Post by Luke Clyburn on Oct 29, 2023 10:43:34 GMT -5
He finally said it. The words he had wanted to tell her for so long were finally said. The feelings that had been growing and nurturing for years were finally laid bare for the woman who turned them into a flower. How would she react? Luke had kept his cards close to his chest out of care for her. He didn’t want to mess with her head any more than his return already would have. So when he said the words that he had been waiting far too long to say, how would she react? Giving her back some scratches seemed to have done some good. She hid her cold toes under his thigh, seeking his warmth out of comfort as he talked to her. He finally said it. Finally, he told her how he felt about her. He told her that he wanted to stay together with her, asking about their relationship and what the future of it was. How would she react?
A deep breath escaped the woman. Tears started escaping from her eyes. Shizuka crawled onto his lap and embraced the man in a blanket holding hug, cocooning the two of them together. Luke blinked with surprise before simply and softly smiling and wrapping his own arms around the woman across her back. The feel of her cheek against his. Her warm skin touched his, the sensation violated by the feeling of tears. But Luke didn’t mind. He simply held and cradled the woman as close to him as he could. She began to speak. Telling him that no matter how many years had passed, she always waited for him to come back. She tried to move on however she could, but no matter what, her thoughts returned to him. She told him that she had been waiting to hear those words for a long, long time. Luke had to curse his respect for the word “love” in this moment.
If he told someone he loved them, he meant it. But he had to be sure that’s what he felt for her. He had to know if she was ready to hear it. Luke chastised himself mentally for waiting as long as he did. But he didn’t give any sign to this. He simply smiled, hearing her words and holding her as close to his body as he could. He embraced the warmth of her body. He felt her quickened heartbeats. The Bount simply smiled when she touched her forehead to his. His eyelids, half closed, looked at what he could see of her face. She was trying to hide herself from him even when they were this close. That’s when she said it back to him. She started with his name and added four more words. Four words that made Luke’s own heart skip a beat. Words that lit up a fire inside him.
She loved him. She loved him as well. Luke bit the inside of his lower lip for a moment to try and remain calm. His own heart started beating quicker. Shizuka would undoubtedly feel it with how close they were. He dug his fingers into her back a bit with excitement before calming down. He couldn’t help but smile like an idiot. She loved him back. This woman, this beautiful woman so far out of his league, loved him. Despite what he was, despite what he had done. The happiness, the acceptance, the companionship he had been looking for was all right here in this woman straddling his lap. He felt closer to her at this moment than when their bodies had been united the night before. He wanted to kiss her. To show her in every way he could just how much he loved her.
But he didn’t. He paused with what he heard next. Shizuka revealed that despite what she felt, she needed time. Not away from him but with him. It had been so long for her. She wanted to start things over. She was asking for patience from him. She was trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. Luke looked at her lips as he listened to her words. Then he simply smiled. ”Ssshh.” he cooed, finally responding back to her. His left hand stroked down her backside in an effort to comfort her. He dragged his nails down across her back before sliding his hand back up and repeating the motion. ”I wasn’t expecting us to just jump right back into things, Shizuka. I know how long it’s been for you. I understand.” he replied to her in almost a whisper as he rubbed his forehead against hers. ”I want to make you happy. The happiest woman in the world. I want to give you all the love you’ve ever needed and deserved. But I know how long it’s been. That’s why I’m fine waiting. I’m okay with being patient for you.” he replied, touching his nose to hers a little.
”Piece by piece, I want to rebuild the relationship we had. No matter how long it takes. I want to get to know you even more than I do now. I want you to get to know me even more than you do now. I want us to love each other even more than we do now. Until we have something even more incredible and stronger than what we once had, I’ll be as patient as you need. I don’t mind starting things over.” Luke whispered to her, looking down at what he could see of her face. He spoke with certainty and confidence. He hid nothing from her. He wanted her to feel completely safe and comfortable in this moment where her insecurities squirmed about. He smiled again, wishing he could run a hand through her hair.
”Can I take you out on a date? Dinner and drinks, just the two of us?”
