Paige & Darren Private one-on-one (@Typhoon1912)

(Yay or nay, continue?)

(I vote yay)

(Okay, cool!)

👍

“It’s funny. Everyone thinks I’m either super mean or perfectly nice… I want you to think both,” he couldn’t stop laughing.

"Why would you want me to think that you are super mean?" she asked, shifting slightly.

“I can be mean. I just want you to be aware,”

"Oh. Why would you need to be mean?"

He shrugged. “There are always circumstances where one must be mean now and again.”

"Mmm, okay," Paige sighed, reluctantly giving up on the topic.

"So, your brother, he's not to happy about me, huh?"

"No. He's just worried you'll be another…" she clammed up before she could say his name.

“I guess I understand,” he sighed.

"But I'm sure he'll warm up to you… Eventually." She tried to look hopeful.

“It’s okay if he doesn’t. I’m okay with people not liking me,”

"I like you," she sighed, running her fingers gently through his hair. "Doesn't that matter?"

He smiled, relaxing against her touch. “That’s what matters most to me,”

Paige blushed slightly. “That’s good. I guess.”

“You guess?” He smiled brighter, “I love you,”

“I love you too,” she whispered and kissed him softly.

His smile faded as he kissed her back.

Slowly, she deepened the kiss. Her arms held onto him for stability and assurance.

This was perfect until he realized that if they had already eaten dinner then it must be getting late. Darren pulled back just enough to talk but not enough to completely separate the contact of their lips, "I should get going,"

"No," Paige murmured softly, her eyes fluttering between open and closed.

"No?" he smiled, "Why not?"

"You have to stay."

"Why do I have to stay? My dad might kill me if I do that,"

She squeezed closer to him, reconnecting their lips so she didn't have to reply.

He smiled, her lips were addictive, practically magic to him now.

Her tongue traced at his lips. If he accepted… she would be swallowed up again.

This was the opposite of leaving which is exactly what he needed to do right now but no of course he couldn't. He parted his lips just enough to let her in.