she wants grandchildren, and I won’t be able to give that to her.”
Patsy nodded, “I see. But you know you aren’t obligated to give her grandchildren, Delia. It’s your life. Perhaps it’s just not what was planned for us. Your mother will just have to accept it.” She reached across the table and took Delia’s hand for a moment, giving it a reassuring squeeze before bringing it back to her lap.
Delia slowly nodded. “I’m trying to remember that.” She smiled at Patsy from across the table as she picked up her fork, but Patsy could tell something had changed in her. It seemed that Delia may have an issue with letting people down, her mother in particular.
“There’s no need to worry about that now,” Patsy started, “This is still new. We’ll just cross that bridge when we come to it. And my family won’t have any qualms with it, by the way. So we won’t have to worry about that.” She decided it best not to mention that that was only because most of them were dead. It wasn’t exactly the thing you bring up on a first date. Her comment did seem to ease Delia to a certain extent however, and their conversation soon turned to something more light.
The rest of their dinner passed without a hitch. Once Patsy had payed (she had insisted), she let Delia lead her to their next destination.
Of course, the club Delia picked was an interesting little nook down some seemingly random ally. It was actually much larger than it appeared on the outside, with a sizable dance floor and a band playing up on a small stage. It wasn’t particularly crowded, but it was certainly not empty. Patsy looked over at Delia with an eyebrow raised, asking the question how on earth did you know about this place? Delia just laughed at Patsy’s surprised expression and took her by hand, pulling her close. When she was right by Patsy’s ear, she spoke loud enough to be heard over the music. She was radiating mischief, Patsy could hear the smile in her voice. “I must maintain some of my mystery, Patsy Mount. Do you want a drink?” Patsy suppressed a shiver at the feeling of Delia’s breath hot on her ear and nodded. Delia led them through the throngs of people to the bar.
Once they made it to the dance floor, Patsy began to feel her nerves from earlier coming back. It was one thing to talk to a beautiful woman from across the table, holding her in your arms as you dance? That was an entirely separate issue. One that Patsy was about to face. At this very moment.
“I must admit,” Delia laced her fingers with Patsy’s, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I’m probably not a great dancer.” As Patsy looked down at her, she could tell that Delia was actually a bit nervous too. She found some relief in that. The fact that they were both just feeling their way around and fumbling to figure everything out was oddly comforting. At least they were together.
Patsy had a hand of Delia’s waist. “I’ll lead then.” Patsy smiled reassuringly, trying to let Delia know that she was just as nervous, just as hopeful. Delia’s soft gaze told Patsy the message was received.
Patsy could feel the heat of Delia’s skin through the fabric of her dress. She wondered if she was as hot under Delia’s soft fingers on her shoulder. Patsy gently flexed her fingers, pressing them lightly against Delia’s side and fanning them out as she pulled her closer. They moved together for several songs, swaying with the music, watching each other.
Delia did not want to break Patsy’s intense gaze. Those blue eyes were so compelling, so full of passion and light that she felt heavy under it. Like the weight of Patsy’s adoration and excitement was crushing her, taking the breath from her lungs. Patsy was glowing. Her copper hair caught the yellow light in a soft way, and Delia was sure she’d never seen anything as beautiful. Delia slowly trailed her hand along Patsy’s shoulder and down her arm, resting briefly on the spot where her mark was. Patsy watched her as she did it, as soft smile pulling at her lips. Delia wanted to kiss those lips so badly just then. All she had to do was turn her head, lean forward. She didn’t.
Instead Delia asked, “So where did you learn how to dance? You’re a great lead.”
Patsy’s head tilted slightly as she remembered, “When I was at school, we were taught how to do a few simple things. And all the girls wanted to practice, but I was the only one that wanted to lead. So I got to dance quite a bit in those days.” Patsy smirked playfully, spinning a rather impressed Delia for emphasis. They were both laughing by the time Delia was facing Patsy again.
Delia brought her hand back up to Patsy’s shoulder, resting it closer to her neck this time. She had the sudden urge to trail her thumb along Patsy’s collarbone. She did, and she watched carefully as Patsy bit her lip in response to her touch. They were getting closer by the second. Patsy leaned down a bit, until her fringe was brushing against Delia’s, their foreheads millimeters apart. Patsy could feel that warm, buzzing, tension between them again. She felt the way the base of her neck tingled under Delia’s fingers. She felt the way her heart was beating, hard against her ribs. She felt the way Delia’s eyes bore into her own through those dark lashes, the way they looked down at her lips, aching to kiss her.
Delia leaned forward, placing her mouth right by Patsy’s ear, “How would you feel about heading out of here?”
Their cheeks touching, hot blushes soft against each other, Patsy replied. “Lead the way.” She hid her smile in Delia’s hair.
The moon hung low in the sky when Delia found herself with her back against the cool brick of the nurse’s home. Well, ‘found’ wasn’t exactly correct. It was more like ‘placed them in this exact position herself’. Patsy had a hand on the brick just beside Delia’s shoulder, leaning towards her, surrounding her. Delia was very pleased with the current set up. As she looked up at Patsy in the silvery light of the moon, the dim street lamps casting soft shadows, Delia wondered if Patsy looked good in all lighting. Thus far, the answer was firm yes. Something about the way the moonlight hit Patsy’s cheekbones made Delia think that perhaps she was dead, and Patsy was some sort of angel sent to deliver her to paradise. She wasn’t sure if she could take it anymore.
Patsy’s eyes scanned Delia’s face for some sort of sign of, well, anything. “I had a wonderful time tonight.” Patsy’s voice was husky and soft. The smell of smoke from the cigarette she’d finished a few minuets ago still clung to her.
Instead of speaking, Delia brought her hand to the back of Patsy’s neck, gently pulling her down. Her heart raced as Patsy’s eyes fluttered shut, and she pressed forward, unconsciously licking her lips in anticipation. Delia felt her nose brush softly against Patsy’s, and she hovered there for a moment, enjoying the way her skin hummed at the contact. The hot breath on her cheek, slightly parted lips touched lightly, painfully lightly, until Patsy pulled her closer with an arm around her waist.
Patsy’s soft lips pressed against her slowly, moving with her own. Delia sighed into the space between their lips, her hand reaching up to cup Patsy’s jaw and bring her even closer. Delia’s fingers threaded through Pasty’s soft hair as she deepened the kiss, causing Patsy to hum into her mouth. It was passionate and sweet, full of hope for a future with a lot more kissing, and many more dates.
Delia was pressed against the brick when they pulled apart, breathing a little ragged. She could feel Patsy’s chest heaving against her own as they stood there, eyes still closed, foreheads resting against each other.
Patsy was the first to break the silence, straightening up so that she could look Delia in the eye. “So I take it you had a nice time tonight as well?”
Delia laughed, eyes sparkling with bliss, “Cheeky,” she breathed, and kissed her again.
When Patsy finally returned home, Trixie was quick to comment on the disheveled state of Patsy’s hair. And make up. Patsy just laughed, resting her hand on the inside of her right arm. She could still feel Delia on her lips.