@givenfate [ prompt ] : 🎲 : >
-- 18: A kiss while laughing
There were not many times when he would willingly roll up his sleeves and assist in the kitchen rotations of the guild. Too many members meant too many mouths to feed, and it meant thrice the work for Mirajane. Recently, rules became a little more strict around the halls, and in turn more chores were assigned to members to upkeep the guild itself. In fact, Loke had thoughts about how much more efficient this whole charade would have been in the past if it was implemented like this to begin with, but now was a better time then never. And, it was less likely anyone would find his suggestions helpful, or even serious, with how care free he presented himself back then. To most, he was either out on missions for various length of times or chasing tail. He had come quite far from where he was, and taking a step back to examine himself was oddly nostalgic. It gave him a sense of being sentimental for a moment, finding that he distracted him enough to catch his key holder signaling him from the corner of his eye.
‘ Ah, sorry. I got a little lost in thought. ’ a low mumble, while hands fumbled the plate he held, ‘ I’m a little confused on why you tricked me into kitchen duty with you. You can’t just call on me with such a innocent look and say, ♡ Oh Loke I need you for a special mission that only you can do ♡, and expect me to be okay with...... this. ’
The mockery was enough to get the key holder to pout as she finished drying the plate in her palms. ‘ You make it sound like I’m using you. ’ She replied, scoffing, ‘ And I don’t talk like that. ’
‘ Yes, yes you do. You just don’t want to admit that you used your womanly assets to manipulate me. ’ A tease left his lips, one with dramatic intent.
That was enough to set Lucy into a cleaning spiral, rapidly grabbing a few wet dishes from his pile and rubbing them furiously with rag in hand. ‘ Well, I didn’t manipulate you, but I was a bit desperate... I know it’s Friday night and you may have wanted to spend it differently and, maybe with someone else, but everyone else ditched me for a mission and left me alone with the kitchen duties on OUR turn. Who else was I suppose to ask? ’
She had a certain tone that rang with hints of annoyance, not directly at him but they were noticeable. Hands slowed as he set down the plate he had finished drying, humming in response to her frustration in agreeance toward the untoned notions. No plans were made prior, there was no harm in helping her doing some tedious chores now and again, and besides, it wasn’t like he didn’t want her company in the first place. Any sort of time spent with her was time well spent, even if it meant a mountain of dishes to clean. He would clean them with her, no matter the reason.
‘ Well, you’re wrong about one thing. ’ Loke mumbled, and before she had time to protest, he spoke again, ‘ I wouldn’t want to be with someone else. ’
Only a short moment was needed to lock eyes with her, just enough time for his notion to sink in a little. To flatter, was the intent; yet it was truth. Maybe other girls would keep his thoughts occupied for a short while, but none would satisfy the actual ache being rejected by the one he one he desired those affections from. He knew the consequences of what it could bring, he faced punishment for breaking the rules before, and here he was trying to pursue another. Funny how being bad didn’t feel regretful, especially as he drowned in her eyes from the last few minutes.
Though, her silence left him anxious, his composure shifted to the plate in hand. Which in turn left an opening for a flick of her finger to catch the water in the sink, whisking away to land on the lion’s cheek. The reaction was one of laughter and playfulness, which led to the lions retaliation. Though, his over reaction caused water to not only soak Lucy’s left torso, but also the floor below them. But, that didn’t stop her from seeking out the balance from how dry he was compared to her own being.
‘ No -- No-- ’ Loke would protested, seeking the shield of the plate in hand for protection against her revenge, ‘ I am in a suit -- kind of -- but that still should be under consideration-- ’ A hopeless plea, that fell on deaf ears as Lucy swiped her arm across the surface of the water; a tidal wave down pouring on the poor kitten, who tried his best to scurry away to no justice as he fell to the floor.
Between fits of giggles, Lucy reached out, ‘ Oh Loke, are you okay -- ’ Not too soon, she too had joined him, though her landing was softened by the body of her beloved lion who made sure she had a bit of padding to land on. Saving her, even in these dumb little situations, was his duty first and foremost -- but it didn’t mean she landed with grace. Loke grunted in discomfort as her elbow pressed into his side, yet he didn’t object to her being so close -- and on top. As they both came too from the chuckles echoing amongst them, hands seemed to handle her waist and upper back as she tried asking him again if he was okay. Oh -- he was more then okay.
‘ Yeah -- but now you’re too cute not to kiss. ’
He expected her initial reaction, a few blinks, confusion to cross her brows, and a firm, but polite, refusal. Instead she gave him the confused look, and another fit of laughter left her lips as she buried her face in his chest. Now he was the one with the muddled brow and the flustered features, but found himself laughing along with her out of that uncertainty. How could he not? Her laugh was a intoxicating.
‘ I know but, your hair is all wet -- and I know you’re trying to be suave -- I just can’t take you seriously. ’
A hand covered his eyes in defeat, joining her giggles with his own low chuckles as he laid with the white flag. Just his luck, though disappointment was not what he felt. No rejection followed, only the laughter they shared between them acted as a shield to deflect any ill emotions deemed not important. Until an entirely new emotion would eclipse.
The warmth of the sun rushed through the lion’s veins, for centuries, nothing else could compare to the heat from it, till the surprise of a soft peck to the corner of his smile announced itself. A new kind of warmth, one that filled every cold corner of his body. Such brief intimacy should not spread this kind of joy among the few who were so use to being drenched in others affections, but it was from the eye of his desires. It rekindled an old flame; one he feared that would yearn for more which could not be given. As always, that danger was ignored.
Brisk hands would cup her chin from withdrawing, leaving no room to hide her actions. Bodies instinctively rose from the comfort of the floor, hers in retreat and his in pursuit. Even in fleeing she didn’t put up a fight from his intentions, and instead knew she had been caught continuing to giggle out of being so flustered. That chuckle of his followed her own, putting a light damper on the smooth move to finally -- maybe -- kiss her.
‘ You can’t just keep quiet, can you? ’ He teased, trying to revive this critical moment before him. Who knew when he would get the chance again? Especially with the way she let him hold her, with no struggle, no objections. Any sign of it, and he would be quick to release her, but she stayed. The only thing left was to calm the bubbliness she seemed to overflow with.
That airy laugh was slightly dulled, with a teasing ‘ Make me -- ’ which not only surprised the lion in question, but the holder herself. Yet, that irrepressible smile dominated her features.
‘ -- I will... You know that, right? ’ It was a subtle way of asking for the permission he desperately sought for. Eyes darting between her own, and the smile that provoked his intentions.
A slow nod gave him all the approval he needed.
Worth every second of the yearning, pining, and waiting. Thoughts always imagined these lips tasting like one of those watermelon candies, ones he would simply enjoy at times when he missed her most. She just had a fruity sense to her smell, personality, and the sweetness she would spread throughout anyone she met. The kiss lived up to that notion, which in turn left his own lips to smile. Now it was his time to chuckle, and of course she caught on -- pulling away slightly. Damn, he should’ve been more alert and not so... relaxed.
‘ Now who won’t be quiet? ’ It was said with a pout, which increased that old flame.
‘ Sorry... I just... You just taste like I thought you would-- ’
‘ What is that suppose to mean?? ’ She moved away slightly, only to appear curious for an answer. But, she smiled from the ridiculous statement. She held every right to.
‘ You know those watermelon suckers? ’
‘ Are you saying I taste like candy? ’
He paused for a moment, trying to adjust the situation he put himself in, seeing if there was any hint of disgust or rejection in her gaze. ‘ -- Is that bad? ’
Suddenly, a gradual burst of laughter bellowed from her. It was silly, and immensely laughable. Which in turn, Loke joined in; finding the stupidity from himself. They sat there, water still seeped on the floor, damping their clothes and a mountain of dishes they still needed to finish, but it was ignored. There was moments of joy still expressed with their muffled voices intertwining, and small openings of silence that were exchanged between lips. No title was presented to define this interaction, and he didn’t want to put words to it. For Loke did not want to ruin what he finally had, even for a second.
