@fashionistatroubadour || Con’t from here
Forrest wasn’t sure what to make of this, exactly. He had always loved Nina, in her own way. She was one of his closest friends, his retainer, how could he not love her? But now this was..
His heart never raced at the sight of her and, while he certainly missed her, he never longed for her in her absence. Never even considered the thought of… of…
No. Nope. Not going there.
Walking alongside his friend, it was such thoughts he was batting away. He instead focused on the fabric he was considering: the color, the texture, his thoughts drifting back to Nina, gaze drifting back to her as he pretended to examine the fabric–of course, she had zoned out again, fantasizing about the merchant…gods, whomever else caught her fancy. A flash of irritation.
It was creepy and inappropriate, he had always thought that, but… there was also a touch of jealousy beneath it now. He was right there, an actual option, and she’d rather… daydream about things that would never happen or think up strange stories about strangers?
“Would you just stop already!” Forrest had finally snapped, dropping the silk and his following, falling to the table with a tiny slam. And then he froze, cheeks turning scarlet in shame at snapping at his friend. Hand flying up to cover his mouth, he stared down at the table. “I… I-I’m so sorry, Nina, that’s not what I…”
Forrest never snaps at her. Forest never snaps.
They were out and about, looking at some sort of fabric for him--not really a shopping trip she enjoyed, but she liked being by his side enough that it wasn’t an issue. And, besides that, there were plenty of other things to catch her attention here. Was it just her, or was the merchant of this stall gazing longingly at the other fabric shop’s runner? Ooh, forbidden romance.
She’s abruptly brought out of her fantasy by Forrest’s outburst, the bang making her almost jump in surprise.
From anyone else, it would have made her angry, but mostly she was just confused.
“Stop what?” she asks, concern written across her face as he covers up his own mouth. What was going on? “Um, Forrest, it’s fine. Are you feeling okay?”
She leans in a little closer, since he’s moved his gaze away from hers. “You’re looking kind of flushed...”