I carry all I need to grow inside - give me light, give me warmth
"Ah, you got me there," he capitulates easily, happy to let her win any small thing today of all days. Even in their current capacity as friends, it's undeniable that Phoebe is immensely precious to Harper. Anyone who knows them is sure to be able to tell, and that has never bothered the man. He is very upfront with his emotions, guileless and sincere, and as a man very in tune with his own sensitivity it has never bothered him to be public about how he adores her. If he can give her this one day, this single moment in time to look back on with a smile, Harper will do whatever it takes.
As her hesitation grows clear, he manages a small smile past the nerves that strangle his throat. Harper wants to be brave for her, courageous. Someone more like Sunjata. But he knows he's not. It's a difficult comparison to make, knowing that while he may be more than capable of protecting her and going to war for her, that he is not the bad boy with the smooth talking tongue that she's used to. All he has to offer her is himself. Joyful, intimate, playful, loyal. For all his flaws, ones he still wants to talk to her about before they commit to anything - if she will even give him the chance - he knows he can't compare to her ex.
But then she says yes. And there's no room for comparing himself to others, doubts temporarily dissolved beneath the force of his relief and joy. "Thank you," he whispers, knowing she will hear him as he drifts a little closer, adamant that he thank her for the chance she is giving him to do this. Still holding one of her hands to gently pull her closer, the other lifts to brush the backs of his knuckles across her pink cheek. The pad of his thumb following in a tender stroke, tucking her wet hair behind her ear and cradling her head to tilt it up towards him. He takes his time, staring down at her and memorizing the way the sun cuts across her face, illuminating her eyes. Only then does he bend down to erase the small space between them in height, lips gentle and unassuming as they press upon her own. Tender and full of feeling, arguably chaste with the close-lipped press against one another. But he cradles her close, lips moving slowly, no more than the tiniest open and close as he embraces the moment of finally being able to kiss her as he has desired.
As her hesitation grows clear, he manages a small smile past the nerves that strangle his throat. Harper wants to be brave for her, courageous. Someone more like Sunjata. But he knows he's not. It's a difficult comparison to make, knowing that while he may be more than capable of protecting her and going to war for her, that he is not the bad boy with the smooth talking tongue that she's used to. All he has to offer her is himself. Joyful, intimate, playful, loyal. For all his flaws, ones he still wants to talk to her about before they commit to anything - if she will even give him the chance - he knows he can't compare to her ex.
But then she says yes. And there's no room for comparing himself to others, doubts temporarily dissolved beneath the force of his relief and joy. "Thank you," he whispers, knowing she will hear him as he drifts a little closer, adamant that he thank her for the chance she is giving him to do this. Still holding one of her hands to gently pull her closer, the other lifts to brush the backs of his knuckles across her pink cheek. The pad of his thumb following in a tender stroke, tucking her wet hair behind her ear and cradling her head to tilt it up towards him. He takes his time, staring down at her and memorizing the way the sun cuts across her face, illuminating her eyes. Only then does he bend down to erase the small space between them in height, lips gentle and unassuming as they press upon her own. Tender and full of feeling, arguably chaste with the close-lipped press against one another. But he cradles her close, lips moving slowly, no more than the tiniest open and close as he embraces the moment of finally being able to kiss her as he has desired.
and watch me come alive
