fandomhigh | Library [3.14]

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Library [3.14]

Karal wasn't alone when he opened the library this morning. Altra was walking ahead of him, Evey was walking beside him, and he was grateful for their company.

He made sure Evey was happily settled in the stacks with a pile of books and a cup of tea, then set about opening the library.

[ooc: Evey modded with permission]

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"You are," she agreed, reaching a hand up to smooth his hair. "I'm very patient and forgiving. Really."

His smile got wider, and then he was kissing her, because he wanted to, because he needed to, because she was Evey and it made him happy.

She was rising up on her toes to meet him partway, craving the closeness. Her arms slid around his neck, and she knew it couldn't be a long kiss, or one she could lose herself in, but today she needed to forget -- even for a moment -- about reality.

It - no, Evey, was exactly what he'd needed, to forget the outside world, to remember there were things as important as what was going on in it. He delicately stroked her back, settling his hand between her shoulder blades, his other still light against her cheek.

Knowing they didn't have much time, he tried to put everything he felt, everything there were no words for, into the kiss.

Eveys fingertips grazed his back, her arms providing a semblance of stability. Part of her wanted to move further into the shadows, against the books, and just forget everything in lieu of this, of Karal. For the moment, that part of her got a voice, at least. It would be squashed and silenced as soon as the kiss broke.

Which wasn't going to happen soon. Or at least, Karal didn't want it to happen. He wanted to push forward, to pull her closer, to never let it end.

He was almost thankful they were in a library, where it couldn't happen. Almost, and he slid his hand to the small of her back, fingers curling against her shirt.

Library. People. He'd pull away, he really would, just not quite yet.

The simplicity of the moment was soothing, the quiet was welcome, and she could focus on the gentle sound of their combined breathing, or the soft noise of her shoes on the floor as she maneuvered on her toes to stay closer.

Right now, there were no angels, or statues, or puzzles she didn't understand. She had all the pieces: there were just two, and they were named Karal and Evey.

It was perfect and simple and it had to end, or Karal wasn't sure he'd be able to.

He lifted his head the barest amount, sliding his other arm around Evey, breathing just a little bit quicker than it had been. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to, just held her, wrapped up in this tiny pocket of peace.

Evey's eyes stayed closed as she drifted back to flat feet, nudging her nose lightly against Karal's. She clung to the quiet and the peace, suspecting that moments like this -- as they had been before -- were just the colloquial calm before the storm.

Finally, reluctantly, Karal spoke. "We should probably get to work." Not that he was moving.

"Probably."

Evey was also not moving, not just yet.

He smiled and ran a hand across her hair. "Will you stay with me again tonight?"

"Again with asking the impossible of me," she teased softly, smiling. "I suppose I can be persuaded."

He glanced down, then moved away, just enough to catch her hand. "I would try and persuade you, but somehow I think the library isn't the place."

And, glory of glories, he actually didn't blush, even though he wanted to.

Evey did, though, because it was so unexpected. "Oh. I...consider me persuaded as it is, then," she said, smiling shyly and feeling her cheeks flame up.

Evey's blush was enough to set off Karal's, and he had to glance away, suddenly shy. Glory. "I'm glad," he said, a bit amazed at himself.

"Though I may need to be persuaded to stay once I'm there and we're alone," she added, looking at him. She was still blushing, but her shock had worn off and her flirtatiousness had returned.

Karal looked up, meeting her eyes, and his mouth went dry. "Oh." Oh, bright flame. "Well, I'd hate for you to leave," he said, hesitantly, almost stumbling over his words. "Especially once you're there and it is just us." He went pinker. "So, I may have to persuade you," he finished softly.

"I look forward to seeing your methods of persuasion." He was just too cute, and Evey found herself being charmed by the hesitance. It was hardly a time for flirtation, but at the same time it was the best time for such things -- it wasn't as though they were accomplishing much by worrying.

Karal's eyes went wide, but his expression was thoughtful, if a touch nervous. "I'll spend the day thinking on it." He couldn't quite decide if he was ashamed of himself, for caring so much about this in the midst of everything. But it didn't mean he didn't care, and it was deeply welcome, both for it's own sake, and for the distraction it provided. "But for now," he brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, "there are books that need us."

"They won't sort themselves," she agreed softly, smiling at him and twining her finger through his and grateful for the distraction.

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