Dandelion Lover

The silence was eerie and neither of us wanted to break it, I wished we could postpone the uncomfortable discussion that was to follow but it was inescapable.

I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts as I felt warmth envelop me. Despite his embrace, the silence continued, nevertheless, I was not as distressed as before.

"Are you hungry?" he asked loosening his hold on me. Before I could reply he already held my hand and gently pulled me to follow him.

As we entered the kitchen, I noticed there were several simple dishes prepared on the countertop.

"I'll reheat them, they might not be as good as before but should still be edible," Luke mentioned and left my hand in order to do what he set off to.

"Yeah, some food would be nice. Did you cook all these?"

"Yes, it's nothing much, just some simple dishes. Take a seat, they'll be ready soon."

I was happy to know that he took his time to cook for me, I didn't even know he had the skills to prepare anything more than coffee as we always ate out.

"Okay." I smiled at my own happiness and it horrified me to even think of losing all this.

It did not take long for the dishes to delivered to the dining table and their aroma woke up my senses. Suddenly I heard a rumbling noise near me.

"I guess I was hungrier than you." he joked while rubbing his stomach like a little kid.

"Then let's eat."

"Yes, let's." He smiled back at me and sat at the table as well.

"Thank you for cooking." I was thankful for this through preparations, and although the dishes seemed simply they smelled incredible.

"Anytime. Enjoy!" He replied and reached for some of the food.

We ate in silence but it was the comfortable type, the previous tension melt as our stomachs filled.

"That was delicious, you're going to spoil me if you continue to cook for me."

I joked as we moved to the living room to snuggle on the couch.

"That wouldn't be bad at all, one more reason to keep me close."

His arms coiled around my shoulders and pulled me closer to his c.h.e.s.t.

"Even without this I still want us to stay close."

"I want that as well Kitty," he replied but his tone betrayed his thoughts.

"What do you think?" I cautiously asked him.

"About what?"

"You know very well what I'm talking about." I chided but he just smiled.

"To be completely honest I want to be selfish and tell you not to go. To say that all the opportunities you will have there you can find here as well. But it is also my selfishness that wants you to feel free to do whatever you wish for as long as it makes you happy. So I am undecided on what my final answer should be."

I was shocked by the way he just poured out his feelings and thoughts, despite the doubts that were weighing on his mind. I reached for him and pressed our lips together. What started as a chaste kiss soon ignited with passion as our bodies drew closer and our breathing quickened.

"Thank you for telling me this." I stopped our actions from growing out of control as I put some distance between us. The air dividing us from each others' touch was cold and unpleasant but I needed to think with my head instead of my heart.

"You're right. What do you want to do?" he asked while his hands were covering mine, his heated touch made goosebumps appear on my arms.

"Through all that we've been through, the way I think and my reluctance to change has somewhat changed. I wish to find my own path but at the same time, I want to continue being comfortable, in the little bubble I built around myself. My world was never big, and now I feel like I got a glimpse of what it could be. I would like to see where this road leads." I answered unsure about how he will interpret my words.

"But despite my curiosity, I love you and care for you more than ever before, and I do not want to even risk losing you just because I am unsure of my path, that is why I thought of discussing this with you first."

"Losing what we have just because of a little distance is not going to happen. But if you always yield your own wishes just to make me comfortable, it will only increase your burden and make you unhappy."

"It's not a burden if it is for you." I quickly corrected him.

"Knowing you that might be true, but censuring your thoughts for my sake will result in neither of us being happy, always having a shadow over our relationship. I want you to go after what you want and what you need, and trust in us. This small thing will not break us."

"Are you sure? This might mean that we won't see each other for long periods of time."

"That will not happen," he assured me. "When you cannot come to me, I will go to you. Even if it's one year, two or even three, I will make sure that if you ever fall I'll be there to catch you. Even if you simply miss me, you just need to say it and I will come knocking at your door." He declared with a straight face and a haughty tone of voice.

"But then, what if there's someone new?" I inquired, still incredulous of his promises.

"There will be no opportunities for anyone new or old, as I'll be busy thinking of you."

Hearing this cheese line I could not help but laugh.

"Who taught you these cheesy lines?" I asked while trying to contain my laughter.

"Laugh now but you'll see that I mean every word," he replied with a smirk pulling me closer to him until I was once again in his embrace.

My laughter faded and warm drops made their way on down on my cheek. His hand slowly wiped them and his hold tightened. The small whimpers turned to sobs as I lay trembling in his arms.

"Do you promise?" I asked in between breaths.

"If you wish so I can promise but I know myself and I can tell you now that there is nothing that can change my mind."

The words became softer, his small kisses rained repeatedly on my cheeks, as if he was trying to calm me down.

"I believe you." I really did. I felt like despite my apprehension to believe in others, in him I could let go of my own doubts and simply trust his words. There was nothing that could go wrong despite my selfishness.

"Thank you," he whispered as his lips moved to cover mine with a soft, calming touch.

"I love you!" he murmured under his breath as his hands enveloped me in a secure grip.

"I love you too!" I whispered back as my hands clasped around his shoulders, completely surrendering my body and my mind to him.