i keep on running toward the fire

And if you feel like night is falling
I wanna be the one you're calling

She may not have believed him, but it was the truth; his last relationship didn't exactly end smoothly, and he'd been reluctant to try again. Betrayal was a dark thing, a sharp knife between the ribs. It's not something that you want to repeat.

He'd tried a fling or two, but he always felt worse the morning after, chasing something that he knew he couldn't find in a one night stand. There was just something missing, something wholesome and pure. Perhaps it was that the rest of his life was shrouded in darkness, lies, intrigue - but he preferred something a little more innocent in love. As Hotaru described it, chaste kisses and flowery dates. Ironic, given the flower that he had hidden away in the basket just for her.

He snorted at the mention of Flora. Oh, sure, she was a shameless flirt, but he hadn't thought for a second that she was truly interested in him. Not the way he wanted to be interested in someone else, anyway. "Flora is lovely, but..." He wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to say without potentially offending Hotaru. To say that she was just interested in him for what he could do for her made it sound like he wanted her affection, and that was not the impression he wanted to give. Besides, he wasn't sure how much Hotaru knew about the back room of the Hanged Man, but he certainly wasn't going to be the one to give away any secrets. To say that she wasn't his type implied that Hotaru wasn't either, given the similarities between the two. In the end, he settled for, "I'm not interested in anything more than friendship." With her, went unsaid. That would have to do.

Her query was expected, but he had to admit that he wasn't entirely prepared for it. Still, he'd promised her answers, and answers he would give. "I'm a thief," he said nonchalantly, eyes flickering to their surroundings to be sure he wouldn't be overhead. Then his hazel eyes found hers again, dancing with mischief. "But you already knew that," he guessed. She was clever; if Flora could read between the lines, he had no doubt that her mother could do the same.

'Cause I believe that you could lead the way

George