Just smile and be happy.
His head nodded as he hummed in adament agreement. Koa was certainly one of the most heroic people he knew, even while simultaneously being one of the most goofy. Maybe that was just the perfect combo. It had easily earned him respect from everyone. He still had to remember to either throttle or hug the man later for his 'advice' about his love life.
It hadn't been Zavien's intention to start a train of compliments or obligatory confessions, so Lena's words brought a growing warmth to his cheeks. He tried to hide it with a brush of his fingers through his hair but she made it hard with that teasing wink, capturing his gaze and making his heart stutter. A sheepish grin dimpled his cheeks. "Well thank you. Although I would have settled for handsome." In truth, the physical aspect meant very little to him, but he'd never been good at taking compliments, so his smile widened with humor, fighting the urge to start a war of admiring remarks. He'd barely scratched the surface with everything he liked about Lena, but he got the feeling that there would be time for more words and sweet moments.
However, he wasn't going to let her end the topic that easily. Not after such a flattering and wholesome statement. Flashing her a pure, meaningful smile, he said, "You make me want to make the world a better place." All joking was set aside for a moment as he tried to convey her own importance. Lena mattered to more than just him. "Maybe we can do it together." His gaze was sincere and earnest, an invitation to let their efforts and victories be shared.
The humor helped to break some of the seriousness of the moment. Zavien chuckled lightly, lifting a finger. "Astute observations, but I don't think the monsters would appreciate the comparison." His scribbles had been too colorful to be terrifying and too childish to be intimidating. It was the perfect storm of useless lines. Zavien shook his head to clear the juvenile humor, leaning a little closer with the movement.
Their close proximity and the soft whisper of her voice had his eyes glancing down to her lips. The marshmallows nearby were completely forgotten. He couldn't tell if the heat he was feeling came from the bonfire or the bubbling emotions inside. He felt breathless, frozen in time as he met Lena's deep brown eyes. "Can I kiss you?" It slipped from his mouth in a soft whisper, uncertain whether the moment was right even if the feelings had been confirmed, yet all he knew was that she sat before him, sharing his vulnerability, and he wanted to kiss her more than anything in the world.
It hadn't been Zavien's intention to start a train of compliments or obligatory confessions, so Lena's words brought a growing warmth to his cheeks. He tried to hide it with a brush of his fingers through his hair but she made it hard with that teasing wink, capturing his gaze and making his heart stutter. A sheepish grin dimpled his cheeks. "Well thank you. Although I would have settled for handsome." In truth, the physical aspect meant very little to him, but he'd never been good at taking compliments, so his smile widened with humor, fighting the urge to start a war of admiring remarks. He'd barely scratched the surface with everything he liked about Lena, but he got the feeling that there would be time for more words and sweet moments.
However, he wasn't going to let her end the topic that easily. Not after such a flattering and wholesome statement. Flashing her a pure, meaningful smile, he said, "You make me want to make the world a better place." All joking was set aside for a moment as he tried to convey her own importance. Lena mattered to more than just him. "Maybe we can do it together." His gaze was sincere and earnest, an invitation to let their efforts and victories be shared.
The humor helped to break some of the seriousness of the moment. Zavien chuckled lightly, lifting a finger. "Astute observations, but I don't think the monsters would appreciate the comparison." His scribbles had been too colorful to be terrifying and too childish to be intimidating. It was the perfect storm of useless lines. Zavien shook his head to clear the juvenile humor, leaning a little closer with the movement.
Their close proximity and the soft whisper of her voice had his eyes glancing down to her lips. The marshmallows nearby were completely forgotten. He couldn't tell if the heat he was feeling came from the bonfire or the bubbling emotions inside. He felt breathless, frozen in time as he met Lena's deep brown eyes. "Can I kiss you?" It slipped from his mouth in a soft whisper, uncertain whether the moment was right even if the feelings had been confirmed, yet all he knew was that she sat before him, sharing his vulnerability, and he wanted to kiss her more than anything in the world.
Zavien
