#dgsdgsgsdg i can't cope they're so funny lmaooo

[cursivebloodlines]

"It's not an accusation if there is truth to it, Diego!" Or was that allegation? Words were tricky sometimes, what could she say? Whatever. She knew what she meant...and she knew he knew what she meant, which is all that mattered in the end, right? Even if he happened to be endlessly tormenting her about it. Tessa couldn't help but laugh though. She always laughed around him, it was hard not to. Even more so when she knew full well Diego was deliberately winding her up. Another eye roll issued to him, pulling her lower lip in to conceal the smile that threatened to plaster all over her face, attempting to resist the urge to laugh. Attempt being the emphasised word here. "Violence? Never expected you to be such a drama queen," she retorted with gentle sarcasm. "Oh yeah? What would've happened if I hadn't been so lucky then?" As soon as Diego mirrored her expression, she absolutely cracked. How could she not? They were acting like such children. It was funny. And it didn't help that he was stupidly cute either. There was no way she could even pretend to be mad about it - the ending would always result in the same.

Singleness. So, it clearly wasn't just Tessa who found words hard today. Was that a word? In all fairness to him, it could have been. It sounded like one of those words that shouldn't be words but were. He made it difficult not to respond to his silliness with even more silliness. They really did act like children, didn't they? "I wasn't worried," she shot back with ease. His explanation of the word 'almost', funnily enough, almost had her rolling her eyes yet again at Diego. But...there was that look on his face. The way the volume of his voice suddenly lowered to a whisper and he leaned in and Tessa's heart was doing flips, the butterflies in her tummy fluttering around. He was going to be the death of her. Her breath had caught in her throat for a moment, her eyes flickering to his lips in anticipation. Was he going to - and...of course he was doing it to prove a point. The urge to grab his face between her hands, pull him in, and kiss that idiot was so, so tempting. Tessa's resolve was cracking, she could feel it. Still, she exercised restraint, determined not to succumb to his stupid charms. For now, anyway. He made it so difficult. "You're cruel. But okay, point taken," she shook her head with a light laugh, exhaling slowly.

Tessa knew immediately that 'not now' meant probably soon. She knew full well if roles had been reversed she totally would have said something similar. It amazed her, the way how at times they were two completely different people, and yet she always found plenty of similarities between them. It's why they meshed so well. Another time. Damn. It was her own fault though, so she couldn't express slight disappointment. After all, she didn't want to rush into things whilst also giving a potentially different opinion. She wanted to be certain, even if she pretty much already was. Anyway. "Okay then, another time," she repeated, offering him a warm smile.

A laugh escaped her when Diego playfully questioned whether she was worried about him stealing her self-proclaimed title from her; she shook her head in response. "Level 0? No - there's no such level! You've gotta start at Level 1 at least. Even I know that." In response to the makes what better? question, she shrugged, tapping her nose with a gleaming smile that implied 'That's for me to know and you to not find out.' Besides, to answer genuinely would mean to get her more flustered again and set herself up for more teasing off him and more reasons to blush furiously. Childishly, Tessa couldn't help but nudge him back when he nudged her. "Are you? Where's your resume, then? I didn't realise you were applying for a paid position. Is the pay rate any good?" she teased, shaking her head to herself with another quiet laugh. that was one way of putting it. Was it really like applying for a job? She wasn't sure how she felt about that. It felt wrong to her but she didn't know why that was. "Again! I say: be creative. Clearly, you're having a hard time with that. But don't worry - I'll show you." Didn't that confirm everything with her thoughts about them already? His face was a picture when she called him a scaredy-cat, her eyebrows quirked up in silent question: Really? You can't fool me. "Whatever you want to believe..." she said in a sing-song voice. "It's okay. I think I might have some at home actually. One of us has to because clearly, it's not you," she teased, grinning at him as she helped him up. Maybe she held on to his hands a little bit longer than necessary, briefly glancing down at their joined hands before looking back up at him with a smile. "Uh, says who?" Tessa quipped, tilting her head a fraction, a laugh passing from her lips yet again. "You're not that old. How about if I turn it around on you then, huh? Begs the question of whether you're into younger girls. Which sounds a looooot ickier, if you ask me." It never bothered her. Neither of them acted their ages, really. she couldn't help but say it to tease him though. "I would have already combusted if that was the case. Come on, let's get going or else we'll stay here foreverrrr..."

And with that, they were on their way home. It had been a lovely time and Tessa couldn't contain the smile off of her face if she wanted to. They continued to talk about anything and nothing at the same time whilst she fiddled with the music, switching between various radio stations until she found one she liked. Even though they were in Diego's car, not hers. Stealing glances and smiles when she wanted to. Truly, she never wanted the night to end. With what he told her remaining very fresh in her mind, her heart already knew what she wanted but simply needed the time to be sure she wasn't just caught up in the moment. How could she think of anything else? And despite the constant teasing, he really had been so diplomatic about the whole thing which made her appreciation for him only grow that bit stronger. It had been a laugh, nothing made awkward. And even with all of this to process and consider, it still felt like nothing changed between them. Maybe the transition between friendship and more than that would be easy. Her face had ached from all the smiling and laughing, which only further proved how enjoyable the day had been, how being with him had always been. Her thoughts cut off as they finally pulled up outside hers, a sigh escaping her. All good things must come to an end but...they didn't have to come to an end just yet. Unless Diego had other plans that was. "Thank you...for today," Tessa said, turning her head to face him as she unbuckled the seatbelt. "Are you coming in? We could watch a movie and see if I have any chocolate after all? Let's hope the squirrels haven't stolen my stash ."

Amusement remained on his features as she rolled her eyes. The reactions he caused her were simply adorable, no other word could accurately describe it for him. "Are you accusing me of playing dumb? That's rude." He feigned offense, though Tessa had read the situation pretty accurately. He was playing dumb, testing his luck to see how many reactions he could get out of her. Still, it didn't mean he'd admit it to her. It was much more fun to let her wonder. "And now, resorting to violence...woah. I'll pretend you didn't just threaten me, you're lucky I like you." Though, Diego knew that the most she'd toss his way would be a pillow. Nothing that would truly hurt him. All he could do was mirror her, sticking his tongue out as well. If anyone saw them right now, they'd assume two kids were bickering on the playground.

"Not yelling, so just speaking pretty loudly. Hey, no judgement from me. On the contrary, I appreciate you defending my singleness." Was that even a word? If it wasn't, he hoped it at least made sense. "I definitely listened, you don't need to worry about that," he spoke as he turned to look at her. The pout on her lips easing some of the teasing. Maybe, he could pause it for a bit. Very persuasive, and he wondered if she knew that it would work. His head tilted, trying to not roll his eyes at her comment. Of course, she couldn't resist teasing him. He was bound to say something that she could use. "Almost isn't certain, isn't that the whole point of the word?" He said, a small smile on his lips as she poked his cheeks. "If I lean in super..super.." his words began lowering, whispering for dramatic effect as he leaned into her shoulder, laying his head on it momentarily. "..Close to your lips, and I pulled away at the last second. Did we kiss or almost kiss? If it's almost, then it didn't happen." Perhaps, a bit too much to get his point across, but impossible to resist.

"Okay okay, I won't start...for now." Instead, he'd save it for another moment. Catch her off guard, use another occasion to make her laugh or bring that flush to her face when she was flustered. Either reaction was a win in Diego's book. He'd been annoying enough for one day. It was no surprise that she called him a pain in the ass. It'd be a badge he'd wear proudly, with perhaps one exception, but luckily she had not used that tone on him in a while. That one did hurt, though he hadn't mentioned that to her. It was a tough time for her, why add more to it? Maybe one day, he'd tell her that, just to make sure he didn't keep something from her. "Both..yeah," he was pretending to consider. Like a philosopher pondering over the meaning of life. "It can be both, but I'll save that for another time." This wasn't the right time. Not that Diego cared much for 'a right time.' If he could, he'd cup her face in his hands and pull her in, press his lips against hers. Tell her everything he's been keeping hidden. But, he had to keep reminding himself that this was Tessa. And, he promised her time. Most importantly though, she'd probably want something special. Something that would mark the occasion.

Diego was grateful that she didn't question his answer. He wasn't sure he had enough conviction to reaffirm what he'd said earlier. "Thanks, I mean no rush but definitely don't take 10 years. You know, for my sake...I'm also not getting any younger."

Tessa's smile did not go unnoticed, "are you scared I may take your title? Of the romantic one?" It was cute, her surprise at his confession. It was an odd one, but though his efforts could be considered romantic, he wasn't sure he was worthy of the title yet. "You still are, I'm like level 0 compared to you. Makes what better?" He asked curiously. Diego's interest was definitely piqued. He nudged her softly in reaction to her comment, of course she'd tease him about that. But he couldn't blame her, it did sound terrible. He had to get with the times. "Okay we get it, Diego is an old man. But, in my defense, I am sorta applying to a job," he mentioned, nose scrunching up slightly at the thought. "Creative?? While a house is falling apart? You have a very funny definition of romantic if that's the case." He frowned momentarily, scaredy-cat? Diego? Impossible. "I don't get scared when we go to those places!" Unless they counted the time he yelped slightly when a wooden beam fell in the basement. But that'd scare anyone, right? "We can get chocolates on the way home if you want." He took her hands, and helped himself off the ground, tempted to pull her in closer. Though, he opted against it. He was afraid they wouldn’t end up leaving if he listened to his instincts. “The Diego personality traits are the best,” he countered. “But yeah, I won’t deny I am an old man. Begs the question of whether you’re into older guys.” Just teasing again, though it was a fact that he was a bit older. “I guess so. It just feels like throwing a lot of information at you. I wouldn’t want you to combust with all I said.”