I Don't Want to Fall...

[Eilis Hooligan]

Eilis kind of hmphed at his acknowledgment. It was a bit chilly in the room but she was too stubborn to move back into the warmth of the bed since that would take her closer to Yaz.

Then he spoke ... What? Eilis had not expected the next words he said in the least. Especially after he had freaked out about the possibility before. Well, she knew him well enough by now that he wouldn't joke about something like that. Besides, those words made his behavior make sense. Somewhat.

Eilis searched for words to say but she couldn't seem to find them. Instead, she turned to look at him. He had his eyes covered with his hands so Eilis just stared at him as she tried gathering her own thoughts and feelings about his confession into words. It was fruitless because it was like her voice had gotten stolen.

Her mind went back to when she'd first met him, which thinking on it wasn't too long ago. Still, she didn't think that made what they felt invalid in any way. And she was pretty sure her own feelings reflected his. But she was afraid. If asked, she wouldn't even be able to explain what she was afraid of.

Instead of struggling to find words she was too scared to say out loud, Eilis remembered what he had said the first time they met about the things you do being able to express your feelings if you couldn't say it directly. He had also said the actions could be misinterpreted so she hoped hers wouldn't be.

Moving back into the bed, beside him, she made him move his hands. Eilis smiled at him, a soft smile, softer than her usual ones, before she gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. As she did that, her hands found their way into his hair.