And It Went Up In Smoke

Chapter 12: Confessions (Part II)

Violet POV

"Sure." I said, and handed Sunny over to Klaus. He glanced at with Isadora, raising an eyebrow, and Isadora smiled at him almost...smugly? No, that couldn't be right. Both pairs of eyes flicked towards Duncan and I, who was guiding me out of his room and into the one I shared with Klaus and Sunny. 

My eyebrows furrowed, and I was still mulling over the strange look they shared as Duncan softly closed the door behind us. The click brought me out of my stupor, and I locked eyes with Duncan's warm hazel ones, smiling softly. "So what did y- mmph-"

My body froze. Duncan just kissed me. He drew back almost immediately, eyes hesitant. I raised a hand to my lips slowly and looked at him with wide eyes. I slowly let out a breath and tried to get my breathing to even out. Duncan just kissed me. My hands fisted in my dress, and I closed my eyes, breathing fast and shallow. I didn't know what was happening. I'd never felt this overwhelmed or out of control before. I started gasping for air, my hands shaking and eyes tearing up. I started pacing around the room nervously. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. I was entirely out of control, I was unravelling, and everything was so loud, so fast, so much.

Duncan grabbed my hands immediately, and pulled me towards him. I squeezed his hands back tightly, and let him guide me to my bed. He put an arm around me, slowly rubbing my back and whispering to me. I took large gulps of air, and furiously rubbed at my eyes. My heart was thudding against my ribcage, drowning out every other sound. Duncan continued to whisper to me, and my breaths began to even out. A few minutes later, I was breathing normally again. My head was on Duncan's shoulder, and his arm was still around me.

"I...I'm sorry, Duncan, I don't know what just happened and I..." I trailed off, not being able to come up with an explanation.

"Sorry?" he echoed in disbelief. "Violet, I should be the one apologising." He took hold of my hands and looked me in the eyes, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes were soft, warm and calm. I felt like...I was home. "I shouldn't have sprung that on you. I just wasn't sure how to bring it up, I'm sorry." He took in a breath. "You are the most creative, smart, caring, resourceful and gorgeous person I've met. We haven't really spent much time together but I doubt I'll ever like someone else as much as I like you. And I understand if-"

I cut him off this time. His hand came to cup my cheek lightly, and his other arm circled around my waist. I rested my hands on his chest, softly, and pulled apart for a moment. "I saw the D.Q. + V.B."

His face flushed, and I giggled a little. "Well," he said, "I'd better do this properly then." He got off the bed and knelt down in front of me. My eyes widened again. He took hold of both my hands and looked up at me. 

"Violet Baudelaire," he began, smirking at seeing me so flustered, "would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend?"

"Yes, Duncan, and you can get up now," I replied, laughing and trying to make myself stop blushing. He pressed another kiss to my forehead, and held out his hand. I took it, and we both walked out of the room, grinning like idiots.