ππππππππππ / πππππππππ / @ofhope
Their relocation had been swift, their monitoring worse. Given they had both witnessed a hidden projectβor so they speculated, having been advised to forget it had ever occurredβit was suggested heavily by the DSO for their time to be better spent off-premises. It took some maneuvering on Ashley's part; Nero's operation, whatever it may be, meant they wanted him within reach; the knife under their pillow. After surviving what would've been an otherwise fatal encounter, Ashley insisted: a live-in guard. A temporary position, but given how closely-knit her family and the government were (for reasons that often ground her teeth), it was considered operable. It was, in truth, suspicious how easily their clutches freed him, but Ashley accepted it gleefully. Or she would've, if hanging around Nero hadn't ... sparked something. Enticed a part of her that lay forgotten, all of it nonsensical in the light of the ugly truth she had bear witness to. She was too busy recovering, too busy trying to put together pieces of her fractured mind, too busy trying to grow comfort with being in public again. She didn't have time for crushes, she didn't have time to feel warm cheeks whenever he guided her use of a firearm, or the battering of butterflies against her ribs whenever he teased her lack-of.
... But, Ashley had learned many things back there, among all that carnage. For what courage she gained, she equally lacked; and because of that, she was made a fool, a - a blushing little princess for a man who won't ever look her way again. If she had said something then, maybe it would've been different. If she had done something--
So, Ashley figures it best before their usual departure, post-dinner. "Up to your standards?" Ashley quips, balancing on her heels. "I'm going to have Simone teach me that recipe. If it makes you smile that much, then I can't let it go forgotten." Okay, good, a little flirting, this is - ugh, she doesn't flirt much. Were she able, Ashley would sink through the flooring, down to the firmament of the earth, never to be seen again. "Hey, Nero, I'm going to do something. Don't ... hate me for it, okay?" Leaning up the smallest bit... maybe not the tiniest, has he always been this tall? wrists at her back, Ashley holds her breath, because if she thinks on it, she'll run. If she considers what she's doing, she'll hide under a pillow forever, and await the day he forgets all of this. Because if he doesn't feel the same, well... Avoiding his gaze, Ashley bestows a chaste kiss unto his lips, lasting not a moment. Still pressed together, Nero would feel as opposed to hear her next words: "Goodnight."
If there was one way to grab Neroβs attention, it was definitely through food. Nero loved a good home-cooked meal, especially when itβs actually prepared with love. Food that he received from the facility wasnβt bad in anyway but the food was almost incredibly bland, there was no feeling or passion poured into the meals, the seasonings, portions..everything perfectly numbered.
It was always like that with them, everything had to follow a set of rules and their cooking reflects that need for control, however, the meal Asheley herself prepared?? THE ABSOLUTE BEST, itβs as if heβs having a luxury meal in tone of those fancy hotels. The food was prepared with care, with love, and, more importantly, feeling.Β
While eating theyβve spoken, regarding old adventures and the one theyβve shared recently and he also explained how everything went back to normal..or well as close as it could be to normal when it came down to his arm. At the very least they could talk about it so openly now, especially when he had to teach her how to use guns..he only wished he was a little more patient. However, thereβs only soo patient you can be when the world is out to get you.
βMy standards?? Iβd say it was better than that. Is this you trying to get me to fall for you?? After all, every guy likes a girl who can cook, he said softly as he approached her. Now heβs listening to her, talking about doing something, and he shouldnβt hate her for it. βWhare yaβ¦β His sentence cut as his eyes witnessed her stepping closer. Agh, her eyes were so pretty..and so far her face. Shit she was close, and she smells nice..and his face became darker, so much so that his gaze drifted toward the side, however soon enough he felt her lips touch his very own.
The kiss was soft, it took him by surprise but it went away just as quickly as it came as she swiftly turned around..wishing him good night. βHold on wait..β Heβd reach out, instinct being the only thing that pushes him forward to gently take her hand. A part of him desperate..wanting..more of that kiss they shared, not quite ready to let her go.