𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

Little Lionheart

~'~

Max

The breeze on the balcony carried her laugh like it belonged there. Watching her tease me, her voice laced with sarcasm and sweetness in equal measure, I couldn't help but marvel at how easy this felt.

She was sprawled comfortably next to me, an expression of mock exasperation on her face as she waved a hand to emphasize some joke I couldn't focus on. All I could see was her, sharp wit behind every word, the way she pulled me along without even trying. God, she was funny. And not in the way people try to be funny when they want something. She was the kind of funny that hit unexpectedly, wrapped in her natural charm.

"Are you even listening?" she asked, snapping her fingers dramatically in front of my face.

"I was listening," I said quickly, though I was absolutely lying.

Her brows lifted. "Oh really? What did I just say, then?"

"You, uh..." I trailed off, struggling to come up with anything remotely convincing. "Words." Nice one.

She leaned forward, grin widening, savoring my downfall. "Exactly. Caught you. You were too busy zoning out to keep up with my very interesting commentary on fries being the superior food group."

"Oh, right. Fries. Life-altering wisdom," I teased. "I'm so sorry I missed it. Please, continue."

"I can't believe you had the audacity to ignore me," she said, clutching a hand to her chest in mock indignation. "This is betrayal. Mutiny."

"You're making it worse for yourself, you know," I countered.

She leaned back with a shrug, unapologetic. "Eh. You deserve it. I mean, it's not like you've ever done anything infuriating, right?"

My grin faltered, caught off-guard by the flicker of mischief in her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, I don't know," she said airily, gaze fixed on the city lights as she sipped her drink. "Just thinking about how you casually pushed me off a boat once. You know, no big deal."

And there it was.

My head fell back with a groan, and she cackled like she'd been saving that one for days. I almost choked on my own breath. "I didn't push you. I encouraged you... strongly."

"You shoved me!" she shot back, her smile a storm of mock outrage and glee.

I pressed my knuckles to my mouth, smothering a laugh. "To be fair, who in their right mind gets on a boat but can't swim? That's like standing under a tree in a thunderstorm with a metal rod."

"I didn't plan on being forcibly introduced to Poseidon, you lunatic!" she said, throwing a chip from her plate at me. "Should I have just developed gills on the spot?"

"I said I was sorry," I said, even though my grin betrayed me.

"No, you didn't!"

"I'm saying it now." I leaned forward slightly, letting the weight of my words settle even as the amusement lingered. "I really am sorry."

She blinked, caught off guard for a moment, and then leaned back with a smirk. "Alright, I'll allow it. You have... partially redeemed yourself."

"I live for your validation."

"Don't we all." She arched a brow, her bravado unshaken.

"What kind of person goes their whole life without learning how to swim?"