@lunarruled asked: "Admit it, you're having fun!"
Between walls that were stacked high and shelved with books, the comfortable fullness of a stomach fattened by beer and greasy tavern fries, the betrayal of a smile dared to undo the Hitman, a fault of his own person. Born from the corners, a soft, subtle pink on his cheeks, novels and literature collections carried in his hands, a bundle. Selections of his own choosing, decisions that Kyleigh both wanted and yet wasn't sure of, genres that ranged from fantasy to crime. Leatherbound, paperback, and hardcover cradled in Bret's embrace, the bends of his elbows, for the sole purpose that Kyleigh might be able to search better. Perched upon a ladder and scanning covers, authors; the smallest bookstore in the smallest town in the whole United States victim to the Hitman and her. A date, an adventure between friends, two people who hadn't meant to become so close yet did. Goodness bloomed from the bleakness of the WWF - an uncontrolled circus, an arena that would've better fit the ages of old, gladiators and colosseums - the days that Bret couldn't stand to endure. A hero lost, he hadn't found happiness in so long. It was akin to the loss of his own heart.
But amongst the sounds of gentle melodies played through speakers, the crease of pages being turned, Kyleigh's laughter and excitement, some bit of happiness did come back. A flutter, discovered in the smiles he tried to hide, the crinkle of lines around his brown eyes, the swiftness of trying to look toward another direction. Paid for dinner, didn't mind to make purchase on their stock, looked up to the woman on the ladder as fondly as he would've a member of his family. So small, Bret hoped that the feelings would last forever. A wonderful, bright memory, to numb the bitterness of having his head cracked open, a foe's fists bashed down onto his nose. Much more pleasant than Sid or the Undertaker, to be held within his heart until the end. Kyleigh had made Bret feel alive.
Awoken from his bliss by the warmth of her teasing, the Hitman gained command of his features, the boyishness, the innocence. Pulled the smile, darkened the eyes, tried to appear as disgruntled, as disinterested, as he could. A mock expression of boredom, clenched the horde of books to his chest in pretend annoyance, side-glanced Kyleigh who gazed down from her higher standing. Rolled his eyes, for the hope of her amusement, Bret's cute efforts at casual play, to tease her back.
"Yeah. Lots." Bret joked sarcastically, a toothless grin daring to ruin his whole performance, his feet shuffled.
"Y'know, Kyleigh, someone's gonna see me carrying around these girly romance books and start to get ideas about me. I don't even like pirates."
