I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings
Flora searches Kaisel's face as a smile finds its way there, his expression so gently assured and so completely out of step with the storm still crashing through her chest that it stops her short. Her lower lip puckers open without her meaning it to, eyes scanning his for some hidden punchline or bravado she can argue against, because this was not perfect and unforgettable does not always mean good, and the idea that a night where they nearly died and her ship was torn open could lodge itself among his favourite memories makes her chest tighten all over again. She is already drawing breath to protest, to insist that this is not the sort of thing she wants burned into him forever, when his words curve instead into something softer and more dangerous, the notion that soon there might be too many perfect nights to keep track of, that the problem is be abundance rather than loss.
The tension snaps just enough for a small laugh to escape her, thin and surprised and meant more to keep her upright than to express humour, and before she feels herself doing it, she stretches up onto her toes and presses a kiss to his lips. It is gentle and brief, but it carries everything she does not yet have the steadiness to say, the depth of her love settling into the touch like warmth soaking through layers. When she pulls back her smile is crooked and fond and still a little fragile at the edges. "You always know what to say," she murmurs, voice soft and sincere in a way that leaves no room for teasing.
Spice’s answering croon drifts down from above, confident and proud, and Flora lets herself be guided toward the stairs without resistance, following Kaisel below deck with the lingering shakiness of someone who is finally allowing the worst of the fear to ebb. The state of the kitchenette barely registers to her at all, the chaos of cocoa and toppings and jostled supplies fading into background noise as she shrugs out of her jacket and unzips the rest of her layers, revealing a slim-fitting cream sweater beneath. She pulls off her hat and her remaining glove and sets them aside absently. "Well, if we do run low, I bought so much chocolate, so we could melt some down if needed."
She brushes a small drift of marshmallows off the counter and leans back against it, shoulders finally lowering as the adrenaline drains away, and when she looks at Kaisel again there is a careful vulnerability in her eyes that she does not bother to hide. Her voice dips, searching his face for honesty even as she already believes him. "So you’re really not upset?"
The tension snaps just enough for a small laugh to escape her, thin and surprised and meant more to keep her upright than to express humour, and before she feels herself doing it, she stretches up onto her toes and presses a kiss to his lips. It is gentle and brief, but it carries everything she does not yet have the steadiness to say, the depth of her love settling into the touch like warmth soaking through layers. When she pulls back her smile is crooked and fond and still a little fragile at the edges. "You always know what to say," she murmurs, voice soft and sincere in a way that leaves no room for teasing.
Spice’s answering croon drifts down from above, confident and proud, and Flora lets herself be guided toward the stairs without resistance, following Kaisel below deck with the lingering shakiness of someone who is finally allowing the worst of the fear to ebb. The state of the kitchenette barely registers to her at all, the chaos of cocoa and toppings and jostled supplies fading into background noise as she shrugs out of her jacket and unzips the rest of her layers, revealing a slim-fitting cream sweater beneath. She pulls off her hat and her remaining glove and sets them aside absently. "Well, if we do run low, I bought so much chocolate, so we could melt some down if needed."
She brushes a small drift of marshmallows off the counter and leans back against it, shoulders finally lowering as the adrenaline drains away, and when she looks at Kaisel again there is a careful vulnerability in her eyes that she does not bother to hide. Her voice dips, searching his face for honesty even as she already believes him. "So you’re really not upset?"
and I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this
