I Tripped and Fell in Love With You

Chapter 6: Love

"How do I look?" Obito struck the same pose as the wrestler on his shirt, smacking his fist into his other hand and flexing his bicep.

Emi clapped, sending clouds of flour puffing into the sun shafts. "Even more handsome than usual!"

"I never thanked you for it yesterday.. So, thank you. I know you would normally sell it for rent money.. Well, bills? Do you even have bills? Whatever, it means so much to me."

She giggled as she measured out soy milk, splashing a little over the side of the glass cup. "I was gonna give it to you from the start." She bent over, eyeing the milk as she tipped the carton again until it reached the red line and poured it into the dry mix. "You're just too good looking, I couldn't say no. Do you mind if I borrow your hoodie until it warms up outside?"

The floor creaked and a lump of fabric thumped her on the back. Obito stumbled over his words as he shoved it into her spine, "Yeah! Uh, yes, you can wear it."

He watched her as the roar of possession flamed from his belly to his chest. Her dimples emerged from the hole at the top, the hood bunched around her neck, the sleeves had to be pushed up her arms, the length stopped just under her butt. Adorable, and oddly charming. She was wearing his security blanket. He was wearing her gift.

Pride made him stand taller. He lumbered over to her at his full height and hugged her from behind. His scarred arm rested across her clavicle, his hand curved around her hip. Her small frame leaned into him and she looked up, laughing, rebuking him if she messed up the pancake batter. He lifted his thumb to her jaw and forced her ear to his chest, wondering if she could hear the flames fueling his heart. If she could hear what she did to him.

He kissed the top of her head and let go.

He would protect her at all costs.

Emi danced while humming, cutting fruit, and flipping pancakes. Obito sat at the table, tapping on his phone. He watched her pour more batter, then glanced at his phone, then back at her.

"Can I take a picture of you?" He didn't say it loud enough to be heard over her rendition of a cartoon's opening theme song, so he cleared his throat. "Can I take a picture of you? Just something for us, ya know.."

"You wanna take a picture of me, like a candid shot? Cooking?"

"Sure," Obito said. Emi turned away to flip a pancake. The bubbles sizzled and popped on the surface. He clicked the button on his camera app a few times, cycling through to pick his favorite. On the screen her body was angled towards him, spatula in hand, smiling in a kittenish way when you know someone is watching you. Her strong jaw cast a dark shadow down her throat. It was obvious from the oversized fit that she was wearing someone else's hoodie.

"You can post it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, tag me in it. I'll repost it on my stories. I'll be posting a few today to advertise my booth."

Obito clenched his teeth and decided to come clean about his intentions. "Are you sure? Because it really looks like we're dating."

She plated the perfect stack of pancakes. Sliced strawberries and bananas were carefully placed in a ring around the edge. She dug in the pantry and brought out a small packet of powdered sugar, pinching a bit in her fingers and sprinkling on top like a fresh snowfall. The kettle on the back burner whistled and she made two cups of coffee with the AeroPress. She placed the food and one of the mugs in front of him and slapped his hand as he reached out for the metal condiment cup of syrup.

Obito coiled his stinging wrist in his lap as she brandished her phone and took pictures of the set up, confident she kept his scowl out of frame.

His face went slack after she winked at him and posted the photo to her Instagram and the influx of comments lit up her phone. "I don't care if people think we're dating."