TECTUS.

I should’ve taken this knife out of my heart long ago, but it too is mine.

[arabellafranklin]

 ofkaiden​:

.

“Yes,” he delivers cooly, though there is unmistakable softness in his eyes, “and if you’re going to ask why, my answer is also because.” And perhaps, the same can be applied to how drawn they are to each other too. It’s a habit of his to always write up a rhyme a reason — call it loneliness unresolved by quantity or a mutual, unspoken understanding. Still, it does not always have to sound poetic. Wasn’t she the one who said it herself? That it’s okay to just be?

Bare, he feels, and her observation is to blame. Kaiden believes he’s developed a better understanding of his own worth; grown one on his own in stubborn refusal of anyone else’s assistance. But to be seen as important by another is still unfamiliar. It’s much more common to assume all things are fleeting. “I could say the same thing about you. You glance down at yourself whenever I pick up on something about you, as if you’re just learning it for the first time.” Promise, he does not utter this like a critique. He speaks as if he’s observing a song stripped back into its acoustics. He agrees nonetheless: “But I know, you don’t lie about stuff like that.” A smile. A soundless I don’t believe in many things, but I choose to believe you. 

“Aw, really? Poor thing. I’m easily impressed, you know.” Cue a tilted head and a slow spreading smile. But if they were closer, he would have ran his thumb along the angle of cheekbone again. He doesn’t drop his gaze as her own darkens. His lips part, ever so slightly, in preparation to playfully admonish her for staring so openly. But they form a line, brows furrowed in confusion as she seemingly disregards him. Kaiden ignores his phone initially, assuming the notification came from someone else. But at her words, he concedes and a sigh, sharp with agitation says it all. “You’re really gonna get it next time, sweetheart.”

☾

She pouts at him, noticing the softness in his eyes but she too keeps up with the act. Despite herself, a smile twitches briefly at her lips to betray her. She had a feeling, but it was nice getting confirmation anyways. “As long as it’s hard.” She’s smug, but there’s a glimmer in her eyes at knowing he understood her well enough to keep up with their little game. Even if it was just as hard for her, this was something unspoken between the two of them. Only he would get it.

Her gaze never leaves his but the corner of her lips raise up in a half smile. So she did let him in without realizing, but the fact she didn’t realize was telling enough. “In some ways, it is. It’s different when someone else points it out.” Someone she wanted to hear it from, of course. A silent admission of I know how you feel. To simply know that it was the same for her. He trusts her already, and in some ways so does she. Was it naivety or instinct? After all, they’ve been here before, they would be the first to know if this was different. “Good. I’m glad you understand.” Because it is too much for her to show him how she felt, but he welcomes it. As does she.

Her eyes narrow as she blushes, biting her lip in thought.  “It wasn’t about impressing you, but about making you ache.” Her voice is low, soft, almost sweet. She has a delicacy about her when she wants to be, though there was the silent invitation laced in her words to break her. That, she knows she wouldn’t hide from him. She watches him closely as he checks his phone, fighting back the winning smirk. Instead she leans in closer, her head tilted up to look at him. “The keyword is next time, right?” She certainly was enjoying this too much. 

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

~

“Sure, why not. And why can’t it be a today thing?” Kaiden smiles, openly, devilishly — clearly thrilled by the thought of keeping her waiting as if he wasn’t just as impatient. But she always knows what he’s doing; she smiles into her glass and he barely resists from doing the same. Normally, he’d recoil upon another picking up on his little tricks. But being seen by Arabella was not quite like being caught. It was comparable to being deciphered, to being perceived, after so long of making do with being a complication. 

“Why do I do what?” he inquires, voice soft and head cocked. He thinks he knows what she’s referring to, but he wants to hear it from her. He admits, perhaps he’s expecting a lot too soon. Perhaps, he treats her like she is the only truth there is. But this is the first time someone is facing him for the pure, simple act of seeing and being seen. It’s sacred, it’s daunting, but he cannot deny how grand it is otherwise he would have been elsewhere today. “It’s also pretty hard not to like it, and no, not because of my ego for once.” He takes a bit for the words he cannot say too: it’s because of you ( and I don’t understand this yet ).

He laughs alongside her all too easily, a lightness in azure hues as he simply takes in the sight of her. She switches into a brazen disposition all too easily, but it is still unapologetically her, and he can’t help his open display of amusement. “You know, that would make for a fantastic opening monologue,” he jests. And only she would have the charisma to pull it off too. Kaiden runs his thumb along his lower lip, a faint smirk toying at the corners as he gives her a once-over. He decides, to play along with her dynamic, it would be much too predictable of him to give an indirect answer. “Yeah, and it’s such a crime that you have to cover up those perfect tits with a shirt all the time.” 

☾

“Because.” She pouts, a rueful sigh leaving her lips as if she didn’t know what she was doing. “Is it really that hard to say no to me?” Whether she was playing it up knowing full well he would still deny her or if she truly was wanting like this, she decides it could be both. He knew this too, not that she needed to say it explicitly. He figured her out, but she let him. Perhaps that was something she shouldn’t have, but she’d allow themselves the hidden smiles and knowing looks. It’s all more indicators that this was real. 

She smiles, gentler this time because this too was vulnerable for her. To show just how much she’s noticed and picked up, there had to have been a reason to have been this invested and stay as such-- despite how short of a time they’ve spent together. Still, she wants to reach over and take his hand again, to let him know she understood. She settles for the truth. “It’s like you don’t believe me when I say you’re worth it.” She tilts her head slightly, an eyebrow raised. “I don’t like about stuff like that.” It’s less of an admission, less admonishment. It’s a simple statement, it’s her with another opening into his head. She gets it. She smirks playfully at his statement, biting her lip faux innocently. “You wanna know something cheesy? I was wondering what to wear all day before I came over.”

She laughs softly, her eyes alight at the idea with an amused grin. Nose scrunching up, she nods in agreement. “You’re right. Single spotlight, me in a chair, no set.” She chuckles as she set the stage for him, before her eyes darken at the once over he gave her. Something about him openly looking at her lewdly enough, the silent claim he laid over her, it was enough for her to have to cross her legs under the table. Instead, she gives him a sly smile and picks up her phone, seemingly ignoring him. As she scrolled through her photos, she chose one and quickly sent it to him before the adrenaline could wear off. The photo in question was one of her topless, of course. “Took that after the pub night. I almost sent it to you, but I’d rather you’d have seen them in person first.”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

✗

“Isn’t it counterproductive if I tell you how?” He cants his head slightly, a slyness to smiling lips as he presses a thumb to them in thought. “If I need to be more strict about rewarding you so easily, I shouldn’t give in.” But as he settles back into his seat to create greater distance between them, he barely resists the urge to pull her in. To kiss her across the table like hopeless, lovesick people do except it was not quite like that. They can’t blame it on innocence like other people can. He knows the way he looks at her.

He’s seen this smile before. She wore the same one when he compared her to the moon. Again, he wonders if it’s because he sees her particularly well  — or because she lets him ( someone has yet to remind him that both are equally as important ). Kaiden reflects her smile unintentionally, though it reaches one side more than the other. “Well, I’d like to hope so.” And this where his confident disposition, as well practiced as it is, ends albeit in subtlety: he expects to disappoint. It’s only human to. 

“Mm, lucky me,” he plays along, amusement tugging at the corners of his lips as he takes another bite, eyes downcast. He misses the way Arabella beams in unabashed excitement, but he hears it loud and clear like a song he’s heard before. It’s funny how he cannot unsee her anymore. Kaiden follows her gaze, but unlike her, allows a dash of mischief to slip in the form of a wolfish smile. He did say he had to be more strict. “You know me too well. But I’m sure you also know,” he finishes the remains of his drink, “how much I like to keep you waiting.” and watching you want me.

“Oh, now you want to play by rules?” Ara laughs softly, a fake aloofness meant for the sake of everyone else for she knew by now he could tell with her. She pouts playfully, her annoyance not faux but not malicious either. “Sure you should be more strict but I thought that was like a tomorrow thing.” She smiles teasingly, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. She could reel back and not make it so obvious, but the quiet confidence that grew with him was admittedly something she likes seeing from him. She could tell he wasn’t always like this, but she has yet to realize how far reserved he actually is. She watches him pull back and she simply smiles into her glass as she took a sip. Of course. 

Her gaze is intense, not in the piercing way his is but she was looking for an answer, or a clue, with her stare. Her smile is soft, a comfort in her expression yet she notices him. The way he quietly asks for reassurance, whether by being purposefully demanding or quietly hopeful in the morning. She wants to reach over and tell him how but she could be wrong. She was used to that. “Why do you do that?” She asks quietly, a curious look in her eyes. “It’s pretty hard not paying attention to you.” She shrugs and takes a bite for the words she can’t say: of course it was worth it. 

She drops it, for this was easier. Though she quite liked it when he was difficult too, and now was no exception. “You are, it’s my own personal touch.” She grins, amusement yet genuine excitement in her voice. She blushes regardless of her bravado at his wolfish smile, a look of want in her eyes as her gaze settles back on him. “It really is becoming your staple.” She sighs softly, yet dramatically, the same amusement still lingering. “Until then,” she starts, leaning back in with the same mischief from earlier back in her eyes, “was I right? About my tits, aren’t they fantastic?” She truly did enjoy this a little too much.

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

He winces playfully, an impish gleam to his eyes matching hers. “Oh, but you’re right. I really need to be more strict about that.” Easy laughter rolls out of him, though there’s no mistaking the way his gaze darts to her lips, as her tongue sweeps across them. Again, it was always hard to discern if he should blame her magnetic pull or a specific, tailored attraction he harbours towards her. Kaiden really ought to let himself be, to simply be drawn in without questions. But he knows, even in the moments where his mind is devoid of queries, he’ll begin to interrogate himself eventually. 

I also never liked anyone enough. He almost jumps at the chance to affirm the same. But he is no amateur at this; there is only one way this ends if the cards are dealt so early. And he wasn’t willing to let her run so soon. “Hmm, mostly because you were gracious enough to give me your attention. But okay. Touché.” Kaiden offers the smile that only pulls up one corner of his lips; the kind he often wore whenever he felt seen by her. It was becoming an increasingly common occurence. He almost hated that he liked it.

“What, just like choosing that specific bralette wasn’t ‘doing anything’?” He tips his head downwards, adding to the effect of his softened voice, but it was truly helpless. Any passerby could easily guess what was going on. But he enjoyed that nobody could figure out the finer details, that the only one who can interpret the playful lilt of her voice is him. Kaiden chuckles heartily, a momentary reprieve from the proverbial heat. “Can I come with you to pick? Just to make sure you don’t pick a plant that’s completely out of character for me.” He settles back into his seat and a single, curt answer follows, allowing her to take her cue: “Very bad.”

☾

A brow quirks in curiosity and amusement, her lips curling into a small smile. “Really now? How so?” She laughs with him, as if this was a joke and not her letting her gaze linger and settle on him. And really, she had thought she had grown out of idealizing someone, but this wasn’t this now was it? It was her intrigue when he looked at her, it was the way she looked back. All of it meant something, and if she wanted to ruin their comfort then she would’ve brought attention to their chemistry. But for now, she could let them be.

Oh, he noticed. She wants to say she’s surprised he realized her attention wasn’t given freely, but he noticed things about her that she didn’t realize she had let him see. But he gives her that smile, and she had only seen it a few times now and her own smile is for herself upon picking this up. “Well it looked like someone was worth the attention then.” She purses her lips in a small smile, the kind she wore when she felt just a bit too vulnerable, a bit worried about his reaction. She sips on her drink to distract him from that, but who knows what he saw after all.

Ara giggles and shrugs, a faux innocent look on her face. “I mean if you happened to like it then that’s just a plus.” As if she didn’t notice the way he looked at her, as if she didn’t pick up how he had looked at her red lips during trivia night and made the conclusion herself. It was clearly obvious what was going on, but only she knew what the change of his voice meant, only she knew the smug look on her face was to add to the effect just for her. Her face brightens slightly as she grins, nodding. “For the second one, yes. But I want the first to be a surprise, I bet you’d like it.” She chuckles before biting her lip with a nod. “Figures.” She answers cooly, her gaze flickering behind him where the restrooms were. “But I mean, you like that don’t you?”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

〄

“Shh, I don’t have to remind you to behave, do I?” Kaiden brushes a hand over his beard, barely hiding the roguish smile toying with his features as he passes a sideways glance. Clearly, misbehaviour was fully acceptable. They both know this game well: the open flirtations, light enough that they can dance away from them if needed, the interlacing of fingers but only within fleeting seconds. But she’s unsurprised that she is the only exception, coaxing soft, flattered laughter out of him as he ducks his head and this begs the question: how good are they at this game, really?

“Oh, you’re not?” Genuine surprise colours his question as he raises a brow. Though an easy smile smoothes this out and his gaze sweeps over her, not under the act of investigation, but simple observation. A quiet desire to see exactly what she sees in him. “I’ll blame myself. I guess I’m special.” Cue an unimpressed scoff at his own joke before he takes a bite out of his food. But he still seeks out her gaze, much like how her attention on him never wavers, and he wonders if she always looks for his reaction as he does with her ( perhaps, being special truly is as simple as extra attention ).

“Ara, sweetheart —” He delivers her name as if he’s toying with the sound, teasing her under the pretence of scolding her. Brows pull together as he leans in, arms folded across the table and a hint of devilish amusement at the corners of lips. “How bold of you to taint this innocent cafe like this.” Kaiden feels the steady march of his pulse as he cocks his head, weighing up the intensity of his promise and the likelihood of her reeling back: “But you will get to see me like that again.” A pause. “How soon do you want me?”

☾

“I think, historically speaking, I get rewarded when I don’t.” She teases lightly, an impish gleam in her eyes. They knew exactly what they were doing, and though it hasn’t been long, their routine already felt familiar. But, this wasn’t daunting or suffocating, this piqued her interest like no one else could. She licks the remnant of syrup off her bottom lip, lashes fluttering slightly at him. Perhaps it was telling how she knew his invitation and perhaps they knew that no one else was awarded the privilege of having a secret language with them but each other. He didn’t push her, and she didn’t pry. They made quite the pair, if they let themselves think that far ahead.

Arabella shook her head with a soft, slightly bashful laugh. “Mostly because I can pick up if someone’s into the same stuff but I also never liked anyone enough.” She shrugs, knowing she didn’t need to admit that, but he liked it didn’t he? She knew him enough to know this, and that should be too much for someone like her. She laughs, soft and quiet with a nod. “I mean, you caught my attention didn’t you?” He did, and he held onto it but not because he tried to but because she gave it to him, and he held onto it. She wanted him to after all. 

Her gaze never wavered and neither did his, she noticed this as well.

Her lips break off into a small, playful smile at his scolding. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as he leans in and she fights the urge to simply trail a fingernail against his neck to watch the goosebumps raise. “Yes, Kai?” She asks, faux innocent as if she had no idea what she was doing. “Who me? I didn’t do anything.” But yet, she knows the effect she has on him as well. And how special did it make her feel to know she could have one on him as well. “Oh I’m sure, I owe you a plant.” She smirks slightly, glancing down at his lips. “It’d be bad if I said now, wouldn’t it?”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

〄 

“Ah, the pomegranate. No, you’re right, it does look much more appetising.” He, too, laughs with fingers against lips before swallowing it down with a bite of his food; amusement still tugs at the corners of his lips, though. “I’ve commended your performance more than enough now, come on, sweetheart,” Kaiden teases, unable to help the impish smile and roguish narrowing of his eyes as he reaches across to squeeze her hand. Not usually their style. But here they are, making an exception, and neither can say if shared loneliness or a connection that speaks louder than they do is to blame.

“Honestly..? Neither. It’s too intense for me normally.” Funny, how a simple brunch in broad daylight could be intense compared to heated words throughout the night, but — “It’s not the case with you, I’ve found.” He doesn’t explain why but he looks at her directly, even if there are no shadows to hide behind. A bold grin spreads across his lips as he quips all too easily, “I didn’t take you to be the type to squeeze my thigh in public. Yet here we are.” He doesn’t miss the pink hue across her cheeks, and if anything, is unaware that he’s reflecting his own version of this. Kaiden presses his lips together to hold back a smile, eyes downcast, faint dimples giving him away as he casts his gaze off to the side. 

A chuckle rolls out of him, fingers tangling in the hair at his nape as he shakes his head. “Surely we’re polite dirtbags? But I’d say: yes.” He brings his glass to his lips though his attention doesn’t falter all the while, azure hues peering beneath lashes. “Where’s your genius little mind going?” Obviously, he knows. And obviously, it’s not guaranteed that they will go there, in fear of breaking perhaps too many rules at once. But it’s always fun to test their limits, and she, in particular encourages him to do so. A good-bad example, she is.

☾

“I’m sure there’s something here that tastes better.” She says nonchalantly, drizzling syrup on her waffle as she fights back a smug smirk. But then he reaches over and squeezes her hand and it’s like time stops again. He’s touched her plenty since their initial meeting but her skin reacts the same way every time, with goosebumps prickling up her arms and her breath catching in her throat at his pet-name. “Oh you know me, always fishing for your praise.” She purses her lips to hide her mischievous smile and she’s the one to tangle her fingers with his, squeezing his hand back. A bit of a game, a bit genuine. She meets his gaze, but her expressions softens just slightly looking at him. She lets go of him, because there was only so much they could allow themselves during the day after all, right?

Arabella nods in agreement as she takes a bite, though it’s telling that being like this was too much for them most of the time. Brunch, as silly as it sounded, came with expectations. It came with promises, and she knew she was never too good at keeping them. But he meets her gaze and her smile spreads slow and easy as she nods. “I had a feeling I’d be the exception.” She chuckles but she’s touched, because it was the same wasn’t it? “Oh- i mean I’m not actually.” She laughs, slightly bashful as she places a hand on her flushed cheek. “Actually I’m not so um... full on like I was last night. But I mean.” She raised a brow as she looked at him, eyes raking him in. “Could you blame me?” 

She playfully scoffs under her breath, her grin widening at him as she nods. “You’re right. Polite dirtbags seems to be my brand.” She laughs softly, taking a sip from her drink before looking over at him as he speaks. Arabella looks amused, as if she surprised he was actually giving her that opening, but yet she could feel her pulse speed up anyways. “Oh, you wouldn’t want to know.” She smiles, coquettish yet completely full of shit. “But I was thinking about last night.” She looks back at him directly, her next words coming out casually. “And the next time I’ll get to see you like that again.” 

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

〄 

“She wakes up?” He arches a brow inquisitively, a puzzled grin to match as if he truly does not remember the ending ( he doesn’t, it’s much easier to focus on her kiss instead ). Kaiden almost quips that even a second with her was better than a restful, eternal sleep. But this is too much so he simply laughs, one corner of his mouth raised and then the other. “I don’t know about that, an unending slumber does sound pretty good.” But he’s only kidding and she can probably tell; his eyes hold the same warmth reflected in hers. And maybe they do not have it in them to confess anything, but perhaps, it is enough for now to see each other in the same way. Perhaps, her promises of next time are enough.

—

There’s nowhere to hide here, but surprisingly, it does not feel much different. The sunlight filtering through the windows still bounce off the high points of her cheeks and she, still, cannot smile without a dimple making its way through. But he cannot deny the fact that this is new. Often, at worst, he would brunch with someone he was with the night before. Albeit ‘maybe’s and ‘next time’s are not spoken of in candour, so he would feel safe in his leave. Kaiden was going to see Arabella again and this is a fact, not a speculation. So just how well-behaved, or alternatively, how authentic is he to be now?

“The banana or the bagels?” Having been too caught up in his thoughts, he misses her glance towards his brunch. Baffled, brows bunch together as he laughs. But of course, they are in public so he softens his laughter and swallows it down with his drink. “I promise my sense of humour isn’t that immature. There’s just something.. poetic.. about that.” He points to the banana with his eyes and these kind of jests are, at least, familiar. Cue his own punctuation with a clearing of the throat. “Do you do this much?” Kaiden asks with an edge of dry humour, and despite the ambiguity, it’s clear what he’s asking.

☾

Arabella furrows her brows inquisitively before his joke finally clicks. She blinks before laughing softly, and this she covers with her fingers on her lips, trying to keep herself contained. “No, the pomegranate.” She smiles sweetly with an arched brow, unable to help herself as she continues. “If you mean my performance, then I think so too.” But even so, the night before rushes back again and her lips purse together, fighting off amusement. This wasn’t the same as dim lighting and hushed voices, but she’s still here knowing she’ll see him again. It wasn’t a sweet nothing whispered in the night, she simply knew there was no other reason they couldn’t see each other again. He was right, they were breaking all their rules. Save for one.

“No, not usually my style. You?” She asks, sipping on her drink as she glances around her. “I will say, didn’t pin you as the type to make that kind of joke in public.” She grins, feeling a bit more at ease from the break of tension. It was still there, they were still looking back at each other, but it was possible to acknowledge it rather than dance around it. He preferred her being direct, she learned this. She had been so used to walking on egg shells before, used to having to mask her words that now it felt refreshing to be blunt and honest. She shrugs before taking a bite, “though the shit I pull it’s not that bad.” She’s the one who brought it up, yet it’s her own cheeks that are hued with pink at the thought. She’ll blame the drink if he asks.

His touch burned, she remembered feeling this, and now was no different. Her legs were crossed on purpose, his hand still fresh on her cheek and the curve of her lips. There was no brushing it off, no hiding behind politeness when he had been all over her and she had welcomed it. She lets out a soft sigh before looking at him with a pointed look. “Are we dirtbags? The places my mind is going shouldn’t be for brunch.” She lets out a huffed laugh with a small grin at him, running a hand through her hair. “Or maybe it’s just me, but that wouldn’t be surprising either.”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

༄ؘ

“If I’m Sleeping Beauty, does that make you my prince, then?” A stupid joke on his part but he’s grinning with her nonetheless. He knows he does not smile this brightly with anyone else, but it hasn’t dawned on him yet that it is the same with her. All anyone wants to be told is that they are the same; they are no different even if they tell themselves otherwise. Upon the soft pink blooming across her cheeks, Kaiden presses his lips together to withold a smile. Mischief and a hint of adoration are still found in azure eyes, nonetheless. “I thought you meant the latter too.” Quietly as this is delivered, perhaps this is the loudest confession of the morning. Perhaps it is this that will haunt them most — not what happened in the night. 

Eyes narrow playfully as he smiles. And he’s still stroking her hair as she holds him. “I somehow had the feeling. Refusing to wear your glasses gives me the impression of someone who…” Kaiden pokes her nose and his smile only deepens, “hates following instructions.” In the background, he questions if to believe that he knows her is to be too naive. After all, he of all people knows what it means to leave behind only pockets of truth; to never sacrifice the whole thing, the heavy thing. But is it possible that she’s imparted more of herself than she expected to? Is it possible that, like him, she’s forgotten how to protect herself ( at least momentarily )?

“I’d lie to impress you, but you would see right through me.” He shrugs with his mouth, pulling it to one side as he scoffs a laugh. Kaiden almost interjects that she’s not as cold as she thinks, but the sun is out and he cannot escape from such a comment. He settles for an inside joke as they always do even if it is more saccharine than most. “Okay, my sweet girl, the plant doesn’t get any. He’s probably hungover, anyway.”

✻

“Well you know how that movie ends?” She arches a brow before grinning, kissing him softly. She does not kiss anyone with a smile on her face, does not enjoy mornings with company even more so. Yet here she was, pulling away with a bemused look though her eyes held the genuine warmth she felt for him. “Bet that was better than an eternal sleep.” She chuckles and rests against him. She doesn’t speak more at his admission, and it is an admission, she knows this as well. It’s why she was here, letting him still stroke her hair, letting her fingertips trace against his skin like she had the night before. The quiet hope of wanting to know their presence was cherished by the other, even if they haven’t known each other long, was mutual. But Arabella knew hope was a foolish thing, so she believed. And they were not fools, not yet.

Her nose scrunches up playfully as he pokes her nose, laughing softly at his comment. “I can, I just don’t.” She chuckles and she knows how this feels, how light it all is. If she was paying attention, she’d realize how far down her defenses were with him. But, he felt safe, as if he knew exactly how to go about this just like she did. But her attention was diverted to him and the way he admits how she already knew him well enough to see through his fabrication. She hums in approval, a small blush to her cheeks (would the night before haunt them both like this?) before nodding with a kiss to his cheek. “Good. Maybe next time I can teach you how to bring it back to life.” She laughs, and this too rings in the air.

**

This was... different. Are his eyes really that blue? She almost squints at him before glancing back to the drinks menu left on the table. She was in the mood for something sweet, so she had ordered as such but now they were here sitting together, in public, with the lights seemingly brighter than she thought they’d be. It’s not from the shared glass of wine they had last night, it’s from realizing just how open they were and there was no buffer. They had to behave. She smiles politely at the waitress as she brought her waffle over, glancing only briefly down at the chopped up banana. Looking over at what Kaiden had ordered, she nods in his direction. “That looks good.” She smiles then, easy, as if nothing was wrong. Nothing was wrong, but she also never got brunch with someone she was with the very next day. 

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

“Oh, good, I was worried I only look good in the night.” A dry joke, albeit he scrunches up his nose and smiles much like she does. A reference to their habit of only meeting up once the sun’s gone done ( how often can they joke about this until the truth bleeds in, though? ). Kaiden laughs openly, cupping the side of her face as he meets her gaze, pointedly and from under his lashes. “Now, somebody’s a bit too proud of their performance. Unless — my mind’s in the gutter and you’re just referring to talking all night.” Unsurprisingly, one was more intimate than the other. 

It was easier to simply skim his thumb across the angle of her cheekbone, amusement tugging at one corner of his mouth as he hums in thought. “What about I buy you one?” Not that Kaiden was avoiding her prolonged stay. He didn’t want this morning to end. It was simply too much too soon and he catches the edge of humour in her voice, as if she knows it too. That’s all it was. But he admits: it’s dangerously easy to throw caution to the wind when she fits herself into all the empty spaces he didn’t know he had. Eyes half-lidded with contentment as she nestles into him, he strokes her hair and it’s quiet enough to count the pauses in between breathes; confessions unsaid live here and they both know it. There’s a lot they both know.

As she pulls back, he automatically tips his head down to see her more clearly, a silent ‘go on’ in his half-smile. Her eyes would light up whenever she was feeling inquisitive, he notices. But equally, Kaiden had a habit of leaning in whenever she revealed a new truth of hers. “Definitely not too much,” he chuckles, brows puckering in thought soon after, “I bet this is the wrong answer, but Bloody Mary’s. As they are, though. Not with the additional prawn as a garnish — it can jump for all I care.” 

.

“Well, you did get some beauty sleep. How could you not look good?” She grinned, and it dawns on her that she couldn’t even attempt to tease him on his appearance. It was simply, in her eyes, impossible. A small blush forms on her cheeks from his touch, her smile widening at his joke. Her breath hitches softly at the look he was giving her, but she continues anyways.“Hmm, well. I meant both. And why shouldn’t I be proud?” She chuckles, and this time she lets her lips press against his jaw with a impish look, her gaze softening. “Though I did mean the latter more.” Something she hoped wasn’t too much yet, that he was hoping for that as well.

He touches her like he has a million times before, like he knew exactly what it was that she needed to feel. But wasn’t that why they were here doing this? Didn’t they seek out those fleeting moments in order to feel alive if only for a second? Perhaps she was too jaded to see this as anything more, too used to disappointment to want to expect more from him. Still, she smiles, and her hand fits nicely tangled in the hair at his nape. “Even better. I’m not much of a cook myself.” She chuckles, but there’s a new feeling here. What would the day give them? Would the harsh sunlight snap the sense back into them, would she retreat from him and her feelings like she always did? Arabella for once decided that she didn’t want to, she wanted to hold onto this for now, with his hand stroking her hair and her arms sliding around his neck.

Her nose scrunches up in playful disappointment, a deep sigh escaping before she giggles softly with a slight nod. “Of course you pick the wrong answer, but it suits you.” She laughs then, their shared inside joke now familiar. “Prawn Gosling kinda sounds like an Australian cover band.” She smirks slightly before tilting her head in thought. “Though I think I prefer peach bellinis the most. Cold and sweet like me.” She grins, her lips finding his briefly, wanting and content. She pulls back, but only slightly and rests her hand against his collarbone. Arabella looks back up at him, a twinkle in her eyes. “But you can’t give either to your wine drunk plant this time.” 

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

.

Kaiden awakes. And if he was a different person, life could be this simple. It could be as simple as watching how the sunlight dances across her skin and how dark tresses perfectly contrast a white backdrop, like something out of a renaissance painting ( the muse always says something with her eyes if you look for it ). He could get lost in this if he wanted to. But they are much too smart to believe anything could be this easy. So he makes sure to dilute the intensity in his stare, a carefree smile ghosting across his lips instead. He’s lucky his eyes are still faintly glazed over with sleep. “Morning,” he laughs, fingers raking through his hair, “God, that bad, huh?” He’s only kidding. He recognises the playful squint she often wears.

With half-lidded eyes and contentment still lingering at the corners of his mouth, he traces along the side of her face, not unlike last night. Call it what you will; an absentminded gesture or an act of familiarizing himself with her again. Though most notable, is the fact that she still looks at the same even after all they’ve revealed to each other. So, perhaps they can repeat this night over and over and survive every time. But what does one do in the in-between? There are no scripts for this.

He recalls brunch and it does not take much for humour to reach his eyes, narrowing them much like she did moments ago. It was not that the topic itself was funny, but that she made it so. “Ara, you know what… either I fell asleep at the wrong moment or you didn’t mention it, but I didn’t catch what snobby thing you get for brunch.” Not quite an exit-strategy, but not quite scripted either. Kaiden doesn’t know what to call this, but one thing is for certain: he says her name as if he knows it just as well as his own. 

And he does not even realize that it is exactly that easy.

.

There he was, a sight to wake up to and she could feel his gaze on hers. Sleepy, quiet, yet still there. Normally that would be enough to set her off, but his smile only lets her own spread. It was just like after their first meeting at her store, where she found herself smiling for no reason. It was because of him, but if she allowed herself to acknowledge that then she’d have to further step back. So, she simply basks in this feeling. “Somehow you make it work.” She grins, nose scrunching with her teasing lilt and she wants to lean in and kiss his lingering smile. But, she holds back a bit. This had to be different in the day, right?

So why can’t she stop herself from leaning into his touch?

Her eyes flutter, a sigh of content followed by a soft yawn escaping through. He was already so familiar with her, already calling her by something she rarely allowed, but it sounded like the most natural thing coming from him. As if they’ve been here before, and they haven’t been burned yet. “Hmm, a bit of both. I tired you out.” She grins, a soft laugh leaving her as she shrugs. “It depends on the mood. Nutella and banana waffles for when I’m in a sweeter mood, and a french omelette when I want something savory. Why, you’re gonna try to make me one?” She smirks, and there’s a inside joke in there somewhere. As if they knew that they weren’t the type to spend a lazy morning in like this, but yet she still was as close as she was, still looking forward to spending more time with him. 

Arabella stretches lightly, her own hand slipping up to his nape and she finally moves in closer, her face burying in his neck. There was a draft, of course, but that wasn’t the only reason why she even bothered. His softened gaze at her was enough to make her feel more secure, as if she was allowed to reach for these moments when she hadn’t before. “Okay, but another important question.” She murmured before pulling back to look at him clearly. “Bloody Mary’s or mimosas? There is a right answer here.” She grins, brow raising in curiosity. “Or is day drinking too much for the morning?”

[arabellafranklin]

Arabella never was a morning person before. She was a creature of the night for as long as she knew. But, the more recent years provided a quiet appreciation for the mornings. The quiet moments where night becomes day, the first cup of tea, and the cool morning breeze washing over her alone on her terrace. Loneliness wasn’t killing her, she was embracing it.

But that wasn’t how she woke up that morning. She shifted in bed as sunlight filtered through, still sleep dazed as she shifted closer for warmth. The night before was a late one, spent with conversations and kisses, a surprising way to end her night. But, she welcomed it. If she was a different girl, she’d have moved closer to place a kiss on Kaiden’s skin, wherever her lips could find. If this was years ago, she’d have gotten up to get ready and left as quietly as she came (well, maybe much quieter than that).

Instead, she simply pulled the thick blanket over the both of them and moved closer. He surprised her, and he continued to do so in his own way. She didn’t have a script for this, didn’t know what to do when their attraction for each other was so clear but the air held a promise: this will end. How would she know how to navigate this? At least she could admit no one else was able to make her feel this way. She chooses to quiet those thoughts down as she watches him stir, a sleepy, content daze on her face as she offers him a small smile. “Morning.” She squints at him playfully, the lightness from the night before returning. “Your bed head is cute.”

[ofkaiden]

arabellafranklin​:

There’s a pull in her gut as he agrees with her. She’s inexplicably proud of him for his conviction, proud he could learn something from her, like how she learns from him. “Exactly. We’ll get there when we have to.” She says with a soft finality and a reassuring smile. In truth, she knew exactly what she needed to work on, but how could she put it in words? After all, they were both here, both searching for validation but only from each other. There’s a reason for this, but she assumes it’s simply because they were both used to loneliness. Sometimes, it was enough to connect, even if for a moment.

“You really are.” She laughs with him, eyes fluttering at his touch. She scoffs playfully as he called her out, her nose scrunching up in a teasing grin. “Oh yeah? And what do you get at brunch then? Are eggs benedict not enough? Dammit, now I’m hungry.” She laughs and rolls her eyes at their already familiar joke, playfully mocking him with exaggerated facial expressions. There’s a danger in letting someone feel familiar, in letting him look at her the way he did and touch her like that. But with him it’s safe, safe because she’s been here before, she knows how to get out without losing any part of herself. Though, nothing about what they did and how they got here was anything she usually did. Still, it’s enough to know she could keep her heart in tact. It’s enough to turn her body to face him better with a smile. 

“Oh, I can show you bad.” Though her eyes darken, her teasing smile is light as his lips trail against her jaw. Her fingers tangle lightly in his hair, stroking through softly as he speaks. She watches his lowered gaze, her hand coming to rest on his cheek despite herself. They had already moved past the threshold of what was too tender, too intimate. “Spite is a very strong motivator.” Arabella sighs, though there’s a twinge of humor in her eyes and a softened smile. “I guess despite it all… we turned out alright. And I’m glad you were able to get through it. Even if we both had to do it alone.” She wants to say, I’m glad I met you, but that itself was too much. So, she kisses him, lips brushing lightly against his before pressing more firmly. Somethings can be that simple.

“We will. We’ve already gotten this far, haven’t we?” His question could mean anything, but there’s a wistful softness in the curves of his smile and there is nothing but patience behind his gaze. He does not expect an answer. It is enough to agree that they have grown enough as individual, and even, as a pair — whatever that entails. 

Kaiden’s laughter chimes in with hers, and he finds himself enthused by her exaggerated expressions and her beaming grins. Her presence grows whenever she’s in a quiet space, he notices. “Eggs benedict is enough. I’d add a loaded bagel in there too but even that’s a humble meal, isn’t it?” he scoffs, nose scrunching up as his smile mirrors hers. This is a normal, harmless conversation where nothing deeper can be laced in between the lines. This is safe. And yet, they still hold each other’s attention even as the laughter dies; it is in the way they both read each other without being asked. 

“Well, you’ll have plenty of chances to show me, sweetheart,” he hums against her skin, finishing his trail of kisses with one lingering and unhurried against her lips; a promise that he’ll continue to see her even if neither dare to question why. Eyes still trained on hers as he pulls away, they flutter, a faint shudder walking up his spine, as her fingers rake through his hair. In the background, he wonders if he’s too naive — too deprived — for considering her a source of comfort already ( didn’t he learn not to make a home out of people? ). An earnest smile slowly graces his features, first reaching one side and then the other, as she sympathises with him. He doesn’t remember the last time somebody sounded proud of him for something as small as surviving ( repeat: did he not learn? ). Melting into her kiss once more, he echoes, “I’m glad you were able to, too.” 

And maybe you don’t have to fight through anything alone anymore. 

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

Kaiden blinks at her bluntness, even if he adopted the same forthright tone mere minutes ago. But as always, a soft smile replaces his brief astonishment, and there’s a glint to roguishly narrowed eyes as if he’s unsurprised that she had the right answers. “And maybe I’ll never learn either, but you’re right.” He nods, a newfound conviction to him. “We do owe it to ourselves.” He would add that he would accept her for who she is now, at this very moment, and under this exact ray of moonlight. But for now, this is too much. The fact that she sees him, and he, her with very little being confessed is enough. 

“I know – so pretentious.” Laughter rolls out of him freely, and he can thank his mirth for concealing a tender gaze, as the back of his fingers skim across her cheek. “But I guess that makes you equally as snobby with your brunch. God, how detestable, we are.” Unable to resist himself, the mention of his plant evokes yet another ‘excuse me’ and laughter renews easily. Weightless and content, he feels around her. And Kaiden is not a fool, he knows this is different and new. But new also entails no books, no blueprints to warn either of them of mistakes made in the past. There is a vast room for error; he does not want to call their story a cautionary tale. He focuses on the quiet sigh leaving her lips and how it sounds like home.  

“Hm, how bad of you,” he teases, amusement lingering in the corners of lips as he scatters delicate kisses along her jawline. And he cherishes how she leans into his touch, how neither of them question the intimacy they allow themselves to indulge in here. He doesn’t miss the change in her voice, almost questions if there’s a wound she’s still nursing. But of course, they both are — why else would they speak of the pains of healing so vividly? “I think… I knew when I realized how determined I was to show everyone and myself that I will be okay.” Brows furrowed, he lowers his gaze but not for the sake of hiding, but willing revisitation of the past. “Even if it is out of spite, if you think you deserve better, then you’re already halfway to healing.” He speaks to both himself and her, and though he murmurs, his clarity is distinctive. 

There’s a pull in her gut as he agrees with her. She’s inexplicably proud of him for his conviction, proud he could learn something from her, like how she learns from him. “Exactly. We’ll get there when we have to.” She says with a soft finality and a reassuring smile. In truth, she knew exactly what she needed to work on, but how could she put it in words? After all, they were both here, both searching for validation but only from each other. There’s a reason for this, but she assumes it’s simply because they were both used to loneliness. Sometimes, it was enough to connect, even if for a moment.

“You really are.” She laughs with him, eyes fluttering at his touch. She scoffs playfully as he called her out, her nose scrunching up in a teasing grin. “Oh yeah? And what do you get at brunch then? Are eggs benedict not enough? Dammit, now I’m hungry.” She laughs and rolls her eyes at their already familiar joke, playfully mocking him with exaggerated facial expressions. There’s a danger in letting someone feel familiar, in letting him look at her the way he did and touch her like that. But with him it’s safe, safe because she’s been here before, she knows how to get out without losing any part of herself. Though, nothing about what they did and how they got here was anything she usually did. Still, it’s enough to know she could keep her heart in tact. It’s enough to turn her body to face him better with a smile. 

“Oh, I can show you bad.” Though her eyes darken, her teasing smile is light as his lips trail against her jaw. Her fingers tangle lightly in his hair, stroking through softly as he speaks. She watches his lowered gaze, her hand coming to rest on his cheek despite herself. They had already moved past the threshold of what was too tender, too intimate. “Spite is a very strong motivator.” Arabella sighs, though there’s a twinge of humor in her eyes and a softened smile. “I guess despite it all... we turned out alright. And I’m glad you were able to get through it. Even if we both had to do it alone.” She wants to say, I’m glad I met you, but that itself was too much. So, she kisses him, lips brushing lightly against his before pressing more firmly. Somethings can be that simple.

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

He holds onto her every word, and in his silence, he makes a mental note to remind her that this is one of her examples of wisdom: how she alone owns all of her. “You’re right and the moment of acceptance is… cathartic, surprisingly. Though what will probably kill me is,” he’s chuckling, clearly joking in his dramatics. But lines of laughter and the brightness in his eyes are put to rest just as his quickly as he continues, softer now, “I always question if the version of me I’m accepting now is the best one. Do you ever think about that?” 

It’s always been too easy to be honest with her and Kaiden almost confesses his past; the patients he spent years trying to forget, purely because it was easier to. But he has learnt not to make a church out of people, so kneel, he does not. “I think avocado’s disgusting, I heard that’s an ugly trait.” He’s lucky their laughter is loud and that her kisses make him forget. His eyes open several seconds late, but it is still enough to know how this looks. He knows, though — neither want to ask too much of the other. And that’s okay ( he does not know yet that too much is nonexistent in this world they created ). He kisses her nose the way she did not long ago.

“Rude. You still fucked this old guy.” Although he’s blunt in his teasing, there is a twinkle of humour to his gaze and a tenderness in his touch as he sweeps her hair aside. He nods, voicing that her method makes sense. But it takes Kaiden longer to piece together his answer, for there was no palatable way to confess this. He thinks of years spent resenting his family for moving on without him. He thinks of the indignation he carries for having carried their burdens alone. But nevertheless, he knows how he lived on and perhaps this is enough. “Some things you need to learn alone,” he repeats, makes it true, “and I think what helped me get here is purely knowing that I chose to heal. I didn’t even think I was capable initially.”

She finds herself smiling, finds herself feeling just a bit less alone as he puts into words everything she had felt alone. As if he was familiar with her heartbreak, self-induced or not, and knew how to carry it. She doesn’t let him, not yet but it’s nice to know he could. “It’s like a weight lifting off your shoulders,” she agrees, an amused smile on her face as he laughs though her expression softens with him. His statement would’ve brought a sense of panic and claustrophobia if he had asked her years ago, but now she simply shrugs. “I know it’s not,” she admits, blunt and matter of fact. “There’s always going to be something either of us would need to work on. And maybe I’ll never learn, but I think…” She cracks a smile, breaking up how serious she had looked before, “we owe it to ourselves to live and accept who we are at the moment, no one else is going to.”

(She doesn’t dwell on the fact how she already refers to them as we. There is an us, one she does her best to deny.)

“You do?” She gasps, clutching her proverbial pearls before laughing, eyes rolling playfully. “Honestly? it kinda sucks. If I’m going out to brunch I’m getting something indulgent, not avocado toast or whatever.” She grins and this too says a lot, the way even his supposedly bad traits still endear her so. “I think your wine drunk plant is a worse trait than that.” She laughs alongside him, a sigh of content against his lips following suit. Arabella watches his shut eyes, watches the way they open moments after hers, and there is a word here. She’s prided herself on always having the right thing to say, always reading from a script she’s stuck to before. He makes her want to go off book, the way her nose scrunches up and her smile grows as he kisses it shows as much.

“Yeah? Maybe that’s my kink.” It’s easy to take his teasing in stride, to have a special kind of banter she knows she wouldn’t have with anyone else. Her leaning into his touch says as much. She doesn’t mind the silence, letting him find the words to tell her as she reflects on her own self. How easy it was to look back on her past with resentment, to see everyone who took advantage of her loneliness and scorn them. But, did she really have anyone to blame but herself? After all, she was the only one standing when everyone else left. His confession somehow makes her feel vulnerable, as if she hasn’t properly healed either. “How did you know?” Her voice comes out small and feeble, but she continues anyways. “That you were capable? Because for me it felt like. Like it was either do that or get left behind while everyone else moves on.” Like I never had a choice at all. She smiles then, a hint of humor in her voice at her realization. “I guess I showed my age there too.”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

He catches the way her eyes light up and he questions if he reads into this too much; the glimmer of understanding reserved for just the two of them. Everyone talks about this: the distant ideal of being seen, of having another murmur that your scars look just like theirs. But maybe, again, he is only seeing things. Maybe it’s only fascination, a sensation he’s been starved of for far too long. “I think it’s for the better too. It’s no wonder people struggle to change, you know, because why would you want to?” Kaiden shrugs the way one only can with their mouth; eyes closed, one corner of his lips tugged upwards. “Even the dark, ugly parts of you are still uniquely yours.”

Spellbound – why is he always so stupidly, hopelessly, spellbound from something as small as her eyes fluttering at his touch? He smiles to himself and does not realize it lingers as her gaze meets his again. “Maybe I’ll tell you later once I’ve compiled a list,” he jests, but it sounds awfully close to a promise. A promise to remember all the wise sentiments she offers and gift them back to her just so she sees it too. Kaiden laughs softly at the muffled giggles she buries into his skin, utterly smitten with its ( her ) sincerity. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulls her into a close embrace and it should have said something - it should have been everything - that they make such intimacy look easy. But neither comment on it. 

How peculiar, that in spite of all her self awareness, there is still uncertainty over how she is seen. He wonders if he sounded just as sheepish a mere, few seconds ago. Kaiden lets the lengthy silence fill the air, unbothered by it, as if the pace with which they gather their thoughts together has become familiar. With reverence, he takes note of the absence of bitterness in her voice. “I’m going to sound really old now,” he laughs, scrunching up the corners of his eyes, “but it took me a little longer than you to admit the same thing. Without sounding resentful.” A pause. “Who… helped you get to where you are now?”

Did you have to figure this out all on your own too? he means.

Arabella watches every gesture, every way he appears to be nonchalant when it comes to more serious matters, as if he’s seen all what life has to offer and has found what could keep him content. She wonders what he had to go through to get to this conclusion, and how many times did he need to change in order to survive? “I think it comes to a point where you have to either be content with lying to yourself forever or just accept who you are.” Even all her pain belonged to her, even those moments of feeling alone and confused were hers. She doesn’t know yet that they could be his as well, that they could share it. “You’ll have to tell me all about those parts.” She smiles and it’s sincere. A surprise to herself that she wants to take his on as well.

Her nose scrunches up, a small blush forming on her cheeks as she smiles at him. Was she really that wise? She’s never thought so before, always opting to try to live in the moment rather than get bogged down from the past like she used to. Nor was she always the brightest, her lasp in judgement familiar to her. But, if he could see something worthwhile in her after a few short days, maybe she was capable of more than she gave herself credit for. “You might be joking but I have a feeling you’ll do it.” She grins as her arms wrap around him, lips finding his for a kiss. She kisses him softly, her thumb rubbing gently against his cheek before pulling back to look at him. Arabella knew how it looked, and she could think that she was just acting like normal. But Kaiden already knew more about her than anyone in her life, and she only feels more at ease because of it. Because it can end. 

She chuckles with him at his confession, a look of mischief in her eyes. “Like you haven’t before?” She teases before settling back, lips pursing together in a smile. Her expression softens as he speaks, eyes intense as she was absorbed by him. Ara offers him a hopeful smile, small yet prominent as her fingers brush his hair aside. “Honestly? Leaving behind almost everything and starting anew in a sense helped. I’m better for it, I hope. When did you eventually get there?” She asks, surprised at her earnestness. She’s even more surprised at his question, brows furrowing in thought. She could say Kate, but that was untrue. And she wasn’t going to credit her growth with pain; she grew because she deserved better. So she raises one shoulder up in a shrug, a wry smile to match. “Somethings you need to learn alone. That was one of them. You?”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

He’s not alarmed by the way her lips capture his suddenly, as if he already knows what she means to say. Kaiden lets himself fall into the kiss; one of his hands reaching up to cup the side of her face, unhurried and lingering in his movements much like hers. They both chose to hold onto this - each other - and this should have been poetry or the beginnings of a story in itself. But they are not romantics ( or so they tell themselves to remain sane ) and so he falls into their teasing remarks instead. This is familiar, this is less dangerous. “It looks like I’m not letting them end. Sorry.” He scrunches his nose up and smiles – very unapologetically. 

Though there is a faint, wistful curve to his lips, the softness to his gaze is less concealed. “I know what you mean. There’s not a lot that you can say is just yours. C’est la vie, I guess.” Kaiden laughs and such dismissive jokes from either of them is no surprise. But little does he know, they could very well call each other theirs if they wanted to. It starts with something as little as hoping that she does not trace her fingers over another’s skin, that the patterns her touch makes is reserved just for him. 

He smiles in silent admission. But he’s quicker to correct her, even if his tone retains its gentle cadence. “Really? I think you can be grounded when you want to.” He trails a finger across the angle of her jaw, gaze tracking along as if to memorize her every slope and corner. “You should hear at least half of the wise things you say – oh shit, complimented you.” He laughs heartily, making it all the more harder for her to scatter her kisses, though it was sweet in its disarray nonetheless. “But that’s the funny thing about perception, isn’t it? You could easily see something I don’t, because for the longest time I saw myself as… scattered, actually.” He squints, though there’s a hint of lightness nonetheless; it does not hurt as much as it used to. “I would try to be everything all at once for other people.”

Her arms slide around his neck, easy and slow like their kiss. A shiver goes down her spine from the way his hand cups her face. It’s more than the simple words and salacious smiles, each gesture she savored, a particular sweetness she was never allowed. Yet, she can act like she knew better, pretend she wasn’t as distant as like she actually was. In a way, it was like he was telling her she deserved this, deserved long and gentle kisses and touches that warmed her, deserved someone who would listen. She knows better by now, but it was comforting to think otherwise.  “I’m sure you are very sorry.” She grins softly, knowing neither of them felt any shame about it. 

Arabella can’t help the way her eyes light up at him and the right words. “Exactly, there’s only so much that can really belongs to you. Especially as a kid.” She doesn’t elaborate further, who wants to hear someone complain about their upbringing after all. Her hands rest gently on his skin, gaze following the path she had made with her fingers as she continues. “But it’s always nice to have the one thing that maybe not everyone else gets. Though, maybe that’s for the better.” She shrugs slightly, laughing softly with him. How much longer could they go, discovering all the right things about each other before the bad comes out? How much longer would they have to be fascinated with each other, before it all comes to an end? For now, she hopes not yet, not any time soon. 

Eyes fluttering shut at his touch, she offers him a smile as they reopen to look at him. “Really now? You’ve already complimented me, now you have to tell me what.” She laughs alongside him, playfully leaving a smattering of kisses where she could while they both struggled to keep still. She manages to leave a kiss in the crook of her neck, giggling softly into his skin. Pulling back to look at him, she nods slightly, lips pursing in thought. “I was actually wondering what you see too earlier.” She admits, almost sheepishly, for it meant more than she wanted to admit. Her brows furrow in thought as she tilts her head slightly. “I know what you mean. I hated the idea of disappointing people.” She pauses for a moment too long, but she speaks softly yet with no bitterness attached, “for awhile I didn’t even think I belonged to myself.”

[arabellafranklin]

ofkaiden​:

“Excuse me?” Kaiden mimics, and he doesn’t know why he finds amusement in the most arbitrary things with Arabella but he doesn’t question it. Some matters do not need an explanation and the way his grin mirrors hers is one. But she traces her finger along his features and he watches the way her eyes follow the path she makes, trying to identify the emotion behind her wandering eyes and what she sees that he does not. Some matters do need an explanation after all. But it’s much too terrifying to ask. “I prefer closed doors too. But don’t you think my office or yours is a little more classy?” It’s a joke, but their conjoined laughter suggests they might just follow suit.

Call it over-awareness, but her eyes flutter close upon any display of affection like he does. So she is equally at home with this, equally unafraid of the emotions involved even if they are unnamed. Yet, neither dare to discuss it, and it becomes apparent to him what their problem is. They’re all too happy to tread the proverbial waters, but it is the submersion they fear; the risk of drowning for going too far. He knows this much, knows that in the near future the healthy way is to admit three, simple words: I’m scared too. But instead -- “Shamelessly clever, Ara.” 

Kaiden looks at her only as she’s glancing down at herself, lest she catches the way he smiles too openly. Too softly. As if he understands her already, even though it’s too early to say after only a matter of days. The back of his fingers skim across flushed cheeks and a hint of amusement tugs at the corners of his mouth ( so, she’s shameless about everything except her past ). “Why did that one picture call to you?” Internally, he cringes in hearing himself sound like his previous job. But he simply wanted to know; it was not about saving anyone this time. “Shit,” a breathy laugh and lidded eyes follows, though he keeps them closed, “never thought about it. Maybe the Earth? I can’t think of a poetic reason as to why, though.”

Arabella tugs him down to meet her lips by his hair, unable to keep up their joking any longer since she was overcome with sudden affection. She kisses him, slow and sweet, a smile spreading despite herself. It was simple, how he makes her feel, and that itself should’ve been a sign. But she knew better than anyone, to not look for signs where they do not exist. She knows only the foolish hold onto such sentiments, for wasn’t she one herself once upon a time? Her lips pull back softly, eyes shining up at him with a teasing smile. “Haha, very cute.” She playfully rolls her eyes, lips pursing together as her eyes scan his face. She quirks an eyebrow up at him, nodding slightly. “Guess all those walk of shames in uni don’t have to end.” Her laugh suggests none of those walks were shameful, and that wasn’t going to change, especially with him. 

A soft laugh bubbles out of her, smiling in agreement. It’s easy to take these in moments as just moments. To just pretend it can exist in a bubble, that tomorrow doesn’t have to come. It’s why she shifts closer in bed, why she leans into his caress and traces her fingers against his chest with a delicacy she doesn’t offer anyone else. Her brows furrow slightly at the question, yet she shrugs slightly, a wistful smile on her lips. “Reminded me that it was mine, I guess. No one I knew cared about that stuff when I was a kid. Plus, it was huge, my shitty disposable camera could never accomplish that.” She chuckles softly, and it’s easy this way too. Easy to confess, when she knew that he wouldn’t get to really know her. Not when she knew there was one rule she wasn’t allowed to break. 

Her gaze fixes on him as his eyes close, chuckling softly as she plants gentle kisses on his collarbone as he spoke. “Must everything need poetry?” She smiles, and in a way it’s to let him know that he doesn’t need a reason to simply be. She knows he could be home, if she let him, and maybe that’s the real reason. Instead, she settles for, “probably because you’re like... grounded. At least compared to me, of course.” She scrunches her nose up playfully as she looks up at him, fingers running through his hair. “You think I have a big head now, just compliment me a few more times and I’m insufferable.” She teases with a grin, lips trailing softly against his jawline between words.