Finding Love in the District

Do You Mean That?

Skye saw Ros completely turn to face him, staring at him in slight disbelief, as the rest of the group was completely oblivious to what they were discussing. In a way, he was glad that no one was paying attention to them, not liking the fact that he was fully vulnerable. The only ones who ever saw him in such a state was Austin, Jess and his ex, Grayson. He had no idea what to expect from Ros, considering they were still getting to know each other.

"Are... you just saying that to be civil, or do you really mean it?" Ros asked, sounding uncertain.

Skye averted his gaze towards his lap, his hands fidgeting together in a nervous fashion. "I... mean it." He spoke, firmly. Even he surprised himself when he gave a response, realizing that he had not felt this way towards someone in quite some time. However, he noticed that Ros was remaining silent, but was still attentive towards him. Skye could tell that Ros was observing him, trying to deduce if what he was expressing was indeed the truth. "I'm not lying." Skye forced out, looking up towards him as he did so.

"I'm sorry if I seem skeptical, but our interactions have been off-putting for me tonight." Ros admitted with a sigh. "I'm not trying to make you upset. I'm just... trying to understand what you're really thinking and feeling."

"That's... fair." Skye answered, slowly, as he tried to collect his thoughts. He wasn't entirely sure how to say them, his gaze averting elsewhere as he mulled over them. "This is... very new for me, I guess."

"I figured that out a while ago..." Ros spoke in a lightly teasing manner, a small smile coming to his face.

"Yes, yes... because you're so smart." Skye teased back, a faint grin coming to his face not long after. A sigh escaped him once again, before he looked directly at Ros to make eye contact. "I'm very afraid of dating someone right now. The last relationship I was in was very toxic and draining. It's been... years since I've even gone on actual dates, let alone even just a fuck-buddy or one-night stand."

"T-That's not what I want-" Ros interjected, only to see Skye hold up a hand to cut him off, before speaking again.

"I know you don't, Ros. That's what makes this even harder for me." Skye admitted, before lowering his hand to continue. "You're serious. I can see that you are the type that doesn't just date to screw people or because you are lonely. You date to be in a relationship, a commitment. That's a great thing, honestly. It seems so rare to find lately. But, at the same time, it terrifies me."

"Do you... not want that?" Ros asked, genuinely sounding concerned.

"I do... it's just... I've forgotten what it's like. I've forgotten what it's like to just go on dates, get to know a person, and let things progress." Skye replied with a weak smile. "I think what Jess told me was right... I'm so used to chaos, that I don't know what stability is like."

While Skye spoke, he could tell that Ros was actively processing everything that he was saying, as there was a bit of movement in his eyes. He noticed that Ros' hands were clenching together in his own lap while he did so, surprised to see him look so uneasy.

He's not going to want to continue this. He probably thinks it's too much work and effort. Skye thought to himself, a feeling of regret and remorse coming over him.

"Would you be alright with me trying to get you back to that?" Ros finally spoke, looking at him as he did so. His hands had relaxed entirely, and he peered back towards Skye in such a confident manner that it gave him a slight chill.

"Back to... what?" Skye asked, puzzled.

"Stability. I want to pursue a relationship with you, Skye. I'm willing to be patient and work through your fears and uncertainty to do that, but I need to know if you're ok with that first."

Skye stared back at him with a loss for words. It had gotten quiet around him, or at least he felt like it did, as it seemed like all sound and noise had dissipated as his mind was processing everything that he had just heard. He shook his head a bit, as if to come back to reality before he cleared his throat and looked at Ros again. "Did... you just say, you want to try and pursue a relationship with me?" he asked, baffled.

"Yes, I did. But, as I stated, I need you to tell me if you are alright with me doing that." Ros replied, confirming.

I'm not crazy... he really did just say that. Skye kept staring at Ros, as if to find a crack of a lie or manipulative power play of some kind. But all he could see was sincerity and assurance on his face. A feeling of warmth had come over Skye, and even he couldn't believe the fact that his heartbeat was starting to steadily increase. Dropping any walls he had up internally, Skye's entire body slowly began to relax, allowing himself to enjoy these feelings that he hadn't experienced in what seemed like ages. "I'm... ok with it."

Ros blinked a few times, also appearing to be just as surprised by his response. "Really? Do you really mean that?" he asked, not able to hide the relief in his voice.

"Geez, did I really make you feel so uncertain about me that you won't believe anything I say anymore?" Skye joked with a small laugh, before speaking again. "Yes, I do mean that, Ros. I would... be ok with you trying to be in a relationship with me."

A bright smile came to Ros' face as soon as he finished speaking, and it was enough to almost give Skye a heart attack at the way it was beating against his chest. "I'm... incredibly happy to hear this, Skye. Seriously."

"I think I can tell." Skye replied. "But you still owe me one more date. You still have some work to do." He teased with a smirk.

"I think I have quite a bit of work to do, honestly." Ros teased back with a smile of his own.

"I didn't say this was going to be easy. If you want me, you must put in the work." Skye returned the gesture.

"Believe me, Skye. I'm more than willing to put in the work." Ros shot back, a very poised smile on his face.