Fluff n' fluff and a little angst :Prompt
Repositioning his crutches he gently bent to her height which was hard on his damaged leg but he didn't care. Snowflakes danced between them and with trembling fingers he reached out to take her small round face in his hands. She looked at him with those soft eyes full of surprise.
Warm.
Even in this December storm he could feel the heat coming from her.
'How can anyone be so wonderful?' He murmured his voice coming out in white flumes, drifting - low and full of wonder - across the small space between them. Christmas bells could be heard down the street and the overwhelming smell of hot cinnamon filled drinks danced around them.
Her lips parted to say something but before she could utter a word he had leaned in and pressed his own forehead to hers. He could feel the warmth in her cheeks grow hot to the touch between his palms.
A blush perhaps?
His heart fluttered in his chest at the thought. Was she blushing because of him? He couldn't help but feel a little smug with himself at her reaction.
How long had it been since he had made a woman blush? Or even seen a genuine blush?
How was it possible to want someone so desperately?
He had been with plenty of women and it had always burned hot and fast, dying out quickly and turning cold. They had bored him to death through time and he had just given up on love or romance, whatever you wanted to call it indefinitely. It was better for him to remain sharp anyway and a woman just made things confusing. But with her it was different, everything had been so slow and unexpected. He craved everything about her. She was special. Special to him atleast.
'Ya keep me good.' He confessed quietly while brushed his thumbs gently against her flesh in slow circles. 'Ya keep me grounded n' help me become better.' He smiled at the memories they shared. How they had met. Had he known what she would mean to him he would have tried to find her sooner.
He would have rescued her from the hell she hid from him.
Worried he was crowding her he stood up to his full height and began to take his hands away. She stopped his left hand with both her small ones and held it to her cheek, a fond smile dancing over her freckled face as she leaned into his palm closing her eyes.
His heart thrummed in his chest viciously. His body melting at the innocent gesture.
'You keep me safe and I'll keep you good.' He smiled at that, gently penching her rosy cheek before he reajusted his leather jacket around her shoulders. Seeing the bruises under her sweater collar he felt the muscles in his jaw tighten and his stomach knot.
She was too afraid to leave the man that hurt her. She was too niave and kind for that. She wanted to help people, fix them and make them better.
Like him.
He hated to admit it but it was true.
He looked into her happy eyes as she glanced into one of the shops full of Christmas cookies, his blood hot as he forced a smile.
She was far too gentle and kind for this world and the people in it; but he wasn't good or gentle, she was the only reason he tried and for her he would make sure she stayed safe. Per their promise.
He had a rat to kill.
Taking her cold fingers in his hand he blew hot air onto them and offered to buy her some cookies from the bakery. She loved sweet things and he loved making her smile. The both of them went into the bakery together laughing and chatting.
If anyone has seen the odd pair they would have looked the other way. An affiliated mobster with one of the biggest running mobs in the city and a very small woman were not something to get involved with after all. Better to keep to oneself.
