Welcome to Gaia! ::

Candace had just gone through all the boxes of her gift from Aria and Lance, and now she was poring over the anglo-saxon books. This was so great. She was bouncing like a kid in a candy shop on her sofa, eyes wide as she scanned the pages with the biggest grin on her face. Christmas. Was. Awesome. She loved it so much, and gifts like this were exactly why.

She almost missed the knock on the door, looking up only when Atropos brought it to her attention. Eh? She hurriedly marked her page with the bookmark Jordan had given her, getting to the door in hopes that whoever had been waiting for her didn't leave from impatience. She opened the door, spotting that tell-tale head of hair immediately and practically lighting up with delight. "Molly~! Hey there, sweetie!" She looked her up and down out of habit, stopping at the pair of necklaces around the girl's neck. One of them was very familiar.

Her smile softening, Candace reached out to gently lift the unfamiliar necklace to see it. "Very nice~." She leaned in to press a light kiss against the girl's cheek and then stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. The door was closed behind her.

Okay.

There were a lot of things Candace expected out of Molly. Sweet, genuine innocence. Kindness. A bubbly personality. Miss Candace~. Her girlfrie--er...friend..who was a girl...yes. Her sweet Molly was so precious.

She definitely did not expect her to give her the kiss she ended up getting. Candace stumbled back simply out of surprise, her eyes wide and her hand catching on the door frame. A hug from Otto, a kiss from Molly. A real kiss like the one they had shared when her weapon had been locked down. It took a moment of mental processing before Candace relaxed and swept Molly up in her arms, taking a step back into her apartment and bringing the girl with her. She happily returned the kiss, taking the chance to lean in and deepen it just a little bit if the girl would let her before she leaned back and broke away, breathless with surprise. "You're welcome!" She laughed. "So..that kind of gift gets me a kiss, hmmm~? Wonder what I'd get if I gave you something bigger." Candace sounded as if she was simply teasing, still holding Molly and toying with one of her thick ringlet curls. "You deserved it, I meant what I said. You take care of everyone so well." She leaned down and kissed her again. "You deserve to be given the same treatment, if not more."

A whole bunch of kisses? Was that it? Damn. She'd have to try so much harder than. Candace smiled anyway, closing the door with her foot and holding Molly comfortably against her as she backed toward the couch. She was very happy! Candace would have to spoil her more often! "You're very, very, very welcome." She laughed. "It's no problem, sweetheart. I see someone else gave you a necklace as well. Who's spoiling my Molly with a jewelry aside from me~?" Candace returned the tight hug and sat down on the couch, pulling Molly along with her and nuzzling her face against Molly's cheek. "I must say I'm liking this affection right now. The gift doesn't have an expiration date, so you're free to use it whenever you have the time or you feel you need some quiet time."

Candace sat up again, an arm draped across the back of the couch around Molly's shoulders. "And thank you for your gift. It's beautiful, and it reminds me of you." She was still smiling, toying with Molly's hair while she spoke. "And the note. It meant a lot to hear that. I'm flattered you feel so strongly about me. So, I'm your girlfriend~?" It was meant to be a joke. Candace knew Molly only meant it as a friend, but she would admit to herself that she had had to read the line twice.

From Dakota, hm? Candace's eyes lowered to the necklace once more. A key..was there a matching lock? She smiled anyway. "I got a necklace from Gale as well." Candace looked to the box in Molly's hands and reached to take it just to put it on the coffee table, settling beside Molly after as if she had never left her side even for a moment. She was like a cat curling up beside her owner, and Molly's size made cuddling even more cuddly. "You'll know when the time is right, darlin'."

Candace perked up again as Molly confirmed she would call her her girlfriend, though she calmed again when she remembered what that meant. "Molly," She smiled and placed a finger against her lips to silence her, leaning in to rest her forehead against Molly's and drape her legs over the girl's lap, effectively curling up against her. "I'm more than okay with it. I love you very much, and I'm honored you feel I'm worthy of being a girlfriend to you. Even just the female friend kind."

"I was just attempting to read a book from Lance and Aria. Nothing I can't take a break from." Candace was still playing with Molly's hair, looking thoughtful now. She wasn't terribly thirsty right now, the hot chocolate could wait. She was more interested in how happy it made her that Molly loved her; Candace needed to remind herself Molly's love for her was strictly o the platonic variety.

She shifted again, this time with her back against Molly and her head against the younger woman's chest, using her as a very comfy pillow. "Molly? Have you..thought about my offer?" Candace suddenly asked, looking up at her friend.

"Yeah, but you know those nesting dolls? The ones where you open it and another one is inside? That's what my box was like. I had to open like...three boxes to get to my books. It was something I told Aria I was dreading last time she gave me one of those puzzle boxes." She chuckled at the memory and then closed her eyes, getting comfortable against Molly's chest. No, it was not just an excuse to be close to her bosom.

...Okay, it was.

Shut up, don't judge her.

The hair petting had Candace practically melting, putty in Molly's hands, and completely unaware of her panic over forgetting her offer. It wasn't until Molly suddenly apologized that she opened her eyes and looked worried. Was she declining?

Oh.

Candace blinked. "If you'd like to live with me."

Candace looked up at Molly and just watched her, curious and slightly anxious for the girl's answer. It was completely up to her. Even if Molly said yes she was free to leave whenever she liked. If the girl wanted her own apartment after being promoted to Hunter that was completely her decision, and Candace would even help her move if she wanted.

At the questions she nodded, blinking and tilting her head to one side. "If you like. Naturally you're free to come and go as you please regardless of your decision, and if you lived with me and decided you wanted your own apartment after being promoted that'd be fine. Not like I'm going to force you." Candace smiled. She had been rather upset by the news of Molly not having a room of her own, and while this wasn't quiet the same as having her own room she could treat it as such. And she would have a definite place to sleep every night instead of wondering whose room would be available.