The Gloves are Off

Untitled Part 12

Vik POV:

Gotta say, bein' able to pull her close and kiss her any time I want sure does feel good. Knowin' she's actually mine and I'm hers.

Still feels unreal, but damn if I don't love every second spent kissin' her.

She doesn't even seem to mind when V freaks out, not caring who knows – makes me near giddy to be honest. Like some sugared out kid, grinnin' broad and high on life, feelin' young again and hopeful for what's next for once.

Wouldn't call myself cynical, but hadn't put much stock in thinkin' past the day to day for a while. Now here I am, planning dinners and countin' down the minutes to when I get to see her again.

Hadn't felt this way in a long damn time.

Might never have...

She's unique, got me wrapped around her finger already and I'm sure she doesn't even know it yet. Like I've known her lot longer than... what... 2 short goddamn weeks?

Shit.

Fallin' hard and quick.

It's scary, won't deny that, but for some reason I just trust her. Somethin' in her eyes, the way she looks at me, acts around me... just makes me think she feels it too.

Never been the type to dive in headfirst like this, but hell, gettin' older and seen a lotta shit, don't wanna waste time pretending we ain't together. Mine as well be open about it, see where this all goes.

Still wanna take it slow with her from here, though. Don't wanna get impatient and burn her out too fast, risk her gettin' bored afterwards.

More I think on it, more I hear about her, and time I spend with her... more I think I'm a goddamn idiot for even worryin' about it.

Got a good head on her shoulders, not seekin' the thrill like most mercs, just wanting some extra Eds to get her life movin' the right direction.

See, THAT is a motivation I can understand, a reasoning I can grasp, come to terms with even. Helps me accept her career, knowin' it's temporary.

Still worry about her, sure. Don't wanna even think about the danger she's in on these fuckin' jobs, 'specially not now that she's actually mine.

Goddamn crazy just sayin' that, even to myself.

Mine.

She's all mine.

Feel the smirk tug along my cheeks, thanking the shop owner as he hands me several to-go bags of food. Wanted to give her plenty'a options, figured we could both use a night of indulgence, pig out on some food and stay up late talkin' again.

Strange how much I'm lookin' forward to it.

Don't plan on anything happenin', to be honest I just wanna see her again, get to know everything about her, maybe pull her close and curl up to a good movie before passin' out. Would be a dream come true wakin' up to see that beautiful face starin' back at me.

Been so long since I dated though, kinda nervous...

Hope I didn't give the wrong impression askin' to have a date night at her place.

Don't get me wrong, I want her. Want her so goddamn bad...

But still wanna slow it down, enjoy takin' things step by step with her. Somethin' I hadn't really bothered with in my past, but she's special, got me wantin' to do things right this time – maybe build somethin' that'll actually last... Keep her around for a while, maybe even...