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 Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:47 am
Rory nodded. "Well, yeah, if'n w' get tha' serious on each other one day. I'm not sure I wanna anytime soon, I barely know you, but one day . . . yeah. I could see meself as your husband, if you'd want me." He smiled his usual lopsided grin, blushing enough to make his light freckles visible. With all that the girl's father had said, though, he doubted she'd truly stay long enough to ever get to know him well enough for marriage, but it was nice to dream. Idly, he wondered if she'd forget about him if she left the carnival.
Smile faltering a bit at the thought, he sat down at the table, but didn't touch the food. His head was tilted slightly, listening to the water boiling in the pot. "Wis it really nice there where you lived?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:05 am
Lee smiled to herself, though hiding it by looking to the ground. She gave a small laugh when Rory mentioned how little they knew each other, mostly laughing at herself. It was true. She was getting ahead of herself. It was too early to even think about marriage -- then again, it was too early to think about them splitting, too. The stupid, optimistic innocence had been taken away, and the happiness was starting to turn to worry. Had that been her father's plan? Planting the seed of doubt?
Lee followed Rory to the table, sitting across from him and folding her hands on her lap, staring down at them. "It was pretty, if that's what you mean."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:10 am
"Were you happy there? D'you think you'd be better there?" Rory asked, looking up at her with his odd colorless eyes. "I ain't tryin' t' push you away, but . . . ah, lass, I donnae want t' keep you where you ain't happy." He reached across the table and took her hand. "I've come t' care a great deal fae you. Your da, he's right. Farstep might not be best fae you. I'd hate t' see you gae. Spriits know I want you here wi' me, but I donnae want t' stand in the way o' what's best fae you an' what will make you happy."
There, he'd gotten it out in the open. The words, once spoken and sunken in on his own ears hurt him to his very soul. He meant them, though. He was finding himself falling for the girl and he knew that if you loved someone enough, sometimes letting go was best if they had to leave. Inwardly, he really hoped she didn't have to leave.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:55 am
If he was going to be honest, so would Lee. "I left because I wanted to." She looked up at him with a nearly emotionless face, though her voice was cracked and shaking. "And I'm staying because I want to. I... I never smiled before came here 'cause I wasn't happy. But I don't think it was the house or the parents. And I don't think Farstep is what I need." She didn't want to admit that she needed anyone, but she truly did need Rory right now. "It's you." She shrugged, embarrassed and emotional, and generally uncomfortable with being so open. If she stayed here, stayed with Rory, she'd get to know him better. She had to stay longer, to see if they were headed toward something. "If I ever leave, it'd be 'cause..." She didn't want to say it. She was pressuring him, wasn't she? To tell him he affected her so much would just push him away, right? "Rory, I'm happiest with you, but if you don't think you'll even like me later, then I have no reason to stay."
She didn't want to go back to being lonely, but somehow she was very sure that's what she'd have to do. She was sure that, after her little speech, Rory would want nothing to do with her. She'd never thought that having happiness could cause so much fear.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:15 pm
"Well, lucky fae you tha' I donnae think I'll be not likin' you anytime soon," Rory said, eyes searching her face. "I think I wis a bit like you, lass. I just didnae know it. I wis lonely an' then I met you an' . . . I just donnae want t' be alone anymore." He got up and came around the table to kneel beside her. "I donnae know where this between you an' me will end up, but I ain't so afraid o' it not workin' out tha' I donnae want t' gi' it a gae. I care about you, girl. Tha's enough fae me t' wanna see what w' end up wi'."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:13 pm
Lee's breathing got deeper, and her throat felt tighter. She wasn't going to cry, was she? No, no crying allowed, Lee. It was difficult not to after hearing that Rory knew how she'd felt. He'd been lonely, too. Perhaps it was selfish of her not to go back, not to do as her parents wanted, but she didn't want to be alone anymore, either. Rory had said exactly what she needed to hear.
She couldn't get herself to say anything; if she did, she knew she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears. Why was she so emotional? She was happy, not sad; you don't cry when you're happy. Clearing her throat a few times, all she could do was nod and smile back at him.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:22 pm
Rory tilted his head a little. "You alreet, lass?" He reached up, stroking her cheek gently. "Tell me I didnae scare you off already."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:37 pm
Shaking her head, Lee bit her lip, realizing she'd have to say something. The girl looked down into her lap, resting a hand over her eyes and hiding her face as best she could. "N-no, you didn't. Just makes me... very... happy." It seemed almost paradoxical to her that just as she finished uttering the final word, a tear streamed down her cheek. Cheeks burning red, she was slightly frustrated and embarrassed that she was crying in front of Rory of all people.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:54 pm
Rory moved to stand up a bit then leaned down to hug her, making soothing noises and wiping at her cheeks gently. "Shh, lass. Nae need fae tears. It's okay." He kissed the top of her head.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:06 pm
Despite herself, Lee stood and hugged Rory, in part because she didn't want him to see her face. "I'm sorry." She let out a congested laugh. "I feel so stupid now..." Stepping back, Lee looked to the ground and pushed her hair out of her face, eventually looking up at Rory again and giggling as she whipped her cheeks. "I'm okay, though, really."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:39 pm
Rory hugged her back tightly, not wanting to let her go. "You're not stupid." He smiled down at her then dipped his head down and kissed her. After a moment, he stepped back reluctantly and looked at the boiling pot. "Tea's ready."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:56 pm
The only thing Lee could do was smile after he kissed her, still slightly self conscious. At least she hadn't gotten the chance to put on make-up yet or she'd look awful-- Wait, Rory had seen her without make-up?! She probably already looked awful; mascara-less with puffy eyes and a pink nose? She hadn't changed or showered, either. Lee fell into the seat near the table, cheeks turning pink. "I-I don't look this bad normally, I swear..." Her comment may have seemed slightly out-of-the-blue to him, but she felt the need to mention it.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:13 pm
"You look beautiful, lass," Rory said, going to pour the tea in some mugs. "I like you better wi'out all tha' black around your eyes, anyhow."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:31 pm
He liked her better this way? She blinked a few times, the embarrassment fading into surprise. "Th-thank you..." Level-headed again and her voice much less stuffy, Lee sat back in the seat and picked up another donut. She really should have been watching her figure, now that she officially had a boyfriend... "Were you just staying for breakfast?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:45 pm
"Nae, I can stay fae th' morn. Donnae hae t' work till this afternoon," Rory said, sitting next to her. He set one mug down before her, sipping at the other. "I can gae, though, if'n you got plans."
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