“You’ve known me for less than a day.” He argued softly. “List five things I like.” He raised his gaze to hers, trying not to get distracted by her eyes.
"Copper, despite trying to hide it. You absolutely love getting your way, too." She ticked them off on her fingers as she went. "Quintus, and animals in general. You're constantly trying to take care of them and help them. It's sweet."
“Three of the things you listed are animals. Animals only counts as one. You only have two things.” Damian’s face had turned a rosey red in color as the prince avoided eye contact. “And Copper is nothing more than a flying sewer rat to me.” His teeth made a slight whistling noise as he spoke.
Catori raised an eyebrow, noting the tell. "Quintus counts as his own whole being because I say so. And you do like her."
“I do not.” Another small, almost unnoticeable whistle escaped his lips. “I was holding her earlier because… I like to… hold things when I’m tired.” Damian wasn’t quite sure how to avoid the word cuddle without giving himself away.
Catori rolled her eyes. "Sure, all right. If that's the lie you want to go with."
“I’m not lying!” Damian grumbled indignantly.
Catori ignored him, trying to think of one more thing.(tongue THING) She was quiet as she thought, cycling through their conversations in her head.
Damian lifted his head to watch her, a fond smile creeping onto his lips as he spotted the tip of her tongue poking through her parted lips as she thought.
Catori's face scrunched up and she tilted her head, deep in thought.
“Admit it, Tori. You can’t list five.” Damian rolled his eyes, but forced himself to look away from her scrunched up face.
"Oh! That-what was it? The thing-" She stuck her tongue out and pointed at it, raising an eyebrow at Damian.
“What thing?” Damian looked at her in confusion.
"Mph-" She shook her head, realizing that she couldn't exactly talk with her tongue out. "That thing you said I do when I'm thinking. When I…stick my tongue out a bit or something?"
Damian looked away quickly, throughly embarrassed. “That’s still only four.” He grumbled, purposely sprouting little dandelions at his feet.
Catori huffed, making a face. "Bet it's still more than you thought I'd be able to name."
“I thought you’d only be able to name less than five, and I was right.” Damian insisted, his eyes narrowing stubbornly.
"Actually, I have one more." Catori grinned suddenly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“And that would be?” Damian challenged, staring at Catori with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
"You like being stubborn!" Her smile was fairly childish, like she had just won some prize, but her eyes were bright.
Damian rolled his eyes, closing them and concentrating for several moments, falling silent.
Catori's grin dropped and she tilted her head, watching him curiously.
The prince placed his hands on the ground. In between them, swiftly growing, was a single amber colored rose. He retracted his hands when it was grown, feeling a little light headed. “Here’s your prize.” Damian gently uprooted it, passing it to Catori. His hands shook faintly as he did so.
Catori looked down at the rose, and instead of taking it, grabbed his hands. "You can be kind of stupid, you know that? It's beautiful."
Damian blinked in surprise, too tired to argue. He held onto Catori’s hands, soaking up the warmth peacefully.
Catori sent a bit more warmth to her hands and shook her head, smiling fondly despite herself.
“Tale the rose.” Damian piped up, unwilling to release Catori’s hands. “It matches your eyes.”
"I can only take the rose if I let go, and I don't think either of us want that." Catori pointed out.
“You’re really warm… feels nice.” Damian admitted, melting under Catori’s warm touch.
"I'm like a space heater." Catori joked lightly.
