It was one of the few times we got to be alone...at least without the others watching us.
It was still strange for them. Still strange for me too I guess.
But I didn’t mind. And I know he certainly didn’t.
What started as begrudging respect had turned into something wholly unexpected.
And yet, it was still a little awkward...Every time was like greeting a friend you hadn’t seen in years. You weren’t sure what they were into now or how much they’d changed.
The almost business-like introduction, the tense feeling that still hadn’t dissipated no matter how many times we’d done this, me blushing as I inwardly acknowledged how crazy this was for the billionth time.
And then suddenly, it was gone. The air, swept away by one gentle look that was so different from the one he gave everyone else. That almost smile you didn’t even know he was capable of…
We caught up. It’s not like we see each other every day. But, unless I’m imagining it, I think the days are getting closer.
More than anyone he’s interested in where I come from.
I give him little hints. Nothing world-changing. Wouldn’t want to come back and see statues of him or anything.
He loves books. Big ones. Small ones. Fiction. Non-fiction.
His favorites? Fantasy. Legendary kings, queens, and heroes doing great things, fighting battles, and beating back the odds. Makes sense. It’s very him.
But also poetry?
He once admitted he wrote his own growing up. Seems to be one of the few things he’s embarrassed about. I only tease him about it occasionally. Someday I’ll get him to show me.
I gave him a new book. An actual new one this time. Not that he’d know. I always have to mark out the manufacturing information. He finds it amusing the lengths I go to in order to keep my ‘big secret.’ To him, it’s almost as entertaining as the seemingly neverending tomes I keep producing.
In exchange, he gives me a small ornate wooden box inlaid with gold vines.
Another artifact or maybe jewelry. I’m pretty sure he knows I sell them. As far as I can tell he doesn’t mind. My mom certainly appreciates the extra money.
I open it up and...It’s absolutely beautiful.
Laid on black silk, it was a stunning golden floral bracelet. Ming dynasty design was my best guess. As the light hit it, the metal shimmered with every color imaginable. Clearly not the work of human hands.
When I finally looked up at him, I could tell he seemed somewhat concerned.
For him, this was nothing. Now though, I think he realized he’d overdone it a bit.
I asked him where he got it. The mainland was his only answer.
He said he wanted to give me something I’d actually want to keep this time. It wasn’t fair that he enjoyed my gifts more.
I didn’t know what to say.
The last few minutes ticked away in silence as I stared at it. Our time was almost up. The others were expecting me.
He teased me a bit, saying he’ll have to get me a whole new wardrobe just to wear it.
I laughed and looked back up at him.
I swore I saw him blush a bit. A trick of the light maybe.
As he was politely dismissing himself I got a little closer. Venturing into that nice little bubble of personal space he liked to keep for himself. My turn to tease him.
He raised an eyebrow. It was our favorite game.
How close could we get to each other…
For anyone who’d have been watching, it was pretty obvious flirting.
I smiled, standing almost chest to chest with him as I looked up into those magnificent amber eyes. We traded witty little one-liners. He always won these little exchanges. Can’t say it’s fair for someone that beautiful to be so quick on his feet.
I hesitated on a comeback. That was his cue to leave.
Not this time.
I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. My hand just sort of moved on its own.
Reaching out before he could turn away, I grabbed the cusp of his breastplate and pulled him in. That split second of him being caught off guard was worth a million rainbow bracelets.
We were inches apart. Staring into each other’s eyes.
The wind whipped around us. His perfect silver hair seemed to glisten next to my own raven locks. I could feel the warmth of his breath mixing with my own in the cool spring air.
He let me pull him down closer...and closer…
My lips almost grazed his.
There was a moment, I could have said something right there. Continued the game, said some witty little one-liner and left with him wanting more…
I won.
He knew it. I knew it.
But the moment passed in silence. And then, he smiled. That warm amused half-smile that was as rare as an eclipse of the sun.
I could have melted. My own smile faded away. And in an instant, so did his.
The game was over. It’s not teasing if you actually follow through.
Just a little closer…