Another first day

Ch.12.Breaking.Point.

The rest of the week goes similarly, beatings in the morning, showers, naps in Leon's bed, trips into town to pass the time, picking up necessary and not so necessary items, dinners spent in one of our rooms, or tonight, in the common room. We're seated on one of the two couches, enjoying Chinese, the only place in town we hadn't tried yet.

"Here, you pick then." I toss the remote in his lap, not happy he shot down my idea of what to watch, picking up my plastic plate, stabbing into a piece of chicken, giving him a sideways look when he clicks on the movie I suggested. "Thought it looks lame?" He frowns, setting the remote down on the coffee table, grabbing his own plate before propping his feet up, sighing heavily. He looks rough, the week-long routine wearing him down, leaving him bruised and cut up, heavy circles under his eyes.

"Changed my mind." He smiles slightly down at his food, taking an oversized bite, eyes flitting up to the screen, pretending to enjoy the movie, a silly rom com, which has barely even started. He's been different, since that first night spent in his room, softer, more himself, but only with me. As soon as anyone else enters the picture he's on high alert, keeping everyone at arm's length, scared to let anyone in, to get hurt.

"Liar." He turns his head to me, holding down his smile, his expression making me laugh. We haven't done much talking the past couple days, much too tired and much too hurt to do much of anything. My wrist was almost completely healed, until our gracious trainer found out about the ace wrap. It's worse now, painful even when I'm not moving, similar to the ache in the rest of my body. We've both gotten more used to his fighting style, sometimes gaining the upper hand, then getting pummeled into the ground when he gets pissed off.

"No way. I love romance, maybe this'll gimme some tips." He shrugs, giving me a goofy smile before turning back toward the screen, not seeming to hate the movie as much as he thought. The tension has gone through the roof, driving the both of us crazy. He's been living with an almost constant erection the past few days, and I've been feeling pent up as well, a million almost kisses dodged by the man next to me, all for decency's sake. I thought I made it obvious enough that I don't care to be wined and dined beforehand, but he seems adamant, not that I blame him, seems he was raised old fashioned, and to be honest it's pretty cute, watching him try to do it right.

"Got someone you're trying to romance?" I pull my legs up, sitting against the arm rest, facing him, a teasing smile on my face. He finishes his bite, smiling slightly, looking over at me.

"Hopefully." I laugh, taking another bite of my own food, chewing thoughtfully, taking a look at the screen as I swallow, the main character flirting with her love interest, and failing horribly.

"Lucky girl." He laughs this time, low and nervous, his confidence waning the longer the banter goes on. He sets his empty plate on the table, next to his socked feet, leaning back and turning his head to look at me, his expression showing nothing short of adoration, eyes gazing into my face, lips pulled up in a soft smile.

"I'd be luckier." He's getting smoother, on occasion leaving me shocked with his words. He's gotten bolder too, thinking nothing of touching, holding hands, cuddling, not that I mind, I just find it interesting that he can be so bold and yet so bashful. I finish the last of my meal, a light hand on my shoulder keeping me from standing, his other taking my plate from my hand, grabbing his as well, stuffing them into the bag as he stands, getting rid of the garbage before returning to my side, sitting a few inches closer, not enough to notice, unless you're paying attention. "The hell even is this movie? They're teenagers?" He spreads his legs, resting his hands in his lap, looking good, my eyes trained on him while he's distracted with the movie.

"She has to make him fall in love with her by the end of the week." He looks over at me, looking mildly disgusted, looking back to the screen when the heroine screams, one of his arms coming up to rest behind his head, forearm propping it up.