meet me in the afterglow

When no one is around, my dear
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

The kiss was tame, in comparison to those they’d shared the night before, and yet it was no less emotional for the difference. Soh lingered, savoring the taste of his lips and the feel of his arms around her. There was still a lot to deal with, it was true. She wondered what Koa would think, when he found out, only because she was afraid that his reaction had the power to make or break this fragile new relationship. But that was a worry that couldn’t bring her mood down for long, not when she had the man she wanted beside her.

When n they separated, Zavien seemed distracted, and Soh gently tilted his head until their eyes met. ”Hey,” she said, reading his distraction as worry, or perhaps distance. She swallowed hard. ”If I’m too much - if a picnic is too much - just tell me. I don’t want to run you off, so if you need space to process…” The offer was hesitant, but genuine. She didn’t want to leave him (except maybe to share her news with Flora), but she would if it was what he needed.

Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

Sohalia

Zavien

Never regret anything that made you smile

Letting her tilt his head up, his eyes met hers, the joking gone when faced with the concern shining bright. He didn't like that he kept worrying her, especially not when he had been distracted by something good. Trying to reassure her and find his equilibrium again, Zavien tightened his hold on her, head shaking in her grasp. "No no. It's not you. I was just... taking it all in." His smile reappeared, wondering how she would react if she knew it had been the kiss that distracted him. 

To prove that he wanted to be with her right now rather than panicking processing on his own, he shifted in his chair, ready to take action on their plans. "I think a picnic is a great idea." He leaned forward, willing the mood and his smile to brighten as he labeled it. "It's a date."

When no one is around, my dear
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

If asked, Soh wouldn’t have been able to define exactly why she worried so; after all, Zavien had made it abundantly clear that he wanted her, that he wanted this, despite all reasons to avoid it. He wouldn’t feel that way about her if she was a bother. Perhaps she was so used to being left - either because the person she cared about died or disappeared - that she assumed it was somehow her fault, even with no evidence to support the thought.

But Zavien’s hurried reassurance was enough to lift her lips in a smile. ”Okay,” she said, and it was only a moment before he was leaning forward, clearly ready to get moving. Still smiling, Soh stood, trailing her hands down Zavien’s arms as she moved away, as though to soften the sudden space between them. And then it was simply a matter of cleaning up the kitchen, changing into yesterday’s clothes, and deciding on a destination before they could head out on their very first date.

fin

Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

Sohalia