How Did I Get Here?

Before he can stammer out any reason for why he is here you pull him inside. You ignore the wet footprints left on your pristine floor by your uninvited visitor. Steven is stammering your name, visibly shaking from the cold but you shush him. You take the bouquet from his hands and put it to the side. 

“Alright, you,” you start, poking his chest with your finger, “are going to take a hot shower. You look like you are going to die on me any second.”

“But-”

“Shower. Now.”

Like a kicked puppy he casts his gaze downward, shuffling his feet awkwardly for a moment before turning around and walking into your bathroom.

“Bath towels are on the rack next to the heater,” you call into the room right after the door closes behind Steven, “Feel free to use my shower gel and shampoo. Don't touch my expensive conditioner though! It's the purple bottle!”

A muffled “Got it” sounds from behind the door and you decide to leave him to it. 

Your eyes are immediately drawn to the bundle of drenched roses you had set aside. Even though they, just like Steven, are soaked through by the rain outside they are beautiful. As you pick it up you bring one blossom to your nose, inhaling its scent. It’s not overpowering, like anything rose-scented always is, but a delicate, natural perfume that delights your senses. It’s rare to get this quality of flowers in the city, or at least not from just any flower shop. He must have spent a small fortune on these, you think as you take in the whole bouquet. 

Red roses.

It’s a bit cliche but as a romantic gift there is nothing that gets the message across more clear than this. Maybe a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

But who are they for? Did Steven not buy them and got them gifted himself? Or was he on his way to a date and stopped by your place for shelter from the rain? Or-

“They’re for you.”

You didn’t even hear the shower stop or the door open. Like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar you turn to Steven. He stands but a few steps away from you, a towel wrapped tightly around his hips, the rest of his skin bare to the world, his hair still damp and sticking to his forehead. 

“Sorry?”

“The flowers. T-they are for you,” he stammers, now that he has to repeat himself. His cheeks flush and oh that blush travels all the way down. You force yourself to not oggle him, instead fixing your gaze to his face.

“For me? But they are…,” you trail off, feeling a bit flustered yourself. Was he really saying what you think he is? 

“I- You know I had this whole speech planned and then you kinda dragged me into your shower,” he explains, chuckling awkwardly, “N-Not that I mind! The shower, I mean.”

“I have to admit I didn’t expect this,” you reply, your hands still clutching the roses. That’s when you notice that somebody removed the thorns, your fingers safe from any cuts or pricks.

Steven fiddles with his fingers, a nervous tick you’ve observed many times. “I have thought about this a lot,” he admits before his eyes widen. “Not me standing in your living room half naked. I mean that too but that’s not what I meant.” You can’t help but chuckle, his awkwardness always cheering you up in one way or another. “I am doing this all wrong, aren’t I?”

He steps towards you, gathering courage from who knows where, and takes your hands in his, the red roses falling unceremoniously to the ground. Your name falls from his lips and suddenly you can’t move your eyes away from him, can’t speak, can’t breathe.

“I am in love with you.”

A soft gasp leaves you and your heart starts pounding a mile a minute.

“You don’t have to reciprocate though I’d be a bloody liar if I said I wouldn’t like that. But here I go being a right plonker telling you how to feel, right? Oh my stars-”

“I love you too.”

Your words make him grind to a halt, his mouth hanging open while his mind catches up with what you said. His eyes start to sparkle and a goofy grin spreads across his lips.

“Really? You mean it?” he asks hopefully. You simply nod, your smile quickly matching his.

“Oh that’s amazing, love! I am so happy! I could-”

He almost reaches out to wrap his arms around you but stops, remembering his half naked state.

“-...put on some clothes.”

Another bout of giggles erupts from your chest and you can feel your cheeks starting to ache. “I’m sure I have something around you can wear. Just stay here, ok? Don’t run away,” you joke.