#𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 louis + eva

[lunarrscribbles]

continued from here because tumblr is a bitch / @fillyoursoulxx

"You've given this a lot of thought," she said, mock-concern on her features. "I mean, I know your sisters are a lot but they're not that bad. I'm keeping one eye open around you from now on." The silly back and forth is another plus, another tick in the good column on his behalf because she couldn't joke like this with a stranger. A stranger didn't know her history like he did, even if it was more of a spectator versus an actual contributor. Though any premeditated murderous fantasies are gone when she hears the music and she can't help but hum along with it. "I didn't know you were capable of playing something at a normal listening level," she teases, letting him know that yes, she remembered.

The funny thing about all of this is that at the time, she didn't give a second though to the things that he did for her. He wasn't bowing at her feet, but there had been song dedications and corny jokes, all things she had attributed to a silly teenaged crush, and it was all things that she had forgotten the second they happened. But now, it felt like memory after memory was being pulled from the depths of her mind, remembering the moments he did this or said that. It was a surreal feeling to say the least. And it was that same feeling when he pulled out the food. "You remembered my favorite sandwich?" she asks, a hint of disbelief to her tone. Eva can't remember the last time a boyfriend had remembered the tiniest of details about her, but she chalked it up to the history and afternoons spent when she'd help Max babysit him and Dallas and they'd make sandwiches after school. Strangely, the sandwich felt better than any meal a restaurant could prepare.

She pulled the sandwich out of the plastic and took a bite, letting out a hum of satisfaction. "You even put honey," she groaned, looking over at him and when did he get so close? The arm behind her head did not go unnoticed but she didn't say anything as she took another bite, simply enjoying this moment. If she thought too long about it, she'd freak out and run away, not believing how well he was actually doing on this not-date. Peeking into the basket, she pulls out a bottle of water and, after a few seconds of rummaging, finds a mini Cinnamon Whiskey. "I wonder if these two go together," she mused, popping the top and drinking half the bottle before taking another bite of sandwich. It was definitely a combination but not an unpleasant one. The bottles reminded her more of his sisters than him, rummaging through their uncle's liquor cabinet, trying to keep things looking as if they were untouched. Failing more than succeeding at times.

So caught up in the food and the music and actually having a nice moment with him, she barely registers when he talks, though she actually listens this time, no quick jab or teasing comment falling from her lips. His words are deep, referencing her earlier thoughts about the fireflies, and she doesn't respond right away. Instead, she eats the remainder of her sandwich, and it's not until the song is over does she say anything at all. "Are you trying to say that I'm magic?" she asks as she tucks her trash back into the basket and she turns her body so she's facing him versus sitting side by side. "Or that there could be magic between us?" Maybe it's just the small whisper of alcohol running through her system because of the mini bottle, or it's the magic they both have spoke about, but she feels lighter, like she might actually believe there's something more out there. "I have something I've been wanting to ask you since you asked me on this not-date. Why have you had a crush on me for so long? Like ... is this some type of self-challenge that you need to conquer? Notch in your bed post type deal? Which I am totally not offended by, by the way." She reaches out, hands on his arms to assure him as much before she pulls back. "I'm just curious."

[lunarrscribbles]

Humming, she closed the book she had been reading, talking to the children about its message yet her mind was elsewhere. Six minutes separated her from the weekend and she knew he was here. There wasn't some sixth sense spidey tingle going on, no. He had said he was going to come, and Eva knew he was good at keeping his world, a trait she was learning first hand as the two dated. Sometimes, she was still a little surprised at that fact. I'm dating Louis. Licking her lips, she glances again at the clock and stands up, putting the book on the sill of the whiteboard before she announces what their homework was. "I want everyone to finish the worksheets that we put in our backpacks earlier and go outside and draw one flower you see." The littles were so excited, ready to drag their parents outside and practice their ever improving fine motor skills. When the bell rung, she began to help them put on their backpacks when the door opened and she saw him.

"Wha—" Children were leaving, girls were obviously offended, and there he was, right in the thick of it. "That depends," she answered, ushering the girls inside. Getting down to their level, she looked over at Louis before asking, "Did this nice man prevent you two from coming to class on time?" They had been gone for what felt like ages and she found it amusing they came in at the last minute. "We were talking to him," one answered, followed by the other who excitedly exclaimed, "He brought you candy!" Her eyebrows rose and she remarked, "Did he now? Wow, how did I get so lucky?" They giggled before running off to get their bags, and Eva stood back up to greet him. "You could have knocked on the door, you know," she said, leaning forward to place a quick peck to his lips. It had become a common greeting at this point, just like holding his hand. Thankfully, the kids didn't pay too much attention to them because the weekend was so much more interesting then their teacher, and with a wave and a "Bye Miss Perez!" the duo were left alone.

"Now, what's this I hear about snacks?" she asked, eyes trying to peek at what he was holding. "Don't hold out on me. I had three kids with the sniffles, one tried to actually put their boogers on another to give them the sniffles, and another threw up. It was a long day." Before, she'd be more than happy to leave work and head straight up, curl up in bed and stay there for the entire weekend. Now, she still felt like that, but also wanted him next to her while she burrowed. "Or were you just lying to them and you were trying to say, in a PG way that you were my snack because, well, you do look delicious right about now." Arms coming up to rest on his shoulders, she kissed him again, this time a little longer as she melted in his embrace.

All too quickly she remembered exactly where they were and she pulled away, thumb wiping away some of her lipstick that had transferred to his lips. "Let me pick up a few things and then I'll be ready to go, okay?" Reluctantly, she parts from his embrace and begins to straighten up her classroom, putting things back where tiny hands could not remember and doing her end of week reset to make Monday mornings that much easier.

closed starter for @lunarrscribbles ft eva

It wasn't often Louis found himself loitering inside of an elementary school. It felt borderline pervy. Or it would've if he hadn't been waiting on Eva to finally get off work and grace him with her presence. He could've waited outside, he knew that, but lingering outside somehow felt worse. Least here, he could check in and say he was looking for her opposed to creepin. He sat on a little bench in the hall outside her room, fiddling with the bag of snacks he'd brought. Flowers could have been a thing but they were so fuckin morbid, weren't they? Like here's this bouquet of dead dying things to so you my affection? Nah, unless she outright said she wanted them, flowers would be avoided. Snacks though, especially after a long day of dealing with snot nosed kids? That sounded like a win.

Speaking of snotty kids, he felt a pair of eyes...no two. Two pairs of eyes on him and he glanced down the hall at a pair of girls. They approached him, likely coming from the nurse's office based on the way one was sniffling and the other fussed. They paused in front of Eva's door, sizing him up.

"Who are you?" "Whatcha doing?"

The questions were simultaneous and Louis shrugged. He didn't mind humoring them. Might make the time go by quicker, "Louis. And I'm waiting,"

"Why?" "On what?"

"Miss Perez. I brought her snacks,"

They paused, one seemingly processing as the other, the sniffling one, smiled. He could guess what her next question would be, so he spoke before she could, "Miss Perez and I go way back. Wanna know a secret about her?" they nodded eagerly and his dropped to a whisper, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, "She really really really likes..." he drew it out, building the anticipation until-- BRRRING. The school bell rang and he mouthed something, pretending to be drown out by the sound. Before they had a chance to question it, he was on his feet, ruffling their hair as he stepped passed them to open the door to the classroom, "Miss Perez...I found some scamps skipping class," He thumbed over his shoulder as he leaned in, spotting one's mouth drop open, "Do I get brownie points for that or--"

[lunarrscribbles]

For the last couple decades, there were two constants in Eva's life: she always felt like she had the heaviest of weights on her chest to support her family, even after everyone had grown up and began to live their own lives; and if she ever needed a pick-me-up, she could always go to Louis Beaumont. Growing up and being around Max and her family, he was the adorable younger brother, but never a real option. Even if there was that one time that she was practically interrogated by Max and Dallas and ... no. She never saw him like that. Until she did. And it was weird. It felt illegal almost when she noticed that he had grown up and grown out in the best of ways and one day, cute little Louis had turned into a man. But there was no real chance she'd ever act on anything.

Until she did. He was relentless, promising the other two wouldn't find out about anything until she told them, if she ever did at all. He just needed one chance. Somehow, some way, he broke her down and she found herself agreeing to a not-date. There would be no flowers, nothing cliché or cheesy. She was adamant that she wasn't going to dress up, choosing to keep it casual with her jeans and blouse. Really, it was almost like it was just two old friends hanging out because, well, that's what she felt like it was. So why did she get butterflies when he picked her up and looked good? Why did she feel nervous as they drove someplace that she had no idea about? God, it really had been too long since she had last gotten laid and it was showing. To his promise, she could only laugh. "Even if that was the plan, it's not like we both don't come from families with multiple siblings that would be searching for me. You really need to choose your potential-victims more wisely, people that don't have people."

Truth be told, she had gone into this with very little expectations. Louis, the younger brother of her best friend, was a bit of a mess, both in his personal and love life. (She had definitely heard The Story™ and she'd be lying if she didn't want to grab a pitchfork and serve up her own brand of retaliation.) So the bar was low and he amazingly exceeded expectations with the setup. It was casual, it was low key, it was ... perfect. Taking the offered hand, she laughs as she steps up into the bed of the truck, moving to one corner and getting comfortable against the side. "I mean, you're not completely bombing," she said though her smile let him know just how well he was doing. Actually coming out and swooning for him and his idea? Definitely not going to happen anytime soon.

Curious eyes take in everything - the setup, the radio - but she's drawn to the sunset. Lightning bugs flicker around them and she can't help but feel like a kid again as she leans an arm out to catch one on her index finger. "You know when I was little and the rare times we saw these in the city, I thought they were full of magic. Like traveling little lanterns or something." Since then, the belief in magic had tempered but she definitely still had an affinity for the little things, especially after watching The Princess and the Frog. When the insect flies away, she turns back to Louis who is looking at her and she can't hide the blush that burns at her cheeks but she does her best to hide it by letting her hair fall into her face. "So. What'd you bring for us to eat?" she asks, trying to take a peek into the picnic basket. One positive in his favor for this not-date was that she didn't feel like they needed that annoying small talk that littered all first real-dates. No lame games, no ice breakers. Though she wished she didn't have the nerves that also came with first real-dates. Then maybe she'd be able to relax a bit more though she felt like she was doing a good job at pretending.

closed starter for @lunarrscribbles​ ft. eva

When faced with the idea of where to take Eva on their first ‘unofficial’ date, Louis initially had no fucking clue. Which was a face palm of the century considering he’d spent just as long trying to convince her to give him a shot. A real one. Not some flimsy head pat of a gimme. No, a real fucking shot at being, well– more. Yes, he knew what it would look like, taking your sister’s best friend out to woo her. But Max would understand when the two of them were married and there were little Evas and Louies were running around. 

Alright– that was a little far. For now. Once upon a time that had been the dream, back when he was not only young and dumb, but naive as fuck. Cause you know, that’s what you had to do with women you pledged your undying love to. You married them and popped out kids and a picket fence that whole shebang. Now he knew better. Boyfriend material he was not, let alone husband. And that was ok. He accepted that it was highly likely he’d never be more than a good time for more than 99.99% of the population. But he also learned if he never tried, he’d never know. 

Which is what brought him here, the two of them in a truck that was in no way his own, leaving their usual neck of the woods in the review mirror. He glanced over at her, an easy smile on his features as they shot the breeze, cause he knew– oh he knew exactly how great this was about to be. It was the start of a sweeping romance and well, as any good protagonist, he needed to memorize the beginning. The way she looked in her ‘super casual’ but still bangin outfit. And he looked in his. He had made sure to suggest she dressed a little warm. The night’s weren’t as cold but hey, never could be too sure and as they reached their destination, a b-e-a-utiful fucking vista point above the skyline, he slid out of the truck and opened the door for her. “Alright now, don’t freak out. I know you probably expected some basic restaurant or you know some epic balloon ride across the country side–” Which hm, maybe he’d put in his back pocket, “But I promise we’re not out here for me to murder you or something. I just thought something low key after a busy friday might be better,” Once she was out, he grabbed a few items from the cab, blankets, a cooler, an old as fuck stereo and he began arranging the truck bed, constructing what was in his opinion, a pretty nice nesting space. Again he offered his hand, this time to help her step up into the back of the truck as the sun sank lower in the sky, “So– am I doing good or am I doing good?”

[lunarrscribbles]

Everything about tonight had led them to this moment, to Eva laying in the back of a truck that she still wasn’t sure belonged to him or not, Louis on top of her kissing her like it was the last thing he’d ever do. It should be illegal for him to kiss as good as he was, the feeling sending shocks down her body, all the way down to her toes. With past boyfriends, kissing had been good, nice, but not something that she could just lay down and do all day. But if she had been kissed like this? Days would easily be wasted. So when she feels his hand begin an upward trek, she doesn’t stop him. It stops before reaching anything of importance, and she finds she likes the warmth of him touching her.

But in a snap, he talks and she’s reminded how long this had been one-sided. If she had had a crush as long as he had, and she finally got to kiss that person, she’d sure as hell make sure it was one of the best kisses of their life. “I request to see the cherry stem trick,” she laughs against his lips. “I need to see this talent.” And maybe her mind would wander when he did eventually show her, wondering what other talents his tongue held, but she’d have to take it one step at a time. For her own sanity, if anything.

All too soon, he was pulling away and it took everything in her not to pull him back. Coming across as eager was fine; she didn’t want to seem desperate. “It’s not even cold,” she pointed out, but then maybe it was because she wasn’t cold. Finally, her eyes opened and she looked at him. His lips were swollen a little, and also a bit glossy. The sight made her giggle. “You know telling someone not to look at something means they want to look at it,” she teased, though she respected his wishes. She’d be lying if she said that little makeout session didn’t leave her hot and bothered, but at least she had the ability to hide it. Still not looking at him, she thanks him for the offered water before twisting open the cap and taking a long drink.

Things were going so well, but she agreed. It was getting late and if she stayed out any longer, she didn’t trust herself not to kiss him until the sun rose. Leaning over, she presses a kiss to his cheek. “You can take me home. I don’t want to keep you up past your bedtime.” Scrunching her nose up at him, she scoots out of the truck before he has a chance for retaliation, stretching her body after sitting and laying down for so long. Holding out her hand to him, she said, “C’mon. Once you’re decent.” As their fingers laced together and she watched him hop down from the truck, she was hopeful. Her hand didn’t drop his as she walked to the passenger side of the truck, not until she was carefully tucked in. The night had been so full of surprises that she didn’t even know which way was up now, but Eva knew there were so many more waiting for her. And she was ready to take on each and every single one.

"Wait, I'm Cinderella?" he chuckled, not that he had anything against it but come on, out of all the Disney princesses she was objectively the most boring. Well, no. Sleeping Beauty and Snow White didn't have any particular agency either. "Ok, but I'm gonna need you to work on your analogies, cause if I'm Cinder and the kiss is the slipper, and this is the ball, what's the pumpkin? And are you Prince Charming, cause if that's the case you should have been wowin' me while I sat back and looked pretty,"

He appreciated the laughter, especially being that Eva's laughter was easily one of his favorite sounds on the planet. Course he never said so, even that was a little much for him to just out and say. But really-- he didn't hear it enough, that lovely melodic sound. He was lucky enough to hear it around his sisters, Max and her dramatics evening out Eva in a way that seemed to just open her up. Open anyone up really. And early on, well he'd wanted to do that for her too. Because in his head, if anyone deserved a little silliness and laughter and joy? It was Eva. And he was fuckin proud to be able to draw it out of her, especially now when things could have gone so so wrong faster than he'd know how to handle.

"Of course. I don't--" he paused, trying to think of the proper wording but it was so damn hard when she was looking at him like that and her lips were looking so damn kissable, "Life is fucking hard enough as it is...I don't want to stress you out or you to feel like you have to do anything at all that would. This, me? I don't want you to just be comfortable...I wanna be that comfort... Eventually," he shrugged, looking down at their hands for moment, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden. It wasn't his favorite feeling but he sat in it, knowing he was asking the same thing of her. It was only fair not to fucking run from it.

It feels like he's being rewarded for it when she caves, a smiling curling onto his features as she pulls him in again and fuck-- it's even better than before. His lips parting at her request and his hands find her hips, keeping them from roaming as he grips them loosely and sighs into her lips. It's not till he's on top of her that he dares, his fingers drift up her side, almost whimpering in protest as she breaks the kiss, even if it is to sing his praises, "Are you kidding? I've been trainin for this moment for years. cherry stems, fruit, even had a whole backstory for my left hand," he teased, grinning as her lips find his again and just....it's good. Really fucking good. And if they were to spend the rest of the night like this, his hands ghosting over her sides and hips, moaning and groaning softly, their tongues nimbly exploring and the two of them just-- learning each other? He'd be perfectly fucking happy.

He kissed her, deepening it, one moment firm and hungry before nipping her bottom lip, tugging on it playfully but never not touching them. Then he'd ease back to something easy, casual, shifting in pressure and intensity until his lungs were burning and his lips swollen and tingling. "I hate to say it--" he began, lips still brushing hers ever so slightly as he finally pulled back a bit, "But it's getting late...I don't want you catchin' a cold or something stupid like that even though I'm really fucking hot right about now," His voice was deeper, raspy as he placed his forehead against hers, laying a kiss on the tip of her nose, "I'm gonna move now...get use some water...don't look at my crotch," Before she could ask any questions he was moving, very aware of just how hard he'd gotten over the course of their make out session as he dug two waters out of the cooler and offered her one. The cool night air was a relief to his flushed skin, for now anyway, "We uh-- don't have to go home. But I do think we should switch it up, get inside...what do you say. Ready to call it a night or?"

[lunarrscribbles]

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re Cinderella, this,” she motioned to everything around them, “was your ball and that kiss was your glass slipper that you left behind. Now about those rats…” She pretended to make a show looking over the bed of the truck before relaxing back down, laughter shaking her shoulders. Being around Louis brought out the silliness that not everyone got to see. Eva had to grow up way too quickly, and with that came a seriousness that was often impenetrable, especially to men. But because of their history, and how he saw her with her best friend, he knew she wasn’t all about stoicism, and like Max, he could pull it out of her just as well with enough effort.

And with that comfort came the security to voice her thoughts like she did, especially about that kiss. Laughing lightly when he said yes, he was in the same boat, she then let out a sigh of relief. “Good.” Because life was always easier if she knew she wasn’t the only one experiencing something. Turning her head, she wasn’t surprised to see him looking at her. “It can be two?” she asked playfully as she gave his hand her own squeeze. “Maybe three. I am feeling impulsive tonight.”

But she doesn’t close the distance between them just yet. As much as she teased him earlier, there’s something Eva has learned since the night had started: he was addictive. It was such a startling conclusion to come across all things considered, but she liked the attention he gave her, how it seemed he was bouncing like a puppy with every good thing he had done. And the kiss … she didn’t even need to say anything more about that. She had come into tonight thinking it was going to be this fun little thing, and now she was seriously reconsidering. Not offering to take him seriously, but wondering if she could handle it at all. Her default line of thinking always went to the worst; she always saw the glass half-empty and wondered of ways to refill it again. She wanted promises that nothing bad would happen, more than anyone could even think to know. And not getting that scared her. Giving herself to someone scared her, and even if Louis wasn’t asking for her heart at this very moment, he was still asking her to have faith in him. Despite the deep thoughts swimming through her head, she smiles at him because it’s hard not to look at him without one. “Finding out what makes me comfortable goes under everything you want to know about me, huh?” Him asking, wanting to make sure he wasn’t pushing her were definitely marks in the good column for him. Too many guys were quick to make assumptions while barely getting to know her, just expecting for her to be fine with everything.

Pushing herself up, elbow on the floor while her face rested in the palm of her hand, she reluctantly drops his hand, but instead moved it to touch his face. “One more, just to even things out,” she repeated, dropping her face until she’s kissing him again. Unlike just moments ago, she doesn’t pull away immediately. The hand on his face drops to his chest as she steadies herself and gets lost in him. Now is when she turns her brain off, pushing all the doubts and fears to the side to just focus on kissing Louis. It only takes a minute for Eva to deepen the kiss, mouth opening as her tongue slides against his lower lip to ask for entrance. It’s only polite, she reasoned, letting out the tiniest of sighs when allowed, and it takes everything in her to not move and get on top of him. No, that’s too much, too far, but she doesn’t hesitate in falling backwards yet again, tugging on his shirt to bring him with her so now he’s the one hovering over her. “Why are you so good at this,” she groaned against his mouth, opening her eyes for just a second to look at him. Lips still brushing against his, she’s quick to add, “This is still one kiss. I’m not pulling away.” And she proves her point by closing her eyes again, hand moving up to tangle through his short curls as she gets lost in him once more.

He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until she began close the distance and he found himself releasing it through his nose as they kissed in an almost sigh. You'd think after fucking years of waiting for this moment, it'd be some huge thing. Like some 8 bit music would play and he'd evolve into this next level of himself or feel like every decision he'd ever made had led him to this point. Instead it felt like sheer....relief. Like a hot bath after a long satisfying work out or ice cold water on a hot summer day. Something that just felt so good after putting in work...earning it but also just-- good. Even without all that time and effort and rejection and memories. If he were to separate that, distance from it, kissing Eva and the potential it brought to really get to know her, to be with her, felt limitless. He wanted more, both of her lips and all there was to know of her.

But just like that, it was done. He blinked, lungs burning and it took every ounce of will power not to go for another. One. That's what they agreed upon, but god-- he hoped there'd be plenty more in the future. The brush of her nose was a nice touch though and it melted the tension that gathered in his shoulders from resisting, a soft chuckle escaping him as she said something about a pumpkin. "Wait-- I'm I Cinderella or are you?" he teased as she pulled back and down into the truck bed. There was no mistaking the brush of her hand, mainly because he caught it and laced their fingers with.a soft sigh and a warm tingling in his chest.

Louis could have just laid like this, the two of them enjoying the sounds of the night and reveling in the idea of what was to come. He didn't want to get too far ahead of himself but it was fucking hard not to. He'd spent ages, AGES, just-- imagining this moment. And he was fucking giddy with the possibilities, smiling like a dope as he looked up at the night sky. That and well the idea of kissing her again. Of learning all the different versions of said kiss. Learning how she liked it, soft or hard, tongue, no tongue. How she liked to be touched, where-- it was endless. It wasn't until she spoke that he withdrew from his head, tilting it to the side to look at her with a knowing grin, "You definitely aren't alone...honestly not sure I'm ever gonna stop thinking about it," Maybe it was a lot, but it was honest. Which as she knew was him in a nutshell. Not a lot of people could handle that about him and yeah, it was nerve wracking to think he might end up being too much for her too. But they were friends first, right? That had to mean something when it came to her dealing with his personality. Still he squeezed her hand, eyes tracing over her expression.

"It doesn't have to be 'just one', you know? We get to set the pace and if you, I don't know want another just to even things out, I'm not opposed. I just, I want you to be comfy you know? Don't wanna push anything you're not ready for but honestly? I should get a will power award for resisting the urge to just..." Words trailed into a playful sigh. It was true though. He'd be happy making out all fucking night. Had she not been her, he wouldn't have hesitated. Ask forgiveness, not permission, right? But again, he'd meant it when he said she could set pace. He didn't wanna spook her.

[lunarrscribbles]

Of all the reactions she could imagine — giving a comical Whoop! complete with fist pump a la The Breakfast club, a handshake, even a bro tap — choking on his alcohol was so not one of them. Her eyebrows rose in concern as he coughed, then sputtered and before she had a chance to actually do something, he was drinking water and calming down. "You can't say you didn't make the moment memorable," she said with a laugh, reaching over to give his knee a comforting pat. Years down the road, if they were still a thing, it surely would be a tale to tell, and Eva would damn sure brag that she made him choke with some emotion when she said yes, I will give you an honest chance.

And even though she had agreed on her own terms and for her own reasons, she couldn't lie: seeing him this happy made her feel damn good. There was something about his smile that was so ... boyish still. She could close her eyes and go right back to his uncle's apartment and she said something that just made him grin. Back then, she thought it was cute. Now? She liked being the source of that.

So when he touched her cheek, it was her turn to blush, her head ducking momentarily as she tried to gather her bearings. Because she couldn't blush around him. It felt ... wrong to give him that ammo, but damn him. Damn him and his not-date that was very much guaranteeing him a real date. "I think you might win the award for patience," she replied with a small laugh. He had waited years to make his crush a reality. "One kiss." She could do one kiss. One simple kiss. Eyes glanced from his own to his lips and back before she closed the distance between them, eyes fluttering shut as their lips brushed together.

If she were being honest, she didn't see fireworks or explosions like they always talked about in the movies. The earth didn't shift and there was no big moment that she felt her life had changed. Instead, she felt comfort. As her head tilted, getting a better angle and not yet quite ready to pull away, she felt desired. It was as if he was pushing all of his years of pent up feelings and longing and everything else, letting her know just how serious he was. As she pulled away, eyes still closed and her tongue darting out for just a second to get one final taste, she felt breathless. And just like a snap, reality sunk back in. She heard the crickets, the music, his breathing. It all came roaring back and she couldn't help herself from nuzzling her nose against his. "Back to a pumpkin, Cinderella," she said with a grin as she opened her eyes again, putting enough distance between them so she wouldn't be tempted to go in for second helpings.

What she didn't hold back from was moving to lay down in the bed of the truck and pulling him down with her, the two shoulder to shoulder. If her hand brushed against his, well, that could easily be seen as a coincidence. Early evening had morphed into dusk, the fireflies long since retired as she looked up at the sky and the stars that twinkled from millions of miles away. Going back to casual after sharing a kiss felt impossible, because her thoughts just kept going back to it. How it made her feel, what it meant, what it could promise. "Please tell me I'm not the only one who keeps thinking of what just happened." Maybe speaking out loud would help, tell her heart to slow down. Or maybe she just needed to hear that she wasn't alone.

Just like that he felt like that idiotic kid again, waiting on...what? Rejection? Yeah. Cause that how it always seemed to go with her. Which fine. He was a dumb kid then. He hadn’t blamed her, but this...this was different wasn’t it? He put effort in, real effort, even if his first instinct was to play it all off as chill. Low key. It wasn’t. He had taken a shot, not as a horny teenage boy but as an impassioned young adult. His insides were in knots as she spoke and it was a feeling he absolutely detested. Cause there was no one else he felt this way with, no other woman he felt invested enough in to truly care how they perceived him or felt about him. 

It was nauseating and there was a tiny microscopic part of him that did hope that this explanation, this ‘Ive-been-hurt-before’ spiel would end in her gently refusing him one last time.Because if that happened? He could stop. He could move on saying he’d truly given it his all and it wasn’t enough but hey, maybe it was for the best. It’d suck. Likely the second biggest let down of his young life. But that was just that, wasn’t it? He was young and sure she’d be missing out on the single greatest man on the planet, but that was her choice and he’d make some other woman happy. Eventually.

Still, he owed it to himself, just as much as he did her, to take things serious now. To focus in on what she was actually trying to say and not jump ahead to the end, no matter how often the pattern seemed to repeat. He nodded, understanding the nerves and that well-- he wasn’t some rando dude. He’d heard about Dallas and Max grilling her when Stella shattered his fucking heart. He’d barely put the thing back together and even then, he was pretty positive they’re always be shards missing but that showed how fragile even something like this could be which only made him shift a scoop up a little bottle of whiskey from the cooler. He opened it, taking a sip and nearly fucking choked, inhaling the liquid sharply as she relented. Louis coughed, the alcohol searing all sorts of spots it shouldn’t have, making his eyes water as he fought to swallow or whatever the fuck it’d take to regain composure. “Probably would’ve been a lot less embarrassing if I actually was crying for joy right now,” he managed to say, voice cracking as he grabbed a bottle of water and down a drink, “Like fuck my life, is there like-- anyway i can get you to say all that again? Take two?”

Louis chuckled, his usual ochre cheeks holding a much warmer tone as he looked at her. If she asked, or more likely teased, he’d swear it was because he’d almost died but honestly? He was just fucking thrilled. So much so he leaned in, a hand coming to her cheek. There was a small gap between them, just enough that he could still make eye contact as he spoke, “Then we won’t just ‘jump in’. I think I’ve proved I can be pretty fucking patient, but...we’ll start slow. One kiss. One. Just to show you again, just how serious I am about all of this. Then we can go back to our super low key, chance confirming non-date, yeah?” His heart was in his ears, resisting the urge to do the damn thing. But he waited, bent on proving his point.

[lunarrscribbles]

Peeling the paper away from the plastic water bottle, needing something for her fingers to do, she waited for his answer, mentally going back and forth about whether she was going to get a serious response or not. Because the thing about him, she was finding out, was he was a little unpredictable. And this was more than the crazy and rambunctious preteen he had been once upon a time. Just like tonight, she had half-thought he'd take her out to some restaurant that neither would really remember before attempting to mount the conquest that was his older sister's best friend (literally and figuratively). And as she got ready for the night, part of her thought she'd let him because why not. Scratch the itch then the two of them would return to whatever normalcy they had been between them before tonight.

But like the picnic, the sandwiches, the music, all of it was catching her off guard, his answer doing the same. Ready to accept the I don't know, her mouth opened to speak until he kept going and she shut it again. Her smile softened when he said he liked her, and her cheeks blushed slightly when he admitted what they both knew. But then her brows furrowed as he began to talk about a cat - was she the cat? - and she nodded as she followed. Part of Eva thought she understood where he was going and laughed along with him when he stopped. "Is this the point where you say instead of giving you cooties, I'm now going to give you rabies?" she teased with a grin, gently pushing against his shoulder, mainly saying that to let him know that it was okay. She got it. In a way, she saw how he saw her: independent, a little out of reach, and he definitely needed to give her treats to pet her.

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she nodded. "This," she motioned between the space between them, "isn't just something either one of us can jump in to. There's too much history, too much everything." She sighed. Nagging at the back of her mind are his siblings, because even though this was a not-date and she didn't even know if she'd kiss him when the night ended, they'd still freak out if they knew. It was like a weight on her shoulders, hindering her just slightly from fully enjoying everything. But she pushed the thought of them away, wanting to really focus on him. He had laid it all out there for her that it was only fair that she do the same and give him her full attention. "Knowing the good and the bad, huh?"

Sighing, she leans sideways against the truck, chin resting on the cool metal. "You threw me for a loop, Louis Beaumont. I totally thought you weren't going to take any of this seriously and here you are, being a softie and making sense and shit." She laughed. "Look, I'm gonna be really honest with you: it's been a long time since I've gotten close to a guy and the last time it did happen, it didn't go great." She didn't doubt he had heard rumblings from his sisters and didn't feel it was necessary to really go in to too much detail. "And I'm not saying this is even going to be a relationship or anything but ... I get nervous. Even with you." Especially with him because it felt like there was so much more riding on this. If a relationship went bad with a guy, she could ghost them easily and never think about them again. Her life was intertwined with his in a special way and she didn't want to sever all ties should things sour between them. "But I do want to say I'll give it a chance; give you a chance. To get to know me more than what you think you do now." She gave him a small smile. "And maybe I'll let you take me on a real date next time," she said teasingly as she shot him a wink. "Let you really wine and dine me." It felt weird to give in, to really give him a chance but just as he was curious, so was she. He had said and done enough to let her know that he was serious about this and she'd be lying if if she said she wasn't the least bit interested to know where exactly this could go.

Teasing. Laughing. Silence. It was a bit of a pattern between them and it wasn't something he hated. Not really. He'd spent years in this kinda...holding sequence, acknowledged but never taken seriously. Forgotten but existing like some kinda faint echo until well, until he made himself known again. It'd repeat. Over and over and over. And yeah, there were times he felt like ditching it altogether. Times he had because yeah no, not even he could sit around just pining forever. He had to live his life to some existent. He did and if this didn't work out? Ok. He would keep on keeping on. But it was hard not to be a little optimistic given how fucking well he was doing. Maybe Eva could be a mystery to some, but he had her various smiles memorized, the way her micro expressions shifted when she was frustrated etched in his brain and that oh so rare hint of genuine surprise? He loved to hear that.

So he joked, about how under the radar he could move, about his various and totally not stalkerish 'notes' on her favorite sandwich combinations, they laughed, and then came the silence. The kind that twisted up his insides so tight he wanted to burst before just-- giving into it. Easing into it because yes. He wanted this. Every little gift, song, smile, compliment he'd ever directed her way led to this exact moment. His one fucking shot. But in all of that...patience. That's what he'd learned. Patience and the confidence that even if something didn't turn out, something else would. So he ignored his nerves and let himself sit in it, the moment, enjoying his sandwich and a tiny bottle of fireball, eyes on the skyline as the sun fades and the deep oranges and reds give way darker purples and blues.

It's not until she finally speaks he glances her way again, a chuckle falling from his lips. "Why not both?" I mean, if she was magic it stood to reason they could be. And maybe it was big headed, Louis knew he was too. He was a fucking catch and just because no one else had realized that yet, like really realized? Well, didn't make it any less fact. Just meant people could be pretty dense. Or blind. Or both. It was her next question that gave him pause and he took a moment. He wanted to think about it. She deserved that didn't she? An honest answer and those nerves sucker punched him in the gut, reminding him that if he answered wrong that could be it. KO. Game over.

So yeah. He was quiet, his head tilted, thoughtful expression on his face before he finally hummed and looked her in the eye,

"I don't know,"

Simple. Honest. But again, she deserved a bit more than that. "I wish I had some grandiose speech or answer, but I don't. I like you. I know that. I wanna fuck you. And I know, that's really fucking forward, but it's true. But it's more than that too. Like-- ok. Stay with me and stay un-offended, ok?" he paused long enough to angle himself toward her a bit more, knees brushing, "So. there's this cat. It's this beautiful, independent thing and it lives near by. It always has. It on one side, you on the other. You can see it, leave it treats, give it a name, call to it. You can watch it take care of other kittens and maybe sometimes, if your lucky, it notices you too. But you've seen it and you know-- you know how it moves. Meows. How it hunts. But as much as you want to you can't touch it. You can't know it, can't build a bond any deeper than what it allows you to see. But you know seeing it, being near it even without all that makes your day so much better. And all you can think about is how much better it could be to interact, really see it and have it see you and be--" He laughed, palming his face cause yeah, he was rambling and not only that but comparing her to some feral cat? It felt stupid. But really he couldn't-- it wasn't something he could articulate any other way.

"Just-- Something about you lights me the fuck up. I don't know why. Maybe it's magic. I don't know. But I want to. I wanna figure it out and that takes knowing you, not just this image I've got of you. And I can't do that if I don't try. Does any of that make sense?"