say you'll see me again

viii

"Why are you here, Lisa?"

Lisa is taken aback by Roseanne's formality. She gives her a questioning look, trying to understand what has caused this sudden change. She thought they had gotten past the initial awkwardness and politeness, and her resolve begins to weaken as doubt seeps in. She hears her friends in the back of her mind, urging her to make her move.

"I'm really hoping it was the same reason you came back to see me." She pauses and gives Roseanne a hopeful look. "Otherwise this might get awkward."

When Roseanne's demeanor doesn't change, Lisa starts to doubt herself. She begins to wonder if she should follow her friends' advice; they have been wrong before. She weighs the pros and cons of telling Roseanne how she feels, and starts to feel that the risk might not be worth it. If Roseanne does not reciprocate her feelings, as Lisa deduces from her behavior, she could be ruining a great friendship. She would also like to avoid the embarrassment of being rejected, as she grows more and more certain that this will end in heartbreak.

"You know what, I think I should go. I'm sorry for disturbing you."

As she turns to leave, she catches Roseanne's eye and is surprised by what she sees. For a fraction of a second, Roseanne lets her guard down, just long enough for Lisa to see a flash of fear in her eyes. She pauses mid-step as she slowly puts the pieces together.

It occurs to her that it is possible that her friends were right, and that Roseanne does like her. Lisa has seen first-hand how formal Roseanne becomes when she is nervous or scared. She slowly turns back towards the blonde as she realizes that her politeness might hide something more. It's a possibility that she can't ignore, and she feels a flicker of hope as her courage returns.

"Ok, so here's the thing," she starts slowly, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I like you. I think that you're great and intelligent and beautiful. I really love spending time with you, and when we pretend that we're a couple, I find myself wishing that we were actually dating."

Lisa holds her breath as she watches for Roseanne's response. When Roseanne doesn't react immediately, Lisa backtracks.

"Hey, if you don't feel the same way, it's fine. We can still be-"

She is interrupted by Roseanne's lips pressing against her own. After her initial surprise, Lisa relaxes into the kiss and winds her hands into Roseanne's hair, pulling her closer. The kiss is slow and tender, as they both try to express how they feel through the kiss. And although it is not the first time they have kissed, it feels like their first. Because this time it is real, and this time it is for their own benefit, and not anyone else's. Lisa knows she's in trouble when the butterflies erupt in her stomach and her heart swells with emotion.

Lisa brushes her nose against Roseanne's as she leans in to deepen the kiss, but Roseanne pulls away. Lisa immediately releases her with a concerned look, wondering what she did wrong. Roseanne shakes her head and looks down.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have cut you off like that."

Lisa grins and leans in, lowering her voice suggestively.

"From now on, if you want to shut me up, that's the only method I'll accept."

Roseanne smiles as Lisa leans in closer, licking her lips. The brunette stops her advance when her mouth inches from Roseanne's, giving her the option to pull away if she wants to. Instead, Roseanne closes the gap between them, feeling Lisa's smile against their lips once again. Their second kiss is brief, and they pull away smiling, leaning their foreheads against each other. Lisa wraps her arms around Roseanne and pulls her into a hug, burying her face in the crook of her neck. Roseanne shivers slightly at the touch, and sighs with contentment as she pulls Lisa closer.