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" shy ? " he barks the question , heavy with want to laugh , " since when i been shy with you , huh ? " count back a handful of years ; a time with a few less greys and a few more hang - ups , he'd have blanched at her threat. barred the path towards the staircase and promised she'd need get through him , first. but that was the thing about it.. time. it'd passed and , with it , stole up an abundance of modesty he'd held onto for decades. once the dust had settled and roman'd learned the hard way that caring overmuch what people thought ? hadn't gotten him anywhere.

this though ? he could feign demure for this.

" might surprise you these days , " sparing mercedes the added jab that she'd be less caught off - guard were she around more , his focus settles on the graze of soft fingers and nails that tickle in tandem. " gonna catch my ass runnin up them steps to get ahead of you. " unlikely , but she'd appreciate the sentiment. the image. the message. that lines in the sand , while stark and telling , could be ignored with the right incentive. sometimes. " you plannin on bein a backpack all day ? "

TASTE

"I leave quite an impression."

"Now I'm gone, but you're still layin' next to me, one degree of separation."

"I heard you're back together."

"You'll just have to taste me when they're kissing you."

"You can have them if you'd like. I've been there, done that once or twice."

"I know I've been known to share."

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

"I know I have good judgement, I know I have good taste."

"I promise 'em that you're different and everyone makes mistakes."

"Whatever devil's inside you, don't let it out tonight."

"Please, please, please don't prove I'm right."

"Please, please, please, don't bring me to tears when I just did my makeup so nice."

"Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another."

"I beg you, don't embarrass me motherfucker."

"I know you're craving some fresh air, but the ceiling fan is so nice."

"We could live so happily if no one knows that you're with me."

"I'm just kidding, but really."

"If you wanna go and be stupid don't do it in front of me."

GOOD GRACES

"I won't give a fuck about you."

"When I love you, I'm sweet like an angel."

"Don't mistake my nice for naive."

"I don't waste a second."

"You say you really like it being mine?"

"It's not that complicated."

"You should stay in my good graces."

"No one's more amazing at turning loving into hatred."

"You do something sus, kiss my cute ass goodbye."

SHARPEST TOOL

"I know you're not the sharpest tool in the shed."

"We had sex, I met your best friends."

"If that was casual, then I'm an idiot."

"You're confused and I'm upset, but we never talk about it."

"All the silence just makes it worse, really."

"Seems like overnight, I'm just the bitch you hate now."

COINCIDENCE

"You've lost all your common sense."

"Last week, you didn't have any doubts."

"This week, you're holding space for their tongue in your mouth."

"You're tryna turn the past into present tense."

"You told me the truth, minus seven percent."

"What a surprise, your phone just died."

"You car drove itself from L.A. to her thighs."

"She kinda looks like the girl you outgrew. At least that's what you said."

BED CHEM

"Your friend hit me up so we could connect."

"Maybe it's all in my head."

"I bet we'd have really good bed chem."

"I'm obsessed."

"Are you free next week?"

"Said you're not in my timezone, but you wanna be."

"Let's fulfill the prophecy."

ESPRESSO

"Now you're thinking about me every night."

"Is it that sweet? I guess so."

"That's that me espresso."

"I can't relate to desperation."

"My give-a-fucks are on vacation."

"When they act this way, I know I got 'em."

"Too bad your ex don't do it for ya."

"I walked in and dream-came-trued it for ya."

"I know I Mountain Dew it for ya."

"You look so cute wrapped 'round my finger."

DUMB & POETIC

"You're so dumb and poetic."

"It's just what I fall for, I like the aesthetic."

"Gold star for highbrow manipulation."

"Just 'cause you talk like one doesn't make you a man."

"You put us in this situation."

"You're running so fast from the hearts that you're breaking."

"Save all your breath for your floor meditation."

"I promise the mushrooms aren't changing your life."

"You fuck with my head like it's some kind of fetish."

SLIM PICKINS

"Guess I'll end this life alone."

"If they're winning, I'm just losing."

"It's slim pickings."

"If I can't have the one I love, I guess it's you that I'll be kissing."

"The good ones are deceased or taken."

"I'll just keep on moaning and bitching."

"This boy doesn't even know the difference between 'their,' 'there' and 'they are'."

JUNO

"Don't have to tell your hot ass a thing."

"You make me wanna make you fall in love."

"If you love me right, then who knows?"

"You know I just might let you lock me down tonight."

"Sorry if you feel objectified."

"Adore me."

"Tell me I'm the only one."

LIE TO GIRLS

"Don't swear on your mom."

"Don't say it was just an isolated incident that happened once."

"I've never seen an ugly truth that I can't bend into something that looks better."

"I'm stupid, but I'm clever."

"I can make a shitshow look a whole lot like forever and ever."

"If they like you, they'll just lie to themselves."

"Don't I know it better than anyone else?"

"All of your best excuses, no, they don't stand a chance."

"We love to read the cold, hard facts and swear they're incorrect."

"We love to mistake butterflies for cardiac arrest."

DON'T SMILE

"Don't smile because it happened, cry because it's over."

"You're supposed to think about me every time you hold them."

"My heart is heavy now, it's like a hundred pounds."

"I think I need a shower."

"You think it's happy hour, for me it's not."

"I want you to miss me."

"I don't wanna be tempted to pick up when you fall back in."

for such slight , delicate arms , the grip she has 'round his middle is trying. sinches deeper. meredes has him in a sinking lasso and roman makes no moves to escape. rumbles a steady growl at the base of his sternum , beneath the clasp of her hands though.. allows it to carry once , finally , he's made move to spot her. look for the triumphantly pleasant face angled upward to greet him over a broad , tattooed shoulder.

        ❝  mine.  ❞

[ encourage ] sender supports receiver with pats on their shoulders and a big, encouraging smile

[ silence ] sender lays a finger over their lips, telling receiver to stay quiet

[ stop ] sender holds their palm out facing receiver, stopping them in their tracks

[ affectionate ] sender plays with receiver's hair

[ braid ] sender begins to braid receiver's hair

[ i love you ] sender signs I LOVE YOU to receiver

[ go away ] sender gives receiver's shoulder a shove, trying to make them walk away or go into another room

[ slam ] pent up with frustration, sender leaves receiver and slams the door behind them as they exit

[ knock ] sender is here to see receiver and knocks playfully on their door to indicate they've arrived

[ wipe ] seeing receiver cry, sender reaches out and wipes their tears away (with their fingers or with a tissue)

[ secret ] making sure no one sees, sender secretly takes receiver's hand under a table and laces their fingers

[ squeeze ] sender reassures receiver in a dangerous situation by squeezing their hand

[ sleepy kiss ] while receiver is sleeping (or pretending to be asleep), sender approaches them and places a soft kiss on their forehead

[ hospital ] receiver is in the hospital, and sender sits in a chair by their bedside all through the night and holds their hand

[ celebrate ] receiver accomplishes something amazing, so sender rushes into receiver's arms and jumps up and down, eager to celebrate their victory

[ food ] sender brings receiver their favorite dish to cheer them up

[ glass ] sender and receiver are separated by glass. sender draws a heart on the glass with their finger for receiver to see

[ rest ] sender lays their head on receiver's shoulder and falls asleep there

[ expect ] sender sticks out a hand, palm up, waiting for receiver to give them the item they want

[ pillow ] sender playfully tosses a pillow at receiver, starting a pillowfight

[ sob ] sender rushes into receiver's arms and breaks down in their embrace, hiding their tears in receiver's chest

[ offer ] sender is cooking for receiver and offers out a spoon for receiver to sample a taste

[ love note ] sender passes receiver a romantic note in secret

[ close the distance ] sender and receiver are seated together, and sender moves closer to snuggle with them

[ montage ] receiver tries on clothes, and sender either approves or disapproves of each outfit with a nod or a shake of their head

[ stare ] while receiver gazes out a window, sender comes up from behind and embraces them

[ dance ] sender approaches receiver and starts dancing with them, positioning their hands for them

[ paint ] while sender and receiver paint together, sender smears a little paint on receiver's face to make them laugh

[ funny ] sender makes an assortment of funny faces to try and make receiver laugh

[ flowers ] sender leaves a bouquet of flowers for receiver to find

[ catch ] sender catches receiver's eye across a room and winks at them

[ refuse ] sender is upset with receiver and pushes away from their hug

[ get out ] sender points at the door, demanding receiver leave

[ snuggle ] sender lays down beside receiver and curls up against their body, quickly falling asleep

[ smooch ] sender takes receiver's face in their hands and guides them in for a romantic kiss

[ fix ] sender approaches receiver and fixes a piece of clothing or jewelry on their person

[ peck ] a quick, light kiss on the partner's lips or cheek [ french ] a deep, passionate kiss with the use of tongue [ forehead ] a gentle kiss on the partner's forehead, conveying care and affection [ spiderman ] an upside-down kiss, just like in the movie [ mistletoe ] a playful or romantic kiss under a mistletoe [ hand ] a chivalrous kiss on the back of the partner's hand [ lingering ] a long, slow kiss filled with emotion and desire [ neck ] a kiss or gentle sucking on the partner's neck [ nape ] a kiss placed at the nape of the partner's neck [ teasing ] a light brushing of lips against a partner's skin without fully kissing [ earlobe ] a light nibble on the partner's earlobe [ tango dip ] a kiss shared while one partner is dipped backward [ celebration ] a joyful and exuberant kiss to celebrate an achievement or milestone [ stolen ] a quick, stealthy, and impromptu kiss snatched in secret [ bite ] a playful kiss that involves some light biting [ goodbye ] a heartfelt kiss when parting, showing affection and fondness [ rain ] a romantic kiss in the rain [ scars ] a gentle kiss on the partner's scar(s) [ injury ] a careful kiss on a partner's wound to make it all better [ wedding ] a romantic kiss shared during a wedding ceremony [ comfort ] a tender kiss to provide comfort or reassurance [ sunset ] a kiss shared during sunset, often romantic and serene [ butterfly ] a light fluttering of eyelashes against the partner's skin [ seductive ] a deep, slow, and deliberately intense kiss filled with passion and desire [ shoulder ] a tender kiss on the partner's shoulder [ knuckles ] a kiss on each individual knuckle of the partner [ slow motion ] a kiss in slow motion, accentuating every moment and sensation [ reunion ] a longing kiss shared after being apart for a while [ passionate ] an intense and fiery kiss, expressing raw desire and strong emotion [ underwater ] a kiss shared while submerged in water [ wrist ] a tender kiss on the inside of the partner's wrist [ wake up ] a loving kiss to wake the partner up [ apology ] a kiss offered as a way to apologize or make amends [ hummingbird ] a series of light, rapid, and fluttery kisses on a small area [ trail ] a trail of kisses along the partner's jawline or collarbone [ blowing ] a kiss in the air and send of the gesture towards the partner [ surprise ] a sudden kiss to catch the partner off guard [ hickey ] a kiss that's supposed to leave a mark on the partner's skin [ single lip ] a sucking or nibbling of one of the partner's lips [ nose ] an affectionate gesture where partners rub their noses together

he wishes , in that quiet , subliminal way he oft does , that she didn't ask questions like that. that she read the room.. read between the lines. roman wishes there was nothing to read , but another trip overseas has drafted the unspoken novel that sits heavy and compounding between them. even when they kiss. even when he revs the engine and finds minimal comfort in the short drive from the airport back home. more his than hers of late. more his because he sees it. day in. day out. he paces the generous halls and checks his phone.. sees the updates on her stories. pictures posted of the london skyline. he doesn't like them. scrolls by. as he doesn't like the simplicity in her avoidance , here. scrolls by regardless.

" had a weekend.. got some things taken care of. " not the largest of his headaches , perhaps , but the nagging ones. phoned up a wise man in search of advice. cooked several meals for two despite a lack of company to share it with. " i see yours went good. "