arabellafranklin:
“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 lie 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.”
.
“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 too 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.”
